that I had found out some favourable Conjunctions in the Planets above, that might be too strong for all the united Interests of the best Man and Prince and the happiest People among the Nations below. When behold one Night, which I shall never forget, and Great Britain must ever remember with Joy, (it was on the 20th of January, 1728,) as I lay in my Bed, agreeably soothing my Spleen, with these pleasing Prospects I had been contemplating in the Stars; I was surpriz'd to see my Door which was fast lock'd, and my Curtains which were close drawn, opening suddenly of themselves, and a great Light filling my Chamber, in the midst of which I saw a beautiful Appearance of something like what we usually imagine Angels to be.
I began to fancy my self in the famous Van Helmont's Condition, who says,[1] he once plainly saw his Soul in an human Shape, but, as he modestly speaks, without distinction of Sex; or like that Pisander, who, as a certain Greek Author tells us, was afraid of meeting his own Soul, which he apprehended would appear to him separated from
- ↑ Chap. I. p. 9.
his
