The miraculous conformist, or, An account of severall marvailous cures performed by the stroking of the hands of Mr. Valentine Greatarick with a physicall discourse thereupon ... / by Henry Stubbe.

The miraculous conformist, or, An account of severall marvailous cures performed by the stroking of the hands of Mr. Valentine Greatarick with a physicall discourse thereupon ... / by Henry Stubbe.

Table of contents

Title page

To his very worthy and Learned Friend Dr THOMAS WILLIS, Doctor in Physique, and Professor of Natural Phylosophy in OXFORD.

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The account of a Leprosy cured by Mr Greatarick in the presence of the Lord Conway.

Proofs that he revives the Ferment of the Blood.

Of the Metastasis of Diseases.

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Thursday Feb: 1.

Tuesday Feb: 13.

Thursday Feb. 15.

On VVednesday, Feb. 14. in the City-Hall at Worcester.

The next day being Thursday Feb. 15:

February 15.

February 16.

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THE Miraculous Conformist: OR An account of severall Marvailous CURES performed by the stroaking of the Hands of Mr VALENTINE GREATARICK, WITH A Physicall Discourse thereupon, In a Letter to the Honourable Robert Boyle Esq With a Letter Relating some other of His Miraculous Cures, attested by E. Foxcroft M.A. and Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambr: BY HENRY STUBBE, Physician at Stratford upon Avon in the County of Warwick.

Non ideo negari debet quod est apertum; quia comprehendi non potest quod est occultum.

OXFORD, Printed by H. Hall Printer to the UNIVERSITY, for Ric: Davis, 1666.

To his very worthy and Learned Friend Dr THOMAS WILLIS, Doctor in Physique, and Professor of Natural Phylosophy in OXFORD.

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SIR,

I Doubt not but the fame of the performances of Mr GREATERICK may have raised in you a Curiosity to be better informed about the reality thereof. I have given Mr Boyle an hasty account thereof in a Letter, which I send now to you, that you may not be ignorant of it. It may seem improper to Dedicate that to one which is sent to another: but whether it be that I am too busy, or too lazy to Write more: or that I mannage my friendships with lesse of ceremony and formality then usuall; I have resolved upon this course: and I am confident that if I am in an errour you have [Page] goodness enough to passe it by: The suppositions I go upon depend so much upon the Doctrine of Fermentation, that I could not but think of you when I writ it: and who is a more competent judg of the Subject here debated, then the best of Philosophers, and Physicians? It may seeme equitable that I tell you why I call the Gentleman the Miraculous Conformist: many strange reports have and do runne of him; but he is reclaimed from all that is fanatique; and this gift of Healing was bestowed on him, since the Restauration of his Sacred Majesty, and the restitution of the Doctrine and Discipline of the English Church: God dealing with him, as the Shepheard in the Parable, who expressed more kindnesse to the lost sheep, being found; then to the ninety-nine that had not strayed. I have admired much in him, that Diseases carrying so great a resemblance in their Nature, as to be thought the same, and to reside in the same part, are stroaked out divers wayes! That he should be able to tell, that upon his first stroaking the Patient should be worse, and cured by a second: as he did in the Lameness of Mr Thomas Porter, [Page] my very worthy and good Friend: He told him, he could not set his Legge anew; but that he would Cure his paine therein; yet at first it would seem worse then before his touch: which proved true; and yesterday I was with him in Worcestershire, and found him able to walk three miles without pain. You see how here his touch strengthned a part, that was incurably weakned by being broken, and ill set: so that the painfulnesse seemed inseparable from the misfortune occasioning it. I submit all my explication of the accident to you: if you read it over twice, you do more then ever I had the patience to do: I know many imperfections will occurre in it, some whereof were voluntary, knowing that the Learning of the Person I writ to, needed not to be troubled with petty Illustrations: Some defects have happened thorough haste and inadvertency; it being all written with one impetus of thoughts and penne, just as I came from Ragly. It is nothing to say, some have allready approved the Discourse, if Mr Boyle, and you dissent. I have onely time to tell you, that, without the noyse of much talk, and [Page] frequent addresses and applications, I shall never cease to admire you, and to be

Straford upon Avon Febr: 17. 1665.

Sir,

Your very humble Servant Henry Stubbe.

