A TRUE RELATION of two most strange and fearful Accidents, lately happening, The one at Chagford in Devonshire, by the falling of th● Stanary Court-house, the 6. day of March last.  
The other at Branson within a mile of Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire, this present year 1618.  
LONDON, Printed for H. G. and are to be sold by I. Wright, at the sign the Bible without Newgate. 1618.   

GOD'S ANGER AND fearful judgements, showed in two places of this Land: the one at Branson within a mile of Burton upon Trent, in Stafordshire in Lent last, the other at Chagford in Devonshire this present year of our LORD GOD, 1618.  
THe anger and terrible countenance of God, of late showed in this Land here amongst us, may awaken us from the fast sleeps of security, and turn us to the Lord by true repentance. Therefore lest his heavy judgements in like manner come upon us at unawares, and we be taken suddenly sleeping, let us with the wise Virgins in the Gospel kindle our Lamps, that we may be found ready when our Bridegroom cometh in great glory, to give every one as his works shall be.  
For we are to acknowledge and consider, that the Lord hath not ceased from time to time, at his good will and pleasure, to send prodigies and wonders in every age, to forewarn and forearm us of his judgements hanging over our heads for sin: as appeareth by the late examples declared amongst us.  
In the County of Stafford in the parish of Burton upon Trent, dwelled of late a free houlder of good lands & means, named Thomas Henworth, as well stored with money and other household goods, as any one of his rank and calling in that Country. Amongst which temporal blessings, God bestowed upon him two sons, but not so happy in the elder as in the younger: for the first borne, which by succession should have been his heir, and possessor of his lands, was from his mother's womb borne both deaf and dumb, and withal, so silly and simple, that he had not that sufficient reason of government as the younger had: by which means the old man, as it were offended at God's providence disinherited the elder, and by will gave his whole means to the younger, upon condition binding him to give yearly a certain stipend to his dumb brother.  
This condition stood at the old man's death as a legasie, the younger inherited, the elder dispossessed: the younger commanded, the elder obeyed: the younger rich, the elder poor.  
This was the partial policy of worldly wisdom, but God the giver and bestower of all good things, hereat much displeased, gave but small blessings to the possessor of these riches. For this young Heir in the midst of his joys being richly married, was visited with sickness, and being struck (by the hand of God) even unto death, called then to mind the wrongs done to his poor dumbs brother: and therefore fearing a deserved justice in the world to come, he returned back some part of his brothers right, and by will gave him one half of his lands and goods, and shortly after died.  
Thus the younger brother in the height of his prosperity taking his last leave of the inconstant vain pleasures and profits of this incertain world, left his wife sole Executrix to perform his will & testament ordained in behalf of his wronged brother: but she (as many Executors and overseers do) regarding neither right nor equity, neglected to perform the will of her deceased husband: and to make her unjust dealings the more strong, within short time she married another husband named Richard Crispe, a man as it seems contented to take what he found and perceiving the dumb fellow to be destitute of friends, became his own carver, and most unjustly kept the dead man's will unperformed: by which means the dumb fellow was kept in his former poverty, and forced to rely still upon the bare allowance of his brother and sister in law, which was almost nothing at all.  
These unjust dealings passed on, until such time as the eye of heaven looking down and espying the unconscionable dealings of this Richard crisp, and unjust wrongs sustained by the dumb wretch, became a gentle judge, and took the matter into his own hands, before whose face goods unlawfully gotten and detained, together with their owners, are consumed as stubble in the fire, and scattered abroad as dust in the wind.  
So happened it with this Richard Crispes estate: for in january last, having his goods and cattle about him in abundance, his garners and barns well stored with corn, his ricks and stacks of pease and hay furnishing his yards, and little remembering from whence it came, nor from whom it was wrongfully detained, in the midst of this plenty the righteous judge of Heaven and Earth, before whose all-seeing Eye not only the words and works, but the very thoughts and imaginations of all men lie open and naked continually, suffering now no longer the wrongs of this dumb creature to go unrevenged, sent a most fearful and strange judgement, for all others, who in like manner make no conscience to leave the wills of the dead unperformed, to take example by.  
