The True lamentable discourse of the burning of Teverton in Devon-shire the third day of April last passed, about the hour of one of the Clock in the afternoon being Market day, 1598.  
At what time there was consumed to Ashes about the number of 400 houses with all the money and goods that was therein: and fifty persons burned alive through the vehemency of the same Fire.  
AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Purfoot for Thomas Millington and are to be sold at his shop in Cornhill, under St. Peter's Church.   

The lamentable spoil of Teverton.  
IT is not unknown to many, and chief to English Merchants that the Town of Teverton, in Devon-shire, about Ten miles on this side Exeter, was the chief Market for Cloth, that is in all the West parts of England: pleasantly situate upon the clear running river of Exe: garnished with many costly and goodly buildings, inhabited with divers rich and wealthy Merchants: and so well peopled, as no other Town (of the same bigness) in all those quarters, could compare therewith: And by reason of the Market kept therein every Monday for Cloth, and other commodities, it was greatly frequented of all the country people near adjoining, especially of Clothiers and such other persons as had any dealings therein: where they were sure of sale, and to have present money for their commodities were it never so much, where always before dinner, they had their Coin truly paid, which was no small benefit to all the poor men of the West parts, as Weavers, and Tuckers and such like. But such is the mutabillite of fortune, and the uncertainty of our mortal state: that no man can make assurance of that he hath, nor warrant his own welfare one minute of an hour, as by this following example, and many other the like is manifest: For we may be well assured, that the Third day of April last, when the rich Inhabitants of Teverton rose in the morning: Nay, when they were in the Market at Noon, they little thought that before night their wealth should have been turned into such want: but now behold a thing more wonderful: he which at one a clock was worth five Thousand Pound, & as the Prophet saith, drunk his wine in bowls of fine Silver plate, had not by two a Clock so much as a wooden dish left to eat his meat in, nor a house to cover his sorrowful head, neither did this happen to one man alone, but to many other, being neither in danger of the cruelty of wars, nor on the Seas, where they might fear the fury of waters.  
But when they thought themselves secure, and far from any imynent peril, in prime of the bright day, not when their Town was empty, but when their streets swarmed with store of people, not when they were a sleep or naked in their b●ds, when they could not shift for themselves: but when they were awake, appareled and fit for any business; Lo then (I say) suddenly, as it were in a twinkling of an eye, came that great grief upon them, which turned their wealth to miserable want, & their riches to unlookt-for poverty: and how was that? marry sir by Fire.  
But no fire from Heaven, no unquenchable fire, such as worthily fell on the sinful City of Sodom and Gomorrah: but a silly flash of fire, blazing forth of a frying pan, the circumstance whereof I will briefly show you.  
The fire first began at the West end of the Town, on the farthest side of the said fair River, about one a clock in the after noon, in the very prime, and chief of the Market, when people were most busiest in the sale of their commodities. For there was dwelling in a little low thatched house a poor beggarly woman, who had got a companion fit for her purpose, I mean an other woman of the like condition. And they together went to bake pancakes with straw: for their ability and provision was so good, that there was no wood in the house to do it. And as they were busy about their cookery, suddenly the fire got into the Pan, which also caught present hold on the straw lying hard by, by means whereof the house being very low, was by the high blaze of the straw fired in the very roof, which by the force of an extreme high wind which blew strongly in the West, kindled with such vehemency, that their was no help for the same, the fire whereof took hold of a certain bay-house near adjoining, and from thence it pass to the Town mills. The wind blowing still fiercely did drive the fire into the Town, & by this means in less than half an hour the whole Town was set on fire, and after burnt: except the Church & Court-house, which sometime belonged to the Earl of Devon-shire.  
But mark what followed: men would have thought, that upon a Market day, when every street was so well replenish with people, from all parts, there had been help enough quickly to have quenched the flame thereof, having also the commodity of a river near adjoining: But it came not so to pass: for they had neither books, nor buckets fit for such service, which all other wise and discreet Citizens do politiequely provide against such casualties, which might have been a means of their preservation.  
Notwithstanding, it is said that the chief of the town had often been in hand, to make such provision: but never brought it to effect, for howsoever it was well motioned, it was ill remembered, the want whereof they now felt to their great sorrow and cost: for whether it were covetousness, or negligence, or both: which in these days is the cause of great evil, it is certain they were destitute of such engines, the miss whereof when they found, than all too late they bewailed their approved folly: which was undoubtedly Gods just judgement for their iniquities: by the which let all other Towns take example.  
Whereby we may gather, it is not in man's power to prevent with strength of hand, the least plague which the Lord doth purpose to bring on any place. For you shall understand that all that day the wind being at West-South-west, & blowing extreme hard, the power thereof was so great, high, and vehement, that it inforest the kindled flame to rise most fiercely beating the same toward the Town in most outrageous sort; so that, by the time the people with all expedition had gathered unto that place to quench the fury thereof, behold ere they witted the fire had taken hold in the Principal place of the Town, and by that time they came back again and got thither, they perceived other houses to burn in like manner: so that while many were busy in helping their neighbours, their own houses was in as ill a case.  