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SIR,

SInce the best and most agreeable retribution I can make you for the honour you do me in your remembrances, and all your other signall favours, is but to gratify your curiosity with any remarkable intelligence that may advance either Physick, or Phylosophy; I shall endeavour to be as generous in my acknowledgments to you, as you have alwayes been in obliging me. Since my last unto you, my Lord Conway did me the honour particularly to invite me to his House and acquaintance, giveing me withall a fair opportunity of conversing with Mr Greatericks, and beholding severall of those performances, the report whereof as it gives just causes of astonishment to you that are more remote, so the effects fill with admiration, the most learned or suspicious beholders. In truth they are such, that he is not at all obliged to the ignorant for the esteem he hath acquired, nor is it possible for the most tender or superstitious and censorious Zealots to destroy his repute. He is a man of a gracefull personage and presence, and if my phantasy betrayed not my judgment, I observed in his Eyes [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] and meene a vivacitie and spritelinesse that is nothing common. As farre as I could informe my selfe by a long and private discourse, he is a man of a very good life, of tender and charitable Principles, as extensive as the effects of his goodnesse are. He professeth Conformity unto the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England, yet without that censoriousnesse whereby some signalise themselves; his thoughts concerning himself are modest and humble, and he presumes so well of others, that even in some colourable circumstances, he regulates his apprehensions by the revealed mercies of God, and not the severity of men. In fine, without prejudice to this Age be it said, he seemed to me by his faith, and by his charitablenesse, to include in his soule some graines of the Golden Age, and to be a relique of those times when Piety, and Miracles were sincere. I am more full in this Character of him, because some will be very inquisitive herein: though otherwise the gift of healing be a gratia gratì; data, not gratum faciens; and such as may be conferred, on Iudas, (going to Samaria) and others, who at the day of judgment shall say, Lord, have we not Prophesyed in thy Name? and in thy Name have cast-out Divels: and in thy Name done many wonderfull works. I enquired of him, how he came by this miraculous gift of healing; And he replyed, that it was the grace of God in him; which he understood at first by a strong and powerfull impulse in him to essay it: and this motion was so prevalent upon him, that it incessently runne in his minde, nor could any businesse, how serious or religious soever, divert him from those cogitations: [Page] insomuch that even his life seemed burthensome to him thorough the violence of the supposed temptation. He imparted this trouble to his Wife, who condemned those resveries, and desired him to abandon them: in this perplexity, he heard frequently a voyce within him (audible to none else) encouraging to the tryals: and afterwards to correct his unbelief, the voice aforesaid added this Signe, that his right Hand should be dead, and that the stroaking of his left Arme should recover it again: the events whereof were fully verified to him three Nights together by a successive infirmity and Cure of his Arme. Hereupon he set himself to the charitable improvement of that talent which God had given him; cureing at first onely Cancers in Womens breasts, and the Kings-evil: after which, by the suggestion of his accustomed impulse, he attempted the Cure of other Diseases, according as he found himself prompted thereunto from within. He was, and is still a stranger to all Physique and Chirurgery: In the Cure of some Tumours, he useth incision, though that processe be but lately taken up, after that he observed that the power of his touch did not discusse all, but ripen some humours. The fame of his performances spread all over Ireland and England, and multitudes went from Bristoll unto him. Hereupon the Right Honourable the Lord Conway employes Deane Rust to enquire into the truth of these Accidents, and finding matter of fact to justify the relations from excessive verity, he procures him to come out of Ireland, to trye if he might give any ease to that excellent Lady of his, the pains of whose head, as great and as unparalleld as they are, [Page] have not made her more known or admired at home and abroad, then have her other endowments. Although his hand proved not so fortunate to that Honourable Lady, as was wished (he not being able to alleviate or remove that head-ach, which had eluded the greatest skill, and most effectual remedies, that England or France yielded) yet did, he during his stay at Ragly, atchieve those things which caused him to be followed and admired by many thousands, who if they can say he sometimes failed, yet ought not represent him as an Impostor. I do not relate unto you the reports of interested Monks and Fryers concerning things done in Monasteries and private Cells; An infinite number of the Nobility, Gentry, and Clergy of VVarwick-shire and Worcester-shire, persons too understanding to be deceived, and too Honourable and Worthy to deceive, will avow, that they have seen him publickly cure the lame, the blind, the deaf, the perhaps not unjustly supposed Daemoniacks, and Lepers: besides the Asthmas, Falling-sicknesse, Convulsion-fits, Fits of the Mother, Old aches and pains. I know you expect not from me the Narratives of what others have seen and told me: I shall therefore confine my Discourse to my own observations. Although I had not the opportunity of seeing him till I came to my Lord Conwayes, yet I found conveniency to visit many that had been touched by him; some I observed to have received no help by him at all; some I observed to have found a momentany benefit from his touch: and some as yet continue so well, that I think I may say they are Cured. This variety of successe amused me something: yet I recollected with [Page] my self, how there were some diseases, as well as Devills, which even the Apostles could not cast out: and I could not perswade my self that Trophimus was the onely man, or Miletum the onely place, where Paul left any sick. I considered this man to be no Apostle, and therefore thought it injurious to expect that from him, who propagates no new Gospell, which was not to be found in those extraordinary Envoyes of Heaven. I saw no incongruity in admitting, that God, who distributeth various gifts amongst the Sonnes of Men, might issue out the same gift to severall persons in a different measure or proport [...]on. There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord: there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all, 1 Cor: 12. V. 4, 5. Besides, I thought that how powerfull soever the gift were in Mr Greatarick, yet the sinnes of the patient might sometimes frustrate the effect of his hands, as well as the prayers of the most prevalent Saints, Moses, Noah, or Daniel. I was apt to believe, that at Corinth, there wanted not the gift of healing, nor an effectuall anointing with Oyle, (James 5: 14.) yet did the misdemeanors of some draw upon several there irrecoverable Sicknesse and Death, 1 Cor: 11. v. 30. However, I did not understand that God parted so away with his gifts, as not to reserve a paramount command over them still; and I though the might as well glorify himself in the continuance of some blind, as in causing some to be borne so, without regard to their particular sinne, or that of their Parents. These faylours in our Thaumaturgus, ought rather to make men look upon, and take notice of the omnipotency of [Page]God, then censure the deficiencies of a limited Creature. From these reflections I posted on, to the consideration of the reall and undeniable performances of his hand. I saw him put his Finger into the Eares of a man who was very thick of Hearing; and immediatly he heard me when I asked him very softly severall questions. I saw another whom he had touched three Weeks agoe for a Deafnesse in one Eare, whom I had known to be so many years: I stopped the other Eare very close, and I found him to hear very well, as we spoke in a tone no way raysed beyond our ordinary conversation. I saw him launce a Wenne that covered the Eye of an old man; there issued out abundance of matter in smell, and consistence, and colour, resembling a rotten-Egge; after which he crushed out the lesse digested matter, which resembled the Braines of any Creature: which being done, he stroked the place gently, and the flux of blood, and pain (which was great by reason of his crushing it hard) presently ceased.) I saw yesterday another Woman, in whose Throat, just by the Wind-pipe he launced a Wenne, and haveing crushed out the digested and indigested matter, and stopped the paine and effusion of blood by some strokes of his hand, he bad her put nothing to it but a linnen Cloth: when I saw it, the Wenne was perfectly gone, and the baggs or skinne encompassing it so shrunk up by nature, that there remained nothing but the skarre after incision. I asked him concerning Wennes, whither upon his crushing and launcing them so, they would not fill again: he answered me, No: but that Nature, as she doth in other Tumours,[Page]would so shrink and contract the skinne encompassing the VVenne, that there should remaine no signe of it, no not a wrinkle, which I was apt to believe, from what I had seen. I saw a Child brought to him, whom he had stroked before, and it was much amended; but one Tumour upon the right Arme (near the Elbow) was extreamly painfull and inflamed: he Stroked it, and launced it, and crushed out all the matter, even the indigested cores; and Stroking it, the paine and inflamation ceased immediatly, not one drop of blood issuing out after that. I saw another Legge, that upon his Stroking, had very much abated the swelling: the whole Foot to the Ankle was swell'd and inflamed, many holes there were in it, but there issued little or nothing from them: he took it and crushed it extreamly bringing out much blood, and indigested matter in cores as big as nutmegs: and then stroaking it, all the paine and flux of blood ceased: but the weaknesse being habituall to the part, was not removed at that instant. I saw a Woman taken with a violent fit of the Falling-sicknesse; he came to her, and causing her breast to be opened, and chafed her Stomack with his Hand a while, presently her paroxysme abated; and he asked her whither the paine was gone; she pointed to her Throat; and indeed she seemed as if she were in danger of being strangled there▪ he Stroked her Throat lightly, and asked where her paine was? she poynted to her Breast; he stroked that; and then she made signes that it was returned to her Throat: whereupon he Stroked with his hand upwards her Breast and Neck, and she began to belch winde with such a vehemency, that is scarce to be [Page] imagined; and withall st [...]eyning as it were to vomit, she brought up some crude phlegme, with an infinity of winde, and then rose up well to her thoughts. These were the principall things I saw him do, he being then upon his departure for London: but I received from himself, and others sufficient accounts, that he had Cured almost all manner of distempers, even Quartane-Agues, and Feavours: and whosoever shall seriously consider the things he doth performe, will not finde in reason any thing to stop his Credulity.

