AN ACCOUNT Of the Late Dreadful FIRE AT NORTHAMPTON.  
With the Manner how it began, the time it lasted, and the Lamentable destruction it made: as Followeth.  

1. St. Marystreet.  
2. The Horse-Market.  
3. Kings-head-Lane.  
4. Gold-Street.  
5. Wool-monger-street.  
6. Kings-well-Street.  
●. Bridge-Street.  
8. Cobs-Lane.  
9 Crosby-Lane.  
10. Cow-lane.  
11. Rotten-Row.  
12. St. Gyle's-Street.  
13. Farm-Lane.  
14. Abbington-Street.  
15. Cock-Lane.  
16. Ditus-Lane.  
17. New-Lane.  
18. Ship-Street.  
19 The Drapery.  
20. Shoo-maker-Row.  
21. The Butchers-shops called, The Guts.  
22. Mercers-Row.  
23. Market-Hill.  
24. The Church of All hollows burnt, and Bells Melted.   
Printed for Philip Brooksby in West-Smith's field, near the Hospital 〈…〉 September▪ 1675   

An Account of the late dreadful FIRE AT Northampton. etc.  
THe lamentable and dreadful Fire at Northampton, cannot ere this, but be noised all over England; but the Pamphlets and Narratives that have been hitherto published of this Tragical subject are so unfaithful, or at best imperfect, that I thought myself obliged to undeceive and satisfy the world with this short and true account therefore.  
It began on Monday the 20th. of September, 1675. about Noon, at a poor Woman's house near Castle-hill, on this manner. The Woman fetching a whisp of Straw to kindle her fire, and going in a Doors with the straw lighted, the sudden violence of the wind blew it out of her hand, and seizing the roof of her Cottage, that had no Chamber over head; blew it immediately into a flame; insomuch, that within half an hours time the fire had diffused itself above a mile from the place where it first begun, and in five hours' space above three parts in four of that most spacious and beautiful Town reduced to ashes; five inhabitants likewise were swallowed up in its sudden and merciless flames; viz. one man, one Woman, and three children, besides many Cattle, Horses, Cows, Swine, etc.  
The names of the principal places, streets, and Lanes that were burned are as followeth: St. Marystreet, the Horse-Market, Kings-head-lane, Gold-street, Wool-Monger-street, Kings-well-street, part of Bridge-street, Cobs-lane, Crosby-Lane, Cow-lane, Rotten-Row, St. Gyles's-street, Farm-Lane, Abbington-street, Cock-Lane, Ditus-Lane, New-Lane, Ship-street, the drapery, called, The Womans-Market, Shoo-makers-Row, the Butcher's shops, called, The guts, the Market-hill and Cross, Mercers-Row; most of these streets and Lanes are burned down to the ground, only in some of them here and there a house standing, & as for the Churches, though there were four in the Town, yet three of them were placed so in the out-skirts of it that they all escaped those sacrilegious flames; only the largest and most beautiful of them, viz, that of All-hollows, standing in the heart of the Town was utterly demolished, not only the leads, but the very bells melting with the fervency of the heat. The loss in general has been computed by very knowing persons, and adjudged to amount to above eight hundred Thousand pound.  
This short and faithful relation is able to give satisfaction to all that knew that ancient and famous Corporation upon which only account I published this Narrative. As for those that inquire after such calamitous accidents, merely because they are new, I regard them not, for my design herein, is rather to incite men to charity, than gratify them in their curiosity; and I intent not so much the satisfaction of those that are not concerned, as the consolation of those that were any way sufferers in that dreadful fire, to peruse the following pages: to which end I entreat them that were made public merely for their sakes; and as for those that are only fellow sufferers with them; as Christians, and particularly of the same Nation; it will well become such to have charitable thoughts of them, and towards them, not to condemn them because they are punished, but as time and ability shall serve to receive and assist them according unto their powers.  
And for the use that all in general may make of this sad Judgement, it will be this; namely, That we turn to the Lord in time, and by a holy compliance with his commands and obedience to his will to divert the wrath of God, who to the incorrigible and disobedient is like to prove a consuming fire, and will at last assuredly cast them into everlasting burnings.  
For if the sight of the Dreadful flames did amaze the beholders, how may it put us in mind of the saying of the Apostle Peter, in the 10th. verse of the third Chapter, and the second Epistle: But the day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Element shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all Holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the Heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the Element shall melt with fervent heat; nevertheless, we according to his promise look for a new Heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, for here we have no continuing City, therefore look for one to come; to set our affections on things below, we see how suddenly the Lord can sweep them away; it will be wisdom to hearken to that saying in Scripture. Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, nor t●●●ves break through to steal, for where your treasure is there will your hearts be also, and for an expedient and counsel to those that have suffered this great loss by Fire, let them consider these rules following, as the best and surest way to get Riches in this world, and lay up treasure in heaven.  
First, let your first and principle care be to get heaven and the grace of God that may make you meet to enjoy his Kingdom, and when you do this God will not only give you Heaven when you Dye, but will add also as much of this World as he seeth to be good for you, Matthew 6. 33. Seek you first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given 〈◊〉 you.  
Secondly, Embrace ●●y faith, and settle your Love upon Jesus Christ, he promiseth to fill there treasures that love him 〈…〉 9 20. 21.  
Thirdly, Repent of your sins and turn to the Lord then, though you be brought low he will build you up again, Job 27. 23, 24, 25. If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy Tabernacles, then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the Gold of Opher as the stones of the Brooks, the Almighty shall be thy defence and thou shalt have plenty of silver.  
Fourthly, Walk in the fear of God, and be careful to keep his commandments, Proverbs 22. 4. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.  
Fifthly, Follow your employments with diligence, there is a blessing of God goeth along with diligence and industry in your callings, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.  
Sixthly, seek after Knowledge, and manage all your affairs with Wisdom and discretion, Prov. 24. 3 4. Though wisdom is an House builded, and by understanding it is established, by knowledge shall the Chamber be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.  
Seventhly, Be faithful and upright in all your dealings, for the upright shall have good things in possession, the faithful Manshall abound in Blessings, Psalms 112. 3, 4. Wealth and riches shall be in his House, unto the upright ariseth light and darkness.  
Fifthly, eat those vices that bring men to poverty, and hinder their thriving in the world, such as prodigality and love of pleasure. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man, he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.  
Ninthly, be liberal to the poor, there may be a liberal soul where there is but a small estate, and the more liberal any man is the more likely he is to be a Rich man.  
Tenthly, and Lastly, Be content with what God giveth you, and then though you have never so little you are a Rich Man, the first of Timothy, the 6th. Chapter, and 6 and 7 Verses. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world; and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  
FINIS.