Then began the cry to grow most grievous in every part of the Town, the mighty wind still increasing the fury of the enraged fire: here stood one man crying for help, there another, another, and another: wring their hands and making great lamentation: more and more the number increased, insomuch that the people were so amazed, they knew not which way to turn, nor where the most need was.  
The fire increased so fast, grew so vehement, and spread so far, that at last there was about 400 houses on fire at once, so that every man was glad to shift for himself, and so near as he could to save his own life, but all in vain, for he which even now rested in hope, his house should escape the danger, in the turning of a hand, had all on fire about his cares, the wind beating the flame in their faces: all which came still so suddenly, that there was no remedy to be had for the same.  
Most dreadful was the noise which was then heard in every corner and street of the Town, women piteously shrieking, maidens bitterly crying, and children roaring out of measure, the mother running to save her children, the husband for the wife, neighbour, calling for neighbour, friend, for friend, while they were beaten out of the town with raging flames of fire. For so extreme, and outrageous did the fire pass from house to house, there was no looking to save their goods: no way to preserve them from destruction, for all the Cloth in the market, wares in their shops, goods and household stuff, money, plate, apparel and bedding, yea all was burnt and nothing saved: and which is more to be lamented, divers townsmen did hazard themselves so far within the danger of the fire, to save some part of their goods, that they never returned back again, but were there most piteously burned to death, and consumed to ashes: divers of them being of the best men in the Town: Many children and other feeble persons was burnt in the houses, yea horses and other cattle in stables and back places, with all their corn and victual.  
Among the rest there was an old blind man burnt, named Nicholas Hartnell whom his friends had brought forth of his bed, & laid him for his better safety in the Market house, but while they were making shift for themselves in some other sort, before they could return again, the poor man was by fire turned into ashes:  
There was in like manner one Lawd and his wife, which were found lying in the street arm in arm burnt to death, but not quite consumed: At what time there was found lying between them five Pound in Gold, with the which as it seemed they sought to fly away: But being smothered by the smoke and and fires flame, they had their passage wofullye stayed: there was found the skulls and bones of many more.  
Likewise one Beeres wife a woman of good reputation, was burnt in the street: And also one widow Prouse before she could get out of her own doors suffered the like tormenting death.  
Then well apaid was that man, that had the benefit to keep himself and his family from danger: so that for the hast they made to get away into the fields, they overthrew and tumbled down one another in their passage forth.  
The Tiles by the beat of the fire, flew cracking from the houses, like as it had been a company of wel-charged Muskets rattling against some sconce: And again to hear the houses crack, and the burned timber fall down with might and main, made the very hearts of the people to shake for fear. When in short space after, they saw whole houses tumbling to the ground, after they had a while stood tottering too and fro with the mighty blasts of the south-west wind.  
At what time it was hard to say, whether their sorrow, or fear was greatest, when they beheld their goods burnt to ashes and heard the thundering noise of the falling houses, which caused the firm earth to quake and tremble under their feet.  
Truly whosoever doth enter into consideration hereof, must needs acknowledge, their case to be most lamentable, and their sorrow unspeakable, during the time of this terrible fire: the rage whereof lasted not above one hour and a half, and yet in that small space, had it burnt to ashes, (as I said before) above the number of Four Hundred houses: most of them belonging to the wealthiest men in the Town, with all the goods that were in them, so that all the substantial townsmen, were constrained to lie in the fields with their woeful wives & children, and to lodge themselves on the cold ground, that in the morning had choice of beds to go unto: such was their sudden wrack, and hard fortune.  
Therefore it is a vain thing to trust in the uncertainty of worldly riches which being gotten with travel, and kept with care, is notwithstanding soon lost, being in hazard of a Thousand dangers. And therefore most happy and blessed are they, which according to the counsel of the holy Ghost, do lay up their treasure in Heaven, where it can perish by no peril, that can happen, but doth ever remain safe in the sure keeping of the Lord God of hosts.  
Before the fire was fully ended, and diligent search made there was found lacking as it is very credibly reported an Hundred persons or thereabout, of the which number (as I have already mentioned) divers were found dead in the streets, shops and houses, I mean in the place where shops, and houses late before stood.  
The residue of the woeful people remaining yet alive being over, burdened with extredme sorrow, runs up and down the fields like distraught and framick men, being driven (as before is mentioned) to shroud themselves under trees & hedges, lying on the bare ground: moreover they are so greatly distressed for lack of food, that they seem to each man's sight more liker Spirits and Ghosts then living creatures: Likewise it is by wise men verily thought that the losses of this Town, will not be recovered again, under Three or Four hundred Thousand Pounds.  