I might now end this Letter, and leave You, & those other worthy members of the Royal Society to determine concerning these Effects, which I apprehend miraculous: but since the Freedome, You allow me with you, permits me to speak any thing, I shall, without derogating from the power of God, and with all due Veneration to so extraordinary Characters of his Goodness, propose unto You some Thoughts, which occurred to me hereupon: as confused as they are, they may administer to others some occasion of greater Enquiries.

I considered, that there was no manner of Fraud in the performances, that his Hands had no manner of Medicaments upon them, (for I smell'd to them, and handled them, and saw them wash'd more then once after some Cures, and before others,) nor was his Stroaking so violent, as that much could be attributed to the Friction.

I observed, that he used no manner of Charmes, or unlawful words; sometimes he Ejaculated a short Prayer before he cured any, and alwayes, after he had done, he bad them give God the Praise.

[Page]I did not remember, that ever the Devil did cure any Diseases; no not when his Glory was concerned in it, as in the Magicians of Pharaoh, upon whom the Boyl was, Exod 9 11. wherein you cannot object any particular interposition of God, any more then in the other accidents, whereby the Magicians were suffered to try their skill against Moses. I knew, the Devil went about seeking whom he might destroy; that he plagued Iob with Botches: but where are the Examples of his Cures, or when did he ever do any Good, and ascribe the glory unto God?

I reflected upon the Performances of King Pyrrhus, who cured Diseases with his Finger: so did Vespasian cure two by touching them, as Tacitus and Suetonius avow: so the Kings of England, and, some years after them, the Kings of France have not been doubted generally to cure the Kings-Evill. Queen Elizabeth did, for some time, discontinue the Touching for the Kings Evil, doubting either the Success, or Lawfulnesse of that way of Curing. But She soon quitted that Fitt of Puritanisme, when the Papists defamed her, as if God had withdrawn from her the gift of Healing in that manner, because she had withdrawn her self from the Roman Church. There are some who think, that God hath bestowed upon all Kings some such Character or Gift, to shew, how particularly he is concerned for them, and differenceth them from other men; but they know it not.

From these cogitations I descended to the Alexicaci, Salutatores, or Be [...]sedevios, of which the Roman Casuists and Physicians speak much: I must referre you [Page] to Delrius for your farther information; for my memory fayles me so, as I cannot give you an account of them so full as I would. They cure by Anointing with their Spittle, by breathing and stroking of the patient. Rodericus à Castro medic: polit: l. 4. c. 3. allowes of the verity of their Cures, by replying nothing to this objection in favour of them: In confirmationem adducunt experientiam & varia curationum genera mirè frequentia, & praxin quotidianam militum qui solo afflatu, osculo, aut nudi lintei applicatione sanant etiam atrocissima vulnera, qui omnes dono sanitatis in variis morbis se praeditos gloriantur.

In Turky also, and Afrique, they have persons of the like qualifications, which they boast to have received from the favour of their Prophet Mahomet. But undoubtedly God hath permitted all Religions (though not the Protestants, till now) to have their reall Miracles, that men may learne to trye Miracles by the Truth, and not the Truth by Miracles.

I considered likewise the Nephritick and Eaglestones, and several other Amulets and Periapta, whose operation is certain and undeniable: yet could not all these Considerations instruct me further in the Explanation of these Miraculous Accidents, then to conclude,

That God had bestowed upon Mr. Greatarick a peculiar Temperament, or composed his Body of some particular Ferments, the Effluvia whereof, being introduced sometimes by a light, sometimes by a violent Friction, should restore the Temperament of the Debilitated parts, re-invigorate the Bloud, and dissipate all heterogeneous Ferments out of the Bodies of the Diseased, [Page] by the Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Hand, and Feet.

I place the gift of healing in the temperament or composure of his body; because I see it necessary that he Touch them, or otherwise rubbe their Eyes with his Spittle. Besides, the right Honourable the Lord Conway observed one Morning as he came into his Lordships Chamber, a smell strangely pleasant, as if it had been of sundry Flowers: and demanding of his man what sweet water he had brought into the Roome, he answered, None: whereupon his Lordship smelled on the hand of Mr. Greatarick, and found the fragrancy to issue thence; and examining his Bosome, he found the like scent there also. But this is observable, but at some times, for I could observe no such scent in his Hands. Deane Rust observed his Urine to smell like Violets, though he had eat nothing that might give it that scent. Sr Amos Meredith who had been his Bedfellow, said, that in the Night he had observed the like agreeablenesse of smell in M• Greataricks Body, at some houres.

I place it in the temperament of his Body, because I have the precedent of Ancient Miracles, and Moderne ones, wrought by the efficacy of a Corporal Touch. Besides it is evident how several Diseases are contracted that way: and why may not some benigne and wholesome effluvia be communicated in the same manner? As there are some, who are said to fascinate by their Aspect, so Rodericus à Castro Med: polit: l. 4. c. 1. saith, è converso quosdam esse quorum Oculi creduntur habere vim beneficam ad res inspectas: vulgo Benzedeiros. I remember the Presbyterian Assembly [Page] of Divines say that nothing more kindly restores decayed Nature, then the Embraces of an Abishag, of a young, spritely and Beautifull Damsell, as you may see in their large Notes upon the first Chapter of the first Book of Kings.

To explaine the nature and manner of Mr Greataricks working upon the patients for their Cure, I shall premise some things.

First, That all the Diseases and distempers Mr Greatarick meddles with, have their essence either in the masse of Blood and Spirits (or nervous Liquour) or in the particular Temperament of the parts of the Body.

Secondly, That of the Diseases and Infirmities which he meddles with, he Cures none wherein there is a decay in Nature, but onely such as wherein she seems only oppressed by some Heterogeneous Ferment, either exciting an Ebullition and paine, or Coagulating and fixing the blood and spirits. This is a confessed truth by him, he refusing still to touch the Eyes of such as their sight is quite perished: so for Eares that are Deaf upon any such accident that hath extinguished the Naturall faculty of the part. And there being the same reason for inward distempers as to their causes, his fayling as to many, and the relapse of many after a momentany amendment is to be ascribed to this cause: as I shall shew further by and by.

