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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..04853ba --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50204 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50204) diff --git a/old/50204-0.txt b/old/50204-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 658491f..0000000 --- a/old/50204-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10603 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its -Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol 1 of , by Cotton Mather and Robert Calef - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol 1 of 3) - -Author: Cotton Mather - Robert Calef - -Editor: Samuel G. Drake - -Release Date: October 13, 2015 [EBook #50204] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITCHCRAFT *** - - - - -Produced by Dianna Adair, Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Eleni -Christofaki and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of -public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital -Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -A list of the changes made can be found at the end of the book. - - Mark-up: _italic_ - =bold= - +spaced+ - ==blackletter== - - - - -Woodward's Historical Series. - -No. V. - - - - - THE - ==Witchcraft Delusion== - IN - NEW ENGLAND: - - ITS - RISE, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION, - AS EXHIBITED BY - Dr. COTTON MATHER, - - IN - _THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD;_ - - AND BY - Mr. ROBERT CALEF, - IN HIS - _MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD_. - - WITH A - ==Preface, Introduction, and Notes==, - BY SAMUEL G. DRAKE. - - IN THREE VOLUMES. - - VOL. I. - - _The Wonders of the Invisible World._ - - - PRINTED FOR W. ELLIOT WOODWARD, - ROXBURY, MASS. - MDCCCLXVI. - - - - - No. 103 - - - Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1865, - By SAMUEL G. DRAKE, - in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States - for the District of Massachusetts. - - EDITION IN THIS SIZE 280 COPIES. - - MUNSELL, PRINTER. - - - - - TO - MY MORE THAN BROTHER, - HARLOW ROYS, - WHO AT ALL TIMES - ALIKE IN PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY - HAS STOOD MY FRIEND, - WHO WHEN MY STEPS SEEMED RAPIDLY - DESCENDING INTO THE "DARK VALLEY" - AND - "THE RIVER" WITH THE "BOATMAN PALE" - WERE CLOSE BEFORE ME, - CHEERED ME BY HIS PRESENCE - AND HELD ME BACK BY THE GRASP OF HIS STRONG HAND, - WARM WITH LIFE AND LOVE, - IN TOKEN OF AN AFFECTION WHICH - STRONG AT FIRST, - AS YEARS PASS AND WE GROW OLDER - GROWS MORE INTENSE, - I DEDICATE THESE VOLUMES. - - W. - - - - -[Decoration] - -PREFATORY. - - -THE Object in giving to the Public this new Edition of the _Wonders -of the Invisible World_, is mainly to preserve an accurate Reprint of -that _wonderful_ Book. At the same Time it is intended to show that -its Author has unjustly been singled out and held up to everlasting -Scorn, as though he had been the Instigator of the whole Mischief; that -from his high Standing socially he was more prominent than any other -Man, and that this occasioned his being especially held responsible -is clearly true. His ready Pen also largely contributed to place him -in the front Rank of those whom that woeful Delusion led captive; he -having written more largely upon the Subject than any other. - -The first Edition of the _Wonders of the Invisible World_ was published -in Boston early in the Year 1693, at which Time _Witches_ had begun -to grow scarce; in other Words, Prosecutions had nearly ceased, and -People were seriously looking about themselves, and anxiously inquiring -what they had been about? The serious Inquirers were those (though few -in Number) who had from the Beginning had Doubts as to the Reality of -Witchcraft. When this Class began to reason, their Strength began to -concentrate, and in due Time it put an End to the Horrors which had so -strongly tended to the Ruin of the whole Community. Until this Reaction -was brought about, no Person was for a Moment safe. Notwithstanding -this frightful State of Things was thus brought to a Stand, a large -Portion of the People retained all their Faith in the Reality of -Witchcraft, and many of them exclaimed in Despair, that "the -Kingdom of Satan had prevailed," and that they were a "God-forsaken -People." In this latter Class was the Author of the _Wonders of the -Invisible World_. He never wavered in his Faith to the very End, -because his Conviction that he had espoused the Truth was stronger -than any Argument which could be brought against it. Some others of -the Ministers, and one or two of the Judges were equally sanguine -in their own Righteousness. And yet we find the following cautious -Piece of Advice given by "several Ministers to his Excellency and the -Honourable Council":--"We judge that in the Prosecution of these, and -all such Witchcrafts, there is Need of a very critical and exquisite -Caution, lest by too much Credulity for Things received only upon the -Devil's Authority, there be a Door opened for a long Train of miserable -Consequences, and Satan get an Advantage over us, for we should not be -ignorant of his Devices." For all this it is not easy to discover the -Practice of any of that "exquisite Caution" in the Proceedings against -those accused. - -No sooner was the Edition of the _Wonders_ printed in Boston, than -Copies were sent to London and reprinted there with all Dispatch, as -will be seen by the "_Imprimatur_" in the Front of the Work. Mr. Deodat -Lawson's "_Brief and True Narrative_" of the same Affair was printed in -Boston in 1692, by Benj. Harris, and the next Year in London by John -Dunton, in Connection with Dr. Increase Mather's "_Further Account of -the Tryals of the New England Witches_." A second (in Fact, it was -the third) Edition of Mr. Lawson's Work was issued in London in 1704, -which, though he calls it a _second Edition_ is quite a different -Book from the first Edition. In the first he inserted the Names of -the Parties, while in the last, Dashes stand in their Stead. It has -two Dedications: one "To the Right Worshipful and truly Honourable, -Sir Henry Ashhurst, Barrᵗ. and to His Truly Honourable and Religious -Consort, Lady Diana Ashhurst, Barrᵗ:" signed Deodat Lawson. The other -is "To the Worshipful and Worthily Honoured _Bartholomew Gidney_, _John -Hathorne_, and _Jonathan Corwin_, Esqrs. Together with the Reverend -_Mr. John Higginson_, Pastor, and Mr. _Nicholas Noyes_ Teacher of -the Church of Christ at Salem." Signed Deodat Lavson. It should be -mentioned also that Dr. I. Mather's "_Further Account_," &c., contains -Nothing beyond a Reprint of Lawson's Book, (first Edition) except a -"_Letter_" containing "_A further Account of the Tryals of the New -England Witches_," sent "_to a Gentleman in London_." This Letter was -added at the End of the "_Further Account_." It was probably written by -Mr. Mather to John Dunton, his Friend and Publisher, and occupies about -three additional Pages. - -In this Reprint of the _Wonders_ I have followed the second Edition, -presuming that to be the most accurate, as the Copy from which it was -printed was doubtless furnished by the Author. - -Very few Copies of the original Edition are known to be in Existence. -I have never owned one, and am indebted to my Friend, GEORGE BRINLEY, -Esq., for the Use of his (rather imperfect) Copy. While this Preface -was in the Hands of the Printer, my Publisher, Mr. WOODWARD, has had -the rare Fortune to obtain a very good one. - -At this Period the Press literally swarmed with Works upon Witchcraft. -Dunton printed in rapid Succession all the Works from New England, and -other Publishers were equally busy. It would be a Matter of no little -Curiosity if some one would collect the Titles of the Works on this -Subject, and publish them in Book Form, with, or even without Abstracts -of their Contents. In a unique Volume now before me, belonging to -Harvard College Library--for the Loan of which I am indebted to the -Kindness of Mr. SIBLEY, the Librarian--there are several Tracts, the -Titles of which are quite as singular as any of the Mathers. One -or two I will here extract. "The Lancashire Levite Rebuk'd: or, a -Vindication of the Dissenters from Popery, Superstition, Ignorance, -and Knavery, unjustly Charged on them by Mr. Zachary Taylor in his -Book, entitled, "The Surry Impostor." Another runs thus: "The Devil -turn'd Casuist or the Cheats of Rome laid open, in the Exorcism of a -Despairing Devil, at the House of Thomas Pennington in Orrel in the -Parish of Wigan in the County of Lancaster. By Zachary Taylor, M. A. -Chaplin to the right reverend Father in God, Nicholas [Strafford] Lord -Bishop of Chester, and Rector of Wigan." - -Witch Books, as they were called, of the Father Land, must have been -common among the People of New England, as will be seen by a Comparison -of the Trials of Witches in both Countries. This Comparison shows that -the accused in this Country were well acquainted with the ridiculous -Nonsense of what had been and was passing at Witch Trials in England. -The same Cant and Incoherency are visible at every Step. Insomuch, that -the Frivolity, Shallow-mindedness and Falsity were so apparent, that -they remind one of the childish Nursery Tales of Youth, and excite the -most profound Wonder how they could have ever been viewed as Matter for -serious Consideration by any Persons having any Pretensions to common -Sense. - -The original Records of the Court Proceedings against those accused of -Witchcraft were never fully given to the Public, until about two Years -ago, Mr. W. Elliot Woodward, of Roxbury, caused a complete Transcript -to be made of the whole, and printed them in two Volumes, small Quarto, -uniform with this Undertaking. Those, with the present Volumes, will -put the Student of New England History in Possession of nearly all the -Materials existing upon this deeply interesting, though humiliating, -and in some respects, revolting Subject. - - - - -[Decoration] - -INTRODUCTORY. - - -AS a Belief in Witchcraft is not entirely exploded, it may be -interesting to examine a few of the early Definitions of it. - -One of the earliest Lexicographers, or Expounders of English Words, was -Edward Phillips, the Nephew of John Milton. It is said that Phillips -made up his Work from Milton's Preparation in the same Line. However -that might be, it is quite clear that many of his Definitions have that -Clearness and Precision for which Milton is so remarkable. Phillips's -third (and I believe his last) Edition of "The New World of Words" was -printed in 1671. In that we find Witchcraft thus defined: "A certain -evill Art, whereby with the Assistance of the Devil, or evill Spirits, -some Wonders may be wrought, which exceed the common Apprehension of -Men: It cometh from the Dutch Word _Wiechelen_, that is, to divine, or -guesse; it is called in Latin Veneficium, in Greek _Pharmaceia_, i.e. -the Art of making Poisons." - -In 1706, John Kersey published the sixth Edition of Philips's Work, -greatly augmented; though the Definition of _Witchcraft_ is cut down to -a few Words, thus: "The Black Art, whereby with the Assistance of the -Devil, or evil Spirits, some Wonders may be wrought, which exceed the -common Apprehensions of Men." - -Phillips does not define a _Witch_, but he says a "Wizard is a Witch, -a cunning Man, one that telleth where things are that were lost. Some -think it comes from the Saxon Word _Witega_, i.e. a Prophet." - -Kersey defines a Witch, an old Hag, or Woman that deals with Familiar -Spirits; and a Wizard "a Sorceror, or Inchanter; a Cunning Man," &c., -as before. - -In 1674, Thomas Blount published the fourth Edition of his -"Glossographia, or Dictionary of hard Words." He says, "Witch is -derived from the Dutch _Witchelen_, or _Wiichelen_, which properly -signifies whinnyng and neighing like a Horse; also to foretell or -prophecy; and _Wiichelen_, signifies a Soothsayer; for that the Germans -(from whom our Ancestors the Saxons usually descended) did principally -(as Tacitus tells us) divine and foretel Things to come by the -whinnying and neighing of their Horses; _Hinitus_ and _Trenitus_ are -his Words." - -Witchcraft is not defined by Blount himself; while under the Article -_Witch_, he extracts from Master William Perkins: "Witchcraft is an -Art serving for the working of Wonders by the Assistance of the Devil, -so far as God will permit." To make the Definition of Witchcraft -still more plain, Mr. Blount extracts thus from an old Author named -_Delrio_,[1] who defines Witchcraft to be "An Art, which by the Power -of a Contract, entred into with the Devil, some Wonders are wrought, -which pass the common Understanding of Men." - -As we approach a later Age, Lexicographers are pretty careful in their -Definitions of Witchcraft. Bailey, in his folio Dictionary of 1730, -says it is "the Art of bewitching, enchanting, divining, &c." - -Johnson, though a Believer in Witchcraft, shirks the Definition of it -thus: "The Practice of Witches. _Bacon_. Power, more than natural. -_Sidney_." - -Noah Webster published a Dictionary of the English Language in 1806, in -which he says a _Witch_ is "a Woman accused of magical Arts, a Hag." -Witchcraft, "the Practice of Witches, a Charm." The great Lexicographer -must have marvelled at these Definitions in his later Years; if so, he -fails to make due Atonement in his incomparable "Unabridged." But the -learned Editor of the "Imperial Dictionary,"[2] Dr. Ogilvie, appears to -have taken such Liberty with Dr. Webster's Work as to bring it up to -the Standard of the Times, especially in that Class of Words in which -_Witchcraft_ is prominent. His Definition is so much to the Point, -so clear, and so well expressed, that it is, though long, extracted -entire: "WITCHCRAFT, the Practice of Witches; Sorcery; Enchantments; -Intercourse with the Devil; a supernatural Power, which Persons were -formerly supposed to obtain Possession of by entering into Compact with -the Devil. Indeed it was fully believed that they gave themselves -up to him, Body and Soul, while he engaged that they should want for -Nothing and be able to assume whatever Shape they pleased, to visit -and torment their Enemies, and accomplish their infernal Purposes. -As soon as the Bargain was concluded, the Devil was said to deliver -to the Witch an Imp or familiar Spirit, to be ready at call, and to -do whatever it was directed. By the Aid of this Imp and the Devil -together, the Witch, who was almost always an old Woman, was enabled -to transport herself through the Air on a Broom-stick or a Spit, and -to transform herself into various Shapes, particularly those of Cats -and Hares; to inflict Diseases on whomsoever she pleased, and to punish -her Enemies in a Variety of Ways. The Belief of Witchcraft is very -ancient. It was universally believed in Europe till the 16th Century, -and even maintained its Ground with tolerable Firmness till the Middle -of the 17th Century. Vast Numbers of reputed Witches were condemned to -be burned every Year, so that in England alone it is computed that no -fewer than 30,000 of them suffered at the Stake." - -Dr. Ogilvie closes his Definition with one Extract from Shakespeare: - - "He hath a Witchcraft - Over the King in's Tongue." - -It cannot be denied that the Existence of Witchcraft is as fully taught -in the Bible as Slavery. The Light of Science has extinguished the one, -while the other yet struggles against Fate.[3] To urge the Authority -of the Bible, that Slavery is a divine Institution, and therefore -should be sustained, is just as reasonable as it would be to urge the -Existence of Witches; and were there as many Interests at Stake in -keeping alive Witchcraft, it would find as many Advocates, doubtless, -as Slavery. - -At first, Voices against Witchcraft were faint and few. Such was the -Bewilderment of the human Mind in early Ages that Men hardly dared to -think in Opposition to the Superstitions of the Multitude. Yet there -were always some who doubted the delegated Power of the Devil, though -they were not often lavish enough of their own Safety to let their -Disbelief be known. Still, there are, no Doubt, some "dark Corners -of the Earth" where it would not be entirely safe for one to declare -publicly that there is no such Matter as Witchcraft. Nor is this so -much to be wondered at, when, at the present Day, and in a Portion -of our own Country, a Man cannot speak against Slavery, but at the -Peril of his Life. This is no new Aspect growing out of the present -Rebellion, but it has been thus many Years. - -Few Men dared to speak boldly against the Existence of Witchcraft -before the Year 1700. Though they disbelieved in it they were afraid -to attack it. They began by endeavouring to show the Insufficiency of -the Evidence relied upon in particular Cases. In this Way, Frauds were -detected and exposed, and the Eyes of Judges were opened. - -Among the early and successful Combatants of Witchcraft in England was -Sir Robert Filmer. This Gentleman, though he out-went Machiavel himself -in Arguments to uphold Despotism, yet he entered a pretty effectual -Demurrer against the Prerogative of the Devil, as attempted to be -manifested in the Persons of aged Matrons. Lancashire was distinguished -above all other Counties in England in Sir Robert's Time for its -Production of Witches; but when his native County, Kent, was scourged -by the imaginary Arts of Satan, he thought it Time to make a public -Declaration of his Views in Regard to the Nature of the Evidence made -Use of for the Conviction of Witches. He therefore prepared a Treatise -which he entitled "An Advertisement to the Jury-men of England, -touching Witches," printed in 1680, but whether it was ever printed -before does not appear from this Impression. In this Work he criticises -the Productions of some of the prominent Authors in Favor of Witchcraft -with much Ability. - -To the Assertion that Witches act under a Contract with the Devil, Mr. -Filmer observes, "That the Agreement between the Witch and the Devil -they call a Covenant, and yet neither of the Parties are any Way bound -to perform their Part; and the Devil, without Doubt, notwithstanding -all his Craft, hath far the worst Part of the Bargain. The Bargain runs -thus in Master Perkins's Work: 'The Witch as a Slave binds herself by -Vow to believe in the Devil, and to give him either Body, or Soul, or -both, under his Hand-writing, or some Part of his Blood. The Devil -promiseth to be ready at his Vassal's Command, to appear in the -Likeness of any Creature, to consult and to aid him for the procuring -of Pleasure, Honor, Wealth, or Preferment; to go for him, to carry him -any whither, and to do any Command.' Whereby we see the Devil is not -to have Benefit of his Bargain till the Death of the Witch. In the -Meantime, he is to appear always at the Witche's Command, to go for him -[or her], to carry him any whither, and to do any Command; which argues -the Devil to be the Witche's Slave, and not the Witch the Devil's -Slave. And though it be true which Delrio affirmeth, 'That the Devil is -at Liberty to perform or break his Compact, for that no Man can compel -him to keep his Promise;' yet on the other Side, it is as possible for -the Witch to frustrate the Devil's Contract, if he or she have so much -Grace as to repent; the which there may be good Cause to do, if the -Devil be found not to perform his Promise. Besides, a Witch may many -Times require that to be done by the Devil, which God permits not the -Devil to do; thus against his Will the Devil may lose his Credit, and -give Occasion of Repentance, though he endeavor to the utmost of his -Power to bring to pass whatsoever he hath promised; and so fail of the -Benefit of his Bargain, though he have the Hand-writing, or some Part -of the Blood of the Witch for his Security, or the Solemnity before -Witnesses, as Delrio imagineth." - -Thus much is given to show in what Manner the Advocates of Witchcraft -were combatted, without denying the actual Existence of it. It was as -much as could be safely advanced in the seventeenth Century. To have -come out boldly, and denied the Thing altogether, would have been to -proclaim a Disbelief of the Teachings of the Bible; and this would -have defeated the very Object sought to be attained. It has, beyond -Question, occurred to all thinking Men in every Age, that Witches and -Devils could not have a Being without God's Permission; that if they -did or do exist, it is his Pleasure that they should; that, therefore, -if God wished to destroy such Miscreants he would do it by making -War on them himself, instead of compelling Mankind to fight them -blindfolded for all Eternity, or during the World's Existence. - -There are few Readers probably who have not heard of a Book upon -Witchcraft by a royal Hand--a King of England. James I wrote a Book -to which he gave the Title, _Dæmonologie_. To those who have not -studied the State of Society in England for a Century or so before -the Emigration of our Fathers to New England, and consequently cannot -comprehend the Kind and Degree of Knowledge and Intelligence possessed -by the People; it will seem incredible how they were bound down by -such childish and utterly puerile Stuff as was put forth by James -in his Work on Witchcraft. Nursery Tales of a later Day are quite -as easily believed to be realities as the Witch Stories of a former -Age, and the Allegories of Bunyan are much easier transformed to -Realities. That so weak and absurd a Production as the _Dæmonologie_ -reflects the Understanding and Literature of our Fathers, must be not -a little humiliating to their Descendants to the latest Posterity. -The _Dæmonologie_ was printed at Edinburgh, in Quarto, six Years -before James came to the Crown of England, namely, in 1593. His Work -corresponded with the Times in which it was written. Here is a Specimen -of its Contents: "The Devil teaches Witches how to make Pictures of -Wax and Clay, that by the roasting thereof, the Persons that they bear -the Name of, may be continually melted or dried away by continual -Sickness ... not that any of these Means which he teacheth them (except -Poisons, which are composed of Things natural) can of themselves help -any to these Turns they are imployed in.... That Witches can bewitch, -and take the Life of Men or Women by roasting of the Pictures [Images] -which is very possible to their Master to perform; for although that -Instrument of Wax have no Virtue in the Turn doing, yet may he not very -well, by that same Measure that his conjured Slave melts that Wax at -the Fire, may he not, I say, at these same Times, subtilly as a Spirit, -so weaken and scatter the Spirits of Life of the Patient, as may make -him on the one Part for Faintness to sweat out the Humours of his Body; -and on the other Part, for the not concurring of these Spirits which -cause his Digestion, so debilitate his Stomach, that his Humour radical -continually sweating out on the one Part, and no new good Suck being -put in the Place thereof for Lack of Digestion on the other, he at last -shall vanish away even as his Picture will do at the Fire." - -The Reader will hardly desire any more from such a royal Source; but -even royal Nonsense may sometimes be Necessary upon historical Points, -and we must listen to their incoherent Jargon, however much we hold -them in Contempt. It was during the Reign of this King that New -England began to be settled, and the Settlers were his Subjects, and -with them came the Superstitions common to the People of England. - -In James's Book he lays down Rules for determining who were Witches, -and great Numbers were executed in Pursuance of those Rules. No sooner -was that benighted King seated upon the English Throne, but the -following Statute was passed: "If any Person or Persons shall use, -practice, or exercise any Invocation, or Conjuration of any evil and -wicked Spirit, or shall consult, covenant with, entertain, employ, -feed or reward any evil and wicked Spirit, to or for any Intent and -Purpose: or take up any dead Man, Woman or Child, out of his, her or -their Grave, or any other Place where the dead Body resteth, or the -Skin, Bone or any Part of the dead Person, to be employed or used in -any Manner of Witchcraft, Sorcery, Charm, or Inchantment; or shall -use, practice or exercise any Witchcraft; or shall use, practice or -exercise any Witchcraft, Inchantment, Charm or Sorcery, whereby any -Person shall be killed, destroyed, wasted, consumed, pined or lamed in -his or her Body, or any Part thereof; that then every such Offender or -Offenders, their Aiders, Abettors, and Counsellors, being of any the -said Offenders duly and lawfully convicted and attainted, shall suffer -Pains of Death as a Felon or Felons." - -This Law does not materially differ from that enacted in the fifth Year -of Elizabeth; yet there is a Clause in the older one, declaring that, -"If any Person shall take upon him by Witchcraft, Inchantment, Charm -or Sorcery, to tell or declare in what Place any Treasure of Gold or -Silver should or might be found or hid in the Earth, or other secret -Places, or where Goods, or Things lost or stolen should be found or -be come: Or to the Intent to provoke any Person to unlawful Love, or -whereby any Cattle or Goods of any Person shall be destroyed, wasted or -impaired; or to destroy or hurt any Person in his, or her Body, though -the same be not effected, &c. a Year's Imprisonment, and Pillory, &c. -and the second Conviction, Death." - -In the early Laws of Massachusetts, adopted in 1641, Witchcraft is thus -briefly dealt with: "If any Man or Woman be a Witch (that is hath or -consulteth with a familiar Spirit) they shall be put to Death." These -Laws were called _The Body of Liberties_, and were drawn up by the -famous Minister of Boston, John Cotton. He made them conform to the -Bible, and Passages of Scripture stand against each Law in the Margin. -Against this is found, Deut. xiii, 6, 10--xvii, 2, 6. Ex. xxii, 20. - -In Plymouth Colony as late as 1671, nearly the same Law was enacted. It -differed only by saying, "If any Christian (so called) be a Witch," &c. - -If Sir Robert Filmer had seen our Laws, he would, perhaps, have -indulged in a few Observations upon them. The Plymouth People seem to -have looked a little farther than the learned Minister of Boston, as -appears by the Proviso thrown in, that a _Christian_ could not be a -Witch. Of course the Judges were to determine the Point of Christian -or no Christian, assuming that a Christian Judge could not err or be -mistaken. - -One of the Advocates of Witchcraft having asserted that a Person cannot -make the necessary Contract with the Devil to become a Witch, without -renouncing God and Baptism, "it will follow," says Filmer, "that none -can be Witches but such as have first been Christians. And what shall -be said then of all those idolatrous Nations, of Lapland, Finland, -and divers Parts of Africa, and many other heathenish Nations, which -Travellers report to be full of Witches? And indeed, what Need or -Benefit can the Devil gain by contracting with those Idolators, who are -surer his own than any Covenant can make them?" - -Witchcraft, as formerly believed in, was the Art of working Wonders -or Miracles, and some of its Expounders asserted, that the Power of -effecting Wonders does not flow from the Skill of the Witch, but is -derived wholly from the Devil, whom the Witch has Command over, by -Virtue of a Contract. Whereupon Sir Robert Filmer sensibly remarks, -"that the Devil is really the Worker of the Wonder, and the Witch but -the Counsellor, Persuader or Commander of it, and only accessory before -the Fact, and the Devil only Principal. Now the Difficulty will be, -how the Accessory can be duly and lawfully convicted and attainted -according as the Statute requires, unless the Devil, who is the -Principle, be first convicted, or at least, outlawed; which cannot be, -because the Devil can never be lawfully summoned according to the Rules -of our Common Law." - -In this Manner Witchcraft was successfully assailed, because it was -a Species of reasoning that did not directly interfere with the -Superstitions and Prejudices of the People. But the March of Mind -amongst the Masses was slow, and Trials for Witchcraft continued in -England for twenty Years after Sir Robert Filmer wrote. - -For one hundred Years, 1580 to 1680, in Germany alone, 1,000 Persons a -Year, on an Average, were, upon good Authority, said to have suffered -Death for the imaginary Crime of Witchcraft. Executions in that Country -began to abate about 1694; the last Execution, being of a poor Nun, in -1749. And it may be remarked in this Connection, that immediately after -the miserable James published his Work on Witchcraft, 600 Persons were -put to a cruel Death for being Witches. - -"Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live," is a Command, and it was once -considered as much to be regarded as any other Command in the Bible. -That there were Witches in the World was as plain, and as much to be -believed, as that there were Spirits of any Kind whatever. Whoever -believed in the Immortality of the Soul, believed in the Immortality -of bad Souls as well as good. Soul is another Word for Spirit; hence -good Spirits and bad Spirits. Witches were bad Spirits, but whether -they originated _in_ Mankind, or whether they were sent there to take -Possession of the human Body, and to exclude a better Tenant, has not -been satisfactorily settled by Psychologists and Metaphysicians. But -one Thing seems to be well established, and that is, that quite as many -bad Spirits find Habitations in the Sons and Daughters of these Days, -as at any former Period. Fortunately it was found out, at length, that -destroying the Tenement of a bad Spirit, did not destroy that Spirit. -But this was not thought of until Thousands had been put to Death. - -It will doubtless be said by many, that if ever there were Witches in -the World, there are Witches now. This Point it is not intended to -argue. There were always those who denied the Existence of Witches; or, -what amounted to the same Thing, they would never allow that there was -sufficient Evidence produced to prove that _Craft_ against any who were -accused of it. Persons who thus question all Court Proceedings, where -Witchcraft was attempted to be detected, were regarded as unfit for -good Society, and unworthy of its Protection. - -Those who were for "ridding the Land" of Witches, thought those -who questioned the Legality of their Proceedings, were, at least, -Infidels, in the most obnoxious Sense, and they were generally treated -as such, and were to be shunned by Society. Thus it fared with MR. -ROBERT CALEF, who, during the Prosecutions and Executions of the People -accused in Massachusetts, as will be seen in the Progress of the -present Work. - -It is scarcely conceivable by even the partially enlightened of the -present Age, that only one hundred and fifty Years ago our Ancestors -were, in some respects, so slightly removed from Barbarity and heathen -Darkness. Superstition will give Way only to mental Culture; but there -may be considerable mental Culture, and also much Superstition; for -Persons may be educated in many Things when those very Things are -founded in Error. Certain Premises are taken for granted, because no -Data exist, or at least insufficient Data, to investigate them and the -Foundations on which they rest. This is still the Case, but it was more -so in Times past. - -Barbarous Nations, as the Aborigines of any Country, are Slaves to -the same Kind of Superstition as that which caused the Executions -for Witchcraft by the Governments of Old and New England. Even many -of those who opposed the Prosecutions for that imaginary Crime, were -not free from the same Superstitions with the Advocates of it. They -believed in Witchcraft, and only argued the Want of Evidence against -it. This gave them a decided Disadvantage, because the Evidence was, -in many Cases, apparently so overwhelming; insomuch, that "the learned -Baxter" wrote to Dr. Increase Mather, declaring, "The Evidence is so -convincing, that he must be a very obdurate Sadducee who will not -believe it." Hence if there were some Persons who did not believe the -strange and unnatural Things alleged to have been performed by Persons -charged with Witchcraft they were treated as "obdurate Sadducees," -whose Unbelief was only a Pretence. Times have so much changed, -that it is not necessary to make the Admissions which the Opposers -of Witchcraft formerly made. Then, to deny the Existence of it was -precisely the same as to deny that the Bible was a Revelation from God. -Therefore, as was before observed, those who opposed the Prosecutions -for Witchcraft, labored under a great Disadvantage. The Belief in it -being nearly universal, the solitary Individual who dared to stem so -popular a Torrent, now looked upon clearly as a Delusion, had nothing -to expect on all Hands, but Obloquy, Derision and Contempt. - -From all which, Nothing is easier to be discerned than this--wherever -Ignorance is the greatest, there Superstition prevails most; that -therefore it follows of course, that Ignorance and Superstition are the -Parents of Witchcraft. - -It never occurred to Believers in Witchcraft, it would seem, that -if Witches really existed, a Prosecution against them could no more -reach them than it would the Air in a Bubble or the Breath which they -breathed; for if they possessed the Power claimed for them, they also -had the Power to abandon the Bodies they possessed the Moment it was -decided to punish them in such Bodies; and thus disconcert all Attempts -to obstruct their Craft. - -The Advocates of Witchcraft affirm that it is by Virtue of a League -with the Devil that the Witch is enabled to carry on her Operations; -and that the Devil, God's great Enemy, is allowed to commission -Witches, that they may also counteract his (God's) Purposes by -ensnaring Souls, as though the Devil had not Power enough to do the -whole Mischief himself; and thus in a sneakingly indirect Way make a -Cats-paw of some demented old Woman, or other simple Person. - -In the midst of the Proceedings against the People charged with being -Witches, and while several Jails were crowded with those unfortunate -Persons, a very serious Question arose, which, of itself, was -calculated to cause the most violent of the Prosecutors to stay their -bloody Hands, and to ask themselves, what they had been doing? and if, -after all, there was not a Possibility that they had been guilty of -shedding innocent Blood? The Question was a very simple and natural -one, namely, Is it not possible for a Witch to appear in the Shape of -an innocent Person? As soon as this Question was started, there was -quite a Shock in the Community, and the Men accounted the wisest in the -Land stood still for a Time, and looked inquiringly upon one another. -As long as the afflicted Persons accused only the Poor and Friendless, -Nothing appears to have been thought of the Possibility that such -Persons could be innocent of the Charges preferred against them. But, -when at length, Persons considered of unblemished Lives, standing among -the first in the Community, came to be accused, then the Case wore -a different Aspect; then it was that the before mentioned important -Question came up. This Question divided the People, and from that -Division Safety resulted. In this Instance, the common Order of Things -was reversed; Safety came from a Division, and not from Union. Hence a -new Proverb is derived--In Union there may be Error, while Division may -elicit the Truth. - -The People, thus brought to a Stand, had a little Time for reflection. -This, some improved to the Advantage of themselves, while others -improved it for the Advantage of the Public. Some had been so strenuous -in their Efforts to convict accused Persons, that it was now very -difficult for them, even to suspend their Efforts without giving their -Opponents an immediate Advantage over them; that even though the Judges -of the Courts who tried the accused, had been guided mainly by "Mr. -Perkins's Rules for the Discovery of Witches," on a careful Inspection -of those Rules at this Day, it is difficult to see how Convictions were -forced out of them. - -Nevertheless, strong Ground having been taken that Witches existed, and -Persons reputed Witches having been prosecuted with the utmost Rigor, -and unrelenting Perseverance for a long Time, the chief Agents in -these bloody Proceedings, firm in their Convictions that they had done -righteously, deemed it incumbent upon themselves to keep the People to -the same Opinions. This was the Origin of this unfortunate Book, "_The -Wonders of the Invisible World_;" the chief Part, or perhaps all of -which, was composed while above one hundred poor People in and about -Salem and Boston were suffering a wretched imprisonment in the filthy -and barbarous Jails of those Days, to which Jails and Prisons of our -Days are in Comparison, Palaces. It was doubtless no sooner determined -that the Proceedings against the Witches should be given to the World, -than the Person was designated who should perform that Service. And -from the very opening of that Work it is at once discovered, that it -was intended as a "Defence" of what had been already done, as well as -to urge a Continuance of those Proceedings, "until the Land was fully -purged of the Demons which infested it." - -For a long Period, the Publication of Books detailing the Doings and -Prosecutions of Witches seems to have extended rather than abridged -the Belief in Witchcraft. This may be accounted for in Part from the -Consideration that the Teachers of the People were themselves groveling -in the Mire of Superstition. A more particular Reference to some of -the Works best known somewhat more than two Centuries ago shall here -follow. - -One Thomas Cooper published in 1617, a Work of this Title, "The Mystery -of Witchcraft. Discouering, the Truth, Nature, Occasions, Growth and -Power thereof. Together with the Detection and Punishment of the same. -As also, the Seuerall Stratagems of Sathan, ensnaring the poore Soule -by this desperate Practize of annoying the Bodie: with the seueral Vses -thereof to the Church of Christ. Very necessary for the redeeming of -these atheisticall and secure Times." - -This Author dedicated his Work to the "Maior and Corporation of the -Ancient Citie of Chester," &c., in which Dedication we find the -following, which, throwing some Light on the reverend Dealer in -Darkness, is extracted. He commences, "Diuers, and verie weighty haue -been the Motiues (right Worshipfull) to induce mee to the Dedication of -these my Labors in this kinde vnto your Worships. - -"The first is, because my first Calling from the Vniversitie, to employ -my Ministrie for the Edification of the Saints, was by the Gouernors of -your famous Citie, to succeed that painefull and profitable Teacher, -Maister Harrison, who was thence called by the King's most Excellent -Maiestie, to be one of the sixe Teachers to those barren and needfull -Places of the Country of Lancashire. And therefore, hauing both kind -intertainment among you; and by some of you being furthered to a more -settled Pastorall Charge in that Countie, I could not but leave some -Memoriall of my Thankefulnesse vnto you herein. - -"Secondly, my free Admission to that Pastorall Charge, together with -the singular Providence of God, in directing my Ministrie for the -informing and reforming of that ignorant People, who never before -enioyed any constant Ministrie, as also his admirable Protection and -Deliuerance of me from vnreasonable Men, that vsed all their Force and -Cunning to hinder the Proceedings of the Gospel of Christ." - -These Extracts are made because they give a Glimpse of the Life and -Character of an Author, second only to King James as a Cultivator of -Witchcraft. His Book is a small Duodecimo of 368 Pages, in the Close -of which he says, "to the wise and humble Reader, I am not ashamed -to acknowledge, that which thou canst not but discerne; that I have -borrowed most of my Grounds from his Maiesties Dæmonologie, Mr. -Perkins, Mr. Gifford, and others." And this truly may be added, "the -Blind were led by the Blind," in the fullest Sense of the Maxim. Master -Cooper further remarks upon the Labors of his royal Predecessor and -others in these Words, "they have waded before mee heerein, to confirme -the Authoritie thereof, against the Atheisme of these evill Dayes: that -so each might have the perfect Honour of their owne Paines."[4] - -In his second Chapter he says, "it is proued that there haue beene, -are, and shall be Witches to the World's End: both by sound Testimony, -1st, from the Word; 2d, from Antiquity; 3d, from pregnant Reasons, and -so such Obiections answered, as seeme to contradict this Truth." - -This most singularly superstitious Writer says there were good Witches -as well as bad ones; that these good Witches are called the _unbinding_ -ones; because they undo what the bad Witch does, and yet is allowed to -do good Offices with the Consent of the Devil.[5] - -Good Witches performed wonderful Cures, according to the Belief of -those Days. Even Burton[6] says, "they can effect such Cures, the -maine Question is whether it be lawful in a desperate Case, to crave -their Help, or ask a Wizard's Advice. 'Tis a common Practice of some -Men to go first to a Witch, and then to a Physitian. If one cannot -help the other shall." And Paracelsus declared, "that it mattered not -whether a sick Person were helped by God or Devil, so that he were -eased." Some, however, demurred to this, and affirmed that it was -better to die than be cured by a Witch or a Sorcerer. - -Further to illustrate the Subject, I shall have Recourse to Mr. Nathan -Drake's _Shakespeare, and his Times_. That chief of Expounders of -the "Immortal Bard," having had occasion to review the Subject of -Witchcraft, and having made so clear and valuable an Analysis of it in -his Examination of the Witches of Shakespeare, as is nowhere else to be -found, I am, as will be the Readers of this Introduction, I apprehend, -fortunate in being able to avail myself of the Labors of that eminent -Scholar and able Antiquary. - -The Play of Macbeth is founded on a Species of Superstition that, -during the Life-time of Shakespeare, prevailed in England and Scotland, -in a Degree until then unknown. In the 33d Year of Henry VIII, was -enacted a Statute which adjudged all Witchcraft and Sorcery to be -Felony without the Benefit of Clergy; but at the Commencement of -the Reign of Elizabeth, the Evil seems to have been greatly on the -Increase, for Bishop Jewel, preaching before the Queen, in 1558, tells -her, "It may please your Grace to understand that Witches and Sorcerers -within these few last Years are marvelously increased within your -Grace's Realm. Your Grace's Subjects pine away, even unto the Death, -their Colour fadeth, their Flesh rotteth, their Speech is benumbed, -their Senses are bereft, I pray God they may never practice further -then upon the Subject."[7] How prevalent the Delusion had become, in -the Year 1584, we have the most ample Testimony in the ingenious Work -of Reginald Scot, entitled "The Discoverie of Witchcraft," which was -written as the sensible and humane Author has informed us, "in behalfe -of the Poore, the Aged, and the Simple,"[8] and it reflects singular -Discredit on the Age in which it was produced, that a Detection so -complete, both with regard to Argument and Fact, should have failed in -effecting its Purpose. But the Infatuation had seized all Ranks, with -an Influence which rivaled that resulting from an Article of religious -Faith, and Scot begins his Work with the Observation, that "the Fables -of Witchcraft have taken so fast hold and deepe Root in the Heart of -Man, that fewe or none can, now adaies, with Patience indure the Hand -and Correction of God. For if any Adversitie, Greefe, Sicknesse, Losse -of Children, Corne, Cattell, or Libertie happen unto them; by and by -they exclaime uppon Witches;--insomuch as a Clap of Thunder, or a Gale -of Wind is no sooner heard, but either they run to ring Bells, or crie -out to burne Witches;"[9] and in his second Chapter, he declares, "I -have heard to my greefe some of the Minesterie affirme, that they have -had in their Parish at one Instant xvij or xviij Witches: meaning such -as could work Miracles supernaturallie,"[10] a Declaration which, in -a subsequent Part of his Book, he more particularly applies, when he -informs us, that xvij or xviij were condemned at once at St. Osees -in the County of Essex, being a whole Parish, though of no great -Quantitie."[11] - -The Mischief, however, was but in Progress, and received a rapid -Acceleration from the Publication of the _Dæmonologie_ of King James, -at Edinburgh, in the Year 1597. The Origin of this very curious -Treatise was probably laid in the royal Mind, in Consequence of the -supposed Detection of a Conspiracy of 200 Witches with Dr. Fian, -"Register to the Devil," at their Head, to bewitch and drown His -Majesty, on his Return from Denmark, in 1590. James attended the -Examination of these poor Wretches with the most eager Curiosity, and -the most willing Credulity; and, when Agnis Tompson confessed, that -she, with other Witches, to the Number just mentioned, went altogether -by Sea, each one in her Riddle, or Sieve, with Flagons of Wine, -making merry and drinking by the Way, to the Kirk of North Berwick, -in Lothian, where, when they had landed, they took Hands and danced, -singing all with one Voice: - - "Commer [Gossip] go ye before, commer goe ye - Gif ye will not go before, commer let me." - -And "that Geilis Duncane did go before them, playing said Reel on a -Jew's Trump." James sent for Duncane, and listened with Delight to his -Performance of the Witches' Reel on the Jews-harp! - -On Agnis, however, asserting, that the Devil had met them at the Kirk, -His Majesty could not avoid expressing some Doubts; when, taking him -aside, she "declared unto him the very Words which had passed between -him and his Queen on the first Night of their Marriage, with their -Answer each to other; whereat the King wondered greatly, and swore by -the living God, that he believed all the Devils in Hell could not have -discovered the same."[12] - -That the Particulars elicited from the Confessions of these unfortunate -Beings, which, it is said, "made the King in a wonderful Admiration," -formed the Basis of the _Dæmonologie_, may be therefore readily -admitted. It is also to be deplored, that, weak and absurd as this -Production now appears to us, its Effect on the Age of its Birth, and -a Century afterwards, were extensive and melancholy in the extreme. -It contributed, indeed, more than any other Work on the Subject, to -rivet the Fetters of Credulity; and scarcely had a twelve month elapsed -from its Publication, before its Result was visible in the Destruction -in Scotland, of not less than 600 human Beings at once, for this -imaginary Crime![13] - -The Succession of James to the Throne of Elizabeth served but to -propagate the Contagion; for no sooner had he reached this Country, -than his Dæmonologie reappeared from an English Press, being printed -in London, in 1603, in Quarto, and with a Preface to the Reader, which -commences by informing him of the "fearfull abounding at this Time in -this Country, of these detestable Slaves of the Devel, the Witches, or -Enchanters;"[14] a Declaration which, during the Course of the same -Year, was accompanied by a new Statute against Witches, one Clause of -which enacts, that, "Any one that shall use, practice, or exercise any -Invocation or Conjuration of any evill or wicked Spirit, or consult, -covenant with, entertaine or employ, feede or reward, any evill or -wicked Spirit, to or for any Intent or Purpose; or take up any dead -Man, Woman or Child, out of his, her, or their Grave, or any other -Place where the dead Body resteth, or the Skin, Bone, or other Part of -any dead Person, to be employed or used in any Manner of Witchcraft, -Sorcery, Charme, or Enchantment; or shall use, practice, or exercise -any Witchcraft, Enchantment, Charme, or Sorcery, whereby any Person -shall be killed, destroyed, wasted, consumed, pined, or lamed, in his -or her Body, or any Part thereof, such Offenders, duly and lawfully -convicted and attainted, shall suffer Death." - -This Act was not repealed until the Year 1736. (ix Geo. II.) - -We cannot wonder if Measures such as those, which stamped the already -existing Superstitions with the renewed Authority of the Law, and -with the Influence of regal Argument and Authority, should render a -Belief in the Existence of Witchcraft almost universal; Fashion and -Interest on the one Hand, and Ignorance and Fear on the other, mutually -contributing, by concealing and banishing Doubt, to disseminate Error, -and preclude Detection. - -Who those were who, at this Period, had the Misfortune to be branded -with the Appellation of Witches; what Deeds were imputed to them, and -what was the Nature of their supposed Compact with the Devil, are -Questions which will be most satisfactorily answered in the Words of -Reginald Scot, whose Book is not only extremely scarce, but highly -curious and entertaining; and two or three Chapters from this copious -Treasury of Superstition, with a very few Comments from other Sources, -will exhaust this Part of the Subject. - -"The Sort of such as are said to be Witches," writes Scot, "are Women -which be commonly old, lame, bleare-eied, pale, fowle, and full of -Wrinkles; poore, sullen, Superstitious, and Papists; or such as know no -Religion; in whose drousie Minds the Divell hath gotten a fine Seat; -so as, what Mischeefe, Mischance, Calamitie, or Slaughter is brought -to passe, they are easilie persuaded the same is doone by themselves; -imprinting in their Minds an earnest and constant Imagination thereof. -They are leane and deformed, shewing Melancholie in their Faces, to the -Horror of all that see them. They are doting, Scolds, mad, develish, -and not much differing from them that are thought to be possessed with -Spirits; so firme and stedfast in their Opinions, as whosoever shall -onelie have respect to the Constancie of their Words uttered, would -easilie beleeve they were true indeed. - -"These miserable Wretches are so odious unto all their Neighbors, and -so feared, as few dare offend them, or denie them anie Thing they -aske: whereby they take upon them; yea, and some Times thinke, that -they can doo such Things as are beyond the Abilitie of humane Nature. -These go from House to House, and from Doore to Doore for a Pot full -of Milke, Yest, Drinke, Pottage, or some such Reelefe; without the -which they could hardlie live: neither obtaining for their Service and -Paines, nor by their Art, nor yet at the Divels Hands (with whome they -are said to make a perfect and visible Bargaine) either Beautie, Monie, -Promotion, Welth, Worship, Pleasure, Honor, Knowledge, Learning, or any -other Benefit whatsoever. - -"It falleth out many Times, that neither their Necessities, nor their -Expectation is answered or served, in those Places where they beg or -borrowe; but ratheir Kindness is by their Neighbors reproved. And -further, in Tract of Time the Witch weareth odious and tedious to her -Neighbors; and they againe are despised and despited of hir; so as -sometimes she curseth one, and sometimes another; and that from the -Maister of the House, his Wife, Children, Cattell, &c. to the little -Pig that lieth in the Stie. Thus in Processe of Time they have all -displeased hir, and she hath wished evil Luck unto them all; perhaps -with Curses and Imprecations made in Forme. Doubtless (at Length) -some of hir Neighbors die, or falle sicke; or some of their Children -are visited with Diseases that ver them strangelie: as Apoplexies, -Epilepsies, Convulsions, hot Fevers, Wormes, &c. Which by ignorant -Parents are supposed to be the Vengeance of Witches. Yea and their -Opinions and Conceits are confirmed and maintained by unskilfull -Physicians: according to the common Saieng; _Inscitiæ Pallium -Maleficium et Incantatio_, Witchcraft and Inchantment is the Cloke of -Ignorance: whereas indeed evill Humors, and not strange Words, Witches, -or Spirits are the Causes of such Diseases. Also some of their Cattell -perish, either by Disease or Mischance. Then they, upon whom such -Adversities fall, weighing the Fame that goeth upon this Woman (hir -Words, Displeasure, and Curses meeting so justly with their Misfortune) -doo not onlie conceive, but are resolved, that all their Mishaps are -brought to passe by hir onelie Means. - -"The Witch on the other Side expecting hir Neighbors Mischances, and -seeing Things sometimes come to passe according to hir Wishes, Curses, -and Incantations (for Bodin himself confesseth, that not above two in a -hundred of their Witchings or Wishings take effect) being called before -a Justice, by due Examination of the Circumstances is driven to see -hir Imprecations and Desires, and hir Neighbors Harmes and Losses to -concurre, and as it were to take effect: and so confesseth that she (as -a Goddes) hath brought such Things to passe. Wherein, not onelie she, -but the Accuser, and also the Justice are fowlie deceived and abused; -as being thorough hir Confession and other Circumstances persuaded (to -the Injury of Gods Glorie) that she hath doone, or can doo that which -is proper onelie to God himselfe. - -"Another Sort of Witches there are, which be absolutelie Cooseners: -These take upon them, either for Glorie, Fame, or Gaine, to doo any -Thing, which God or the Divell can doo: either for fortelling Things -to come, bewraieng of Secrets, curing of Maladies, or working of -Miracles."[15] - -To this Chapter from Scot, which we have given entire, may be added -the admirable Description of the Abode of a Witch from the Pen of -Spenser, who as Warton hath observed, copied from living Objects, and -had probably been struck with seeing such a Cottage, in which a Witch -was supposed to live: - - "There is a gloomy hollow Glen she found - A little Cottage built of Sticks and Reeds - In homely wise, and walled with Sods around; - In which a Witch did dwell, in loathly Weedes. - And wilful Want, all carelesse of her Needes - So choosing solitarie to abide - Far from all Neighbours, that her divilish Deeds - And hellish Arts from People she might hide, - And hurt far off unknowne whomever she enviede."[16] - -This very striking Picture forever fixed the Character of the -Habitation allotted to a Witch; thus in a singularly curious Tract, -entitled, "Round about our Coal-Fire," published about the Close of -the seventeenth Century, and which details, in a pleasing Manner, the -Tradition of the olden Time, as a Source of Christmas Amusement, it -is said that "a Witch must be a hagged old Woman, living in a little -rotten Cottage, under a Hill, by a Wood-side, and must be frequently -spinning at the Door: she must have a black Cat, two or three -Broom-sticks, an Imp or two, and two or three diabolical Teats to -suckle her Imps." - -Of the wonderful Feats which the various Kinds of Witches were supposed -capable of performing, Scott has favored us with the following succinct -Enumeration. There are three Sorts of Witches he tells us, "one Sort -can hurt and not helpe, the second can helpe and not hurt, the third -can both helpe and hurt. Among the hurtfull Witches there is one Sort -more beastlie than any Kind of Beasts, saving Wolves: for these usually -devour and eate young Children and Infants of their owne Kind. These be -they that raise Haile, Tempests, and hurtfull Weather; as Lightning, -Thunder, &c. These be they that procure Barrennesse in Man, Woman and -Beast. These can throwe Children in Waters, as they walk with their -Mothers, and not be seene. These can make Horses kicke, till they cast -their Riders. These can pass from Place to Place in the Aire invisible. -These can so alter the Mind of Judges, that they can have no Power to -hurt them. These can procure to themselves and to others, Taciturnitie -and Insensibilitie in their Torments. These can bring trembling to the -Hands, and strike Terror into the Minds of them that apprehend them. -These can manifest unto others, Things hidden and lost, and foreshow -Things to come; and see them as though they were present. These can -alter Men's Minds to inordinate Love or Hate. These can kill whom they -list with Lightning and Thunder. These can take away Man's Courage. -These can make a Woman miscarrie in Childbirth, and destroie the Child -in the Mother's Wombe, without any sensible Means either inwardlie or -outwardlie applied. These can with their Looks kill either Man or Beast. - -"Others doo write, that they can pull downe the Moone and the -Starres. Some write that with wishing they can send Needles into the -Livers of their Enemies. Some that they can transferre Corne in the -Blade from one Place to another. Some, that they can cure Diseases -supernaturallie, flie in the Aire, and danse with Divels. Some write, -that they can play the Part of _Succubus_, and contract themselves to -_Incubus_. Some saie they can transubstantiate themselves and others, -and take the Forms and Shapes of Asses, Woolves, Ferrets, Cowes, Asses, -Horses, Hogs, &c. Some say they can keepe Divels and Spirits in the -Likenesse of Todes and Cats. - -They can raise Spirits (as others affirme), drie up Springs, turn the -Course of running Waters, inhibit the same, and staie both Day and -Night, changing the one into the other. They can go in and out at -Awger Holes, and saile in an Egge Shell, a Cockle or Muscle Shell, -through and under the tempestuous Seas. They can bring Soules out of -the Graves. They can teare Snakes in Pieces. They can also bring to -pass, that Churne as long as you list, your Butter will not come; -_especially, if either the Maids have eaten up the Cream; or the -Good-wife have sold the Butter before in the Market_."