An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Upon this occasion it may not be amiss to commemorate a Providence not altogether unlike unto the but now related preservation of Skipper How. The Story which I intend is mentioned by Mandelsloe in his Travails, Page 280. and more fully by Mr. Clark in his Examples, Vol. 2. Page 618. Mr. Burton in his Prodigies of Mercies, Page 209. Yet inasmuch as but few in this Country have the Authors mentioned, I shall here insert what has been by them already published.

Upon this occasion it may not be amiss to commemorate a Providence not altogether unlike unto the but now related preservation of Skipper How. The Story which I intend is mentioned by Mandelsloe in his Travails, Page 280. and more fully by Mr. Clark in his Examples, Vol. 2. Page 618. Mr. Burton in his Prodigies of Mercies, Page 209. Yet inasmuch as but few in this Countrey have the Authors mentioned, I shall here insert what has been by them already published.

The Story is in brief as followeth:

In the Year 1616. A Fleming whose name was Pickman, coming from Norway in a Vessel loaden with Boards, was overtaken by a Calm, during which the Current carried him upon a Rock or little Island towards the extremities of Scotland. To avoid a Wreck he commanded some of his Men to go into the Shallop, and to ⟨p. 65⟩Tow the Ship. They having done so, would needs go up into a certain Rock to look for Birds Eggs: But as soon as they were got up into it, they at some distance perceived a Man, whence they imagined that there were others lurking thereabouts, and that this man had made his escape thither from some Pirates, who, if not prevented, might surprise their Ship: and therefore they made all the hast they could to their Shallop, and so returned to their Ship. But the Calm continuing, and the Current of the Sea still driving them upon the Island, they were forced to get into the Long-boat, and to Tow her off again. The Man whom they had seen before was in the mean time come to the brink of the Island, and made signs with his hands lifted up, and sometimes falling on his knees, and joining his hands together, begging and crying to them for relief. At first they made some difficulty to get to him, but at last, being overcome by his lamentable signs, they went nearer the Island, where they saw something that was more like a Ghost than a living Person; a Body stark naked, black and hairy, a meagre and deformed Countenance, with hollow and distorted eyes; which raised such compassion in them, that