The harmony of the Old and New Testament and the obscure texts explained with a relation especially to the times that preceded Christ and how they meet in him, his genealogie and other mysteries preparatory to his first coming / written in French by John d'Espagne ... ; and published in English by his executor.

A digression against certain Persons, saying, they have the virtue of healing a sick body by the meer touching of their hand.

I Would not vouchsafe to mention that Imposture, much less to refute it, had it not found belief, then also, even among the vulgar spirits. A Lord of very high ranck, who had chosen me to have the di∣rection of his conscience, being taken with a great and long sickness, forgot himself thus far, as to send, without my privity, for one of those wicked folks, called Stroakers. But that which hapned soon after was the death of that poor Lord, who yet had time enough to declare to me his fault, and ask God forgiveness thereof, as he did in my presence, shewing a great compunction for it.

Now, the bragging of these Impostors is grounded on that principle, whereunto many give faith; That the Seventh Son, whose birth is not preceded by the birth of any sister, hath that vertue to heal, by touching onely and stroaking with his hand. But who told them, that he that is but the seventh son hath that power, ra∣ther

then the eldest of the seven? Again, the seventh son of a Turk, or a Pagan, hath he also that faculty? David, who was the seventh son of Jesse, did he ever, in the disease of the first son he had of Bathshe∣ba, tryed to heal him by the stroaking of his hands? If they say, that David had two eldest sisters; had he not occasion to regret, that their birth had intercepted that rare privilege that was accruing to him? The holy History speaks of the seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish Priest, who medled with exorcising, but not with heal∣ing any sick persons of natural diseases; and at length the evil spirit did beat and wound them all, the seventh as well as the other, Act. 19. In a word, if birth could confer such a vertue, every seventh son would have naturally as much power, as to healings, as the Apostles had ever from heaven: Yea, and the gift of healing, which the Apostles had, was not in them as a permanent habit. But should any have it by his birth, 'twould be a perpetual fa∣culty, residing in him as long as such a man should live. Away with such superstitions.