In january last, as I said before, there began a most secret and strange fire in the middle of a Pease Rick or Hovel, standing in the yard of this Richard crisp, consuming the stalks and straw, but leaving the Pease unburnt: afterward with great violenes it flew to a hay stack, in like manner wasting down the same with such eager fury, as it was most terrible so see, leaving standing upright in the middle of the hay, a long pole unconsumed, also an Ash tree growing close by the same, which was not so much as once scorched thererewith, after this immediately the fire flew as it were with burning wings into a corn barn where it kindled very strangely on the top of a beam in the middle bay, consuming and burning inwardly the timber, and straw of the sheaf likewise, leaving the corn untouched, as it exceeded all wonder to behold.  
Therefore I am here to insert a likelihood, that it was not the negligence of man, but the angry hand of God, that wrought this fiery example, for wheresoever this Crisp went, the fire as it were followed him, and seemed to fly from others that sought to quench it, nine several times began it again to renew, and would not quite be extinguished, until such time as Crisp departed his dwelling and went to remain with a friend at the other part of the parish: in whose absence, the pease and corn thus strangely left unconsumed, was sifted and gathered together, but good for no use, no not so much as feeding for hogs, for they would neither eat nor come near it: yet let us judge the best and censure as mortals may do, and conclude that it was only the will of God, and a casualty proceeding only from his divine providence.  
But again to our matter: This Richard crisp, within a while after, having repaired what the fire had wasted, returned again to his dwelling house, yet nothing at all remembering she poor dumb fellows wrongs, which sat still in the bosom of heaven soliciting revenge, whilst he both careless and dreadless of any further mishap ensuing, went with his wife safely (as he thought) to bed, in the middle of night, the fire began to kindle in a chéese-house over his bedchamber, and increased so suddenly, and with such raging fierceness, that it quickly over-matstred man's help, and in a very short time consumed the place over which it first took hold, with other rooms adjoining to the same, burning inwardly, leaving the thatch of the houses untouched which lay as coverings over the same, where not the least part thereof was wasted with the smallest spark: which was as is it seems another judgement of God's anger laid upon this man, if without offence we may so speak it.  
Yet for all this was his hard heart no whit mollified▪ but growing still blind in his own conctous desires, until such time as a third accident affrighted him more than the former two, which happened some month after, and thu● it befell: his losses being repaired the third time he came to dwell in the same house again, where within a day or two after his coming, the fire began as before, to kindle and take hold of a certain outhouse, where his empty, wains or carts stood for shelter of foul weather, but such was the raging fury thereof, that it suddenly grew past all help of saving the same, and withal a further judgement happened thereon, for these empty wanes or carts which before were wont to be drawn forth by one or two men at the most, were at this time grown so heavy, that ten or twelve were not sufficient to do it, by which means they were quite consumed as they stood and burned into ashes.  
Surely this was the work only of God's hands, the third time effected to the great fear of all the beholders, let no man therefore think to escape unpunished, nor by any policy free himself from God's justice, that thus makes an intended purpose, to defeat the helpless innocent, Orphan, or Widow, or by power and authority goes about to contradict the Testament of the dead, for there can be no more shame, nor greater injury to a countries government, then in so doing; and in so doing, the poor are oppressed and the rich not blessed.  
As for example, this unfortunate man whose estate being thus much impoverished, is now become (as it is reported) sorrowful and repentant, and most willing to satisfy to the uttermost of his power, all the Legacies given and bequeathed by his predecessor his wives former husband, and is most willingly contented to perform all dues and rites belonging to the poor dumb Creature, whose wrongs no doubt have entered heaven gates, and procured gods justice to stand his best Arbitrator.  
Thus by all human reason can we no otherwise think, but that these forepassed accidents & strange judgements of God, are sent us for examples of punishment, to drive all other from the like wickedness, yet some there be (I doubt) will give but small credence, and hardly believe the testimony by which they are published: which incredulity and contempt of God's wrath, proceedeth from our sins, our sleeping sins, from which our dreaming worldlings might be roused up if we would but relent at these and such like fearful menaces, and thus much for the first.  
