A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

CHAP. II. Concerning the Appearance of Good Angels.

FOR those that will admit the Testimony of Sacred Scripture, it will be easie to satis∣fy such, That Good Angels do exist, and are exercised in the Affairs of this Little World; as in the Case of Hagar, Gen. 16.7, &c. of Abraham, Gen. 18. of Lot, Gen. 19. of Jacob, Gen. 31. of Moses, Exod. 3. of Balaam, Gideon, Manoah, Elijah; &c. in the Old Testament. And in the Case of the Baptist's and our Saviour's Birth, in the New Testament they appear∣ed to the Two Maries, Zechariah, and the Shepherds, Act. 10.3. Cornelius is said to have seen a Vision evidently, viz. An Angel of God coming to him. More may be observed by Men of Leisure and Ingenuity, that will take the pains to examine their Concordance, and turn over a few leaves of the Bible.

The greatest difficulty is with Men of an Infidel Nature, not only of the Sadducean hu∣mour, who Account Angels no more then Divine Praises; or of the Familist's Principle, who say they are meer Phantasms, created for the present occasion, and then presently, when their Business is over, manumitted into Old Vanity and Nothing; but Hobbists, and Scep∣ticks, and Atheists: The first of which Symbolizes much with the Old Sadduces, the Scep∣tick doubts, and the Atheist flatly denies them. To all which I have no more to say (it be∣ing not my business now to engage in the Lists of Disputation, which would swell my Book into a Volume too big for the Purses of the present Age,) but to submit fairly the aforesaid Texts, and the following stories to the Sober and Mature consideration of the Reader. On∣ly be pleased to take this distinction along with you, that Angels may appea•• visibly to the Eye of the mind, as well as to the Eye of sense. And now let us lay aside our Bible a while, to humour the Infirmity of this Unbelieving Club, who could be well enough con∣tent there might be Good Angels concerned for us, so there were no Bad ones against us.

Bodinus, who had it from the Mouth of the Man, whom it concerned, a Holy and Pious Man, and an Acquaintance of Bodinus's, tells us; that he had a certain Spirit, that did per∣petually accompany him, which he was then first aware of, when he was about Thirty Se∣ven years of Age, but conceived that the said Spirit had been with him all his Life time; as he gathered from certain Monitory Dreams and Visions, whereby he was forewarned as well of several Dangers, as Vices. That this Spirit discovered himself to him, after he had for a whole year together earnestly prayed to God, to send a Good Angel to him, to be the Guide and Governour of his Life and Actions; adding also, that before and after Prayer he used to spend two or three hours in Meditation and Reading the Scriptures, diligently en∣quiring with himself, what Religion might be the Best, beseeching God that he would be pleased to direct him to it. And that he did not allow of their way, that at all adventures pray for Confirmation of them in that Opinion they are in, whether right or wrong. That whilst he was thus busy in matters of Religion, he light on a passage in Philo Judeus de Srcrificiis, where he Writes, That a Good and Holy Man can offer no greater, nor more ac∣ceptable Sacrifice to God, then the oblation of himself; And therefore following Philo's Counsel, that he offered his Soul to God: And after that, amongst many other Divine Dreams and Visions, he once in his sleep seemed to hear the Voice of God, saying to him, I will save thy Soul, I am he that appeared unto thee: Afterwards the Spirit would every day knock at the Door about three or four a Clock in the Morning, tho he rising and opening the Door, could see no body. This Trouble and Boysterousness made him begin to conceit, that it was some ill Spirit, that thus haunted him; and therefore he daily Prayed earnestly to the Lord, that he would be pleased to send his Good Angel to him; and often also Sung Psalms, hav∣ing most of them by heart. Wherefore the Spirit afterwards knocked more gently at the Door, and One day discovered himself to him Waking, which was the first time, that he was assured by his senses, that it was He; for he often touched and stirred a Drinking-Glass, that stood in his Chamber, which did not a little amaze him. Two days after, when he en∣tertained a Friend of his, Secretary to the King, his Friend was much abashed, while he heard the Spirit thumping on the Bench hard by him, and was strucken with fear; but he bid him be of good courage, there was no hurt towards him; and the better to assure him of it, told him the truth of the whole matter. From that time; saith Bodinus, he did affirm, that this Spirit was always with him, and by some sensible Sign did ever advertise him of things; as by striking his Right Ear; if he did any thing amiss; if otherwise, his left: If any body

came to Circumvent him, his right Ear was struck; but his left, if a good Man, and to good Ends, accosted him: If he was about to Eat or Drink any thing that would hurt him, or intended to do any ill Action, he was inhibited by a Sign; and if he delayed to fol∣low his Business, he was quickened by a Sign given him. When he began to Praise God in Psalms, and to declare him Marvellous Acts, he was presently raised and strengthened by a Supernatural Power. He daily begg'd of God, that he would teach him his Will, and set one day of the Week a part for meditation, and Reading the Scripture, and Singing of Psalms, and did not stir out of his House all that day: But in his ordinary Conversation, he was sufficiently merry, and of a cheerful mind; for which he cited that saying, Vidi facies sancto∣rum letas. But in his conversing with others, if he had talked Vainly and Indiscreetly, or had some days together neglected his Devotions, he was forthwith Admonished thereof by a Dream. He was also Admonished to rise betime every Morning, about four a Clock, with a Voice coming to him, while he was asleep, saying, Who gets up first to Pray? He was often Admonish'd likewise to give Alms; and observed, the more Charity he bestowed, the more Prosperous he was. On a time, when his Enemies sought after his Life, knowing he was to go by Water, his Father in a Dream brought two Horses to him, the one white, the other Bay; and thereupon he bid his Man hire him two Horses, and tho he said nothing of the Colours, his Man brought him a White Horse and a Bay one. In all Difficulties, Jour∣neyings, &c. He us'd to ask Counsel of God, and one Night when he had begg'd his Bles∣sing, while he slept he saw a Vision, wherein his Father seemed to Bless him. At another time, when in great danger, and was newly gone to Bed, he said the Spirit would not let him alone, till he had raised him again, whereupon he watched and prayed all that Night; the day after he escap'd the hands of his Persecutors in a wonderful manner; which done, in his next sleep, he heard a Voice saying, Now Sing Qui sedet in latibulo altissimi, &c. He once attempting to speak to this Spirit, he struck the Door with a vehemency, as if he had knock'd upon it with a hammer, to signify his dislike of the matter: If he took an ill Book into his hand to Read, the Spirit would strike it, that he might lay it down; and so like∣wise would hinder him from Writing and Reading over-much. Bodinus enquiring whether he ever saw the shape and form of the Spirit; he told him, that whilst awake, he never saw any thing but a certain light very bright and clear, and of a circular Figure; but that once being in Jeopardy of his Life, and having heartily pray'd to God, that he would be pleased to provide for his safety, about break of Day, amidst his slumberings and wakings, he es∣pied on his Bed where he lay, A young Boy, clad in a white Garment tinctured with Purple, and of a Visage admirably Lovely and Beautiful to behold. This he confidently affirmed to Bodinus for a certain Truth. H. More Antid. against Atheism. Edit. 2d. p. 245, &c.