Thirdly, It seems to me very imaginable that there may be given by God such a Natural Crasis and Effluvia consequentiall thereunto, that the stroaking with his Hand for some space so as to communicate the [Page] Vertue may restore the Blood and Spirits to that vigour and strength which is naturall to them, and resuscitate the contracted imbecillity of any part. That which makes me to conceive this, is, that I observe that there are things outwardly applyed which by their opposition to particular Ferments do destroy severall Distempers, not onely inwardly taken, but outwardly applyed: as the Cramp rings and small Manati-stone the Crampe: the Nephritic-stone drives out gravel, and the Stone: Peony-roots gathered in due time, the Epilepsy: There are severall things which outwardly applyed revive oppressed Nature, not onely as Odours, but by friction, and outward application: this needs no Illustration. Having these grounds to confirme me in the manner Medicaments may operate, methinks I can as easily comprehend that there may be a Medicament (and whether that be a Man, or a Stone, or a Plant, it is all one) which may invigorate the blood and spirits so as to continue that work of Circulating, Depurating, and Sanguifying, as before the oppression they did: provided there be no essentiall distemper contracted, but that Nature be oppressed onely, not destroyed wholly, or in part: for so farre as Nature is mutilated and destroyed, the reparation of that essentiall damage is possible onely to God, or such as he hath obliged in a more eminent manner then Mr Greatarick pretends unto. This last imagination of mine cannot seem more irrationall to any man, then the Learned'st men of the last Age both Divines and Casuists, thought all sorts of Amulets: and I am sure I can bring for Mr Greataricks more Experiments [Page] then all this Age can shew to justify the received Amulets, and Cataplasmes: for if I argue from visible effects, no Amulet or Periapt ever produced more evident Testimonies of its force, then Mr Greataricks hath rendered of his Efficacy. And if they go to explicate the wayes and means whereby those Amulets work; the notion I have concerning Mr Greataricks is the most facile, for I imagine no more to be in him, then a particular Temperament, or implanted Ferment, which upon his touching and stroking shall so farre invigorate the blood, spirits, and innate temperament of the part (Nature being onely oppressed) that they performe their usuall duties: This being done, it is Nature Cures the Diseases and distempers and infirmities, it is Nature makes them fly up and down the Body so as they do: they avoyd not his Hand, but his Touch and stroke so Invigorateth the parts that they reject the Heterogeneous Ferment, 'till it be outed the Body at some of those parts he is thought to stroke it out at.

Considering that our life is but a Fermentation of the Blood, nervous Liquor, and innate constitution of the parts of our Body, I conceive I have represented those hints and proofs which may render it imaginable that Mr Greataricks by his stroking may introduce an oppressed Fermentation into the Blood and Nerves, and resuscitate the oppressed Nature of the parts. I now proceed to shew that those effects which are so admired, upon the stroaking of Mr Greataricks Hand, viz: that the paines flye before his Hand, untill he drive them out at the Fingers, Mouth, Eyes, Toes, &c. are the effects of Nature in vigorated, and not immediatly of his Touching.

[Page]I saw him Stroke a man for a great and setled paine in his left Shoulder, which rendered his Arme uselesse: upon his stroking it the paine removed instantly into the end of the musculus Deltodes: being Stroked there, it returned to the Shoulder again: thence (upon a second Stroking) it flew to the Elbow, thence to his Wrist, thence to his Shoulder again; and thence to his Fingers; whence it went out upon his last stroking, so as that he moved his Arme vigorously every way. I asked Mr Greaterick about the Courses, pains, and diseases took, to go out of the Body: he told me, he could not tell what course any pain or Disease would take to go out: that the wayes of God were unsearchable: that, it was not in his power to force them any way, but that he followed them onely, and if the party could not tell where the paine was (for such are onely stroked out) he could not cure them, nor were they cured, but eased if it came not out. Of this I saw an instance in a Woman, whom the Falling-sicknesse by its long continuance (joyn'd with Melancholly) had infatuated so as that being out of all Fits, she could not tell what ayled her: she falling into her Fit there, he opened her Breast and with a few strokes reduced her to her self, but she not being able to tell what was become of the paine she had felt, he could proceed no further then to remove that Paroxysme.

How Nature may cause those irregular motions of pains backward and forward shall be my next enquiry. Where bold and commanding Medicines are not made use of, it is Nature, not Physique that cures Disease: we are but Servants to Nature, to remove impediments, [Page] or strengthen her that she may effect the work: upon this account it was that the Ancient Physicians were so cautious to distinguish the times of Diseases, and to instruct Practitioners what they were to do at the severall times, when to moderate the dangerous symptomes, when to Purge by Stoole or Urine: they were to attend unto Concoction, and not to meddle much before, except in case of Turgency. When they proceeded thus warily, there were severall Translations or removals of Diseases and paines ( [...]) which are now scarce observable by reason of the Minoratives, the Purges, the Vomits, and other Physique which is given, not because it is best, but because in fashion. In those times when Nature was so left to her self, I observe severall Translations or removeals of Diseases which came into my mind when I saw the effects of Mr Greataricks Stroking. Hippocrates in his Epidem: l. 6. part. 3. §. 34: tells us that the Gout ceaseth if a man fall into the Colique, and that fit of the Colique abates as his Gout encreaseth. Thus Nature removeth the paine. So in his Aphorismes he tells us that long Feavers Terminate in swellings and pains of the Joynts. And elsewhere, That a Dysentery suppressed creates an Apostemation in the Side, Bowels, or Ioynts. That swellings of the Spleen and Bowels, or inflamations thereof, frequently terminate in Ioynt-aches. So Quartane-agues often Terminate in the Gout. It were infinite to relate out of Hippocrates the Translations and removals of paine which he relates, viz. of Coughs, and Asthmas, falling into the Joynts, and Testicles: of Ulcers and [Page] outward distempers which have removed into the Head and Bowels. All the Prognosticks illustrate this: nor can any man be ignorant of the translations of Humours and paines from noble to ignoble parts, and from ignoble to noble ones, nor of the alteration of distempers upon such translation of the Morbifique Matter, as of Asthmas and Coughs turning to the Gout, or Tumour of the Testicles: of Agues turning into pains in the Joynts; of Feavours ending in a Parotis, or other abscessus. Not to mention the vagrant nature of Humours in the beginning of Diseases, when they are Turgent, and continually vary their station.