And now for my second, which happened at Chagford in Devonshire, where by the fall of the Stannery court house, many good and worshipful Gentlemen received their dooms of hard misfortune, as is verified, which through the cursed imprecation of a perjured wretch fell upon them-therefore with your patience, I will insert some few ex, amples of like fear and mischance, to make the matter itself bring with it a truer touch of trembling terror.  
AS the name of God itself is most glorious, so should we not use it but with trembling and fear, for the Lord saith he, shall be pronounced guilty that taketh his name in vain.  
As for example, I have read of two young men, making but a jest of Gods most glorious name, strived whether of them could swear most terriblest, or curse most horriblest, but their jesting was so odious in God's sight, that one of them was presently stooken with madness, the other with sudden death.  
There was another within these few years in the North of England, that devised new oaths, such as were not common in use, whereupon the Lord sent a canker, that soon eat out his tongue▪ even the very instrument wherewith he blasphemed God, therefore we 〈◊〉 that it is evil jesting with God's reverence, for they that use it cannot escape due punishment.  
divers other fearful judgements against this most vild sin of cursing, swearing and forswearing, are left recorded for examples to us: as of a certain Maid, who disobeying her Mother's commandment, her Mother cursed her saying: The Devil take thee. And the same hour the Devil entered into her and she fell mad.  
In like manner there was a man in Friburg in Misnia, who commanded his son to go about some business, but he neglected to go with such speed as his Father commanded him, the Father sell to banning and cursing him with these or the like words. Did I bid thee go in haste, and standest thou still? Now still mayst thou stand I pray God, and never mayst thou stir out of that place! And presently a heavy judgement fell upon the Son, so that he was not able to go nor to be drawn away by any strength, but there he abode for three whole years.  
I have likewise read that for taking God's name in vain some have been blasted with fire from heaven, some stricken with long and strange diseases, some possessed of the Devil, some have had their mouths as black as coals, and some such fiery tongues that they could not close their teeth, which they had so often opened to blaspheme God.  
Thus have you heard the reward of profane swearing, and bitter curses, whereby Gods holy name is much dishonoured, and the speaker in danger of damnation, where unto I w●ll now add the late accident happening at Chagford in Devonshire upon Friday the 6. of March last passed, upon which day his highness Court of stanneries being holden the Court set, and great assemblies of Esquires and Gentlemen there present the jurors called, summoned forth and sworn upon their oaths, without partiality to give upright verdict: being thus charged, falsehood must needs be odious hath to God and man, and none but graceless wretches will be so impious as to prefer the same unto the seat of justice.  
But now mark the effect: There was (as it is reported) an evidence brought in by a fellow, to which the jury gave but little trust, the matter for some special occasion I leave concealed, and therefore most fitly to be omitted: but too true it is the evidence giver brought in, upon his oath a false accusation, in whose mouth, as it seemed, a forged lie was ready, and there told such an unlikely tale, that not only the jury but the whole bench thought it to be most fabulous, and therefore with good admonitions desired him to be careful, and to take good heed upon what grounds he took his oath, yet notwithstanding this audacious fellow destitute of all grace and goodness, thus tempted the Lords anger, saying, if I swear amiss, (quoth he) or if I speak wrongfully, let God I beseech him make me a fearful example to all perjured wretches, and that this house wherein I stand, may suddenly fall upon my head, and that the fall thereof may be seen to be the just judgement of God upon me: Oh woeful wish! Oh cursed desire! Oh perjured homicide! Oh vild tempter of God's anger thus to solicit heaven to black vengeance! For no sooner were these words spoken, but in short time after, the timber and walls of the house (though seeming strong) the weather fair and clear, without either storm or tempest) suddenly fell down, where by the fall and overthrow of this large timber building, this graceless varlet with divers others, were sore bruised and beaten to death, and the number of sixteen or seventeen more grievously hurt and wounded, some in their arms, some in their legs, some on their heads some on their backs, and other parts of their bodies, to the great danger of their lives, and that which is more lamentable to tell, certain Esguires and Gentlemen of good calling, by the fall of the said walls and timber, were suddenly struck dead, and their limbs almost beaten in pieces, which suddenness of death, not only amazed the whole Town, but struck a trembling fear throughout all the neighbouring villages.  
