A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 102
CHAP. CII. Examples of the wonders of Gods works in Nature.
IN Cornwal near unto a place called Pen sans, is that famous stone called Main-Amber: which is a great Rock advanced upon some other of meaner size, with so equal a counterpoize, that a man may stir it with the push of his finger but to remove it quite out of his place a great number of men are not able. Camb. Brit. p. 188. The like is in the Countrey of Stratherne in Scotland.
In the year 1581. in the Countie of Essex an Army of Mice so overran the Marshes in Dengey hundred, near unto South-minster, that they shore the grasse to the very roots, and so tainted the same with their venemous teeth that a great murrain fell upon the Cattel which grased thereon: Speeds Essex.
In the year 1555. when by reason of unseasonable weather there was a great Dearth in the Land, there sprang up upon the Rocks without tillage, or sowing in the Countie of Essex betwixt Orford, and Adlebrough such a Crop of pease that in August there was gathered above an hundred Quarters, and in blossoming there remained as many more, where never grasse grew, nor earth was ever seen, but hard solid Rock for three yards deep under their Roots. Speed in Suffolk.
In the Countie of Devon not far from Lidford the river Lid, at a Bridge is gathered into a strait, and pent in between rocks, whereon it runneth down amaine, and the ground daily waxing more and more deep: his water is not seen: onelyonly a roaring noise is heard to the great wonder of those that pass by. Camb. Brit. p. 199.
In Warwickshire at Neuenham Regis, three fountains walme out of the ground strained through a veine of Allum; the water whereof carrying the colour, and taste of milk cureth the stone, provoketh urine abundantly: green wounds it quickly closeth up, and healeth: being drunk with salt it looseth, and with sugar it bindeth the belly. Camh. Brit. p. 562.
In Summersetshire near unto Glastenbury in Wiral-P…rk there is an Hawthorne tree which upon Christmas-day sprouteth forth as well as in May. Camb. Brit. p. 227.
Also in the same Shire near unto Cainsham are found in Stone-quarries, stones resembling Serpents, winding round in manner of a wreath, the head bearing up in the Circumference, and the end of the taile taking up the centre within: but most of them are headlesse. Camb. Brit. p. 236.
In Herefordshire a little beneath Richards Castle Nature, who no where disporteth her self more in shewing wonders then in waters, hath brought forth a pretty Well which is alwaies full of little fish bones, although they be from time to time quite drawn out of it, whence it's called commonly Bone-well. Camb. Brit. p. 619.
In Gloucestershire upon the hills near Alderly are found certain stones resembling Cockles, Periwinckles, and Oisters, which seem to be the garmsome works of Nature, or such shells turned into stone. Camb. Brit. p. 363.
In Yorkshire about Whitby are found certain stones fashioned like Serpents foulded, and wrapped round as in a wreath, so that a man would verily think that they had been sometimes Serpents turned into stone. Camb. Brit. p. 718.
Also in the same County at Huntly Nabb, there lie scattering here, and there amongst the rocks, stones of divers bignesse, so Artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a Globe, that one would take them to be big Bullets made by the Turners hand for shot to be discharged out of great Ordnance; In which if you break them, are found stony Serpents enwrapped round like a wreath: but most of them are headlesse. Camb. Brit. p. 721.
In the County of Cornwal near unto St. Neots, there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together, and under them one stone of lesser size, fashioned naturally in the form of a Cheese lying in presse, whereupon it's named Wring-cheese. Camb. Brit. p. 192.
In Yorkshire upon the Sea-shore by Sken-grave, when the winds are laid, and that upon still weather the Sea is most Calme; and the water lies level and plain, without any noise: there is heard here many times on a sudden a great way off as it were an horrible, and a fearful groaning, which affrights the fishermen at those times from launching forth into the Sea. Camb. Brit. p. 720.
In Richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks are found stones like unto Periwinckles, Cockles, and other shell fish. Camb. Brit. p. 727.
In the County of Hereford a hill which they call Marcley-hill in the year 1571. (as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep) roused it self up, and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self (as mighty, and huge an heape as it was) with roaring noise in a fearful sort, and overturning all things that stood in the way, advanced it self foreward to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders. Camb. Brit. p. 620.
In Glamorganshire in a rock, or cliffe by the Seaside, there appeareth a very little chink, unto which if you lay your ear you shall hear a noise as if it were of Smiths at work, one while the blowing of bellows, another while the striking of the sledge, and hammer, sometimes the sound of the grindstone, and iron tooles rubbing against it, the hissing sparks also of steel gads within holes as they are beaten, and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the surnace. Camb. Brit. p. 643. This is called Merlins Cave.