These Considerations made me think that God had been pleased to bestow upon Mr Greataricks such a Complexion and Temperament, that his Touch or Stroking should instantly maturate Diseases, or render them Turgent, whereupon the part touched being strengthned, and the blood and spirits Invigorated, the Heterogeneous Ferment or paine (which if not occasioned by some evident and externall cause, is caus'd by an Heterogeneous Ferment) is expelled from the corroborated place to some other more weake: that being corroborated, it is driven upon another, and so on, till it be quite ejected. If the Disease be such as lies in nothing but a Dyscrasy of the part, it is cured without any such removeall of paine: and so for such Coagulations of the Nervous liquor (as in Palsyes, &c.) there is no such removeall of paine and pursuing it: either because they are not Dolorifique, or that they Transpire in the part.

[Page]There remaine yet two things to be debated, viz:

1. How comes it to passe that these Heterogeneous Ferments removing thus by the force of Resuscitated Nature, do not terminate in Apostemes, or issue out in some grosse Body; but go out in a vapour and invisibly?

2. How comes all this to happen in so short a time?

To the first I answer; That it is not unusuall for Nature to discharge her self of Heterogeneous Ferments by insensible Transpiration, as well as Apostemes, Sweat, Diarrhaea, and Urine: so the Mesels are cured: so many Crude and hard Tumours: and in this Plague few swellings broke, yet were they cured. Nor is it to be said, that the matter occasioning those Tumours was discussed so as to be reimbibed in the blood againe: for in the Plague the recurses of the Pestilentiall Ferment are Mortall: and such as took Powders and Antidotes gently promoting a Diaphoresis, (not sweat) escaped: they who did not, dyed with those Bubones. It is an affect of prejudice occasioned by the contemplation of the usuall effects of Nature, and not of Reason, to imagine that the Morbifique cause consists in a grosse Body, because it is often evacuated so: It is usuall for those subtile Ferments so to commix themselves, and to occasion that transposition of Parts and Texture, that Nature cannot eject the one without the expense of the other. Thus we see that Beer or Ale in its Fermentation or Working casts out aboundance of Barme, yet is not that Body the Ferment, but it is implicated and incorporated therewith, for with it there [Page] issues out aboundance of Beare, so that the Brewers either pover the same, or new in again to fill up the Barrel. If the same Ferment be precipitated by Vineger, or Allome, there is not the like diminution. So Kergerus Kerger. de ferment. sect. 2. c. 8. p. 139. saith, that in Germany they put common Salt, or cold Water into their Bear, and precipitating the Ferment make it potable presently. Many such instances are to be found in Dr VVillis and Kerger; which sufficiently evince that the Ferment is distinct from the grosse Body it comes out in. So in Diseases, however some have vainly imagined to themselves a maturation of them, and that the Morbifique matter being concocted issued out in that white Hypostasis at the end of Diseases; yet is it no such thing, nor is there any such concoction in Nature as they phansy: but the Morbifique matter or Ferment, being intimately commixed with some good and profitable parts of the Blood and Humours, is ejected together with them, according to the nature of the Eumuctory, by which the Crisis or Metastasis is made, or the nature of the Bodies constituting that humour. Nature dealing therein just as she does in the Fermentation of Beer and Wine, in the aforesaid Kerger, and Dr VVillis: whence proceed their wayes of curing Agues by Precipitation of the Morbifique Ferment, without any such Evacuations of grosse Bodies. This Paradox appeares further by the several Crises of Diseases, sometimes by Vomit, sometimes by Stoole, sometimes by bleeding at the Nose, and Sweat. In all which circumstances the Urine shew one sort of Concoction, whilst the Morbifique Ferment issues out severall wayes in severall Bodies. Nor is it [Page] to be doubted I think that all grosse bodyed Ferments have their Virtue and efficacy from a subtile Body which is no more in that grosse Body, then the Spirit of Sugar is in Sugar: of which See Angelus Sala's Saccharologia: many other instances might be given, as that, if the grand Ferment were a grosse Body, how comes it to evaporate (as I have seen in the Distillation of Sugar, Sugar-cance-juyce, and other Liquors Fermented for Spirits) without any diminution of the Liquors? From all which it appears that one may conceive how upon the efficacious Touch of Mr Greataricks, he refuscitating the Blood and innate Temperament, the Morbifique Ferment may be ejected; and the remaining grosse Body, by a Transposition of its Texture and a new impregnation of Vitality be reimbibed into the Blood, and become nutritious. Thus he cures Asthmas, all the obstructions from impacted phlegme in the Lungs being discharged, and the phlegme Naturalised. But if the grosse body of the Morbifique matter be Incorrigible and Preternaturall, then the efficacy of his Touch doth not discusse them, but the strengthning the part and Nature, the whole collection is separated and ripened, as I observed: which appears in Wenns, and scrophulous Tumours, some whereof he maturates, and others are discussed.

To the second Question, how all this happens in so short a time? I answer, that it is the efficacy of the Ferment implanted in Mr Greataricks Body. We are not to deny powerfull causes proportionate effects. We are all Indians and Salvages in what we have not accustomed our senses: what was Conjuring in the [Page] last Age, is Mathematiques in this. And if we do but consider the sole effects of Gun-powder, as it is severally to be used, and revolve with our selves what we would have thought if we had been told those Prodigies, and not seen of them; will we think it strange if men think the actions of extraordinary Ferments impossible? Here I might instance in the effects of Poysons, from Macastar, and Brasil: but the acts of sensation, of paine, sufficiently shew the effects of suddain causes: that Lipothymies and shivering should happen upon a fright, a touch of cold Water, or a pinch: that Tumours should in an instant imbody to a great bulke: that in such as are Planet-struck (or said to be so) all or any of their Limbs should be taken away: these are such events (that if we could not alleadge Amulets and outward applications to produce a suddain alteration for the better) would make it seem credible that there may be as powerfull means for mans Recovery, as his Sicknesse. I forbear to mention the suddain effects of Sleep and Waking, Freezing and Thawing: or of Heat and Cold; all which would illustrate the suddaine and powerfull motions of Nature.

