The old mans life renewed by Heavenly providence.
OR,
A strange (yet true) relation of one Mr. Macklian, a man of an hundred & sixteen years old
who when he was about the age of fourscore years old, his strength failed him, and his eye-
sight grew dim; he was likewise deaf of hearing, and feeble of speech, but now of late the
Lord hath shown such a miracle upon him, that he is now become as a young man again; for
his hearing and speech is come perfectly to him, and [h]is eye-sight is so good that he can write
or read the smallest print that is, without Spectacles, [h]is teeth which were decayed and rotten
out of his head, there are new ones come in their places: and haveing lost the old hair from
off his head, there is now fine young tender hair growing upon the same, like the hair of a
Child of two years old. All these strange Wonders are to be seen upon the Gentleman, whose
name is Mr. John Macklain, dwelling and living (so long as Gods pleasure is) in Northum-
berland, in the Town of Lesbury, he being the Parson and Minister of the Parish, preach-
eth two Sermons every Sabbath day, where many hundreds of people comes far and near to
hear him Preach and to see the wonders of the Lord.
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The Lord that rules both heaven and earth
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with his Almighty powerful hand
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Hath many strange examples sent
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unto the people of England:
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But never the like of this before
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was known or seen of any man,
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In those same parts wherein we live,
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since first of all the world began.
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Therefore with patience now give ear,
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and hearken to the matter well:
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The truth, and nothing but the truth,
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I am prepared for to tell.
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[At] Lesbury in Northumberland
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one Master Macklain dwelling there,
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He parson of the Parish was.
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and well beloved far and near:
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A hundred and sixteen years of Age,
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this Minister is known to be,
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Whose eyes through age were grown so dim
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that he at all could hardly see.
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His Legs and Joynts so feeble were,
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that he could hardly stand or go,
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His strength and hearing was decayd
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so was his tongue and speech also.
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But still he did the best he could,
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among his Parishoners to preach,
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Being well known in former time,
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the way of godlinesse to teach,
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Yet some that spightful neighbours were,
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which then were dweling there about,
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Did use all means that they could do,
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by violence for to turn him out
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And said, because he [?]
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there Minister be [?]
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The reason why, [?]
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nor could [?]
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But [?]
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My friends and kindred are decayd,
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my wife and children dead and gone,
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No one have I to take my part,
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but only Christ my Lord alone.
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Therefore ift be thy will, O Lord,
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out of this world me for to take,
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Or else to send me some relief,
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even for thine own sweet mercies sake.
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Now mark the wonders of the Lord,
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what miracles were brought to passe
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Upon that aged Minister,
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[and] I will tell you how it was.
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The miracles are only these,
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that God in mercy hath restord,
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Him to his former strength again,
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and comfort doth to him afford.
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His age seems now to be renewd,
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as to the world if may appear,
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Though he before was almost deaf,
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he now can very well speak or hear.
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His [e]yes that were so dusk and dim,
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and also sunk into his head,
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Are now so quick and lively grown,
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that without spectacles he can read.
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And [s]ince his teeth were rotten out,
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theres new ones come in the old ones place
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His b[r]ows, and cheeks are fat and fair,
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wrinkls worn out of his face,
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And to be brief the limbs of his,
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are every one revivd again,
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Fro[m] head to foot from top to toe
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[?] the world appeareth [plain]
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