N00296:278
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences: wherein, an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events, which have happened in this last age; especially in New-England. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Six lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1684
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
which hobgoblin word the late miracle Monger or Mirabilarian st•oaker, in Ireland, Valentin Greatrix attempted to cure an Ague by. Porphyrius saith, that the Egyptians had Symbols, which Serapis appointed them to use in order to the driving away Daemons. Now he whom the Egyptians called Serapis, is by the Greeks called Pluto, and by the Jews Bel-z•bub. And as the Heathen learned such things from Bel-z•bub, so have the Papists (who are called Gentiles in the Scripture, Rev.11.2. and well they may be so, since as to all manner of Idolatry and Superstition they Gentilize) from them learned to cure Diseases, and drive away Evil Spirit by Words and Spells, Exorcizations, &c. M•tthi•lus reports that he knew a man that would and that without seeing the persons wounded, by Charms heal those that were stung with deadly Serpents; and Fernelius saith, that he has seen some curing a Fever only by muttering words, without the use of any natural ⟨p. 259⟩means. Not only professed Heathen but Papists, have by reciting certain Verses, bin wont to cure other Diseases. Yea they have practised to free persons from the Epilepsy; by mentioning the Names of the three Kings of Colon (as the wise Men which came from the East, are usually called) Hence are those celebrated Verses:
which hobgoblin word the late miracle Monger or Mirabilarian st•oaker, in Ireland, Val•ntin Greatrix attempted to cure an Ague by. Porphyrius saith, that the Egyptians had Symbols, which Serapis appointed them to use in order to the driving away Daemons. Now he whom the Egyptians called Serapis, is by the Greeks called Pluto, and by the Jews Bel-z•bub. And as the Heathen learned such things from Bel-z•bub, so have the Papists (who are called Gentiles in the Scripture, Rev.11.2. and well they may be so, since as to all manner of Idolatry and Superstition they Gentilize) from them learned to cure Diseases, and drive away Evil Spirit by Words and Spells, Exorcizations, &c. Mtthilus reports that he knew a man that would and that without seeing the persons wounded, by Charms heal those that were stung with deadly Serpents; and Fernelius saith, that he has seen some curing a Feaver only by muttering words, without the use of any natural