In the Bishoprick of Durham in Derlington- field, there are three pits of a wonderful depth, tearmed by the vulgar Hell-kettles, in which the water by an Antiperistasis, or reverberation of the cold air striking thereupon, waxeth hot; which pits have passage under ground into the River Teese, as Archbishop Cuthbert Tonstal observed, by finding that Goose in the River which he had marked, and let down into these pits. Camb. Brit. p. 737.
In Yorkshire near unto Knarsburrow Castle is a Well in which the waters spring not up out of the veines of the earth, but distill, and trickle down dropping from the rocks hanging over it, whence it's called Dropping-Well: into which what wood soever is put, will in a short space be turned into stone. Camb. Brit. p. 700.
In Caermardenshire near unto Careg Castle there is a Fountain that twice in four, and twenty houres ebbeth, and twice floweth, resembling the unstable motions of the main Sea. Camb. Brit. p. 650.
In Westmerland hard by Shape there is a Well, or Fountain, which after the manner of Euripus ebbeth, and floweth many times in a day. Camb. Brit. p. 762.
In Ireland is a Fountain whose water killeth all those Beasts that drink thereof, but hurteth not the people, though they usually drink of it. Ortelius.
Near unto Bristow is St. Vincent's rock full of Diamants, in bright, and transparent colour matching, if not exceeding the Indian Diamants, onelyonly they are softer; but nature her self having framed them pointed with four, or six-cornered smooth sides, they are worthily had in great admiration: also over against it on the West-side of the River, there is another rock full of Diamants, which by the wonderful skill, and workmanship of nature are inclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow, and reddish flints. Camb. Brit. p. 239.
At Aspley Gowik in Bedfordshire near Woburn there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone: for proof whereof there was a woodden ladder in the Monastery of Woburn, that having lien a good while covered over in that earth, was digged forth again all stone. Camb. Brit. p. 401.
Near unto Lutterworth in Leicestershire there is a Spring of water so cold, that in a short time it turneth strawes, and sticks into stone. Camb. Brit. pag. 518.
In Darbyshire in the Peak-Forrest not far from Buxtons is a Well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebbe, and flowe four times in the space of one hour, or thereabouts, keeping his just Tides. Camb. Brit. p. 558.
Also in the same County at the Spring-head of Wie there rise, and walme up nine Fountaines of hot waters, commonly called Buxton-Wells, very sovereign for the stomach, sinews, and whole body. Camb. Brit. p. 557.
In Scotland on the bank of Ratra neer unto Stang's Castle there is a Cave wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the Vault, is presently turned into Pyramidal stones, and were not the said hole, or Cave otherwhiles rid, and cleansed, the whole space as far as up to the vault, would in a short time be filled therewith. Camb. Brit. Scotl. p. 48.
In Scotland in the Countrey of Murray there is a River called Naes, the water whereof is almost alwaies warm, and at no time so cold that it freezeth, yea, in the most cold time of winter, broken ice falling into it is dissolved with the heat thereof. Descrip. of Scotl.
Also in Galloway the Loch called Loch-Merton is of such a strange nature, that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter. Descrip. of Scotl.
In Kile there is a rock about twelve foot high, and as much in breadth called the Deaf Craig: for though a man cry never so loud, or shoot off a Gun on the one side, yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise. Desc. of Scot.
In Lenox is a great Loch, or Meere called Loch-Lowmond, in length twenty four miles, and eight in breadth, wherein are three strange things: First, Excellent good fish without any finnes. Secondly, A floating Island whereon many Kine feed. And thirdly, Tempestuous waves raging without winds, yea, in the greatest calmes. Desc. of Scot.
In Argyle is a stone found in divers parts, which being laid under straw, or stubble doth set it on fire by the great heat that it collecteth there. Descr. of Scot.
In Lincolnshire there is a fowl called a Dotterel, so named of its doltish foolishnesse, it's a bird of an Apish kind, ready to imitate what it sees done, they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures: for if he put forth an arm, they stretch forth a wing: sets he forward a legg, or holdeth up his head, they likewise do theirs: in brief, what ever the fowler doth, the same also doth this foolish bird untill it be caught within the net. Camb. Brit. p. 543.
There is an Island called Bas bordering upon Lothaien in Scotland, unto which there resort such a multitude of Sea-fowles, especially of Soland Geese which bring with them such abundance of fish, that as it's reported, an hundred Garison Souldiers lying there for defence of the place, fed upon no other meat then the fresh fish that was thus brought to them; and the said Fowles bring also such abundance of sticks, and twiggs for to make their nests of, that thereby the Inhabitants are abundantly provided of fewel for their fire also: and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers, and oyl that no man would scarcely believe it, but he that had seen it. Camb. Brit. Scot. p. 12, 13.
Most certain it is, that Cowes in Ireland will not give down their milk, unlesse their own calf be set by their side alive, or else the skin of the dead calf must be stuffed with straw, and set by them. Camb. Brit. Irel. p. 145.
