A RELATION OF THE Miraculous Cure OF Mrs. LYDIA HILLS OF A Lameness of Eighteen Years continuance, and extraordinary Pains attending it, on Saturday the 17th of November 1694.
With her DEPOSITION of the Same before the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Lane, Lord Mayor of the City of London.
LONDON, Printed for Richard Baldwin near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane. 1695.
The TESTIMONY of Lydia Hills concerning her wonderful Cure, and Restoration from Lameness, and Pains extraordinary.
THE God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ knoweth, that I lie not; but do deliberately utter the certain Truth, and in serious Consideration of the Account I must shortly make to the great Judg, for all that I speak and do.
I am about 40 Years of Age. By a Fall near 22 Years ago, I received a Bruise in my right Hip, (which had been before disaffected) causing a great Lameness. For the Removal whereof, about 17 Years ago I was taken into St. Thomas's Hospital in Southwark, under the Care of Mr. Pierce Surgeon. After Means used about two Years, I was dismissed; being as well as it was thought, that by the Surgeon's Art I could be made; though at that Time I could not go without two Hand-crutches. Upon occasion [Page 4] of Pains recurring, I was taken into the said Hospital two several times afterward: But came forth, still, Lame and in Pain. In the Revolution of a few Years, I was under the Hands of another Surgeon named Mr. Maschal, of or about Southwark. Who also left me Pained and Lame, after much Torture given me.
Pained and Lame also I continued for several Years; though no Surgeon was called for my Relief, till about three Years ago, Mr. Tompson of Fanchurch-street, London, was employed for my Help under extream and extraordinary Pains. Who, as the former Surgeon had done, opened the Wound to the Bone; declaring the Bone to be foul, as the former Surgeon had declared. And, as the former, told me there was no Hope of a Cure; nor was ought to be expected but a Mitigation of Pains.
From that Time I have been in continual Pain, more or less, and oft-times violent; but never able to go without Crutches, and oft unable to stir with them. About six Years also a Shaking Palsy hath afflicted my Head; and till lately, was growing on me.
Never felt I any considerable Change for the better, until the 17th Day of November last past. Upon which Day, about 9 or 10 of the Clock in the Morning, after Reading God's holy Word, and Praying to God, and [Page 5] a second time Reading his Word, I found upon a sudden a wonderful Ease and Strength given to me.
The Scripture which I read the second time, was, that, (which opening the Bible did light to my Eye) Matth. 15.28. Jesus said to her, O Woman, great is thy Faith: Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. And her Daughter was made whole from that very Hour.
Having begged the Holy Ghost to enable me, I did act Faith so, as I could never before do. And, as soon as my Doubts were vanquished, my Pains and my Weakness were removed. Upon trial made, I found my self able to walk with much Ease, as to the Day of the Date hereof I do continue. The Fistula, which I had in my Hip, running, much about 18 Years, from that time abated, and is now dried up. Insomuch, that through the wondrous Mercy of God, I am bless'd with such Ease and Strength, as I had been many Years far from the Expectation of.
Through his blessed Grace, I have above twenty Years since devoted my self unto him, to be his, according to my holy Baptismal Covenant. And have waited on him, under the Ministry of Mr. Wells, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Burgess, successively. Insomuch, that I hope there will not be wanting those, who will vouch for the Credibility of this my Testimony.
I add, therefore, this only: That by the wonderful Cures reported in Westminster and Morefields, I was awakened, and put upon the Exercise of Faith aforesaid. But I had great Doubts, which very long held about me. And, before the Removal of them, as to the very Time of my Cure, I had not, that I know of, any Amendment.
The Publication hereof hath been judged necessary, by those whose Judgments do and ought to sway me. As also this Advertisement; that, if any Stranger shall be together incredulous of what is written, and desirous of farther Confirmation, he may have it in my Neighbourhood. I Iodg at the Widow Ellis's, a Broker, in Vinegar-yard near Russel-court, not far from Drury lane.
The Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick, Jam. 5.15.—O that Men would praise the Lord for his Goodness, and for his wonderful Works to the Children of Men, Psal. 107.8, 15, 21, 31.
Testified in Presence of us,
- Israel Mayo,
- William Castellaw,
- Daniel Burgess,
- William Taylor,
- Jeremy Smith,
- Eliezer Heywood,
- Zachary Merrel.
According to the Contents of this Narrative, I have made Oath before my Lord Mayor as followeth;
LYdia Hills Spinster, aged 40 Years or thereabouts, maketh Oath, That she this Deponent hath for the Space of 17 Years now last past, or thereabouts, been lame in this Deponent's Hip, so that this Deponent could not go without the Assistance of some Persons to lead her: And that on or about the 17th of November last, she this Deponent received such perfect Strength in all her Limbs, that she can now walk about very well, without the Help of Crutches, or any Person whatsoever. And this Deponent saith, That she this Deponent did not use or apply any outward Means for the said Cure.
Coram Me
POSTSCRIPT,
A Daughter of Mr. J. M. of H. since this Cure was wrought, hath received one no less wonderful: Being in exquisite Pain and Torture, the pious Gentlewoman exclaimed; O Lord, I am sure, that if thou pleasest THOU CANST give me PRESENT Ease! Upon which Words uttered, she was immediately at perfect Ease, and had a Night of sweet Rest; to the Wonder as truly as the Joy of a numerous and gracious Family.