2. Ruffinus in his Ecclesiastical story reports, that one Theodorus a Martyr, told him, that when he was hanging ten hours upon the Rack for Religion, under Julian's Persecution, his Joynts distended and distorted, and his body exquisitely tortured with change of Execution∣ers; so as never Age could remember the like; he felt no pain at all, but continued all the while in the sight of all Men, singing and smiling, for there stood a comely young Man by him on his Gibbet, which with a clean Towel still wip'd off his sweat, and poured cool Wa∣ter upon his Limbs, wherewith he was so refreshed, that it grieved him to be let down. So far Dr. Joseph Hall. Socratis scholasticus, adds, that Ruffinus had Acquaintance with this Theodorus, and discoursed him upon't: to whom he said, he was so comforted and confirm∣ed in the Faith thereby, that the hour of Torment was unto him rather a delectable Plea∣sure, than a doleful Pain. Socrat. Schol. Hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 16.

3. Edwyn King of Northumberland, then a Pagan, being by himself alone and Solitary, there appeared to him One, who said, I known well the cause of thy heaviness, what wouldst thou give to him that would deliver thee from this fear? I would, said Edwyn, give all that ever I could make. And what, said the other, if I make thee a mightier King than any of thy Progenitors? Edwyn answered as before. Then said the other, What if I shew thee a bet∣ter way, and kind of Life, than was ever known to any of thy Ancestors? Wilt thou obey, and do after may Counsel? Yes, said he, with all my Heart. Then the other laying his Hand on his Head, said, When this Token happens unto thee, then remember this time of thy Tribula∣tion, and the Promise that thou hast made, and the Words I have spoken; and so he vanished out of his sight. But afterwards being over-born by the Counsel of his Nobles, he deferred to perform his Promise. Afterwards, being struck at with the envenom'd Sword of a certain Ruffian, sent by the King of the West-Saxons to assassinate him; but escaping by the interposition of one of his Servants, (who received the Sword through his own Body) being himself wound∣ed only with the Sword's Point; with which Wound he lay long. Upon Recovery, he goes against those West Saxons, promising Jesus Christ, upon Victory, to be Baptized. Which tho' he obtained, yet still he was slow to be Baptized. Only he left off his Idolatrous Ser∣vices, and heard Bishop Paulinus Preach; 'till the Bishop came to the King at a fit Season, and laying his Hand on his Head, ask'd him if he remembred not that Token? upon which, he was presently Baptized, and destroyed his Idols with their Altars. Clark's Exampl. and Martyrol. &c.

4. When Theodosius Jun. sent his Army under Ardubarius against the Persians, and for the Relief of the Persecuted Christians, and the Citizens were sad and heavy, fearing the Event of the War, a Company of Angels appeared to certain Christians in Bythinia, that were travelling to Constantinople, and willed them to be of good Cheer, and to Pray, and put their Trust in God, and then to expect confidently the good Success and Victory of Ardubarius: For God had sent them as Governors and Sovereign Captains of that War. Idem.

5. Cotterus accounted by Comenius as a Prophet of Silesia, and persecuted stoutly by the Emperor's Praefect, was A. C. 1628, entertained by Adam Pohe, a Sadler of Sprattovia for half a Year gratis, till the time of his Imprisonment. The next Year Adam falling Sick and Lame, his Nerves shrank up, and was confined to his Bed for half a Year. A Day before the Emperor's Commissioners came to reform the Town (as they called it) a Young Man appeared by his Bed-side in white Cloathing, saying Adam, this is the Day wherein God hath decreed to take Vengeance on this City: Arise, Go in the name of the Lord, put on thy clothes, and with thy Wife and Young Daughter fly away, make hasie; upon which he recovered and escaped. Hisi. Prophet. p. 22.

6. Cutbert Symson, Deacon of the Congregation in London, in Queen Mary's Reign, being imprison'd in the Stocks the Day before his Condemnation, about Eleven of the Clock to∣ward Midnight, heard one coming in, first opening the outward Door, then the Second, then the Third, and so looking into the said Cutbert, having no Candle or Torch, that he could see, but giving a comfortable Brightness and Light, joyful to the Heart, and saying Ha! unto him, departed again. Fox Martyrol.

7. Samuel Wallace, of Stamford in Lincolnshire, a shoe-maker, having been 13 Years sick of a Consumption; upon Whitsunday after Sermon, 1659, being alone in the House, and reading in a Book called Abraham's Suit for Sodom, he heard somebody wrap at the Door, upon which he rose, and went with his Stick in one Hand, and holding by the Wall with the other, to see who was at the Door; where he found a proper grave Old Man, with Hair as white as Wool curled up, and a white broad Beard, of a fresh Complexion, with a fashionable Hat, little narrow Band, Coat and Hose of a Purple Colour, pure white Stockings, and new black Shoes tied with Ribbons, of the same colour with his Cloaths, without Spot of Wet or Dirt upon him, though it rained when he came in, and had done, all that Day; Hands as white as Snow, without Gloves: Who said to him, Friend, I pray, thee give to an Old Pilgrim a Cup of thy small Beer. Samuel Wallace answering, I pray you Sir, come in. To which he replied, Friend, call me not Sir, for I am no Sir; but yet come in I must; for I cannot pass by thy Door before I come in. Wallace, with the help of his Stick, drew a little Jug-Pot of Small-Beer; which the Pilgrim took, and drank a little; then walked two or three times to and fro, and drank again; and so a Third time, before he drank it all. And when he had so done, he walked Three or Four times as before; and then coming to Wallace, said, Friend, I percieve that thou art not well: Wallace replied, No truly, Sir, I have not been well these many Years. Then he asked what his Disease was •• A Deep Consumption, and our Doctors say 'tis past Cure, answered Wallace. To which the old Pilgrim replied, They say well, but what have they given thee for it? Truly nothing, said he, for I am very poor, and not able to follow the Doctor's Prescriptions, and so I have committed my self into the Hands of Almighty God, to dispose of me as he pleaseth. The Old Man answered, Thou say'st very well: But I will tell thee by the Almighty power of God what thou shalt do; only observe my words, and remember them and do it; but whatsoever thou dost, Fear God, and serve him. To Morrow Morning to into thy Garden, and get there Two Red Sage Leaves, and one Leaf of Bloodwort, put these into a Cup of Small Beer, let them lie there for the space of Three Days together, drink thereof as oft as need re∣quires, but let the Leaves still remain in the Cup; and the Fourth Morning cast them a∣way, and put Three fresh ones in their room; and thus do for 12 Days together, neither more nor less: I pray thee remember what I say, and observe and do it. But above all, Fear God and serve him. And for the space of these Twelve Days, thou must neither drink Ale, nor Strong Beer; yet afterwards thou mayest to strengthen Nature; and thou shalt see that before these Twelve Days are expired, through the great mercy and help of Al∣mighty God, thy Disease will be cured, and the frame of thy Body altered, &c. With much more to this purpose; adding withal, that he must change the Air, and then his Blood would be as god as ever it was, only his Joints would be weak as long as he lived. But above all, said he, Fear God, and serve him. Wallace asked him to eat some Bread and Butter or Cheese; he answered, no Friend, I will not eat any thing, the Lord Christ is suf∣ficient for me; neither but very seldom do I drink any Beer, but that which comes from the Rock: And so Friend, the Lord God in Heaven be with thee. At parting, Samuel Wallace went to shut the Door after him, to whom the Old Man returning half way into the Entry again, said, Friend, I pray remember what I have said, and do it: But above all; Fear God, and serve him. Wallace said, he saw him pass along the Street some half a Score Yards from his Door, and so he went in. But no Body else saw this Old Man, though many People were standing in their Doors near Wallace's House. Within Four Days, upon the use of this Drink, a Sc••rf arose upon his Body, and under that a new fresh Skin, and in Twelve Days he was as strong as ever he had been, and healthful, except only a little weakness in his Joynts. And once in the Twelve Days, by the importunity of some Friends, drinking a little Strong Drink, he was struck speechless for 24 Hours. Many Ministers hear∣ing the report of this wonderful Cure, met together at Stamford, and considering and con∣sulting about, it for many Reasons, concluded the Cure to be done by the Ministry of an Angel.

8. Monsieur Jurieu, a Banished Minister of France, wrote in one of his Pastoral Letters out of Holland. to the Persecuted Protestants in France, a very surprising Relation, of Songs and Voices heard in the Air, A. C. 1685, in these Words,—This Year 1685, hath been as abundant in Prodigies, as any for a long while; wherein we have heard of extraordi∣nary Storms, Fires falling from Heaven, others coming out of the Earth, Signs in the Air, and Insects of unknown Shapes, which have been believed to have fallen from Heaven, and

particularly the Singing of Psalms and Voices in the Air. It is near a Year since we heard any Speech concerning it, and they told us, that these Singings had been heard in Bearn, the first Province whether the Dragoons were sent. Behold our Witnesses, every one will judge of what worth they are: Monsieur Mag••udy, Pastor of the Church of Orthez, ha∣ving been questioned concerning this Affair, hath interrogated divers Persons, according as it appears by his Certificate.

I do declare that Monsieur Bazin, a Younger Brother, and an Inhabitant of Bearn hath told me, that walking with some of his Friends after Mid∣day near the City of Orthez, he heard Voices which sung Psalms, and as he imagined that it might be some Women that washed Linnen, he ran to demand of them, whether it was they that sang; they told him no, and that they themselves had for a long time heard the same singing of Psalms. This happened some Months before the Interdiction of our Church. The said M. Bazin is a very Honest Man, very Judicious, and of Integri∣ty. I add, that Madamoiselle de Casenaue of Orthez, being not able to believe that which was said concerning Singing of Psalms, a Woman said to her, that if she had the Curio∣sity to hear them sing, she would call on her at her own House at a time convenient; which she did: For this Woman being at Eleven at Night, in the uttermost part of the City, with Multitudes of other Persons, to hear those Voices which sung in the Air the Praises of God; having heard this singing of Psalms, she ran to Madamoiselle de Casenaue, who immediately gets out of her Bed, causes one of her Neighbours to rise; and they ran to that Quarter of the City which was far from her House; where they found Multitudes of Persons, who were ravished with that pleasant Melody which they heard in the Air; they themselves returned to their Houses, with this great Consolation, to have heard those Psalms sung in the Air, which they could no more sing in their Church; which had been interdicted for some Months past: They added, that they seemed to hear them sing in the same manner, which they used to sing in their Church; and after the Singing ceased, there was a Voice which spake, but in an articulate and confufed manner, so that they could not distinguish what was said. This Gentlewoman is very well worthy of Credit. M••reover I attest, that an infinite number of Persons of Orthez do say, that they heard the singing of Psalms, which they call the Singing of Angels: And that they exhort∣ed each other in the Day, to be present in the Night, in certain Places of the City, to satisfy this holy curiosity; which was the reason that the Magistrates of Orthez published an Ordinance, whereby they forbad all Persons from going out of their Houses, or assem∣bling themselves by Night to hear these Voices; which filled this poor afflicted People with Joy, and extraordinary Consolation. This is that which hath been told me concern∣ing this singing of Psalms, to which I find no difficulty to give a full assent, because the Persons that reported it, are of great sincerity. Given at Amsterdam, Nov. 23, 1686. Signed Magendie,

heretofore Minister of Orthez in Bearne.

M. Garfin, another Minister of the said Church of Orthez, declares the like, and cites his Brother in Law de Roux, for the witness thereof; as also M. Clarier, a Lawyer of the same City, who inform'd him, that the Curate of the Place, and a certain Priest call'd Dusan, and Monsieur Lichbigarai, another Lawyer, and a Brother of the Curate called M. de la Ro∣que, who sent to search out a certain Popish Damsel, to know of her if it were true, that she had said, that she had heard this Singing of Psalms, and that she told them,—Yea,—&c. Given at Amsterdam, Sept. 23. 1689. Signed Garfin, Minister. One Peter Mauberg, of the City of Orthez, hath signed the same thing; as doth also one M. Bergerit, and John de la Bordotten, and Madamoiselle Deformalagues, (adding withal, that her Ears were entertained with a Melody so ravishing, that she never heard any thing like it; and that she heard many Persons say, they could plainly and distinctly hear the first Verse of the Forty Second Psalm, Like as the Hart doth breath and bray, &c. Others, that they heard the whose Psalm sung. M. de Brassalay, a Person of Honour, and acknowledged such by all that knew him, hath abundantly attested the same thing. Dr. Faur, a Physitian, and Papist, and Magi∣strate of the same City, confessed that he heard it, &c. It were too tedious to give the Reader all the Certificates that have been made of it; these I have cited, are enough to si∣lence the Objections of any Reader, that is not resolved to be incredulous above the com∣mon rate of Mankind. But neither was it heard here only, but the like hath happen'd in Cevenues, together with the bearing of Drums, as hath been certified by the Affidavits of no less than Four several Credible Persons, viz. Barjune, Minister of S. Marselle in Ce∣venues, La Roquette, Minister of Manoblet, Saligne de Marnis in Cevenues, M. Jane de Vig∣noles, &c. Hic consulat lector Athanasium de subtil. Demon.

One of the most Astonishing Passages that I my self have been witness of, of this na∣ture, and which happened in my own House, is that which follows. In the Year 1683, whilst I lived at Shipley, my Wife took a Neighbour's Daughter, Mary Holland by Name, to be her Servant, aged about 16 or 17 Years, jolly and corpulent, honest, humble and innocent, free from all Pride and Guile naturally (so far as I could judge) but of no sharp Intellectuals, nor extraordinary Knowledge, constant to her private Prayers, so far as we could make Observation: Her Parents were Persons of god same, and great hospitality, and lived fashionably and plentifully as any of the Parish. This Damsel having fetcht in Water to brew with the next day; she went to Bed that Night, fell into a deep Sleep (as she was by Nature inclined to do) presently; but which was extraordinary, next Morning she could not be awaked: And so she continued all that Day, and till the middle of the Third Night. The Physician taking the Distemper for a Coma, gave his Advice according∣ly, but without Success: Her Parents gave Order for Two Women to watch with her the Third Night. About Midnight, I and my Wife lying in the next Chamber, and hearing

her talk sensibly to the Women, rose up, and went to her Bed-side, asking her, how she did? She replied, What do you think of me? To which I answered, by way of Question a∣gain, whether she meant concerning her Bodily Health or Salvation? Turning to my Wife, she ask'd, Mistress, what do you think? Shall I be saved or no? To whom my Wife said, how do you think to be saved, by your Faith or Works? She answered, by her Works: But re∣calling the Words again, after a little pause, she said—O no! it must not be by my works, it must be by saith in Jesus Christ. After some more Discourse upon this point, I ask'd her, if I should pray by her? She answered, Yes, if you please. Upon which we all kneeled down, she her self of her own accord putting her self into that posture in bed. In the midst of Prayers she broke out into such passionate and strange Expressions, as seemed to have proceeded from a sense of some Extraordinary Assault from Devils. I was strangely surprized, and thought it advisable to make a stop in my Prayers, and give my self, and the company a little time to make observation upon this strange Oc∣currence. She continued her passionate conflict in words which have slipt my memory: Afterwards I prayed again, and she fell into an Agony, as before. After Prayer she desir∣ed to see her Parents, and was afraid, she should not see them before she died. We promised her to send presently for them, which we did: But she fearing they would not come in due time, ask'd for my little Daughter, Pat; and the key of her Box, which we were not willing to give her, alledging, that we had purposely delivered up the key to her Mother the day before; and tho she had put it into our hands again, yet it would not look well in us to part with it, till she returned, &c. In the mean time, I told her, if she had any thing to say, we would report it truly to her Fa∣ther and Mother when they came, and we doubted not but they would consent to the Execution of her Will. Upon which, she bequeath'd a little box with some Money in it to Pat, her best Cloaths to such, and her old ones to such and such Persons, adding withal, If my Father and Mother please. And after this, she called one of the Women that attended, to whisper something to her in the Ear, which we heard not; the Wo∣men said afterwards, it was about an Egg, that they had purloyned from my Wife. After this was over, and all calm, I prayed with her again, and she was attack'd a∣gain, as before: Upon which I by and by left off, and with my Pen in my hand No∣ted down these following Expressions, which I deliver to the World for an A••igma, desiring a candid solution of it. Men of a licentious wit may banter any thing, The Bible, and Providence, and God himself. Bar give me a sober Judgment upon the fol∣lowing Expressions.—

He comes, the Serpent, he comes in now; there's nothing now but Devils.—Here's another Man is come now, and hath taken the Pen our of my hand: But 'tis no matter, I am He that have Prayed for you all this while.—For Christ's sake, come, take me out here, for Christ's sake: For Christ's sake, for Christ's sake, for Christ's sake, Lord have mercy. Lord, never forsake, Lord never forsake; Lord, never forsake me, &c. For the Lord's sake don't forget me. Lord God, do not forget me. Don't forsake me now. Lord, send thy hand.—That's the Man hath begg'd for you so long. They will not let me come, they will not let me come, they will not let me come to serve my God, my own God. The Lord hath been my God all this time; and wilt thou forsake me now! He hath promised never to forsake me; I'll never forsake you. let me never come into the World more. Lord have mer∣cy, Lord, &c. Christ have Mercy, Christ, &c. For the Lord's sake come fetch one of thy Angels. Lord have Mercy upon me; Lord, sure you will; sure you will; sure you will: Oh! I'll lend thee my hand. I that have been begging upon my Knees, or—upon the Bed all this while, Lord have pity on me. Beat them, Beat them, Beat them; I can Beat them, Lord; I am thy child, I am thy child, I am, &c. —I have been in Heaven among your Angels, 'O 'tis rare. Let me for the Lords sake go thither again. Oh! For Christ his sake, for Christ his sake, for Christ's sake, O let me in, I have fenc'd against the Serpent, and now I cannot get in. The Lord send the back again. I have beat Satan, Oh! 'tis a deluding Serpent! Come un∣to me, all you that have been in. Oh! You must have an Eye to Satan! Oh! You must have an Eye to Satan. I'll never come again into this World. O 'tis a rare being in Heaven! For the Lord's sake restore me, for the Lords sake restore, for the Lord's sake, &c.—Oh! For the Lords sake restore me!—I am none of yours. I am one of the Holy Angels. (I suppose she meant of the Holy Angels company.) O for Christ's sake—the other end, and I'll meet you there.—Oh? What do ye do? Do not disturb me; I am going a journey: I am going to Heaven. Oh! What shall I do to get in there! How shall I get in there! Here I lack to go in!—I have been at Heaven, Oh! 'tis a rare place! And Satan would fain have me; and I have much ado to get in again. Stay for me, for Christ's sake stay, for the Lord's sake stay. Lend me your hands. For Christ's sake do not go away without me. Here they come thick upon me.—Christ came and took me by the Coat, and yet I could not follow! I cannot come for the Crowd!—Here's the side, Lord Jesus help me. I have labour'd hard to keep to thee, I have labour'd hard to keep to thee, I have labour'd hard, &c.—This hand, this hand,—I have labour'd hard to keep to thee, Lord Jesus take me, Lord Jesus take me, O from whence you will, O from whence you will, O from whence you will.—I am one of thy children, and cannon tell which way to get to thee: Oh! which way can I come to thee? I have stood very hard. Unlock the key [I suppose this must go for a slip of the Tongue,] and let thy ANGELS in. For Christ's sake lend's any hand,—'tis not THEE I call, get thee gone, get thee gone, get thee gone,

get thee gone: Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy: Go ye out of my sight; what will you be reveng'd against me for? What do ye holding a curtain there? What do ye stand there for? Get ye in again. Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy. O whi∣ther shall I get to Christ?—I Believe we can get up now, cannot we? Cannot we? I believe we can get up now, cannot we? OH! HOW WILL GOD GET HIS AN∣GELS IN! OH! HOW WILL GOD GET HIS ANGELS IN!—Here's one yet! HFRE'S ONE YET! HERE'S ONE YET—Stay, let me alone; will ye? I am going up with these Angels: Ye don't know what I do sure, You don't know what I do sure.—Oh! Ye han't me yet. Cannot ye pull me up a little further? Pull me up a little further. An∣gels, have ye pull'd it there? Angels, have ye, &c? Take hold by my hand, and get me through there somewhere.—I'll go round to the Door, and meet you there. I am coming, I am coming, I am coming. Lord have Mercy upon us, Put a string down, put a string down, put a string down. My Dear Christ, my Dear Christ, pull me up, pull me up, pull me up. Have me in some-how. Oh! The bravest Angels, that Christ hath! Her Mother coming to her and finding her upon her Knees in this conflict, and calling upon her to lye down and sleep; She made Answer, Ah! Christ will forget me then! And when she bid her take her Rest; she replied,—Rest, quoth you, I shall Rest enough when I get to Heaven. And afterward, O to see, how the Ugly one stands! Said she.—I do not know how to get thither, not I. When they would have laid her down instead of kneeling, O, saith she, Mother, what do you do? I wonder, you'll be so obstinate; If you did but know—&c. I must pray heartily. And afterwards—Saith she, Christ hath carried away my Soul already.—We can Dance about, when we are in Heaven. Oh! Heaven is a Rare place! And now Christ is come to the bottom of the Stairs to fetch away my Body.—But how will Christ get my Body thither? Said she. When it was Answer'd her, at the Resurrection he will have it: O, said she, that will be a long while to.

To the Truth of this I my self, my Wife, her Father still living, and one or both of the Women that watch'd with her, are ready to give Testimony. Af∣ter the Afore-mention'd Agony, she died within a few hours, to the best of my Remem∣brance, at most, before the following day was expired.

10. Gervase Disney Esq; among the Remarkable Passages of his Life, Writ with his own Hand, and Published, A. C. 1692. Tells us, that December the 3d, 1685. Being at Family-Prayer at Night (through Extraordinary Drowsiness) he fell asleep two or three times; and awaking again, did not use the best means he could and should, of standing up to prevent the Drowsiness; hoping it might go off without it. Upon which being dropt a∣gain asleep, something gave him a great Blow upon the middle of his Back, which present∣ly awak'd him in a fright, which he did really feel paining him some minutes after he was awaken, p. 111. Upon this the same Author tells another story of a like nature, Viz. That his Eldest Brother being to repeat the Sermon in his Father's Family, he (Gervase) being then very young, and cryed to go to Bed, which was indulged him, and he, with his Brothers being after some repulse, allowed to depart, and got into Bed; Gervase, before he fell asleep, felt the bottom of the Bed-cloaths lift up, where presently some∣thing pull'd him by the Toe, and yet there was nothing to be seen. This, he saith, af∣frighted him when young, and he concluded it to be a rebuke for hindring a pious ex∣ercise. Idem, p. 112. I am not sure, that these stories are set in their proper places; but I am sure that they have the token of Credibility, and are Remarkable either here, or somewhere: If I have mistaken, I desire the Reader's Candor.

11. Even Plato himself in his Theage tells us, that Socrates had his Familiar Spirit, who used to admonish him, if at any time he were going to do that which was not like to succeed well, he himself saw him not, others heard him not.

12. Dr. Tate, with his Wife and Children, being stripped, and forced to flee for their Lives by the Irish, when they were murdering Thousands in their Rebellion in 1641. They were wandering in unknown places, upon Commons covered with Snow, and having no Food, and she carrying a Sucking Child, and having no Milk, she went to lay down the Child to die; and on the Brow of a Bank she found a Suck-bottle with sweet Milk in it, no Footsteps appearing in the Snow of any that should bring it thither, and far from any Habitation; which preserved the Childs Life, who after became a Blessing to the Church. Histor. Discourse of Apparit. &c. p. 159.

13. When Prince Rupert marched with his Army through Lancashire, to York-Fight, where he was overthrown, the Town or Bolton made some Resistance in his Passage, and he gave them no Quarter, but killed Men and Women. When he was gone, those that escaped came out from the Places where they lucked, and an Old Woman found in the streets a Woman killed, and a Child by her not Dead: The old Woman took up the Child, and to still its crying, put her own Breast to the Child, which had not given Suck, as I remember, of above twenty years: The Child being quieted, she presently perceived Milk to come; and continued to give the Child sufficient Milk, till it was provided for. I had the full Assurance of this from my worthy Friend, Mrs. Hunt, Wife to Mr. Rowland Hunt, of Harrow on the Hill; who told me, that she her self was one that was appointed by the Committee to make Trial of the case, and she found it true, and the Old Woman's Breasts to give the Child Milk, as was reported. And she told me in 1665. That the said Child was at that time alive, a Servant-woman in London. Ibid.

14. The African Bishops, or Preachers, all spake well, when their Tongues were cut out by the Command of the Arrian King: And Victor, Aenaeas, Gazaeus and Procopius said, they saw them, and heard them speak after. But one of them saith, that one of the Bi∣shops

was after drawn into the Sin of Fornication, and his Speech went away again. Ibid.

15. It is a very memorable thing, which (from the Mouth of a very credible Person, who saw it) George Buchanan relates concerning James the Fourth, King of Scotland, who in∣tending to make a War with England, a certain Old Man, of a very venerable Aspect, and clad in a long blue Garment, came to him at the Church of St. Michaels at Lin∣lithgow, while he was at his Devotion, and leaning over the Canons Seat, where the King Sate, said, I am sent unto thee, O King, to give thee warning that thou proceed not in the War thou art about, for if thou do it, it will be thy Ruine: And having so said, he withdrew himself back among the Multitude: The King, after service was ended, in∣quired earnestly for him. But he could no where be found, neither could any of the standers by feel, or perceive how, when, or where he passed from them, having as it were Vanished in their hands; but no warning could divert his Destiny, his Queen fancying that she had seen him fall from a great precipice, that she had lost, one of her Eyes, &c. But he Answering, these were but Dreams; Marched on and faught with the English, and was slain in Flodden Field, with a great Number of his Nobility and Soul∣diers upon Sept. 9. 1513. Bakers Chron.

16. When Melancthon, with others, was on a time at Spires, Faber Preached, and spake many shameful things touching Transubstantiation, and the Worshipping of Consecrated Bread. Which when Grineus had heard, he came to him, when his Sermon was done, and said, that for as much as he had heard his Sermon concerning the Sacrament, he was desirous to speak with him privately about that matter, which when Faber heard, he Answered with Courteous Words and Friendly Countenance, that this day was most of him desired, that he should speak with Grineus, especially concerning such a matter, and bid him home to his House. The next day after, Grineus suspecting nothing amiss, went his way; who returning to them, said, that to morrow he should dispute with Faber: But in the mean time he practising to entrap Grineus, went to a Noble Man and opened to him the whole matter, and at length he obtained what this Noble Man com∣manded, that the Burgermasters should cast Grineus in Prison. When they had scarcely be∣gun Dinner, there came an Old Man to the place where they Dined, and sent for Me∣lancthon to come, and speak with him at the Door; asking him for Grineus, whether he were within? To whom he made Answer, that he was; he said moreover, that he was in danger, which if he would avoid, he should fly forthwith; which when he told Grineus, and counselled him to flee, he did as he was willed. Melancthon, Dr. Cruciger, and he, Arose from the Table, went out, their Servants followed, and Grineus went in the middle; they had not passed four or five hours, but by and by the Servants were where they Lodged, seeking for Grineus; and not finding him there, they left off search∣ing: He asked many, if they knew this Man? being desirous to give him thanks for his good Turn. But none could tell who he was, nor could see him afterwards. I think Verily this Man was an Angel. When they had brought Grineus to the Rhine, he took a Boat, and passed over in safety. Maul loc. commun. Fol. 17. Doom. warning to the Judgm. p. 420.

17. Melancthon reported that he knew of a surety by a substantial and credible Per∣son, that in a Village near to the City of Cignea, a certain Woman commanded her Son to fetch home the Cattel that were feeding by a Woods side, and when the Boy had stayed somewhat too long, there fell a great Snow that covered all the Hills there abouts. Night drew on, neither could the Boy pass those Hills: The day following, the Parents be∣ing no more careful for their Cattle, but for the Life of their Son, looking for his com∣ing, neither could they by reason of the depth of the Snow, pass those Hills to seek their Son. The third day they going forth to seek their Boy, they found him sitting in an open place of the Wood, where there was no Show, who smiled upon his Parents as they came: And the Boy being asked why he returned not home? Answered that he looked when it should be Night, not knowing that a day was already past, neither had he felt any An∣noy, or Tempest of the Snow. And when he was further asked, whether he had eaten any thing? He Answered, that there came a Man unto him, who gave him Bread and Cheese. So doubtless, this Man was saved by Angels in the middle of Winter, and with∣out doubt that Man was an Angel that gave the Boy Bread and Cheese. Manlius, Folio. 17. Batman's Doom, p. 421.

18. Mr. Patrick Simpson's Wife (Martha Barson) in her last Sickness was sorely Assaulted by Satan, who suggested to her, that she should be given over into his hands: And it ended in a Visible Distraction, which for a time grew upon her: So that, most unlike to her former practice, she would break forth into dreadful and horrid Expressions, and it was most violent on a Sabbath Morning, when Mr. Simpson was going to Preach; where∣upon, with an heavy Countenance he stood silent for a time, and at last kneeled down and Prayed, which she no whit regarded: After which, he turned to the Company that were present, and said, that he was sure that they who were now Witnesses of that sad hour, should yet see a Gracious change, and that the Devil's Malice against that poor Woman should have a shameful toil.

Her Distraction still continued untill Tuesday, August the Ninth, which Morning, at the very dawning of it, he went into his Garden, and shut the Door, where, for many hours he was alone: But a Godly VVoman, one Mrs. Helen Garner, VVife to one of the Bayliffs of Sterling, who had been with his VVife all Night, apprehending that Mr. Simpson might much wrong himself by much grief and fasting, by some help, she did climb over into the

Garden: But as she came near to the place where Mr. Simpson was, she was terrified with an Extraordinary Noise, which made her fall to the Ground: It seemed to her like a mighty Rushing of Multitudes running together, and withal, she heard such a Melodious sound, as made her Judge, that it was more then humane: VVhereupon she prayed to God to pardon her Rashness, which her Affections to that Good Man of God had carri∣ed her to. Yet afterwards, going forwards, she found him lying upon the ground; she earnestly intreated him to tell her what he had from God? He (whom she had promi∣sed not to reveal it so long as he lived) said, O what am I, being but Dust and Ashes, that the Holy ministring Spirit should be sent by the Lord to deliver a message to me! Adding, that he had seen a Vision of Angels, who did with an audible Voice, give him an Answer from the Lord, concerning his Wife's condition. And returning into his House, he said to all that were present, Be of good cheer, for e're ten hours be past, I am sure, that this Brand shall be plucked out of the Fire. After, praying by his VVife's Bed-side, and making men∣tion of Jacob's wrestling in Prayer, she sate upright in the Bed, and drawing aside the Cur∣tain, said, Thou art this day Jacob, who hast wrestled and also prevailed: And now God hath made good his words, which he spake this Morning to you; for I am plucked out of the hands of Satan, and he shall have no more Power over me. This Interruption made him silent a while (as I remember my self was in the Case of my Maid, Mary Holland, mentioned before.) But afterwards, with great melting of heart, he proceeded in Prayer, and Magnified the Riches of Gods Love towards her. And from that hour she spake most Comfortably, and Christianly, even to her Death, which was Friday following, Aug. 13. A. C. 1601. Her last words were with a loud Voice, Come Lord, Into thy hands I commend my Spirit. Clark's Lives, last Vol. p. 217, 218.

19. In the Year 1539, not far from Sitta in Germany, in the time of a great Dearth and Famine, a certain Godly Matron having two Sons, and destitute of all manner of Sustenance, went with her Children to a certain Fountain hard by, praying unto Almighty God, that he would there relieve their Hunger by his infinite goodness: As she was going, a certain Man met her by the way, and saluted her kindly, and asked her whither she was going? who confessed that she was going to that Fountain there, hoping to be relieved by God, to whom all things are possible; for if he nourished the Children of Israel in the De∣sart 40 years, how is it hard for him to nourish me and my Children with a Draught of Water? And when she had spoken these Words, the Man (which was doubtless an Angel of God) told her, that seeing her Faith was so constant, she should return Home, and there should find Six Bushels of Meal for her and her Children. The Woman returning, found that true which was promised. Beard's Theat. p. 442.

20. Under the Emperor Mauritius, the City of Antioch was shaken with a terrible Earth∣quake, after this manner: There was a certain Citizen so given to bountifulness to the Poor, that he would never Sup nor Dine, unless he had one poor Man to be with him at his Table. Upon a certain Evening, seeking for such a Guest, and finding none, a Grave Old Man met him, in the Market-place, cloathed in white, with Two Companions with him, whom he entreated to sup with him: But the Old Man answered him, That he had more need to pray against the destruction of the City; and presently shook his Handkerchief against One part of the City, and then against another; and being hardly entreated, forbore the rest. Which he had no sooner done, but those Two parts of the City, terribly shaken with an Earthquake, were thrown to the Ground, and Thousands of Men slain. Which this good Citizen seeng, trembled exceedingly. To whom the Old Man in white, answered and said, by reason of Charity to the Poor, his House and Family were preserved. And presently these three Men (which to question were Angels) vanished out of sight. This Story Si∣gisbert in his Chronicle reporteth, Anno 583.

21. Hottinger tells a strange Story out of Nauclerus and Evagr. to this purpose; it was an an∣cient custom at Constantinople, at Communion, to call for the Young Children that went to School and give them the Parcels of Bread and Wine that were left; at doing of which, the child of a certain Nobleman, a Jew, was with the Children, who took of the Bread and Eat with them; his angry Father, who was a Glass-Maker, put him into an Oven burn∣ing hot with Coals, his Mother after Three Days finding him alive in the Furnace, he told her, a Woman in Purple habit came often to him, and brought VVater to quench the Coals, and Meat to allay his Hunger. The Mother and the Child were afterwards Con∣verted and Baptized; and the Father Crucified by command of Justinian the Emperor. Mr. Beard relates the same out of Nicephorus, Lib. 17. Chap. 35.

See more in The Chapters of Miraculous Cures of Diseases, and Earnests of a Future Retri∣bution, and the last Example in the Ch. of Prediction of Prophets, &c.

22. Oh! said Mrs. Katharine Stubs, upon her Death-bed, if you saw such glorious Sight as I see, you would rejoyce with me: for I see a Vision of the Joys of Heaven, and of the Glory that I shall go unto, and I see infinite Millions of Angels attendant upon me, and watching to carry my Soul into the Kingdom of Heaven. See her Life.

