A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

Superstitious Observations are not so much about daily occurring providences, which all are obliged piously to mark and improve to the best spiritual advantage, and in the careful marking and suitable improving whereof, there lieth a special piece of spiritual wisdom, more especially of such providences which may, from the Lord, help either to confirm a man in his Duty, or Deter him from a sin or snare; as they are about some set and marked actions of Creatures, and these very feckless and silly too (though I deny not, but that simply they are providences also) which are reputed to be so many fixed Rules and Canons of natural wisdom, but really Instituted Spells, or Freets, or the Devils Rudiments and Grammar (to say so) to sink mens minds into Atheism. And Observations are always Superstitious, when we collect and conclude that such and such events evil or good, will happen to us, or befall us from such and such occurring works and passages of providence, for which no reason can be drawn either out of the word of God, or out of the course of nature; in a word, for which there is neither Scripture-warrant, nor can any natural cause or reason be assigned; as for instance, To think, it is unlucky to meet such and such Persons first in the morning (which useth to be called an evil foot) for a Woman with-child to step over a Hair-tether, for folks to neeze putting on their Shoes, for one to have Salt falling toward him ⟨p. 177⟩on the Table (the fear whereof maketh some to suffer no Salt to come to their Table) to have a Hare cross ones way, to burn in the right ear, to bleed some drops of Blood, &c. Again to think that it bodeth good luck for folks to have drink spilt on them, to find old Iron, to burn on the left ear, to dream on such and such things, &c. There is a multitude of such Freets and Superstitious Observations, which many retain still, and but few without some and free of all; a sin from which it is to be feared the Land hath never been thoroughly purged, since it was Pagan; a sin very natural to men, and which hath amongst Christians its observable Increase and Decrease according to the more or less free course and success of the Gospel; All Christians should abhor such freets, as smelling strong of much ignorance of God, of much Atheism and Paganism.

Superstitious Observations are not so much about daily occurring providences, which all are obliged piously to mark and improve to the best spiritual advantage, and in the careful marking and suitable improving whereof, there lyeth a special piece of spiritual wisdom, more especially of such providences which may, from the Lord, help either to confirm a man in his Duty, or Deter him from a sin or snare; as they are about some set and marked actions of Creatures, and these very fechless and silly too (though I deny not, but that simply they are providences also) which are reputed to be so many fixed Rules and Canons of natural wisdom, but really Instituted Spells, or Freets, or the Devils Rudiments and Grammar (to say so) to sink mens minds into Atheism. And Observations are alwayes Superstitious, when we collect and conclude that such and such events evil or good, will happen to us, or befall us from such and such occurring works and passages of providence, for which no reason can be drawn either out of the word of God, or out of the course of nature; in a word, for which there is neither Scripture-warrant, nor can any natural cause or reason be assigned; as for instance, To think, it is unluckie to meet such and such Persons first in the morning (which useth to be called an evil foot) for a Woman with-child to step over a Hair-teather, for folks to neese putting on their Shoes, for one to have Salt falling toward him