[17] - -The only material Accession which the royal James has made to this -curious Catalogue of the Deeds of Witchcraft, consists in informing us, -that these aged and decrepid Slaves of Satan, "make Picture of Waxe -and Clay, that by the roasting thereof, the Persons that they bear -the Name of, may be continually melted or dried away by continuall -Sicknesse;"[18] and his Mode of explaining how the Devil performs this -Marvel, is a notable Instance both of his Ingenuity and his Eloquence. -This Deed, he says, "is verie possible to their Master to performe; -for although that Instrument of Waxe have no Vertue in that Turne -doing, yet may he not very well, even by the same Measure, that his -conjured Slaves melt that Waxe at the Fire, may be not, I say, at these -same Times, subtily, as a Spirit, so weaken and scatter the Spirits of -Life of the Patient, as may make him on the one Part, for Faintnesse, -to sweat out the Humour of his Bodie, and on the other Part, for -the not Concurrence of these Spirits, which causes his Digestion, -so debilitate his stomache that this Humour radicall continually, -sweating out on the one Part, and no newe good sucke being put in the -Place thereof, for Lacke of Digestion on the other, he at last shall -vanish away, even as his Picture will doe at the Fire? And that knavish -and cunning Workman, by troubling him onely at sometimes, makes a -Proportion, so neere betwixt the working of the one and the other, that -both shall end as it were at one Time."[19] - -It remains to notice the Nature of the Compact or Bargain, which -Witches were believed to enter into with their Seducer, and the Species -of Homage which they were compelled to pay him; and here again we must -have Recourse to Scot, not only as the most compressed, but as the most -authentic Detailer of this strange Credulity of his Times. "The Order -of their Bargaine or profession," says he, "is double; the one solemne -and publike; the other secret and private. That which is called solemne -or publike, is where Witches come together at certaine Assemblies, at -the Times prefixed, and doo not onelie see the Divell in visible Forme; -but confer and talke familiarlie with him. In which Conference the -Divell exhorteth them to observe their Fidelitie unto him, promising -them long Life and Prosperitie. Then the Witches assembled, commanded -a new Disciple (whom they call a Novice) unto him: and if the Divell -find that young Witch apt and forward in the Renunciation of christian -Faith, in despising anie of the seven Sacraments, in treading upon -Crosses, in spetting at the Time of the Elevation, in breaking their -Fast on fasting Daies, and fasting on Sundaies: then the Devill -giveth foorth his Hand, and the Novice joining Hand in Hand with him, -promiseth to observe and keepe all the Divels Commandments. - -"This doone, the Divell beginneth to be more bold with hir, telling -her plainlie, that all this will not serve his Turne: and therefore -requireth Homage at hir Hands: yea he also telleth hir, that she must -grant him both hir Bodie and Soule to be tormented in everlasting Fire; -which she yeeldeth unto. Then he chargeth hir to procure as manie Men, -Women and Children also, as she can, to enter into this Societie. -Then he teacheth them to make Ointments of the Bowels and Members of -Children, whereby they ride in the Aire, and accomplish all their -Desires. So as if there be anie Children unbaptized, or not garded by -the Signe of the Crosse, or Orisons; then the Witches may and do catche -them from their Mother's Sides in the Night, or out of their Cradles, -or otherwise kill them with their Ceremonies; and after Buriall steale -them out of their Graves, and seeth them in a Caldron, until their -Flesh be made potable. Of the thickest whereof they make Ointments, -whereby they ride in the Aire; but the thinner Potion they put into -Flaggons, whereof whosoever drinketh, observing certain Ceremonies, -immediatelie becometh a Maister or rather a Mistresse in that Practice -and Facultie. - -"Their Homage with their Oth and Bargaine is received for a certeine -Terme of Yeares; sometimes forever. Sometimes it consisteth in the -Deniall of the whole Faith, sometimes in Part. And this is doone either -by Oth, Protestation of Words, or by Obligation in writing, sometimes -sealed with Wax, sometimes signed with Blood, sometimes by kissing the -Divel's bare Buttocks. - -"You must also understand, that after they have delicatelie banketted -with the Divell and the Ladie of the Fairies; and have eaten up a fat -Oxe, and emptied a Butt of Malmesie, and a Binne of Bread at some noble -Man's House, in the Dead of the Night, nothing is missed of all this -in the Morning. For the Ladie _Sibylla_, _Minerva_, or _Diana_, with -a golden Rod striketh the Vessel and the Binne, and they are fully -replenished againe." After mentioning that the Bullock is restored in -the same magical Manner, he states it as an "infallible Rule, that -everie Fortnight, or at least everie Month, each Witch must kill one -Child at the least for hir Part." He also relates from Bodin, that -"at these magicall Assemblies, the Witches never faile to dance, and -whiles they sing and danse, everie one hath a broome in hir Hand, and -holdeth it up aloft."[20] - -To these Circumstances attending the Meetings of this unhallowed -Sisterhood, King James adds, that Satan, in Order that "hee may the -more vively counterfeit and scorne God, oft Times makes his Slaves to -conveene in those very Places, which are destinate and ordained for -the conveening of the Servants of God (I meane by Churches):--further, -Witches oft times confesse, not only his conveening in the Church -with them, but his occupying of the Pulpit."[21] For this Piece of -Information James seems to have been indebted to the Confessions of -Agnis Tompson; but he also relates, that the Devil, as soon as he -has induced his Votaries to renounce their God and Baptism, "gives -them his Marke upon some secret Place of their Bodie, which remaines -soare unhealed, whilest his next Meeting with them, and thereafter -ever insensible, however it be nipped or pricked by any;" a Seal of -Destinction which, he tells us at the Close of his Treatise, is of -great Use in detecting them on their Trial, as "the finding of their -Marke, and the trying the Insensiblenes thereof," was considered as -a positive Proof of their Craft. His Majesty, however, proceeds to -mention another Mode of ascertaining their Guilt, terminating the -Paragraph in a Manner not very flattering to his female Subjects, -or very expressive of his own Gallantry. "The other is," he tells -us, "their fleeting on the Water: for as in a secret Murther, if the -dead Carkase bee at any Time thereafter handled by the Murtherer, it -will gush out of Blood, as if the Blood were crying to the Heaven -for Revenge of the Murtherer, God having appointed that secret -supernaturall Signe, for Triall of that secret unnaturall Crime, so -it appears that God hath appointed (for a supernaturall Signe of -the monstrous Impietie of Witches) that the Water shall refuse to -receive them in her Bosome, that have shaken off them the sacred -Water of Baptisme, and wilfully refused the Benefite thereof: No, not -so much as their Eyes are able to shed Teares (threaten and torture -them as you please) while first they repent (God not permitting them -to dissemble their Obstinacie in so horrible a Crime) albeit the -Women-kind especially, be able otherwayes to shed Teares at every light -Occasion when they will, yea, although it were dissembling like the -Crocodiles."[22] - -Such are the chief Features of this gross Superstition, as detailed by -the Writers of the Period in which it most prevailed in this Country. -_Scot_ has taken infinite Pains in collecting, from every Writer on -the Subject, the _minutiæ_ of Witchcraft, and his Book is expanded -to a thick Quarto, in Consequence of his commenting at large on the -Particulars which he had given in his initiatory Chapters, for the -Purpose of their complete Refutation and Exposure; a Work of great -Labor, and which shows, at every Step, how deeply this Credulity had -been impressed on the Subjects of Elizabeth. _James_, on the other -Hand, though a Man of considerable Erudition, and, in some respects, of -shrewd, good Sense, wrote in Defence of this Folly, and, unfortunately -for Truth and Humanity, the Doctrine of the Monarch was preferred to -that of the Sage. - -Fortunately the Time has arrived when the Belief of a King, or that of -any other titled Personage, has very little Effect in fastening upon -the World at large any peculiar Opinions he may have formed upon any -Subject not within the Province of Reason. - -Spiritualists and the Disciples of Mesmer have made the Discovery that -Witchcraft is fully explained by one or the other of the Mysteries -taught by them. How much Truth there may be in the Assertion I cannot -undertake to determine. But from a very limited Acquaintance with -Mysteries in general, my Opinion is that the Application of Mesmerism -for the Explanation of Witchcraft, would partake very much of the -Nature of applying one Absurdity to the Explanation of another. - -For the "thousand and one" Examples of Witchcraft practiced by accused -Persons in New England, an almost exact Parallel may be found in Cases -which had previously occurred in Old England. And, in Proportion to the -Number of Inhabitants in the respective Countries, there were as many -in New as in Old England who raised their Voices against Prosecutions -for the supposed Crime. Hence it is very obvious that mental Darkness -was as dense in Old as in New England, at the Time of the Delusions of -which we are speaking. - -Superstition was then bounded only by the Limits of what was termed -Civilization. The Light of Science for the last two hundred Years -has considerably relieved Mankind from that deadly Incubus, and it -is gratifying to believe that the March of Mind is onward and that a -future of pure Light is before the World of Humanity. Like dark Spots -on a Planet, some Superstitions seem almost as unaccountable, and their -Removal appears about as difficult, so long have we been accustomed to -tolerate them. - -As late as 1668 it was asserted by an eminent English Writer, a Member -of the Royal Society,[23] that "_Atheism_ is begun in _Saducism_. And -those that dare not bluntly say, _There_ is NO GOD, content themselves, -(for a fair _Step_, and _Introduction_) to deny there are SPIRITS, or -WITCHES. Which Sort of _Infidels_, though they are not ordinary among -the _meer vulgar_, yet are they numerous in a little higher Rank of -_Understandings_. And those that know anything of the World, know, that -most of the looser _Gentry_, and the small Pretenders to _Philosophy_ -and _Wit_, are generally Deriders of the _Belief_ of _Witches_, and -_Apparitions_." - -Hence there were but two Horns to the Dilemma in which every one found -himself--he must believe in Witchcraft and all the other degrading -Attendants on that Belief, or he must be viewed and scorned as an -Atheist, and as an Unbeliever in everything that was good! - -It was difficult for People to distinguish between Miracles and -Witchcraft, especially when the most learned Men,[24] in Order to make -the Miracle of the Ascent of the Saviour appear reasonable, argued -that "He went as far towards Heaven as he could on Foot, even to the -Top of Mount Olivet." And when Elijah was to fast forty Days, "that -there might be no Waste of miraculous Power, God would have him eat -a double Meal before entering upon the Term of fasting!" With such -wretched Absurdities were the Minds of People of that Time enslaved. -The Superstitions of the Greeks and Romans were not greater. And -although there is a steady Progress in intellectual Improvement, and a -Time is believed to be approaching when the World will be as free from -the Cheats and Impostures of the present Day, as some of the present -Day are of those of previous Ages; yet it is in a Measure discouraging, -when we see the Thousands ensnared by such transparent Jugglery as -that which has peopled the Salt Lake Regions, and drawn other Thousands -in our Midst to witness Feats that never did nor never will happen, -except in the deluded Brains of those who desire to be thus deluded. - -[Decoration] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] A Jesuit of Loraine. His Book was a "Magical Disquisition." - -[2] In three Volumes, royal Octavo, Glasgow, 1856-9. - -[3] This Part of this Introduction was written not long before the -Southern Rebellion began. - -[4] _The Mysterie of Witchcraft_, P. 363. - -[5] Ibid, 211. - -[6] _Anatomy of Melancholy_, 221, Edition in Folio, 1651. - -[7] Strype's _Annals_, I, P. 8. - -[8] _Epistle to Sir Roger Manwood_, P. 1. - -[9] _Epistle to Sir Roger Manwood_, Chap. i, Pp. 1 and 2. - -[10] Scot, _Discoverie_, Chap. ii, P. 4. - -[11] _Discourse of Devils and Spirits_, P. 543; annexed to the -_Discoverie of Witchcraft_. - -[12] See _Gent. Magz._, XLIX, P. 449; Vol. VII, P. 556. - -[13] Nashe's _Lenten Stuff_, 1599, as quoted by Reed, in his -_Shakespeare_, Vol. X, Pp. 5, 11. - -[14] King James's _Works_, as published by James, Bishop of Winton, -Folio, 1616, P. 91. - -[15] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Vol. I, Chap. 3, Pp. 7-9. - -[16] Todd's _Spenser_, iv, 480-1. _Faerie Queene_, B. iii, Cant. 7, -Stan. 6. - -[17] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Book i, Chap. 4, Pp. 9-11. - -[18] James's _Works_, by Winton, P. 116. - -[19] James's _Works_, by Winton, P. 117. - -[20] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Book iii, Chap. 1, 2, Pp. 40-2. - -[21] _Works, apud_ Winton, Pp. 112, 113. - -[22] King James's _Works, apud_ Winton, Pp. 111, 135-6. - -[23] Joseph Glanvill, in his _Blow at Modern Saducism_. - -[24] Spencer's _Discourse concerning Prodigies_, London, 1665. - - - - -MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. - - -COTTON MATHER was born in Boston, February 12th, 1662-3. In his Youth -he was remarkable for his Progress in Knowledge, and soon became -extensively known for his varied Acquirements. At the Age of Twelve he -entered Harvard College, and graduated in due Course. He was thrice -married: 1st, when in his twenty-fourth Year, to Abigail, Daughter of -Col. John Phillips, of Charlestown; 2d, to Widow Elizabeth Hubbard, -Daughter of Dr. John Clark; and 3d, to Lydia, Widow of Mr. John George, -Daughter of the Rev. Samuel Lee, sometime of Bristol in Rhode Island. -By the last Wife he had no Children, but by the others he had fifteen, -nine of which were by the first. - -The Father of Mr. Mather was Dr. Increase Mather, Pastor of the North -Church, of Boston, of whom the Biographer of the former remarks, that, -"as President of Harvard College, by whose printed composures both -Latin and English, and by whose Agency in the Courts of three Monarchs -for his afflicted Country, have rendered him universally known." - -His Mother was Maria, Daughter of Mr. John Cotton of Boston, a Name as -intimately associated with the History of New England as any other. And -judging from the Portraits of the Grandsire and Grandson, there was a -very strong Resemblance of the one to the other. - -Mr. Mather began to preach in 1680, and his first Sermon was delivered -in Dorchester, on the 22d of August of that Year. In the following -February he was invited to become an Assistant to his Father in the -North Church in Boston, which Invitation he accepted. About two Years -later he was unanimously chosen Pastor by the same Church, but was -not ordained until May, 1684; his Ordination probably being deferred -on Account of his Youth; being at the Time of his Ordination but -twenty-one Years and three Months old. On that Occasion he received the -Right Hand of Fellowship from the venerable Mr. John Eliot, of Roxbury. - -At an early Age he began to keep a Diary, and from the Passages we -have from it we are convinced that its Entries were dictated by an -honest Mind, and that Duplicity and evil Intentions could never find -an abiding Place therein; that his sole Aim was Goodness, and a strong -Desire to lead a life of Purity, is manifest throughout. - -Mr. Mather commenced Author at the Age of 23, and continued his -Publications to the Year of his Decease; extending over a Period of -about forty-two Years. In that Time he is said by his Biographer to -have issued 383 Books; thus averaging about nine each Year. But many of -his _Books_ would in these Days be called Pamphlets, as they consisted -of only a few Pages--a very few indeed containing Pages sufficient to -give them the Character of a Book. A List of these 383 Works is given -in his Life by his Son, but it is known to be incomplete. The List is -very deficient in Respect to the Titles of the Works, also, insomuch -that their Contents cannot be determined from them. - -There are several Biographies of Dr. Cotton Mather, all drawn mainly -from that by his Son, Dr. Samuel Mather. An Abridgment of this was -published in England in 1744, in a small 12mo, by David Jennings. Mr. -Jennings was instigated to undertake the Abridgment by Dr. Isaac Watts; -the latter having consulted with Mr. Mather previously, and obtained -his Consent to let his Work appear in an Abridgment. In giving his -Consent for the abridged Edition, he thus apologizes for the original -Undertaking: "The Life of my Father, as you have it in your Hands, was -a youthful Attempt;[26] though I now plainly discern my Defects in it, -and am sorry to see such a Number of them, yet I can look on it with -some Comfort; partly from a Consciousness of my honest Meaning in it, -and partly because I find several worthy Persons approve of many Things -in it, and have done me the Honour of expressing themselves favourable -about it." - -The Mode of writing Biography has very much changed since the Life of -Dr. Mather was first written. Those written previous to, and at that -Period, at least many of them, might be reduced in Bulk from five to -seven-eighths, without omitting anything of Value. This Remark is -applicable to other Performances of that Time, and to some in these as -well. - -It may be justly said of Cotton Mather, that he was one of the most -remarkable Men of the Age in which he lived; not only remarkable on -one, but on many Accounts; and for none, perhaps, more than for his -wonderful Precociousness, or the early Intuitiveness of his Mind. His -Memory was likewise very extraordinary. The Acquirement of Knowledge -seems to have been with him accomplished almost without Effort; and his -Writings show that they were generally drawn from the Storehouse of his -Mind, where, from Reading and Observation, they had been from Time to -Time deposited. Authors who write from this Source alone are generally -diffuse, and wanting in those very essential and minute Particulars, -which in these Days constitute so important a Part of every Man's -Writings. His Style is very peculiar; and no One who is acquainted with -the Writings of "famous Thomas Fuller," can hardly doubt that Cotton -Mather attempted to make that Writer's Composition a Model for his own. -Still he falls considerably short of Fuller in his Attempts at witty -Conceits; in them the latter is always happy, while the former often -fails. - -His Ability for acquiring Languages has probably been surpassed by but -very few, and he is said to have been Master of more Languages than any -other Person in New England in his Time. Those, especially the Latin, -it must be confessed, he made a most unreasonable Use of, bringing in -Passages from them at all Times, as though every Body understood them, -as well as himself. - -So far as we now remember, Dr. Douglass seems to have been the Author -of the Fashion or Practice, so much of late Years in Vogue, of reviling -Cotton Mather. It has been carried to such an Extent in some Quarters, -that any One who presumes to mention his Name, does it at the Peril -of coming in for a Share of Obloquy and Abuse himself. Some not only -charge him with committing all Sorts of Errors and Blunders, but they -bring against him the more serious Charge of misrepresenting Matters -of Fact. Now it would be well for those who bring those Charges to -scrutinize their own Works. It may be, if they cannot see anything -pedantic, puerile or false in them themselves, others may come in -Contact with Errors even worse than those of Stupidity. - -It is not to be denied that the Mind of Dr. Mather was singularly -constituted; and whoever shall undertake an Analysis of it will find a -more difficult Task, we apprehend, than those have found who content -themselves with nothing further than vituperative Denunciations upon -its Productions. We owe a vast Deal to Cotton Mather; especially for -his historical and biographical Works. Were these alone to be struck -out of Existence it would make a Void in these Departments of our -Literature, that would probably confound any who affect to look upon -them with Contempt. Even Dr. Douglass, although he has somewhere -asserted, that, to point out all the Errors in the _Magnalia_, would be -to copy the whole Book, is nevertheless, much indebted to him for Facts -in many Parts of the very Work in which he has made that Statement; -hence it would be very bad Logic that would not charge Dr. Douglass -with copying Errors into his Work, knowing them to be Errors. It would -be very easy for us to point to some Writers of our own Time equally -obnoxious to the same plain Kind of Argument. And a late Writer of -very good Standing has, with great apparent Deliberation said, that, -"it is impossible to deny, that the Reputation of Cotton Mather has -declined of late Years." This, of course, was his Belief; but it -strikes us as very singular, that that same Author, should, at the -same Time, make the largest Book on the Life of a Man, in such a _State -of Decline_, that had hitherto appeared! But we are under no Concern -for the Reputation of Cotton Mather, even in the Hands of his Enemies, -and we have no Intention of setting up a special Defence of him or his -Writings. We are willing the latter should pass for exactly what they -are worth. All we design to do is to caution those a little who need -Caution, and save them, if we may, from having the Windows in their own -Houses broken, by the very Missiles they themselves have thrown. - -But so far from the _Reputation_ of Dr. Mather being in a _Decline_, -his Writings have never been so much sought after as at the present -Time! So much so that even Reprints of such of them as have been -made are at once taken up, and at high Prices. Twenty Years ago, the -_Magnalia_ did not command above eight or ten Dollars, while Copies -are at present rarely to be had for five Times their former Price. -Reference is had to the original Edition, of course. This can hardly -be taken as an Indication of a declining Reputation. The Style in all -his Works, though peculiar to himself, is nevertheless attractive, -and never tedious, although often upon tedious Subjects. In Point of -Scholarship, he was not excelled by any in the Country, and would not -suffer by a Comparison with the best of his Time in England. - -The Charge of excessive Credulity has been brought against Dr. Mather, -as though that Trait of Character were peculiar to him alone. There -does not appear to be any Justice in singling him out as responsible -for all the Credulity in the Country. That he was credulous no One -will deny, nor will it be denied that he was surrounded by a credulous -Community, the great Majority of which were equally credulous, and -he was made to speak for them. Hence he has become conspicuous while -others are nearly or quite forgotten. All Men are credulous in some -Way and upon certain Things. Belief and Credulity are much the same. -The Degree of Evidence required to convert the latter into the former -has never been settled; nor can it be until all Minds are of the same -Capacity. It requires a large Amount daily of Credulity to enable us -to live in the tolerably good Opinion of our Companions in and out of -Doors everywhere. Dismiss all of that liberal Sentiment from our Minds -and we should be dismissed by the most of our Friends. - -In the Reprints of some of the Works of Dr. Mather great Injustice has -been done him, while, at the same Time, a Cheat has been put upon the -Public. One Instance may be here given. In the Year 1815 there appeared -a tolerably neat Edition of the _Christian Philosopher_,[27] in a -Duodecimo of 324 Pages, printed at Charlestown, for which a Copyright -appears to have been taken out. On a cursory Examination we can -discover no Ground for copyrighting this Edition, except for making it -unlike the Original in one Respect only, namely, Omission of Important -Matter. As an Example of the Omissions the following may be taken: "We -read of Heaven _giving Snow like Wool_. I have known it _give a Snow -of Wool_. In a Town of _New England_, called _Fairfield_, in a bitter -snowy Night, there fell a Quantity of Snow, which covered a large -frozen Pond, but of such a _woolen_ Consistence, that it can be called -nothing but _Wool_. I have a Quantity of it, that has been these many -Years lying by me." - -Now, in the Edition of 1815, this important Passage is entirely -omitted! If Dr. Mather was imposed upon by some ignorant and -mischievous Wight, that has nothing to do in excusing a Deception on -the Part of a Publisher, who contracts to reprint a Work without any -Reservation. If an Editor or Publisher thinks to save the Credit of his -Author by falsifying his Text, he can only be sure of one Thing, and -that is, to bring discredit upon himself. - -I must here dismiss the _Christian Philosopher_; but in another Work -by our Author, of an earlier Date,[28] there is a singular Story of -Snow which may be noticed here: "It was credibly affirmed, that in the -Winter of the Year 1688, there fell a _Red Snow_, which lay like Blood -on a Spot of Ground, not many Miles from Boston; but the Dissolution of -it by a Thaw, which within a few Hours melted it, made it not capable -of lying under the Contemplation of so many _Witnesses_ as it might be -worthy of." - -As the _Red Snow_ did not come under the Doctor's immediate -Observation, he has spoken of it with commendable Caution; insomuch -that his Character for Credulity is not enhanced by the Relation of -the Story. Moreover it is a well known Fact that _Red Snow_ is often -mentioned by reputable northern Travelers. But we have never heard that -it _snowed Wool_ at any other Time and Place, except as mentioned above. - -In 1692, Dr. Mather published his _Wonders of the Invisible World_. -This was the authorized Account of the Witchcraft Cases of that Time. -In this he laid himself open to the Charge of Credulity, which, it -cannot be denied, has been pretty well sustained ever since. - -Many have reproached Dr. Mather, as though he was the Author of that -dismal and awful Delusion. This is singularly unjust. He was himself -one of the deluded; and this is the only Charge that can lie against -him relative to it. All the World then believed in Witchcraft, -and People entered into it according to their Temperament and -Circumstances. The Delusion was not a Native of New England, but an -Exotic from the Father Land; and it had been well if this had been the -only one imported thence. Even when Prosecutions had ceased, there was -not a Cessation of a Belief in the Reality of Witchcraft; its Progress -was stayed from a very different Cause, as is now too well known to be -entered into or explained. Even to the present Day there are Thousands -who believe in its Reality; and that Belief can only be extirpated by -the Progress of genuine Knowledge. Within our Remembrance we could -ride from Boston in a single Day, with a very moderate Horse, into -a New England Town where the Belief in Witchcraft was very general, -and where many an old Horse-shoe could have been seen nailed to half -the Bedsteads in the Town to keep away those imaginary Miscreants who -came riding through the Air upon Broomsticks, or across the Lots upon -the Back of some poor old Woman, who perhaps from some Malady had not -left her House for Years. How much short of a Day's Ride by Steam or -otherwise it would now be necessary to take to reach a Place where -the Belief exists, we shall not undertake, but leave for others to -determine. - -COTTON MATHER was undoubtedly the most prominent Author who wrote on -Witchcraft, and in the full Belief of it, in his Time, in this Country; -this Circumstance accounts for his being singled out by "one _Robert -Calef_," who attacked him with some Success, even then, in his Book -which he called _More Wonders of the Invisible World_, &c., which he -published in London, in a quarto Volume, in the Year 1700. In his Book, -Calef styles himself "Merchant, of _Boston_ in _New England_." Now in -the Absence of Proof to the contrary, it may not be unfair to presume, -that Calef issued his Work quite as soon as he dared to, and quite as -soon as public Opinion would tolerate a Work which had for its Aim a -deadly Blow against a Belief in the imaginary Crime of Witchcraft. For -we know that as soon as Calef's Book did appear, some of Dr. Mather's -Friends came out with another Work against that Author, from the Title -of which alone its Contents can pretty well be judged of. It is _Some -few Remarks upon a Scandalous Book written by one Robert Calef_. -But this Book and its Authors are alike almost unknown, while Calef -occupies a conspicuous Place among the Benefactors of Mankind. - -The foreign Correspondence of Dr. Mather was very extensive; "so -that," says his Son, "I have known him at one Time to have above -_fifty_ beyond Sea." Among his Correspondents were many of the most -learned and famous Men in Europe; as SIR RICHARD BLACKMORE, MR. -WHISTON, DR. DESAGULIERS, MR. PILLIONERE, DR. FRANCKIUS, WM. WALLER, -DR. CHAMBERLAIN, DR. WOODWARD, DR. JURIN, DR. WATTS, &c., &c. In a -Letter which he wrote in 1743 Dr. Watts says, "he had enjoyed a happy -Correspondence with Dr. Cotton Mather, for nearly twenty Years before -his Death, as well as with the Rev. Mr. Samuel Mather, his Son, ever -since." - -In 1710 came out a Book from the Pen of our Author, which he entitled -"_Bonifacius:_ An Essay upon the GOOD to be devised by those who would -answer the great End of Life." In this Work are many good Maxims and -Reflections, but its Popularity has probably been very much enhanced by -what Dr. Franklin has said of it. Dr. Mather was well acquainted with -Franklin when the latter was a young Man; and when Franklin was an old -Man, in the Year 1784, in writing to Samuel Mather, Son of our Subject, -he thus alludes to it in his happy Style: "When I was a Boy, I met with -a Book entitled, _Essays to do Good_, which I think was written by your -Father. It had been so little regarded by a former Possessor, that -several Leaves of it were torn out; but the Remainder gave me such a -Turn of thinking, as to have an Influence on my Conduct through Life; -for I have always set a greater Value on the Character of a _Doer of -Good_ than on any other Kind of Reputation." In the same Letter is to -be found that often told anecdote of an Interview he once had with Dr. -Mather. This too, that it may lose nothing at our Hands, we will give -in the Author's own Words: "You mention being in your seventy-eighth -Year; I am in my seventy-ninth; we are grown old together. It is now -more than sixty Years since I left Boston, but I remember well both -your Father and Grandfather; having heard them both in the Pulpit, -and seen them in their Houses. The last Time I saw your Father was -in the Beginning of 1724, when I visited him after my first Trip to -Pennsylvania. He received me in his Library, and on my taking leave -showed me a shorter Way out of the House through a narrow Passage, -which was crossed by a Beam overhead. We were still talking as I -withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, -when he said hastily, '_stoop, stoop!_' I did not understand him, till -I felt my Head hit against the Beam. He was a Man that never missed any -Occasion of giving Instruction, and upon this he said to me, '_You are -young, and have the World before you_; STOOP _as you go through it, and -you will miss many hard Thumps_,' This Advice, thus beat into my Head, -has frequently been of Use to me; and I often think of it, when I see -Pride mortified, and Misfortunes brought upon People by their carrying -their Heads too high." This Moral, so essentially good in itself, does -not need the high Recommendation of a Franklin, though but for him it -would not, probably, have been brought to the Knowledge of every Youth -who has learned, or may yet learn to read. - -The _Essay to do Good_ has passed through many Editions, but how many -it would be difficult to determine. It was several Times reprinted -in London, once as late as 1807, under the Supervision of the -distinguished Dr. George Burder. In this Country its Issue has not been -confined to the Press of one Denomination. - -It may be too much a Custom for us to dwell on the Errors and -Misfortunes of People while living; and to err, on the other Hand, -by making their Characters appear too perfect after they have passed -away; especially if they have been sufficiently conspicuous in Life -to require a written Memorial of them after their Decease. Though Dr. -Cotton Mather had Enemies while living, his Memory has been pursued -with more Malignity since his Death, than has happened to that of -most Men; and, as we conceive, without sufficient Reason, and which -could only be warranted by the most undoubted Proofs, that he has -purposely led us into Errors, and that he acted falsely on the most -important Occasions; and that, finally, he was too bad a Man to make -any Acknowledgment of all this, though conscious of it when he took his -final Departure with the Messenger of his last Summons. - -He had vituperative Enemies in his Lifetime, from some of whom he -received abusive anonymous Letters. These Letters he carefully filed, -and wrote upon them simply the Word "Libels," which was all the Notice -he took of them. It was an invariable Rule with him, that if he was -obliged to speak of the evil Ways of People to do so in Humility and -Regret, and never in a Manner that could be offensive. In his Diary -he speaks of _Pride_ as a Sin, "which all are subject unto, and more -especially Ministers," and still more especially was it "the besetting -Sin of young Ministers." Had he lived in these latter Days that -Annoyance might have been less on Account of its Universality. - -Mr. Mather's Time was that of long Sermons, and we are told that he -usually closed them with the _fourteenth_ Division of his Discourses. -Besides his Labors on Sundays, he sometimes preached eleven Sermons -in one Week besides. He also constantly had Students with him whom he -instructed in various Branches of Knowledge. - -Of the Part Dr. Mather took in State Affairs, his Biographer says he -was not at Liberty to omit an Account, although it was a difficult -Section; and that he was "more at a Loss what to do about it than any -one in the whole Book." The Author, however, concludes, as he could -not omit the Subject, to treat it "in such a general Way as to give -no One any Offence." And as it is a _Section_ of the Doctor's Life of -great Interest, it will here be given entire in the Language of his -Biographer, who wrote so near the Time that his Account carries its -Readers back to those stirring Scenes of the Revolution of 1688, and -furnishes a Picture, life-like, of the every-day Manners of our Fathers -on that memorable and novel Event. - -The Account follows: "My Country is very sensible that in the Year -1688 (when one of the most wicked Kings was on the British Throne) -Andros and his Crew were very violent, illegal and arbitrary in their -Proceedings. I need not give any Narrative of their Managements -here, because there has been an Account of them already given to the -World.[29] - -"While these roaring Lions and ranging Bears were in the midst of -their Ravages; it was in the Month of April when we had News by the -Edges concerning a Descent made upon England by the Prince of Orange -for the Rescue of the Nations from Slavery and Popery; then a strange -Disposition entred into the Body of our People to assert our Liberties -against the arbitrary Rulers that were fleecing them. But it was much -feared by the more sensible Gentlemen at Boston, that an unruly Company -of Soldiers, who had newly deserted the Service in which they had bin -employed for the Eastern War, by the gathering of their Friends to them -to protect them from the Governor, who, they tho't, intended Nothing -but Ruine to them, would make a great Stir, and produce a bloody -Revolution. And therefore the principal Gentlemen in Boston met with -Mr. Mather to consult what was best to be done; and they all agreed, -if possible, that they would extinguish all Essays in our People to an -Insurrection; but that, if the country People to the Northward, by any -violent Motions push'd on the Matter so far as to make a Revolution -unavoidable, then to prevent the shedding of Blood by an ungoverned -Multitude, some of the Gentlemen present would appear in the Head of -what Action should be done; and a Declaration was prepared accordingly. - -"On April 18, the People were so driving and furious, that unheaded -they began to seize our public Oppressors: upon which the Gentlemen -aforesaid found it necessary to appear that by their Authority among -the People the unhappy Tumults might be a little regulated. And -thro' the Goodness of God, although the whole Country were now in a -most prodigious Ferment and Thousands of exasperated People in Arms -were come into Boston, yet there was no Manner of Outrage committed; -only the _Public Robbers_ that had lorded it over Us were confined. -'Twas then Mr. Mather appeared--He was the Instrument of preventing -the Excesses into which the _Wrath of Man_ is too ready to run. He -came, and like a Nestor or Ulisses reasoned down the Passions of the -Populace. Had he lisped a Syllable for it, perhaps the People would, -by a sudden Council of War, have try'd, judg'd and hang'd those ill -Men who would have treated him otherwise. Nevertheless he set himself -both publicly and privately to hinder the Peoples proceeding any -further than to reserve the Criminals for the Justice of the English -Parliament. - -"Now the Persecution which was intended for Mr. Mather was diverted; -for on that very Day that he was to be committed to _Half a Year's -Imprisonment_,[30] those that would have wrong'd him were justly -taken into Custody: And yet so generous was he as not only to expose -his Name, but even his Life unto the Rage of the Multitude for the -saving of some that would have hurt him: Tho' he had no Thanks for his -Ingenuity. - -"The Spirit which acted him in these Matters is expressed in a Sermon -he preached to the Convention of the Colony from 2 Chron. xv, 2. It was -printed under the Title of, _The Way to Prosperity_. - -"A few Days before this, the Inhabitants of Boston assembling together -to chuse Representatives for that Convention, it was apprehended, -that the different Persuasions of the People, about the next Steps -to be taken for our Settlement, would have produced a Fury near to -Bloodshed; and therefore Mr. Mather was desired to be at their Meeting. -The Meeting began with dangerous and horrible Paroxysms, which when -he saw, he upon it made an affectionate and moving Speech to them, at -which many fell into Tears and the whole Body of the People present -immediately united in the Methods of Peace Mr. Mather proposed unto -them." - -From what is here given it is not difficult to decide whether Mr. -Mather was for or against Andros and his Government. It is a Pity the -Author did not revise his Work in his mature Years, as well for his own -Credit as a Writer as for his Father's Honor. It is the poorest of all -his Performances. - -The Convention before mentioned having ordered a Thanksgiving, for that -"It having pleased the God of Heaven to mitigate his many Frowns upon -us in the Summer past, with a Mixture of some very signal Favours, -and in the midst of Wrath so far to remember Mercy; That our Indian -Enemies have had a Check put upon their Designs of Blood and Spoil, -... and especially in the happy Accession of Their Majesties our -Sovereigns, King William and Queen Mary to the Throne. It was therefore -ordered that Thursday the 19th of December, 1689, be kept as a Day of -Thanksgiving." This Order was dated Dec. 3d, 1689. - -On this Thanksgiving Occasion Dr. Mather delivered one of his most -elaborate Sermons, occupying, with a brief Appendix, _sixty-two Pages_, -16mo. In it he refers to the Revolution under various Heads; comparing -it to an Earthquake, one having then but recently nearly destroyed -Lima. And more terrible Pictures it would be difficult to conceive -of, than he has drawn, of what would have been the Condition of New -England, had not the Revolution succeeded. - -The next great Event in the Life of our Author was the Witchcraft -Delusion. As his own Work upon that memorable Chapter in New England's -Annals is to be given in Connection with this Biography, any Apology or -Remarks upon his Participation in it from the Editor could be of but -little Value or Interest, no more will be done here than to extract -what his Biographer-Son has favored the World with. That, as will be -seen, is apologetical, and is far better told than the Part he took in -the Revolution. It is indeed about all that can be said in Extenuation -of one thus circumstanced. - -"The Summer of the Year 1692, was a very doleful Time unto the whole -Country. The Devils, after a most præternatural Manner by the dreadful -Judgements of Heaven took a bodily Possession of many People in our -Salem, and Places adjacent; where the Houses of the poor People began -to be filled with the Cries of Persons tormented by evil Spirits. -There seemed to be an execrable Witchcraft in the Foundation of this -wondrous Affliction; many Persons of divers Characters being accused, -apprehended, prosecuted upon the _Visions_ of the afflicted. - -"Mr. Mather, for his Part, was always afraid of proceeding to convict -and condemn any Person as a _Confederate_ with afflicting Dæmons upon -so feeble an Evidence as a _spectral Representation_. Accordingly he -ever testified against it both publicly and privately, and particularly -in his Letter to the Judges, he besought them that they would by no -Means admit it; and where a considerable Assembly of Ministers gave in -their Advice about the Matter, he not only concurred with the Advice -but he drew it up. - -"Nevertheless, on the other Side, he saw in most of the Judges a -charming Instance of Prudence and Patience; and as he knew their -exemplary Piety, so he observed the Agony of Soul with which they -sought the Direction of Heaven, above most other of our People who were -enchanted into a raging, railing and unreasonable Disposition. For -this Cause, tho' Mr. Mather could not allow the Principles some of the -Judges had espoused, he could not however but speak honorably of their -Persons on all Occasions; and his Compassion upon the Sight of their -Difficulties, which Compassion was raised by his Journeys to Salem the -chief Seat of these diabolical Vexations, caused him still to go to -the Place. And merely for this Reason, some mad People in the Country -(from whom one or two credulous Foreigners have dared to publish the -abusive Story) under a Fascination of their _Spirits_ equal to what our -_Energumens_ had upon their _Bodies_, reviled Mr. Mather as if he had -been the Doer of the hard Things that were done in the Prosecution of -the Witchcraft. - -"In this evil Time Mr. Mather offered at the Beginning, that if the -_possessed People_ might be scattered far asunder, he would singly -provide for six of them; and he with some others would see whether -without more bitter Methods, _Prayer_ and _Fasting_ would not put an -End unto these heavy Trials: But his offer was not accepted. - -"However for a great Part of the Summer he did almost every Week spend -a Day by himself in the Exercise of a secret Fast before the Lord. On -these Days he cried unto God, not only for his own Preservation from -the Malice and Power of the evil Angels, but also for a good Issue of -the Calamities in which he had permitted the evil Angels to ensnare the -miserable Country. He also besought the Lord that he would enable him, -prosper, direct, and accept him in publishing such Testimonies for Him -as were proper, and would be serviceable unto his Interests on that -Occasion. - -"And that a right Use might be made of the prodigious Things which -had been happening among us, he now composed and published his -Book entituled, _The Wonders of the Invisible World_, which was -reprinted several Times in London: In the Preface he speaks of, '_the -heart-breaking Exercises_', he went thro' in writing it. There was a -certain Disbeliever of Witchcraft who wrote against this Book; but as -the Man is dead, his Book died long before him.[31] - -"But having spoken eno' of the more publick Witchcraft, I think I will -hale in here an Account of a Witchcraft happening in one private Family -at Boston, two or three Years before the general one. 'Twas, I think, -in the Year 1689, in the Winter, that several Children belonging to a -pious Family at the South End of Boston were horribly bewitch'd and -possessed.[32] - -"Mr. Mather tho't it would be for the Glory of God, if he not only -pray'd with as well as for the Children; but also took an Account -of the extraordinary Symptoms which attended them, with sufficient -Attestations to confound the Sadducism and Atheism of a debauched Age." - -An Account of the Case of the Goodwin Family was separately published, -and was noticed with Commendation by the "learned and pious Baxter," -which has been often referred to as a Proof that other great Men, as -well as Mr. Mather, were Believers in Witchcraft. - -The Novelty and Singularity of a Thing was no Cause of its Rejection -by Mr. Mather, and we next find him advocating Inoculation for the -Small-pox; and, according to his Biographer he was the Cause of its -Introduction into this Country. But in that, as in many other Things, -too much is claimed for him. I have elsewhere given a History of its -being put in Practice in Boston.[33] - -In 1714 Dr. Mather was chosen a Member of the Royal Society of London; -upon which Event his Biographer remarks: "The Respect which the Royal -Society paid him, did also very much encourage him, and fortify him in -his Essays to do Good, while it added to the superior Circumstances in -which he was placed above the Contempt of Envious Men." - -This last remark will apply to some of our own Times; who, if their -Power were equal to their Envy, few besides themselves would be -allowed to possess much in the Way of Honors without their Permission. -It was probably on this Occasion, that some Individuals circulated -the Report that the Doctor was not a Member of the Royal Society. -Whereupon a Letter from the Secretary of that Society was produced, -in which this Passage occurs: "As for your being chosen a Member of -the Royal Society, that has been done, both by the Council and Body -of the Society: only the Ceremony of Admission is wanting; which you -being beyond Sea, cannot be performed." This having been promulgated, -the envious Detractors were silenced in that Age, and it is rather -surprising that Ignorance and Malice should attempt to revive it in -this. As Mr. Mather never visited England, he of course never attended -a Meeting of the Royal Society. But this did not affect his Membership. -That this did not affect his Membership may be mentioned as pretty good -Evidence, the Fact that some of his Works were soon after published in -London, in the best Style of the Day, having appended to his Name in -their Title-Pages, "D. D. and Fellow of the Royal Society." Now such -an Assumption would have been an Offence of a serious Character, had -it been merely an Assumption; and a Rebuke would have gone forth from -the Royal Society, and would ever since have been a Matter of Record -and Notoriety. But Nothing of the Kind is heard of, plainly because Dr. -Mather stood right with the Records of the Royal Society. - -Nobody will charge the REV. THOMAS PRINCE with Insincerity in what he -has said of his Colaborers, and HE says, "Dr. Cotton Mather, though -born and constantly residing in this remote corner of America, has -yet for near these forty Years made so rising and great a Figure in -the learned World, as has attracted to him while alive, the Eyes of -many at the furthest Distance; and now deceased, can't but raise a -very general Wish to see the Series, and more especially the domestic -Part of so distinguished a Life exhibited. His printed Writings so -full of Piety and various Erudition, his vast Correspondence, and the -continual Reports of Travellers who had conversed with him, had spread -his Reputation into other Countries. And when, about fourteen Years -ago, I travelled abroad, I could not but admire to what Extent his -Fame had reached, and how inquisitive were Gentlemen of Letters to hear -and know of the most particular and lively Manner, both of his private -Conversation and public Performances among us." - -Dr. Colman speaks in the highest Terms of Dr. Mather, in his Funeral -Sermon. "His printed Works," he says, "will not convey to Posterity, -nor give to Strangers a just Idea of the real Worth and great Learning -of the Man." To this and a great deal more equally commendatory, Mr. -Prince subscribes in these Words: "Every one who intimately knew the -Doctor will readily assent to this Description." - -It would be difficult, perhaps, to produce an Example of Industry equal -to that of which we are speaking. In one Year, it is said he kept sixty -Fasts and twenty vigils, and published fourteen Books--all this besides -performing his ministerial Duties; which, in those Days, were Something -more than _nominal_. He kept a Diary, which has been extensively used -by some of his Biographers, but we have not sought after it, as it is -said to be scattered in different Places! How this happened we have -not been informed. Notwithstanding he published so many Works, he left -nearly as much unpublished in Manuscript; the principal Part of which -is entitled, _Biblia Americana_, or _The Sacred Scriptures of the Old -and New Testament Illustrated_. For the Publication of this Work -Proposals were issued soon after its Author died, but Nothing further -seems to have been done about it. Of the _Biblia Americana_, the -Doctor's Son remarks, "_That_ is a Work, the writing of which is enough -constantly to employ a Man, unless he be a Miracle of Diligence, the -Half of the three Score Years and ten, the Sum of Years allowed to us." - -It remains now to mention the Book by which Dr. Mather is best known, -and which will make his Name prominent through all coming Time--the -Reader's Mind is already in Advance of the Pen--the _MAGNALIA CHRISTI -AMERICANA_. This was printed in London, in 1702, in a moderate sized -folio Volume, the Aggregate of its Pages being 794. It is chiefly a -Collection of what the Author had before printed on historical and -biographical Subjects. The Value of its Contents has been variously -estimated. Some decrying it below _any_ Value, while others pronounce -it "the only Classic ever written in America." At the Hazard of -incurring the Charge of Stupidity, we are of the decided Opinion -that it has a Value between those Extremes. But we have sufficiently -expressed our Mind on the Value of the Author's Works before. - -Until about the Year 1853 there had been but two Editions of the -_Magnalia_. The Work was then stereotyped and issued in two handsome -octavo Volumes, by the late Mr. Silas Andrus, extensively known among -the Publishers of the Country. This was the third Edition of the Work, -and possessed the Advantage of Translations of the Quotations from the -dead Languages with which the Work abounds. About two Years later an -Edition was issued from the same stereotype Plates, and was accompanied -by an Index. This, tho' very incomplete, rendered the Work much more -valuable. The Plates we are informed are now in the Hands of Mr. -William Gowans of New York, who is preparing to bring out a sumptuous -Edition of it with a new and complete Index. About thirty-two Years had -elapsed between the second and third Editions, though they were by the -same Publisher. The Date of the second was 1820. - -Unfortunately, this Edition was printed from a Copy of that in Folio, -which had not the Errata, and consequently abounds with all the Errors -contained in the original Edition. To those who do not understand the -Matter, this printing an Edition of the _Magnalia_ without correcting -its Errata, may seem to incur for the Publisher severe Reprehension. -But the Truth appears to be, that the Copy used in printing the new -Edition had not the complete Errata attached to it; and that in Fact, -but very few Copies of the original Edition can be found to which it -is attached. Now we account for its Rarity in this Way. Dr. Mather, -living in Boston while his Work was printing in London, could make -no Corrections while it was passing through the Press; but when he -received his Copies afterwards, he found so many Errors that he was -induced to print an extra Sheet of Corrections. This extra Sheet may -not have been struck off until most of the Copies of the _Magnalia_ -which had been sent to New England were distributed. Thus we account -for the rare Occurrence of Copies of the _Magnalia_ containing the -Errata; and hence we think the Publisher of the Edition of 1820 should -not be too severely censured. That our Solution is correct, we would -mention that out of a great many Copies of the folio Edition imported -by ourself and others from England, not one of them contained the -Errata in Question. - -On the last Page of the _Magnalia_, the following are the last three -Lines: "ERRATA. Reader, Carthagenia was of the Mind, that unto those -_three Things_ which the Ancients held impossible, there should be -added this _fourth_, to find a Book printed without _Erratas_. It -seems the Hands of _Briareus_, and the Eyes of _Argus_ will not -prevent them." And the additional Errata of which we have been -speaking, the Author thus prefaces: "The _Holy Bible_ it self, in some -of its Editions, hath been affronted with scandalous Errors of the -_Press-work_; and in one of them, they so printed those Words, Psalms -cxix, 161, '_Printers have persecuted me_,'" &c. - -When the _Magnalia_ was published, Dr. Mather's old Schoolmaster, among -others, wrote commendatory Poetry upon it, which was, according to the -Fashion of the Day, inserted in its introductory Pages. The following -brief Specimen by TOMPSON may not be thought inappropriate to be -extracted here: - - "Is the bless'd MATHER Necromancer turn'd, - To raise his Country's Father's Ashes urn'd? - Elisha's Dust, Life to the Dead imparts; - This Prophet by his more familiar Arts, - Unseals our Hero's Tombs, and gives them Air; - They rise, they walk, they talk, look wondrous fair; - Each of them in an Orb of Light doth shine, - In Liveries of Glory most divine. - When ancient Names I in thy Pages meet, - Like Gems on Aaron's costly Breast-plate set; - Methinks Heaven's open, while great Saints descend, - To wreathe the Brows, by which their Acts were penned." - -Few Ministers preached a greater Number of Funeral Sermons than Dr. -Mather; and when he died his Cotemporaries seemed to have vied with -each other in performing the same Office for him. Several of their -Sermons were printed. Some of these with their quaint Titles are now -before us. Foremost among them appears that of the excellent MR. -PRINCE; he entitled his, "The Departure of ELIJAH lamented.