[83] Perhaps it may not be irrational to conclude that the Abode of the Devil, in those _supernal_ Parts is at least as far from the Earth as the fixed Stars; the nearest of these, our Author informs us, in his _Christian Philosopher_, Page 18, is 2,404,520,928,000 Miles from the Earth. Now, allowing Lucifer to be able to fly with the Velocity of Sound, he could not reach this Planet short of 50,000 Years! Hence he must have set out on his Journey thousands of Years before the World was created. But the Arabians believe that Mahomet performed that Journey several Times in the space of a few Years. That Mahomet should beat the Devil is not extraordinary. [84] The Author doubtless viewed the Stories in the _Arabian Nights_ as Realities and actual Occurrences. [85] "Nay, though wee make Profession to seeke GOD alone in our Troubles; yet when it comes to the Pinch, doe wee not runne vnto the Deuill?"--Cooper, _Mystery of Witchcraft_, 18-19. [86] If Spectacles were invented as far back as 1269, "a little while ago" would hardly have applied to the Fact; but the Author probably had Reference to Z. Jansen, a Maker of Spectacles, living in Middleburgh, in 1590. The Inventor was a Monk of Pisa, named Spina. [87] A great Plague in London was not then (1692) a very remote Event. That which raged in 1665 carried off 68,000 People, according to the best Estimate which could be made at the Time. [88] This fabulous Monster was considered a Reality among a large Portion of the human Family. A satisfactory Account of what a Dragon is or is not, may be seen in that useful little Work entitled The _Home Cyclopedia_, compiled by Messrs. George Ripley and Bayard Taylor. [89] A very considerable Part of the learned John Scheffer's _History of Lapland_ is taken up in Details of Witchcraft, as observed in that Country. He was a Native of Germany, born 1621, resided some Time in Sweden, died 1679. For later Transactions of the same Kind, and in the same Country, the Reader may consult Dr. Horneck's _Account_, before referred to, "Done from the High-Dutch." [90] This will all be found verified (if the Reader can command sufficient Credulity) in a curious little Work entitled _England's Warning Pieces_, printed in 1642, and fully illustrated by Engravings. Among _Prodigies_ related, the Writer says: "I remember our Brethren in New England, not long since, made use of another most prodigious and mishapen and monstrous Birth, brought foorth by a Gentlewoman of that New Plantation, who had beene a maine Fautrix, if not originall Broacher of very many most wicked, dangerous and damnable Opinions in their Church." Page 27. For further Particulars see Savage's _Winthrop's Journal_, i, 261-3.