SIR,

I shall now draw to a Conclusion, having given you by these impertinencies a greater trouble, then my self in Writing them: I knew not how to entertain my self better, nor you worse: But I am sure that the suppositions I have made agree exactly with the Phaenomena of Mr Greataricks Cures. And from hence it is easy to judge why some are not Cured; others finde [Page] but a momentany alleviation, and some are perfectly recovered. All which are undenianbly true: let any man salve these accidents more agreeably then I have done, ‘—Et Phyllida solus habeto.’ It is worth consideration, Whether such as come unto him ought not first to advise with a discreet Physician, what their Distempers are, and where Originally seated; the better to direct him in his Stroking. For it is not unusual for the Disease to be seated in one place, and to discover it self in another by the Symptomes, in regard to which they have recourse to him only: for in such cases, if they have no better successe then such have who meet with ignorant Physicians, that go about to cure Symptomes without regard to the principall cause, it is no marvaile if they are not Cured. Thus I have observed some, who upon a giddinesse, and qualmes of the Stomack, occasioned by Hystericall vapours, have been stroked by him severall times (without any, or inconsiderable benefit) in the parts sensibly affected. So in the Kings-evil, I have observed some that have received onely a momentany advantage; onely because that such Diseases affect the Mesentery with glandulous Tumours, as well as the outward parts: and if the whole Morbifique Ferment be not expelled, the Disease recurres: paululum fermenti totam massam fermentat. Another thing to be considered by the Patient to be stroked,Valles: Method. Med. l. 3. c. 3. is, that there may be a complication of Diseases, in which the Cure of one may be impeded by another: as in the Spleen and Scurvey, [Page] Eugalenus and others observe: so in Sore-eyes occasioned by the Evill; or a suffusion proceeding from an Acid or Nidorous quality in the Stomack: and many Diseases whereto Malignancy is joyned. In these cases the Heterogeneous Ferments may be united in a looser way, and upon his Touch separate, and whilst the one is driven out, the other may remaine in the Body, and by unloosing the Texture of the Body of the blood, and other Humours, give opportunity for more formae subjugatae (of the same kind with the former) to discover themselves. In like manner, it is possible that where the Morbifique Ferment is not sufficiently united and imbodyed, so as that one part ejected by way of Similar Attraction (I confesse I must favour that Phylosophy, from the Phenomena of Physique and Nature too) his Touch may disunite those incoherent Corpuscles, and the patient not regarding the smaller and scarce sensible paines (the which depends upon the parts and Humours the Ferment incorporates with) may direct him to pursue the most afflicting paine (which may not be the greatest) whilest the other remaines in the Body, and afterwards occasions the same distemper: or perhaps another whose paines may so resemble the former, that we may take it for the same: as our senses discerne not betwixt the Salt of one Plant and another, or betwixt the cauteriseing with Iron, or Gold; but there is a difference herein, which by effects a diligent and curious observer may discover. Concerning these intimations I discoursed with Mr Greataricks, who seemed well satisfyed with them; and did thereunto willingly ascribe severall miscarriages and Faylours.

[Page]Another thing I proposed unto him, was, whether after that he had touched severall persons, and diminished the Preternaturall Ferment, or diverted it, (and put the Humours into a Turgency) whether it might not be convenient to Vomit, Purge, and take those courses Physique directs us unto. And from this he was so little averse, that in my hearing he recommended to a Gentlewoman the taking some Cochiae Pills, after he had touch'd her Eyes. I asked also if after he had dissipated and repelled a setled Humour, it might not be convenient to corroborate the Part with Topicks; which he approved of, and though but to few, I saw him give Eye-salve to some Patients. You know what pains wee Physicians take in Revulsions and Derivations of the Humours Morbifique from severall Parts: and do not you think a great part of our work were done, could Mr Greaterick's miraculous Touch remove (or put into motion) those Humours we cannot repel, or stirre? Let us, Sir, be just and ingenious; and confesse that this Antichrist of Physicians may be of the greatest service to them in the World, if they preferre the recovery of their Patients before their Credit, or Rules of Art. Rarà non sunt artis. You have observed how great things Nature does, when alleviated; and the effects of that principle of Restitution, when the prohibiting causes are removed.

As to the allaying of paines after crushing of sores, or bruises: and the miraculous stanching of Blood: I think both them depend upon the restauration of the Temperament of the part and Blood: As to pains [Page] it is easy to grant this. And as to the effusion of Blood, you know there is a Balsame in it which heales it self: to illustrate which, I recommend to you a Note of Plateru [...] in his Observations (I want my Library) how an Hangman of Basil cut off mens Hands, and stopped the Bleeding of the Veines and Arteries by slitting the Arse of an Hen, and thrusting the Hand into it. If this do not convince you, the Discourses of Sympathetique Cures may do it: especially an Observation of Panarolus, may convince you that such steemes (as vapours) may effect it; which is the reason why I assigne not one Ferment to him, but think there may be more: which yet may not produce their effects in every case, nor exert their influences in all cases no more then the Menstruum upon a disagreable occasion produce all its effects. This needs not to be illustrated to you.

I think I have now rendered you a tolerable account of this Miraculous man, of whom I dare make that Proclamation which a Roman Emperour did upon the occasion of the Ludi seculares, or sports celebrated once in an hundred years. Come, and behold, what no man living hath seen, or shall see again. I would not be understood to derogate from this miraculous Gift; not yet ascribe more unto it, then I ought, lest I should hear the reprehension in Iob; Will you tell a lye for God?

There are a sort of men (if they were onely Women, it were tolerable!) that think it not lawfull to have recourse unto his Cures. Though I have already too much cause not to entermeddle with Divinity, [Page] or cases of Conscience any more, yet I cannot but take notice of their Principall Objection: for to say that Miracles are ceased is a groundlesse folly, if not a difingenuous impudence in giving the Lye to several Histories of various Religions.

They say, Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sinne: that it being impossible for them to be convinced, that this man works by the immediate gift of God; they cannot repaire to him lest they be found to repaire to a delusion of the Devil. But I reply; That the principle of doing nothing that is not of Faith, is sufficiently invalidated by M [...] Hooker in his Church-Policy: and it is a Principle hath occasioned so much of Troubles in our State, that I wonder it is not layd aside. In Moral Philosophy (which is not established on demonstrations) and Physique I am sure it will put us all to confusion; for who knowes the efficacy of things Naturall? how Purges and Vomits &c. do worke? Nay, who knowes whether second causes have any effect, but that God doth operate ad praesentiam causarum secundarum? as the admirable Durandus held. And may not the Divel do so? How shall this be reduced to Faith? I am sure, and have seen things ascribed to the Divel, that it is now confessed have another Originall. Did all that came to Christ, believe in him? you know the story of the tenne Lepers: if to come to Christ, were not to believe in him further then that they thought he could Cure, since they saw him Cure, how is it in Mr Greataricks? The thing they come for, is good; such as may be begged of God: there is nothing evidently unlawful practised about them: where is their [Page] Charity, that thinks no Evil? where is their Divinity, that think a good and perfect work should come elsewhere then from Heaven? If the case be not to be tolerated, because not ordinary: as there is but one Mr Greataricks, so there is but one Sunne. To be extraordinary, hinders it not from being consistent with Faith; but to be unlawfull, or absolutely impossible: as to impossibilities, we know not what is impossible with God, or Nature. And for the unlawfulnesse thereof, let Mr Greatarick's works bear witnesse of him. If he doth the things that never man did, except Christ and the Apostles &c. judge what we are to think.