--A Sermon -occasioned by the great and publick Loss in the _Decease_ of the very -REVEREND and LEARNED COTTON MATHER, D.D., F.R.S., and Senior Pastor -of the _North Church_ in Boston. Who left this Life on _Feb. 13th, -1727,8_. The Morning after he finished the LXV. Year of his Age." From -2 Kings ii, 12, 13. The Imprint of this Sermon is, "BOSTON in _New -England:_ Printed for _D. Henchman_, near the Brick Meeting House in -Cornhill. MDCCXXVIII." - -The running Title of Dr. Colman's Sermon on the same Occasion is "The -holy Walk and glorious Translation of blessed _ENOCH_." His Text was -Gen. v. 24. It would be difficult to find anything of the Kind, either -before or since, which, in our Judgment, is superior to this Discourse -of Dr. Colman; but valuable as it is, we cannot introduce Extracts from -it here. His Allusion, however, to the then past and present State of -Things connected with his Subject, is so happy that we cannot overlook -it. - -"Dr. Mather's Brethren in the Ministry here," he says, "are bereaved -and weak with him. God has taken their Father as well as his, from -their Heads this Day. He was a Pastor in the Town when the eldest of -the present Pastors were but Children, and long before most of them -were born. They are weak indeed when he that is now speaking to them is -the _first_ in Years among them, in all respects else the least," &c. - -The REV. JOSHUA GEE, Colleague with Dr. Mather, also preached a Funeral -Sermon on his departed Friend, entitled, "ISRAEL'S _Mourning_ for -AARON'S _Death_." In this Discourse there is the following important -Note: "Within a few Months past, we have been called to lament the -Deaths of two such aged Servants of the LORD. The Rev. _Mr. Samuel -Danforth_ of Taunton, who died Nov. 14. And my honored Father-in-law, -the Rev. _Mr. Peter Thatcher_ of Milton, who died Dec. 17, 1727: while -the Days of mourning were scarce over in this Town for my dearly -beloved Friend and Brother, the Rev. _Mr. William Waldron_, who died -Sept. 11, 1727." - -Dr. Mather's Son and Biographer, "SAMUEL MATHER, M. A., and Chaplain at -CASTLE WILLIAM," also preached a Funeral Sermon on his Father's Death. -"The _Departure_ and _Character_ of ELIJAH considered and improved," -was its running Title. Only about five Years before, the deceased -preached a Sermon on the Death of his Father; in the Title-page of -which, when printed, instead of the Author's Name we read, "By one who, -as a SON with a _FATHER_, served with him in the Gospel." - -Dr. Mather died intestate, and the Order of the Judge of Probate for -the Distribution of his Estate is as follows: "One third to his Widow, -Lydia Mather; two single Shares or fourth Parts to Samuel Mather, -Clerk, only surviving Son, and one Share each to the Rest of his -Children, viz., Abigail Willard, deceased, Wife of Daniel Willard, also -deceased, their Children and legal Representatives, and Hannah Mather, -Spinster." Dated, 25th May, 1730. - -The Portrait now in Circulation of Dr. Mather was engraved from a -beautiful _Mezzotinto_, half Size, with the following Inscription -underneath it: - -"Cottonus Matherus S. Theologiæ Doctor Regiæ Societatis Londiniensis -Socius, et Eccelsiæ apud Bostonum Nov˭Anglorum nuper Præpositus. - -Ætatis Suæ LXV. MDCCXXVII. - -P. Pelham ad vivum pinxit ab Origin Fecit." - -Those desiring genealogical Information of the Mather Family, I must -refer to the Pedigree printed in Connection with Dr. I. Mather's _Brief -History_, &c. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[26] He was only 23 when the Work was published, which is indeed an -Apology for its crude Style of Composition. - -[27] Octavo, London, 1721. Printed for Emanuel Matthews, at the Bible -_in_ Pater-Noster-Row. - -[28] _Appendix Touching Prodigies_ to his _Convention Sermon_ of May -23, 1689. - -[29] Referring doubtless to _New England Justified_, published by the -Author's Grandfather. - -[30] It would seem from this that Mr. Mather had been prosecuted, tried -and sentenced to six Months' Imprisonment, but there appears no other -Intimation of it. - -[31] Calef's _More Wonders of the Invisible World_ is the Book asserted -to have died _long before its Author_. However that might have been -considered 30 Years after the _More_ Wonders was printed, it is far -from being Dead in this Age. Remarks will be more in Order when we come -to _introduce_ the Work. - -[32] It is rather surprising that the Author should speak doubtfully -of the Case of this Family as to the Time of its Occurrence, when the -_Magnalia_ was at his Hand, giving Date and Details of the Affair. See -that Work, B. vi, Page 71. - -[33] See _History and Antiquities of Boston_, 561-3. - - - - - The Wonders of the Invisible World. - - OBSERVATIONS - -As well _Historical_ as _Theological_, upon the NATURE, the NUMBER, and - the OPERATIONS of the DEVILS. - - Accompany'd with - - I. Some Accounts of the Grievous Molestations, by DÆMONS and - WITCHCRAFTS, which have lately annoy'd the Countrey; and the Trials - of some eminent _Malefactors_ Executed upon occasion thereof: with - several Remarkable _Curiosities_ therein occurring. - - II. Some Counsils, Directing a due Improvement of the terrible - things, lately done, by the Unusual & Amazing Range of EVIL - SPIRITS, in Our Neighbourhood: & the methods to prevent the - _Wrongs_ which those _Evil Angels_ may intend against all sorts of - people among us; especially in Accusations of the Innocent. - - III. Some Conjectures upon the great EVENTS, likely to befall, the - WORLD in General, and NEW-ENGLAND in Particular; as also upon the - Advances of the TIME, when we shall see BETTER DAYES. - - IV. A short Narrative of a late Outrage committed by a knot - of WITCHES in _Swedeland_, very much Resembling, and so far - Explaining, _That_ under which our parts of _America_ have laboured! - - V. THE DEVIL DISCOVERED: In a Brief Discourse upon those - TEMPTATIONS, which are the more Ordinary _Devices_ of the Wicked - One. - - By Cotton Mather. - - _Boston_ Printed, and Sold by _Benjamin Harris_, 1693. - - - - - PUblished by the Special - Command of His EXCELLENCY, - the Governour - of the Province of - the Massachusetts-Bay in - New-England. - - - - -_The Wonders of the Invisible World:_ - - Being an Account of the - +TRYALS+ - OF - Several WWitches, - - Lately Excuted in - +NEW-ENGLAND+: - - And of several remarkable Curiosities therein Occurring. - - Together with, - - I. Observations upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of - the Devils. - - II. A short Narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of - Witches in _Swede-Land_, very much resembling, and so far - explaining, that under which _New-England_ has laboured, - - III. Some Councels directing a due Improvement of the Terrible - things lately done by the unusual and amazing Range of - _Evil-Spirits_ in _New-England_. - - IV. A brief Discourse upon those _Temptations_ which are the more - ordinary Devices of Satan. - - By _COTTON MATHER_. - -Published by the Special Command of his EXCELLENCY the Govenour of the - Province of the _Massachusetts-Bay_ in _New-England_. - -Printed first, at _Boston_ in _New-England_; and Reprinted at _London_, - for _John Dunton_, at the _Raven_ in the _Poultry_. 1693. - - - - - Imprimatur. - Decmb. 23. - 1692. - - EDMUND BOHUN.[34] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[34] Edmund Bohun was himself a Writer of considerable Note. The Work -by which he is best known is probably that entitled _The Character of -Queen Elizabeth_, a sizable Octavo, printed in 1693. His Writings are -said to be Voluminous, yet but few of them are met with at this Day. -One of the first Gazetteers was by him in a thick Octavo, 1688. He -does not, however, call it a Gazetteer, but a Geographical Dictionary. -His Descriptions compare singularly with those of the same Articles -in Works of later Times: as for Example, he says Columbus discovered -America in 1499. All the Notice Boston receives at his Hands is at the -Close of an Article on Boston in Lincolnshire--"there is another Place -in _New England_ of the same Name." Under the Head of New England he -gives it a much larger Notice; calls New England _a Colony_, "and they -have built seven great Towns, the Chief of which is Boston, which in -1670, had fifty Sail of Ships belonging to it." He was Author of a Life -of Bishop Jewell, and was living in 1700. - - - - -[Decoration] - -THE ==Author's Defence==. - - -T_IS_, as I remember, the Learned _Scribonius_,[35] who reports, that -One of his Acquaintance, devoutly making his Prayers on the behalf of a -Person molested by _Evil Spirits_, received from those _Evil Spirits_ -an horrible Blow over the Face: And I may my self expect not few or -small Buffetings from Evil Spirits, for the Endeavours wherewith I am -now going to encounter them. I am far from Insensible that at this -extraordinary Time of the _Devils coming down in great Wrath upon us_, -there are too many Tongues and Hearts thereby _set on fire of Hell;_ -that the various Opinions about the Witchcrafts which of later Time -have troubled us, are maintained by some with so much cloudy Fury, as -if they could never be sufficiently stated, unless written in the -Liquor wherewith Witches use to write their Covenants; and that he -who becomes an Author at such a time, had need be _fenced with Iron, -and the Staff of a Spear_. The unaccountable Frowardness, Asperity, -Untreatableness, and Inconsistency of many Persons, every Day gives -a visible Exposition of that passage, _An evil spirit from the Lord -came upon Saul;_ and Illustration of that Story, _There met him two -possessed with Devils, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass -by that way._ To send abroad a Book, among such Readers, were a very -unadvised thing, if a Man had not such Reasons to give, as I can bring, -for such an Undertaking. Briefly, I hope it cannot be said, _They are -all so;_ No, I hope the Body of this People, are yet in such a Temper, -as to be capable of applying their Thoughts, to make a _Right Use_ -of the stupendous and prodigious Things that are happening among us: -And because I was concern'd, when I saw that no abler Hand emitted -any Essays to engage the Minds of this People, in such holy, pious, -fruitful Improvements, as God would have to be made of his amazing -Dispensations now upon us. THEREFORE it is, that One of the Least among -the Children of _New-England_, has here done, what is done. None, but -_the Father, who sees in secret_, knows the Heart-breaking Exercises, -wherewith I have composed what is now [vi] going to be exposed, lest -I should in any one thing miss of doing my designed Service for his -Glory, and for his People; but I am now somewhat comfortably assured -of his favourable acceptance; and, _I will not fear; what can a Satan -do unto me!_[36] - -Having performed something of what God required, in labouring to suit -his Words unto his Works, at this Day among us, and therewithal handled -a Theme that has been sometimes counted not unworthy the Pen, even of a -King,[37] it will easily be perceived, that some subordinate Ends have -been considered in these Endeavours. - -I have indeed set myself to countermine the whole PLOT of the Devil, -against _New-England_, in every Branch of it, as far as one of my -_darkness_, can comprehend such a _Work of Darkness_. I may add, that -I have herein also aimed at the Information and Satisfaction of Good -Men in another Country, a thousand Leagues off, where I have, it may -be, more, or however, more considerable Friends, than in _My Own;_ And -I do what I can to have that Country, now, as well as always, in the -best Terms with _My Own_. But while I am doing these things, I have -been driven a little to do something likewise for myself; I mean, by -taking off the false Reports, and hard Censures about my Opinion in -these Matters, the _Parters Portion_ which my _pursuit of Peace_ has -procured me among the _Keen_. My hitherto _unvaried Thoughts_ are here -published; and I believe, they will be owned by most of the Ministers -of God in these Colonies; nor can amends be well made me, for the wrong -done me, by other sorts of _Representations_. - - -In fine; For the _Dogmatical_[38] part of my Discourse, I want no -Defence; for the _Historical_ part of it, I have a very Great One; the -Lievtenant-Governour of _New-England_[39] having perused it, has done -me the Honour of giving me a _Shield_, under the Umbrage whereof I now -dare to walk Abroad. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[35] The only known Work of "Learned Scribonius" is that entitled _De -Compositione Medicamentorum_ Liber," the best Edition of which is -said to be that of Padua, 1655, in 4to, with Notes by Rhodius. He was -of Rome in the Time of Claudius. His Book is a Sort of Repository of -Prescriptions, which Prescriptions were of about as much value, in a -medical Point of View, as later ones were for determining what Persons -were Witches. _Nouveau Dict. Hist. a Lyon_, 1804. - -[36] This Self Complacency is somewhat surprising, considering this -Record was made while above an hundred poor Wretches were lying in the -Jails of Boston and Salem! - -[37] The Author doubtless has Reference to the _Dæmonology_ of James I. -See _Introduction_. - -[38] It is said that the learned Joseph Glanvil was made a "Fellow -of the Royal Society" for an elaborate Treatise which he wrote on -"The Vanity of _Dogmatizing_." If that entitled the said Joseph to be -thus distinguished, no one ought any longer to question our Author's -Claim to the same Distinction. Glanvil was as earnest a Defender of -Witchcraft in his Time as Doctor Mather was a few Years later; and his -Books, like this of the Doctor's, are entirely neglected except by the -curious Investigators of the Progress of Society. - -[39] Thus speaking of New England was strictly correct then, though it -reminds us of what our English Brethren used to say at a much later -Period in Reference to Boston,--speaking of it as "the Colony of -Boston," "the Colony of New England," &c. - - - - -[vii] REVEREND AND DEAR SIR, - -_YOU very much gratify'd me, as well as put a kind Respect upon -me, when you put into my hands, your elaborate and most seasonable -Discourse, entituled,_ The Wonders of the Invisible World. _And having -now perused so fruitful and happy a Composure, upon such a Subject, -at this Juncture of Time; and considering the place that I hold in -the Court of_ Oyer _and_ Terminer, _still labouring and proceeding in -the Trial of the Persons accused and convicted for Witchcraft, I find -that I am more nearly and highly concerned than as a meer ordinary -Reader, to express my Obligation and Thankfulness to you for so great -Pains; and cannot but hold myself many ways bound, even to the utmost -of what is proper for me, in my present publick Capacity, to declare -my_ singular Approbation _thereof. Such is your Design, most plainly -expressed throughout the whole; such your Zeal for God, your Enmity -to Satan and his Kingdom, your Faithfulness and Compassion to this -poor People; such the Vigour, but yet great Temper of your Spirit; -such your Instruction and Counsel, your_ Care of Truth, _your Wisdom -and Dexterity in allaying and moderating that among us, which needs -it; such your clear discerning of Divine Providences and Periods, -now running on apace towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and -finally, such your good News of_ The Shortness of the Devil's Time,[40] -_that all Good Men must needs desire, the making of this your Discourse -publick to the World; and will greatly rejoyce, that the_ Spirit of the -Lord _has thus enabled you to_ lift up a Standard _against the Infernal -Enemy, that hath been_ coming in like a Flood upon us. _I do therefore -make it my particular and earnest Request unto you, that as soon as may -be, you will commit the same unto the_ PRESS _accordingly. I am,_ - - Your assured Friend, - WILLIAM STOUGHTON.[41] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[40] This has Reference to what is intimated in that Part of the -present Volume, entitled--"The Devil Discovered." - -[41] The Writer of the above Letter (Judge Stoughton) was 61 Years -old at the Time; and it may reasonably be supposed was in the full -Enjoyment of his intellectual Faculties. And as he was one of the -ablest Men of his Day, such an Indorsement of the Author's Work was -no mean Fortification from behind which to defend even a very bad -Cause. Stoughton lived several Years after he had ceased trying -Witches,--dying in 1701, at the Age of 70. He was Son of Mr. Israel -Stoughton of Dorchester, a Captain in the Pequot War, and Colonel -afterwards in the Parliamentary Army in England. - - - - -[viii][42] I LIVE by _Neighbours_ that force me to produce these -undeserved Lines. But now, as when Mr. Wilson[43] beholding a great -Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then present, said unto him, -_Sir, I'll tell you a great Thing: Here is a mighty Body of People; -and there is not_ Seven _of them all, but what loves_ Mr. Wilson. That -gracious Man presently and pleasantly reply'd: _Sir, I'll tell you as -good a thing as that; here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not -so much as_ One _among them all, but Mr._ Wilson _loves him._ Somewhat -so: 'Tis possible, that among this Body of People, there may be few -that love the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to boast so far, -there is not one among all this Body of People, whom this _Mather_ -would not study to serve, as well as to love. With such a _Spirit of -Love_, is the Book now before us written: I appeal to all _this World;_ -and if _this_ World will deny me the Right of acknowledging so much, -I appeal to the other, that it is _not written with an Evil Spirit:_ -for which cause I shall not wonder, if _Evil Spirits_ be exasperated -by what is written, as the _Sadduces_ doubtless were with what was -discoursed in the Days of our Saviour. I only demand the _Justice_, -that others _read_ it, with the same Spirit wherewith I _writ_ it. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[42] No Paging thus far in the Original. - -[43] John Wilson, the first Minister of Boston. He died August 7th -1667, aged 78. See the _Biographical Dictionaries_, Eliot and Allen. - - - - -[Decoration] - -[5] ENCHANTMENTS ENCOUNTER'D. - - -§ I. IT was as long ago, as the Year 1637, that a Faithful Minister of -the Church of _England_, whose Name was Mr. _Edward Symons_,[44] did in -a Sermon afterwards Printed, thus express himself; 'At _New-England_ -now the Sun of Comfort begins to appear, and the glorious Day-Star to -show it self;--_Sed Venient Annis Sæculæ Seris_, there will come Times -in after Ages, when the _Clouds will overshadow and darken the Sky -there_. Many now promise to themselves nothing but successive Happiness -there, which for a time through God's Mercy they may enjoy; and I pray -God, they may a long time; but in this World there is no Happiness -perpetual.' An _Observation_, or I had almost said, an _Inspiration_, -very dismally now verify'd upon us! It has been affirm'd by some who -best knew _New-England_, That the World will do _New-England_ a great -piece of Injustice, if it acknowledge not a measure of Religion, -Loyalty, Honesty, and Industry, in the People there, beyond what is -to be found with any other People for the Number of them.[45] When I -did a few years ago, publish a Book, which mentioned a few memorable -Witchcrafts, committed in this country; the excellent _Baxter_, graced -the Second Edition of that Book, with a kind Preface, wherein he sees -cause to say, _If any are Scandalized, that_ New-England, _a place -of as serious Piety, as any I can hear of, under Heaven, should be -troubled so much with Witches; I think, 'tis no wonder: Where will -the Devil show most Malice, but where he is hated, and hateth most:_ -And I hope, the Country will still deserve and answer the Charity so -expressed by that Reverend Man of God.[46] Whosoever travels over -this Wilderness, will see it richly bespangled with Evangelical -Churches, whose Pastors are holy, able, and painful Overseers of -their Flocks, lively Preachers, and vertuous Livers; and such as -in their several Neighbourly Associations, have had their Meetings -whereat Ecclesiastical Matters of common Concernment are considered: -_Churches_, whose Communicants have been seriously examined about -their Experiences of Regeneration, as well as about their Knowledge, -and Belief, and blameless Conversation, before their Admission to the -Sacred Communion; although others of less but hopeful Attainments in -Christianity are not ordinarily deny'd Baptism for themselves and -theirs; Churches, which are shye of using any thing in the Worship of -God, for which they cannot see a Warrant of God; but with whom yet -the Names of _Congregational_, _Presbyterian_, _Episcopalian_, or -_Antipædobaptist_, are swallowed up in that of _Christian;_ Persons -of all those Perswasions being taken into our [6] Fellowship, when -visible Goodliness has recommended them:[47] Churches, which usually do -within themselves manage their own Discipline, under the Conduct of -their Elders; but yet call in the help of _Synods_ upon Emergencies, -or Aggrievances; _Churches_, Lastly, wherein Multitudes are growing -ripe for Heaven every day; and as fast as these are taken off, others -are daily rising up. And by the Presence and Power of the Divine -Institutions thus maintained in the Country. We are still so happy, -that I suppose there is no Land in the Universe more free from the -debauching, and the debasing Vices of Ungodliness. The Body of the -People are hitherto so disposed, that _Swearing_, _Sabbath-breaking_, -_Whoring_, _Drunkenness_, and the like, do not make a Gentleman, -but a Monster, or a Goblin, in the vulgar Estimation.[48] All this -notwithstanding, we must humbly confess to our God, that we are -miserably degenerated from the first Love of our Predecessors; however -we boast our selves a little, when Men would go to trample upon us, and -we venture to say, _Wherein soever any is bold (we speak foolishly) -we are bold also_.[49] The first Planters of these Colonies were a -chosen Generation of Men, who were first so pure, as to disrelish -many things which they thought wanted Reformation elsewhere; and yet -withal so peaceable, that they embraced a voluntary Exile in a squalid, -horrid, _American_ Desart,[50] rather than to live in Contentions -with their Brethren. Those good Men imagined that they should leave -their Posterity in a place, where they should never see the Inroads -of Profanity, or Superstition: And a famous Person returning hence, -could in a Sermon before the Parliament profess, _I have been seven -Years in a Country, where I never saw one Man drunk, or heard one Oath -sworn, or beheld one Beggar in the Streets all the while_.[51] Such -great Persons as _Budæus_, and others, who mistook Sir _Thomas Moor's_ -UTOPIA, for a Country really existent, and stirr'd up some Divines -charitably to undertake a Voyage thither, might now have certainly -found a Truth in their Mistake; _New-England_ was a true _Utopia_. -But, alas, the Children and Servants of those old Planters must needs -afford many degenerate Plants, and there is now risen up a Number of -People, otherwise inclined than our _Joshua's_, and the Elders that -out-liv'd them. Those two things our holy Progenitors, and our happy -Advantages make Omissions of Duty, and such Spiritual Disorders as the -whole World abroad is overwhelmed with, to be as provoking in us, as -the most flagitious Wickednesses committed in other places; and the -Ministers of God are accordingly severe in their Testimonies: But in -short, those Interests of the Gospel, which were the Errand of our -Fathers into these Ends of the Earth, have been too much neglected and -postponed, and the Attainments of an handsome Education, have been too -much undervalued, by Multitudes that have not fallen into Exorbitances -of Wickedness; and some, especially of our young Ones, when they have -got abroad from under the Restraints here laid upon them, have become -extravagantly and abominably Vicious. Hence 'tis, that the Happiness -of _New-England_ has been but for a time, as it was foretold, and not -for a long time, as has been desir'd for us. A Variety of Calamity has -long follow'd this Plantation; and we have all the Reason imaginable -to ascribe it unto the Rebuke of Heaven upon us for our manifold -_Apostasies;_ we make no right use of our Disasters: If we do not, -_Remember whence we are fallen, and repent, and do the first Works_. -But yet our Afflictions may come under a further Consideration with us: -There is a further Cause of our Afflictions, whose due must be given -him. - - -[7] § II. The _New-Englanders_ are a People of God settled in those, -which were once the _Devil's_ Territories; and it may easily be -supposed that the _Devil_ was exceedingly disturbed, when he perceived -such a People here accomplishing the Promise of old made unto our -Blessed Jesus, _That He should have the Utmost parts of the Earth -for his Possession_.[52] There was not a greater Uproar among the -_Ephesians_, when the Gospel was first brought among them, than there -was among, _The Powers of the Air_ (after whom those _Ephesians_ -walked) when first the _Silver Trumpets_ of the Gospel here made the -_Joyful Sound_. The Devil thus Irritated, immediately try'd all sorts -of Methods to overturn this poor Plantation: and so much of the Church, -as was _Fled into this Wilderness_, immediately found, _The Serpent -cast out of his Mouth a Flood for the carrying of it away._ I believe, -that never were more _Satanical Devices_ used for the Unsetling of any -People under the Sun, than what have been Employ'd for the Extirpation -of the _Vine_ which God has here _Planted, Casting out the Heathen, and -preparing a Room before it, and causing it to take deep Root, and fill -the Land, so that it sent its Boughs unto the_ Atlantic _Sea_ Eastward, -_and its Branches unto the_ Connecticut _River_ Westward, _and the -Hills were covered with the shadow thereof_. But, All those Attempts -of Hell, have hitherto been Abortive, many an _Ebenezer_ has been -Erected unto the Praise of God, by his Poor People here; and, _Having -obtained Help from God, we continue to this Day_. Wherefore the Devil -is now making one Attempt more upon us; an Attempt more Difficult, -more Surprizing, more snarl'd with unintelligible Circumstances than -any that we have hitherto Encountred;[53] an Attempt so _Critical_, -that if we get well through, we shall soon Enjoy _Halcyon_ Days with -all the _Vultures_ of Hell _Trodden under our Feet_. He has wanted his -_Incarnate Legions_ to Persecute us, as the People of God have in the -other Hemisphere been Persecuted: he has therefore drawn forth his more -_Spiritual_ ones to make an Attacque upon us. We have been advised -by some Credible Christians yet alive, that a Malefactor, accused of -_Witchcraft_ as well as _Murder_, and Executed in this place more than -Forty Years ago, did then give Notice of, _An Horrible_ PLOT _against -the Country_ by WITCHCRAFT, _and a Foundation of_ WITCHCRAFT _then -laid, which if it were not seasonably discovered, would prbably Blow -up, and pull down all the Churches in the Country_.[54] And we have -now with Horror seen the _Discovery_ of such a _Witchcraft!_ An Army -of _Devils_ is horribly broke in upon the place which is the _Center_, -and after a sort, the _First-born_ of our _English_ Settlements: -and the Houses of the Good People there are fill'd with the doleful -Shrieks of their Children and Servants, Tormented by Invisible Hands, -with Tortures altogether preternatural. After the Mischiefs there -Endeavoured, and since in part Conquered, the terrible Plague, of -_Evil Angels_, hath made its Progress into some other places, where -other Persons have been in like manner Diabolically handled. These our -poor Afflicted Neighbours, quickly after they become _Infected_ and -_Infested_ with these _Dæmons_, arrive to a Capacity of Discerning -those which they conceive the _Shapes_ of their Troublers; and -notwithstanding the Great and Just Suspicion, that the _Dæmons_ might -Impose the _Shapes_ of Innocent Persons in their _Spectral Exhibitions_ -upon the Sufferers, (which may perhaps prove no small part of the -_Witch-Plot_ in the issue) yet many of the Persons thus Represented, -being Examined, several of them have been Convicted of a very Damnable -_Witchcraft:_ yea, more than One _Twenty_ have _Confessed_, that they -have Signed unto a _Book_, which the Devil show'd them, and Engaged in -his Hellish Design of _Bewitching_, and _Ruining_ our Land. _We_ [8] -know not, at least I know not, how far the _Delusions_ of Satan may -be Interwoven into some Circumstances of the _Confessions;_ but one -would think, all the Rules of Understanding Humane Affayrs are at an -end, if after so many most Voluntary Harmonious _Confessions_, made by -Intelligent Persons of all Ages, in sundry Towns, at several Times, -we must not Believe the _main strokes_ wherein those _Confessions_ -all agree: especially when we have a thousand preternatural Things -every day before our eyes, wherein the _Confessors_ do acknowledge -their Concernment, and give Demonstration of their being so Concerned. -If the Devils now can strike the minds of men with any _Poisons_ of -so fine a Composition and Operation, that Scores of Innocent People -shall Unite, in _Confessions_ of a Crime, which we see actually -committed, it is a thing prodigious, beyond the Wonders of the former -Ages, and it threatens no less than a sort of a Dissolution upon the -World. Now, by these _Confessions_ 'tis Agreed, _That_ the Devil has -made a dreadful Knot of _Witches_ in the Country, and by the help of -_Witches_ has dreadfully increased that Knot: _That_ these _Witches_ -have driven a Trade of Commissioning their _Confederate Spirits_, to -do all sorts of Mischiefs to the Neighbours, whereupon there have -ensued such Mischievous consequences upon the Bodies and Estates of the -Neighbourhood, as could not otherwise be accounted for: yea, _That_ at -prodigious _Witch-Meetings_, the Wretches have proceeded so far, as to -Concert and Consult the Methods of Rooting out the Christian Religion -from this Country, and setting up instead of it, perhaps a more gross -_Diabolism_, than ever the World saw before. And yet it will be a thing -little short of _Miracle_, if in so _spread_ a Business as this, the -Devil should not get in some of his Juggles, to confound the Discovery -of all the rest.[55] - - -§ III. Doubtless, the Thoughts of many will receive a great Scandal -against _New-England_, from the Number of Persons that have been -Accused, or Suspected, for _Witchcraft_, in this Country: But it were -easie to offer many things, that may Answer and Abate the Scandal. If -the Holy God should any where permit the Devils to hook two or three -wicked _Scholars_ into _Witchcraft_, and then by their Assistance to -Range with their _Poisonous Insinuations_ among Ignorant, Envious, -Discontented People, till they have cunningly decoy'd them into some -sudden _Act_, whereby the Toyls of Hell shall be perhaps inextricably -cast over them: what Country in the World would not afford _Witches_, -numerous to a Prodigy? Accordingly, The Kingdoms of _Sweden_, -_Denmark_, _Scotland_, yea and _England_ it self, as well as the -Province of _New-England_,[56] have had their Storms of _Witchcrafts_ -breaking upon them, which have made most Lamentable Devastations: which -also I wish, may be _The Last_. And it is not uneasie to be imagined, -that God has not brought out all the _Witchcrafts_ in many other Lands -with such a speedy, dreadful, destroying _Jealousie_, as burns forth -upon such _High Treasons_, committed here in _A Land of Uprightness:_ -Transgressors may more quickly here than elsewhere become a Prey to -the Vengeance of Him, _Who has Eyes like a Flame of Fire_, and, _who -walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks_. Moreover, There are -many parts of the World, who if they do upon this Occasion insult over -this People of God, need only to be told the Story of what happen'd -at _Loim_, in the Duchy of _Gulic_, where a Popish Curate having -ineffectually try'd many Charms to Eject the Devil out of a Damsel -there possessed, he passionately bid the Devil come out of her into -himself; but the Devil answered him, _Quid mihi Opus, est eum tentare, -quem Novissimo die, Jure Optimo, sum possessurus?_ That is, _What need -I meddle with one whom I am sure to have, and hold at the Last-day as -my own for ever!_ - -[9] But besides all this, give me leave to add, it is to be hoped, That -among the Persons represented by the _Spectres_ which now afflict our -Neighbours, there will be found _some_ that never explicitly contracted -with any of the _Evil Angels_. The Witches have not only intimated, but -some of them acknowledged, That they have plotted the Representations -of _Innocent Persons_, to cover and shelter themselves in their -Witchcrafts; now, altho' our good God has hitherto generally preserved -us from the Abuse therein design'd by the Devils for us, yet who of us -can exactly state, _How far our God may for our Chastisement permit the -Devil to proceed in such an Abuse?_ It was the Result of a Discourse, -lately held at a Meeting of some very Pious and Learned Ministers among -us, _That the Devils may sometimes have a permission to Represent -an Innocent Person, as Tormenting such as are under Diabolical -Molestations: But that such things are Rare and Extraordinary; -especially when such matters come before Civil Judicature._[57] The -Opinion expressed with so much Caution and Judgment, seems to be the -prevailing Sense of many others, who are men Eminently Cautious and -Judicious; and have both _Argument_ and _History_ to Countenance them -in it. It is _Rare and Extraordinary_, for an Honest _Naboth_ to have -his Life it self Sworn away by two _Children of Belial_, and yet no -Infringement hereby made on the Rectoral Righteousness of our Eternal -Soveraign, whose _Judgments are a Great Deep_, and who _gives none -Account of His matters_.[58] Thus, although the Appearance of Innocent -Persons in _Spectral Exhibitions_ afflicting the Neighbourhood, be a -thing _Rare and Extraordinary;_ yet who can be sure, that the great -_Belial_ of Hell must needs be always _Yoked_ up from this piece of -Mischief? The best man that ever lived has been called a _Witch:_ and -why may not this too usual and unhappy Symptom of A _Witch_, even a -Spectral Representation, befall a person that shall be none of the -worst? Is it not possible? The _Laplanders_ will tell us 'tis possible: -for Persons to be unwittingly attended with officious _Dæmons_, -bequeathed unto them, and impos'd upon them, by Relations that have -been _Witches_.[59] _Quæry_, also, Whether at a Time, when the Devil -with his Witches are engag'd in a War upon a people, some certain steps -of ours, in such a War, may not be follow'd with our appearing so and -so for a while among them in the Visions of our afflicted _Forlorns!_ -And, Who can certainly say, what other Degrees or Methods of sinning, -besides that of a _Diabolical Compact_, may give the Devils advantage -to act in the Shape of them that have miscarried? Besides what may -happen for a while, to try the _Patience_ of the Vertuous. May not some -that have been ready upon feeble grounds uncharitably to Censure and -Reproach other people, be punished for it by _Spectres_ for a while -exposing them to Censure and Reproach? And furthermore, I pray, that -it may be considered, Whether a World of Magical Tricks often used -in the World, may not insensibly oblige _Devils_ to wait upon the -Superstitious Users of them. A Witty Writer against _Sadducism_ has -this Observation, That persons who never made any express Contract with -_Apostate Spirits_, yet may Act strange Things by _Diabolick Aids_, -which they procure by the use of those wicked _Forms_ and _Arts_, that -the Devil first imparted unto his Confederates. And he adds, _We know -not but the Laws of the Dark Kingdom may Enjoyn a particular Attendance -upon all those that practice their Mysteries, whether they know them -to be theirs or no_. Some of them that have been cry'd out upon as -_Employing Evil Spirits_ to hurt our Land, have been known to be most -bloody _Fortune-Tellers;_ and some of them have confessed, That when -they told _Fortunes_, they would pretend the Rules of _Chiromancy_ -and the like Ignorant Sciences, but indeed they had no Rule (they -said) [10] but this, _The things were then Darted into their minds_. -_Darted!_ Ye Wretches;[60] By whom, I pray? Surely by none but the -_Devils;_ who, tho' perhaps they did not exactly _Foreknow_ all the -thus Predicted Contingencies; yet having once _Foretold_ them, they -stood bound in Honour now to use their Interest, which alas, in _This -World_, is very great, for the Accomplishment of their own Predictions. -There are others, that have used most wicked _Sorceries_ to gratifie -their unlawful Curiosities, or to prevent Inconveniencies in Man and -Beast; _Sorceries_, which I will not _Name_, lest I should by naming, -_Teach them_.[61] Now, some _Devil_ is evermore Invited into the -Service of the Person that shall Practise these _Witchcrafts;_ and if -they have gone on Impenitently in these Communions with any _Devil_, -the _Devil_ may perhaps become at last a _Familiar_ to them, and so -assume their _Livery_, that they cannot shake him off in any way, but -that One, which I would most heartily prescribe unto them, Namely, That -of a deep and long _Repentance_. Should these _Impieties_ have been -committed in such a place as _New-England_, for my part I should not -wonder, if when _Devils_ are Exposing the _Grosser_ Witches among us, -God permit them to bring in these _Lesser_ ones with the rest for their -perpetual Humiliation. In the Issue therefore, may it not be found, -that _New-England_ is not so stock'd with _Rattle Snakes_, as was -imagined.[62] - - -§ IV. But I do not believe, that the progress of _Witchcraft_ among us, -is all the Plot which the Devil is managing in the _Witchcraft_ now -upon us. It is judged, That the Devil rais'd the Storm, whereof we read -in the Eighth Chapter of _Matthew_, on purpose to over-set the little -Vessel wherein the Disciples of Our Lord were Embarqued with Him. And -it may be fear'd, that in the _Horrible Tempest_ which is now upon -ourselves, the design of the Devil is to sink that Happy Settlement -of Government, wherewith Almighty God has graciously enclined Their -Majesties to favour us.[63] We are blessed with a GOVERNOUR, than whom -no man can be more willing to serve Their Majesties, or this their -Province: He is continually venturing his _All_ to do it: and were -not the Interests of his Prince dearer to him than his own, he could -not but soon be weary of the _Helm_, whereat he sits. We are under -the Influence of a LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR,[64] who not only by being -admirably accomplished both with Natural and Acquired Endowments, is -fitted for the Service of Their Majesties, but also with an unspotted -Fidelity applies himself to that Service. Our COUNCELLOURS are some -of our most Eminent Persons, and as Loyal Subjects to the Crown, -as hearty lovers of their Country.[65] Our Constitution also is -attended with singular Priviledges; All which Things are by the Devil -exceedingly _Envy'd_ unto us. And the Devil will doubtless take this -occasion for the raising of such complaints and clamours, as may be -of pernicious consequence unto some part of our present Settlement, -if he can so far _Impose_. But that which most of all Threatens us, -in our present Circumstances, is the _Misunderstanding_, and so the -_Animosity_, whereunto the _Witchcraft_ now Raging, has Enchanted us. -The Embroiling, first, of our _Spirits_, and then of our _Affairs_, -is evidently as considerable a Branch of the Hellish Intrigue which -now vexes us as any one Thing whatever. The Devil has made us like a -_Troubled Sea_, and the _Mire_ and _Mud_ begins now also to heave up -apace. Even Good and Wise Men suffer themselves to fall into their -_Paroxysms;_ and the Shake which the Devil is now giving us, fetches up -the _Dirt_ which before lay still at the bottom of our sinful Hearts. -If we allow the Mad Dogs of Hell to poyson us by biting us, [11] we -shall imagine that we see nothing but such things about us, and like -such things fly upon all that we see. Were it not for what is IN US, -for my part, I should not fear a thousand Legions of Devils: 'tis by -our Quarrels that we spoil our Prayers; and if our humble, zealous, -and united Prayers are once hindred: Alas, the _Philistines_ of Hell -have cut our Locks for us; they will then blind us, mock us, ruine -us: In truth, I cannot altogether blame it, if People are a little -transported, when they conceive all the secular Interests of themselves -and their Families at the Stake; and yet at the sight of these -Heartburnings, I cannot forbear the Exclamation of the Sweet-spirited -_Austin_, in his Pacificatory Epistle to _Jerom_, on the Contest -with _Ruffin_, _O misera & miseranda Conditio!_ O Condition, truly -miserable! But what shall be done to cure these Distractions? It is -wonderfully necessary, that some healing Attempts be made at this time: -And I must needs confess (if I may speak so much) like a _Nazianzen_, -I am so desirous of a share in them, that if, being thrown overboard, -were needful to allay the _Storm_, I should think Dying, a Trifle to be -undergone, for so great a Blessedness.[66] - - -§ V. I would most importunately in the first place, entreat every Man -to maintain an holy Jealousie over his own Soul at this time, and -think; May not the Devil make me, though ignorantly and unwillingly, -to be an Instrument of doing something that he would have to be done? -For my part, I freely own my Suspicion, lest something of Enchantment, -have reach'd more Persons and Spirits among us, than we are well aware -of. But then, let us more generally agree to maintain a kind Opinion -one of another. That Charity without which, even our giving our Bodies -to be burned would profit nothing, uses to proceed by this Rule; It is -kind, it is not easily provok'd, it thinks no Evil, it believes all -things, hopes all things. But if we disregard this Rule of Charity, -we shall indeed give our Body Politick to be burned.[67] I have heard -it affirmed, That in the late great Flood upon _Connecticut_, those -Creatures which could not but have quarrelled at another time, yet now -being driven together very agreeably stood by one another.[68] I am -sure we shall be worse than _Bruitish_ if we fly upon one another at a -time when the Floods of Belial make us afraid. On the one side; [Alas, -my Pen, must thou write the word, _Side_ in the Business?] There are -very worthy Men, who, having been call'd by God, when and where this -Witchcraft first appeared upon the Stage to encounter it, are earnestly -desirous to have it sifted unto the bottom of it. And I pray, which -of us all that should live under the continual Impressions of the -Tortures, Outcries, and Havocks which Devils confessedly Commissioned -by Witches make among their distressed Neighbours, would not have a -Biass that way beyond other Men? Persons this way disposed have been -Men eminent for Wisdom and Vertue, and Men acted by a noble Principle -of Conscience. Had not Conscience (of Duty to God) prevailed above -other Considerations with them, they would not for all they are worth -in the World have medled in this Thorny business. Have there been any -disputed Methods used in discovering the Works of Darkness? It may be -none but what have had great Precedents in other parts of the World; -which may, though not altogether justifie, yet much alleviate a Mistake -in us if there should happen to be found any such mistake in so dark -a Matter.[69] They have done what they have done, with multiplied -Addresses to God for his Guidance, and have not been insensible how -[12] much they have exposed themselves in what they have done. Yea, -they would gladly contrive and receive an expedient, how the shedding -of Blood, might be spared, by the Recovery of Witches, not gone -beyond the Reach of Pardon. And after all, they invite all good Men, -in terms to this purpose, 'Being amazed at the Number and Quality of -those accused of late, we do not know but Satan by his Wiles may have -enwrapped some innocent Persons; and therefore should earnestly and -humbly desire the most Critical Enquiry upon the place, to find out -the Falacy; that there may be none of the Servants of the Lord, with -the worshippers of _Baal_.' I may also add, That whereas, if once a -Witch do ingeniously confess among us, no more _Spectres_ do in their -Shapes after this, trouble the Vicinage; if any guilty Creatures will -accordingly to so good purpose confess their Crime to any Minister -of God, and get out of the Snare of the Devil, as no Minister will -discover such a Conscientious Confession, so I believe none in the -Authority will press him to discover it; but rejoyc'd in a Soul sav'd -from Death. On the other side [if I must again use the word _Side_, -which yet I hope to live to blot out] there are very worthy Men, who -are not a little dissatisfied at the Proceedings in the Prosecution -of this Witchcraft. And why? Not because they would have any such -abominable thing, defended from the Strokes of Impartial Justice. No, -those Reverend Persons who gave in this Advice unto the Honourable -Council; 'That Presumptions, whereupon Persons may be Committed, and -much more Convictions, whereupon Persons may be Condemned, as guilty of -Witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more considerable than barely the -Accused Persons being represented by a _Spectre_ unto the Afflicted; -Nor are Alterations made in the Sufferers, by a Look or Touch of the -Accused, to be esteemed an infallible Evidence of Guilt; but frequently -liable to be abused by the Devils Legerdemains:' I say, those very -Men of God most conscientiously Subjoined this Article to that -Advice,--'Nevertheless we cannot but humbly recommend unto unto the -Government, the speedy and vigorous Prosecution of such as have rendred -themselves Obnoxious; according to the best Directions given in the -Laws of God, and the wholsome Statutes of the _English_ Nation for the -Detection of Witchcraft.' Only 'tis a most commendable Cautiousness, -in those gracious Men, to be very shye lest the Devil get so far into -our Faith, as that for the sake of many Truths which we find he tells -us, we come at length to believe any Lyes, wherewith he may abuse -us: whereupon, what a Desolation of Names would soon ensue, besides a -thousand other pernicious Consequences? and lest there should be any -such Principles taken up, as when put into Practice must unavoidably -cause the _Righteous to perish with the Wicked;_ or procure the -Bloodshed of any Persons, like the _Gibeonites_, whom some learned Men -suppose to be under a false Notion of Witches, by _Saul_ exterminated. - -They would have all due steps taken for the Extinction of Witches; but -they would fain have them to be sure ones; nor is it from any thing, -but the real and hearty goodness of such Men, that they are loth to -surmise ill of other Men, till there be the fullest Evidence for the -surmises. As for the Honourable Judges that have been hitherto in the -Commission, they are above my Consideration: wherefore I will only say -thus much of them, That such of them as I have the Honour of a Personal -Acquaintance with, are Men of an excellent Spirit; and as at first -they went about the work for which they were Commission'd, with [13] -a very great aversion, so they have still been under Heart-breaking -Solicitudes, how they might therein best serve both God and Man? In -fine, Have there been faults on any side fallen into? Surely, they have -at worst been but the faults of a well-meaning Ignorance. On every side -then, why should not we endeavour with amicable Correspondencies, to -help one another out of the Snares wherein the Devil would involve -us? To wrangle the Devil out of the Country, will be truly a New -Experiment: Alas! we are not aware of the Devil, if we do not think, -that he aims at inflaming us one against another; and shall we suffer -our selves to be Devil-ridden? or by any unadvisableness contribute -unto the Widening of our Breaches? - -To say no more, there is a published and credible Relation; which -affirms, That very lately in a part of _England_, where some of the -Neighbourhood were quarrelling, a _Raven_ from the Top of a Tree -very articulately and unaccountably cry'd out, _Read the Third of -Collossians and the Fifteenth!_ Were I my self to chuse what sort of -Bird I would be transformed into, I would say, _O that I had wings -like a Dove!_ Nevertheless, I will for once do the Office, which as it -seems, Heaven sent that Raven upon; even to beg, _That the Peace of God -may Rule in our Hearts_. - - -§ VI. 'Tis necessary that we unite in every thing: but there are -especially two Things wherein our Union must carry us along together. -We are to unite in our Endeavours to deliver our distressed Neighbours, -from the horrible Annoyances and Molestations with which a dreadful -Witchcraft is now persecuting of them. To have an hand in any thing, -that may stifle or obstruct a Regular Detection of that Witchcraft, -is what we may well with an holy fear avoid. Their Majesties good -Subjects must not every day be torn to pieces by horrid Witches, and -those bloody Felons, be left wholly unprosecuted. The Witchcraft is -a business that will not be sham'd, without plunging us into sore -Plagues, and of long continuance.[70] But then we are to unite in such -Methods for this deliverance, as may be unquestionably safe, lest _the -latter end be worse than the beginning_. And here, what shall I say? I -will venture to say thus much, That we are safe, when we make just as -much use of all Advice from the invisible World, as God sends it for. -It is a safe Principle, That when God Almighty permits any Spirits -from the unseen Regions, to visit us with surprizing Informations, -there is then something to be enquired after; we are then to enquire -of one another, What Cause there is for such things? The peculiar -Government of God, over the unbodied Intelligences, is a sufficient -Foundation for this Principle. When there has been a Murder committed, -an Apparition of the slain Party accusing of any Man, altho' such -Apparitions have oftner spoke true than false, is not enough to Convict -the Man as guilty of that Murder; but yet it is a sufficient occasion -for Magistrates to make a particular Enquiry, whether such a Man have -afforded any ground for such an Accusation. Even so a Spectre exactly -resembling such or such a Person, when the Neighbourhood are tormented -by such Spectres, may reasonably make Magistrates inquisitive whether -the Person so represented have done or said any thing that may argue -their confederacy with Evil Spirits, altho' it may be defective enough -in point of Conviction; especially at a time, when 'tis possible, some -over-powerful Conjurer may have got the skill of thus exhibiting the -Shapes of all sorts of Persons, on purpose to stop the Prosecution -of the Wretches, whom due Enquiries thus provoked, might have made -obnoxious unto Justice. - -[14] _Quœre_, Whether if God would have us to proceed any further than -bare _Enquiry_, upon what Reports there may come against any Man, from -the World of _Spirits_, he will not by his Providence at the same time -have brought into our hands, these more evident and sensible things, -whereupon a man is to be esteemed a Criminal. But I will venture to -say this further, that it will be safe to account the Names as well -as the Lives of our Neighbors; two considerable things to be brought -under a Judicial Process, until it be found by Humane Observations that -the Peace of Mankind is thereby disturbed. We are Humane Creatures, -and we are safe while we say, they must be Humane Witnesses, who also -have in the particular Act of Seeing, or Hearing, which enables them -to be Witnesses, had no more than Humane Assistances, that are to -turn the Scale when Laws are to be executed. And upon this Head I -will further add: A wise and a just Magistrate, may so far give way -to a common Stream of Dissatisfaction, as to forbear acting up to the -heighth of his own Perswasion, about what may be judged convictive of a -Crime, whose Nature shall be so abstruse and obscure, as to raise much -Disputation. Tho' he may not do what he should leave undone, yet he may -leave undone something that else he could do, when the Publick Safety -makes an _Exigency_. - - -§ VII. I was going to make one Venture more; that is, to offer some -safe Rules, for the finding out of the Witches, which are at this day -our accursed Troublers: but this were a Venture too _Presumptuous_ -and _Icarian_ for me to make; I leave that unto those Excellent and -Judicious Persons, with whom I am not worthy to be numbred: All that -I shall do, shall be to lay before my Readers, a brief _Synopsis_ of -what has been written on that Subject, by a Triumvirate of as Eminent -Persons as have ever handled it. I will begin with, - -FOOTNOTES: - -[44] Probably the same whose Name appears in sundry Publications as -_Symmonds_. Walker, _Sufferings of the Clergy_, ii, 361, calls him -Simmons, and speaks very dubiously of him, as though he was a great -Sufferer both for, and for not being a Puritan. See also _Ibid_, Part -i, 67, 68. Neale, _Hist. Puritans_, ii, 19-20. Brooks's _Lives_, iii, -110-11. Old Thomas Fuller was well acquainted with Mr. Symonds, and -gives an Anecdote or two about him in his _Worthies_, and tells us he -died _about_ 1649, in London. He died in 1649, in London. - -[45] As to the _Loyalty_ professed, _that_ required pretty strong -Assurances on the Part of the prominent Men of New England, to gain it -Credence among the Officials in Old England; for not long before an -Agent of Massachusetts had asserted that "the Acts of that Colony were -not subject to any reëxamination in England;" and a Writer of 1688 that -"till the Reign of his present Majesty, James II, New England would -never submit to any Governor sent from England, but lived like a Free -State." - -[46] The Work here referred to was published in 1689. Its Title -abridged was--_Memorable Providences relating to Witchcrafts and -Possessions, with some Sermons annexed_. Its being republished and -commended by Baxter, only shows that that great Man was as much -benighted as the Rest of the World, so far as the Matter in Hand is -concerned. - -[47] This Amalgamation of Creeds was often attempted by the more -catholic Portion of the Community, and as often defeated by the more -dogmatical Part, from the first Settlement of the Country to this Day. -When there is but one Interest to serve, and when that one Interest is -agreed upon, then will a millenial Amalgamation of Creeds take place. - -[48] In the first Settlement of the Country, when all, or nearly all -were within the Pale of the Church, or directly under the Eye of the -Minister or a Magistrate, there was little Need of Courts, Constables -and Lawyers; but in a growing Community those Days must necessarily -be of limited Duration; and as there never was a Community of any -considerable Numbers, in Times past, wherein there were no _Monsters or -Goblins_, such a Community is hardly to be expected to be found in Time -to come. - -[49] It is human Nature for People to resent being taunted with Faults, -whether they be real or imaginary. While a few will reform the many -will cling to Error with more Tenacity. Thus the enormous Crime of -Slavery--few Men were so depraved by Nature as to maintain that it -was right, in reasoning with themselves; while, when it was harshly -denounced as a vile Felony, Anger took the Place of Reason in the -Slaveholder, and here Argument only served to rivet firmer the Fetters -intended to be removed. So it was with other less heinous Offences. - -[50] This and similar Expressions were in frequent Use by nearly all -the early Writers on American Affairs. "In this Howling Wilderness," -"in these goings down of the Sun," &c., &c. - -[51] This "famous Person" was Mr. Giles Firmin. See _N. E. Hist. -and Gen. Reg._ iv, 11; _also_ Felt, _Eccl. Hist. N. Eng.,_ ii, 48. -Nathaniel Ward has a very similar Passage: "I thank God that I have -lived in a Colony of many thousand English almost these twelve Years, -am held a very sociable Man, yet I may considerately say, I never -heard but one Oath sworne, nor never saw one Man drunk, nor never -heard of three Women Adulteresses in all this time, that I can call to -mind."