An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

In the Year 1620, one that was Leaf and ⟨p. 295⟩Dumb, being solicited by the Papists to be present at Mass, chose rather to suffer death. It is also a thing known, that Men are able by signs to discourse, and to communicate their sentiments one to another. There are above thirty Mutes kept in the Ottoman Court for the Grand Seignior to sport with: Concerning whom Mr. Ricaut in his History of the present State of the Ottoman Empire (P.62.) reports, that they are able by signs not only to signify their sense in familiar Questions, but to recount Stories, and understand the Fables of the Turkish Religion, the Laws and Precepts of the Alcoran, the Name of Mahomet, and what else may be capable of being expressed by the tongue. This Language of the Mutes is so much in fashion in the Ottoman Court, that almost every one can deliver his sense in it. And that Deaf persons have been sometimes able to write, and to understand what others say to them by the very motion of their Lips is most certain. Camerarius tells us of a young Man and a Maid then living at Nuremberg, who though Deaf and Dumb, could Read and Write, and ••pher, and by the motion of a mans Lips, knew his meaning. Platerus speaketh of one Deaf and Dumb born, that yet could express his mind in a Table-book, and understood ⟨p. 296⟩what others wrote therein, and was wont to attend upon the Ministry of Oecolampadius, understanding many things by the motion of the lips of the Preacher. Mr. Clark in his Examples (Vol.1. Chap. 33.) saith, that there was a Woman in Edinburgh in Scotland (her Name was Gennet Lows) who being naturally Deaf and Dumb, could understand what People said merely by the moving of their Lips. It is famously known that Mr. Crisp of London, could do the like. Borellus giveth an account of one that lost his Hearing by a violent Disease when he was five years old, yet if they did but whisper to him, he could by their Lips perceive what they said. There is one now living (or that not many years since was so) in Silesia in whom that Disease of the Small Pox caused a total Deafness; who nevertheless, by exact observing the motion of Mens Lips, can understand what they say; and if they do but Whisper he perceives what they say better than if they vociferate never so loudly.

In the Year 1620, one that was Leaf and ⟨p. 295⟩