An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

Having thus far Related many Remarkable Providences, which have happened in these goings down of the Sun; and some of the particulars, (especially in the last Chapter) being Tragical Stories: The Reader must give me leave upon this occasion a little to divert and recreate my mind, with some Philosophical Meditations; and to conclude with a Theological Improvement thereof. There are Wonders in the Works of Creation as well as Providence, the reason whereof the most knowing amongst Mortals, are ⟨p. 100⟩not able to comprehend. Dost thou know the balancings of the Clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? I have not yet seen any who give a satisfactory reason of those strange Fountains in New Spain, which Ebb and Flow with the Sea, though far from it; and which fall in Rainy Weather, and rise in dry; or concerning that Patnear St. Bartholomew's into which if one cast a stone though never so small, it makes a noise as great and terrible as a clap of Thunder. It is no difficult thing to produce a World of Instances, concerning which the usual Answer is, an occult Quality is the cause of this strange operation, which is only a Fig-leaf whereby our common Philosophers seek to hide their own ignorance. Nor may we (with Erastus) deny that there are marvellous Sympathies and Antipathies in the natures of things. We know that the Horse does abominate the Camel; the mighty Elephant is afraid of a Mouse: And they say that the Lion, who scorneth to turn his back upon the stoutest Animal, will tremble at the Crowing of a Cock. Some Men also have strange Antipathies in their natures against that sort of Food which others love and live upon. I have read of one that could not endure to eat either Bread or Flesh. Of another that ⟨p. 101⟩sell into a Swooning fit at the smell of a Rose. Others would do the like at the smell of Vinegar, or at the sight of an Eel or a Frog. There was a Man that if he did hear the sound of a Bell, he would immediately die away. Another if he did happen to hear any one sweeping a Room, an inexpressible horror would seize upon him. Another if he heard one whetting a Knife his Gums would fall a bleeding. Another was not able to behold a Knife that had a sharp point, without being in a strange agony. Quercetus speaketh of one that died as he was sitting at the Table, only because an Apple was brought into his sight.

HAving thus far Related many Remarkable Providences, which have hapned in these goings down of the Sun; and some of the particulars, (especially in the last Chapter) being Tragical Stories: The Reader must give me leave upon this occasion a little to divert and recreate my mind, with some Philosophical Meditations; and to conclude with a Theological Improvement thereof. There are Wonders in the Works of Creation as well as Providence, the reason whereof the most knowing amongst Mortals, are