ridiculous Ceremonies of their Performances, from their Malice and mischievous Designs, that the Power that works, and the end for which those things are done, is not Divine, but Diabolical. And by singular Providence they are not ordinarily permitted, as much as to pretend to any new sacred Discoveries in matters of Religion, or to act any thing for confirmation of Doctrinal Impostures, so that whether Miracles are ceased, or not, these are none, and that such Miracles as are only strange and unaccountable Performances, above the common Methods of Art or Nature, are not ceas'd, we have a late great Evidence in the famous GREATRAK; concerning whom, it will not be impertinent to add the following Account, which I had in a Letter from the Reverend Dr. R. Dean of C. a person of great veracity and a Philosopher. This learned Gentleman then is pleased thus to Write.
THE great Discourse now at the Coffee-houses, and every where, is about Mr. G. the famous Irish-Stroker, concerning whom, 'tis like you expect an Account from me. He undergoes various Censures here, some take him to be a Conjurer, and some an Impostor, but others again adore him as an Apostle. I confess, I think the Man is free from all Design, of a very agreeable Conversation, not addicted to any Vice, nor to any Sect or Party, but is, I believe, a sincere Protestant. I was three Weeks together with him at my Lord Conwayes, and saw him, (I think) lay his Hands upon a Thousands Persons; and really there is something in it more than ordinary; but I am convinced 'tis not miraculous. I have seen Pains strangely fly before his Hand till he hath chased them out of the Body, Dimness cleared, and Deafness cured by his Touch; twenty Persons at several times, in Fits of the Falling-Sickness, were in two or three Minutes brought to themselves, so as to tell where their Pain was, and then he hath pursued it, till he hath driven it out at some extreme part: Running Sores of the Kings Evil dried up, and Kernels brought to a Supperation by his Hand; grevious Sores of many Months date, in few Days healed? Obstructions and Stoppings removed, Cancerous Knots in the Breast dissolved, &c.
But yet I have many Reasons to persuade me, that nothing of all this is Miraculous: He pretends not to give Testimony to any Doctrine, the manner of his Operation speaks it to be Natural, the Cure seldom succeeds without reiterating Touches, his Patients often relapse, he fails frequently,