I conclude with this Apology for my recommending some Physicall directions after his Stroaking: that it takes not off from the Miracle, no more then that God gave the gift of Tongues to the Apostles, yet needed they Rhetoricall instructions to imbellish their Language. St Paul was balbus sermone: and you know that the polite style of St Luke evinces the imperfections of the Language in the other Writers o [...] the New-Testament; as Isaiah disgraceth Amos in the Old. All things are not given to all men in perfection: but the gifts that are given to every man, are given them to profit with. I begge your pardon for the tediousnesse as well as rudenesse of these lines; since by them I expresse my self to be

Your affectionate humble-servant HEN: STUBBE:

Stratford upon Avon Feb: 18. 1665.

§

[Page]

The account of a Leprosy cured by Mr Greatarick in the presence of the Lord Conway.

A Boy about fourteen years Old, Sonne to a Prebend of Gloucester, recommended to the Lord Conway by the Bishop of Glocester, came with a Letter to Ragly: he was afflicted with a Leprosy judged incurable; and had been so tenne years. At his coming to my Lords, he found Mr Greatarick touching people in the Field; whereupon he pressed upon him, and got him to stroke his Body all over: this happened upon Wednesday: on Friday Morning the Boy came▪ to my Lord, and delivered his Letter: whereupon my Lord sent for him up to his Chamber, and causing him to be stripped, they found that the moist Salt and brinish Humour which caused a moist Leprosy was dryed up, and in some places Scaled off, the Skinne under it was Red (as under all crusts falling off) there was no itching or pricking at all, nor Heat: with which Symptomes he had been formerly troubled. Mr Greatarick stroked him againe, and rubbed his, Body all over with Spittle, My Lord ordered the Boy to return, if he were not Cured: but he came no more.

Proofs that he revives the Ferment of the Blood.

[Page]

Mr Bromley's brother of Upton upon Severne after a long Quartane Ague had by a Metastasis of the Disease such a chilnesse in the habit of the Body, that no Clothes could possibly warme him: he wore upon his Head many spiced Caps, and tenne pounds weight of Linnen on his Head: Mr Greatarick stripped him, and rubbed him all over, and immediatly he sweat, and was hot all over, so as that the Bath never heated up as did the Hand of Mr Greataricks: this was his own expression. But Mr Greatarick causing him to cast off all that multitude of Caps and Clothes; it was supposed that it frustrated the happy effect; for he felt the recourse of his Disease in some parts rendered the Cure suspicious. But as often as Mr Greataricks came and rubbed him he would be all in a flame againe for half an hour: the Experiment whereof was frequently practis'd for five or six dayes at Ragly.

Of the Metastasis of Diseases.

A Woman of Worcester having a paine driven into those parts which modesty would not permit her to let Mr Greatarick stroke: she went away as if she had been cured, but is since sick of an intolerable pain there. Such consequents are usuall, when the Disease is not stroked out.

§

[Page]

[Page]

HAving been lately requested by the Learned Dr Henry Stubbe of Stratford upon Avon, to set down in VVriting some few of those very many observables I had seen in the Cures, or Attempts of Mr Valentine Greatarick, since his coming into England; in order to a designe wherewith that knowing Physitian intends shortly to oblige the Curious: I could no wayes refuse his so just demand. VVherefore wholly quitting all Philosophical Researches, and disquisitions to the framers of new Hypotheses, or at least to those who are better verst in such as are already extant; I shall barely relate matter of Fact in four or five of the most eminent instances whereof I have been an Eye-witness.

Thursday Feb: 1.

[Page]

1. Mris Reynolds a Shop-keepers Wife of Alcester in the County of Warwick, having been ever since Hay-harvest disabled in her Arms and Hands, in so much as she was not able to use them, or even to undresse her self, was that day, and twice afterward touched by Mr Greataricks: she found them considerably strengthned at the first time, and much more after, so that she could put them behind her Back, combe her Head, and use her Needle, and thus she continues to this day.

The same day (in the Town-Hall) I saw two Women delivered of the shaking Palsy, which was driven out at their Toes ends.

Tuesday Feb: 13.

2. I accompanied Mr Greatericks to the Citty of VVorcester, and lodged with him in the House of Mr VVithie an Attorney; We had not been there full an houre, when (beside a multitude of infirme people) there came to him one Mris Bickeridge (dwelling within half a mile of Tewxbury) bringing with her four of her Children, two Sons, and as many Daughters; The elder of the youths is now two and twenty years of Age, and about two years since was strucken with the dead Palsy, [Page] which in continuance of time hath so disabled him, that he can neither stand or feed himself, I saw little or no effect upon Mr Greataricks stroking him, either that night, or the next day.

The other three, the remaining Son, and two Daughters (by the report of their Mother) fell all down in the street, as they were coming along with her to Mr Greataricks.

These had all been troubled with Convulsions, or fits of the Falling-sicknesse for about four years. The Youth upon the application, and short chafing of Mr Greataricks Hand was restored; I saw him well the next day in the Citty-Hall, and the next after heard that he continued so, and was seen playing in the Street.

Susan, one of the Girles, (as her Mother told me) was so thickly pursued with her Fits, that of a Twelve month before, she had not spoken above once in a Month: And Margaret the other Girle had lay'n utterly Speechlesse for three Weeks last past.

Both these after somewhat a longer chafing, were soon freed, and restored to Speech, and ability of walking up and down the Room; but they both relaps't into their Fits, and became again Speechlesse.

Margaret lay in that condition (for twelve hours) that she could neither speak or stand. On Wednesday morning (Feb. 14.) her Mother brought her into the City-Hall, and within ten [Page] Minutes She was restored to Speech, but her Pain held Mr. Greataricks Hand in play neer an Hour after. Being thus returned to her speech, she was willed by Mr. Greatarick to move her Hand upon the place, and point wheresoever her pain removed, he being presently ready to apply his Hand to the part affected: she did so, and forthwith it avoided his Touch, skipping exceeding swiftly from one part of the Head to the other; as from the Forehead to the Crown, from thence to the Pole, then to the Right Side, now to the Left, into the Neck, Shoulder Arm, Hand, th' opposite Hand; to the Thigh, calf of the Leg, Anckle, Foot, and from thence (as quick as thought) to the head again, where shifting according to the former or like Order, he was sometimes fain to apply both his Hands, but then many times the Pain got between the interstices of his Fingers, from whence, upon a fresh Application, it flew to other parts, as before, and alwaies with such incredible speed, that it much amazed the Bystanders, and Mr. Greataricks would often affirm, that, in his Opinion, it was some Evill Spirit gotten into the Body of the Child. At length having vexed it from part to part, for (as I guess) the best part of an Hour, it passed out at her Toes.

