354 Chap. r6. An Expofrtiox-upon theBòoli,of J O B. ,Verf.i$. and darknefs inventedand adventured upon wayes oftryall in doubtful cafes,with Tome refemblance to (pofl-ibly in imitation of) this appointment of God among the Jews. park, Re The old'Sàxons'had their Ordeal, which word fignifies Due flstw. ofde part, or Dome and judgement : There were four forts of Or- cayed lntel.ia deal, by which when manifeft prooffs were wanting, they at- 4ntsg.Chap,3. tempted (or indeed tempted God) to find out whether thepara ty accufed were guilty, or guiltlefs. The firfl was by combat , in which the perfonaccufing of- fered with the peril of his life, at any weapons toprove his ac-. cufation and if the perfon accufed did refufe the challenge, or dideither yield, or was (lain in the fight, he was without further evidence adjudged culpable. The fecond was by Fire, in which theperfons accufed were to'take red hot Iron in their bare hands, or togo bare-foot and blindfoldwhere red hot Irons were laid, and if they dideither flepbetween them, or ftepping upon them, felt no harm; this was a declaration of innocency. The third tryal was made by Hot boyling water, into which . if the perfon ftxfpei `fed thrufling his naked Arm, found no evil effec` s, he was pronounced guilders. The fourthwas by coldwater, intowhich perfons accufed, having a coard tyed about them, were cati, and if they funk to the bottom, and continued a little there, till they were . drawn up, they'were held fauldefs; all.thefe tryals were made with prayer and invocatitiu upon the name of 'Gad, that the truth might be made known. There cutiomes drew t'heir firer breath from.Paganifine, and were continuedby tome whoprofeffed Chriftianity,till clearer light convinced them of their vanity.,, and unwarrantablebolda- nefs with the name of-God. Now, as all impetcations ufed withthereor the. like Cere- monies and 'circumflancesinvented by,inänare wickedand 'in- lawful ; fo there which are in themfelves lawful, are ufed by moli, unlawfully. And therefore I (hall give fotne rules, and bounds, beyond whichWe may not pats, without finful pre- fumption. Firti, An imprecation muffbeufedonely inverygreat, ferioue , andweighty matters : Woe to th-a'fe whowith evil on or curte themfelves about trifles force"have been heard to with them- felves
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