In one of the Scottish Islands there is a rare kind of Fowl, unknown to other Countreys, called Colca, little lesse then a Goose; they come thither every year in the Spring, hatch, and nourish their young ones: about which time they cast all their feathers, and become stark naked of all their bodies, and then they get themselves to the Sea, and are no more seen till the next Spring: their feathers have no quill as other feathers have, but are all like unto a Down wherein is no hardnesse. Desc: of Scot.
In the Island of Orknay the Ewes are of such fecundity that they bring forth constantly two, and often three lambs a piece: there be neither ravenous nor venomous beasts there, nor will live there, although they be transported thither. Descrip. of Scot.
In the North Seas of Scotland are great loggs of Timber found, in which are marvellously ingendred a sort of Geese called Claik-geese, and they do hang by the beak till they be of perfection: oftentimes found, and kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation. Desc. of Scot. They are very fat, and delicious to be eaten.
The Storks are so careful of their parents, that when they grow old, and unable to help themselves, the young ones feed them; and when their wings fail them in passing the Sea, the young ones take them on their backs, and carry them over. But this is remarkable; The Town of Delph in the Low-Countries is so seated for the feeding, and bringing up of these Birds, that it's hard to see an house wherein they breed not: In which Town upon the third of May Anno Christi 1536. a great fire happening when the young Storks were grown pretty big; the old ones perceiving the fire to approach their nests, attempted to carry away their young ones, but could not they were so weighty, which they perceiving, never ceased with their wings spread to cover them, till they perished in the flames. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 63.
In the year 1404. some women of Edam in the Low-Countries going in Barks to their cattel in Purmerm…r, did often see at the ebbing of the water a Sea-woman playing up, and down, whereat at first they were afraid, but after encouraging one another, made with their Boats towards her, and the water now not deep enough for her to dive in, they took her by force, drew her into the Boat, and carried her to Edam, where in time she grew familiar, and fed of ordinary meats; and being sent to Harleus lived some fifteen years, but never spake, seeking often to get again into the water. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 102.
The Lady Marguerit of Holland Countesse of Hausberg was miraculously delivered of 364 children at one birth, whereof Eras. Rot. Lod. Vives. and many other famous Authors make mention: Also Albertus Crantzius, and others write. That about thirty seven yeares after the like happened to the Lady Marguerit daughter to the Earl of Holsteine, which were all Baptized. Also Martin Cromer in his Chronicles of Poland writes, That in Cracovia Anno 1269. the Wife of the Earl Buboslas was delivered of thirty six children all living. Belg. Com. VVealth. p. 127.
It's most strange, yet true, that the Arms of the Duke of Rohan in France, which are Fusils, or Lozenges are to be seen in the wood, or stones through all his Countrey, so that break a stone in the middle, or lop a bough off a tree, and you shall behold the grain thereof (by some secret cause in nature) Diamonded or streaken in the fashion of a Lozenge.
And in VVarwickshire the Armes of the Shugburies, which are Stars, are found in the stones in their own Manour of Shugbury, so that break the stone where you will, and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it: This I have oft seen, and have many of the stones.
Groenland (in the Hyperborean Sea) was discovered Anno 1380. it hath in it the Monastery of St. Thomas, situate on the North-East part thereof at the foot of a Mountain where there is a River so hot, that it serves for to boyl their meat, and other such purposes as fire doth with us. Isac. Chron. p. 275.
The River Hypanis in Scythia every day brings forth little bladders, out of which come certain flies, which are thus bred in the morning, fledge at noon, and dead at night: Fit Emblemes of the vanity and short life of man.
Clitumnus is a River in Italy which makes all the Oxen that drink of it white. Fulk. Meteor. Lib. 4.
The River Melas in Boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it black. Plin.
The Fountain of Jupiter Hammon is cold in the day-time, and hot at midnight.
The Fountain of the Sun hath its water extream cold, and sweet at noon, and boiling hot, and bitter at midnight. Plin. lib. 2. c. 103. August.
There is a River in Palestine called the Sabbaticall River, which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week; but every Sabbath it remaines dry. Joseph. de bel. Jud. l. 7. c. 24.
In Idumaea is a Fountain called the Fountain of Job, which for one quarter of the year is troubled, and muddy; the next quarter bloody; the third green, and the fourth clear. Isiod.
The River Astaces in the Isle of Pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields, after which whatsoever sheep, or milch cattel feed thereon, give black milk. Plin. l. 2. c. 103.
Furius Camillus being Censor in Rome, the Lake Albanus being environed with Mountains on every side, in the time of Autumne when other Lakes, and Rivers were almost dry, the waters of this Lake after a wondrous manner began to swell, and rise upwards till at last they were equal with the tops of the Mountains, and after a while they brake thorow one of those Mountains overflowing, and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the Sea. Plut.