The principal of these Gentlemen which thus taffed of this rigorous hard misfortune, I will here make known. As first, Master Nicholas Eueleigh Esquire, steward of the Court, a Gentleman of much virtue, and well beloved in that Country: also his two Clerks, john Cleake and Richard Beer, for whom is made much moan. Likewise one Master Richard Cottle Esquire, and councillor of the middle Temple in London. In like manner two Attorneys of the Law, Master Timothy Moule, and Master Robert Milford, with some certain others, which felt the heavy burden of God's judgements, and had their bodies even bruised to pieces, through the invocation of this wicked wretch thus incensing Heavens anger, whom GOD forgive.  
Only, I must now speak of a wonderful thing there happening. In the midst of this confused heap of timber, stone and earth, under which so many lay slaughtered, there was a young Child miraculously preserved, for in the midst of these men of more able strength, which lay bruised and beated to death, as it were with their brains dashed out, was the same Child found safe and sound, whereon appeared not so much as the smallest hurt that might be: yet judge we charitably, God only knows the means of this Child's preservation, and the cause of his heavy punishment showed upon the others.  
But now so strike terror into the hearts of the Readers, never was so great woe made in Chagford, for so many good men covered over with the ruins of earth and stone: never were so many Gentlemen of account, counsellors of worth, Attorneys and Clerks of the Law, thus at one time brought to unhappy destiny. Some lay stark dead closed up in dust and earth: some wounded with bruised and broken bones: some crying and calling for help: yea, such amazed fear thundered about the whole Town, that it was marvelous to hear. The neighbouring people came from all the adjoining villages, some crying for one friend, some for another, fathers for children, children for their fathers, husbands for wives, wives for husbands, brothers for brothers, yea nothing but lamentations rung peals of woe, and such a confusion of sorrow possessed the people, that it was pitiful to see.  
Thus have you heard how God cast down his ireful hand in this unhappy town, as once he did at Oxford Assizes, whereas in like manner, there was one Rowland jenks, that for speaking certain blasphemous speeches against God and his son our Saviour, procured his indignation by raising of a sudden stinking damp amongst them there present, that both the judges of the Bell and Barom were immediately stifled and struck dead, with many other Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen of good rank and calling, not one of the jury but there died immediately, with many others, to the number of three hundred at the least; beside, the stench thereof bred such an infection in the Country, that in five months following it was scarce cleared. These, and such like wonders God can do, and where he pleaseth to strike with his Iron hand, it boots not us weak worldlings to resist, therefore let us with humble supplications, make our suits unto God, that he would keep us from sudden death. and that we may have time of repentance always in readiness, and that the untimely confusion of these here gone before us, may be a continual example, to put us in mind of God's anger threatened against us, so may we be all ready against his most glorious coming.  
What great cause have we that are here living to give God thanks for thus warning us by other men's harms: What loving and gentle admonitions have we received from the Counsel of Christ, that we should not take his name in vain, yet neither his counsel▪ the patriarchs, the Prophets, the Evangelists, and Apostles, nor the examples of vengeance, as have been here showed unto us, can work happy amendment: how much more justly than may the Lord pour out his hot wrath and heavy displeasure upon us, then on nay other Nation about us.  
These forepast judgements are here recorded only for our instruction and speedy amendment, shall we then be careless? shall we thou be senseless? shall we go to Law, and forswear ourselves for a little worldly pelf? shall we speak warily for fear of offending man, and not keep our tongues from offending heaven? Leave off I say, this vile vice of Swearing, it never did good to any, give it over in time, deal justly in all things; swear not at all, and you shall never be forsworn, which God grant for his glorious Names sake. Amen.  
FINIS.