An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Sometimes providence permits the Devil himself (without the use of Instruments) to molest the houses of some as a punishment for sin committed. Most commonly either for the sin of Murder. Plutarch writes that the House of Pusanias was haunted by an evil spirit after he had Murdered his Wife. Many like Instances, have been reported and recorded by credible Authors. Or else for the sin of Theft. As for Walton the Quaker of Portsmouth, whose House has been so strangely troubled, he suspects that one of his Neighbours has caused it by witchcraft, she (being a Widow-woman) chargeth him with injustice in detaining some Land from her. It is none of my work to reflect upon the Man, nor will I do it; only if there be any late or old guilt upon his Conscience it concerns him by Confession and Repentance to give Glory to that God, who is able in strange ways to discover the sins of Men. I shall here take occasion to commemorate ⟨p. 189⟩an alike notable scene of Providence, which was taken notice of in another part of the World s•il. at Brightling in Sussex in England: The Minister in that Town (viz. Mr. Joseph Bennet) has given a faithful account of that strange Providence, which is published by Mr. Clark in his Examples, Vol. 2. Page 593, &c. I shall relate it in his Words, thus he writeth concerning it:

Sometimes providence permits the Devil himself (without the use of Instruments) to molest the houses of some as a punishment for sin committed. Most commonly either for the sin of Murder. Plutarch writes that the House of Pusanias was haunted by an evil spirit after he had Murdered his Wife. Many like Instances, have been reported and recorded by credible Authors. Or else for the sin of Theft. As for Walton the Quaker of Portsmouth, whose House has been so strangely troubled, he suspects that one of his Neighbours has caused it by witchcraft, she (being a Widow-woman) chargeth him with injustice in detaining some Land from her. It is none of my work to reflect upon the Man, nor will I do it; only if there be any late or old guilt upon his Conscience it concerns him by Confession and Repentance to give Glory to that God, who is able in strange wayes to discover the sins of Men. I shall here take occasion to commemorate ⟨p. 189⟩an alike notable scene of Providence, which was taken notice of in another part of the World sil. at Brightling in Sussex in England: The Minister in that Town (viz. Mr. Ioseph Bennet) has given a faithful account of that strange Providence, which is published by Mr. Clark in his Examples, Vol. 2. Page 593, &c. I shall relate it in his Words, thus he writeth concerning it: