inferiour creatures, it would probably have been a fudden and entirely miraculous metamorphofis; whereas the Sacred Hiftory acquaints us, that the change it fpecifies, was both gradual, and had fomething in it of natural production; his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown, &c. the former fentence implies, that the dew of heaven had its share in that mighty change; and the latter fhews us, that the change was made by advances and degrees. Since the Prophet gives us fo particular a defcription of fome alteration made in Nebuchadnezzar's body, were there any other alteration made, we cannot think, that he would omit the relation. And this argument receives an additional enforcement, in that, on fuppofition of a total change, he acquaints us only with the most fuperficial and inconfiderable parts; which is contrary to the nature of history. But befides the foremention'd change, fince the text fays, (as is obferv'd above) that he eat grafs like oxen, we may therefore gather, that his fenfation of tafte was like to that of often. And fince at ver. 36. we hear him faying, My refon return'd unto me, we may thence conclude, that with regard to his intellectual Faculties, he was reduc'd to a level with the beafts that perish. Q. Acknowledging, that all dealings with the devil is abominable finful, I defire to know, whether it be lawful 10 apply to those who pretend to fortune-telling? 4. As the having recourfe to fuch pretenders is too epidemical a diftemper, fo the folution of the queftion may be of publick use. But we may draw a very cogent argument against it from your own acknowledgment. For what affurance can you have, that the perfons you apply to, have no dealings with infernal fpirits? And if they themselves imagine, that they have nothing to do with them, yet you know not, but those subtle agents may have intercourse with them, as it were incognito, and influence their proceedings, tho' unknown to them. To this purpose we would prefent you with an authentick story. A Gen Gentleman, that us'd to bufie himself that way, and from the fchemes he had drawn, foretold feveral re markable events; but perusing afterwards his fchemes, and finding them notoriously falfe, he was ftrangely furprized, that true confequences fhould follow from fallacious premises. Whence fearing the concurrence of an infernal agency, he wifely bid adieu to that fufpected art. But let us fuppofe nothing in the cafe but the rules of art; pray, what art or science can acquaint us with the defigns of providence, with the intentions of our all-wife difpofer? What refearches can make us know the mind of the Lord, can qualifie us to become his counsellors? And could human learning › enable us to perform fuch wonders, what warrant have we to dive into the fecrets of the Almighty. to invade our fovereign's prerogative. and boldly intrude upon those things, which the Father hath referved in his own breast; and you know withal, who has faid, It is not for you to know the times and the feafons, take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it felf; fufficient for the day is the evil thereof. And the fame divine perfon is fo far from allowing you to pry into futurity, that he commands you to pray only for your daily bread. And fince God has forbid you the defire of knowing what fhall be hereafter, you may well conclude, that it is best for you not to know it; that fuch knowledge, as it is too wonderful for you, fo alfo it is fuch, as you cannot, without prejudice to your felf, attain unto. Under fo unlawful a pretenfion we may include Palmistry, Phyfiognomeftry, &c. with the unwarrantable proceedings on St. Agnes's, and other days, which are the unchristian relicts of heathenish fuperftition. Let therefore this useful fentence reftrain fo unjustifiable a practice, Commit your way unto the Lord, › and he fhall bring it to pafs. Q I know a young girl, of about 12 years of age, and in her upper jaw has two perfect rows of teeth, and but one row in the under. Fray your judgment, what Should be the cause of it, I never having heard of any fuch thing befides this one? 4. It would have been fome more fatisfaction to us to have known whether these two rows of teeth did appear at the fame time, or the one only fome years after the other: For if the latter, it may be eafily accounted for, by fuppofing that this girl did not shed her teeth in that jaw as it is ufual, and that thofe that were to come in the room of 'em did grow nevertheless. But if the former be the cafe, we must conclude, that the teeth which generally fucceed those that are shed, breaking out at the fame time with them, kept 'em fafter in their fockets, and fo prevented their fhedding; which, however, must be reckon'd among the rare productions of nature, and may argue a more than ordinary ftrength of it in that young woman. QI fome time fince laid a wager with a person, who affirmed, that the fun was far greater than the whole earth, which I did fay was impoffible; but it was refolv'd to refer it to your arbitration (being affured of your impartiality) and rather, For all did allow, You ought beft to know, You fo oft faid the fun was your father. 4. The magnitude of the fun beyond that of the earth is, according to computation, in the proportion of 450 to an unite. and therefore, Since Phoebus must know, Difpute not the fun with a wherefore. Q. What occafions that numbness and pricking pain which fometimes happens in the hands or feet (commonly call'd their limbs afleep) whereby the paris fo affected are for fome time rendred incapable of feeling or motion? 4. That numbness or pricking pain generally follows the compreffion or conftriction of the parts fo affected, affected, whereby the courfe of the animal fpirits through the nerves is obftructed, and confequently the fense of feeling in a great measure diminished." Q. Is a man, in point of confcience, obliged to marry a woman whofe affection he hath gain'd, if her father will net give her the fortune he hath promised, as 'tis evident be will not in the cafe of your humble querit, who defires to know, whether the breach of his promife doth not difengage me of mine, the one being so much the cause of the other, that without it, it never bad been? A. If your contract was conditional, undoubtedly the Lady's father, breaking his part of the obligation, muft of course diffolve your own; but if your circumstances will conveniently allow it, it would be an act of honour and generofity to marry notwithstanding that, the object of your former courtship; for we find by your confeffion you have gain'd her love, and in obtaining that we must believe you have made other proteftations, than that you valued her for what fhe was to bring you. Q. There being a fort of white worms, which are flat, and about an inch long, wherewith fome people are troubled; Query, what first breeds them, or what is the occafion of their breeding, and whether they are dangerous, or may the death of a man, if not prevented? be A. Thefe worms, as all others afflicting human bodies, arife from their ova, being convey'd into the ftomach together with the meats and liquids there receiv'd; and that they are dangerous, is evident from ! the many pernicious difeafes they frequently engender, as fevers, colicks, epilepfies, convulfions, Sc. Q. I am troubled in the winter-feafon with a dry cough, and that phyficians tell me it is occafioned by my hair, and would have me cut it off, I am unwilling to follow their directions; but, Apollo's fons, I beg you would vouchsafe to give your opinion, if by cutting my hair off, I should receive any benefit, and if so, why? 4. What the phyficians tell you, feems very plaufible, for abundance of hair may hinder the ventilation of the brain, and the perfpiration of ferous hu mours, P mours, which for want of fuch a discharge, may fall down upon the lungs, and be the occafion of your cough. Q. I am by nature fober and fedate, To no enormous fin my heart inclines: My mind (deprav'd) is much perplex'd of late, The glorious means that may my thoughts refine?" But fince the charms of love your thoughts controul To joys forbidden you'll be lefs inclin'd. But, oh! (forget it not) you muft implore 4. Since they're entrusted with the reins, } Q. Doc |