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CHAP. XI.
Two notorious Wonders, and yet not marvelled at.
I Thought good here to insert two most miraculous matters; of the one I am Testis oculatus, an Eye-witness; of the other I am so credibly and certain∣ly informed, that I dare, and do believe it to be very true. When Mr. T. Randolph returned out of Russia, after his Embassage dispatched, a Gentleman of his Train brought home a monument of great accompt, in nature and in proper∣ty very wonderful. And because I am loth to be long in the description of Circumstances, I will first describe the thing it self, which was a piece of earth of a good quantity, and most excellently proportioned in Nature, having these qualities and vertues following. If one had taken a piece of perfect Steel,* 1.1 forked and sharpned at the end, and heated red hot, offering therewith to have touched it, it would have fled with great celerity: and on the other side, it would have pursued gold, either in Coin or Bulloin, with as great violence and speed as it shunned the other. No Bird in the Air durst approach near it; no Beast of the Field but feared it, and naturally fled from the sight there∣of. It would be here to day, and to morrow twenty miles of, and the next day after in in the very place it was the first day, and that without the help of any other Creature.
Johannes Fernelius writeth of a strange Stone lately brought out of India,* 1.2 which hath in it such a marvellous brightness, purity and shining, that therewith the Air round about is so lightned and cleared, that one may see to read thereby in the darkness of night. It will not be contained in a close Room, but requi∣reth an open and free place. It would not willingly rest or stay here below on the Earth, but alwayes laboureth to ascend up into the Air. If one press it down with his hand, it resisteth, and striketh very sharply. It is beautiful to behold, without either spot or blemish, and yet very unpleasant to taste or feel. If any part thereof be taken away, it is never a whit diminished, the form thereof being inconstant, and at every moment mutable. These two things last rehearsed are strange, and so long wondred at, as the mystery and morality thereof remaineth undiscovered: but when I have disclosed the matter, and told you that by the lump of Earth a Man is meant, and some of his qualities described; and that that which was contained in the far fetcht Stone, was fire, or rather flame: the doubt is resolved, and the miracle ended. And yet (I confess) there is in these two creatures contained more miraculous matter, then in all the Load∣stones and Diamonds in the world. And hereby is to be noted, that even a part of this Art, which is called natural or witching Magick, consisteth as well in the deceit of words, as in the sleight of hand; wherein plain lying is avoided with a figurative speech, in the which either the words themselves, or their interpre∣tation have a double or doubtful meaning, according to that which hath been said before in the Title * 1.3 Ob or Pytho: and shall be more at large hereafter in this Treatise manifested.