An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

He attends upon public Sermons, being able to give an account of what is delivered, provided he may but see the Preacher speaking, though he cannot hear a word. It is consistent with reason that Mutes should understand what others say by the motion of their Lips, ⟨p. 297⟩since it is evident that the lips are of great use in framing Speech. Hence Job calls his speech, the moving of his lips, Chap. 16. Ver. 5, and we know that tongueless persons by the help of their lips and other Organs of speech have been able to speak. Ecclesiastical story informs us of several Confessors of the truth, who after their Tongues were cut out by bloody Persecutors could still bear witness to the truth. Honorichius (that cruel King of the Vandals) caused the Tongues of many to be violently plucked out of their mouths; Who after that could speak as formerly: Only two of them when they became guilty of the sin of Uncleanness were able to speak no more; this has been attested by three credible Witnesses who knew the persons: See Mr. Baxter's Church History, P. 130. There is lately Published (in Latin) a very strange Relation of a Child in France (his Name was Peter Durand) who being visited with the Small Pox when he was about six years old, his Tongue putrefied, and was quite consumed. After which (the Uvula in his Mouth being longer than it was before) he could by the help of the other Organs of Speech discourse as plainly as if he had never lost his Tongue. These things are marvellous. And yet I have lately met with a passage ⟨p. 298⟩more strange than any of these related. There is (or was in the Year 1679.) living near Kerchem in Germany, a Man (his name is John Algair) who suddenly lost the use of his Speech: the case has been so with him, that fourteen years together, he can never speak but at one hour of the Day, just as the Sun cometh to the Meridian he has the liberty of his Speech for an hour and no more; so that he knoweth exactly when it is twelve a Clock, because then he can speak, and not a minute before that, nor a minute after one. This is related in the Germanic Ephemerides of Miscellaneous Curiosities, for the Year 1679. Observat. 188. It is evident that the Sun has a marvellous influence as to some Diseases, which the bodies of Men are subject unto.

He attends upon publick Sermons, being able to give an account of what is delivered, provided he may but see the Preacher speaking, though he cannot hear a word. It is consistent with reason that Mutes should understand what others say by the motion of their Lips,