--_Simple Cobber_, 67, Pulsifer's _Edition_, 1843. The Reader -will find much that is highly interesting respecting the Worthies -mentioned in this Note in Mr. J. Ward Dean's _Life of Nathaniel Ward_, -now ready for Publication. - -[52] Ideas similar to these are often met with in the _Magnalia_ and -other Writings of the Author. But he was by no means singular in his -Notions regarding the Devil. Most of the Divines of Dr. Mather's Day -inculcated the same Sentiments, to say nothing of those of a later Day. - -[53] This frank Acknowledgment that Witchcraft was "snarl'd" and -"unintelligible," would seem to have been a sufficient Reason for -letting it alone. But Reason and Superstition cannot exist together. - -[54] It is not very clear to what particular Case the Author refers. -See _Hist. and Antiqs. Boston_, 283, 309. "More than forty Years ago" -is too indefinite for present historical Purposes. - -[55] It has long been perfectly clear that the Devil _did get in -his Juggles_, and that he _did_ succeed, almost beyond Belief, in -confounding the Understanding of the whole Community, and particularly -that of our Author. Respecting Witchcraft in Sweden, &c., consult Dr. -Anthony Horneck's _Relation of the Swedish Witches_. - -[56] It is not strange that English Writers talk about the "Colony of -Boston," when our own best informed Natives speak in this careless -Manner about the "Province of New-England." - -[57] The serious Consideration of this Postulate was the primary Cause -of the Reaction which followed the Prosecution. See Dr. I. Mather's -_Cases of Conscience_. MS. in the Editor's Possession. - -[58] The Incomprehensibleness of the Creator is nowhere more strikingly -expressed than in the following old Lines: - - What mortal Man can with a Span mete out Eternity? - Or fathom it by Depth of Wit or Strength of Memory? - The lofty Sky is not so high, Hell's Depth to this is small; - The World so wide is but a Stride, compared therewithal. - It is a main great Ocean, withouten Bank or Bound: - A deep Abyss, wherein there is no Bottom to be found. - - _Day of Doom_, Edit. 1715, P. 51. - - -[59] In the Notes of Butler and Dr. Nash to _Hudibras_ the Reader will -find some Amusement respecting the Witches of Lapland. Although the -Laplanders are described as a miserable Race, they could not have been -much behind the English in Matters of Superstition at this Period. -Dr. Heylyn says the Laplanders, "at their first going out of their -Doores in a Morning vse to giue worship and diuine honour all the Day -following, to that liuing Creature what ere it be, which they see at -their first going out." _Mikrokosmos_, 328, Edit. 1624, 4to. - -[60] It does not appear to have occurred to the Doctor that a _good -Spirit_ might have been the Author of such _darting_ Operations. - -[61] It would have been gratifying to at least some of the Author's -Readers if he had informed them how, where and when he became possessed -of the Art of Sorcery, and as he acknowledges having the Art, how he -escaped Prosecution. This is _parum claris lucem dare_ indeed. - -[62] This Hopefulness occasionally breaks out. It ill agrees with -the doleful Tone often expressed, in various Parts of the Doctor's -Writings--that "New England is on the broad Road to Perdition." - -[63] This has Reference to the Favor expected at the Hands of William -and Mary. The new Charter granted by them was received in Boston on -the 14th of May, 1692. Sir Wm. Phipps came over at the same Time and -assumed the Office of Governor. - -[64] William Stoughton, afterwards Governor. - -[65] These were to be 28 in Number. As the early Histories do not name -them I copy them here from the Charter as printed in 1726: "Simon -Broadstreet, John Richards, Nathanael Saltonstall, Wait Winthrop, John -Philips, James Russell, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Appleton, Bartholomew -Gedney, John Hathorn, Elisha Hutchinson, Robert Pike, Jonathan Corwin, -John Jolliffe, Adam Winthrop, Richard Middlecot, John Foster, Peter -Sergeant, Joseph Lynd, Samuel Heyman, Stephen Mason, Thomas Hinkley, -William Bradford, John Walley, Barnabas Lothrop, Job Alcot, Samuel -Daniel, and Silvanus Davis, Esquires." Isaac Addington was appointed -Secretary. Nearly all noticed in Allen's _Amer. Biog. Dict._ - -[66] The horrible Picture drawn in this long Paragraph has Reference -especially to the still deep Current among the few who did not believe -in Witchcraft, or at least who did not believe in extreme Measures -against those accused of it. - -[67] Strange Source, indeed, whence to hear a Plea for Charity! - -[68] Did this Fact suggest the Idea of the _Happy Family_ to the -Keepers of modern Menageries? The Freshet is not mentioned by the -Chroniclers. - -[69] There was a Proposition, it is said, to send to England to engage -one Matthew Hopkins, a professed Witch-finder, then in high repute in -that Country. See _History and Antiquities of Boston_, 309. - -[70] It is at every Step surprising to observe how the Writer assumes -to be the Judge, in this at the same Time "dark and incomprehensible -Business," as it is frequently acknowledged by him to be. - - - - - AN ABSTRACT OF MR. PERKINS'S[71] WAY FOR THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES. - - -I. THERE _are_ Presumptions, _which do at least probably and -conjecturally note one to be a_ Witch. _These give occasion to -Examine, yet they are no sufficient Causes of Conviction._ - -II. _If any Man or Woman be notoriously defamed for a_ Witch, _this -yields a strong Suspition. Yet the Judge ought carefully to look, that -the Report be made by_ Men _of Honesty and Credit._ - -III. _If a_ Fellow-Witch, _or_ Magician, _give Testimony of any Person -to be a_ Witch; _this indeed is not sufficient for Condemnation; but it -is a fit Presumption to cause a straight Examination._ - -IV. _If after Cursing there follow Death, or at least some mischief: -for_ Witches _are wont to practise their mischievous Facts by Cursing -and Banning: This also is a sufficient matter of Examination, tho' not -of Conviction._ - -V. _If after Enmity, Quarrelling, or Threatning, a present mischief -does follow; that also is a great Presumption._ - -[15] VI. _If the Party suspected be the Son or Daughter, the -man-servant or maid-servant, the Familiar Friend, near Neighbor, or -old Companion, of a known and convicted Witch; this may be likewise a -Presumption; for Witchcraft is an Art that may be learned, and conveyed -from man to man._ - -VII. _Some add this for a Presumption: If the Party suspected be found -to have the Devil's mark; for it is commonly thought, when the Devil -makes his Covenant with them, he alwaies leaves his mark behind them, -whereby he knows them for his own:--a mark whereof no evident Reason in -Nature can be given._ - -VIII. _Lastly, If the party examined be Unconstant, or contrary to -himself, in his deliberate Answers, it argueth a Guilty Conscience, -which stops the freedom of Utterance. And yet there are causes of -Astonishment, which may befal the Good, as well as the Bad._ - -IX. _But then there is a_ Conviction, _discovering the_ Witch, _which -must proceed from just and sufficient proofs, and not from bare -presumptions._ - -X. _Scratching of the suspected party, and Recovery thereupon, -with several other such weak Proofs; as also, the fleeting of the -suspected Party, thrown upon the Water; these Proofs are so far from -being sufficient, that some of them are, after a sort, practices of -Witchcraft._ - -XI. _The Testimony of some Wizzard, tho' offering to shew the Witches -Face in a Glass: This, I grant, may be a good Presumption, to cause -a strait Examination; but a sufficient Proof of Conviction it cannot -be. If the Devil tell the Grand Jury, that the person in question is -a Witch, and offers withal to confirm the same by Oath, should the -Inquest receive his Oath or Accusation to condemn the man? Assuredly -no. And yet, that is as much as the Testimony of another Wizzard, who -only by the Devil's help reveals the Witch._ - -XII. _If a man, being dangerously sick, and like to dy, upon -Suspicion, will take it on his Death, that such an one hath bewitched -him, it is an Allegation of the same nature, which may move the Judge -to examine the Party, but it is of no moment for Conviction._ - -XIII. _Among the sufficient means of Conviction, the first is, the free -and voluntary Confession of the Crime, made by the party suspected -and accused, after Examination. I say not, that a bare confession is -sufficient, but a Confession after due Examination, taken upon pregnant -presumptions. What needs now more witness or further Enquiry?_ - -XIV. _There is a second sufficient Conviction, by the Testimony of two -Witnesses, of good and honest Report, avouching before the Magistrate, -upon their own Knowledge, the two things: either that the party accused -hath made a League with the Devil, or hath done some known practices -of witchcraft. And,_ all Arguments that do necessarily prove either of -these, _being brought by two sufficient Witnesses, are of force fully -to convince the party suspected._ - -XV. _If it can be proved, that the party suspected hath called upon -the_ Devil, _or desired his Help, this is a pregnant proof of a League -formerly made between them._ - -XVI. _If it can be proved, that the party hath entertained a Familiar -Spirit, and had Conference with it, in the likeness of some visible -Creatures; here is Evidence of witchcraft._ - -XVII. _If the witnesses affirm upon Oath, that the suspected person -hath done any action or work which necessarily infers a Covenant made, -as, that he hath used En-[16]chantments, divined things before they -come to pass, and that peremptorily, raised Tempests, caused the Form -of a dead man to appear; it proveth sufficiently, that he or she is a_ -Witch.[72] This is the Substance of Mr. _Perkins_. - - * * * * * - -'Take next the Sum of Mr. _Gaules_[73] Judgment about the Detection -of Witches. 1. Some Tokens for the Trial of Witches are altogether -unwarrantable. Suchare the old Paganish Sign, the Witches _Long -Eyes;_ the Tradition of Witches not weeping; the casting of the -Witch into the Water, with Thumbs and Toes ty'd a-cross. And many -more such Marks, which if they are to know a Witch by, certainly -'tis no other Witch, but the User of them. 2. There are some Tokens -for the Trial of Witches, more probable, and yet not so certain as -to afford Conviction. Such are strong and long Suspicion: Suspected -Ancestors, some appearance of Fact, the Corps bleeding upon the -Witches touch, the Testimony of the Party bewitched, the supposed -Witches unusual Bodily marks, the Witches usual Cursing and Banning, -the Witches lewd and naughty kind of Life. 3. Some Signs there are -of a Witch, more certain and infallible. As, _firstly_, Declining of -Judicature, or faultering, faulty, unconstant, and contrary Answers, -upon judicial and deliberate examination. _Secondly_, When upon due -Enquiry into a person's Faith and Manners, there are found _all_ or -_most_ of the Causes which produce Witchcraft, namely, _God_ forsaking, -_Satan_ invading, particular _Sins_ disposing; and lastly, a compact -compleating all. _Thirdly_, The Witches free Confession, together with -full Evidence of the Fact. _Confession_ without _Fact_ may be a meer -Delusion, and _Fact_ without _Confession_ may be a meer Accident. -_4thly_, The semblable Gestures and Actions of suspected Witches, with -the comparable Expressions of Affections, which in all Witches have -been observ'd and found very much alike. _Fifthly_, The Testimony of -the Party bewitched, whether pining or dying, together with the joynt -Oaths of sufficient persons, that have seen certain prodigious Pranks -or Feats, wrought by the Party accused. 4. Among the most unhappy -circumstances to convict a Witch, one is, a maligning and oppugning the -Word, Work, and Worship of God, and by any extraordinary sign seeking -to seduce any from it. See _Deut._ 13. 1, 2, _Mat._ 24. 24. _Act._ 13. -8, 10. 2 _Tim._ 3. 8. Do but mark well the places, and for this very -Property (of thus opposing and perverting) they are all there concluded -arrant and absolute Witches. 5. It is not requisite, that so _palpable -Evidence of Conviction_ should here come in, as in other more sensible -matters; 'tis enough, if there be but so much _circumstantial_ Proof -or Evidence, as the Substance, Matter, and Nature of such an abstruse -Mystery of Iniquity will well admit. [_I suppose he means, that whereas -in other Crimes we look for more direct proofs, in this there is a -greater use of consequential ones._] 'But I could heartily wish, that -the Juries were empanell'd of the most eminent Physicians, Lawyers, and -Divines that a Country could afford. In the mean time 'tis not to be -called a Toleration, if Witches escape, where Conviction is wanting. To -this purpose our _Gaule_.' - -I will transcribe a little from one Author more, 'tis the Judicious -_Bernard_ of _Batcomb_,[74] who in his _Guide to grand Jurymen_, after -he has mention'd several things that are shrewd Presumptions of a -Witch, proceeds to such things as are the _Convictions_ of such an -one. And he says, '_A witch in league with the_ Devil _is convicted -by_ [1][75] _these Evidences;_ I. By a witches _Mark;_ which is on -the Baser sort of Witches; and this, by the Devils either Sucking -or Touching of them. _Tertullian_ says, _It is the Devils custome -to mark his_. And note, That this mark is _Insensible_, and being -prick'd it will not Bleed. Sometimes, its like a _Teate;_ sometimes -but a _Blewish Spot;_ sometimes a _Red_ one; and sometimes the _flesh -Sunk:_ but the Witches do sometimes cover them. II. By the Witches -_Words_. As when they have been heard calling on, speaking to, or -Talking of their _Familiars;_ or, when they have been heard _Telling_ -of _Hurt_ they have done to man or beast: Or when they have been heard -_Threatning_ of such Hurt; Or if they have been heard Relating their -_Transportations_. III. By the Witches _Deeds_. As when they have -been _seen_ with their Spirits, or seen secretly Feeding any of their -_Imps_. Or, when there can be found their Pictures, Poppets, and other -Hellish Compositions. IV. By the Witches _Extasies:_ With the Delight -whereof, Witches are so taken, that they will hardly conceal the same: -Or, however at some time or other, they may be found in them. V. By -one or more _Fellow-Witches_, Confessing their own Witchcraft, and -bearing Witness against others; if they can make good the Truth of -their Witness, and give sufficient proof of it. As, that they have seen -them with their Spirits or, that they have Received Spirits from them; -or that they can tell, when they used Witchery-Tricks to Do Harm; or, -that they told them what Harm they had done; or that they can show the -mark upon them; or, that they have been together in their Meetings; and -such like. VI. By some _Witness of God_ Himself, happening upon the -Execrable Curses of Witches upon themselves, Praying of God to show -some Token, if they be Guilty. VII. By the Witches own _Confession_, of -Giving their Souls to the Devil. It is no Rare thing, for Witches to -Confess.' - -They are Considerable Things, which I have thus Recited; and yet it -must be with _Open Eyes_, kept upon _Open Rules_, that we are to follow -these things. - -_S._ 8. But _Juries_ are not the only Instruments to be imploy'd -in such a Work; all _Christians_ are to be concerned with daily -and fervent _Prayers_, for the assisting of it. In the Days of -_Athanasius_, the Devils were found unable to stand before that -_Prayer_, however then used perhaps with too much of Ceremony, _Let God -Arise, Let his Enemies be scattered_. _Let them also that Hate Him, -flee before Him._ - -O that instead of letting our Hearts _Rise_ against one another, our -Prayers might _Rise_ unto an high pitch of Importunity, for such a -_Rising_ of the Lord! Especially, Let them that are _Suffering_ by -_Witchcraft_, be sure to _stay_ and _pray_, and _Beseech the Lord -thrice_, even as much as ever they can, before they complain of any -Neighbour for afflicting them. Let them also that are _accused_ of -_Witchcraft_, set themselves to _Fast_ and _Pray_, and so shake off the -_Dæmons_ that would like _Vipers_ fasten upon them; and get the _Waters -of Jealousie_ made profitable to them. - -And Now, O _Thou Hope of_ New-England, _and the Saviour thereof in the -Time of Trouble; Do thou look mercifully down upon us, & Rescue us, out -of the Trouble which at this time do's threaten to swallow us up. Let -Satan be shortly bruised under our Feet, and Let the Covenanted Vassals -of Satan, which have Traiterously brought him in upon us, be Gloriously -Conquered, by thy Powerful and Gracious Presence in the midst of us. -Abhor us not, O God, but cleanse us, but heal us, but save us, for -the sake of thy Glory. Enwrapped in our Salvations. By thy Spirit, -Lift up a standard against our infernal adversaries, Let us quickly -find thee making of us glad, according to the Days wherein we have -been afflicted. Accept of all our Endeavours to glorify thee, in the -Fires that are upon us; and among the rest, Let these my poor and weak -essays, composed with what Tears, what Cares, what Prayers, thou_ only -_knowest, not want the Acceptance of the Lord._ - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[71] The same "Master William Perkins," I suppose, who wrote the three -stout Folios of Puritan Theology, published in 1606, besides many -smaller Works. The earliest Notice I find of him is by another equally -famous and voluminous Puritan, the Rev. Samuel Clark, in his _Marrow -of Ecclesiastical History_, published in 1650. Mr. Clark informs us -that William Perkins was born at Marston in Warwickshire, in 1558, was -educated at "_Christ's_ College in _Cambridg_," and that in the 24th -of _Elizabeth_, he was chosen a Fellow of that College, and that "hee -was very wilde in his Youth." From his Professorship, "hee was chosen -to _Saint Andrews_ Parish in _Cambridg_, where he preached all his -Life after. His Sermons were not so plain, but the piously learned did -admire them; nor so learned, but the plain did understand them: Hee -brought the Schools into the Pulpit, and unshelling their Controversies -out of their hard School-tearms, made thereof plain and wholsom Meat -for his People: He was an excellent Chirurgion at the jointing of a -broken Soul, and at stating of a doubtful Conscience. In his Sermons -hee used to pronounce the Word _Damn_ with such an Emphasis, as left a -dolefull Echo in his Auditor's Ears a good while after: and when hee -was Catechist in Christ's College, in expounding the Commandments, hee -applied them so Home to the Conscience as was able to make his Hearers -Harts fall down, and their Hairs almost to stand upright." - -On Reference to the Works of famous Thomas Fuller, it will be found, -that in his Life of Perkins he has substantially the same Account. From -that Author Mr. Clark doubtless borrowed the Expressions used by him, -as Fuller's Work was published several Years before, and they seem -peculiar to that highly talented Writer. Clark is followed because -he was of the same religious Denomination as Mr. Perkins. Mr. Clark -continues: "In his Life hee was so pious and spotless, that Malice -was afraid to bite at his Credit, into which shee knew that her Teeth -could not enter: Hee had a rare Felicitie in reading of Books, and as -it were but turning them over would give an exact account of all that -was considerable therein: hee perused Books so speedily that one would -think that hee read nothing, and yet so accurately that one would think -he read all: Besides his frequent Preaching, hee wrote manie excellent -Books, both Treatises, and Commentaries, which for their Worth were -manie of them translated into Latine, and sent beyond Sea, where to -this Daie they are highly prized, and much set by, yea some of them -are translated into _French_, _High-Dutch_, and _Low-Dutch:_ and his -reformed Catholick was translated into _Spanish;_ yet no Spaniard ever -since durst take up the Gantlet of Defiance cast down by this Champion." - -But there is one Fact mentioned by Fuller which Mr. Clark omits: "There -goeth," he says, "an uncontrolled Tradition, that Perkins, when a young -Scholar, was a great Studier of Magic, occasioned perchance by his -Skill in the Mathematics. For, ignorant People count all Circles above -their own Sphere to be Conjring; and presently cry out, 'those Things -are done by Black Art' for which their dim Eyes can see no Colour in -Reason. And in such Case, when they cannot fly up to Heaven to make -it a Miracle, they fetch it from Hell to make it Magic, though it may -lawfully be done by natural Causes." - -Mr. Perkins died "in the fourtieth Year of his Age, _Anno_ 1602, being -born the first, and dying the last Year of [the Reign of] Elizabeth: He -was of a ruddie Complexion, fat and corpulent: Lame of his right Hand, -yet this _Ehud_ with a left-handed Pen did stab the Romish Caus--as one -faith: [Hugh Holland] - - 'Though Nature thee of thy right Hand bereft. - 'Right well thou writest with thy Hand that's left.' - -"Hee was buried with great Solemnity at the sole Charges of Christs -College, the Universitie, and Town striving which should express more -Sorrow thereat: Doctor _Montague_, afterwards Bishop of Winchester -preached his Funeral Sermon."--_Marrow of Ecclesiastical Historie_, -414-417, and Fuller's _Holy and Profane State_, 80-84. - -The well known Rev. Mr. Job Orton speaks of the Folios of Perkins with -Delight, and adds: "What led me more particularly to read him was, that -his Elder Brother was one of my Ancestors, from whom I am in a direct -Line, by my Mother's Side descended."--Orton, in _Brook's Lives_, ii, -135. In his Will, dated 16 Oct., 1602, he mentions, among others, -Nathaniel Cradock, his Brother-in-law, Wife Timothye, Father and Mother -Thomas and Anna Perkins, Son-in-law, John Hinde, and Brethren and -Sisters, but not by Name.--_Ibid._ - -I have been more particular in this Notice of Perkins for two Reasons; -first, because of his Puritanism he was selected as a prime Authority -in Matters of Witchcraft by our Author; and second, because he seems -to have been a Man possessing that Precocity of Mind, and in other -respects was similarly gifted. To those desirous of learning more of -that noted Puritan Leader will find Gratification in the excellent and -elaborate Life of him in Brook's _Lives of the Puritans_. - -[72] On perusing these Articles for the Detection of Witches, one -cannot escape the Conviction that on their being sifted by the -ordinary Rules of Common-sense, they actually amount to nothing at -all. Thus in Article VI it is laid down, that "Witchcraft is an Art, -that may be learned, and conveyed from Man to Man." This Postulate -follows of course, previously assuming that the Occult Sciences -originate in Mathematics; and further, that Mathematical Calculations -are inseparable from the Laws that govern the whole System of the -Universe, and hence emanate from, or are a Part of the Creator -himself. Whence then, with this inevitable Conclusion, does the "Art" -originate? Nothing can be clearer, therefore, than this,--if those -learned Plodders of Master Perkins's Time had followed out the most -simple Rules of Logic, they would have had neither Witch nor Devil -wherewith to addle their own Brains, or to confound those of the -unlearned Multitude. This Question being disposed of, all others having -Dependence on it, or traceable to it, effectually dispose of the whole -Question of Witchcraft. - -[73] John Gaule has not, so far as ascertained, been stumbled on by -any Makers of Biographical Dictionaries, and Bibliographers are almost -equally silent. How many Works he was Author of is not known. The Title -of one is _Distractions, or Holy Madness_, 12mo, 1629. He wrote other -theological Works, but their Titles have not come to the Annotator's -Knowledge. - -[74] As there is more than one _Batcomb_ in England "Judicious -Bernard's" being _of_ that Place is not much of a Guide to any looking -after his Biography. Fortunately, or unfortunately for him, his -Portrait was engraved, and that caused him to be noticed by Granger. -His Name was Richard, and he was Pastor of "Batcombe" in Somersetshire. -The Work extracted from by our Author was published in 1627. He was -Author of a Concordance to the Bible, though it was not so entitled; -also of a Work called the _Threefold Treatise of the Sabbath_, in 1641, -in which Year he died. His Portrait by Hollar first appeared in this -Work.--_Biog. Hist. England_, ii, 369. He was perhaps the Author of -_The Isle of Man; or the Legal Proceedings in Man-Shire against Sinne_, -12mo, 1635. - -[75] Here the paging begins anew, in the Edition followed. - - - - -[Decoration] - - [2] A DISCOURSE ON THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD.[76] - - UTTERED (IN PART) ON AUG. 4, 1692. - - - Ecclesiastical History has Reported it unto us, That a Renowned - Martyr at the Stake, seeing the Book of the REVELATION thrown by - his no less Profane than Bloody Persecutors, to be Burn'd in the - same Fire with himself, he cryed out, _O Beata Apocalypsis; quam - bene mecum agitur, qui tecum Comburar!_ BLESSED REVELATION! said - he, _How Blessed am I in this Fire, while I have Thee to bear me - Company_.[77] As for our selves this Day, 'tis a Fire of sore - Affliction and Confusion, wherein we are Embroiled; but it is no - inconsiderable Advantage unto us, that we have the Company of - this Glorious and Sacred Book the REVELATION to assist us in our - Exercises. From that Book there is one Text, which I would single - out at this time to lay before you; 'tis that in - - - REVEL. xii. 12. - - _Wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth, and of the Sea; for the Devil - is come down unto you, having great Wrath; because he knoweth, - that he hath but a short time._ - -THE Text is Like the Cloudy and Fiery Pillar, vouchsafed unto _Israel_, -in the Wilderness of old; there is a very _dark side_ of it in the -Intimation, that, _The Devil is come down having great Wrath;_ but it -has also a _bright side_, when it assures us, that, _He has but a short -time;_ Unto the Contemplation of _both_, I do this Day Invite you. - -We have in our Hands a Letter from our Ascended Lord in Heaven, to -Advise us of his being still alive, and of his Purpose e're long, to -give us a Visit, wherein we shall see our Living _Redeemer, stand at -the latter day upon the Earth_. 'Tis the last Advice that we have had -from Heaven, for now sixteen Hundred years; and the scope of it, is, -to represent how the Lord Jesus Christ having begun to set up his -Kingdom in the World, by the preaching of the Gospel, he would from -time to time utterly break to pieces all Powers that should make Head -against it, until, _The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdomes -of our Lord, and of his_ [3] _Christ, and he shall Reign for ever -and ever_. 'Tis a Commentary on what had been written by _Daniel_, -about, _The fourth Monarchy;_ with some Touches upon, _The Fifth;_ -wherein, _The greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven, shall -be given to the people of the Saints of the most High:_ And altho' it -have, as 'tis expressed by one of the Ancients, _Tot Sacramenta quot -verba_, a Mystery in every Syllable, yet it is not altogether to be -neglected with such a Despair, as that, _I cannot read, for the Book is -sealed_. It is a REVELATION, and a singular, and notable _Blessing_ is -pronounced upon them that humbly study it. - -The Divine Oracles, have with a most admirable Artifice and -Carefulness, drawn, as the very pious _Beverley_, has laboriously -Evinced, an exact LINE OF TIME, from the first Sabbath at the -_Creation_ of the World, unto the great Sabbatism at the _Restitution_ -of all Things. In that famous _Line of Time_, from the Decree for the -Restoring of _Jerusalem_, after the Babylonish Captivity, there seem -to remain a matter of _Two Thousand and Three Hundred Years_, unto -that _New Jerusalem_, whereto the Church is to be advanced, when the -Mystical _Babylon_ shall be _fallen_. At the Resurrection of our Lord, -there were seventeen or eighteen Hundred of those Years, yet upon the -Line, to run unto, _The rest which remains for the People of God;_ -and this Remnant in the _Line of Time_, is here in our _Apocalypse_, -variously Embossed, Adorned, and Signalized with such Distinguishing -Events, if we mind them, will help us escape that Censure, _Can ye not -Discern the Signs of the Times?_ - -The Apostle _John_, for the View of these Things, had laid before -him, as I conceive, a _Book_, with leaves, or folds; which _Volumn_ -was written both on the _Backside_, and on the _Inside_, and Roll'd -up in a Cylindriacal Form, under seven _Labels_, fastned with so many -_Seals_. The first _Seal_ being opened, and the first _Label_ removed, -under the first _Label_ the Apostle saw what he saw, of a first _Rider_ -Pourtray'd, and so on, till the last _Seal_ was broken up; each of -the Sculptures being enlarged with agreeable _Visions_ and _Voices_, -to illustrate it. The Book being now Unrolled, there were _Trumpets_, -with wonderful Concomitants, Exhibited successively on the Expanding -_Backside_ of it. Whereupon the Book was _Eaten_, as it were to be -Hidden, from Interpretations; till afterwards, in the _Inside_ of it, -the Kingdom of Anti-christ came to be Exposed. Thus, the Judgments of -God on the _Roman Empire_, first unto the Downfal of _Paganism_, and -then, unto the Downfal of _Popery_, which is but Revived _Paganism_, -are in these Displayes, with Lively Colours and Features made sensible -unto us. - -[4] Accordingly, in the Twelfth Chapter of this Book, we have an -August Preface, to the Description of that Horrid _Kingdom_, which our -Lord Christ refused, but Antichrist accepted, from the Devils Hands; -a Kingdom, which for _Twelve Hundred and Sixty_ Years together, was -to be a continual oppression upon the People of God, and opposition -unto his Interests; until the Arrival of that Illustrious Day, -wherein, _The Kingdom shall be the Lords, and he shall be Governour -among the Nations_. The Chapter is (as an Excellent Person calls it) -an _Extravasated Account_ of the Circumstances, which befell the -_Primitive Church_, during the first Four or Five Hundred Years of -Christianity: It shows us the Face of the Church, first in _Rome_ -Heathenish, and then in Rome Converted, before the _Man of Sin_ was yet -come to _Mans Estate_. Our Text contains the Acclamations made upon -the most Glorious Revolution that ever yet happened upon the Roman -Empire; namely, That wherein the Travailing Church brought forth a -Christian Emperour. This was a most Eminent _Victory_ over the Devil, -and _Resemblance_ of the State, wherein the World, ere long shall see, -_The Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Christ_. It is here noted, - -First, As a matter of _Triumph_. 'Tis said, _Rejoyce, ye Heavens, -and ye that dwell in them_. The Saints in both Worlds, took the -Comfort of this Revolution; the Devout Ones that had outlived the late -Persecutions, were filled with Transporting Joys, when they saw the -_Christian_ become the _Imperial_ Religion, and when they saw Good Men -come to give Law unto the rest of Mankind; the Deceased Ones also, -whose Blood had been Sacrificed in the Ten Persecutions, doubtless -made the Light Regions to ring with _Hallelujahs_ unto God, when there -were brought unto them, the Tidings of the Advances now given to the -_Christian_ Religion, for which they had suffered _Martyrdom_. - -Secondly, As a matter of _Horror_. 'Tis said, _Wo to the Inhabiters of -the Earth and of the Sea_. The _Earth_ still means the _False Church_, -the _Sea_ means the _Wide World_, in Prophetical Phrasæology. There -was yet left a vast party of Men, that were Enemies to the Christian -Religion, in the power of it; a vast party left for the Devil to work -upon: Unto these is a _Wo_ denounced; and why so? 'Tis added, _For the -Devil is come down unto you, having great Wrath, because he knows, that -he has but a short time_. These were, it seems, to have some desperate -and peculiar Attempts of the Devil made upon them. In the mean time, we -may entertain this for our Doctrine. - -_Great Wo proceeds from the Great_ WRATH, _with which_ [5] _the_ -DEVIL, _towards the end of his_ TIME, _will make a_ DESCENT _upon a -miserable World._ - -I have now Published a most awful and solemn Warning for our selves at -this day; which has four _Propositions_, comprehended in it. - -_Proposition I._ That there is a _Devil_, is a thing Doubted by none -but such as are under the Influence of the _Devil_. For any to deny -the Being of a _Devil_ must be from an Ignorance or Profaneness, worse -than _Diabolical_. _A Devil._ What is _that?_ We have a Definition of -the Monster, in _Eph._ 6. 12. _A Spiritual Wickedness_, that is, _A -wicked Spirit_. A Devil is a _Fallen Angel_, an Angel _Fallen_ from the -Fear and Love of God, and from all Celestial Glories; but _Fallen_ to -all manner of Wretchedness and Cursedness. He was once in that Order -of Heavenly Creatures, which God in the Beginning made _Ministering -Spirits_, for his own peculiar Service and Honour, in the management -of the Universe; but we may now write that Epitaph upon him, _How art -thou fallen from Heaven! thou hast said in thine Heart, I will Exalt my -Throne above the Stars of God; but thou art brought down to Hell!_ A -Devil is a _Spiritual_ and _Rational Substance_, by his _Apostacy_ from -God, inclined to all that is Vicious, and for that _Apostacy_ confined -unto the Atmosphere of this Earth, _in Chains, under Darkness, unto the -Judgment of the Great Day_. This is a _Devil;_ and the _Experience_ of -Mankind as well as the _Testimony_ of Scripture, does abundantly prove -the Existence of such a Devil.[78] - -About this _Devil_, there are many things, whereof we may reasonably -and profitably be Inquisitive; such things, I mean, as are in our -Bibles Reveal'd unto us; according to which if we do not speak on so -_dark_ a Subject, but according to our own uncertain, and perhaps -humoursome Conjectures, _There is no Light in us_. I will carry you -with me, but unto one Paragraph of the Bible, to be informed of three -Things, relating to the _Devil;_ 'tis the Story of the _Gadaren -Energumen_, in the fifth Chapter of _Mark_. - -First, then, 'Tis to be granted; the _Devils_ are so many, that some -Thousands, can sometimes at once apply themselves to vex one Child -of Man. It is said, in Mark 5. 15. _He that was Possessed with the -Devil, had the Legion._ Dreadful to be spoken! A _Legion_ consisted of -Twelve Thousand Five Hundred People: And we see that in one Man or two, -so many _Devils_ can be spared for a Garrison. As the Prophet cryed -out, _Multitudes, Multitudes, in the Valley of Decision!_ So I say, -_There are multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of Destruction, where -the Devils are!_ When [6] we speak of, _The Devil_, 'tis, _A name of -Multitude;_ it means not _One_ Individual Devil, so Potent and Scient, -as perhaps a _Manichee_ would imagine; but it means a _Kind_, which -a _Multitude_ belongs unto. Alas, the _Devils_, they swarm about us, -like the _Frogs of Egypt_, in the most Retired of our Chambers. Are we -at our _Boards?_ There will be Devils to Tempt us unto Sensuality: Are -we in our _Beds?_ There will be Devils to Tempt us unto Carnality; Are -we in our _Shops?_ There will be Devils to Tempt us unto Dishonesty. -Yea, Tho' we get into the Church of God, there will be Devils to -Haunt us in the very _Temple_ it self, and there tempt us to manifold -Misbehaviours. I am verily perswaded, That there are very few Humane -Affairs whereinto some Devils are not Insinuated; There is not so much -as a _Journey_ intended, but _Satan_ will have an hand in _hindering_ -or _furthering_ of it. - -Secondly, 'Tis to be supposed, That there is a sort of Arbitrary, even -Military _Government_, among the _Devils_. This is intimated, when in -_Mar._ 5. 9. _The unclean Spirit said, My Name is Legion:_ they are -under such a Discipline as _Legions_ use to be. Hence we read about, -_The Prince of the power of the Air:_ Our _Air_ has a _power?_ or an -Army of Devils in the _High Places_ of it; and these Devils have a -_Prince_ over them, who is _King over the Children of Pride_. 'Tis -probable, That the Devil, who was the Ringleader of that mutinous and -rebellious Crew, which first shook off the Authority of God, is now -the General of those Hellish Armies;[79] Our Lord, that Conquered him, -has told us the Name of him; 'tis _Belzebub;_ 'tis he that is _the -Devil_, and the rest are _his Angels_, or his Souldiers. Think on vast -Regiments of cruel and bloody _French Dragoons_, with an _Intendant_ -over them, overrunning a pillaged Neighbourhood, and you will think a -little, what the Constitution among the _Devils_ is. - -Thirdly, 'tis to be supposed, that some Devils are more peculiarly -_Commission'd_, and perhaps _Qualify'd_, for some Countries, while -others are for others. This is intimated when in _Mar._ 5. 10. The -Devils _besought_ our Lord much, _that he would not send them away -out of the Countrey_. Why was that? But in all probability, because -_these Devils_ were more able _to do the works of the Devil_, in such -a Countrey, than in another. It is not likely that every Devil does -know every _Language;_ or that every Devil can do every _Mischief_.[80] -'Tis possible, that the _Experience_, or, if I may call it so, the -_Education_ of all Devils is not alike, and that there may be some -difference in their _Abilities_. If one might make an Inference from -what the Devils _do_, to what they _are_, One cannot [7] forbear -dreaming, that there are _degrees_ of Devils. Who can allow, that -such Trifling _Dæmons_, as that of _Mascon_,[81] or those that once -infested our _New berry_, are of so much Grandeur, as those _Dæmons_, -whose Games are mighty Kingdoms? Yea, 'tis certain, that all Devils -do not make a like Figure in the _Invisible World_. Nor does it look -agreeably, That the _Dæmons_, which were the Familiars of such a Man -as the old _Apollonius_, differ not from those baser Goblins that -chuse to Nest in the filthy and loathsom Rags of a beastly Sorceress. -Accordingly, why may not some Devils be more accomplished for what is -to be done in such and such places, when others must be _detach'd_ for -other Territories? Each Devil, as he sees his advantage, cries out, -_Let me be in this Countrey, rather than another_. But _Enough_, if not -_too much_, of these things.[82] - -_Proposition II._ There is a Devilish _Wrath_ against _Mankind_, with -which the _Devil_ is for _God's sake_ Inspired. The Devil is himself -broiling under the intollerable and interminable _Wrath_ of God; and -a fiery _Wrath_ at God, is, that which the Devil is for that cause -Enflamed. Methinks I see the posture of the Devils in _Isa._ 8. 21. -_They fret themselves, and Curse their God, and look upward._ The -first and chief _Wrath_ of the Devil, is at the Almighty God himself; -he knows, _The God that made him, will not have mercy on him, and -the God that formed him, will shew him no favour;_ and so he can -have no _Kindness_ for that God, who has no _Mercy_, nor _Favour_ -for him. Hence 'tis, that he cannot bear the _Name_ of God should be -acknowledged in the World: Every Acknowledgement paid unto _God_, is -a fresh drop of the burning Brimstone falling upon the Devil; he does -make his Insolent, tho' Impotent Batteries, even upon the _Throne_ of -God himself: and foolishly affects to have himself exalted unto that -_Glorious High Throne_, by all people, as he sometimes is, by Execrable -_Witches_. This horrible Dragon does not only with his Tayl strike at -the _Stars of God_, but at the God himself, who made the _Stars_, being -desirous to outshine them all. God and the Devil are sworn Enemies to -each other; the Terms between them, are those, in _Zech._ 11. 18. _My -Soul loathed them, and their Soul also abhorred me._ And from this -Furious _wrath_, or Displeasure and Prejudice at God, proceeds the -Devils _wrath_ at us, the poor Children of Men. Our doing the _Service_ -of God, is one thing that exposes us to the _wrath_ of the Devil. We -are the _High Priests_ of the World; when all Creatures are called -upon, _Praise ye the Lord_, they bring to us those demanded _Praises_ -of God, saying, _do you offer them for us_. Hence 'tis, that the Devil -has a Quarrel with [8] us, as he had with the _High-Priest_ in the -Vision of Old. Our bearing the Image of God is another thing that -brings the _wrath_ of the Devil upon us. As a _Tyger_, thro' his Hatred -at man will tear the very Picture of him, if it come in his way; such -a _Tyger_ the Devil is; because God said of old, _Let us make Man in -our Image_, the Devil is ever saying, _Let us pull this man to pieces_. -But the envious _Pride_ of the Devil, is one thing more that gives -an Edge unto his Furious _Wrath_ against us. The Apostle has given -us an hint, as if _Pride_ had been the _Condemnation of the Devil_. -'Tis not unlikely, that the Devil's _Affectation_ to be above that -Condition which he might learn that Mankind was to be preferr'd unto, -might be the occcasion of his taking up Arms against the _Immortal -King_. However, the Devil now sees _Man_ lying in the Bosom of God, -but _himself_ damned in the bottom of Hell; and this enrages him -exceedingly; _O_, says he, _I cannot bear it, that man should not be as -miserable as my self_. - -_Proposition III._ The _Devil_, in the prosecution, and the execution -of his _wrath_ upon them, often gets a _Liberty_ to make a _Descent_ -upon the Children of men. When the Devil _does hurt_ unto us, he -_comes down_ unto us; for the Rendezvouze of the _Infernal Troops_, is -indeed in the _supernal parts_ of our Air.[83] But as 'tis said, _A -sparrow of the Air does not fall down without the will of God;_ so -I may say, _Not a Devil in the Air, can come down without the leave -of God_. Of this we have a famous Instance in that Arabian Prince, -of whom the Devil was not able so much as to _Touch_ any thing, till -the most high God gave him a permission, to _go down_.[84] The Devil -stands with all the Instruments of death, aiming at us, and begging -of the Lord, as that King ask'd for the Hood-wink'd _Syrians_ of old, -_Shall I smite 'em, shall I smite 'em?_ He cannot strike a blow, till -the Lord say, _Go down and smite_, but sometimes he _does_ obtain from -the _high possessor of Heaven and Earth_, a License for the doing of -it. The Devil sometimes does make most rueful Havock among us; but -still we may say to him, as our Lord said unto a great Servant of -his, _Thou couldst have no power against me, except it were given -thee from above_.[85] The Devil is called in 1 _Pet._ 5. 8. _Your -Adversary._ This is a Law-term; and it notes _An Adversary at Law_. -The Devil cannot come at us, except in some sence according to _Law;_ -but sometimes he does procure sad things to be inflicted, according -to the _Law of_ the eternal King upon us. The Devil first _goes up_ -as an _Accuser_ against us. He is therefore styled _The Accuser;_ and -it is on this account, that his proper Name does belong unto him. -There is a Court somewhere kept; a Court of Spirits, where the Devil -enters all sorts of Complaints [9] against us all; he charges us with -manifold _sins_ against the Lord our God: _There_ he loads us with -heavy _Imputations_ of Hypocrysie, Iniquity, Disobedience; whereupon he -urges, _Lord, let 'em now have the death, which is their wages, paid -unto 'em!_ If our _Advocate_ in the Heavens do not now take off his -Libel; the Devil, then, with a Concession of God, _comes down_, as a -_destroyer_ upon us. Having first been an _Attorney_, to bespeak that -the Judgments of Heaven may be ordered for us, he then also pleads, -that he may be the _Executioner_ of those Judgments; and the God of -Heaven sometimes after a sort, signs a Warrant, for this _destroying -Angel_, to do what has been _desired_ to be done for the _destroying of -men_. But such a _permission_ from God, for the Devil to _come down_, -and _break in_ upon mankind, oftentimes must be accompany'd with a -_Commission_ from some wretches of mankind it self. Every man is, as -'tis hinted in _Gen._ 4. 9. _His brother's keeper_. We are to _keep_ -one another from the Inroads of the Devil, by mutual and cordial Wishes -of prosperity to one another. When ungodly people give their _Consents_ -in _witchcrafts_ diabolically performed, for the Devil to annoy their -Neighbours, he finds a breach made in the Hedge about us, whereat he -Rushes in upon us, with grievous molestations. Yea, when the impious -people, that never saw the Devil, do but utter their _Curses_ against -their Neighbours, those are so many _watch words_, whereby the Mastives -of Hell are animated presently to fall upon us. Tis thus, that the -Devil gets _leave_ to worry us. - -_Proposition IV._ Most horrible _woes_ come to be inflicted upon -Mankind, when the _Devil_ does in _great wrath_, make a _descent_ upon -them. The _Devil_ is a _Do-Evil_, and wholly set upon mischief. When -our Lord once was going to _Muzzel_ him, that he might not mischief -others, he cry'd out, _Art thou come to torment me?_ He is, it seems, -himself _Tormented_, if he be but _Restrained_ from the tormenting of -Men. If upon the sounding of the Three last _Apocalyptical Angels_, -it was an outcry made in Heaven, _Wo, wo, wo, to the inhabitants -of the Earth by reason of the voice of the Trumpet_. I am sure, a -_descent_ made by the Angel of _death_, would give cause for the like -Exclamation: _Wo to the world, by reason of the wrath of the Devil!_ -what a _woful_ plight, mankind would by the descent of the Devil be -brought into, may be gathered from the _woful_ pains, and wounds, and -hideous desolations which the Devil brings upon them, with whom he has -with a _bodily Possession_ made a Seisure. You may both in Sacred and -Profane History, read many a direful Account of the _woes_, which they -that are possessed by the Devil, do undergo: And from thence conclude, -_What_ [10] _must the Children of Men hope from such a Devil!_ -Moreover, the _Tyrannical Ceremonies_, whereto the Devil uses to -subjugate such _Woful_ Nations or Orders of Men, as are more Entirely -under his Dominion, do declare what _woful_ Work the Devil would make -where he comes. The very Devotions of those forlorn _Pagans_, to whom -the Devil is a Leader, are most bloody _Penances;_ and what _Woes_ -indeed must we expect from such a Devil of a _Moloch_, as relishes no -Sacrifices like those of Humane Heart-blood, and unto whom there is -no Musick like the bitter, dying, doleful Groans, ejaculated by the -Roasting Children of Men. - -Furthermore, the servile, abject, needy circumstances wherein the -Devil keeps the Slaves, that are under his more sensible Vassalage, -do suggest unto us, how _woful_ the Devil would render all our Lives. -We that live in a Province, which affords unto us all that may be -necessary or comfortable for us, found the Province fill'd with vast -Herds of Salvages, that never saw so much as a _Knife_, or a _Nail_, -or a _Board_, or a Grain of _Salt_, in all their Days. No better would -the Devil have the World provided for. Nor should we, or any else, have -one convenient thing about us, but be as indigent as _usually_ our most -_Ragged Witches_ are; if _the Devil's Malice_ were not overruled by a -_compassionate God_, who _preserves Man and Beast_. Hence 'tis, that -_the Devil_, even like a _Dragon_, keeping a Guard upon such _Fruits_ -as would _refresh_ a languishing World, has hindred Mankind for many -Ages, from hitting upon those _useful Inventions_, which yet _were so -obvious_ and _facil_, that it is every bodies wonder, they were no -sooner hit upon. The _bemisted World_, must jog on for thousands of -Years, without the knowledg of _the Loadstone_, till a _Neapolitan_ -stumbled upon it, about _three hundred years_ ago. Nor must the World -be _blest_ with such a _matchless Engine_ of _Learning_ and _Vertue_, -as that of _Printing_, till about _the middle of the Fifteenth -Century_. Nor could _One Old Man, all over the Face of the whole -Earth_, have the _benefit_ of such a _Little_, tho' most _needful_ -thing, as a pair of _Spectacles_, till a _Dutch-Man_, a _little while_ -ago accommodated us.[86] - -Indeed, as the Devil does begrutch us all manner of _Good_, so he -does annoy us with all manner of _Wo_, as often as he finds himself -capable of doing it. But shall we mention some of the _special woes_ -with which the Devil does usually infest the World! Briefly then; -_Plagues_ are some of those _woes_ with which the Devil troubles us. It -is said of the _Israelites_, in 1 _Cor._ 10. 10. _They were destroyed -of the destroyer_. That is, they had _the Plague_ among them. 'Tis -the _Destroyer_, or _the Devil_, that scatters _Plagues_ about the -World. Pestilential and Contagious Diseases, 'tis the Devil who does -oftentimes invade us with them. 'Tis no uneasy thing for the Devil -to impreg[11]nate the Air about us, with such Malignant _Salts_, as -meeting with _the Salt_ of our _Microcosm_, shall immediately cast us -into that Fermentation and Putrefaction, which will utterly dissolve -all the Vital Tyes within us; Ev'n as an _Aqua-Fortis_, made with a -conjunction of _Nitre_ and _Vitriol_, Corrodes what it Seizes upon. -And when the Devil has raised those _Arsenical Fumes_, which become -_Venemous Quivers_ full of _Terrible Arrows_, how easily can he shoot -the deleterious _Miasms_ into those Juices or Bowels of Mens Bodies, -which will soon Enflame them with a Mortal Fire! Hence come such -_Plagues_, as that _Beesom of Destruction_, which within our memory -swept away such a Throng of People from one _English_ City in one -Visitation;[87] And hence those Infectious Fevers, which are but so -many _Disguised Plagues_ among us, causing Epidemical Desolations. -Again, _Wars_ are also some of those _Woes_, with which the Devil -causes our Trouble. It is said in _Rev._ 12. 17. _The Dragon was Wrath -and he went to make War;_ and there is in truth scarce any _War_, but -what is of the _Dragon's_ kindling.[88] The Devil is that _Vulcan_, -out of whose Forge come the instruments of our _Wars_, and it is he -that finds us Employments for those Instruments. We read concerning -_Dæmoniacks_, or People in whom the Devil was, that they would cut and -wound themselves; and so, when the Devil is in Men, he puts 'em upon -dealing in that barbarous fashion with one another. _Wars_ do often -furnish him with some Thousands of Souls in one Morning from one Acre -of Ground; and for the sake of such _Thyestæan_ Banquets, he will push -us upon as many _Wars_ as he can. - -Once more, why may not _Storms_ be reckoned among those _Woes_, with -which the Devil does disturb us? It is not improbable that _Natural -Storms_ on the World are often of the Devils raising. We are told in -_Job_ 1. 11, 12, 19. that the Devil made a _Storm_, which hurricano'd -the House of _Job_, upon the Heads of them that were Feasting in -it. _Paracelsus_ could have informed the Devil, if he had not been -informed, as besure he was before, That if much _Aluminious_ matter, -with _Salt Petre_ not throughly prepared, be mixed, they will send up -a cloud of Smoke, which _will_ come down in Rain. But undoubtedly the -_Devil_ understands as _well_ the way to make a _Tempest_ as to turn -the _Winds_ at the _Solicitation_ of a _Laplander;_[89] whence perhaps -it is, that Thunders are observed oftner to break upon _Churches_ than -upon any other _Buildings;_ and besides many a Man, yea many a Ship, -yea, many a Town has miscarried, when the Devil has been permitted -from above to make an horrible Tempest.[90] However that the Devil has -raised many _Metaphorical Storms_ upon the Church, is a thing, than -which there is nothing more notorious. It was said unto Believers in -_Rev._ 2. 10. _The Devil shall cast some of [12] you into Prison_. The -Devil was he that at first set _Cain upon Abel_ to butcher him, as the -Apostle seems to suggest, for his Faith in God, as a _Rewarder_. And in -how many _Persecutions_, as well as _Heresies_ has the Devil been ever -since Engaging all the Children of _Cain!_ That Serpent the Devil has -acted his cursed Seed in unwearied endeavours to have them, _Of whom -the World is not worthy_, treated as those who are _not worthy to live -in the World_. By the impulse of the Devil, 'tis that first the old -_Heathens_, and then the mad _Arians_ were _pricking Briars_ to the -true Servants of God; and that the _Papists_ that came after them, have -out done them all for Slaughters, upon those that have been _accounted -as the Sheep for the Slaughters_. The late _French_ Persecution is -perhaps the horriblest that ever was in the World:[91] And as the Devil -of _Mascon_ seems before to have meant it in his out-cries upon _the -Miseries preparing for the poor Hugonots!_ Thus it has been all acted -by a singlar Fury of the old Dragon inspiring of his Emissaries. - -But in reality, _Spiritual Woes_ are the _principal Woes_ among all -those that the Devil would have us undone withal. _Sins_ are the worst -of _Woes_, and the Devil seeks nothing so much as to plunge us into -Sins. When men do commit a Crime for which they are to be Indicted, -they are usually _mov'd by the Instigation of the Devil_. The Devil -will put _ill men upon being worse_. Was it not he that said in 1 -_King._ 22. 22. _I will go forth, and be a lying Spirit in the Mouth -of all the Prophets?_ Even so the Devil becomes an _Unclean Spirit_, -_a Drinking Spirit_, _a Swearing Spirit_, _a Worldly Spirit_, _a -Passionate Spirit_, _a Revengeful Spirit_, and the like in the Hearts -of those that are already too much of such a Spirit; and thus they -become improv'd in Sinfulness. Yea, the Devil will put _good men upon -doing ill_. Thus we read in 1 _Chron._ 21. 1. _Satan provoked David -to number Israel_. And so the _Devil provokes_ men that are Eminent -in Holiness unto such things as may become eminently Pernicious; he -_provokes_ them especially unto _Pride_, and unto many unsuitable -Emulations. There are likewise most lamentable Impressions which the -_Devil_ makes upon the _Souls of Men_ by way of punishment upon them -for their _Sins_. 'Tis thus when an Offended God puts the _Souls_ of -_Men_ over into the Hands of that Officer _who has the power of Death, -that is, the Devil_. It is the woful Misery of Unbelievers in 2 _Cor._ -4. 4. _The god of this World has blinded their minds_. And thus it may -be said of those woful Wretches whom the _Devil_ is a God unto, _the -Devil so muffles them that they cannot see the things of their peace_. -And _the Devil so hardens them, that nothing will awaken their cares -about their Souls:_ How come so many to be _Seared_ in their Sins? -'Tis the Devil that with a red hot Iron fetcht from his Hell [13] does -_cauterise_ them. Thus 'tis, till perhaps at last they come to have a -_Wounded Conscience_ in them, and the Devil has often a share in their -Torturing and confounded Anguishes. The _Devil_ who Terrified _Cain_, -and _Saul_, and _Judas_ into Desperation, still becomes a _King of -Terrors_ to many Sinners, and frights them from laying hold on the -Mercy of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. In these regards, _Wo unto us, -when the Devil comes down upon us_.[92] - -_Proposition V._ Toward the _End_ of his _Time_ the _Descent_ of the -Devil in _Wrath_ upon the World will produce more _woful Effects,_ -than what have been in _former Ages_. The dying Dragon, will bite -more cruelly and sting more bloodily than ever he did before: The -Death-pangs of the Devil will make him to be more of a _Devil_ than -ever he was; and the Furnace of this _Nebuchadnezzar_ will be heated -_seven times_ hotter, just before its putting out. - -We are in the first place to apprehend, that there is a time fixed and -stated by God for the Devil to enjoy a dominion over our sinful and -therefore woful World. The _Devil_ once exclaimed in _Mat._ 8. 29. -_Jesus, thou Son of God, art thou come hither to Torment us before -our Time?_ It is plain, that until the second coming of our Lord the -_Devil_ must have a time of plagueing the World, which he was afraid -would have Expired at his first. The _Devil_ is _by the wrath of God -the Prince of this World;_ and the time of his Reign is to continue -until the time when our Lord himself shall _take to himself his great -Power and Reign_. Then 'tis that the _Devil_ shall hear the Son of -God swearing with loud Thunders against him, _Thy time shall now be no -more!_ Then shall the _Devil_ with his Angels receive their doom, which -will be, _depart into the everlasting Fire prepared for you_. - -We are also to apprehend, that in the _mean time_, the Devil can give -a shrewd guess, when he draws near to the _End of his Time_. When he -saw Christianity enthron'd among the _Romans_, it is here said, in our -_Rev._ 12. 12. _He knows he hath but a short time._ And how does he -_know it?_ Why _Reason_ will make the Devil to _know_ that God won't -suffer him to have the _Everlasting Dominion;_ and that when God has -once begun to rescue the World out of his hands, he'll go through -with it, until the _Captives of the mighty shall be taken away and -the prey of the terrible shall be delivered_. But the Devil will have -_Scripture_ also, to make him _know_, that when his Antichristian -_Vicar_, the _seven-headed Beast_ on the _seven-hilled_ City,[93] shall -have spent his determined years, he with his _Vicar_ must unavoidably -go down into the _bottomless Pit_. It is not improbable, that the Devil -often hears the _Scripture_ expounded in our Congregations; yea that we -never assemble without a _Satan_ among us. As there are some Divines, -who do with more uncertainty conjecture, from a certain place in the -Epistle to the _Ephesians_, That the Angels do sometimes come into our -Churches, to gain some advantage from our Ministry. But be sure our -_Demonstrable Interpretations_ may give Repeated Notices to the Devil, -_That his time is almost out;_ and what the Preacher says unto the -_Young Man, Know thou, that God will bring thee into Judgment!