GOD'S Strange and terrible Judgement IN Oxford-shire: Being a true RELATION How a Woman at Atherbury, Having used divers horrid Wishes and Imprecations, Was suddenly Burned to Ashes all on one side of her Body, when there was no Fire near her; the other part of her remaining untouched, and not so much as Singed.  
The like heavy and visible Judgement from Heaven having scarce been known or heard of in any Age.  For our God is a consuming fire. 

Licenced  
May the 10. 1677. Ro. L'Estrange.   
LONDON: Printed for D.M. 1677.   

A true and wonderful Account how a Woman was found half burnt without any fire near her, etc.  
BEcause Judgement is not executed speedily (saith Holy Writ) therefore are the wicked hardened in their impieties. If we consider the horrid Oaths, the abominable Curses and Imprecations daily practised and used in this sinful Age, we might justly expect that the Earth should open to swallow such Miscreants alive to the pit of Hell; or the Heavens dart down Thunderbolts on their guilty heads: But there is mercy with our God, that he may be feared: He waits upon rebellious Mortals to be gracious, having sworn that he delights not in the death of a sinner, but rather that he return, repent, and live: Yet will he not always suffer his holy Spirit to be grieved with a froward and obstinate Generation, but sometimes, for manifestation and glory of his Justice, takes sudden Vengeance (even in this life) on notorious Transgressor's of his holy Laws, and such as may make every ear to tingle, and heart to ache, that hears or considers it: For this is certain, though Divine Vengeance may seem to have leaden feet, yet it hath iron hands: Though Heaven strikes slowly, it smites surely, and bruiseth every stubborn Soul that stands out against it in rebellion, to powder, or everlasting destruction.  
Not to amuse the Reader (who we hope is a better experienced Christian than to need it) with a tedious Preamble to demonstrate this apparent Truth, or quote (as we might do) various Histories from worthy and credible Authors; as The Theatre of God's Judgements; Clarks Examples, etc. to parallel it; We shall only impartially relate what within very few days happened in our own Nation; and which is not only most notorious in all the neighbouring Counties, but also ready to be testified by divers sober persons of unblemished Credit in this City for an undoubted Truth, too certain to be denied by any but an Infidel, too remarkable to be slighted by any but an Atheist.  
We could tell you the Persons Name and Abode which is the unhappy Subject of this Relation, but ●hat our business is to make a Report of the Judgement, without blasting the Person to whom God in his mercy may yet have granted the grace of a timely Repentance, for aught that is known to u●: So that since it hath pleased Providence to take her out of the Land of the Living, we shall pay that respect to the charitable Proverb, which adviseth, Not to speak ill of the dead, as not to blazon her Vices or Infirmities further than is necessary to the declaration of Truth, and cautioning of others surviving; the main and indeed only end of this Publication.  
This unhappy Woman, then, keeping a small Ale house, had too much addicted herself to lewd Speeches, sometimes Oaths, and frequently Curses, as well on herself as others: It happened some few days since, being all alone in her House, a woman, one of her Neighbours, came thither for some strong Drink she had occasion for; which she having drawn, and received Twelve Pence, or some such piece of Money, instead of justly returning the full Change, stopped and abated two pence or three pence out of it, besides what the present Drink came to, pretending there was so much formerly due and owing to her. Which the other resolutely denying, the Hostess began to Swear, and use several profane and abominable Wishes and Imprecations, saying, God damn me, and the Devil burn me if it be not so: which last words she often repeated. However, the other, confident perhaps in the certainty of her knowledge to the contrary, still persisting to deny it, and refusing to be gone without the rest of her Money; The Alewife at last violently thrust her out of her house; and to prevent her coming in again, shut the Door, and locked it against her.  
Thus with many horrid sinful expressions (if not down right perjuries) this poor Wretch made shift to wrangle her Neighbour out of this petty inconsiderable sum, but is like to pay lamentable dear for the same. For, behold! by a stupendious and terrible Judgement from Heaven, as we cannot but suppose, she was immediately called to an account, and burnt to Death, as she had foolishly and wickedly wished, in a wonderful and unheard-of manner: For having so shut and locked the door, the same was not opened, nor any further news heard of her, till several hours after, her Husband chanced to come home, and wondering to find his Door fast shut, in the middle of the day, without being able to make any body answer within, enquired amongst his Neighbours, if they saw his Wife go forth? Which they all denied; adding, that they rather believed, having wearied herself with scolding and railing at Goody such an one, she was fallen asleep; whereupon the man at last forced open the door, with one or two of his Neighbours: which was no sooner done, but their Eyes encountered one of the most sad and dismal Spectacles that ever Mortal beheld; For in the midst of the floor lay the Relics of his Wife, one Side of her Body and the  thereupon, from the Sole of her Foot to the Crown of the Head being consumed and burnt to Ashes, and nothing left but the Skeleton, or part of the Bones; whereas the other Side remained whole, and the  there on not so much as touched or singed; though it was observed, that the Flesh and Skin there was all turned black, as if it had been blasted with Lightning.  
I need not stand to relate how affrighted and amazed her Husband's and Friends were to behold this ghastly sight, especially for that they could not where near her see the least spark or symptom of Fire, and were well assured that there had not been any at all in the house all that day. Their consternation indeed was inexpressible, and therefore I shall not vainly attempt to shadow it forth in words; nor any further descant on this strange and astonishing procedure of Providence, save only to recommend it to the serious consideration of all those that have been, or may be guilty of such Crying Provocations. How knowest thou, oh thou wretched sinner, when thou art impudently blaspheming Heaven, and at every other word in thy drunken Frolicks, or hare-brained Passion, calling upon God, but not to have mercy on thee, or pardon thee, but to damn thee, wishing (as if thou wouldst dare Omnipotent Justice) that he would confound, sink, rot thee, or the like detestable Expressions; how art thou assured, I say, that whilst thou art thus ranting, and treasuring up so fast wrath against the day of wrath (as the Apostle speaks) God will permit that roaring Lion that goes about seeking whom he may devour, to tear thee in pieces, or hurry thee quick into the Eternal Flames? Can you, dare you pretend yourselves Christians, and live in the practice of such, worse than heathenish Blasphemies? Know you not that there is a sure and dreadful account to be given for every idle word? and oh, then, what will you in that day be able to say in excuse of these black and frightful Imprecations? If the Righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the wicked and ungodly (such profligate Sinners, Swearers, Cursers, Blasphemers, and Atheists) appear? Destruction and Bitterness shall be their latter end, yelping and gnashing of teeth their employment, tormenting Devils their Companions, and Fire and Brimstone, Pain and Anguish, Rage, Despair, and horrible Darkness their portion, and that (Oh that they would consider it before it be to late too prevent it) to all Eternity.   
FINIS.