An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

CHAP. IX.

A strange Relation of a Woman in Weymouth in New-England, that has been Dumb and Deaf ever since she was three years old, who nevertheless has a competent knowledge in the Mysteries of Religion, and is admitted to the Sacrament. Some parallel Instances of ways to teach those that are naturally Deaf and Dumb to speak. Another Relation of a Man in Hull in New England, under whose Tongue a Stone bred. Concerning that Petrification which humane Bodies are subject unto. That Plants and diverse sorts of Animals have sometimes bred in the Bodies of Men.

A strange Relation of a Woman in Weymouth in New-England, that has been Dumb and Deaf ever since she was three years old, who nevertheless has a competent knowledge in the Mysteries of Religion, and is admitted to the Sacrament. Some parallel Instances of wayes to teach those that are naturally Deaf and Dumb to speak. Another Relation of a Man in Hull in NewEngland, under whose Tongue a Stone bred. Concerning that Petrification which humane Bodies are subject unto. That Plants and diverse sorts of Animals have sometimes bred in the Bodies of Men.

Having dispatched the Digression, which the things related in some of the preceding Chapters did necessarily lead us into: I now proceed in commem•••ing some other Remarkables, which it is pity but that Posterity should have the knowledge of. I shall in this Chapter only take notice of two particulars amongst our selves, with some parallel Instances which have happened in other parts of the World. I am informed that there is now at Weymouth in New-England a Man and his Wife who are both of them Deaf, and ⟨p. 290⟩that the Woman had been so from her Infancy; and yet that she understands as much concerning the state of the Country, and of particular persons therein, and of observable occurrences, as almost any one of her Sex; and (which is more wonderful) though she is not able to speak a word, she has by signs made it appear that she is not ignorant of Adam's fall, nor of Man's misery by nature, nor of Redemption by Christ, and the great concernments of Eternity, and of another World, and that she her self has had experience of a work of Conversion in her own Soul. I have made enquiry about this matter of some that are fully acquainted therewith, and have from a good hand received this following account. Matthew Prat aged about fifty five years, was in his minority by his godly Parents educated religiously, and taught to read: When he was about twelve years old, he became totally Deaf by sickness, and so hath ever since continued; after the loss of his hearing he was taught to write: his Reading and Writing he retaineth perfectly, & makes much good improvement of both, but his Speech is very broken, and imperfect, not easily intelligible; he maketh use of it more seldom; only to some few that are wonted