_ THAT -may our Sermons tell unto the _Old Wretch, Know thou, that the time of -thy Judgment is at hand_. - -But we must now, likewise, apprehend, that in _such a time_, the _woes_ -of the World will be heightened, beyond what they were at _any time_ -yet from the foundation of the World. Hence 'tis, that the Apostle has -forewarned us, in 2 _Tim._ 3. 1. _this know, that_ [14] _in the last -days, perillous times shall come._ Truly, when the Devil _knows_, that -he is got into his _Last days_, he will make _perillous times_ for us; -the times will grow more full of _Devils_, and therefore more full of -_Perils_, than ever they were before. Of this, if we would _know_, -what cause is to be assigned; It is not only, because the Devil grows -more _able_, and more _eager_ to vex the World; but also, and chiefly, -because the World is more _worthy_ to be vexed by the Devil, than ever -heretofore. The _Sins_ of Men in this Generation, will be more _mighty -Sins_, than those of the former Ages; men will be more Accurate and -Exquisite and Refined in the arts of _Sinning_, than they use to be. -And besides, their own sins, the sins of all the former Ages will also -lie upon the sinners of this generation. Do we ask why the _mischievous -powers of darkness_ are to prevail more in our days, than they did in -those that are past and gone! 'Tis because that men by sinning over -again the sins of the former days, have a _Fellowship with all those -unfruitful works of darkness_. As 'twas said in _Matth._ 23. 36. _All -these things shall come upon this generation;_ so the men of the last -Generation, will find themselves involved in the guilt of all that -went before them. Of Sinners 'tis said, _They heap up Wrath;_ and the -sinners of the Last Generations do not only add unto the _heap_ of sin -that has been pileing up ever since the Fall of man, but they Interest -themselves in every sin of that enormous heap. There has been a Cry of -all former ages going up to God, _That the Devil may come down!_ and -the sinners of the Last Generations, do sharpen and louden that _cry_, -till the thing do come to pass, as Destructively as Irremediably. From -whence it follows, that the Thrice Holy God, with his Holy Angels, -will now after a sort more _abandon_ the World, than in the former -ages. The roaring Impieties of the _old World_, at last gave mankind -such a distast in the Heart of the Just God, that he came to say, _It -Repents me that I have made such a Creature!_ And however, it may be -but a witty Fancy, in a late Learned Writer, that the _Earth_ before -the Flood was nearer to the Sun, than it is at this Day; and that Gods -Hurling down the _Earth_ to a further distance from the _Sun_, were -the cause of that Flood;[94] yet we may fitly enough say, that men -perished by a _Rejection_ from the God of Heaven. Thus the enhanc'd -Impieties of this _our World_, will Exasperate the Displeasure of God, -at such a rate, as that he will more _cast us off_, than heretofore; -until at last, he do with a more than ordinary Indignation say, _Go -Devils; do you take them, and make them beyond all former measures -miserable!_ - -If Lastly, We are inquisitive after Instances of those aggravated -_woes_, with which the Devil will towards the _End_ of his _Time_ -assault us; let it be remembered, That all the Extremities which were -foretold by the _Trumpets_ and _Vials_ in the Apocalyptick Schemes of -these things, to come upon the World, were the _woes_ to come from -the _wrath_ of the Devil, upon the _shortning_ of his _Time_. The -horrendous desolations that have come upon mankind, by the Irruptions -of the old _Barbarians_ upon the _Roman_ World, and then of the -_Saracens_, and since, of the _Turks_, were such _woes_ as men had -never seen before. The Infandous _Blindness_ and _Vileness_ which then -came upon mankind, and the Monstrous _Croisadoes_ which thereupon -carried the _Roman_ World by Millions together unto the Shambles; were -also such _woes_ as had never yet had a Parallel. And yet these were -some of the things here intended, when it was said, _Wo! For the Devil -is come down in great Wrath, having but a short time_. - -But besides all these things, and besides the increase of _Plagues_ -and _Wars_, and _Storms_, and _Internal Maladies_ now in our days, -there are especially two most extraordinary _Woes_, one would fear, -will in these days become very ordinary. One _Woe_ that may be look'd -for is, A frequent Repition of _Earth-quakes_, and this perhaps by -the energy of the Devil in the _Earth_. The Devil will be clap't up, -as a Prisoner in or near the Bowels of the earth, when once that -_Conflagration_ shall be dispatched, which will make, _The New Earth -wherein shall dwell Righteousness;_ and that _Conflagration_ will -doubtless be much promoted by the Subterraneous _Fires_, which are -a cause of the _Earthquakes_ in our Dayes. Accordingly, we read, -_Great Earthquakes in divers places_, enumerated among the Tokens of -the _Time_ approaching, when the Devil shall have no longer _Time_. -I suspect, That we shall now be visited with more Usual [15] and yet -more Fatal _Earthquakes_ than were our Ancestors; in asmuch as the -_Fires_ that are shortly to _Burn unto the Lowest Hell, and set on -Fire the Foundations of the Mountaions_, will now get more Head than -they use to do; and it is not impossible, that the Devil, who is ere -long to be punished in those _Fires_, may aforehand augment his Desert -of it, by having an hand in using some of those _Fires_, for our -Detriment. Learned Men have made no scruple to charge the Devil with -it; _Deo permittente, Terræ motus causat_. The Devil surely, was a -party in the _Earthquake_,[95] whereby the Vengeance of God, in one -black Night sunk Twelve considerable Cities of _Asia_, in the Reign -of _Tiberious_.[96] But there will be more such _Catastrophe's_ in -our Dayes; _Italy_ has lately been _Shaking_, till its _Earthquakes_ -have brought Ruines at once upon more than thirty Towns; but it will -within a little while, _shake_ again, and _shake_ till the Fire of -God have made an Entire _Etna_ of it. And behold, This very Morning, -when I was intending to utter among you such Things as these, we are -cast into an _Heartquake_ by Tidings of an _Earthquake_ that has -lately happened at _Jamaica:_ an horrible _Earthquake_, whereby the -_Tyrus_ of the English _America_, was at once pull'd into the Jaws of -the Gaping and Groaning Earth, and many Hundreds of the Inhabitants -buried alive.[97] The Lord sanctifie so dismal a Dispensation of his -Providence, unto all the _American_ Plantations! But be assured, my -Neighbours, the _Earthquakes_ are not over yet! We have not yet seen -_the last_. And then, Another _Wo_ that may be Look'd for is, The -Devils being now let Loose in _preternatural Operations_ more than -formerly; and perhaps in _Possessions_ and _Obsessions_ that shall -be very marvellous. You are not Ignorant, That just before our Lords -_First Coming_, there were most observable Outrages committed by the -Devil upon the Children of Men: And I am suspicious, That there will -again be an unusual Range of the Devil among us, a little before the -_Second Coming_ of our Lord, which will be, to give the last stroke, -in _Destroying the works of the Devil_. The _Evening Wolves_ will be -much abroad, when we are near the _Evening_ of the World. The Devil is -going to be Dislodged of the _Air_, where his present Quarters are; God -will with flashes of hot _Lightning_ upon him, cause him to _fall as -Lightning_ from his Ancient Habitations: And the _Raised Saints_ will -there have a _New Heaven_, which We _expect according to the Promise -of God_. Now a little before this thing, you be like to see the Devil -more _sensibly_ and _visibly_ Busy upon _Earth_ perhaps, than ever he -was before. You shall oftner hear about _Apparitions_ of the Devil, and -about poor people strangely Bewitched, _Possessed_ and _Obsessed_, by -Infernal Fiends. When our Lord is going to set up His Kingdom, in the -most _sensible_ and _visible_ manner, that ever was, and in a manner -answering the _Transfiguration_ in _the Mount_, it is a Thousand to -One, but the Devil will in sundry _parts of the world_, assay _the -like_ for Himself, with a most Apish Imitation: and Men, at least in -_some_ Corners of the World, and perhaps in _such_ as God may have -some special Designs upon, will to their Cost, be more Familiarized -_with the World of Spirits_, than they had been formerly. - -So that, in fine, if just before _the End_, when _the times of the_ -Jews were to be finished, a man then ran about every where, crying, _Wo -to the Nation! Wo to the City! Wo to the Temple! Wo! Wo! Wo!_ Much more -may the descent of the Devil, just before his _End_, when also _the -times of the Gentiles_ will be finished, cause us to cry out, _Wo! Wo! -Wo! because of the black things that threaten us!_ - -But it is now Time to make our Improvement of what has been said. And, -first, we shall entertain our selves with a few _Corollaries_, deduced -from what has been thus asserted. - -_Corollary I._ What cause have we to bless God, for our preservation -from the _Devils wrath_, in this which may too reasonably be called -the _Devils World!_ While we are in _this present evil world_, We are -continually surrounded with swarms of those Devils, who make this -_present world_, become so _evil_. What a wonder of Mercy is it, that -no _Devil_ could ever yet make a prey of us![98] We can set our foot no -where but we shall tread in the midst of most Hellish _Rattle-Snakes;_ -and one of those _Rattle-Snakes_ once thro' the mouth of a Man, on -whom he had Seized, hissed out such a Truth as this, _If God would -let me loose upon you, I should find enough in the Best of you all, -to make you all mine_.[99] What shall I say? The _Wilderness_ thro' -which we are passing to the _Pro-[16]mised Land_, is all over fill'd -with _Fiery flying serpents_. But, blessed be God; None of them have -hitherto so fastned upon us, as to confound us utterly! All our way -to Heaven, lies by the _Dens of Lions_, and the _Mounts of Leopards;_ -there are incredible Droves of Devils in our way. But have we safely -got on our way thus far? O let us be thankful to our Eternal preserver -for it. It is said in Psal. 76. 10. _Surely the wrath of Man shall -praise thee, and the Remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain;_ But -_surely_ it becomes to praise God, in that we have yet sustain'd no -more Damage by the _wrath of the Devil_, and in that he has restrain'd -that Overwhelming _wrath_. We are poor, Travellers in a World, which is -as well the Devils _Field_, as the Devils _Gaol;_[100] a World in every -Nook whereof the Devil is encamped with _Bands of Robbers_, to pester -all that have their _Face looking Zion-ward:_ And are we all this while -preserved from the undoing Snares of the _Devil?_ it is, _Thou, O -keeper of Israel, that hast hitherto been our Keeper!_ And therefore, -_Bless the Lord, O my soul, Bless his Holy Name, who has redeemed thy -Life from the Destroyer!_ - -_Corollary II._ We may see the rise of those multiply'd, magnify'd, and -Singularly-stinged Afflictions, with which _aged_, or _dying_ Saints -frequently have their _Death_ Prefaced, and their _Age_ embittered. -When the Saints of God are going to leave the World, it is usually a -more _Stormy World_ with them, than ever it was; and they find more -_Vanity_, and more _Vexation_ in the world than ever they did before. -It is true, _That many are the afflictions of the Righteous;_ but a -little before they bid adieu to all those many _Afflictions_, they -often have greater, harder, Sorer, Loads thereof laid upon them, than -they had yet endured. It is true, _That thro' much Tribulation we must -enter into the Kingdom of God;_ but a little before our _Entrance_ -thereinto, our _Tribulation_ may have some sharper accents of Sorrow, -than ever were yet upon it. And what is the cause of this? It is indeed -the _Faithfulness of our God unto us_, that we should find the Earth -more full of _Thorns_ and _Briars_ than ever, just before he fetches us -from _Earth_ to _Heaven;_ that so we may go away the more willingly, -the more easily, and with less Convulsion, at his calling for us. O -there are _ugly Ties_, by which we are fastned unto this world; but -God will by _Thorns and Briars_ tear those _Ties_ asunder. But, _is -not the Hand of Joab here?_ Sure, There is the _wrath_ of the _Devil_ -also in it. A little before we step into Heaven, the _Devil_ thinks -with himself, _My time to abuse that Saint is now but short; what -Mischief I am to do that Saint, must be done quickly, if at all; he'l -shortly be out of my Reach for ever._ And for this cause he will now -fly upon us with the Fiercest Efforts and Furies of his _Wrath_. It was -allowed unto the _Serpent_, in Gen. 2. 15. To _Bruise the Heel_. Why, -at the _Heel_, or at the _Close_, of our Lives, the _Serpent_ will be -nibbling, more than ever in our Lives before: and it is _Because now he -has but a short time_. He knows, That we shall very shortly be, _Where -the wicked cease from Troubling, and where the Weary are at Rest;_ -wherefore that _Wicked_ one will now _Trouble_ us, more than ever he -did, and we shall have so much _Disrest_, as will make us more _weary_ -than ever we were, of things here below. - -_Corollary III._ What a Reasonable Thing then is it, that they whose -_Time_ is but _short_, should make as great _Use_ of their _Time_, as -ever they can! I pray, let us learn some _good_, even from the _wicked -One_ himself. It has been advised, _Be wise as Serpents:_ why, there -is a piece of _Wisdom_, whereto that old _Serpent_, the Devil himself, -may be our Moniter. When the Devil perceives his _Time_ is but _short_, -it puts him upon _Great Wrath_. But how should it be with _us_, when -we perceive that our _Time_ is but _short?_ why, it should put us upon -_Great Work_. The motive which makes the Devil to be more full of -_wrath;_ should make us more full of _warmth_, more full of _watch_, -and more full of _All Diligence to make our Vocation, and Election -sure_. Our _Pace_ in our Journey _Heaven-ward_, must be Quickened, if -our _space_ for that Journey be shortned, even as _Israel_ went further -the _two last_ years of their Journey _Canaan-ward_, than they did in -38 years before. The Apostle brings this, as a _spur_ to the Devotions -of Christians, in 1 _Cor._ 7. 29. _This I say, Brethren, the time is -short._ Even so, I _say_ this; some things I lay before you, which I do -only _think_, or _guess_, but here is a thing which I venture to _say_ -with all the [33] freedom imaginable. You have now a _Time_ to _Get_ -good, even a _Time_ to make sure of _Grace and Glory, and every good -thing_, by true Repentance: But, _This I say, the time is but short_. -You have now _Time_ to _Do_ good, even to _serve out your generation_, -as by the _Will_, so for the _Praise_ of God; but, _This I say, the -time is but short_. And what I say thus to _All_ People, I say to _Old_ -People, with a peculiar Vehemency: Sirs, It cannot be long before your -_Time_ is out; there are but a few sands left in the glass of your -_Time:_ And it is of all things the saddest, for a man to say, _My time -is done, but my work undone!_ O then, _To work_ as fast as you can; and -of Soul-work, and Church-work, dispatch as much as ever you can. Say -to all _Hindrances_, as the gracious _Jeremiah Burroughs_[101] would -sometimes to _Visitants: You'll excuse me if I ask you to be short -with me, for my work is great, and my time is but short_. Methinks -every _time_ we hear a Clock, or see a Watch, we have an admonition -given us, that our _Time_ is upon the _wing_, and it will all be gone -within a little while. I remember I have read of a famous man, who -having a _Clock-watch_ long lying by him, out of Kilture in his Trunk, -it unaccountably struck Eleven just before he died. Why, there are many -of you, for whom I am to do that office this day: I am to tell you _You -are come to your_ Eleventh _hour;_ there is no more than a _twelfth -part_ at most, of your life yet behind. But if we neglect our business, -till our _short Time_ shall be reduced into _none_, then, _woe to us, -for the great wrath of God will send us down from whence there is no -Redemption_. - - _Corollary IV._ - -How welcome should a _Death in the Lord_ be unto them that belong not -unto the Devil, but unto the Lord! While we are sojourning in this -World, we are in what may upon too many accounts be called _The Devils -Country:_ We are where the Devil may come upon us in _great wrath_ -continually. The day when God shall take us out of this World, will -be, _The day when the Lord will deliver us from the hand of all our -Enemies, and from the hand of Satan_. In such a day, why should not our -song be that of the Psalmist, _Blessed be my Rock, and let the God of -my Salvation be exalted!_ While we are here, we are in _the valley of -the shadow of death;_ and what is it that makes it so? 'Tis because -the _wild Beasts of Hell_ are lurking on every side of us, and every -minute ready to salley forth upon us. But our _Death_ will fetch us out -of that _Valley_, and carry us where we shall be _for ever with the -Lord_. We are now under the daily _Buffetings_ of the Devil, and he -does molest us with such _Fiery Darts_, as cause us even to cry out, -_I am weary of my Life_. Yea, but are we as _willing to die, as, weary -of Life?_ Our Death will then soon set us where we cannot be reach'd -by the _Fist of Wickedness;_ and where the _Perfect cannot be shotten -at_. It is said in _Rev._ 14. 13. _Blessed are the [34] Dead which die -in the Lord, they rest from their labours._ But we may say, _Blessed -are the Dead in the Lord, inasmuch as they rest from the Devils!_ Our -_dying_ will be but our _taking wing:_ When attended with a Convoy of -winged Angels, we shall be convey'd into that Heaven, from whence the -Devil having been thrown he shall never more come thither after us. -What if God should now say to us, as to _Moses_, _Go up and die!_ As -long as we _go up_, when we _die_, let us receive the Message with a -joyful Soul; we shall soon be there, where the Devil can't _come down_ -upon us. If the _God of our Life_ should now send that Order to us, -which he gave to _Hezekiah_, _Set thy house in order, for thou shalt -die, and not live;_ we need not be cast into such deadly Agonies -thereupon, as _Hezekiah_ was: We are but going to that _House_, the -Golden Doors whereof, cannot be entred by the Devil that here did use -to persecute us. Methinks I see the Departed _Spirit_ of a Believer, -triumphantly carried thro' the Devils _Territories_, in such a stately -and Fiery Chariot, as the _Spiritualizing Body_ of _Elias_ had; methink -I see the Devil, with whole Flocks of _Harpies_, grinning at this Child -of God, but unable to fasten any of their griping Talons upon him: And -then, upon the utmost edge of our _Atmosphœre_, methinks I overhear the -holy Soul, with a most heavenly Gallantry, deriding the defeated Fiend, -and saying, _Ah! Satan! Return to thy Dungeons again; I am going where -thou canst not come for ever!_ O 'tis a brave thing so to die! and -especially so to die, in _our time_. For, tho' when we call to mind, -_That the Devils time is now but short_, it may almost make us wish to -_live_ unto the _end_ of it; and to say with the Psalmist, _Because the -Lord will shortly appear in his Glory to build up_ Zion. _O my God! -Take me not away in the midst of my days._ Yet when we bear in mind, -_that the Devils Wrath is now most great_, it would make one willing to -be _out of the way_. Inasmuch as now is the time for the doing of those -things in the prospect whereof _Balaam_ long ago cry'd out _Who shall -live when such things are done!_ We should not be inordinatly loth to -_die_ at such a time. In a word, the _Times_ are so _bad_, that we may -well count it, as _good_ a _time_ to die in, as ever we saw. - - _Corollary V._ - -Good News for the _Israel_ of God, and particularly for his -_New-English Israel_. If the Devils _Time_ were above a _thousand -years ago_, pronounced _short_, what may we suppose it now in _our_ -Time? Surely _we_ are not a _thousand years_ distant from those happy -_thousand years_ of rest and peace, and [which is better] _Holiness_ -reserved for the People of God in the latter days; and if we are not a -_thousand years_ yet short of that Golden Age, there is cause to think, -that we are not an _hundred_. That the blessed _Thousand years_ are not -yet begun, is abundantly clear [35] from this, _We do not see the Devil -bound;_ No, the Devil was never more let _loose_ than in our Days; and -it is very much that any should imagine otherwise: But the same thing -that proves the _Thousand Years_ of prosperity for the Church of God, -under the whole Heaven, to be not yet _begun_, does also prove, that it -is not very _far off;_ and that is the prodigious _wrath_ with which -the Devil does in our days Persecute, yea, desolate the World. Let -us cast our Eyes almost where we will, and we shall see the _Devils_ -domineering at such a rate as may justly fill us with astonishment; it -is questionable whether _Iniquity_ ever were so rampant, or whether -_Calamity_ were ever so pungent, as in this Lamentable _time;_ We may -truly say, _'Tis the Hour and the Power of Darkness_. But, tho' the -_wrath_ be so _great_, the _time_ is but _short:_ when we are perplexed -with the _wrath_ of the Devil, the _Word_ of our God at the same time -unto us, is that in Rom. 16. 20. _The God of Peace shall bruise Satan -under your feet Shortly._ Shortly, didst thou say, dearest Lord! O -gladsome word! Amen, _Even so, come Lord! Lord Jesus, come quickly! -We shall never be rid of this troublesome Devil, till thou do come to -Chain him up!_ - -But because the people of God, would willingly be told _whereabouts_ we -are, with reference to the _wrath and the time_ of the Devil, you shall -give me leave humbly to set before you a few _Conjectures_. - - -_The first Conjecture._ - -The Devils _Eldest Son_ seems to be towards the _End_ of his last -_Half-time;_ and if it be so, the Devils Whole-time, cannot but be very -near its _End_. It is a very scandalous thing that any _Protestant_, -should be at a loss where to find _the Anti-Christ_. But, we have a -sufficient assurance, that the Duration of _Anti-Christ_, is to be -but for a _Time_, and for _Times_, and for _Half a time;_ that is for -_Twelve Hundred and Sixty Years_. And indeed, those _Twelve Hundred -and Sixty Years_, were the very Spott of _Time_ left for the _Devil_, -and meant when 'tis here said, _He has but a short time_. Now, I -should have an _easie time_ of it, if I were never put upon an _Harder -Task_, than to produce what might render it extreamly probable, that -Anti-christ entred his last _Half-time_, or the last _Hundred_ and -_Fourscore_ years of his Reign, _at_ or soon _after_ the celebrated -_Reformation_ which began at the year 1517 in the former Century.[102] -Indeed, it is very agreeable to see how Antichrist then lost _Half_ -of his Empire; and how that _half_ which then became _Reformed_, have -been upon many accounts little more than _Half-reformed_. But by -this computation, we must needs be within a very few years of such a -_Mortification_ to befal the See of _Rome_, as that Antichrist, who has -lately been planting (what proves no more lasting than) a _Tabernacle -in the Glorious Holy Mountain between the Seas_, must quickly, _Come to -his End and none shall help him_. [36] So then, within a very little -while, we shall see the Devil stript of the grand, yea, the last, -_Vehicle_, wherein he will be capable to abuse our World. The _Fires_, -with which, _That Beast_ is to be consumed, will so singe the Wings -of the _Devil_ too, that he shall no more set the Affairs of _this_ -world on _Fire_. Yea, they shall both go into the same _Fire_, to be -_tormented for ever and ever_. - - -_The Second Conjecture._ - -That which is, perhaps, the greatest Effect of the _Devils Wrath_, -seems to be in a manner at an _end:_ and this would make one hope that -the _Devils time_ cannot be far from its _end_. It is in Persecution, -that the _wrath_ of the Devil uses to break forth, with its greatest -fury. Now there want not probabilities, that the _last Persecution_ -intended for the Church of God, before the Advent of our Lord, has -been upon it. When we see the _second Woe passing away_, we have a -fair signal given unto us, _That the last slaughter of our Lord's -Witnesses is over;_ and then what Quickly follows? The next thing is, -_The Kingdoms of this World, are become the Kingdoms of Our Lord, and -of His Christ:_ and then _down_ goes the Kingdom of the Devil, so -that he cannot any more _come down_ upon us. Now, the Irrecoverable -and Irretrievable Humiliations that have lately befallen the _Turkish -Power_, are but so many Declarations of the _second Woe passing -away_.[103] And the dealings of God with the _European_ parts of the -world, at this day do further strengthen this our expectation. We _do_ -see, _at this hour a great Earth-quake all Europe over:_ and _we shall_ -see, that this _great Earth-quake_, and these great Commotions, will -but contribute unto the advancement of our Lords hitherto depressed -Interests. 'Tis also to be remark'd that, a disposition to recognize -the _Empire_ of God over the _Conscience_ of man, does now prevail -more in the world than formerly; and God from on High more touches -the Hearts of Princes and Rulers with an averseness to Persecution. -'Tis particularly the unspeakable happiness of the English Nation, to -be under the Influences of that excellent Queen, who could say, _In -as much as a man cannot make himself believe what he will, why should -we Persecute men for not believing as we do! I wish I could see all -good men of one mind; but in the mean time I pray, let them however -love one another._[104] Words worthy to be written in Letters of Gold! -and by _us_ the more to be considered, because to one of _Ours_ did -that royal Person express Her self so excellently, so obligingly. -When the late King _James_ published his Declaration for _Liberty -of Conscience_, a worthy Divine in the Church of _England_, then -studying the _Revelation_, saw cause upon _Revelational_ Grounds, to -declare himself in such words as these, _Whatsoever others may intend -or design by this Liberty of Conscience, I cannot believe, that it -will ever be recalled in_ England, _as long as the World stands_. -And you know how miraculously [37] the _Earth-quake_[105] which then -immediately came upon the Kingdom, has established that _Liberty!_ But -that which exceeds all the tendencies this way, is, the dispensation -of God at this Day, towards the blessed _Vaudois_. Those renowned -_Waldenses_, which were a sort of _Root_ unto all Protestant Churches, -were never dissipated, by all the Persecutions of many Ages, till -within these few years, the _French_ King and the Duke of _Savoy_ -leagued for their dissipation.[106] But just _Three years and a half -after the scattering_ of that holy people, to the surprise of all the -World, _Spirit of life from God_ is come into them; and having with -a thousand Miracles repossessed themselves of their antient Seats, -their hot _Persecutor_ is become their great _Protector_. Whereupon -the reflection of the worthy person, that writes the story is, _The -Churches of_ Piemont, _being the Root of the Protestant Churches, they -have been the first established; the Churches of other places, being -but the Branches, shall be established in due time, God will deliver -them speedily, He has already delivered the Mother, and He will not -long leave the Daughter behind: He will finish what he has gloriously -begun!_ - - -_The Third Conjecture._ - -There is _little room_ for hope, that the _great wrath_ of the Devil, -will not prove the present ruine of our poor _New-England_ in -particular. I believe, there never was a poor Plantation, more pursued -by the _wrath_ of the _Devil_, than our poor _New-England;_ and that -which makes our condition very much the more deplorable is, that the -_wrath_ of the _great God_ Himself, at the same time also presses hard -upon us. It was a rousing _alarm_ to the Devil, when a great Company -of English _Protestants_ and _Puritans_, came to erect Evangelical -Churches, in a corner of the World, where he had reign'd without any -controul for many Ages; and it is a vexing _Eye-sore_ to the Devil, -that our Lord Christ should be known, and own'd and preached in this -_howling Wilderness_. Wherefor he has left no _Stone unturned_, that so -he might undermine his Plantation, and force us out of our Country. - -First, The Indian _Powawes_, used all their Sorceries to molest the -first Planters here;[107] but God said unto them, _Touch them not!_ -Then, _Seducing Spirits_ came to _root_ in this Vineyard, but God so -rated them off, that they have not prevail'd much farther than the -Edges of our Land.[108] After this, we have had a continual _blast_ -upon some of our principal Grain, annually diminishing a vast part -of our _ordinary Food_. Herewithal, wasting _Sicknesses_, especially -Burning and Mortal Agues, have Shot the Arrows of Death in at our -Windows. Next, we have had many Adversaries of our own Language, -who have been perpetually assaying to deprive us of those _English -Liberties_, in the encouragement whereof these Territories have been -settled.[109] As if this had not been [38] enough; The _Tawnies_ among -whom we came, have watered our Soil with the Blood of many Hundreds -of our Inhabitants. Desolating _Fires_ also have many times laid the -chief Treasure of the whole Province in Ashes. As for _Losses_ by Sea, -_they_ have been multiply'd upon us: and particularly in the present -_French War_, the whole English Nation have observ'd that no part of -the Nation has proportionably had so many Vessels taken, as our poor -_New-England_. Besides all which, now at last the Devils are (if I -may so speak) _in Person_ come down upon us with such a _Wrath_, as -is justly _much_, and will quickly be _more_, the Astonishment of the -World. Alas, I may sigh over _this_ Wilderness, as _Moses_ did over -_his_, in Psal. 90. 7. 9. _We are consumed by thine Anger, and by thy -Wrath we are troubled: All our days are passed away in thy Wrath._ And -I may add this unto it, _The Wrath of the Devil too has been troubling -and spending of us, all our days_. - -But what will become of this poor _New-England_ after all? Shall we -sink, expire, perish, before the _short time_ of the Devil shall be -finished?[110] I must confess, That when I consider the lamentable -_Unfruitfulness_ of men, among us, under as powerful and perspicuous -Dispensations of the Gospel, as are in the World; and when I consider -the declining state of the _Power of Godliness_ in our Churches, with -the most horrible Indisposition that perhaps ever was, to recover out -of this declension; I cannot but _Fear_ lest it comes to this, and -lest an _Asiatic_ Removal of Candlesticks come upon us. But upon some -other Accounts, I would fain _hope_ otherwise; and I will give _you_ -therefore the opportunity to try what Inferences may be drawn from -these probable Prognostications. - -I say, _First_, That surely, _America's_ Fate must at the long run -include _New-Englands_ in it. What was the design of our God, in -bringing over so many _Europeans_ hither of late Years? Of what use -or state will _America_ be, when the _Kingdom of God_ shall come? If -it must all be the Devils propriety, while the _saved Nations_ of the -other Hæmisphere shall be _Walking in the Light of the New Jerusalem_, -Our _New-England_ has then, 'tis likely, done all that it was erected -for. But if God have a purpose to make here a seat for any of _those -glorious things which are spoken of thee, O thou City of God;_ then -even thou, _O New-England_, art within a very little while of better -days than ever yet have dawn'd upon thee. - -I say, _Secondly_, That tho' there be very _Threatning_ Symptoms -on _America_, yet there are some _hopeful_ ones. I confess, when -one thinks upon the crying Barbarities with which the most of those -_Europeans_ that have Peopled this New world, became the Masters of -it; it looks but _Ominously_. When one also thinks how much the way of -living in many parts of _America_, is utterly inconsistent with the -very Essentials of _Christianity;_ yea, how much Injury and Violence is -there[39]in done to _Humanity_ it self; it is enough to damp the Hopes -of the most Sanguine Complexion. And the _Frown_ of Heaven which has -hitherto been upon Attempts of better Gospellizing the Plantations, -considered, will but increase the _Damp_. Nevertheless, on the other -side, what shall be said of all the _Promises_, That _our Lord Jesus -Christ shall have the uttermost parts of the Earth for his Possession?_ -and of all the _Prophecies_, That _All the ends of the Earth shall -remember and turn unto the Lord?_ Or does it look _agreeably_, That -such a rich quarter of the World, equal in some regards to all the -rest, should never be out of the _Devils_ hands, from the first -Inhabitation unto the last Dissolution of it? No sure; why may not the -_last_ be the _first?_ and the _Sun of Righteousness_ come to shine -_brightest_, in Climates which it rose _latest_ upon! - -I say, _Thirdly_, That _as_ it fares with _Old England_, so it will be -most likely to fare with _New-England_. For which cause, by the way, -there may be more of the Divine Favour in the present Circumstances -of our dependence on _England_, than we are well aware of. This is -very sure, if matters _go ill_ with our _Mother_, her poor American -_Daughter_ here, must feel it; nor could our former Happy Settlement -have hindred our sympathy in that Unhappiness. But if matters _go Well_ -in the Three Kingdoms; as long as God shall bless the English Nation, -with Rulers that shall encourage _Piety_, _Honesty_, _Industry_, in -their Subjects, and that shall cast a Benign Aspect upon the Interests -of our Glorious Gospel, _Abroad_ as well as at _Home;_ so long, -_New-England_ will at least keep its head above water: and so much -the more, for our comfortable Settlement in such a Form as we are now -cast into. Unless there should be any singular, destroying, _Topical -Plagues_, whereby an offended God should at last make us _Rise;_ But, -_Alas, O Lord, what other Hive hast thou provided for us!_ - -I say, _Fourthly_, That the _Elder England_ will certainly and speedily -be Visited with the _ancient loving kindness_ of God. When one sees, -how strangely the Curse of our _Joshua_, has fallen upon the Persons -and Houses of them that have attempted the Rebuilding of the _Old_ -Romish _Jericho_, which has there been so far demolished, they cannot -but say, That the _Reformation_ there, shall not only be maintained, -but also pursued, proceeded, perfected; and that God will shortly -there have a _New Jerusalem_. Or, Let a Man in his thoughts run over -but the series of amazing Providences towards the English Nation for -the last _Thirty Years:_ Let him reflect, how many Plots for the -ruine of the Nation have been strangely discovered? yea, how very -unaccountably those very _Persons_, yea, I may also say, and those -very _Methods_ which were intended for the tools of that ruine, have -become the instruments or occasions of Deliverances? A man cannot but -say upon these Reflec[40]tions, as the Wife of _Manoah_ once prudently -expressed her self, _If the Lord were pleased to have Destroyed us, -He would not have shew'd us all these things_. Indeed, It is not -unlikely, that the Enemies of the English Nation, may yet provoke such -a _Shake_ unto it, as may perhaps exceed any that has hitherto been -undergone: the Lord prevent the Machinations of his Adversaries! But -that _shake_ will usher in the most _glorious Times_ that ever arose -upon the English _Horizon_. As for the _French_ Cloud which hangs over -_England_, tho' it be like to Rain showers of _Blood_ upon a Nation, -where the _Blood_ of the Blessed Jesus has been too much treated as -an _Unholy Thing;_ yet I believe God will shortly scatter it: and my -belief is grounded upon a bottom that will bear it. If that overgrown -_French Leviathan_[111] should accomplish any thing like a Conquest of -_England_, what could there be to hinder him from the Universal Empire -of the _West?_ But the _Visions_ of the Western World, in the _Views_ -both of _Daniel_ and of _John_, do assure us, that whatever Monarch, -shall while the _Papacy_ continues go to swallow up the _Ten Kings_ -which received _their Power_ upon the Fall of the Western Empire, he -must miscarry in the Attempt. The _French Phaetons_ Epitaph seems -written in that, _Sure Word of Prophecy_. - -[Since the making of this Conjecture, there are arriv'd unto us, the -News of a Victory obtain'd by the _English_ over the _French_, which -further confirms our Conjecture; and causes us to sing, _Pharaohs -Chariots, and his Hosts, has the Lord cast down into the Sea; Thy -right-hand has dashed in pieces the Enemy!_][112] - -Now, _In the Salvation_ of England, the Plantations cannot but -_Rejoyce_, and _New-England_ also will _be Glad_. - -But so much for our _Corollaries_, I hasten to the main thing designed -for your entertainment. And that is, - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[76] This was printed at the Time (1692) in a Separate Tract. - -[77] Whoever has the Inclination to turn over the Pages of the -Martyrology may perhaps find who this "Renowned Person" was. - -[78] To this elaborate Definition of the Devil and his Attributes -it will hardly be necessary to add or diminish. But taking what -Tillotson says of God, not quite so much need be said of the Devil. The -Archbishop says, in his happy Manner: "We attribute nothing to God that -hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it." It naturally follows then, -that all else comes from the Devil. - -The famous Isaac Ambros says, "The first Period wherein Satan first -begins to Assault the Elect, it is from their quickening in the -Womb."--_War with Devils_, P. 29, 2d Ed. 1738. "So may we say of every -Child, as soon as it is quickened in the Womb, that the Great Red -Dragon, the Devil, stands ready to devour it."--_Ibid._ Our Author was -not alone in remarkable Ideas. - -[79] It does not appear how the Devil-in-chief came by his Appointment; -whether his Office was by Election, or in what Manner he attained his -high Station. It is not very material however. - -[80] A very different Decision will be found elsewhere in our Pages. - -[81] "The Devil of Mascon" was one of the Productions following the -"Glorious Restoration," as Carlyle ironically calls it. Full Title in -Bohn's Lowndes, ART. DEVIL. - -[82] AMEN will doubtless be the Response of every one; but do not -flatter yourself, Reader, that you are thus soon delivered from the -Devil. - -[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. - -[91] This has Reference to the then late Persecution of the Huguenots -in France. They had been protected by the Edict of Henry the Fourth -(Nantes, 1598), which was revoked in 1685 by Louis XIV; by which -Revocation about 50,000 Protestants were forced to fly the Kingdom. -Some fled to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, England, and some even -took Refuge in New England, where their Posterity are yet well known, -respected and honored. - -[92] If, according to our Author, there is anything good or bad, -that the Devil does not do, and is not the Author of, one might not -unreasonably inquire what it is? Certainly in his Charges against the -Devil every Accusation imaginable is exhausted, not one left even to -father upon a Witch. Erratic Brains thus overdo themselves. - -[93] Rome was built on seven Hills. It is to that he alludes. - -[94] Ray refers to the Subject of the Earth having been once nearer the -Sun than at present. See _Physico-Theological Discourses_, P. 381; also -Dr. John Woodward's _Natural History of the Earth_, 245, Edition 1695, -8vo. Other Authors might be referred to. - -[95] So far as the Annotator's Reading goes he has not found the Devil -charged with making Earthquakes previous to our Author's Time. He -certainly was in Advance of all Philosophers, ancient and modern, as -respects that Discovery. - -[96] Claudius Nero Tiberius died A. D. 37, aged 78. - -[97] On the 7th of June, 1692, Jamaica was partly destroyd. Some -1500 People perished. Why Jamaica or its Capitol is compared to the -ancient _Tyros_ or _Tyrus_ it is not easy to understand, as it might -be difficult to find two Places differing wider in most Respects. See -Ray's _Discourses_, 258, where may be seen a particular Account of this -Earthquake. - -[98] The Annotator is very greatly out in his Reckoning if the Reader -does not decide that the Author was of all Men the most "bedeviled" of -any ever heard or read of by him. This is the Editor's _Corollary_. - -[99] This is related by one Mr. Balsom. See Clarke's _Martyrology_, -ii, 179. The Devil had Possession of the Body of the Man, and uttered -the Language italicized in the Text, making Use of the Man's Organs of -Speech. - -[100] It may not be easy for the Reader to discern how the whole Earth -and the infinite Realms of Space about it can be much of a _Gaol_, -especially with such a liberal Yard. The Doctor's Imagination is -singularly at random sometimes. - -[101] A noted Puritan of the Time of Cromwell. In such of his Books as -have come under my Notice, his Name is uniformly _Burroughs_. His _Rare -Jewell_, 410, 1648, was formerly very popular, and there is a handsome -Edition of it as late as 1845. - -[102] One has indeed a very "_easie Time_ of it" in prophecying, and -it is quite as easy to be laughed at for such Folly by those who come -after such shallow-pated Soothsayers. The Author felt very sure that -by the Year 1697, only five Years from the Time he was writing, that -the Devil would have "his Wings so singed that he should no more set -the Affairs of this World on Fire." That is to say--the Millenium would -then begin! - -[103] The Turks had not received their greatest Check until after our -Author wrote. Mahomet IV commenced with renewed Vigor the War against -Germany in 1663. It was continued with alternate Success and Disaster, -until 1683, when John Sobieski, King of Poland, raised the Siege of -Vienna; but it was not till 1699 that the Turks were driven out of -Transylvania. - -[104] The reported Utterance of Queen Mary (Consort of William the -Third) at an Interview between her and the Author's Father, at -Whitehall, April 9th, 1691. See _Parentator_, p. 130. - -[105] This refers to the coming in of the Prince of Orange, and the -Overthrow of James the Second's Government. - -[106] On the 15th of March, 1691, Louis the XIV captured Nice in -Piedmont, defended by the Duke of Savoy. But in the following Year the -French lost the Supremacy of the Sea in the terrible Battle off La -Hogue. That Supremacy they have never yet obtained. - -[107] See _Morton's Memorial_, P. 38, Edition 16º. Edition 1721. -Mather's _Relation_, 110, Ed. 4º, 1864. Johnson's _Wonderworking -Providence_, 51. - -[108] Having Reference, probably, to the Antinomians, as the more -liberal Christians were called. - -[109] The Difficulties with the Episcopalians. - -[110] The absurd Notion that the Devil's _Time was very short_ in -1693, was generally entertained by Christians. This Matter has already -been referred to. When the World and its Affairs can go on without -antagonistic Forces it is pretty certain the Devil's _Time_ will be -about out. - -[111] Although the Affairs of the French King had begun to decline when -the Author wrote the above, his Opponents were not without great Fear -from him, as he achieved several considerable Victories on the Land -after the signal Defeat of his Fleet mentioned in a previous Note. - -[112] This Paragraph, though bracketed, is in the original Edition, -_Page_ 47. - - - - - AN HORTATORY AND NECESSARY ADDRESS, TO A COUNTRY NOW EXTRAORDINARILY - ALARUM'D BY THE WRATH OF THE DEVIL. _TIS THIS_, - - -LET us now make a good and a right use of the prodigious _descent_ -which the _Devil_ in _Great Wrath_ is at this day making upon our Land. -Upon the Death of a Great Man once, an Orator call'd the Town together, -crying out, _Concurrite Cives, Dilapsa sunt vestra Mœnia!_ that is, -_Come together, Neighbours, your Town-Walls are fallen down!_ But such -is the descent of the Devil at this day upon our selves, that I may -truly tell you, _The Walls of the whole World are broken down!_ The -usual _Walls_ of defence about mankind have such a Gap made in them, -that the very _Devils_ are broke in upon us, to seduce the _Souls_, -torment the _Bodies_, sully the _Credits_, and consume the _Estates_ of -our Neighbours, [41] with Impressions both as _real_ and as _furious_, -as if the _Invisible_ World were becoming _Incarnate_, on purpose for -the vexing of us. And what use ought now to be made of so tremendous a -dispensation? We are engaged in a _Fast_ this day;[113] but shall we -try to fetch _Meat out of the Eater_, and make the _Lion_ to afford -some _Hony_ for our _Souls?_ - -That the Devil is _come down unto us with great Wrath_, we find, we -feel, we now deplore.[114] In many ways, for many years hath the -Devil been assaying to Extirpate the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus here. -_New-England_ may complain of the Devil, as in Psal. 129. 1, 2. _Many -a time have they afflicted me, from my Youth, may_ New-England _now -say; many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth; yet they have -not prevailed against me._ But now there is a more than ordinary -_affliction_, with which the _Devil_ is Galling of us: and such an -one as is indeed Unparallelable. The things confessed by _Witches_, -and the things endured by _Others_, laid together, amount unto this -account of our Affliction. The _Devil_, Exhibiting himself ordinarily -as a small _Black man_, has decoy'd a fearful knot of proud, froward, -ignorant, envious and malicious creatures, to lift themselves in his -horrid Service, by entring their Names in a _Book_ by him tendred unto -them.[115] These _Witches_, whereof above a Score have now _Confessed -and shown their Deeds_, and some are now tormented by the Devils, -for _Confessing_, have met in Hellish _Randezvouzes_, wherein the -Confessors do say, they have had their diabolical Sacraments, imitating -the _Baptism_ and the _Supper_ of our Lord. In these hellish meetings, -these Monsters have associated themselves to do no less a thing than, -_To destroy the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in these parts of -the World;_ and in order hereunto, First they each of them have their -_Spectres_, or Devils, commission'd by them, & representing of them, to -be the Engines of their Malice. By these wicked _Spectres_, they seize -poor people about the Country, with various & bloudy _Torments;_ and of -those evidently Preternatural torments there are some have dy'd. They -have bewitched some, even so far as to make _Self-destroyers:_[116] -and others are in many Towns here and there languishing under their -_Evil hands_. The people thus afflicted, are miserably scratched and -bitten, so that the Marks are most visible to all the World, but -the causes utterly invisible; and the same Invisible Furies do most -visibly stick Pins into the bodies of the afflicted, and _scald_ them, -and hideously distort, and disjoint all their members, besides a -thousand other sorts of Plagues beyond these of any natural diseases -which they give unto them. Yea, they sometimes drag the poor people -out of their chambers, and carry them over Trees and Hills, for -divers miles together. A large part of the persons tortured by these -Diabolical _Spectres_, are horribly tempted by them, sometimes with -fair [42] promises, and sometimes with hard threatnings, but always -with felt miseries, to sign the _Devils Laws_ in a Spectral Book -laid before them; which two or three of these poor Sufferers, being -by their tiresome sufferings overcome to do, they have immediately -been released from all their miseries and they appear'd in _Spectre_ -then to Torture those that were before their Fellow-Sufferers. The -_Witches_ which by their covenant with the Devil, are become Owners -of _Spectres_, are oftentimes by their own _Spectres_ required and -compelled to give their consent, for the molestation of some, which -they had no mind otherwise to fall upon; and cruel Depredations are -then made upon the Vicinage. In the Prosecution of these Witchcrafts, -among a thousand other unaccountable things, the _Spectres_ have an odd -faculty of cloathing the most substantial and corporeal Instruments of -Torture, with Invisibility, while the wounds thereby given have been -the most palpable things in the World; so that the Sufferers assaulted -with Instruments of Iron, wholly unseen to the standers by, though, -to their cost, seen by themselves, have, upon snatching, wrested -the Instruments out of the _Spectres_ hands, and every one has then -immediately not only _beheld_, but _handled_, an Iron Instrument taken -by a Devil from a Neighbour. These wicked _Spectres_ have proceeded so -far, as to steal several quantities of Mony from divers people, part -of which Money, has, before sufficient Spectators, been dropt out of -the Air into the Hands of the Sufferers, while the _Spectres_ have been -urging them to subscribe their _Covenant with Death_.[117] In such -extravagant ways have these Wretches propounded, the _Dragooning_ of -as many as they can, in their own Combination, and the _Destroying_ of -others, with lingring, spreading, deadly diseases; till our Countrey -should at last become too hot for us. Among the Ghastly Instances of -the _success_ which those Bloody Witches have had, we have seen even -some of their own Children, so dedicated unto the Devil, that in their -Infancy, it is found, the _Imps_ have sucked them, and rendred them -Venemous to a Prodigy. We have also seen the Devils first batteries -upon the Town, where the first Church of our Lord in this Colony was -gathered, producing those distractions, which have almost ruin'd the -Town.[118] We have seen likewise the _Plague_ reaching afterwards into -other Towns far and near, where the Houses of good Men have the Devils -filling of them with terrible Vexations! - -This is the Descent, which, it seems, the Devil has now made upon -us. But that which makes this Descent the more formidable, is; the -_multitude_ and _quality_ of Persons accused of an interest in this -_Witchcraft_, by the Efficacy of the _Spectres_ which take their Name -and shape upon them; causing very many good and wise Men to fear, [43] -That many _innocent_, yea, and some _vertuous_ persons, are by the -Devils in this matter, imposed upon; That the Devils have obtain'd -the power, to take on them the likeness of harmless people, and in -that likeness afflict other people, and be so abused by Præstigious -_Dæmons_, that upon their look or touch, the afflicted shall be oddly -affected. Arguments from the _Providence of God_, on the one side, and -from our _Charity_ towards _Man_ on the other side, have made this now -to become a most agitated Controversie among us. There is an _Agony_ -produced in the Minds of Men, lest the Devil should sham us with -_Devices_, of perhaps a finer Thred, than was ever yet practised upon -the World. The whole business is become hereupon so _Snarled_, and the -determination of the Question one way or another, so _dismal_, that -our Honourable Judges have a Room for _Jehoshaphat's_ Exclamation, _We -know not what to do!_[119] They have used, as Judges have heretofore -done, the _Spectral Evidences_, to introduce their further Enquiries -into the _Lives_ of the persons accused; and they have thereupon, by -the wonderful Providence of God, been so strengthened with _other -evidences_, that some of the _Witch Gang_ have been fairly Executed. -But what shall be done, as to those against whom the _evidence_ is -chiefly founded in the _dark world?_ Here they do solemnly demand our -Addresses to the _Father of Lights_, on their behalf. But in the mean -time, the Devil improves the _Darkness_ of this Affair, to push us into -a _Blind Mans Buffet_, and we are even ready to be _sinfully_, yea, -hotly, and madly, mauling one another in the _dark_.[120] - -The consequence of these things, every _considerate_ Man trembles at; -and the more, because the frequent cheats of Passion, and Rumour, -do precipitate so many, that I wish I could say, The most were -_considerate_. - -But that which carries on the formidableness of our Trials, unto -that which may be called, _A wrath unto the uttermost_, is this: It -is not without the _wrath_ of the Almighty _God_ himself, that the -_Devil_ is permitted thus to come down upon us in _wrath_. It was -said, in _Isa._ 9. 19. _Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, the -Land is darkned._ Our Land is _darkned_ indeed; since the _Powers -of Darkness_ are turned in upon us: 'tis a _dark time_, yea a black -night indeed, now the _Ty-dogs_[121] of the Pit are abroad among us: -but, _It is through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts!_ Inasmuch as the -_Fire-brands of Hell_ it self are used for the scorching of us, with -cause enough may we cry out, _What means the heat of this Anger?_ -Blessed Lord! Are all the other Instruments of thy Vengeance, too -good for the chastisement of such transgressors as we are? Must the -very _Devils_ be sent out of _Their own place_, to be our Troublers: -Must we be lash'd with _Scorpions_, fetch'd from the _Place of -[44] Torment?_ Must this _Wilderness_ be made a Receptacle for the -_Dragons of the Wilderness?_ If a _Lapland_ should nourish in it vast -numbers, the successors of the old _Biarmi_,[122] who can with looks -or words bewitch other people, or sell Winds to Mariners, and have -their _Familiar Spirits_ which they bequeath to their Children when -they die, and by their Enchanted Kettle-Drums can learn things done a -Thousand Leagues off; If a _Swedeland_ should afford a Village, where -some scores of Haggs, may not only have their Meetings with _Familiar -Spirits_, but also by their Enchantments drag many scores of poor -children out of their Bed-chambers, to be spoiled at those Meetings; -This, were not altogether a matter of so much wonder! But that -_New-England_ should this way be harrassed! They are not _Chaldeans_, -that _Bitter and Hasty Nation_, but they are, _Bitter and Burning -Devils;_ They are not _Swarthy Indians_, but they are _Sooty Devils;_ -that are let loose upon us. Ah, Poor _New-England!_ Must the plague -of _Old Ægypt_ come upon thee? Whereof we read in _Psal._ 78. 49. _He -cast upon them the fierceness of his Anger, Wrath, and Indignation, -and Trouble, by sending Evil Angels among them_. What, O what must -next be looked for? Must that which is there next mentioned, be next -encountered? _He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life -over to the Pestilence._ For my part, when I consider what _Melancthon_ -says, in one of his Epistles, _That these Diabolical Spectacles are -often Prodigies;_ and when I consider, how often people have been by -_Spectres_ called upon, just before their Deaths; I am verily afraid, -lest some wasting _Mortality_ be among the things, which this Plague is -the _Fore-runner_ of. I pray God prevent it! - -But now, _What shall we do?_ - -_I._ Let the Devils _coming down_ in _great wrath_ upon us, cause us to -_come down_ in _great grief_ before the Lord. We may truly and sadly -say, _We are brought very low! Low_ indeed, when the Serpents of the -dust, are crawling and coyling about us, and Insulting over us. May we -not say, _We are in the very Belly of Hell_, when _Hell_ it self is -feeding upon us? But how _Low_ is that! O let us then most penitently -lay our selves very _Low_ before the God of Heaven, who has thus Abased -us.[123] When a Truculent _Nero_ a _Devil_ of a Man, was turned in upon -the World, it was said, in 1 Pet. 5. 6. _Humble your selves under the -mighty hand of God_. How much more now ought we to _humble our selves_ -under that _Mighty Hand_ of that God who indeed has the _Devil_ in a -_Chain_, but has horribly lengthened on the _Chain!_[124] When the old -people of God heard any _Blasphemies_, tearing of his Ever-Blessed -Name to pieces, they were to _Rend their Cloaths_ at what they heard. -I am sure that we have cause to _Rend our Hearts_ this Day, when we -see [45] what an High Treason has been committed against the most high -God, by the Witchcrafts in our Neighbourhood. We may say; and shall -we not be _humbled_ when we say it? _We have seen an horrible thing -done in our Land!