An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

to cut the body in several parts, and to boil it in Wine, as the approved means to dislodge the evil Spirit, but his Friends entreated rather that the Sentence of Excommunication might be reversed, which was granted. In the mean time Prayers, and Masses, and Offerings were presented for the dead, and whilst they were performing these Services, on a sudden was heard a rumbling noise in the Coffin of the dead party. Which being opened, they found the body consumed and dissolved into dust, as if it had been Interred seven years. The hour and minute of this dissolution being compared with the date of the Patriarchs release when signed at Constantinople, was found exactly to agree with that moment. If there be truth in this Relation, 'tis a dreadful evidence of Satan's Reigning amongst a Superstitious People, who nevertheless call themselves Christians; and that he does by such means as these keep them under chains of darkness still. The Devil hath played such Reax as these are, not only amongst Christians but amongst the Gentiles of old. For Titus Latinus was warned in his sleep that he should declare unto the Senate that they must renew that Stage-plays; he neglecting to deliver his Message, was again by ⟨p. 276⟩the same Daemon spoken unto in his sleep• and severely reproved for his Omission, and his Son died. Still persisting in his omission the Daemon again cometh to him, so that he was surprised with an acute and horrible disease. Hereupon by counsel of his Friends, he was carried in his Bed into the Senate, and as soon as he had declared what he had seen, his Health was restored, that he returned home upon his feet: The issue was, Stage-plays were more in fashion than ever before. Augustin de civitate Dei, Lib. 4. Cap. 26. Learned men are not ignorant that strange• Cures were effected amongst the Heathen by the use of Talismans, or Images; of which inventions Zoroaster (the Father of Magicians) is supposed to be the first Author. It is reported that Virgil made a brazen fly, and a golden horse-leach, whereby Flies were hindered from coming into Naples, and the Horse-leaches were all killed in a Ditch. Thus doth Beelzebub draw miserable Men into Superstition.

to cut the body in several parts, and to boyl it in Wine, as the approved means to dislodge the evil Spirit, but his Friends intreated rather that the Sentence of Excommunication might be reversed, which was granted. In the mean time Prayers, and Masses, and Offerings were presented for the dead, and whilst they were performing these Services, on a sudden was heard a rumbling noise in the Coffin of the dead party. Which being opened, they found the body consumed and dissolved into dust, as if it had been Interred seven years. The hour and minute of this dissolution being compared with the date of the Patriarchs release when signed at Constantinople, was found exactly to agree with that moment. If there be truth in this Relation, 'tis a dreadful evidence of Satans Reigning amongst a Superstitious People, who nevertheless call themselves Christians; and that he does by such means as these keep them under chains of darkness still. The Devil hath played such Reax as these are, not only amongst Christians but amongst the Gentiles of old. For Titus Latinus was warned in his sleep that he should declare unto the Senate that they must reniew that Stage-plays; he neglecting to deliver his Message, was again by