23. I Remember (says Mr. Increase Mather, in his Disc. of Angels) that once in Discourse with the Learned Doctor Spencer in Cambridge, concerning his Book of Prodigies, he said to me, that his Judgment was, That the Evil Angels had Prenotions of many Future Things, and did accordingly give strange Premonitions of them. No doubt it is often so, and yet as Lavater, Schottus, and others have noted, there are sometimes Things signified by Angels, which it is not easie to determine of what sort those Genii are. VVhat shall be thought

of the Phantom which appeared to General Vesselini, assuring him that he might take the City of Muran, by the Assistance of a Widow which Lived in that City, which strangely came to pass accordingly, in the Year 1644. There comes to my mind a very Unaccoun∣table Thing, which happened at London above Thirty Years ago. It was this; One Mr. Cut∣ty (an honest Citizen) passing between Milk-street and Wood-street in Cheap-side, on March 2d, 1664, took up a Letter Sealed; The Superscription whereof, was these VVords following, From Geneva, to a Friend. VVithin the Letter these VVords were written. This is to give both timely and speedy Notice, that in the Year 1665, in the latter end of May, shall begin a Plague, and hold very hot, till the latter end of December, and then cease, but not quite; and then go on till the latter end of the Spring the next Year. And in 1665 and 66, putting both together, shall not only happen a Plague, but great Sea Fights, such as the like was scarce ever heard of; and this shall not be all, but in the Year 1666, on the Second of September, shall happen a Fire that shall burn down one of the Eminentest Cities in the World. Mr. Cutty car∣ried the Letter to the then Lord Mayor. A Reverend Divine in London, who was of his Acquaintance, had a Copy of it, before the sad Things here Predicted came to pass; and at my last being at London, was pleased to favour me with it, as 'tis here Related. This Account being certainly true, and very surprizing, I thought it not unworthy the Publi∣cation.

24. There are sometimes very unaccountable Motions and Impressions on the Spirits of good men, which are wrought in them by the ministry of Holy Angels, whose work it is to prevent and disappoint the Designs of Satan and of his evil Angels. I remember one relates a remarkable Passage of a good man, that when he was reading in his House, he could not rest in his Spirit, but he must step out of Doors: which he had no sooner done, but he saw a Child in a Pond of VVater, ready to perish, which would have been gone past recovery, had not he gone out of his Doors, just at that moment. This Impression must needs be from a good Angel. And an other like Passage is related in the Life of that Holy Man, Mr. Dod: One Evening (though he had other work to attend) he could not but he must got to such a Neighbour's House; when he came to him, he told him he knew not what he was come for; but he could not rest in his Spirit, until he had visited him. The poor man was astonished, for he had in the Violence of a Temptation, put a Rope into his Pocket, with an intent to have destroyed himself, had not Mr. Dod's thus coming prevented it. Surely an Angel of the Lord was in this Providence. Bishop Hall speaks of one whom he knew, that having been for Sixteen Years a Cripple, had these monitions in his Sleep, that he should go and wash in St. Matherns Well in Cornwell, which he did, and was suddenly recovered. This he thinks was from Angelical Suggestion. Marcus Au∣relius Antoninus, did in a Dream receive the Prescript of a Remedy for his Disease, which the Physitians could not cure. A Physitian of Ʋratislavium followed the Counsel he had given him in a Dream, concerning the cure of a Disease which was to him incurable, and he recovered the Patient. It added to the wonder, that a few Years after, he met with that Receipt in a Book then newly Printed. Histories report, that the like to this hap∣pened to Philip, and to Galen. If Angels may Suggest things beneficial unto the minds of Men who are Strangers to God, much more unto them that fear him! Thus far Mr. Ma∣ther.

Converse with Angels and Spirits, Extracted from the Miscellanies of John Aubery, Esq;

25 Dr. Richard Nepier was a Person of great Abstinence, Innocence, and Piety: He spent every Day Two Hours in Family Prayer: When a Patient, or Querent came to him, he presently went to his Closet to Pray; and told to admiration the Recovery, or Death of the Patient. It appears by his Papers, that he did converse with the Angel Raphael, who gave him the Responses.

26. Elias Ashmole, Esq; had all his Papers, where is contained all his Practice for about Fifty Years; which he, Mr. Ashmole, carefully bound up, according to the year of our Lord, in— Volumes in Folio, which are now reposited in the Library of the Museum in Oxford. Before the Responses stands this Mark, viz. R ℞is. which Mr. Ashmole said, was Responsum Raphaelis. The Angel told him, if the Patient were curable or incurable. There are also several•• other Queries to the Angel, as to Religion, Transubstantiation, &c. which I have forgot; I remember one is, Whether the Good Spirits, or the Bad be most in Number? R ℞is, The Good.

It is to be found there, that he told John Prideaux D. D. Anno 1621, that Twenty Years hence [1641] he would be a Bishop; and he was so, sc. Bishop of Worcester.

R ℞is, did resolve him, That Mr. Booth of—in Cheshire should have a Son that should inherit; Three Years hence [sc. Sir George Booth, the first Lord Delamere] viz. from 1619. Sir George Booth aforesaid, was born Decemb. 18th. Anno 1622. This I extracted out of Dr. Nepier's Original Diary, then in the possession of Mr. Ashmole. It is impossible, that the Prediction of Sir George Booth's Birth could be found any other way, but by Angelical Revelation. This Dr. Richard Nepier was Rector of Lynford in Bucks, and did practise Physick•• but gave most to the Poor that he got by it. 'Tis certain, he foretold his own Death to a Day and Hour; he died Praying upon his Knees, being of a very great Age, 1634. April the First.

One says, why should one think the Intellectual World less Peopled than the Material?— Pliny in his Natural History tells us, that in Africa do sometimes appear Multitudes of Aerial Shapes, which suddenly Vanish.— Mr. Richard Baxter in his certainty of the World of

Spirits, hath a Discourse of Angels, and wonders they are so little taken notice of; he hath counted in Newman's Concordance of the Bible the word Angel in above 300 places.—Thus far Mr. Aubery.