_ O 'tis a most humbling thing, to think, that ever -there should be such an abomination among us, as for a crue of humane -race to renounce their _Maker_, and to unite with the _Devil_, for the -troubling of mankind, and for People to be, (as is by some confess'd) -_Baptized_ by a _Fiend_ using this form upon them, _Thou art mine -and I have a full power over thee!_ afterwards communicating in an -Hellish _Bread_ and _Wine_, by that Fiend administred unto them. It -was said in Deut. 18. 10, 11, 12. _There shall not be found among you -an Inchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a Consulter with Familiar -Spirits, or a Wizzard, or a Necromancer; For all that do these things -are an Abomination to the Lord, and because of these Abominations, -the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee._ That _New-England_ -now should have these _Abominations_ in it, yea, that some of no mean -_Profession_, should be found guilty of them: Alas, what _Humiliations_ -are we all hereby oblig'd unto? O 'tis a _Defiled Land_, wherein we -live; Let us be humbled for these _Defiling Abominations_, lest we -be driven out of our Land. It's a very _humbling_ thing to think, -what reproaches will be cast upon us, for this matter, among _The -Daughters of the Philistines_. Indeed, enough might easily be said -for the vindication of _this_ Country from the _Singularity_ of this -matter, by ripping up, what has been discovered in _others_. _Great -Britain_ alone, and this also in our days of _Greatest Light_, has had -that in it, which may divert the Calumnies of an ill-natured World, -from centring here. They are words of the Devout Bishop _Hall,_[125] -_Satans prevalency in this Age, is most clear in the marvellous -Number of Witches abounding in all places. Now Hundreds are discovered -in one Shire; and, if Fame Deceives us not, in a Village of Fourteen -Houses in the North, are found so many of this Damned Brood. Yea, and -those of both Sexes, who have Professed much Knowledge, Holiness, -and Devotion, are drawn into this Damnable Practice._ I suppose the -Doctor in the first of those Passages, may refer to what happened in -the Year 1645. When so many Vassals of the Devil were Detected, that -there were _Thirty_ try'd at one time, whereas about _fourteen_ were -Hang'd, and an Hundred more detained in the Prisons of _Suffolk_ and -_Essex_. Among other things which many of these Acknowledged, one was, -That they were to undergo certain _Punishments_, if they did not such -and such _Hurts_, as were appointed them. And, among the rest that were -then Executed, there was an Old Parson, called _Lowis_, who confessed, -That he had a couple of _Imps_, whereof _one_ was always putting him -upon the doing of Mischief; Once particularly, that _Imp_ calling for -his Consent so to do, went immediately and Sunk a _Ship_, then under -Sail.[126] I pray, let not _New-England_ become of an Unsavoury and -a Sulphurous Resentment in the Opinion of the World abroad, for the -Doleful things which are now fallen out among us, while there are such -_Histories_ of other places abroad in the World.[127] Nevertheless, I -am sure that _we_, the People of _New-England_, have cause enough to -_Humble_ our selves under our most _Humbling_ Circumstances. We must -no more be _Haughty, because of the Lords Holy Mountain among us;_ -No it becomes us rather to be, _Humble, because we have been such an -Habitation of Unholy Devils!_ - -_II._ Since the Devil is _come down in great wrath_ upon us, let not us -in our _great wrath_ against one another provide a _Lodging_ for him. -It was a most wholesome caution, in _Eph._ 4. 26, 27. _Let not the Sun -go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the Devil._ The Devil is -come down to see what _Quarter_ he shall find among us:[128] And if his -coming down, do now fill us with _wrath_ against one another, and if -between the cause of the _Sufferers_ on one hand, and the cause of the -_Suspected_ on t'other, we carry things to such extreams of _Passion_ -as are now gaining upon us, the Devil will Bless himself, to find such -a convenient _Lodging_ as we shall therein afford unto him.[129] And -it may be that the _wrath_ which we have had against one another has -had more than a little influence upon the coming down of the Devil in -that _wrath_ which now amazes us. Have not many of us been _Devils_ one -unto another for Slanderings, for Backbitings, for Animosities? For -_this_, among other causes, perhaps, God has permitted the Devils to -be worrying, as they now are, among us. But it is high time to leave -off all _Devilism_, when the _Devil_ himself is falling upon us: And -it is _no time_ for us to be Censuring and Reviling one another, with -a _Devilish wrath_, when the _wrath_ of the _Devil_ is annoying of us. -The way for us to out-wit the Devil, in the _Wiles_ with which he now -_Vexes_ [46] us, would be for us to joyn as one man in our cries to -God, for the Directing, and Issuing of this Thorny Business; but if -we do not _Lift up_ our Hands to Heaven, _without Wrath_, we cannot -then do it _without Doubt_, of speeding in it. I am ashamed when I -read French Authors giving this Character of Englishmen [_Ils se -haissent Les uns les autres, et sont en Division Continuelle._] _They -hate one another, and are always Quarelling one with another._[130] -And I shall be much more ashamed, if it become the Character of -_New-Englanders;_ which is indeed what the Devil would have. _Satan_ -would make us _bruise_ one another, by breaking of the _Peace_ among -us; but O let us disappoint him. We read of a thing that sometimes -happens to the _Devil_, when he is foaming with his _Wrath_, in Mat. -12. 43. _The unclean Spirit seeks rest, and finds none._ But we give -_rest_ unto the Devil, by _wrath_ one against another. If we would lay -aside all fierceness, and keenness, in the disputes which the Devil has -raised among us; and if we would use to one another none but the _soft -Answers, which turn away wrath:_ I should hope that we might light upon -such Counsels, as would quickly Extricate us out of our _Labyrinths_. -But the old _Incendiary_ of the world, is come from Hell, with _Sparks_ -of Hell-Fire flashing on every side of him; and we make ourselves -_Tynder_ to the Sparks. When the Emperour _Henry_ III.[131] kept the -Feast of _Pentecost_, at the City _Mentz_, there arose a dissension -among some of the people there, which came from words to blows, and -at last it passed on to the shedding of Blood. After the Tumult was -over, when they came to that clause in their Devotions, _Thou hast -made this day Glorious;_ the Devil to the unexpressible Terrour of -that vast Assembly, made the Temple Ring with that Outcry _But I have -made this Day Quarrelsome!_ We are truly come into a day, which by -being well managed might be very _Glorious_, for the exterminating -of those _Accursed things_, which have hitherto been the Clogs of our -Prosperity; but if we make this day _Quarrelsome_, thro' any _Raging -Confidences_, Alas, _O Lord, my Flesh Trembles for Fear of thee, and -I am afraid of thy Judgments_. _Erasmus_, among other Historians, -tells us, that at a Town in _Germany_, a Witch or Devil, appeared on -the Top of a Chimney, Threatning to set the Town on _Fire:_ And at -length, Scattering a Pot of Ashes abroad, the Town was presently and -horribly Burnt unto the Ground.[132] Methinks, I see the _Spectres_, -from the Top of the Chimneys to the Northward, threatning to scatter -_Fire_, about the Countrey; but let us quench that _Fire_, by the most -amicable Correspondencies: Lest, as the _Spectres_, have, they say, -already most Literally burnt some of our Dwellings there do come forth -a further _Fire_ from the _Brambles_ of Hell, which may more terribly -_Devour_ us. Let us not be like a _Troubled House_, altho' we are so -much haunted by the _Devils_. Let our _Long suffering_ be a well-placed -piece of _Armour_, about us, against the _Fiery Darts_ of the wicked -ones. History informs us, That so long ago, as the year, 858, a -certain Pestilent and Malignant sort of _Dæmon_, molested _Caumont_ -in _Germany_ with all sorts of methods to stir up strife among the -Citizens. He uttered Prophecies, he detected Villanies, he branded -people with all kind of Infamies. He incensed the Neighbourhood against -one Man particularly, as the cause of all the mischiefs: who yet proved -himself innocent. He threw stones at the Inhabitants, and at length -burnt their Habitations, till the Commission of the _Dæmon_ could go no -further. I say, let us be well aware lest such _Dæmons_ do _Come hither -also_. - -_III._ Inasmuch as the Devil is come down in _Great Wrath_, we had need -Labour, with all the Care and Speed we can to Divert the _Great Wrath_ -of Heaven from coming at the same time upon us. The God of Heaven has -with long and loud Admonitions, been calling us to _a Reformation of -our Provoking Evils_, as the only way to avoid that _Wrath_ of His, -which does not only _Threaten_ but _Consume_ us. 'Tis because we have -been Deaf to those _Calls_ that we are now by a provoked God, laid -open to the _Wrath_ of the Devil himself. It is said in Pr. 16. 7. -_When a mans ways please the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be -at peace with him._ The Devil is our grand _Enemy;_ and tho' we would -not be at peace _with_ him, yet we would be at peace from him, that -is, we would have him unable to disquiet our _peace_. But inasmuch -as the _wrath_ which we endure from this _Enemy_, will allow us no -_peace_, we may be sure, _our ways have not pleased the Lord_. It -is because we have _broken the hedge_ of Gods _Precepts_, that the -hedge of Gods _Providence_ is not so entire as it uses to be about us; -but _Serpents_ are _biting_ of us. O let us then set [47] our selves -to make our _peace_ with our God, whom we have _displeased_ by our -iniquities: and let us not imagine that we can encounter the _Wrath_ -of the Devil, while there is the _Wrath_ of God Almighty to set that -Mastiff upon us. REFORMATION! REFORMATION! has been the repeated _Cry_ -of all the Judgments that have hitherto been upon us; because we have -been as _deaf Adders_ thereunto, the _Adders_ of the Infernal Pit are -now hissing about us. At length, as it was of old said, _Luke_ 16. 30. -_If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent;_ even so, there -are some come unto us from the _Damned_. The great God has loosed the -Bars of the Pit, so that many _damned Spirits_ are come in among us, -to make us _repent_ of our Misdemeanours. The means which the Lord had -formerly employ'd for our _awakening_, were such, that he might well -have said, _What could I have done more?_ and yet after all, he has -done _more_, in some regards, than was ever done for the awakening of -any People in the World. The things now done to awaken our Enquiries -after our _provoking Evils_, and our endeavours to Reform those evils, -are most _extraordinary_ things; for which cause I would freely speak -it, if we now do not some _extraordinary_ things in returning to God; -we are the most _incurable_, and I wish it be not quickly said, the -most _miserable_ People under the Sun. Believe me, 'tis a time for all -people to do something _extraordinary, in searching and trying of their -ways, and in turning to the Lord_. It is at an _extraordinary_ rate of -_Circumspection_ and _Spiritual mindedness_, that we should all now -maintain a _walk with God_. At such a time as this ought _Magistrates_ -to do something _extraordinary_ in promoting of what is laudable, and -in restraining and chastising of _Evil Doers_. At such a time as this -ought _Ministers_ to do something _extraordinary_ in pulling the Souls -of Men out of the _Snares_ of the Devil, not only by publick Preaching, -but by personal Visits and Counsels, _from house to house_. At such -a time as this ought _Churches_ to do something _extraordinary_, in -_renewing_ of their Covenants, and in _remembring_, and _reviving_ -the Obligations of what they have renewed. Some admirable Designs -about the _Reformation_ of Manners, have lately been on foot in the -English Nation, in pursuance of the most excellent Admonitions which -have been given for it, by the Letters of Their Majesties.[133] -Besides the vigorous Agreements of the _Justices_ here and there in -the Kingdom, assisted by godly Gentlemen and Informers, to execute the -_Laws_ upon prophane Offenders: there has been started a _Proposal_ -for the well-affected people in every Parish, to enter into orderly -_Societies_, whereof every Member shall bind himself, not only to -_avoid_ Prophaneness in himself, but also according unto to their -Place, to do their utmost in first _Reproving;_ and, if it must be so, -then _Exposing_, and so _Punishing_, as the Law directs, for others -that shall be guilty. It has been observed, that the English Nation -has had some of its greatest Successes, upon some special and signal -_Actions_ this way; and a discouragement given under Legal Proceedings -of this kind, must needs be very exercising to the _Wise that observe -these things_. But O why should not _New-England_ be the most forward -part of the English Nation in such _Reformations?_ Methinks I hear the -Lord from Heaven saying over us, _O that my People had hearkened unto -me; then I should soon have subdued the Devils, as well as their other -Enemies!_ There have been some feeble Essays towards _Reformation_ of -late in our _Churches;_ but, I pray what comes of them? Do we stay -till the _Storm_ of his _Wrath_ be over? Nay, let us be doing what -we can, as fast as we can, to divert the _Storm_. The Devils having -broke in upon our World,[134] there is great asking, _Who is it that -has brought them in?_ And many do by _Spectral_ Exhibitions come to -be _cry'd out_ upon. I hope in Gods time it will be found, that among -those that are thus _cry'd out_ upon, there are persons yet _Clear -from the great Transgression;_ but indeed, all the _Unreformed_ among -us, may justly be _cry'd out_ upon, as having too much of an hand in -letting of the Devils into our Borders; 'tis _our_ Worldliness, _our_ -Formality, _our_ Sensuality, and _our_ Iniquity that has help'd this -letting of the Devils in. O let us then at last, _consider our ways_. -'Tis a strange passage recorded by Mr. _Clark_[135] in the Life of his -Father That the People of his Parish, refusing to be Reclaimed from -their _Sabbath breaking_, by all the zealous Testimonies which that -good Man bore against it; at last, on a night after the people had -retired home from a Revelling Prophanation of the _Lords Day_, there -was heard a great Noise, with rattling of Chains up and down the Town, -and an horrid Scent of Brimstone fill'd the Neighbourhood. Upon which -the _guilty Consciences_ of the Wretches told [48] them, the Devil was -come to fetch them away; and it so terrifi'd them, that an Eminent -_Reformation_ follow'd the Sermons which that Man of God Preached -thereupon. Behold, Sinners, behold and _wonder_, lest you _perish:_ the -very _Devils_ are walking about our Streets, with lengthened _Chains_, -making a dreadful Noise in our Ears, and _Brimstone_ even without a -Metaphor, is making an hellish and horrid stench in our Nostrils.[136] -I pray leave off all those things whereof your _guilty Consciences_ may -now accuse you, lest these Devils do yet more direfully fall upon you. -_Reformation_ is at this time our only _Preservation_. - -_IV_. When the Devil is come down in _great Wrath_, let every _great -Vice_ which may have a more particular tendency to make us a Prey unto -that _Wrath_, come into a due discredit with us. It is the general -Concession of all men, who are not become too _Unreasonable_ for common -Conversation, that the Invitation of _Witchcrafts_ is the thing that -has now introduced the Devil into the midst of us. I say then, let not -only all _Witchcrafts_ be duly abominated with us, but also let us be -duly watchful against all the _Steps_ leading thereunto. There are -lesser _Sorceries_ which they say, are too frequent in our Land. As it -was said in 2 _King_. 17. 9. _The Children of_ Israel _did secretly -those things that were not right, against the Lord their God_. So -'tis to be feared, the Children of _New-England_ have _secretly_ done -many things that have been pleasing to the Devil. They say, that in -some Towns it has been an usual thing for People to cure Hurts with -_Spells_, or to use detestable Conjurations, with _Sieves_, _Keys_, -and _Pease_, and _Nails_, and _Horse-shoes_, and I know not what other -Implements, to learn the things for which they have a forbidden, and an -impious _Curiosity_.[137] 'Tis in the Devils Name, that such things are -done; and in Gods Name I do this day charge them, as vile Impieties. -By these Courses 'tis, that People play upon _The Hole of the Asp_, -till that cruelly venemous _Asp_ has pull'd many of them into the deep -_Hole_ of _Witchcraft_ it self. It has been acknowledged by some who -have sunk the deepest into this _horrible Pit_, that they began at -these little _Witchcrafts;_ on which 'tis pity but the Laws of the -English Nation, whereby the incorrigible repetition of those _Tricks_, -is made _Felony_, were severally Executed. From the like sinful -_Curiosity_ it is, that the Prognostications of _Judicial Astrology_, -are so injudiciously regarded by multitudes among us; and altho' the -Jugling _Astrologers_ do scarce ever hit right, except it be in such -_Weighty Judgments_, forsooth, as that many _Old Men_ will die such a -year, and that there will be many _Losses_ felt by some that venture -to Sea, and that there will be much _Lying_ and _Cheating_ in the -World; yet their foolish Admirers will not be perswaded but that the -Innocent _Stars_ have been concern'd in these Events. It is a disgrace -to the English Nation, that the Pamphlets of such idle, futil, trifling -_Stargazers_ are so much considered; and the Countenance hereby given -to a Study, wherin at last, all is done by _Impulse_, if any thing be -done to any purpose at all, is not a little perillous to the Souls of -Men. It is (_a Science_, I dare not call it, but) a _Juggle_, whereof -the Learned _Hall_ well says, _It is presumptious and unwarrantable, -and cry'd ever down by Councils and Fathers, as unlawful, as that -which lies in the mid-way between Magick and Imposture, and partakes -not a little of both_.[138] Men consult the Aspects of Planets, whose -Northern or Southern motions receive denominations from a _Cælestial -Dragon_, till the _Infernal Dragon_ at length insinuate into them, -with a _Poison_ of _Witchcraft_ that can't be cured. Has there not -also been a world of discontent in our Borders? 'Tis no wonder, that -the _fiery Serpents_ are so Stinging of us; We have been a _Murmuring -Generation_. It is not Irrational, to ascribe the late Stupendious -growth of _Witches_ among us, partly to the bitter _discontents_, which -Affliction and Poverty has fill'd us with: it is inconceivable, what -advantage the Devil gains over men, by _discontent_. Moreover, the Sin -of _Unbelief_ may be reckoned as perhaps the chief _Crime_ of our Land. -We are told, _God swears in wrath, against them that believe not;_ and -what follows then but this, _That the Devil comes unto them in wrath!_ -Never were the offers of the _Gospel_, more freely tendered, or more -basely despised, among any People under the whole Cope of Heaven, -than in this _N. E._[139] Seems it all marvellous unto us, that the -_Devil_ should get such a footing in our Country? Why, 'tis because -the _Saviour_ has been slighted here, perhaps more than any where. The -Blessed Lord Jesus Christ [49] has been profering to us, _Grace, and -Glory, and every good thing_, and been alluring of us to Accept of Him, -with such Terms as these, _Undone Sinner, I am All; Art thou willing -that I should be thy All?_ But, as a proof of that Contempt which this -Unbelief has cast upon these proffers, I would seriously ask of the -so many Hundreds above a Thousand People within these Walls; which of -you all, O how few of you, can indeed say, _Christ is mine, and I am -his, and he is the Beloved of my Soul?_ I would only say thus much: -When the precious and glorious Jesus, is Entreating of us to Receive -_Him_, in all His _Offices_, with all His _Benifits;_ the Devil minds -what Respect we pay unto that Heavenly Lord; if we _Refuse Him that -speaks from Heaven_, then he that, _Comes from Hell_, does with a sort -of claim set in, and cry out, _Lord, since this Wretch is not willing -that thou shouldst have him, I pray, let me have him_. And thus, by the -just vengeance of Heaven, the Devil becomes a _Master_, a _Prince_, a -_God_, unto the miserable Unbelievers: but O what are many of them then -hurried unto! All of these Evil Things, do I now set before you, as -_Branded_ with the Mark of the Devil upon them. - -_V._ With _Great Regard_, with _Great Pity_, should we Lay to Heart -the Condition of those, who are cast into Affliction, by the _Great -Wrath_ of the Devil. There is a Number of our Good Neighbours, and -some of them very particularly noted for Goodness and Vertue, of -whom we may say, _Lord, They are vexed with Devils_. Their Tortures -being primarily Inflicted on their _Spirits_, may indeed cause the -Impressions thereof upon their Bodies to be the less _Durable_, tho' -rather the more _Sensible:_ but they Endure Horrible Things, and many -have been actually Murdered. Hard _Censures_ now bestow'd upon these -poor Sufferers, cannot but be very Displeasing unto our Lord, who, as -He said, about some that had been Butchered by a _Pilate_, in Luc. -13. 2, 3. _Think ye that these were Sinners above others, because -they suffered such Things? I tell you No, But except ye Repent, ye -shall all likewise Perish:_ Even so, he now says, _Think ye that they -who now suffer by the Devil, have been greater Sinners than their -Neighbours?_ No, Do you Repent of your _own Sins_, Lest the Devil come -to fall foul of _you_, as he has done to _them_. And if this be so, How -_Rash_ a thing would it be, if such of the poor Sufferers, as carry -it with a Becoming Piety, Seriousness, and Humiliation under their -present Suffering, should be unjustly _Censured;_ or have their very -_Calamity_ imputed unto them as a _Crime?_ It is an easie thing, for us -to fall into the Fault of, _Adding Affliction to the Afflicted_, and -of, _Talking to the Grief of those that are already wounded_. Nor can -it be wisdom to slight the Dangers of such a Fault. In the mean time, -We have no Bowels in us, if we do not Compassionate the Distressed -County of _Essex_, now crying to all these Colonies, _Have pity on -me, O ye my Friends, Have pity on me, for the Hand of the Lord has -Touched me, and the Wrath of the Devil has been therewithal turned -upon me_. But indeed, if an hearty _pity_ be due to any, I am sure, -the Difficulties which attend our Honourable _Judges_, do demand no -Inconsiderable share in that _Pity_. What a Difficult, what [50] an -Arduous Task, have those Worthy Personages now upon their Hands? To -carry the _Knife_ so exactly, that on the one side, there may be no -Innocent Blood Shed,[140] by too unseeing a _Zeal for the Children of -Israel;_ and that on the other side, there may be no Shelter given to -those Diabolical _Works of Darkness_, without the Removal whereof we -never shall have _Peace;_ or to those _Furies_ whereof several have -kill'd _more people_ perhaps than would serve to make a Village: _Hic -Labor, Hoc Opus est!_ O what need have we, to be concerned, that the -Sins of our _Israel_, may not provoke the God of Heaven to leave his -_Davids_, unto a wrong Step, in a matter of such Consequence, as is now -before them! Our Disingenuous, Uncharitable, Unchristian Reproaching of -such _Faithful Men_, after all, _The Prayers and Supplications, with -strong Crying and Tears_, with which we are daily plying the Throne of -Grace, that they may be kept, from what _They Fear_, is none of the -way for our preventing of what We _Fear_. Nor all this while, ought -our _Pity_ to forget such _Accused_ ones, as call for indeed our most -Compassionate _Pity_, till there be fuller Evidences that they are -less worthy of it.[141] If _Satan_ have any where maliciously brought -upon the _Stage_, those that have hitherto had a just and good stock -of Reputation for their just and good Living, among us; If the _Evil -One_ have obtained a permission to _Appear_, in the Figure of such -as we have cause to think, have hitherto _Abstained_, even from the -_Appearance of Evil:_ It is in Truth, such an Invasion upon _Mankind_, -as may well Raise an Horror in us all: But, O what Compassions are -due to such as may come under such Misrepresentations, of the _Great -Accuser!_ Who of us can say, what may be shewn in the _Glasses_ of the -Great _Lying Spirit?_ Altho' the _Usual Providence_ of God [we praise -Him!] keeps us from such a Mishap; yet where have we an _Absolute -Promise_, that we shall every one always be kept from it? As long as -_Charity_ is bound to Think _no Evil_, it will not Hurt us that are -_Private Persons_, to forbear the _Judgment_ which belongs not unto -us. Let it rather be our Wish, May the Lord help them to Learn the -_Lessons_, for which they are now put unto so hard a School. - -_VI._ With a _Great Zeal_, we should lay hold on the _Covenant_ of -God, that we may secure _Us_ and _Ours_, from the _Great Wrath_, with -which the Devil Rages. Let us come into the _Covenant of Grace_, and -then we shall not be hook'd into a _Covenant with the Devil_, nor -be altogether unfurnished with Armour against the Wretches that are -in that _Covenant_. The way to come under the Saving Influences of -the _New Covenant_, is, to close with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is -the All-sufficient _Mediator_ of it: Let us therefore do, _that_, by -Resigning up our selves unto the Saving, Teaching, and Ruling Hands of -this Blessed _Mediator_. Then we shall be, what we read in Jude 1. -_Preserved in Christ Jesus:_ That is, as the _Destroying Angel_, could -not meddle with such as had been distinguished, by the Blood of the -_Passeover_ on their Houses: Thus the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, -Sprinkled on our Souls, will _Preserve_ us from the Devil. The _Birds -of prey_ (and indeed the _Devils_ [51] most literally in the shape of -great _Birds!_) are flying about. Would we find a Covert from these -_Vultures?_ Let us then Hear our Lord Jesus from Heaven Clocquing[142] -unto us, _O that you would be gathered under my wings!_ Well; when this -is done, Then let us own the _Covenant_, which we are now come into, -by joining ourselves to a Particular _Church_, walking in the Order -of the Gospel; at the doing whereof, according to that _Covenant_ of -God, We give up Our selves unto the Lord, and in Him unto One Another, -While others have had their Names Entred in the _Devils Book;_ let our -Names be found in the _Church Book_, and let us be _Written among the -Living in Jerusalem_. By no means let, _Church work_ sink and fail -in the midst of us; but let the Tragical Accidents which now happen, -exceedingly Quicken that _work_. So many of the _Rising Generation_, -utterly forgetting the Errand of our Fathers to build Churches in this -Wilderness, and so many of our _Cottages_ being allow'd to Live, where -they do not, and perhaps cannot, wait upon God with the Churches of -His People; 'tis as likely as any one thing to procure the swarmings of -_Witch crafts_ among us.[143] But it becomes us, with a like Ardour, -to bring our poor _Children_ with us, as we shall do, when we come -our selves, into the _Covenant_ of God. It would break an heart of -Stone, to have seen, what I have lately seen; Even poor Children of -several Ages, even from seven to twenty, more or less, _Confessing_ -their Familiarity with Devils; but at the same time, in Doleful bitter -Lamentations, that made a little Pourtraiture of _Hell_ it self, -Expostulating with their execrable Parents, for _Devoting_ them to the -Devil in their Infancy, and so _Entailing_ of Devillism upon them! -Now, as the Psalmist could say, _My Zeal hath consumed me, because -my Enemies have forgotten thy words:_ Even so, let the Nefarious -wickedness of those that have Explicitly dedicated their Children to -the Devil, even with Devilish Symbols, of such a Dedication, Provoke -our _Zeal_ to have our Children, Sincerely, Signally, and openly -_Consecrated_ unto God; with an _Education_ afterwards assuring and -confirming that Consecration. - -_VII._ Let our _Prayer_ go up with great Faith, against the Devil, -that comes down in great Wrath. Such is the Antipathy of the Devil to -our _Prayer_, that he cannot bear to stay long where much of it is: -Indeed it is _Diaboli Flagellum_, as well as _Miseriæ Remedium;_ the -Devil will soon be Scourg'd out of the Lord's Temple, by a _Whip_, made -and used, with the _effectual fervent Prayer of Righteous Men_. When -the Devil by Afflicting of us, drives us to our Prayers, he is _The -Fool making a Whip for his own Back_. Our Lord said of the Devil in -_Matt._ 17. 21. _This Kind goes not out, but by Prayer and Fasting._ -But, _Prayer and Fasting_ will soon make the Devil be gone. Here are -_Charms_ indeed! Sacred and blessed _Charms_, which the Devil cannot -stand before. A Promise of God, being well managed in the _Hands_ of -them that are much upon their Knees, will so resist the Devil, that he -will _Flee from us_. At every other Weapon the Devils will be too hard -for us; the _Spiritual Wickednesses in High Places_, have manifestly -the Upper hand of [52] us; that _Old Serpent_ will be too old for us, -too cunning, too subtil; they will soon _out wit_ us, if we think -to Encounter them with any _Wit_ of our own. But when we come to -_Prayers_, Incessant and Vehement _Prayers_ before the Lord, there we -shall be too hard for them. When well-directed _Prayers_, that great -Artillery of Heaven, are brought into the Field, _There_ methinks I -see, _There are these workers of Iniquity fallen, all of them!_ And who -can tell, how much the most _Obscure Christian_ among you all, may do -towards the Deliverance of our Land from the Molestations which the -Devil is now giving to us. I have Read, That on a day of Prayer kept -by some good People for and with a Possessed Person, the Devil at last -flew out of the Window, and referring to a Devout, plain, mean Woman -then in the Room, he cry'd out, _O the Woman behind the Door!_[144] -_'Tis that Woman that forces me away!_ Thus the Devil that now troubles -us, may be forced within a while to forsake us; and it shall be said, -_He was driven away by the Prayers of some Obscure and Retired Souls, -which the World has taken but little notice of!_ The Great God is about -a Great _Work_ at this day among us: Now, there is extream Hazard, -lest the Devil who by Compulsion must submit unto that _Great Work_, -may also by _Permission_, come to Confound that _Work;_ both in the -Detections of some, and in the Confessions of others, whose Ungodly -deeds may be brought forth, by a _Great Work_ of God; there is Hazard -lest the Devil intertwist some of his Delusions. 'Tis PRAYER, I say, -'tis PRAYER, that must carry us well through the strange things that -are now upon us. Only that Prayer must then be the Prayer of Faith: O -where is our Faith in him, Who _hath spoiled these Principalities and -Powers, on his Cross, Triumphing over them!_ - -_VIII._ Lastly, Shake off, every Soul, shake off the _hard Yoak_ of the -Devil. Where 'tis said, _The whole World lyes in Wickedness;_ 'tis by -some of the Ancients rendred, _The whole World lyes in the Devil_. The -Devil is a Prince, yea, the Devil is a God unto all the Unregenerate; -and alas, there is _A whole World of them_.[145] Desolate Sinners, -consider what an horrid Lord it is that you are Enslav'd unto; and -Oh shake off your Slavery to such a Lord. Instead of _him_, now make -your Choice of the Eternal God in Jesus Christ; Chuse him with a most -unalterable Resolution, and unto him say, with _Thomas, My Lord, and -my God!_ Say with the Church, _Lord, other Lords have had the Dominion -over us, but now thou alone shalt be our Lord for ever_. Then instead -of your Perishing under the wrath of the Devils, God will fetch you to -a place among those that fill up the Room of the Devils, left by their -Fall from the Ethereal Regions. It was a most awful Speech made by -the Devil, Possessing a young Woman, at a Village in _Germany, By the -command of God, I am come to Torment the Body of this young Woman, tho -I cannot hurt her Soul; and it is that I may warn Men, to take heed of -sinning against God. Indeed_ (said he) _'tis very sore against my will -that I do it; but the command of God forces me to declare what I do; -however I know that at the Last Day, I shall have more Souls than God -himself_. So spoke that horrible Devil! But O that none [53] of our -Souls may be found among the Prizes of the Devil, in the Day of God! -O that what the Devil has been forced to declare, of his Kingdom among -us, may prejudice our Hearts against him for ever! - -My Text says, _The Devil is come down in great Wrath, for he has but a -short time_. Yea, but if you do not by a speedy and through Conversion -to God, escape the Wrath of the Devil, you will your selves go down, -where the Devil is to be, and you will there be sweltring under the -Devils Wrath, not for a _short Time_, but _World without end;_ not for -a _Short Time_ but for _Infinite Millions of Ages_. The smoke of your -Torment under that Wrath, will _Ascend for ever and ever!_ Indeed, the -Devil's time for his Wrath upon you in this World, can be but short, -but his time for you to do his Work, or, which is all one, to delay -your turning to God, that is a _Long Time_. When the Devil was going to -be Dispossessed of a Man, he Roar'd out, _Am I to be Tormented before -my time?_ You will _Torment_ the Devil, if you Rescue your Souls out -of his hands, by true Repentance: If once you begin to look that way, -he'll Cry out, _O this is before my Time, I must have more Time, yet -in the Service of such a guilty Soul_. But, I beseech you, let us -join thus to torment the Devil, in an holy Revenge upon him, for all -the Injuries which he has done unto us; let us tell him, _Satan, thy -time with me is but short, Nay, thy time with me shall be no more; I -am unutterably sorry that it has been so much; Depart from me thou -Evil-Doer, that would'st have me an Evil-Doer like thy self; I will now -for ever keep the Commandments of that God, in whom I Live and Move, -and have my Being!_ The Devil has plaid a fine Game for himself indeed, -if by his troubling of our Land, the Souls of many People should come -to _think upon their ways, till even they turn their Feet into the -Testimonies of the Lord_. Now that the Devil may be thus outshot in his -own Bow, is the desire of all that love the Salvation of God among us, -as well as of him, who has thus Addressed you. _Amen._ - - -HAVING thus discoursed on the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, I shall -now, with God's help, go on to relate some Remarkable and Memorable -Instances of _Wonders_ which that _World_ has given to ourselves. And -altho the chief Entertainment which my Readers do expect, and shall -receive, will be a true History of what has occurred, respecting the -WITCHCRAFTS wherewith we are at this day Persecuted; yet I shall choose -to usher in the mention of those things, with - - - _A Narrative of an_ APPARITION _which a Gentleman in_ BOSTON, _had - of his Brother, just then murthered in_ LONDON. - -IT was on the Second of _May_ in the Year 1687, that a most ingenious, -accomplished and well-disposed young Gentleman, Mr. _Joseph Beacon_, -by about Five a Clock in the Morning, as he lay, whether Sleeping or -[54] Waking he could not say, (but judged the latter of them) had a -View of his Brother then at _London_, altho he was now himself at our -_Boston_, distanced from him a thousand Leagues.[146] This his Brother -appear'd unto him, in the Morning about Five a Clock at _Boston_, -having on him a _Bengal_ Gown, which he usually wore, with a Napkin -tyed about his Head; his Countenance was very Pale, Gastly, Deadly, and -he had a bloody Wound on one side of his Fore-head. _Brother!_ says the -Affrighted _Joseph. Brother!_ Answered the Apparition. Said _Joseph, -What's the matter Brother? How came you here!_ The Apparition replied, -_Brother, I have been most barbarously and injuriously Butchered, by a -Debauched Drunken Fellow, to whom I never did any wrong in my Life_. -Whereupon he gave a particular Description of the Murderer; adding, -_Brother, This Fellow changing his Name, is attempting to come over -unto_ New-England, _in_ Foy, _or_ Wild; _I would pray you on the first -Arrival of either of these, to get an Order from the Governor, to -Seize the Person, whom I have now described; and then do you Indict -him for the Murder of me your Brother: I'll stand by you and prove the -Indictment_. And so he Vanished. Mr. _Beacon_ was extreamly astonished -at what he had seen and hear'd; and the People of the Family not only -observed an extraordinary Alteration upon him, for the Week following, -but have also given me under their Hands a full Testimony, that he then -gave them an Account of this Apparition. - -All this while, Mr. _Beacon_ had no advice of any thing amiss attending -his Brother then in _England;_ but about the latter end of _June_ -following, he understood by the common ways of Communication, that the -_April_ before, his Brother going in haste by Night to call a Coach -for a Lady, met a Fellow then in Drink, with his _Doxy_ in his Hand: -Some way or other the Fellow thought himself Affronted with the hasty -passage of this _Beacon_, and immediately ran into the Fire-side of a -Neighbouring Tavern, from whence he fetched out a Fire-fork, wherewith -he grievously wounded _Beacon_ in the Skull; even in that very part -where the Apparition show'd his Wound. Of this Wound he Languished -until he Dyed on the Second of _May_, about five of the Clock in the -Morning at _London_. The Murderer it seems was endeavouring an Escape, -as the Apparition affirm'd, but the Friends of the Deceased _Beacon_, -Seized him; and Prosecuting him at Law, he found the help of such -Friends as brought him off without the loss of his Life; since which, -there has no more been heard of the Business. - -This History I received of Mr. _Joseph Beacon_ himself; who a little -before his own Pious and hopeful Death, which follow'd not long after, -gave me the Story written and signed with his own Hand, and attested -with the Circumstances I have already mentioned. - - -BUT I shall no longer detain my Reader, from his expected -Entertainment, in a brief account of the Tryals which have passed -upon some of the Malefactors lately Executed at _Salem_, for the -_Witchcrafts_ whereof they stood Convicted. For my own part, I was not -present at any of them; [55] nor ever had I any Personal prejudice at -the Persons thus brought upon the Stage; much less at the Surviving -Relations of those Persons, with and for whom I would be as hearty a -Mourner as any Man living in the World: _The Lord Comfort them!_ But -having received a Command so to do, I can do no other than shortly -relate the chief _Matters of Fact_, which occur'd in the Tryals -of some that were Executed, in an Abridgment Collected out of the -_Court-Papers_, on this occasion put into my hands. You are to take -the _Truth_, just as it was; and the Truth will hurt no good Man. -There might have been more of these, if my Book would not thereby -have swollen too big; and if some other worthy hands did not perhaps -intend something further in these _Collections;_ for which cause I have -only singled out Four or Five, which may serve to illustrate the way -of Dealing, wherein _Witchcrafts_ use to be concerned; and I report -matters not as an _Advocate_, but as an _Historian_. - -They were some of the Gracious Words inserted in the Advice, which many -of the Neighbouring Ministers, did this Summer humbly lay before our -Honorable Judges, _We cannot but with all thankfulness, acknowledge -the success which the Merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and -Assiduous endeavours of Our Honourable Rulers, to detect the abominable -Witchcrafts which have been committed in the Country; Humbly Praying, -that the discovery of those mysterious and mischievous wickednesses, -may be Perfected_. If in the midst of the many Dissatisfactions -among us, the Publication of these Tryals may promote such a Pious -Thankfulness unto God, for Justice being so far executed among us, I -shall Rejoice that God is Glorified; and pray, that no wrong steps of -ours may ever sully any of his Glorious Works. But we will begin with, - - - _A Modern Instance of Witches, Discovered and Condemned in a Tryal, - before that celebrated Judge, Sir Matthew Hale_.[147] - -IT may cast some Light upon the Dark things now in _America_, if -we just give a glance upon the _like things_ lately happening in -_Europe_. We may see the _Witchcrafts_ here most exactly resemble the -_Witchcrafts_ there; and we may learn what sort of Devils do trouble -the World. - -The Venerable _Baxter_ very truly says, _Judge_ Hale _was a Person, -than whom, no Man was more Backward to Condemn a Witch, without full -Evidence_. - -Now, one of the latest Printed Accounts about a _Tryal of Witches_, is -of what was before him, and it ran on this wise. [Printed in the Year -1682.] And it is here the rather mentioned, because it was a Tryal, -much considered by the Judges of _New England_. - -_I. Rose Cullender_ and _Amy Duny_, were severally Indicted, for -Bewitching _Elizabeth Durent_, _Ann Durent_, _Jane Bocking_, _Susan -Chandler_, _William Durent_, _Elizabeth_ and _Deborah Pacy_. And the -Evidence whereon they were Convicted, stood upon divers particular -Circumstances. - -[56] _II. Ann Durent_, _Susan Chandler_, and _Elizabeth Pacy_, when -they came into the Hall, to give Instructions for the drawing the -Bills of Indictments, they fell into strange and violent Fits, so that -they were unable to give in their Depositions, not only then, but also -during the whole Assizes. _William Durent_ being an Infant, his Mother -Swore, that _Amy Duny_ looking after her Child one Day in her absence, -did at her return confess, that she had _given suck to the Child:_ -(tho' she were an Old Woman:) Whereat, when _Durent_ expressed her -displeasure, _Duny_ went away with Discontents and Menaces. - -The Night after, the Child fell into strange and sad Fits, wherein it -continued for Divers Weeks. One Doctor _Jacob_ advised her to hang up -the Childs Blanket, in the Chimney Corner all Day, and at Night when -she went to put the Child into it, if she found any Thing in it then to -throw it without fear into the Fire. Accordingly, at Night, there fell -a great Toad out of the Blanket, which ran up and down the Hearth. A -Boy catch't it, and held it in the Fire with the Tongs: where it made -an horrible Noise, and Flash'd like to Gun-Powder, with a report like -that of a Pistol: Whereupon the Toad was no more to be seen. The next -Day a Kinswoman of _Duny's_, told the Deponent, that her Aunt was all -grievously scorch'd with the Fire, and the Deponent going to her House, -found her in such a Condition. _Duny_ told her, she might thank her for -it; but she should live to see some of her Children Dead, and herself -upon Crutches. But after the Burning of the Toad, this Child Recovered. - -This Deponent further Testifi'd, That Her Daughter _Elizabeth_, being -about the Age of Ten Years, was taken in like manner, as her first -Child was, and in her Fits complained much of _Amy Duny_, and said, -that she did appear to Her, and afflict her in such a manner as the -former. One Day she found _Amy Duny_ in her House, and thrusting her -out of Doors, _Duny_ said, _You need not be so Angry, your Child won't -live long_. And within three Days the Child died. The Deponent added, -that she was Her self, not long after taken with such a Lameness in -both her Legs, that she was forced to go upon Crutches; and she was -now in Court upon them. [It was Remarkable, that immediately upon the -Juries bringing in _Duny_ Guilty, _Durent_ was restored unto the use of -her Limbs, and went home without her Crutches.] - -_III._ As for _Elizabeth_ and _Deborah Pacy_, one Aged Eleven Years, -the other Nine; the elder, being in Court, was made utterly senseless, -during all the time of the Trial: or at least speechless. By the -direction of the Judge _Duny_ was privately brought to _Elizabeth -Pacy_, and she touched her Hand: whereupon the Child, without so much -as seeing her, suddenly leap'd up and flew upon the Prisoner; the -younger was too ill, to be brought unto the Assizes. But _Samuel Pacy_, -their Father, testifi'd, that his Daughter _Deborah_ was taken with -a sudden Lameness; and upon the grumbling of _Amy Duny_, for being -denied something, where this Child was then [57] sitting, the Child -was taken with an extream pain in her stomach, like the pricking of -Pins; and shrieking at a dreadful manner, like a Whelp, rather than a -Rational Creature. The Physicians could not conjecture the cause of the -Distemper; but _Amy Duny_ being a Woman of ill Fame, and the Child in -Fits crying out of _Amy Duny_, as affrighting her with the Apparition -of her Person, the Deponent suspected her, and procured her to be set -in the stocks. While she was there, she said in the hearing of Two -Witnesses, _Mr._ Pacy _keeps a great stir about his Child, but let him -stay till he has done as much by his Children, as I have done by mine:_ -And being Asked, What she had done to her Children, she Answered, _She -had been fain to open her Childs Mouth with a Tap to give it Victuals_. -The Deponent added, that within Two Days, the Fits of his Daughters -were such, that they could not preserve either Life or Breath, without -the help of a Tap. And that the Children Cry'd out of _Amy Duny_, and -of _Rose Cullender_, as afflicting them with their Apparitions. - -_IV._ The Fits of the Children were various. They would sometimes be -Lame on one side; sometimes on t'other. Sometimes very sore; sometimes -restored unto their Limbs, and then Deaf, or Blind, or Dumb, for a long -while together. Upon the Recovery of their Speech, they would Cough -extreamly; and with much Flegm, they would bring up Crooked Pins; and -one time, a Two-penny Nail, with a very broad Head. Commonly at the -end of every Fit, they would cast up a Pin. When the Children Read, -they could not pronounce the Name of, _Lord_, or _Jesus_, or _Christ_, -but would fall into Fits; and say, Amy Duny _says, I must not use that -Name_. When they came to the Name of _Satan_, or _Devil_, they would -clap their Fingers on the Book, crying out, _This bites, but it makes -me speak right well!_ The Children in their Fits would often Cry out, -_There stands_ Amy Duny, or _Rose Cullender;_ and they would afterwards -relate, _That these Witches appearing before them, threatned them, that -if they told what they saw or heard, they would Torment them ten times -more than ever they did before_. - -_V. Margaret Arnold_, the Sister of Mr. _Pacy_, Testifi'd unto the like -Sufferings being upon the Children, at her House, whither her Brother -had Removed them. And that sometimes, the Children (_only_) would see -things like Mice, run about the House; and one of them suddenly snap'd -one with the Tongs, and threw it into the Fire, where it screeched -out like a Rat. At another time, a thing like a Bee, flew at the Face -of the younger Child; the Child fell into a Fit; and at last Vomited -up a _Two-penny Nail_, with a Broad Head; affirming, _That the Bee -brought this Nail, and forced it into her Mouth_. The Child would in -like manner be assaulted with Flies, which brought Crooked Pins, unto -her, and made her first swallow them, and then Vomit them. She one Day -caught an Invisible _Mouse_, and throwing it into the Fire, it Flash'd -like to Gun-Powder. None besides the Child saw the _Mouse_, but every -one saw the _Flash_. She also de[58]clared, out of her Fits, that in -them, _Amy Duny_ much tempted her to destroy her self. - -_VI._ As for _Ann Durent_, her Father Testified, That upon a Discontent -of _Rose Cullender_, his Daughter was taken with much Illness in her -Stomach and great and sore Pains, like the Pricking of Pins: and then -Swooning Fits, from which Recovering, she declared, _She had seen -the Apparition_ of Rose Cullender, _Threatning to Torment her_. She -likewise Vomited up diverse Pins. The Maid was Present at Court, but -when _Cullender_ look'd upon her, she fell into such Fits, as made her -utterly unable to declare any thing. - -_Ann Baldwin_ deposed the same. - -_VII. Jane Bocking_, was too weak to be at the Assizes. But her Mother -Testifi'd, that her Daughter having formerly been Afflicted with -Swooning Fits, and Recovered of them; was now taken with a great Pain -in her Stomach; and New Swooning Fits. That she took little Food, but -every Day Vomited Crooked Pins. In her first Fits, she would Extend -her Arms, and use Postures, as if she catched at something, and when -her Clutched Hands were forced open, they would find several Pins -diversely Crooked, unaccountably lodged there. She would also maintain -a Discourse with some that were Invisibly present, when casting abroad -her Arms, she would often say, _I will not have it!_ but at last say, -_Then I will have it!_ and closing her Hand, which when they presently -after opened, a Lath-Nail was found in it. But her great Complaints -were of being Visited by the shapes of _Amy Duny_, and _Rose Cullender_. - -_VIII._ As for _Susan Chandler_, her Mother Testified, That being at -the search of _Rose Cullender_, they found on her Belly a thing like a -Teat, of an Inch long; which the _said Rose_ ascribed to a strain. But -near her Privy-parts, they found Three more, that were smaller than the -former. At the end of the long Teat, there was a little Hole, which -appeared, as if newly Sucked; and upon straining it, a white Milky -matter issued out. The Deponent further said, That her Daughter being -one Day concerned at _Rose Cullenders_ taking her by the Hand, she fell -very sick, and at Night cry'd out, _That_ Rose Cullender _would come to -Bed unto her_. Her Fits grew violent, and in the Intervals of them, -she declared, _That she saw_ Rose Cullender _in them, and once having -of a great Dog with her_. She also Vomited up Crooked Pins; and when -she was brought into Court, she fell into her Fits. She Recovered her -self in some Time, and was asked by the Court, whether she was in a -Condition to take an Oath, and give Evidence. She said, she could; but -having been Sworn, she fell into her Fits again, and, _Burn her! Burn -her!_ were all the words that she could obtain power to speak. Her -Father likewise gave the same Testimony with her Mother; as to all but -the Search. - -_IX._ Here was the Sum of the Evidence: Which Mr. Serjeant -Keeling,[148] thought not sufficient to Convict the Prisoners. For -admitting the Chil[59]dren were Bewitched, yet, said he, it can never -be Apply'd unto the Prisoners, upon the Imagination only of the Parties -Afflicted; inasmuch as no person whatsoever could then be in Safety. - -Dr. _Brown_, a very Learned Person then present, gave his Opinion, that -these Persons were Bewitched. He added, That in _Denmark_, there had -been lately a great Discovery of Witches; who used the very same way of -Afflicting people, by Conveying Pins and Nails into them. His Opinion -was, that the Devil in Witchcrafts, did Work upon the Bodies of Men and -Women, upon a _Natural Foundation;_ and that he did Extraordinarily -afflict them, with such Distempers as their Bodies were most subject -unto. - -_X._ The Experiment about the _Usefulness_, yea, or _Lawfulness_ -whereof Good Men have sometimes disputed, was divers Times made, That -tho' the Afflicted were utterly deprived of all sense in their Fits, -yet upon the _Touch_ of the Accused, they would so screech out, and fly -up, as not upon any other persons. And yet it was also found that once -upon the touch of an innocent person, the like effect follow'd, which -put the whole Court unto a stand: altho' a small Reason was at length -attempted to be given for it. - -_XI._ However, to strengthen the Credit of what had been already -produced against the Prisoners, One _John Soam_ Testifi'd, That -bringing home his Hay in Three Carts, one of the Carts wrenched the -Window of _Rose Cullenders_ House, whereupon she flew out, with -violent Threatenings against the Deponent. The other Two Carts, passed -by Twice, Loaded, that Day afterwards; but the Cart which touched -_Cullenders_ House, was Twice or Thrice that Day overturned. Having -again Loaded it, as they brought it thro' the Gate which Leads out of -the Field, the Cart stuck so fast in the Gates Head, that they could -not possibly get it thro', but were forced to cut down the Post of the -Gate, to make the Cart pass thro', altho' they could not perceive that -the Cart did of either side touch the Gate-Post. They afterwards, did -with much Difficulty get it home to the Yard; but could not for their -Lives get the Cart near the place, where they should unload. They were -fain to unload at a great Distance; and when they were Tired, the Noses -of them that came to Assist them, would burst forth a Bleeding; so -they were fain to give over till next morning; and then they unloaded -without any difficulty. - -_XII. Robert Sherringham_ also Testifi'd, That the Axle-Tree of his -Cart, happening in passing, to break some part of _Rose Cullenders_ -House, in her Anger at it, she vehemently threatned him, _His Horses -should suffer for it_. And within a short time, all his Four Horses -dy'd; after which he sustained many other Losses in the sudden Dying -of his Cattle. He was also taken with a Lameness in his Limbs; and -so vexed with Lice of an extraordinary Number and Bigness, that no -Art could hinder the Swarming of them, till he burnt up two Suits of -Apparel. - -[60] _XIII._ As for _Amy Duny_, 'twas Testifi'd by one _Richard -Spencer_ that he heard her say, _The Devil would not let her Rest; -until she were Revenged on the Wife of_ Cornelius Sandswel. And that -_Sandswel_ testifi'd, that her Poultry dy'd suddenly, upon _Amy Dunys_ -threatning of them; and that her Husbands Chimney fell, quickly after -_Duny_ had spoken of such a disaster. And a Firkin of Fish could not be -kept from falling into the Water, upon suspicious words of _Duny's_. - -_XIV._ The Judge told the Jury, they were to inquire now, first, -whether these Children were Bewitched; and secondly, Whether the -Prisoners at the Bar were guilty of it. He made no doubt, there were -such Creatures as Witches; for the Scriptures affirmed it; and the -Wisdom of all Nations had provided Laws against such persons. He pray'd -the God of Heaven to direct their Hearts in the weighty thing they had -in hand; for, _To Condemn the Innocent, and let the Guilty go free, -were both an Abomination to the Lord_. - -The Jury in half an hour brought them in _Guilty_ upon their several -Indictments, which were Nineteen in Number. - -The next Morning, the Children with their Parents, came to the Lodgings -of the Lord Chief Justice, and were in as good health as ever in their -Lives; being Restored within half an Hour after the Witches were -Convicted. - -The Witches were Executed; and _Confessed_ nothing; which indeed will -not be wondred by them, who Consider and Entertain the Judgment of a -Judicious Writer, _That the Unpardonable Sin, is most usually Committed -by Professors of the Christian Religion, falling into Witchcraft_. - -We will now proceed unto several of the like Tryals among -ourselves.[149] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[113] Written in 1692. - -[114] Notwithstanding the extraordinary Familiarity of our Author with -the Devil, he does not as yet pretend to have seen him, although he -must have been in Everybody's Way. About twenty Years later, according -to De Foe, he had become quite scarce, insomuch that few could pretend -to have seen him; and hence People became somewhat credulous about the -Existence of his Majesty, "as if nothing but seeing the Devil could -satisfie them there was such a Person; and nothing is more wonderful to -me, in the whole System of Spirits, than that Satan does not think fit -to justify the Reality of his Being, by appearing to such in some of -his worst Figures, and tell them in full Grimace who he is."--_Essay on -Apparitions._ - -[115] The appearing of the Devil in the Shape of a black Man, or a Man -in black is the old Story imported from England. See _Examination and -Confession of_ Christian Green, Wife of Robert Green _of Brewham, Co. -Somerset_, printed in _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, ed. 1726, P. 306. - -[116] It is not so remarkable that some should have destroyed -themselves under such Circumstances, as that the greater Part of them -did not so perish. - -[117] This is not a Whit behind the far-famed Story of "The Devil and -Dr. Faustus." - -[118] Church Difficulties were so common, that it is not quite certain -to which the Author has Reference; though it seems likely he refers to -the Troubles in the Time of Mr. Nicholet.