But you shall understand, that notwithstanding all the force of this consuming fire, there is yet some Twenty houses preserved, the dwellings of poor and silly men: And certain alms houses, which is a most rare and strange thing: For as divers Merchants of this City is creadibly certified by letters, that the fire inviornd those silly Cottages on every side, burning other houses to the ground which stood about them, and yet had they no hurt at all.  
Surely if we should enter into consideration hereof, we could not choose but confess, that this was the only work of God, to make his power manifest to men, as he did in delivering the Three children out of the fiery furnace, even so did be preserve those poor persons with their houses and goods, for some special cause best known to himself according to that holy canticle sung by the blessed Virgin Marie: he hath filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he sent empty away.  
It is said of some that this was a just punishment of god brought upon that Town, for their unmercifulness, & small regard of the poor, which were daily seen to die and perish in their streets for lack of relief: poor Lazarus lay unregarded at the rich man's gate, and could not get one little morsel of meat to cherish his hungry heart: therefore (if it were so) it was the just judgement of God, that they which through covetousness would not part from any thing, should suddenly lose all: For there was not so much as one piece of Timber left, of all those Four Hundred houses, but all were consumed to ashes, except some few attorneys, and stone walls which are monuments of the towns ruin.  
Whereby it is come to pass, that those rich Merchants, that erst scorned to grace a poor man's house with his presence, is now glad to request their favour for the worst corner in their Cottage, where they may remain in this their misery: which may be a good warning for all other men of the like ability, how they contemn and despise the poor members of Christ holding them in disdain, whom God hath oppressed with poverty.  
O famous London, thou that flowest in wealth, and aboundest in Riches: Thou which art the chief Lady-cittie of this Land, whose fame soundeth through all Christian Kingdoms, cast thy clear eyes on this ruinous Town: consider her fall, and pity her distress, learn by her calamity to look into thyself, examine thy conscience and see whether thou hast deserved the like plague or no: give thou example of true contrition, and as thou art chief in glory, be thou chief in grace, that god may long and many years uphold thy prosperous estate,  
Yea let all the goodly Cities and Towns, which beautifies the Western plat of this flourishing Island, look upon their woeful Sister Teverton, who lately did brave it with the best, and thought herself nothing inferior to the fairest: But now she sits clad in mournful weeds, having her fair head covered with pale ashes, her bravery converted to beggary, her glory to disgrace, and all her mirth into moan: so that their is nothing seen but lamentation and complaint. Oh Teverton well may thy friends cry over thee (as sometime great Kings did over Babylon) saying, alas alas for that proper Town of Teverton, that wealthy and rich Town, for at one hour is thy judgement come: thy Merchants may now weep and morn, for no man buyeth ware in thee any more.  
Consider this thou fair City of Exeter, thou which art next neighbour to this distressed Town, which hast (as it were) the smoke of her fire, yet before thy face, and her lamentations ringing loud in thy cares; pit her heavy hap, that knowest not what misery hangs over thy own head.  
And let me speak to thee, thou Town of Plymouth, whose stately buildings over-peareth the hills, easting their prospects upon the mounting waves: take warning by Teverton and turn thy many vices into virtues, lest God turn from thee his great and mighty blessings.  
Sin is the cause of many sorrows: and ungoblinesse the groundwork of all intolerable grief: yet if we should think, that the people of Teverton were the greatest transgressors, because they have suffered the greatest punishment, of any town in the West: we should think much amiss: For as our Savoiour Christ said unto the jews, suppose not that those on whom the Tower of Silo fell, were greater sinners than the rest, but except you repent, you shall likewise perish. So say I to you and all other Cities and Towns in England, think not that the Inhabitants of Teverton did surpass all other in wickedness, because they exceed all other in woe: but it hath pleased God to punish them for your instruction, that beholding their fall you may fear to offend, and learn by their misery, your own speedy amendment. For what is he which passeth by this Town, and ●a●st knew the flourishing state thereof, seeing now her lamentable spoil: but many be provoked to cry with jeremy, and say of Teverton, as he spoke of jerusalem: Alas●e, how desolate sitteth this town, that sometime was full of people? how is she become like a widow, sorrow full, heavy, and comfortless, which lately was had in good regard, and famous among all her familiars: she weary sore in the night, & her tears run down her cheeks in great abundance.  
But it is easy for all men to say this: to shake their heads, and cry alack alack: But a hard matter to make benefit thereof, and to be warned by their neighbours harms: Notwithstanding let all distressed people know, that whosoever faithfully trusteth in God, shall never be forsaken: well may they sustain sorrow, but they shall not be left in misery.  
The Lord that brought them low, can raise them again aloft, as it is manifest by jobes' affliction. Therefore God grant we may take patiently those Fatherly corrections which he layeth upon us: knowing that all the miseries of this life, is not worthy of the least joy, which is prepared in Heaven for the souns of men: Unto the which place Christ jesus bring us, that by his blood so dearly bought us. Amen.  
FINIS.