Thursday Feb. 15.

[Page]

The next day the other Sister, Susan, was brought in speechless; She was restored to her Speech, and freed from her paines in like manner, but with far lesse adoe, and in much shorter time: We heard no more of them after.

On VVednesday, Feb. 14. in the City-Hall at Worcester.

Mris VValling, a School-Mistress, dwelling upon Mavern Hill, fell into a most horrid Fit of the Falling-Sickness; her Motions were exceedingly vehement, and Convulsive, with so much violence and impetuosity, as if her Limbs had then been rending in sunder: I never saw any Hysterical Paroxysm half so dreadful; all her Joynts seemed to be crampt, and sometimes so distorted, as if She had been upon the Wrack. Mr Greataricks, by stroaking her Brest, (for that purpose first bared,) soon restored her to such Sensibility, as that she was able to speak, and direct him to the place whither her Pain shifted, which it often did with inexpressible Agility, from one extreme part of her Body to another: And it was very observable, that whither soever her Pain retired, that part was (as it were) crampt, and seem'd by her Motions, [Page] Cryings out, and Shrieks, to be affected with intolerable Dolour; sometimes it was in her Throat, and then it nigh choaked her, and there ensued excessive Belchings, (as I have also often observed in sundry Asthmatical, and Pthisical Persons stroaked by him.) And in this case was he fain to leave her for that time, Night growing on, and an infinity of diseased people pressing upon him for help.

The next day being Thursday Feb. 15:

Whilst we were (at Mr. VVithies) sitting at Dinner, word was brought to Mr. Greataricks, that one was fallen in his Chamber; and (as at other times he was wont to quit all things, to afford relief in this sad Distemper) He immediately (and I with him) left the Table; we were no sooner gotten into the Chamber, but we found it was the same Mris VValling, fallen into a new Fit, which was now rather more vehement then that of the day before; it now sometimes affected her in the Eyes, and sometimes in her Nose, and that with such anguish, as she seem'd oftimes ready to tear it off: Upon the removal of her Pains, she often gave such Shrieks, as if her Heart had been bursting in sunder. Mr. Greataricks was also perswaded, that this Woman was possessed with a Devil; but she seemed much troubled and aggreived at [Page] that his opinion; saying to him, That however God might permit her to be afflicted with Bodily Distempers, yet she trusted, and was full of confidence, that he neither had, or would give up her Body to be inhabited by the Devil. Her Acquaintance testified, that she had been of an unblameable life, and conversation: and that her Education hath been more Liberal, then is ordinarily found in that Sex, may appear by what follows. For to a Gen [...]leman, standing by Mr. Greataracks (a good while during her Fit,) and saying to him, Credo quòd obs [...]ssa sit, she suddenly, and very brusquely replied, Sic credo, sic credo, at non Diabola, sed vento. In fine, she continued under his Hand betwixt three and four Hours, and was at length freed; her pains being chaced by him out at her Toes.

February 15.

4. The next Instance is of one Hester Iordan, dwelling at Bidderly under the Clee-hill side in Shropshire; who (as her Friends related) having in her Infancy, at three years of age (by what mischance I know not) taken Poyson, presently lost both Speech and Hearing, and so hath continued ever since; she now being 22 years Old. The same Thursday at night, at a Gentlemans House, within the precincts of the Colledg at VVorcester, by the application of Mr Greataricks [Page] Hand to her Tongue, and Ears, both speech, and hearing were recovered in a few minutes. And although her speech were not very Articulate, yet one might easily understand▪ she (intelligibly enough) imitated any word spoken in her Eare; For when Mary was spoken to her she returned Maa. For Father Faa, for Mother Moa, &c.

February 16.

On Friday Mr Greataricks, having the night before been summoned to Court by an expresse from the Right Honourable the Lord Arlington; set out towards the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount Conway's house at Ragley; and in his way thither alighted at a Worshipful Knight's in VVarwick-shire; where, amongst many others, we met with a Gentleman of Kin to the Lady of that Family, who seemed much to slight, and utterly to disbelieve the efficacy of Mr Greataricks hand; but within a while he was convinced by very painfull experience; For having complained to a Lady then present, that he of long time had had a dimnesse in his left Eye (though indeed it looked as faire as the other, and therefore he was forced to make severall protestations, ere he could gain any belief, but) being once credited, he was soon advised by the Lady to essay Mr Greataricks hand. He made very dainty of it at first, and Mr Greataricks [Page] also, affirming that he would Touch none who was not desirous he should. In fine both (at length) overcame by the importunity of the Ladies, submitted, the one to touch, the other to be touched: His Eye accordingly being touched, the Gentleman streight protested, that he saw much more clearly with it then before, and so stood by: soon after, he complained of a paine, and heavinesse in his Head (he had before been much troubled with a Paralyticall Humour, and for that cause had severall successive years repaired to Bathe) upon a new application of Mr Greataricks Hand; he said his pain was now gone: and so went aside again: soon after he complained that he was sick at Stomach, and seemed to be in a very vomiturient condition; Mr Greataricks caused him to unbutton, and slip off his Shooes, and Stockings, and with his hand chased that illnesse of Stomach down into his Legge, and after out at his Toes; so that he said, he now felt nothing: Not long after he again complained of a pain in his Head. Mr Greatericks strok't it down into his Eyes, which watered extremely, and the Lids were in continuall Trepidation, and by his complaints, and gestures, they appeared to be very full of paine: After a while they began to mend: Mr Greatarick strokes his Head again, and by so doing, brings a fresh supply of Humours into them again, which caused the like unpleasing Phaenomena as before: [Page] And this recourse from Head to Eyes was repeated at least twenty times, as sundry Persons of Honour, and Integrity, who were then present, can testify.

Feb. 22. 1665/6.

The truth of these Narrations is attested by me E. Foxcroft M. A. and one of the Fellowes of the Kings-Colledge in Cambridge.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The miraculous conformist, or, An account of severall marvailous cures performed by the stroking of the hands of Mr. Valentine Greatarick with a physicall discourse thereupon ... / by Henry Stubbe.

Stubbe, Henry, 1632-1676.

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1666

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2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A61891

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Wing S6062

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ESTC R28187

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10445685

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45057

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— The miraculous conformist, or, An account of severall marvailous cures performed by the stroking of the hands of Mr. Valentine Greatarick with a physicall discourse thereupon ... / by Henry Stubbe., Stubbe, Henry, 1632-1676..

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[4], 44 [i.e. 40] p.

Printed by H. Hall for Ric: Davis,. Oxford :: 1666.. (Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.)

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The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.