--See Felt, _History of_ ii, -_Salem_, 587-8. - -[119] This was indeed a Dilemma; but it may now seem exceeding strange -that learned Judges had not adopted the only safe Course at such a -Time, and simply _to have done nothing_. They appear to have been as -much amazed and out of their Wits as the poor Sufferers; and to find -Relief proceeded to shed their Blood, and to shout thereupon that they -"_had been fairly executed!_" - -[120] How the Judges could have read these Admissions of a "snarled -Business" into which no one could pretend to see, and to "declare their -singular Approbation thereof," it is difficult to comprehend, upon any -other Grounds than as expressed in the last Note. They were indeed as -blind as any in the "_Buffet_." - -[121] By these "Ty-dogs" the Author probably had Reference to -_Cerberus_. Writers on Mythology do not mention, as I remember, that -their Monster was ever turned loose to worry Mankind. - -[122] There was a Line of Swedish Monarchs of the Name of Biorn. The -first of the Name began to reign about 829 of the present era. - -[123] When these _Wonders_ were written, the _Paradise Lost_ had been -published twenty-five Years. The Author must have been very familiar -with it, yet I have not met with any Reference to Milton in any of his -Writings. - -[124] It may be Difficult for some to comprehend wherein the Devil -was blamed; for, according to the Text he goes no further than he -is commanded or permitted to go by a Power whereby he was fully and -completely controlled. - -[125] "The pious Bishop of Norwich." He was a Cotemporary of the weak -King James, and his Companion on one of his Excursions into Scotland. -He was mild and temperate compared with Laud and others of his Time. He -was born in Leicester about 1574, and died in Norfolk in 1656, in the -82d Year of his Age. He appears not to have been much behind Dr. Mather -in speaking of the "damned Brood" of Witches. His Works are even now -held in much Repute by many, and were collected and published in three -heavy Folios, 1647-62. - -[126] The Reader may perhaps find all he will care to know respecting -the Suffolk Witches in Hutchinson's _Historical Essay_, 79, _et -sequen._ second Edition. But Suffolk furnishes but a small Portion of -England infected by Witchcraft, and Mr. Hutchinson's Work has not the -hundredth Part of them. - -[127] Witchcraft may be said to have been on the Wane in Old England -when this of 1692-3 began in New England. Indeed there is no -Comparison, as to the Extent of the Delusion between the two Countries. - -[128] If he _is_ such a knowing Devil as was generally supposed, he -certainly must have known to a certainty the Success he was to meet -with before setting out. - -[129] It is hardly to be inferred from the Sentiments here expressed, -that the Author was among the most earnest of his blind Advocates for -extreme Measures against those accused. - -[130] Not a good Translation, but the Sense is sufficiently apparent. -Voltaire has the same in Substance in one of his "Letters concerning -the English Nation." A Condition not peculiar to any Country. - -[131] The Time of Henry III was from 1574 to 1589. - -[132] Those who are familiar with the Works of Erasmus may verify the -Story. He may have been, and probably was, like the Rest of the learned -World, a Believer in such Nonsense. The great Poet who has contributed -to his Immortality in the following Lines may not have heard of the -above Story: - - "At length Erasmus, that great injured Name, - (The Glory of the Priesthood and the Shame!) - Stem'd the wild Torrent of a bar'brous Age, - And drove those holy Vandals off the Stage." - - -[133] There was about this Time a Society established in England -expressly for the "Reformation of Manners," and a small octavo Volume -was issued under its Auspices, setting forth the Objects and Necessity -for such a Society. In it the Plantations are remembered. - -[134] The Author does not seem to remember that he has elsewhere said -with much Emphasis, that "this remote Part of the Earth" was the -Devil's own Territory, that he was undisturbed here before the white -People came and that he did not expect to be disturbed here. - -[135] This was Mr. Samuel Clarke or Clark (as he indifferently wrote -his own Surname), and his Father's Name was Hugh Clark. The Life spoken -of is in the _Martyrology_ by the Son, a Work not now often referred -to, but one abounding with interesting and curious biographical and -historical Information, having intimate Connection with the Founders of -New England, and containing a good deal concerning many of them. See -his _Lives_, appended to the _Martyrology_, Page 127, _et seq._ Folio, -1677. I have often had Occasion to refer to his various Works. - -[136] There appears to have been some Mystery about that Perfume -of Brimstone, if indeed "Metaphor" be left out of the Account, as -the Author says it is to be. One might be led to suppose that the -Circumstance which happened at Oxford in 1577, was of the Character of -that in the Text, as alluded to by Hutchinson, in his _Historical Essay -concerning Witchcraft_, Page 38, but on Reference to his Authority, a -Parallel is hardly warranted. The Story will be found fully related in -Camden's _Reign of Elizabeth_, 237, Ed. 1675. - -[137] In that curious Poem entitled _The Sorceress_, are the following -Lines, among others, on "The Spell:" - - "Rust of the Gibbet, and Bone of the Dead, - I mingle and into the Teakettle throw, - Root of Skunk-cabbage and Rattlesnakes Mead, - And Leaves pluck'd at Midnight from Juniper bough. - Charm break the Rest - Of the Parsun distrest, - From his Eyes let the Blessing of Slumber depart; - Lucifer aid me - And Night overshade me, - Spirit of Beelzebub, lend me thine Art." &c. - -[138] A vast Number of Books had been published previous to our -Author's Time upon Magic, and Astrology. A principal Writer on these -Subjects was Dr. John Dee. His Diary was published by the _Camden -Society_ in 1842. See also William Lilley's _Hist. of his Life and -Times_. - -[139] This most uncharitable Assertion is a complete Contradiction of -what has before been asserted. He had already made poor New England bad -enough, but this seems to place her in a perfectly hopeless Condition. -Not many Pages back the Author cautioned the World lest it should not -do Justice to New England, by believing her worse than Old England. A -disordered Brain will always drive a Pen at random. - -[140] An Idea reminding one of the Case of the Jew in the _Merchant -of Venice_. Unfortunately for the poor accused Wretches, there was no -Daniel to sit in Judgment, and to see that no Blood was taken with the -Pound of Flesh. - -[141] This certainly does not exhibit the Author as a "principal -Ringleader" in those Persecutions. A Remark similar has been made to a -previous Passage in the Text, of a like Purport. And frequent parallel -Passages may be found. - -[142] This is the French Form of what we now write _Clucking_. The Verb -_to cluck_ is well known, and in frequent Use where Hens are raised, -but to employ it as the Doctor does cannot but excite Ridicule. - -[143] Allowing this to be a just Conclusion it is remarkable that the -Devil did not set his Witches at Work in the Beginning in the Colony -of Plymouth; there were repeated Complaints to the Commissioners of -the United Colonies, that various Towns in that Colony had neglected -Ministers and Churches altogether; while from the County of Essex we -hear of no such Complaints. - -[144] Additional Particulars respecting this Woman may be seen in Dr. -I. Mather's _Prevalency of Prayer_, published in Connection with his -_Relation_. See _Early Hist. New England_, 275. - -[145] Many, no Doubt, will think it strange that the Author did not -count himself in. Had he done so he assuredly would have lost no Credit -with his Readers now, nor probably by those in future. - -[146] This Mr. Beacon does not appear to have belonged to Boston. He -was probably a casual Resident at that Time. - -[147] We are told by Bishop Burnet (the Father of our Governor Burnet), -that Judge Hale was born at Alderly in Gloucestershire, the first of -November, 1609, and died on the 25th of December, 1676. In the Life -of Sir Matthew, appended to his _Contemplations_, is given one of the -most interesting Pieces of Biography extant. In Accordance with one of -his Sayings he was buried in the Church-yard of Alderly, and not in -the Church, as was in his Time the prevailing Custom--that Saying was: -"The Churches were for the Living, and the Church-yards for the Dead." -In the Bishop's Life of him will be found a particular Account of his -Family. After the great Fire of London he was one of the principal -Judges that sat in Clifford's Inn, to regulate the Affairs between -Landlord and Tenant, growing out of that Desolation. And with Sir -Orlando Bridgman he rendered great Service in accommodating Differences -which otherwise would long have retarded the rebuilding of the City. -Whereas its "sudden and quiet building is justly reconed one of the -Wonders of the Age." He was made "Lord Chief Justice of England," May -18th, 1671, which Office he resigned but a few Months previous to his -Death, owing to his Infirmity. He lamented the rigorous Proceedings -against the Nonconformists, though the adherent to the established -Church; and used to say, "Those of the Separation were good Men, but -they had _narrow Souls_, who would break the Peace of the Church, about -such _inconsiderable Matters_, as the Points in Difference were." There -does not appear to be taken any Notice of the Trials of Witches by -Burnet in his Life of the Judge. It may be sufficient to say, that, -like our Judges, Sewall and Stoughton, he was a Believer in Witchcraft, -because there was Evidence of its Existence in the Bible! He was a -timid Man, and this Timidity would not allow him so much as "to sum up -the Evidence" in the Trial above given, and thus was the Case submitted -to the Jury, who speedily gave in their Verdict of Guilty. There can -be no Doubt but if Sir Matthew Hale had lived until the End of the -New England Trials, he would, like Judge Sewall, have repented of his -Course. - -[148] Spelt Keyling in the _Life of Hale_, whom he (Hale) succeeded as -Lord Chief Justice, without taking his good Sense with him. - -[149] There is different, and somewhat more of a common Sense Account -of this Trial in Hutchinson's _Essay_, Pp. 139-157, Chap. viii. - - - - - I. - THE TRYAL OF G. B. - _At a Court of_ OYER _and_ TERMINER, - HELD IN SALEM, 1692. - - -GLAD should I have been, if I had never known the Name of this Man; or -never had this occasion to mention so much as the first Letters of his -Name. But the Government requiring some Account of his [61] Trial to be -inserted in this Book, it becomes me with all Obedience to submit unto -the Order. - -I. This _G. B._[150] was Indicted for Witch-craft, and in the -prosecution of the Charge against him, he was Accused by five or six -of the Bewitched, as the Author of their Miseries; he was Accused by -Eight of the Confessing Witches, as being an head Actor at some of -their Hellish Randezvouzes, and one who had the promise of being a King -in Satan's Kingdom, now going to be Erected: He was accused by Nine -Persons for extraordinary Lifting, and such feats of Strength, as could -not be done without a Diabolical Assistance. And for other such things -he was Accused, until about thirty Testimonies were brought in against -him; nor were these judg'd the half of what might have been considered -for his Conviction: However they were enough to fix the Character of a -Witch upon him according to the Rules of Reasoning, by the Judicious -_Gaule_, in that Case directed. - -II. The Court being sensible, that the Testimonies of the Parties -Bewitched, use to have a Room among the _Suspicions_ or _Presumptions_, -brought in against one Indicted for Witchcraft; there were now -heard the Testimonies of several Persons, who were most notoriously -Bewitched, and every day Tortured by Invisible Hands, and these now all -charged the Spectres of _G. B._ to have a share in their Torments. At -the Examination of this _G. B._ the Bewitched People were grievously -harassed with Preternatural Mischiefs, which could not possibly be -dissembled; and they still ascribed it unto the endeavours of _G. B._ -to Kill them. And now upon his Tryal of one of the Bewitched Persons, -testified, that in her Agonies, a little black Hair'd Man came to her, -saying his Name was _B._ and bidding her set her hand unto a Book which -he shewed unto her; and bragging that he was a _Conjurer_, above the -ordinary Rank of Witches; That he often Persecuted her with the offer -of that Book, saying, _She should be well, and need fear nobody, if -she would but Sign it;_ But he inflicted cruel Pains and Hurts upon -her, because of her denying so to do. The Testimonies of the other -Sufferers concurred with these; and it was remarkable, that whereas -_Biting_ was one of the ways which the Witches used for the vexing of -the Sufferers; when they cry'd out of _G. B._ Biting them, the print of -the Teeth would be seen on the Flesh of the Complainers, and just such -a Set of Teeth as _G. B's_ would then appear upon them, which could be -distinguished from those of some other Mens. Others of them testified, -That in their Torments, _G. B._ tempted them to go unto a Sacrament, -unto which they perceived him with a Sound of Trumpet, Summoning -of other Witches, who quickly after the Sound, would come from all -Quarters unto the Rendezvouz. One of them falling into a kind of -Trance, afterwards affirmed, that _G. B._ had carried her into a very -high Mountain, where he shewed her mighty and glorious Kingdoms, and -said, _He would give them all to her, if she would_ [62] _write in his -Book;_ but she told him, _They were none of his to give;_ and refused -the Motions; enduring of much Misery for that refusal. - -It cost the Court a wonderful deal of Trouble, to hear the Testimonies -of the Sufferers; for when they were going to give in their -Depositions, they would for a long time be taken with Fits, that -made them uncapable of saying anything. The Chief Judg asked the -Prisoner, who he thought hindred these Witnesses from giving their -_Testimonies?_ And he answered, _He supposed it was the Devil_. That -Honourable Person, then repli'd, _How comes the Devil so loathe to -have any Testimony born against you?_ Which cast him into very great -Confusion.[151] - -III. It has been a frequent thing for the Bewitched People to be -entertained with Apparitions of _Ghosts_ of Murdered People, at the -same time that the _Spectres_ of the Witches trouble them. These Ghosts -do always affright the Beholders more than all the other spectral -Representations; and when they exhibit themselves, they cry out, of -being Murdered by the Witchcrafts or other Violences of the Persons -who are then in Spectre present. It is further considerable, that -once or twice, these _Apparitions_ have been seen by others, at the -very same time that they have shewn themselves to the Bewitched; and -seldom have there been these _Apparitions_, but when something unusual -or suspected, have attended the Death of the Party thus Appearing. -Some that have been accused by these _Apparitions_ accosting of the -Bewitched People, who had never heard a word of any such Persons ever -being in the World, have upon a fair Examination, freely and fully -confessed the Murthers of those very Persons, altho these also did not -know how the Apparitions had complained of them. Accordingly several -of the Bewitched, had given in their Testimony, that they had been -troubled with the Apparitions of two Women, who said, that they were -_G. B's_ two Wives, and that he had been the Death of them; and that -the Magistrates must be told of it, before whom if _B._ upon his Tryal -denied it, they did not know but that they should appear again in the -Court. Now, _G. B._ had been Infamous for the Barbarous usage of his -two late Wifes, all the Country over. Moreover, it was testified, the -Spectre of _G. B._ threatning of the Sufferers, told them, he had -Killed (besides others) Mrs. _Lawson_ and her Daughter _Ann_.[152] And -it was noted, that these were the Vertuous Wife and Daughter of one -at whom this _G. B._ might have a prejudice for his being serviceable -at _Salem Village_, from whence himself had in ill Terms removed -some Years before: And that when they dy'd, which was long since, -there were some odd Circumstances about them, which made some of the -Attendents there suspect something of Witchcraft, tho none Imagined -from what Quarter it should come. - -Well, _G. B._ being now upon his Tryal, one of the Bewitched Persons -was cast into Horror at the Ghost of _B's_ two Deceased Wives then -appearing before him, and crying for _Vengeance_ against him. Hereupon -seve[63]ral of the Bewitched Persons were successively called in, who -all not knowing what the former had seen and said, concurred in their -Horror of the Apparition, which they affirmed that he had before him. -But he, tho much appalled, utterly deny'd that he discerned any thing -of it; nor was it any part of his _Conviction_. - -IV. Iudicious Writers have assigned it a great place in the Conviction -of _Witches, when Persons are Impeached by other notorious Witches, -to be as ill as themselves; especially, if the Persons have been much -noted for neglecting the Worship of God_. Now, as there might have been -Testimonies enough of _G. B's_ Antipathy to _Prayer_, and the other -Ordinances of God, tho by his Profession, singularly Obliged thereunto; -so, there now came in against the Prisoner, the Testimonies of several -Persons, who confessed their own having been horrible _Witches_, and -ever since their Confessions, had been themselves terribly Tortured -by the Devils and other Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and -therein undergone the Pains of many _Deaths_ for their Confessions. - -These now testified, that _G. B._ had been at Witch-meetings with them; -and that he was the Person who had Seduc'd, and Compell'd them into the -snares of Witchcraft: That he promised them _Fine Cloaths_, for doing -it; that he brought Poppets to them, and Thorns to stick into those -Poppets, for the Afflicting of other People; and that he exhorted them -with the rest of the Crew, to Bewitch all _Salem Village_, but besure -to do it Gradually; if they would prevail in what they did. - -When the _Lancashire Witches_ were Condemn'd I don't remember that -there was any considerable further Evidence, than that of the -Bewitched, and than that of some that confessed. We see so much already -against _G. B._ But this being indeed not enough, there were other -things to render what had already been produced _credible_. - -V. A famous Divine recites this among the Convictions of a Witch; _The -Testimony of the party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together -with the joint Oaths of sufficient Persons that have seen certain -Prodigious Pranks or Feats wrought by the Party Accused_. Now, God had -been pleased so to leave this _G. B._ that he had ensnared himself -by several Instances, which he had formerly given of a Preternatural -Strength, and which were now produced against him. He was a very Puny -Man, yet he had often done things beyond the strength of a Giant. A -Gun of about seven foot Barrel, and so heavy that strong Men could not -steadily hold it out with both hands; there were several Testimonies, -given in by Persons of Credit and Honor, that he made nothing of taking -up such a Gun behind the Lock, with but one hand, and holding it out -like a Pistol, at Arms-end. _G. B._ in his Vindication, was so foolish -as to say, That _an_ Indian _was there, and held it out at the same -time:_ Whereas none of the Spectators ever saw any such _Indian;_ -but they supposed the _Black Man_, (as the Witches call the Devil; -and they generally say he resembles an _Indian_) might [64] give him -that Assistance. There was Evidence likewise brought in, that he made -nothing of taking up whole Barrels fill'd with _Malasses_ or _Cider_, -in very disadvantageous Postures, and Carrying of them through the -difficultest Places out of a Canoo to the Shore. - -[Yea, there were two Testimonies that _G. B._ with only putting the -Fore Finger of his Right hand into the Muzzle of an heavy Gun, a -Fowling-piece of about six or seven foot Barrel, did lift up the Gun, -and hold it out at Arms-end; a Gun which the Deponents though strong -Men could not with both hands lift up, and hold out at the But-end, -as is usual. Indeed, one of these Witnesses was over-perswaded by -some Persons to be out of the way upon _G. B's_ Tryal; but he came -afterwards with Sorrow for his withdraw, and gave in his Testimony: Nor -were either of these Witnesses made use of as Evidences in the Trial.] - -VI. There came in several Testimonies relating to the Domestick Affairs -of _G. B._ which had a very hard Aspect upon him; and not only prov'd -him a very ill Man; but also confirmed the belief of the Character, -which had been already fastned on him. - -'Twas testified, that keeping his two Successive Wives in a strange -kind of Slavery, he would when he came home from abroad, pretend to -tell the Talk which any had with them; That he has brought them to the -point of Death, by his harsh Dealings with his Wives, and then made -the People about him, to promise that in case Death should happen, -they would say nothing of it; That he used all means to make his Wives -Write, Sign, Seal, and Swear a Covenant, never to reveal any of his -Secrets; That his Wives had privately complained unto the Neighbours -about frightful Apparitions of Evil Spirits, with which their House -was sometimes infested; and that many such things have been whispered -among the Neighbourhood. There were also some other Testmonies relating -to the Death of People whereby the Consciences of an Impartial Jury -were convinced that _G. B._ had Bewitched the Persons mentioned in the -Complaints. But I am forced to omit several passages, in this, as well -as in all the succeeding Tryals, because the Scribes who took notice of -them, have not supplyed me. - -VII. One Mr. _Ruck_, Brother-in-Law to this _G. B._ testified, that -_G. B._ and he himself, and his Sister, who was _G. B's_ Wife, going -out for two or three Miles to gather Straw-berries, _Ruck_ with his -Sister, the Wife of _G. B._ Rode home very Softly, with _G. B._ on -Foot in their Company, _G. B._ stept aside a little into the Bushes; -whereupon they halted and Halloo'd for him. He not answering, they went -away homewards, with a quickened pace, without expectation of seeing -him in a considerable while; and yet when they were got near home, to -their Astonishment, they found him on foot with them, having a Basket -of Straw-berries. _G. B._ immediately then fell to Chiding his Wife, -on the account of what she had been speaking to her [65] Brother, of -him, on the Road: which when they wondred at, he said, _He knew their -thoughts_. _Ruck_ being startled at that, made some Reply, intimating, -that the Devil himself did not know so far; but _G. B._ answered, -_My God makes known your Thoughts unto me_. The Prisoner now at the -Bar had nothing to answer, unto what was thus witnessed against him, -that was worth considering. Only he said, _Ruck, and his Wife left a -Man with him, when they left him_. Which _Ruck_ now affirm'd to be -false; and when the Court asked _G. B. What the Man's Name was?_ -his Countenance was much altered; nor could he say, who 'twas. But -the Court began to think, that he then step'd aside, only that by the -assistance of the _Black Man_, he might put on his _Invisibility_, -and in that _Fascinating Mist_, gratifie his own Jealous Humour, -to hear what they said of him. Which trick of rendring themselves -_Invisible_, our Witches do in their Confessions pretend, that they -sometimes are Masters of; and it is the more credible, because there -is Demonstration, that they often render many other things utterly -_Invisible_. - -VIII. _Faltring, faulty, unconstant, and contrary Answers upon judicial -and deliberate Examination_, are counted some unlucky Symptoms of -Guilt, in all Crimes, especially in Witchcrafts. Now there never was a -Prisoner more eminent for them, than _G. B._ both at his Examination -and on his Trial. His _Tergiversations_, _Contradictions_, and -_Falshoods_, were very sensible: he had little to say, but that he -had heard some things that he could not prove, Reflecting upon the -Reputation of some of the Witnesses. Only he gave in a Paper to the -Jury; wherein, altho' he had many times before, granted, not only that -there are _Witches_, but also, that the present Sufferings of the -Country are the effects of _horrible Witchcrafts_, yet he now goes to -evince it, _That there neither are, nor ever were Witches, that having -made a Compact with the Devil, can send a Devil to Torment other people -at a distance_. This Paper was Transcribed out of _Ady;_ which the -Court presently knew, as soon as they heard it. But he said, he had -taken none of it out of any Book; for which, his Evasion afterwards, -was, That a Gentleman gave him the Discourse in a Manuscript, from -whence he Transcribed it. - -IX. The Jury brought him in _Guilty:_ But when he came to Dy, he -utterly deni'd the Fact, whereof he had been thus convicted.[153] - - -II. _The Tryal of_ BRIDGET BISHOP,[154] _alias Oliver, at the Court of -Oyer and Terminer, held at Salem, June 2. 1692._ - -I. SHE was Indicted for Bewitching of several Persons in the -Neighbourhood, the Indictment being drawn up, according to the _Form_ -in [66] such Cases as usual. And pleading, _Not Guilty_, there were -brought in several persons, who had long undergone many kinds of -Miseries, which were preternaturally inflicted, and generally ascribed -unto an _horrible Witchcraft_. There was little occasion to prove the -_Witchcraft_, it being evident and notorious to all beholders. Now to -fix the _Witchcraft_ on the Prisoner at the Bar, the first thing used, -was the Testimony of the _Bewitched;_ whereof several testifi'd, That -the _Shape_ of the Prisoner did oftentimes very grivously Pinch them, -Choak them, Bite them, and Afflict them; urging them to write their -Names in a _Book_, which the said Spectre called, _Ours_. One of them -did further testifie, that it was the _Shape_ of this Prisoner, with -another, which one day took her from her Wheel, and carrying her to -the River-side, threatned there to Drown her, if she did not Sign to -the _Book_ mentioned: which yet she refused. Others of them did also -testifie, that the said Shape did in her Threats brag to them that she -had been the Death of sundry Persons, then by her named; that she had -_Ridden_ a Man then likewise named. Another testifi'd, the Apparition -of _Ghosts_ unto the Spectre of _Bishop_, crying out, _You Murdered -us!_ About the Truth whereof, there was in the Matter of Fact but too -much suspicion. - -II. It was testifi'd, That at the Examination of the Prisoner before -the Magistrates, the Bewitched were extreamly tortured. If she did -but cast her Eyes on them, they were presently struck down; and this -in such a manner as there could be no Collusion in the Business. But -upon the Touch of her Hand upon them, when they lay in their Swoons, -they would immediately Revive; and not upon the Touch of any ones else. -Moreover, Upon some Special Actions of her Body, as the shaking of her -Head, or the turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell -into the like postures. And many of the like Accidents now fell out, -while she was at the Bar. One at the same time testifying, That she -said, _She could not be troubled to see the afflicted thus tormented_. - -III. There was Testimony likewise brought in, that a Man striking -once at the place, where a bewitched person said, the _Shape_ of this -_Bishop_ stood, the bewitched cried out, _That he had tore her Coat_, -in the place then particularly specifi'd; and the Woman's Coat was -found to be Torn in that very place. - -IV. One _Deliverance Hobbs_,[155] who had confessed her being a Witch, -was now tormented by the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now -testifi'd, That this _Bishop_ tempted her to Sign the _Book_ again, -and to deny what she had confess'd. She affirm'd, That it was the -Shape of this Prisoner, which whipped her with Iron Rods, to compel -her thereunto. And she affirmed, that this _Bishop_ was at a General -Meeting of the Witches, in a Field at _Salem_-Village, and there -partook of a Diabolical Sacrament in Bread and Wine then administred. - -[67] V. To render it further unquestionable, that the Prisoner at the -Bar, was the Person truly charged in this _Witchcraft_, there were -produced many Evidences of OTHER _Witchcrafts_, by her perpetrated. For -Instance, _John Cook_ testifi'd, That about five or six Years ago, one -Morning, about Sun-Rise, he was in his Chamber assaulted by the _Shape_ -of this Prisoner: which look'd on him, grinn'd at him, and very much -hurt him with a Blow on the side of the Head: and that on the same day, -about Noon, the same _Shape_ walked in the Room where he was, and an -Apple strangely flew out of his Hand, into the Lap of his Mother, six -or eight Foot from him. - -VI. _Samuel Gray_[156] testifi'd, That about fourteen Years ago, he -wak'd on a Night, and saw the Room where he lay full of Light; and that -he then saw plainly a Woman between the Cradle, and the Bed-side, which -look'd upon him. He rose, and it vanished; tho' he found the Doors all -fast. Looking out at the Entry-door, he saw the same Woman, in the -same Garb again; and said, _In God's Name, what do you come for?_ He -went to Bed, and had the same Woman again assaulting him. The Child -in the Cradle gave a great Screech, and the Woman disappeared. It was -long before the Child could be quieted; and tho' it were a very likely -thriving Child, yet from this time it pined away, and after divers -Months, died in a sad Conditon. He knew not _Bishop_, nor her Name; but -when he saw her after this, he knew by her Countenance, and Apparel, -and all Circumstances, that it was the Apparition of this _Bishop_, -which had thus troubled him. - -VII. _John Bly_[157] and his Wife testifi'd, That he bought a Sow -of _Edward Bishop_, the Husband of the Prisoner; and was to pay the -Price agreed, unto another person. This Prisoner being angry that she -was thus hindred from fingring the Mony, quarrell'd with _Bly_. Soon -after which, the Sow was taken with strange Fits; Jumping, Leaping, -and Knocking her Head against the Fence; she seem'd Blind and Deaf, -and would neither Eat nor be Suck'd. Whereupon a Neighbour said, she -believed the Creature was _Over-looked;_ and sundry other Circumstances -concurred, which made the Deponents believe that _Bishop_ had bewitched -it. - -VIII. _Richard Coman_[158] testifi'd, That eight Years ago, as he lay -awake in his Bed, with a Light burning in the Room, he was annoy'd -with the Apparition of this _Bishop_, and of two more that were -strangers to him, who came and oppressed him so, that he could neither -stir himself, nor wake any one else, and that he was the Night after, -molested again in the like manner; the said _Bishop_, taking him by -the Throat, and pulling him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered -for this Cause to lodge with him; and that Night, as they were awake, -discoursing together, this _Coman_ was once more visited by the Guests -which had formerly been so troublesom; his Kinsman being at the same -time strook speechless, and unable to move Hand or [68] Foot. He had -laid his Sword by him, which these unhappy Spectres did strive much to -wrest from him; only he held too fast for them. He then grew able to -call the People of his House; but altho' they heard him, yet they had -not power to speak or stir; until at last, one of the People crying -out, _What's the matter?_ The Spectres all vanished. - -IX. _Samuel Shattock_[159] testifi'd, That in the Year, 1680, this -_Bridget Bishop_, often came to his House upon such frivolous and -foolish Errands, that they suspected she came indeed with a purpose -of mischief. Presently, whereupon, his eldest Child, which was of as -promising Health and Sense, as any Child of its Age, began to droop -exceedingly; and the oftner that _Bishop_ came to the House, the worse -grew the Child. As the Child would be standing at the Door, he would -be thrown and bruised against the Stones, by an Invisible Hand, and in -like sort knock his Face against the sides of the House, and bruise it -after a miserable manner. After this _Bishop_ would bring him things -to Dy, whereof he could not imagin any use; and when she paid him a -piece of Mony, the Purse and Mony were unaccountably conveyed out of a -lock'd Box, and never seen more. The Child was immediately, hereupon, -taken with terrible Fits, whereof his Friends thought he would have -dyed: Indeed he did almost nothing but Cry and Sleep for several Months -together; and at length his Understanding was utterly taken away. Among -other Symptoms of an Inchantment upon him, one was, That there was a -Board in the Garden, whereon he would walk; and all the Invitations in -the World could never fetch him off. About 17 or 18 years after,[160] -there came a Stranger to _Shattock's_ House, who seeing the Child, -said, _This poor Child is Bewitched; and you have a Neighbour living -not far off, who is a Witch_. He added, _Your Neighbour has had a -falling out with your Wife; and she said, in her Heart, your Wife is a -proud Woman, and she would bring down her Pride in this Child_. He then -remembred, that _Bishop_ had parted from his Wife in muttering and -menacing Terms, a little before the Child was taken Ill. The abovesaid -Stranger would needs carry the bewitched Boy with him, to _Bishop's_ -House, on pretence of buying a Pot of Cyder. The Woman entertained him -in a furious manner; and flew also upon the Boy, scratching his Face -till the Blood came; and saying, _Thou Rogue, what dost thou bring -this Fellow here to plague me?_ Now it seems the Man had said, before -he went, That he would fetch Blood of _her_. Ever after the Boy was -follow'd with grievous Fits, which the Doctors themselves generally -ascribed unto _Witchcraft;_ and wherein he would be thrown still into -the _Fire_ or the _Water_, if he were not constantly look'd after; and -it was verily believed that _Bishop_ was the cause of it. - -X. _John Louder_[161] testifi'd, That upon some little Controversy -with _Bishop_ about her Fowls, going well to Bed, he did awake in -the Night by Moon[69]light, and did see clearly the likeness of this -Woman grievously oppressing him; in which miserable condition she held -him, unable to help himself, till near Day. He told _Bishop_ of this; -but she deny'd it, and threatned him very much. Quickly after this, -being at home on a Lords day, with the doors shut about him, he saw a -black Pig approach him; at which, he going to kick, it vanished away. -Immediately after, sitting down, he saw a black Thing jump in at the -Window, and come and stand before him. The Body was like that of a -Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, but the Face much like a Mans. He being -so extreamly affrighted, that he could not speak; this Monster spoke -to him, and said, _I am a Messenger sent unto you, for I understand -that you are in some Trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me, -you shall want for nothing in this World_. Whereupon he endeavoured to -clap his Hands upon it; but he could feel no substance; and it jumped -out of the Window again; but immediately came in by the Porch, tho' the -Doors were shut, and said, _You had better take my Counsel!_ He then -struck at it with a Stick, but struck only the Ground-sel, and broke -the Stick: The Arm with which he struck was presently Disenabled, and -it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-door, and spied -this _Bishop_, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not -power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon, returning into the -House, he was immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before; -which Goblin was now going to fly at him; whereat he cry'd out, _The -whole Armour of God be between me and you!_ So it sprang back, and flew -over the Apple-tree; shaking many Apples off the Tree, in its flying -over. At its leap, it flung Dirt with its Feet against the Stomack of -the Man; whereon he was then struck Dumb, and so continued for three -Days together. Upon the producing of this Testimony, _Bishop_ deny'd -that she knew this Deponent: Yet their two Orchards joined; and they -had often had their little Quarrels for some years together. - -XI. _William Stacy_[162] testify'd, That receiving Mony of this -_Bishop_, for work done by him; he was gone but a matter of three Rods -from her, and looking for his Mony, found it unaccountably gone from -him. Some time after, _Bishop_ asked him, whether her Father would -grind her Grist for her? He demanded why? She reply'd, _Because Folks -count me a Witch_. He answered, _No question but he will grind it for -you_. Being then gone about six Rods from her, with a small Load in -his Cart, suddenly the Off-wheel slump't; and sunk down into an hole, -upon plain Ground; so that the Deponent was forced to get help for -the recovering of the Wheel: But stepping back to look for the hole, -which might give him this Disaster, there was none at all to be found. -Some time after, he was waked in the Night; but it seem'd as light -as day; and he perfectly saw the shape of this _Bishop_ [70] in the -Room, troubling of him; but upon her going out, all was dark again. -He charg'd _Bishop_ afterwards with it, and she deny'd it not; but -was very angry. Quickly after, this Deponent having been threatned -by _Bishop_, as he was in a dark Night going to the Barn, he was -very suddenly taken or lifted from the Ground, and thrown against a -Stone-wall: After that, he was again hoisted up and thrown down a Bank, -at the end of his House. After this again, passing by this _Bishop_, -his Horse with a small Load, striving to draw, all his Gears flew to -pieces, and the Cart fell down; and this Deponent going then to lift -a Bag of Corn, of about two Bushels, could not budge it with all his -Might. - -Many other Pranks of this _Bishop's_ this Deponent was ready to -testify. He also testify'd, That he verily believ'd, the said _Bishop_ -was the Instrument of his Daughter _Priscilla's_ Death; of which -suspicion, pregnant Reasons were assigned. - -XII. To crown all, _John Bly_ and _William Bly_ testify'd, That being -employ'd by _Bridget Bishop_, to help take down the Cellar-wall of the -old House wherein she formerly lived, they did in holes of the said old -Wall, find several _Poppets_, made up of Rags and Hogs-brussels, with -headless Pins in them, the Points being outward; whereof she could give -no Account to the Court, that was reasonable or tolerable.[163] - -XIII. One thing that made against the Prisoner was, her being evidently -convicted of _gross Lying_ in the Court, several times, while she -was making her Plea; but besides this, a Jury of Women found a -preternatural Teat upon her Body: But upon a second search, within 3 or -4 hours, there was no such thing to be seen. There was also an Account -of other People whom this Woman had Afflicted; and there might have -been many more, if they had been enquired for; but there was no need of -them. - -XIV. There was one very strange thing more, with which the Court -was newly entertained. As this Woman was under a Guard, passing by -the great and spacious Meeting-house of _Salem_, she gave a look -towards the House: and immediately a _Dæmon_ invisibly entring the -Meeting-house, tore down a part of it; so that tho' there was no Person -to be seen there, yet the People, at the noise, running in, found a -Board, which was strongly fastned with several Nails, transported unto -another quarter of the House. - - -III. _The Tryal of_ SUSANNA MARTIN,[164] _at the Court of Oyer and -Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem, June 29. 1692._ - -I. SUS_ANNA MARTIN_, pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of -_Witchcraft_, brought in against her, there were produced the Evidences -of ma[71]ny Persons very sensibly and grievously Bewitched; who all -complained of the Prisoner at the Bar, as the Person whom they believed -the cause of their Miseries. And now, as well as in the other Trials, -there was an extraordinary Endeavour by _Witchcrafts_, with Cruel -and frequent Fits, to hinder the poor Sufferers from giving in their -Complaints, which the Court was forced with much Patience to obtain, by -much waiting and watching for it. - -II. There was now also an account given of what passed at he first -Examination before the Magistrates. The Cast of her _Eye_, then -striking the afflicted People to the Ground, whether they saw that Cast -or no; there were these among other Passages between the Magistrates -and the Examinate. - -_Magistrate._ Pray, what ails these People? - -_Martin._ I don't know. - -_Magistrate._ But what do you think ails them? - -_Martin._ I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it. - -_Magistrate._ Don't you think they are bewitch'd? - -_Martin._ No, I do not think they are. - -_Magistrate._ Tell us your Thoughts about them then. - -_Martin._ No, my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they -are out they are anothers. Their Master.---- - -_Magistrate._ Their Master? who do you think is their Master? - -_Martin._ If they be dealing in the Black Art, you may know as well as -I. - -_Magistrate._ Well, what have you done towards this? - -_Martin._ Nothing at all. - -_Magistrate._ Why, 'tis you or your Appearance. - -_Martin._ I cannot help it. - -_Magistrate._ Is it not _your_ Master? How comes your Appearance to -hurt these? - -_Martin._ How do I know? He that appeared in the Shape of _Samuel_, a -glorified Saint, may appear in any ones Shape. - -It was then also noted in her, as in others like her, that if the -Afflicted went to approach her, they were flung down to the Ground. -And, when she was asked the reason of it, she said, _I cannot tell; it -may be the Devil bears me more Malice than another_. - -III. The Court accounted themselves, alarum'd by these Things, to -enquire further into the Conversation of the Prisoner; and see what -there might occur, to render these Accusations further credible. -Whereupon, _John Allen_ of _Salisbury_, testify'd, That he refusing, -because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves at the request -of this _Martin_, she was displeased at it; and said, _It had been as -good that he had; for his Oxen should never do him much more Service_. -Whereupon this Deponent said, _Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch? -I'l throw thee into the Brook:_ Which [72] to avoid, she flew over the -Bridge, and escaped. But, as he was going home, one of his Oxen tired, -so that he was forced to Unyoke him, that he might get him home. He -then put his Oxen, with many more, upon _Salisbury_ Beach, where Cattle -did use to get _Flesh_. In a few days, all the Oxen upon the Beach were -found by their Tracks, to have run unto the Mouth of _Merrimack-River_, -and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore upon -_Plum-Island_. They that sought them, used all imaginable gentleness, -but they would still run away with a violence, that seemed wholly -Diabolical, till they came near the mouth of _Merrimack-River;_ when -they ran right into the Sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. -One of them then swam back again, with a swiftness, amazing to the -Beholders, who stood ready to receive him, and help up his tired -Carcass: But the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from -thence, through the Marshes, up into _Newbury_ Town, and so up into -the Woods; and there after a while found near _Amesbury_. So that, of -fourteen good Oxen, there was only this saved: The rest were all cast -up, some in one place, and some in another, Drowned. - -IV. _John Atkinson_[165] testifi'd, That he exchanged a Cow with a -Son of _Susanna Martin's_ whereat she muttered, and was unwilling he -should have it. Going to receive this Cow, tho' he Hamstring'd her, -and Halter'd her, she, of a Tame Creature, grew so mad, that they -could scarce get her along. She broke all the Ropes that were fastned -unto her, and though she were ty'd fast unto a Tree, yet she made her -escape, and gave them such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no -cause but Witchcraft. - -V. _Bernard Peache_[166] testifi'd, That being in Bed, on the -Lord's-day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then -saw _Susanna Martin_ come in, and jump down upon the Floor. She took -hold of this Deponent's Feet, and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she -lay upon him near Two Hours; in all which time he could neither speak -nor stir. At length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her -Hand, and pulling it up to his Mouth, he bit three of her Fingers, as -he judged, unto the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, down the -Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the People -of the House, to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow -her. The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand -of the Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; and several more -drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad: There was likewise -the print of her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; but no more sign of -any Footing further off. - -At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto -an Husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, _If he did not come, -it were better that he did!_ He went not; but the Night following, -_Susanna_ [73] _Martin_, as he judged, and another came towards him. -One of them said, _Here he is!_ but he having a Quarter-staff, made a -Blow at them. The Roof of the Barn, broke his Blow; but following them -to the Window, he made another Blow at them, and struck them down; yet -they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them. - -About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that _Martin_ had a -Broken Head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that. - -The said _Peache_ also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death, -upon _Martin's_ Discontents. - -VI. _Robert Downer_[167] testifi'd, That this Prisoner being some -Years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, _He -believed she was a Witch_. Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, _That -some She-Devil would shortly fetch him away!_ Which words were heard by -others, as well as himself. The Night following, as he lay in his Bed, -there came in at the Window, the likeness of a _Cat_, which flew upon -him, took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while and -almost killed him. At length he remembered what _Susanna Martin_ had -threatned the Day before; and with much striving he cried out, _Avoid, -thou She-Devil! In the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy -Ghost, Avoid!_ Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and flew out -at the Window. - -And there also came in several Testimonies, that before ever _Downer_ -spoke a word of this Accident, _Susanna Martin_ and her Family had -related, _How this_ Downer _had been handled!_ - -VII. _John Kembal_[168] testified, that _Susanna Martin_, upon a -Causeless Disgust, had threatned him, about a certain Cow of his, -_That she should never do him any more Good:_ and it came to pass -accordingly. For soon after the Cow was found stark dead on the dry -Ground, without any Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he -was followed with a strange Death upon more of his Cattle, whereof he -lost in one Spring to the Value of Thirty Pounds. But the said _John -Kembal_ had a further Testimony to give in against the Prisoner which -was truly admirable. - -Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy -one of this _Martin_, who had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she -not letting him have his choice, he said, he would supply himself then -at one _Blezdels_. Having mark'd a Puppy, which he lik'd at _Blezdels_, -he met _George Martin_, the Husband of the Prisoner, going by, who -asked him, _Whether he would not have one of his Wife's Puppies?_ -and he answered, _No_. The same Day, _one Edmond Eliot_, being at -_Martin's_ House, heard _George Martin_ relate, where this _Kembal_ -had been, and what he had said. Whereupon _Susanna Martin_ replied, -_If I live, I'll give him Puppies enough!_ Within a few days after, -this _Kembal_, coming out of the Woods, there arose a little Black [74] -Cloud in the N.W. and _Kembal_ immediately felt a force upon him, which -made him not able to avoid running upon the stumps of Trees, that were -before him, albeit he had a broad, plain Cart-way, before him; but tho' -he had his Ax also on his Shoulder, to endanger him in his Falls, he -could not forbear going out of his way to tumble over them. When he -came below the Meeting House, there appeared unto him, a little thing -like a _Puppy_, of a Darkish Colour; and it shot backwards and forwards -between his Legs. He had the Courage to use all possible Endeavours of -Cutting it with his Ax; but he could not Hit it: the Puppy gave a jump -from him, and went, as to him it seem'd to him into the Ground. Going a -little further, there appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat bigger -than the first, but as Black as a Cole. Its Motions were quicker than -those of his Ax; it flew at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat; -so, over his Shoulder one way, and then over his Shoulder another way. -His Heart now began to fail him, and he thought the Dog would have -tore his Throat out. But he recovered himself, and called upon God in -his Distress; and naming the Name of Jesus Christ, it vanished away at -once. The Deponent spoke not one Word of these Accidents, for fear of -affrighting his Wife. But the next Morning, _Edmond Eliot_, going into -_Martin's_ House, this Woman asked him where _Kembal_ was? He replied, -_At home, a Bed, for ought he knew_. She returned, _They say, he was -frighted last Night._. _Eliot_ asked, _With what?_ She answered, _With -Puppies_. _Eliot_ asked, _Where she heard of it, for he had heard -nothing of it?_ She rejoined, _About the Town_. Altho' _Kembal_ had -mentioned the Matter to no Creature living. - -VIII. _William Brown_[169] testifi'd, That Heaven having blessed -him with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day -met with _Susanna Martin:_ but when she approach'd just unto her, -_Martin_ vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted. -After which time, the said _Martin_ often appear'd unto her, giving her -no little trouble; and when she did come, she was visited with Birds, -that sorely peck'd and prick'd her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a -Pullet's Egg, would rise in her Throat, ready to choak her, till she -cry'd out, _Witch, you shan't choak me!_ While this good Woman was in -this extremity, the Church appointed a Day of Prayer, on her behalf; -whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; and she saw not _Martin_ as formerly; and -the Church, instead of their Fast, gave Thanks for her Deliverance. -But a considerable while after, she being Summoned to give in some -Evidence at the Court, against this _Martin_, quickly thereupon this -_Martin_ came behind her, while she was milking her Cow, and said unto -her, _For thy defaming me at Court, I'll make thee the miserablest -Creature in the World_. Soon after which, she fell into a strange -kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, and uncapable of any -reasonable Action; the Physicians de[75]claring, that her Distemper was -preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and in -that condition she now remained. - -IX. _Sarah Atkinson_[170] testify'd, That _Susanna Martin_ came from -_Amesbury_ to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season, -when it was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she said, unto -_Atkinson_) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and shew'd how dry -she was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her -Shoes were wet. _Atkinson_ was amazed at it; and professed, that she -should her self have been wet up to the knees, if she had then came -so far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorn'd to be Drabbled!_ It was -noted, that this Testimony upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular -Confusion. - -X. _John Pressy_[171] testify'd, That being one Evening very -unaccountably Bewildred, near a Field of _Martins_, and several times, -as one under an Enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at -length he saw a marvellous Light, about the bigness of an Half-bushel, -near two Rod out of the way. He went, and struck at it with a Stick, -and laid it on with all his might. He gave it near forty blows; and -felt it a palpable substance. But going from it, his Heels were -struck up, and he was laid with his Back on the Ground, sliding, as -he thought, into a Pit; from whence he recover'd by taking hold on -the Bush; altho' afterwards he could find no such Pit in the place. -Having, after his Recovery, gone five or six Rod, he saw _Susanna -Martin_ standing on his Left-hand, as the Light had done before; but -they changed no words with one another. He could scarce find his House -in his Return; but at length he got home extreamly affrighted. The next -day, it was upon Enquiry understood, that _Martin_ was in a miserable -condition by pains and hurts that were upon her. - -It was further testify'd by this Deponent, That after he had given -in some Evidence against _Susanna Martin_, many years ago, she gave -him foul words about it; and said, _He should never prosper more;_ -particularly, _That he should never have more than two Cows; that tho' -he was never so likely to have more, yet he should never have them_. -And that from that very day to this, namely for twenty years together, -he could never exceed that number; but some strange thing or other -still prevented his having of any more. - -XI. _Jervis Ring_[172] testify'd, That about seven years ago, he was -oftentimes and grievously oppressed in the Night, but saw not who -troubled him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, plainly saw -_Susanna Martin_ approach him. She came to him, and forceably bit him -by the Finger; so that the Print of the bite is now, so long after, to -be seen upon him. - -XII. But besides all of these Evidences, there was a most wonderful -Account of one _Joseph Ring_, produced on this occasion. - -[76] This Man has been strangely carried about by _Dæmons_, from one -_Witch-meeting_ to another, for near two years together; and for one -quarter of this time, they have made him, and keep him Dumb, tho' -he is now again able to speak. There was one _T. H._ who having, as -'tis judged, a design of engaging this _Joseph Ring_ in a snare of -Devillism, contrived a while, to bring this _Ring_ two Shillings in -Debt unto him. - -Afterwards, this poor Man would be visited with unknown shapes, and -this _T. H._ sometimes among them; which would force him away with -them, unto unknown Places, where he saw Meetings, Feastings, Dancings; -and after his return, wherein they hurried him along through the Air, -he gave Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that he had indeed been so -transported. When he was brought unto these hellish Meetings, one of -the first Things they still did unto him, was to give him a knock on -the Back, whereupon he was ever as if bound with Chains, uncapable of -stirring out of the place, till they should release him. He related, -that there often came to him a Man, who presented him a _Book_, whereto -he would have him set his Hand; promising to him, that he should then -have even what he would; and presenting him with all the delectable -Things, Persons, and Places, that he could imagin. But he refusing to -subscribe, the business would end with dreadful Shapes, Noises and -Screeches, which almost scared him out of his Wits. Once with the Book, -there was a Pen offered him, and an Ink-horn with Liquor in it, that -seemed like Blood: but he never toucht it. - -This Man did now affirm, That he saw the Prisoner at several of those -hellish Randezvouzes. - -Note, this Woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked -Creatures in the World; and she did now throughout her whole Tryal, -discover herself to be such an one. Yet when she was asked, what she -had to say for self? Her chief Plea was, _That she had led a most -virtuous and holy Life_. - - -IV. _The Tryal of_ ELIZABETH HOW,[173] _at the Court of Oyer and -Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem June 30, 1692_. - -I. E_LIZABETH HOW_ pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of -Witchcrafts, then charged upon her; the Court, according to the -usual Proceedings of the Courts in _England_, in such Cases, began -with hearing the Depositions of several afflicted People, who were -grievously tortured by sensible and evident _Witchcrafts_, and all -complained of the Prisoner, as the cause of their Trouble. It was also -found that the Sufferers were not able [77] to bear her _Look_, as -likewise, that in their greatest Swoons, they distinguished her _Touch_ -from other Peoples, being thereby raised out of them. - -And there was other Testimony of People to whom the shape of this -_How_, gave trouble nine or ten years ago. - -II. It has been a most usual thing for the bewitched Persons, at the -same time that the _Spectres_, representing the _Witches_, troubled -them, to be visited with Apparitions of _Ghosts_, pretending to have -been Murdered by the _Witches_ then represented. And sometimes the -Confessions of the Witches afterwards acknowledged those very Murders, -which these _Apparitions_ charged upon them; altho' they had never -heard what Informations had been given by the Sufferers. - -There were such Apparitions of Ghosts testified by some of the present -Sufferers; and the Ghosts affirmed, that this _How_ had Murdered them: -Which things were _fear'd_ but not _prov'd._ - -III. This _How_ had made some Attempts of joyning to the Church at -_Ipswich_, several years ago; but she was denyed an admission into -that Holy Society, partly through a suspicion of Witchcraft, then -urged against her. And there now came in Testimony, of preternatural -Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been Instrumental to debar -her from the Communion whereupon she was intruding. - -IV. There was a particular Deposition of _Joseph Safford_,[174] That -his Wife had conceived an extream Aversion to this _How_, on the -Reports of her Witchcrafts: But _How_ one day, taking her by the Hand, -and saying, _I believe you are not ignorant of the great Scandal that -I lye under, by an evil Report raised upon me_. She immediately, -unreasonably and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take -this Woman's part. _How_ being soon after propounded, as desiring an -Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were -unsatisfy'd about her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters -objected against her; and no Arguments in the World could hinder -this Goodwife _Safford_ from going to the Lecture. She did indeed -promise, with much ado, that she would not go to the Church-meeting, -yet she could not refrain going thither also. _How's_ Affairs there -were so canvased, that she came off rather _Guilty_ than _Cleared;_ -nevertheless Goodwife _Safford_ could not forbear taking her by the -Hand, and saying, _Tho' you are Condemned before Men, you are justify'd -before God_. She was quickly taken in a very strange manner, Frantick, -Raving, Raging and crying out, _Goody_ How _must come into the Church; -she is a precious Saint; and tho' she be condemned before Men, she is -Justify'd before God_. So she continued [78] for the space of two or -three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But coming to her self, she -cry'd out, _Ha! I was mistaken;_ and afterwards again repeated, _Ha! -I was mistaken!