About the year 105. in the Reign of Trajan, who raised the third Persecution, on the 22. of October there fell out one of the most terrible Earthquakes that ever was: First there arose furious, and violent winds, which tare up trees by the roots, made birds fall to the earth, uncovered houses, and overthrew many; then followed thunder, and lightning, which made the night like noon-day; then fearfull Thunderbolts, which brake down stately buildings, and slew many men. The Sea was wonderfully troubled, after which came such a violent heat, that men not able to endure it, stript themselves, and hid themselves under ground, the skie was so dark, and dust so great, that one could not see another, so that shocking together many fell down dead: Many Cities were ruinated, much people perished; many Mountains, and hills sunk, and became plaines: many Rivers were dryed up, Fountains and springs brake out where never was any before. Almost all the houses in Antioch were demolished. Dion.
The River Dee in Meri…hshire in Wales, though it run through Pimble-Meer, yet it remaineth intire, and mingles not its streams with the waters of the Lake. Camb. Brit.
And a River in Spain burieth it self in the earth, and runneth under ground fifteen miles together: whereupon the Spaniards brag that they have a Bridge whereon ten thousand Cattell feed daily.
A poor woman in Holland being great with child, and near to the time of her delivery; For the space of fifteen daies before the same, the child in her womb was heard almost continually to cry, and lament: the which many worthy persons, for the greater approbation of the truth, went daily to hear, and have testified the same. Neth. Hist.
Divers women brought a young woman in Ireland almost naked to the house of Mr. Creighton Minister of Virgikea in the County of Cavan, to whom an Irish Rebel came upon the way (these women being present) requiring her to give him her money, swearing that else he would presently kill her, and withall drew his sword: The young woman answered, You cannot kill me except God give you leave, and his will be done: Hereupon the Rogue thrust three times at her naked body with his drawn sword, and yet could not pierce her skin, upon which miracle, being much confounded, he went away, and left her. Attested upon oath.
Pliny tells us of a Fountain called Dodon, which alwaies decreaseth from midnight till noon, and encreaseth from noon till midnight.
He also tells us of certain Fountains in an Island neer Italy which alwaies increase and decrease according to the ebbing, and flowing of the Sea.
Aristotle writeth of a Well in Sicilie, whose water is so sharp, that the Inhabitants use it instead of vineger.
In Bohemia neer to the City of Bilen is a Well of such excellent, water, that the Inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt Wine. Dr. Fulk.
In Paphlagonia is a Well which hath the taste of wine, and it makes men drunk which drink of it; whence Du Bartas,
Salonian Fountain, and thou Andrian Spring,
Out of what Cellars do you daily bring
The oyl, and wine that you abound with so?
O Earth, do these within thine entralls grow? &c.
AElian mentioneth a Fountain in Boeotia near to Thebes, which makes horses run mad if they drink of it.
Pliuy mentioneth a water in Sclavonia which is extream cold, and yet if a man throw his cloath cloke upon it, it is presently set on fire.
Other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them: whence Du Bartas,
Cerona, Xanth, and Cephisus do make
The thirsty flocks that of their waters take,
Blak, red, and white: And neer the crimson deep
Th'Arabian Fountain maketh crimson sheep.
And again,
What should I of th'Illyrian Fountain tell?
What shall I say of the Dodonean VVell?
VVhereof the first sets any clothes on fire;
Th'other doth quench (who but will this admire?)
A burning Torch: and when the same is quenched,
Lights it again, if it again be drenched.
Anno Christi 1204. at Oreford in Suffolk a fish was taken by the Fishermen at Sea, in shape resembling a wild man, and by them was presented to Sir Bartholomew de Glanvil, Keeper of Oreford Castle. In all his limbs, and members he resembled a man, had hair in …ll the usual parts of his body, onelyonly his head was bald. The Knight caused meat to be set before him, which he greedily devoured, and did eat fish raw, or sod: that which was raw he pressed with his hand till he had squeezed out all the moisture: He uttered not any speech, though to try him, they hung him up by the heeles, and grievously tormented him. He would get him to his couch at the setting of the Sun, and rise again at the Sun-rising. One day they brought him to the haven, and let him go into the Sea, but to prevent his escape they set three rowes of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure: But he, streightwaies diving to the bottom, crept under all their nets, and shewed himself again to them, and so often diving he still came up, and looked upon them that stood on the shoare as it were mocking of them. At length after he had sported himself a great while in the water, and there was no hope of his return, he came back to them of his own accord, and remained with them two moneths after. But finally, when he was negligently looked to, he went to the Sea, and was never after seen, or heard of. Fabians Chron.