An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

After two years, being desirous to know what was in the Paper, she caused it to be opened and read; and being greatly offended and enraged at this Indignity, cast the Paper away, immediately upon which her sore eyes returned again. Without doubt then, the Devils design in this cure, was to• encourage the profane Impostor to endeavour the removal of diseases by like Superstitious and wicked practices, whereby his own and the Souls of others unto whom he should ⟨p. 279⟩impart the Mystery, would be endangered. The like is to be affirmed concerning attempts to heal diseases, by scratching suspected Witches, or stopping Urine in Bottles, nailing of Horse shoes, &c. It may be the time will come, when they that have been thus foolish, will feel their own Consciences smiting them for what they have done. Let them remember the Example of that gracious and famous Gentlewoman, Mrs. Honeywood; the occasion of whose sorrowful and doleful desertion, was, in that having a Child sick, she asked counsel of a Wizard about its Recovery. Certainly, it is better for persons to repent of sin the procuring cause of all affliction, and by the prayer of Faith to betake themselves to the Lord Jesus, the great Physician both of body and soul, and so to wait for healing in the use of lawful means, until God shall see meet to bestow that mercy on them; I say this is better, than to follow such dark methods as those declared against, wherein if they have found any success, they may fear it is in wrathful judgment unto them or theirs. Some observe that persons who receive present healing in such unlawful ways, usually come to unhappy ends at last. Let me then conclude the Answer unto the case propounded with the words ⟨p. 280⟩which th Angel bid the Prophet Elijah speak to Ahaziah's Messengers, 2 King. 1. 3. Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to Beelzebub the God of Ekron?

After two years, being desirous to know what was in the Paper, she caused it to be opened and read; and being greatly offended and inraged at this Indignity, cast the Paper away, immediately upon which her sore eyes returned again. Without doubt then, the Devils design in this cure, was to• encourage the prophane Impostor to endeavour the removal of diseases by like Superstitious and wicked practices, whereby his own and the Souls of others unto whom he should