CHAP. XV.
How Men have been abused with words of Equivocation, with sundry Examples thereof.
SOme have taught, and others have written certain experiments; in the ex∣pressing whereof they have used such words of Equivocation, as whereby many have been overtaken and abused through rash credulity: so as some∣times (I say) they have reported, taught, and written that which their capacity took hold upon, contrary to the truth and sincere meaning of the Author. It is a common jest among the Water-men of the Thames, to shew the Parish Church of Stone to the Passengers, calling the same by the name of the Lanthorn of Kent; affirming, and that not untruly, that the said Church is as light (meaning in weight and not in brightness) at midnight, as at noonday. Whereupon some credulous person is made believe, and will not stick to affirm and swear, that in the same Church is such continual light, that any man may see to read there at all times of the Night without a Candle.
An excellent Philosopher, whom (for reverence unto his Fame and Learning) I will forbear to name, was overtaken by his Hostess at Dover; who merrily told him, that if he could retain and keep in his mouth certain pibbles (lying at the shoar side) he should not perbreak until he came to Calice, how rough and rem∣pestuous so ever the Seas were. Which when he had tried, and being not for∣ced by sickness to vomit, nor to lose his stones, as by vomiting he must needs do, he thought her Hostess had discovered unto him an excellent secret, nothing doubting of her amphibological speech: and therefore thought it a worthy note to be recorded among miraculous and medicinable stones; and inserted it accordingly into his Book, among other Experiments collected with great in∣dustry, learning, travel, and judgement. All these Toyes help a subtile Cosener to gain credit with the multitude. Yea, to further estimation, many will whisper Prophecies of their own invention into the ears of such as are not of quickest capacity; as to tell what Weather, &c. shall follow. Which if it fall out true, then boast they and triumph, as though they had gotten some notable conquest; if not, they deny the matter, forget it, excuse it, or shift it off; as that they told another the contrary in earnest, and spake that but in jest. All these helps might Pharaohs Jugglers have to maintain their Cosenages and Illusi∣ons, towards the hardening of Pharaohs heart.
Hereunto belong all manner of Charms, Periapts, Amulets, Characters, and such other Superstitions, both popish and prophane: whereby (if that were true, which either, Papists, Conjurors, or Witches undertake to do) we might daily see the very miracles wrought indeed, which Pharaoh's Magicians seemed