_ Being asked by a stander by, _Wherein?_ she replyed, -_I thought Goody_ How _had been a precious Saint of God, but now I see -she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my Child, and we shall never -be well, till there be a Testimony for her, that she may be taken into -the Church_. And _How_ said afterwards, that she was very sorry to -see _Safford_ at the Church-meeting mentioned. _Safford_, after this, -declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of _How;_ and from that -Shape she endured many Miseries. - -V. _John How_, Brother to the Husband of the Prisoner testified, that -he refusing to accompany the Prisoner unto her Examination, as was by -her desired, immediately some of his Cattle were Bewitched to Death, -leaping three or four foot high, turning about, speaking, falling, -and dying at once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use that might -as well perhaps have been omitted, the Hand wherein he held his Knife -was taken very numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, for several -Days, being not well at this very Time. And he suspected this Prisoner -for the Author of it. - -VI. _Nehemiah Abbot_[175] testify'd, that unusual and mischievous -Accidents would befal his Cattle, whenever he had any Difference with -this Prisoner. Once, particularly, she wished his Ox choaked; and -within a little while that Ox was choaked with a Turnip in his Throat. -At another Time, refusing to lend his Horse, at the Request of her -Daughter, the Horse was in a preternatural manner abused. And several -other odd things of that kind were testified. - -VII. There came in Testimony, that one Goodwife _Sherwin_, upon some -Difference with _How_, was Bewitched; and that she dyed, charging this -_How_ with having an Hand in her Death. And that other People had their -Barrels of Drink unaccountably mischieved, spoil'd and spilt, upon -their displeasing of her. - -The things in themselves were trivial, but there being such a Course -of them, it made them the more to be considered. Among others, _Martha -Wood_, gave her Testimony, That a little after her Father had been -employed in gathering an account of _How's_ Conversation, they once and -again lost great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in such a -manner, as they could ascribe to nothing but Witchcraft. As also, That -_How_ giving her some Apples, when she had eaten of them, she was taken -with a very strange kind of Amaze, insomuch that she knew not what she -said or did. - -VIII. There was likewise a Cluster of Depositions, That one _Isaac -Cummings_[176] refusing to lend his Mare unto the Husband of this -_How_, the Mare was within a Day or two taken in a strange condition: -The Beast [79] seemed much abused, being bruised as if she had been -running over the Rocks, and marked where the Bridle went, as if burnt -with a red hot Bridle. Moreover, one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the -Cure of the Beast, a blew Flame issued out of her, took hold of her -Hair, and not only spread and burnt on her, but it also flew upwards -towards the Roof of the Barn, and had like to have set the Barn on -Fire: And the Mare dyed very suddenly. - -IX. _Timothy Perley_[177] and his Wife, testify'd, Not only -unaccountable Mischiefs befel their Cattle, upon their having of -Differences with this Prisoner: but also that they had a Daughter -destroyed by Witchcrafts; which Daughter still charged _How_ as the -Cause of her Affliction. And it was noted, that she would be struck -down whenever _How_ were spoken of. She was often endeavoured to be -thrown into the Fire, and into the Water, in her strange Fits: Tho' -her Father had corrected her for charging _How_ with bewitching her, -yet (as was testified by others also) she said, She was sure of it, -and must dye standing to it. Accordingly she charged _How_ to the very -Death; and said, _Tho'_ How _could afflict and torment her Body, yet -she could not hurt her Soul:_ And, _That the Truth of this matter would -appear when she should be dead and gone_. - -X. _Francis Lane_[178] testified, That being hired by the Husband of -this _How_ to get him a parcel of Posts and Rails, this Lane hired -_John Pearly_ to assist him. This Prisoner then told _Lane_, That she -believed the Posts and Rails would not do, because _John Perly_ helped -him; but that if he had got them alone, without _John Pearlie's_ help, -they might have done well enough. When _James How_ came to receive his -Posts and Rails of _Lane_, _How_ taking them up by the Ends, they, tho' -good and sound, yet unaccountably broke off, so that _Lane_ was forced -to get thirty or forty more. And this Prisoner being informed of it, -she said, She told him so before, because _Pearly_ helped about them. - -XI. Afterwards there came in the Confessions of several other -(penitent) Witches, which affirmed this _How_ to be one of those, -who with them had been baptized by the Devil in the River at -_Newbury_-Falls: before which he made them there kneel down by the -Brink of the River and worshiped him. - - -V. _The Trial of_ MARTHA CARRIER,[179] _at the Court of Oyer and -Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem, August 2, 1692_. - -I. M_ARTHA CARRIER_ was Indicted for the bewitching of certain Persons, -according to the Form usual in such Cases, pleading _Not Guilty_, [80] -to her Indictment; there were first brought in a considerable number -of the bewitched Persons; who not only made the Court sensible of -an horrid Witchcraft committed upon them, but also deposed, That it -was _Martha Carrier_, or her Shape, that grievously tormented them, -by Biting, Pricking, Pinching and Choaking of them. It was further -deposed, That while this _Carrier_ was on her Examination, before -the Magistrates, the Poor People were so tortured that every one -expected their Death upon the very spot, but that upon the binding of -_Carrier_ they were eased. Moreover the Look of _Carrier_ then laid the -Afflicted People for dead; and her Touch, if her Eye at the same time -were off them, raised them again: Which Things were also now seen upon -her Tryal. And it was testified, That upon the mention of some having -their Necks twisted almost round, by the Shape of this _Carrier_, she -replyed, _Its no matter though their Necks had been twisted quite off_. - -II. Before the Trial of this Prisoner, several of her own Children -had frankly and fully confessed, not only that they were Witches -themselves, but that this their Mother had made them so. This -Confession they made with great Shews of Repentance, and with much -Demonstration of Truth. They related Place, Time, Occasion; they gave -an account of Journeys, Meetings and Mischiefs by them performed, and -were very credible in what they said. Nevertheless, this Evidence was -not produced against the Prisoner at the Bar, inasmuch as there was -other Evidence enough to proceed upon. - -III. _Benjamin Abbot_[180] gave in his Testimony, That last _March_ was -a twelvemonth, this _Carrier_ was very angry with him, upon laying out -some Land, near her Husband's: Her Expressions in this Anger, were, -_That she would stick as close to Abbot as the Bark stuck to the Tree; -and that he should repent of it afore seven Years came to an End, so as -Doctor_ Prescot[181] _should never cure him_. These Words were heard -by others besides _Abbot_ himself; who also heard her say, _She would -hold his Nose as close to the Grindstone as ever it was held since his -Name was_ Abbot. Presently after this, he was taken with a Swelling in -his Foot, and then with a Pain in his Side, and exceedingly tormented. -It bred into a Sore, which was launced by Doctor _Prescot_, and several -Gallons of Corruption ran out of it. For six Weeks it continued very -bad, and then another Sore bred in the Groin, which was also lanced -by Doctor _Prescot_. Another Sore then bred in his Groin, which was -likewise cut, and put him to very great Misery: He was brought unto -Death's Door, and so remained until _Carrier_ was taken, and carried -away by the Constable, from which very Day he began to mend, and so -grew better every Day, and is well ever since. - -_Sarah Abbot_ also, his Wife, testified, That her Hus[41]band was -not only all this while Afflicted in his Body, but also that strange -extraordinary and unaccountable Calamities befel his Cattel; their -Death being such as they could guess at no Natural Reason for. - -IV. _Allin Toothaker_[182] testify'd, That _Richard_, the son of -_Martha Carrier_, having some difference with him, pull'd him down by -the Hair of the Head. When he Rose again, he was going to strike at -_Richard Carrier;_ but fell down flat on his Back to the ground, and -had not power to stir hand or foot, until he told _Carrier_ he yielded; -and then he saw the shape of _Martha Carrier_, go off his breast. - -This _Toothaker_, had Received a wound in the _Wars;_ and he now -testify'd, that _Martha Carrier_ told him, He _should never be Cured_. -Just afore the Apprehending of _Carrier_, he could thrust a knitting -Needle into his wound, four inches deep; but presently after her being -siezed, he was thoroughly healed. - -He further testify'd, that when _Carrier_ and he sometimes were at -variance, she would clap her hands at him, and say, _He should get -nothing by it;_ whereupon he several times lost his Cattle, by strange -Deaths, whereof no natural causes could be given. - -V. _John Rogger_[183] also testifyed, That upon the threatning words of -this malicious _Carrier_, his Cattle would be strangely bewitched; as -was more particularly then described. - -VI. _Samuel Preston_[184] testify'd, that about two years ago, having -some difference with _Martha Carrier_, he lost a _Cow_ in a strange -Preternatural unusual manner; and about a month after this, the said -_Carrier_, having again some difference with him, she told him; _He had -lately lost a Cow, and it should not be long before he lost another;_ -which accordingly came to pass; for he had a thriving and well-kept -_Cow_, which without any known cause quickly fell down and dy'd. - -VII. _Phebe Chandler_[185] testify'd, that about a Fortnight before the -apprehension of _Martha Carrier_, on a Lordsday, while the Psalm was -singing in the _Church_, this _Carrier_ then took her by the shoulder -and shaking her, asked her, _where she lived:_ she made her no Answer, -although as _Carrier_, who lived next door to her Fathers House, could -not in reason but know who she was. Quickly after this, as she was at -several times crossing the Fields, she heard a voice, that she took to -be _Martha Carriers_, and it seem'd as if it [42] was over her head. -The voice told her, _she should within two or three days be poisoned_. -Accordingly, within such a little time, one half of her right hand, -became greatly swollen, and very painful; as also part of her Face; -whereof she can give no account how it came. It continued very bad -for some dayes; and several times since, she has had a great pain in -her breast; and been so siezed on her leggs, that she has hardly been -able to go. She added, that lately, going well to the House of God, -_Richard_, the son of _Martha Carrier_, look'd very earnestly upon -her, and immediately her hand, which had formerly been poisoned, as is -abovesaid, began to pain her greatly, and she had a strange Burning -at her stomach; but was then struck deaf, so that she could not hear -any of the prayer, or singing, till the two or three last words of the -Psalm. - -VIII. One _Foster_,[186] who confessed her own share in the Witchcraft -for which the Prisoner stood indicted, affirm'd, that she had seen -the prisoner at some of their _Witch-meetings_, and that it was this -_Carrier_, who perswaded her to be a Witch. She confessed, that the -Devil carry'd them on a pole, to a Witch-meeting; but the pole broke, -and she hanging about _Carriers_ neck, they both fell down, and she -then received an hurt by the Fall, whereof she was not at this very -time recovered. - -IX. One _Lacy_,[187] who likewise confessed her share in this -Witchcraft, now testify'd, that she and the prisoner were once Bodily -present at a _Witch-meeting_ in _Salem Village;_ and that she knew the -prisoner to be a Witch, and to have been at a Diabolical sacrament, and -that the prisoner was the undoing of her, and her Children, by enticing -them into the snare of the Devil. - -X. Another _Lacy_, who also confessed her share in this Witchcraft, -now testify'd, that the prisoner was at the _Witch-meeting_, in _Salem -Village_, where they had Bread and Wine Administred unto them. - -XI. In the time of this prisoner's Trial, one _Susanna Sheldon_,[188] -in open Court had her hands Unaccountably ty'd together with a -Wheel-band, so fast that without cutting, it could not be loosed: -It was done by a _Spectre;_ and the Sufferer affirm'd, it was the -_Prisoners_. - -_Memorandum._ This Rampant Hag, _Martha Carrier_, was the [43] person, -of whom the Confessions of the Witches, and of her own Children among -the rest, agreed, That the Devil had promised her, she should be _Queen -of Hell_.[189] - - -HAVING thus far done the Service imposed upon me; I will further pursue -it, by relating a few of those Matchless CURIOSITIES, with which -the _Witchcraft_ now upon us, has entertained us. And I shall Report -nothing but with Good Authority, and what I would invite all my Readers -to examine, while 'tis yet Fresh and New, that if there be found any -mistake, it may be as willingly _Retracted_, as it was unwillingly -_Committed_. - - -_The First_ CURIOSITIE. - -I. 'Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious and Impudent _imitation_ -of Divine Things, is Apishly affected by the Devil, in several of those -matters, whereof the Confessions of our _Witches_, and the Afflictions -of our _Sufferers_ have informed us. - -That Reverend and Excellent Person, Mr. _John Higginson_, in my -Conversation with him, Once invited me to this Reflection; that the -Indians which came from far to settle about _Mexico_, were in their -Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct of the _Devil_, very -strangely Emulating what the Blessed God gave to _Israel_ in the -Wilderness. - -_Acosta_,[190] is our Author for it, that the Devil in 'their Idol -_Vitzlipultzli_,[191] governed that mighty Nation. He commanded them -to leave their Country, promising to make them _Lords_ over all the -Provinces possessed by _Six_ other Nations of Indians, and give them -a Land abounding with all precious things. They went forth, carrying -their Idol with them, in a Coffer of _Reeds_, supported by Four of -their Principal _Priests;_ with whom he still _Discoursed_ in secret, -Revealing to them the Successes, and Accidents of their way. He advised -them, when to _March_, and where to _Stay_, and without his Commandment -they moved not. The first thing they did, wherever they came, was to -Erect a _Tabernacle_, for their false god; which they set always in the -midst of their Camp, and there placed the _Ark_ upon an _Alter_. When -they, Tired with pains, talked of, _proceeding no further_ in their -Journey, then a certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, this -Devil in one night, horribly kill'd them that [44] had started this -Talk, by pulling out their Hearts. And so they passed on till they came -to _Mexico._' - -The Devil which _then_ thus imitated what was in the Church of the _Old -Testament_, now among _Us_ would Imitate the Affairs of the Church in -the _New_. The _Witches_ do say, that they form themselves much after -the manner of _Congregational Churches;_ and that they have a _Baptism_ -and a _Supper_, and _Officers_ among them, abominably Resembling those -of our Lord.[192] - -But there are many more of these Bloody _Imitations_, if the -Confessions of the _Witches_ are to be Received; which I confess, ought -to be but with very much of Caution. - -What is their stricking down with a fierce _Look?_ What is their making -of the Afflicted _Rise_, with a touch of their _Hand?_ What is their -Transportation thro' the _Air?_ What is their Travelling _in Spirit_, -while their Body is cast into a Trance? What is their causing of -_Cattle_ to run mad and perish? What is their Entring their Names in a -_Book?_ What is their coming together from all parts at the Sound of -a _Trumpet?_ What is their Appearing sometimes Cloathed with _Light_ -or _Fire_ upon them? What is their Covering of themselves and their -Instruments with _Invisibility?_ But a Blasphemous Imitation of certain -Things recorded about our Saviour or His Prophets, or the Saints in the -Kingdom of God.[193] - - -_A Second_ CURIOSITIE. - -II. In all the _Witchcraft_ which now Grievously Vexes us, I know -not whether anything be more Unaccountable, than the Trick which -the Witches have to render themselves, and their Tools _Invisible_. -_Witchcraft_ seems to be the Skill of Applying the _Plastic Spirit_ of -the World, unto some unlawful purposes, by means of a Confederacy with -_Evil Spirits_. Yet one would wonder how the _Evil Spirits_ themselves -can do some things: especially at _Invisibilizing_ of the Grossest -Bodies. I can tell the Name of an Ancient Author, who pretends to show -the _way_, how a man may come to walk about _Invisible_, and I can tell -the Name of another Ancient Author, who pretends to Explode that way. -But I will not speak too plainly Lest I should unawares Poison some of -my _Readers_, as the pious _Hemingius_[194] did one of his _Pupils_, -when he only by way of Diversion recited a _Spell_, which, they had -said, would cure _Agues_. This much I will say; The notion of procuring -_Invisibility_, by any _Natural Expedient_, yet known, is, I Believe, -a meer PLINYISM;[195] How far it may be [45] obtained by a _Magical -Sacrament_, is best known to the Dangerous Knaves that have try'd it. -But our _Witches_ do seem to have got the knack: and this is one of the -Things, that make me think, _Witchcraft_ will not be fully understood, -until the day when there shall not be one Witch in the World. - -There are certain people very _Dogmatical_ about these matters; but -I'll give them only these three Bones to pick. - -First, One of our bewitched people, was cruelly assaulted by a -_Spectre_, that, she said, ran at her with a _spindle:_ tho' no body -else in the Room, could see either the _Spectre_ or the _spindle_. At -last, in her miseries, giving a snatch at the _Spectre_, she pull'd the -_spindle_ away, and it was no sooner got into her hand, but the other -people then present, beheld, that it was indeed a Real, Proper, Iron -_spindle_, belonging they knew to whom; which when they lock'd up very -safe, it was nevertheless by _Demons_ unaccountably stole away, to do -further mischief.[196] - -Secondly, Another of our bewitched people, was haunted with a most -abusive _Spectre_, which came to her, she said, with a _sheet_ about -her. After she had undergone a deal of Teaze, from the Annoyance of -the _Spectre_, she gave a violent snatch at the sheet that was upon -it; wherefrom she tore a corner, which in her hand immediately became -_Visible_ to a Roomful of Spectators; a palpable Corner of a Sheet. -Her Father, who was now holding her, catch'd that he might keep what -his Daughter had so strangely seized, but the unseen _Spectre_ had like -to have pull'd his hand off, by endeavouring to wrest it from him; -however he still held it, and I suppose has it still to show; it being -but a few hours ago, namely about the beginning of this _October_, -that this Accident happened; in the family of one _Pitman_,[197] at -_Manchester_. - -Thirdly, A young man, delaying to procure Testimonials, for his -Parents, who being under confinement on suspicion of _Witchcraft_, -required him to do that service for them, was quickly pursued with odd -Inconveniences. But once above the Rest, an Officer going to put his -_Brand_ on the Horns of some _Cows_, belonging to these people, which -tho' he had seiz'd for some of their debts, yet he was willing to leave -in their possession, for the subsistance of the poor Family; this young -man help'd in holding the Cows to be thus branded. The three first -_Cows_ he held well enough; but when the hot Brand was clap'd on the -Fourth, he _winc'd_ and _shrunk_ at such a Rate, as that he could hold -the Cow no longer. Being afterwards Examined about it, he confessed, -that at that very instant when the _Brand_ entered the _Cow's Horn_, -exactly the like [46] burning _Brand_ was clap'd upon his own Thigh; -where he has exposed the lasting marks of it, unto such as asked to see -them. - -Unriddle these Things,--_Et Eris mihi magnus Apollo_. - - -_A Third_ CURIOSITIE. - -III. If a Drop of _Innocent Blood_ should be shed, in the Prosecution -of the _Witchcrafts_ among us, how unhappy are we! For which cause, -I cannot express my self in better terms than those of a most Worthy -Person, who lives near the present Center of these things.[198] _The -Mind of_ God _in these matters, is to be carefully lookt into, with -due Circumspection, that Satan deceive us not with his Devices, who -transforms himself into an Angel of Light, and may pretend justice and -yet intend mischief_. But on the other side, if the storm of Justice -do now fall only on the Heads of those guilty _Witches_ and _Wretches_ -which have defiled our Land, _How Happy!_ - -The Execution of some that have lately Dyed, has been immediately -attended, with a strange Deliverance of some, that had lain for many -years, in a most sad Condition, under, they knew not whose _evil -hands_. As I am abundantly satisfy'd, That many of the Self-Murders -committed here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody -_Witchcraft_, letting fly _Demons_ upon the miserable _Seneca's;_ thus -it has been admirable unto me to see, how a Devilish _Witchcraft_, -sending Devils upon them, has driven many poor people to _Despair_, and -persecuted their minds, with such Buzzes of _Atheism_ and _Blasphemy_, -as has made them even run _distracted with Terrors:_ And some long -_Bow'd_ down under such a _spirit of Infirmity_, have been marvellously -Recovered upon the death of the Witches. - -One _Whetford_[199] particularly ten years ago, challenging of _Bridget -Bishop_ (whose Trial you have had) with steeling of a Spoon, _Bishop_ -threatned her very direfully: presently after this, was _Whetford_ in -the Night, and in her Bed, visited by _Bishop_, with one _Parker_, who -making the Room light at their coming in, there discoursed of several -mischiefs they would inflict upon her. At last they pull'd her out, and -carried her unto the Sea-side, there to _drown_ her; but she calling -upon God, they left her, tho' not without Expressions of their Fury. -From that very time, this poor _Whetford_ was utterly spoilt, and grew -a Tempted, Froward, Crazed sort of a Woman; a vexation to her self, -and all about her; and many ways unreasonable. In this Distraction -she lay, till those women were Apprehended by the Authority; _then_ -she be[47]gan to mend; and upon their Execution, was presently and -perfectly Recovered, from the ten years madness that had been upon her. - - -_A Fourth_ CURIOSITIE. - -IV. 'Tis a thousand pitties, that we should permit our Eyes to be so -_Blood-shot_ with passions, as to loose the sight of many wonderful -things, wherein the Wisdom and Justice of God, would be Glorify'd. Some -of those things, are the frequent ==Apparitions== of Ghosts, whereby -many Old ==Murders== among us, come to be considered. And, among many -Instances of this kind, I will single out one, which concerned a poor -man, lately _Prest_ unto Death, because of his Refusing to _Plead_ for -his Life.[200] I shall make an Extract of a Letter, which was written -to my Honourable Friend, _Samuel Sewal_, Esq.; by Mr. _Putman_, to this -purpose; - -'The Last Night my Daughter _Ann_, was grievously Tormented by Witches, -Threatning that she should be _Pressed_ to Death, before _Giles -Cory_. But thro' the Goodness of a Gracious God, she had at last a -little Respite. Whereupon there appeared unto her (she said) a man -in a Winding Sheet, who told her that _Giles Cory_ had Murdered him, -by _Pressing_ him to Death with his Feet; but that the Devil there -appeared unto him, and Covenanted with him, and promised him, _He -should not be Hanged_. The Apparition said, God Hardned his heart; that -he should not hearken to the Advice of the Court, and so Dy an easy -Death; because as it said, _It must be done to him as he has done to -me_. The Apparition also said, That _Giles Cory_, was carry'd to the -Court for this, and that the Jury had found the Murder, and that her -Father knew the man, and the thing was done before she was born. Now -Sir, This is not a little strange to us; that no body should Remember -these things, all the while that _Giles Cory_ was in Prison, and so -often before the Court. For all people now Remember very well, (and the -Records of the Court also mention it,) That about Seventeen Years ago, -_Giles Cory_ kept a man in his House, that was almost a Natural Fool: -which Man Dy'd suddenly. A Jury was impannel'd upon him, among whom was -Dr. _Zerobbabel Endicot;_[201] who found the man bruised to Death, and -having clodders of Blood about his Heart. The Jury whereof several are -yet alive brought in the man Murdered; but as if some Enchantment had -hindred the Prosecution of the Matter, the Court Proceeded not against -[48] _Giles Cory_, tho' it cost him a great deal of Mony to get off. -Thus the Story,' - - -_THE Reverend and Worthy Author, having at the Direction of His_ -EXCELLENCY _the Governour, so far Obliged the Publick, as to give some -Account of the Sufferings brought upon the Countrey by_ Witchcraft; -_and of the Tryals which have passed upon several Executed for the -Same:_ - -_Upon Perusal thereof, We find the Matters of Fact and Evidence, Truly -reported. And a Prospect given, of the_ Methods of Conviction, _used in -the Proceedings of the Court at_ Salem. - - Boston Octob. 11. 1692. - William Stoughton - Samuel Sewall. - - -BUT is _New-England_, the only Christian Countrey, that hath undergone -such Diabolical Molestations? No, there are other Good people, that -have in this way been harassed; but none in circumstances more like to -_Ours_, than the people of God, in _Sweedland_. The story is a very -Famous one; and it comes to Speak English by the Acute Pen of the -Excellent and Renowned Dr. _Horneck_.[202] I shall only single out a -few of the more Memorable passages therein Occurring; and where it -agrees with what happened among ourselves, my Reader shall understand, -by my inserting a Word of every such thing in ==Black Letter==. - -I. It was in the Year 1669. and 1670. That at _Mohra_ in _Sweedland_, -the ==Devils== by the help of ==Witches==, committed a most horrible -outrage. Among other Instances of Hellish Tyranny there exercised, -one was, that Hundreds of their Children, were usually in the Night -fetcht from their Lodgings, to a Diabolical Rendezvouz, at a place -they called, _Blockula_, where the Monsters that so Spirited them, -==Tempted== them all manner of Ways to ==Associate== with them. Yea, -such was the perillous Growth of this _Witchcraft_, that Persons of -Quality began to send their Children into other Countries to avoid it. - -II. The Inhabitants had earnestly sought God by ==Prayer==; and ==Yet== -their Affliction ==Continued==. Whereupon ==Judges== had a Special -==Commission== to find and root out the Hellish Crew; and the rather, -because another County in the Kingdom, which had been so molested, was -delivered upon the Execution of the _Witches_. - -III. The ==Examination==, was begun with a Day of ==Humiliation==; -appointed by Authority.[203] Whereupon the Commissioners -==Consulting==, how they might resist such a Dangerous Flood, the -==Suffering Children==, were first Examined; and tho' they were [49] -Questioned ==One== by ==One== apart, yet their ==Declarations All -Agreed==. The ==Witches== Accus'd in these Declarations, were then -Examined; and tho' at first they obstinately ==Denied==, yet at length -many of them ingenuously ==Confessed== the Truth of what the children -had said; owning with Tears, that the ==Devil==, whom they call'd -_Loeyta_, had stopt their ==Mouths==; but he being now ==Gone== from -them, they could ==No Longer Conceal== the Business. The things by them -==Acknowledged==, most wonderfully ==Agreed== with what other Witches, -in other places had confessed. - -IV. They confessed, that they did use to ==Call upon== the ==Devil==, -who thereupon would ==Carry== them away, over the Tops of Houses, to -a Green Meadow, where they gave themselves unto him. Only one of them -said, That sometimes the _Devil_ only took away her ==Strength==, -leaving her ==Body== on the ground; but she went at other times in -==Body== too. - -V. Their manner was to come into the ==Chambers== of people, and fetch -away their children upon Beasts, of the Devils providing: promising -==Fine Clothes== and other Fine Things unto them, to inveagle them. -They said, they never had power to do thus, till of late; but now -the Devil did ==Plague== and ==Beat== them, if they did not gratifie -him, in this piece of Mischief. They said, they made use of all sorts -of ==Instruments== in their Journeys! Of ==Men==, of ==Beasts==, of -==Posts==; the _Men_ they commonly laid asleep at the place, whereto -they rode them; and if the children mentioned the ==Names== of them -that stole them away, =they= were miserably ==Scourged== for it, until -some of them were killed. The ==Judges== found the marks of the Lashes -on some of them; but the Witches said, ==They would Quickly vanish==. -Moreover the Children would be in ==Strange Fits==, after they were -brought Home from these Transportations. - -VI. The ==First Thing==, they said, they were to do at _Blockula_, -was to give themselves unto the Devil, and ==Vow== that they would -serve him. Hereupon, they ==cut their Fingers==, and with ==Blood== -writ their ==Names== in his ==Book==. And he also caused them to be -==Baptised== by such ==Priests==, as he had, in this Horrid company. In -==some== of them, the ==Mark== of the ==cut Finger== was to be found; -they said, that the Devil gave ==Meat== and ==Drink==, as to _Them_, so -to the Children they brought with them: that afterwards their Custom -was to _Dance_ before him; and _swear_ and _curse_ most horribly; they -said, that the Devil show'd them a great Frightful, Cruel _Dragon_, -telling them, ==If they confessed any Thing==, he would let loose that -Great Devil upon them; they added, that the Devil had a ==Church==, and -that when the ==Judges== were coming, he told them ==he would== [50] -==kill them all==; and that some of them had ==Attempted to Murder the -Judges== but ==could not==. - -VII. Some of the ==Children==, talked much of a ==White Angel==, which -did use to ==Forbid== them, what the Devil had bid them to do, and -==Assured== them that these doings would ==Not last long==; but that -what had been done was permitted for the wickedness of the People. -This ==White Angel==, would sometimes rescue the Children, from ==Going -in==, with the Witches. - -VIII. The Witches confessed many mischiefs done by them, declaring with -what kind of ==Enchanted Tools==, they did their Mischiefs. They sought -especially to ==kill the Minister== of _Elfdale_, but could not. But -some of them said, that such as they wounded, would ==Be recovered==, -upon or before their Execution. - -IX. The ==Judges== would fain have seen them show some of their -==Tricks==; but they Unanimously declared, that, ==Since they had -confessed==, all, they found all their ==Witchcraft== gone; and the -Devil then ==Appeared very Terrible== unto them, threatning with an -==Iron Fork==, to thrust them into a Burning Pit, if they persisted in -their Confession. - -X. They were discovered no less than _three-score and ten_ Witches in -One Village, ==three and twenty== of which ==freely confessing== their -Crimes, were condemned to dy. The rest, (==One== pretending she was -with Child) were sent to _Fahluna_, where most of them were afterwards -executed. Fifteen Children, which confessed themselves engaged in this -Witchery, dyed as the rest. Six and Thirty of them between _nine_ -and _sixteen_ years of Age, who had been less guilty, were forced -to run the Gantlet, and be lashed on their hands once a Week, for a -year together; twenty more who had less inclination to these Infernal -enterprises, were lashed with Rods upon their Hands for three Sundays -together, at the Church door; the number of the seduced Children, -was about three hundred. This course, together with ==Prayers== in -all the Churches thro' the Kingdom, issued in the deliverance of the -Country.[204] - -XI. The most Accomplished Dr. _Horneck_ inserts a most wise caution, in -his preface to this Narrative, saies he, _there is no Public Calamity, -but some ill people, will serve themselves of the sad providence and -make use of it for their own ends; as_ Thieves _when an house or town -is on Fire, will steal what they can_. And he mentions a Remarkable -Story of a young Woman, at _Stockholm_, in the year 1676, Who accused -her own Mother of being a Witch; and swore positively, that she had -carried her away in the Night; the poor Woman was burnt upon it: -professing her innocency to the last. But tho' she had been an Ill -Woman, yet it afterwards prov'd that she was not _such_ an one; for her -Daughter came to the Judges [51] with hideous Lamentations, Confessing, -That she had wronged her Mother, out of a wicked spite against her; -whereupon the Judges gave order for her Execution too. - -But, so much of these things; and, now, _Lord, make these Labours of -thy Servant, Profitable to thy People!_ - - [205]_Matter Omitted in the Trials._ - - NINETEEN Witches have been Executed at _New-England_, one of them - was a Minister, and two Ministers more are Accus'd. There is a - hundred Witches more in Prison, which broke Prison, and about two - Hundred more are Accus'd, some Men of great Estates in _Boston_, - have been accus'd for _Witchcraft_. Those Hundred now in Prison - accus'd for Witches, were Committed by fifty of themselves being - _Witches_, some of _Boston_, but most about _Salem_, and the Towns - Adjacent. Mr. _Increase Mather_ has published a Book[206] about - _Witchcraft_, occasioned by the late Trials of Witches, which will - be speedily printed in _London_ by _John Dunton_. - - - THE DEVIL DISCOVERED. - - 2 Cor. II. ii. _We are not Ignorant of His_ DEVICES. - -OUR Blessed Saviour has blessed us, with a counsil, as Wholsome and as -Needful as any that can be given us, in Math. 26. 41. _Watch and Pray, -that yee Enter not into Temptation._ As there is a Tempting _Flesh_, -and a Tempting _World_, which would seduce us from Our Obedience to the -Laws of God, so there is a Busy _Devil_, who is by way of Eminency -called, _The Tempter;_ because by him, the Temptations of the _Flesh_ -and the _World_ are managed. - -It is not _One Devil_ alone, that has Cunning or Power enough to apply -the Multitudes of _Temptations_, whereby Mankind is daily diverted from -the Service of God; No, the _High Places_ of Our Air, are Swarming -full of those _Wicked Spirits_, whose Temptations trouble us; they are -so many, that it seems no less than a _Legion_, or more than twelve -thousands may be spared, for the Vexation of one miserable man. But -because those Apostate Angels, are all _United_ under one Infernal -Monarch, in the Designs of Mischief, 'tis in the Singular Number, that -they are spoken of. Now, the _Devil_ whose Malice and Envy, prompts -him to do what he can, that we may be as unhappy as himself, do's -ordinarily use more _Fraud_ than _Force_, in his assaulting of us; he -that assail'd our First Parents, in a _Serpent_, will still Act _Like a -Serpent_, rather than a _Lion_, in prosecuting of his wicked purposes -upon us, and for us to guard against the Wiles of the _Wicked One_, is -one of the greatest cares, with which our God ha's charged us. - -We are all of us liable to various _Temptations_ every day, whereby if -we are carried aside from the strait _Paths of Righteousness_, we get -all sorts of wounds unto our selves. Of _Temptations_, I may say, as -the Wise Man said, of _Mortality; there is no discharge from that -war_. The _Devils_ fell hard upon both _Adams_, nor may [52] any -among the Children of both, imagine to be excused. The _Son_ of God -Himself, had this Dog of Hell, barking at Him; and much more may the -Children of _Men_, look to be thus Visited; indeed, there is hardly any -_Temptation_, but what is, _Common to Man_. When I was considering, -how to spend one Hour in Raising a most Effectual and Profitable -_Breastwork_, against the inroads of this Enemy, I perceived it would -be done, by a short answer to this - - - CASE. - -_What are those Usual Methods of_ Temptation, _with which the Powers of -Darkness do assault the Children of Men?_ - -The _Corinthians_, having upon the Apostles Direction, Excommunicated -one of their Society, who had married his Mother-in-law, & this, as it -is thought, while his own Father was Living too; the Apostle encourages -them to Re-admit that man, upon his very deep and sharp _Repentance_. -He gives divers Reasons of his propounding this unto them; whereof -one is, _Lest Satan should get advantage of them;_ for, had the man -miscarried, under any Rigour of the Sentence continued upon him, after -his _Repentance_, 'tis well if the Church itself had not quickly fallen -to pieces thereupon; besure, the Success of the Gospel had been more -than a little Incommoded. The Apostle upon this Occasion, intimates, -That _Satan_ has his _Devices;_ by which word are meant, Artifices or -Contrivances used for the _Deceiving_ of those that are Treated with -them well, But what shall _we do_ that we may come to this _Corinthian -Attainment, We are not Ignorant of Satan's Devices?_ [_Non cuivis -homini Contingit!_] - -Truly, the Devil has _Mille Nocendi Artes;_ and it will be -impossible for us, to run over all the _Stratagems_ and _Policies_ -of our Adversary. I shall only attempt a few Observations upon the -_Temptations_ of our Lord Jesus Christ: who was _Tempted in all things -like unto us, except in our Sins_. When we read the _Temptations_ -of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Fourth Chapter of _Matthew_ There, -Thence, you will understand, what was once counted so difficult; Even, -_The way of a Serpent upon the Rock_. There are certain Ancient and -Famous _Methods_ which the Devil in his _Temptations_, does mostly -accustome himself unto; which is not so much from any Barrenness, or -Sluggishness in the Devil, but because he has had the Encouragement of -a, _Probatum est_, upon those horrid Methods. How did the Devil assault -the First _Adam?_ It was with Temptations drawn from _Pleasure_, and -_Profit_, and _Honour_, which, as the Apostle notes, in 1 Joh. 2, 16. -are, _All that is in the World_. [53] With the very same temptations -it was, that he fell upon the Second _Adam_ too. Now, in those -_Temptations_, you will see the more _Usual Methods_, whereby the -_Devil_ would be Ensnaring of us; and I beseech you to attend unto the -following Admonitions, as those _Warnings_ of God, which the Lives of -your souls depend upon your taking of. - -There were especially Three _Remarkable_ Assaults of _Temptations_, -which the _Devil_ it seems, visibly made upon our Lord; after he had -been more invisibly for Forty dayes together _Tempting_ of that Holy -One; and we may make a few distinct _Remarks_ upon them all. - -§ The first of our Lords three Temptations is thus related, in Mat. 4, -3. _He was an Hungry; and when the Tempter came to him, he said, If -thou be the Son of God, Command that these Stones be made Bread._ - -From whence, take these _Remarks_. - -I. The Devil will ordinarily make our _Conditions_, to be the -Advantages of his _Temptations_. When our Lord was _Hungry_, then -_Bread! Bread!_ shall be all the Cry of his Temptation; the Devil -puts him upon a wrong step, for the getting of _Bread_. There is no -Condition, but what has indeed some _Hunger_ accompanying of it; -and the Devil marks what it is, that we are _Hungry_ for. One mans -Condition makes him _Hunger_ for Preferments, or Employments, another -mans makes him _Hunger_ for Cash or Land, or Trade; another mans makes -him _Hunger_ for Merriments, or Diversions: And the Condition of every -Afflicted Man, makes him _Hunger_ with Impatience for Deliverance. Now -the Devil will be sure to suit his Perswasions with our _Conditions_. -When he has our _Condition_ to speak with him, & for him, then thinks -he, _I am sure this man will now hearken to my Proposals!_ Hence, if -men are in _Prosperity_, the Devil will tempt them to Forgetfulness of -God; if they are in _Adversity_, he will tempt them to Murmuring at -God; in all the expressions of those impieties. Wise _Agur_ was aware -of this; in _Prov._ 30, 9. says he, if a man be _Full_, he shall be -tempted, _to deny God, and say who is the Lord?_ if a man be Poor, he -shall be tempted, _to steal, and take the Name of God in vain_. The -Devil will talk suitably; if you ponder your Conditions, you may expect -you shall be tempted agreeably thereunto. - -II. The Devil does often manage his _temptations_, by urging of our -_Necessities_. Our Lord, was thus by the Devil bawl'd upon; _You want -Bread, and you'll starve, if in my way you get it not_. The Devil will -show some forbidden thing unto us, and plead concerning it, as of -_Bread_ we use to say, _it must be had_. _Necessity_ has a wonderful -compulsion in it. You may see what _Necessity_ will do, if you read in -Deut. 28. 56. _the tender and the delicate Woman among you, her eye -shall be evil towards the Children that she shall bear, for she shall -eat them for want of all things_. The Devil will perswade us that there -is a _Necessity_ of our doing what he does propound unto us; and then -tho' the _Laws_ of God about us were so many _Walls_ of Stone, yet -we shall break [54] through them all. That little inconvenience, of -our coming to beg our _Bread_, O what a fearful Representation does -the Devil make of it! and when once the Devil scares us to think of -a sinful thing, _it must be done_, we soon come to think, _it may be -done_. When the Devil has frighted us into an Apprehension, that it is -a _Needful_ thing which we are prompted unto, he presently Engages all -the Faculties of our Souls, to prove, that it may be a _Lawful_ one; -the Devil told _Esau, You'll dye if you don't sell your Birthright;_ -the Devil told _Aaron, You'll pull all the people about your ears, if -you do not countenance their superstitions;_ and then they comply'd -immediately. Yea, sometimes if the Devil do but Feign a Necessity, he -does thereby _Gain_ the Hearts of Men; he did but feign a Need, when -he told _Saul, the Cattel must be spared, and the sacrifice must be -precipitated_, and he does but feign a Need, when he tells many a man, -_if you do no servile work on the Sabbath-day, and if you don't Rob -God of his evening_,[207] _you'll never subsist in the world_. All -the denials of God, in the world, use to be from this Fallacy impos'd -upon us. It never can be necessary for us to violate any Negative -Commandment in the Law of our God; where God says, _thou shalt not_, -we cannot upon any pretence reply, I _must_. But the Devil will put a -most formidable and astonishing face of necessity upon many of those -_Abominable things, which are hateful to the soul of God_. He'll say -nothing to us about, the one thing needful; but the petite and the -sorry _Need-nots_ of this world, he'll set off with most bloody Colours -of _Necessity_. He will not say, _'tis necessary for you to maintain -the Favour of your God, and secure the_ welfare of your Soul; but he'll -say, _'tis necessary for you to keep in with your Neighbours; and that -you and yours may have a good Living among them_. - -III. The Devil does insinuate his most Horrible _Temptations_, with -pretence, of much _Friendship_ and _Kindness_ for us. He seemed very -unwilling that our Lord should want any thing that might be comfortable -for him; but, he was a _Devil_ still! The _Devil_ flatters our Mother -Eve, as if he was desirous to make her more Happy than her Maker -did; but there was the _Devil_ in that flattery. _Sub Amici fallere -Nomen_,----to Salute men with profers to do all manner of Service for -them; and at the same time to Stab them as _Joab_ did _Abner_ of old; -this is just like the _Devil_, and the _Devil_ truly has many Children -that Imitate him in it. Some very Affectionate Things were spoken -once unto our Lord; _Lord, be it far from thee, that thou shouldest -suffer any Trouble!_ But our Lords Answer was, in Mat. 16. 23. _Get -thee behind me Satan._ The Devil will say to a man, _I would have thee -to Consult thy own Interest, and I would have Trouble to be far from -thee_. He speaks these _Fair Things_, by the Mouths of our professed -Friends unto us, as he did by the Tongue of a Speckled Snake unto our -Deluded Parents at the first. But all this while, 'tis a Direction that -has been wisely given us; _When he speaks fair, Believe him not, for -there are seven Abominations in his Heart_. - -IV. Things in themselves _Allowable_ and _Convenient_, are oftentimes -turned into sore _Temptations_ by the Devil. He press'd our Lord unto -the mak[55]ing of _Bread;_ Why, that very thing was afterwards done -by our Lord, in the Miracles of the _Loaves;_ and yet it is now a -motion of the _Devil, Pray, make thy self a little Bread_. The Devil -will frequently put men by, from the doing of a _seasonable Duty;_ -but how? Truly by putting us upon another _Duty_, which may be at -that juncture a most _Unseasonable_ Thing. It is said in Eccl. 8. 5. -_A Wise Mans heart discerns both Time and Judgment._ The _Ill-Timing_ -of good Things, is One of the chief Intregues, which the Devil has to -Prosecute. The Devil himself, will Egg us on to many a _Duty;_ and -why so? But because at that very Time a more proper and Useful Duty, -will have a _Supersedeas_ given thereunto. And, thus there are many -Things, whereof we can say, though no more than this, yet so much -as this, _They are Lawful ones_, by which Lawful Things----_Perimus -Omnes_. Where shall we find that the Devil has laid our most fatal -Snares? Truly, our Snares are on the _Bed_, where it is _Lawful_ for -us to Sleep; at the _Board_, where it is _Lawful_ for us to Sit; in -the _Cup_, where 'tis _Lawful_ to Drink; and in the _Shops_, where -we have _Lawful_ Business to do. The _Devil_ will decoy us, unto the -utmost Edge of the _Liberty_ that is _Lawful_ for us; and then one -Little push, hurries us into a Transgression against the Lord. And the -_Devil_ by Inviting us to a _Lawful_ thing, at a wrong time for it, -Layes us under further Entanglement of Guilt before God. 'Tis _Lawful_ -for People to use Recreations; but in the Evening of the Lords Day, -or the Morning of any Day, how Ensnaring are they! The _Devil_ then -too commonly bears part in the Sport. If _Promiscuous Dancing_ were -Lawful; though almost all the Christian Churches in the World, have -made a Scandal of it; yet for Persons to go presently from a _Sermon_ -to a _Dance_, is to do a thing, which Doubtless the _Devil_ makes good -Earnings of. - -V. To _distrust_ Gods Providence and Protection, is one of the worst -things, into which the Devil by his _Temptations_ would be hurrying -of us. He would fain have driven our Lord unto a Suspicion of Gods -care about Him, said the Devil, _You may dy for lack of Bread, if you -do not look better after your self, than God is like to do for you_. -It is an usual thing for Persons to dispair of Gods _Fatherly Care_ -Concerning them; they torture themselves with distracting and amazing -Fears, that they shall come to want before they dy; Yea, they even say -with _Jonas_, in Chap. 2. 4. _I am cast out of the sight of God;_ -He wont look after me! But it is the Devil that is the Author of all -such Melancholly Suggestions in the minds of men. It is a thought -that often raises a Feaver in the Hearts of _Married_ Persons, when -Charges grow upon them; _God will never be able in the way of my -calling, to feed and cloath all my Little Folks_. It is a Thought with -which _Aged_ persons are often tormented, _Tho' God has all my dayes -hitherto supplied me, yet I shall be pinched with Straits before I come -to my Journeys end_. 'Tis a malicious Devil that raises these _Evil -surmisings_ in the hearts of Men. And sometimes a distemper of Body -affords a Lodg[56]ing for the Devil, from whence he shoots the cruel -Bombs of such _Fiery Thoughts_ into the minds of many other persons. -With such thoughts does the Devil choose to persecute us; because -thereby we come to _Forfeit_ what we _Question_. We _Question_ the Care -of God, and so we _Forfeit_ it, until perhaps the Devil do utterly -_drown us in Perdition_. Our God says, _Trust in the Lord, and do good, -and verily thou shalt be fed_. But the Devil says, _don't you trust in -God; be afraid that you shall not be fed;_ and thus he hinders men from -the _doing of Good_. - -VI. There is nothing more Frequent in the _Temptations_ of the Devil, -then for our _Adoption_ to be doubted, because of our _Affliction_. -When our Lord was in his Penury, then says the Devil, _If thou be -the Son of God;_ he now makes an _If_, of it; _What? the Son of God, -and yet not be able to Command a Bit of Bread!_ Thus, when we are -in very Afflictive Circumstances, this will be the Devils Inference, -_Thou art not a Child of God_. The Bible says in Heb. 12. 7. _If you -are Chastened, it is a shrow'd sign that you can't be Children._ Since -he can't Rob us of our _Grace_, he would Rob us of our _Joy;_ and -therefore having Accused us unto God, he then Accuses God unto us. -When _Israel_ was weak and faint in the Wilderness, then did _Amalek_ -set upon them; just so does the Devil set upon the people of God, when -their Losses, their Crosses, their Exercises have Enfeebled their Souls -within them; and what says the Devil? E'en the same that was mutter'd -in the Ear of the Afflicted _Job, Is not this the Uprightness of thy -Ways? Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being Innocent? If thou -wert a Child of God, He would never follow thee, with such Testimonies -of his Indignation_. This is the _Logic_ of the Devil; and he thus -interrupts that patience and that Chearfulness wherewith we should -_suffer the will of God_. - -VII. To dispute the Divine Original and Authority of _Gods Word_, is -not the least of those _Temptations_ with which the Devil troubles us. -God from Heaven, had newly said unto our Lord, _this is my Beloved -Son;_ but now the Devil would have him to make a dispute of it, _If -thou be the son of God_. The Devil durst not be so Impudent, and Brasen -fac'd, as to bid men use _Pharaohs_ Language, _Who is the Lord, that -I should obey his voice?_ But he will whisper into our Ears, what -he did unto our Mother _Eve_ of old, _It is not the Lord that hath -spoken what you call his Word_. The Devil would have men say unto the -_Scripture_, what they said unto the _Prophet_, in Jer. 43. 2. _Thou -speakest falsely; the Lord our God hath not sent thee to speak what -thou sayest unto us;_ & he would fain have secret & cursed Misgivings -in our hearts, _that things are not altogether so as the Scripture -has represented them_. The Devil would with all his heart make one -huge Bonefire of all the Bibles in the world; & he has got Millions of -persecutors to _assist him in the suppression of that miraculous book. -It was the devil once in the tongue of a Papist_, that cry'd out, _A -plague on this bible; this 'tis that_ [89] _does all our mischief_. But -because he can't _Suppress_ this Book, he sets himself, to _Disgrace_ -it all that he can. Altho' the Scripture carries its _own Evidence_ -with it, and be all over, so pure, so great, so true, and so powerful, -that it is impossible it should proceed from any but God alone; yet -the Devil would gladly bring some Discredit upon it, as if it were but -some _Humane Contrivance;_ Of nothing, is the Devil more desirous, -than this; That we should not count, _Christ_ so precious, _Heaven_ so -Glorious, _Hell_ so Dreadful, and _Sin_ so odious, as the Scripture has -declared it. - -§. The Second of our Lords Three Temptations, is related after this -manner, in Mat. 4. 5, 6. _Then the Devil taketh him up, into the Holy -City, and setteth him upon a Pinacle of the Temple; and saith unto -him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thy self down; for it is written, -He shall give his Angels charge concerning thee, and in their Hands, -they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy Foot against a -Stone_. - -From whence take these _Remarks_. - -I. The places of the greatest _Holiness_ will not secure us from -Annoyance by the _Temptations_ of the Devil, to the greatest -wickedness. When our Lord was in the _Holy City_, the Devil fell upon -him there. Indeed, there is now no proper _Holiness_ of _Places_ in -our Days; the Signs and Means of Gods more special Presence are not -under the Gospel, ty'd unto any certain _places:_ Nevertheless there -are _places_, where we use to enjoy much of God; and where, altho' God -visit not the _Persons_ for the sake of the _Places_, yet he visits -the _Places_ for the sake of the _Persons_. But, I am to tell you -that the Devil will visit those _Places_ and best _Persons_ there. -No _Place_, that I know of, has got such a _Spell_ upon it, as will -always keep the Devil out. The _Meeting-House_ wherein we Assemble for -the Worship of God, is fill'd with many Holy People, and many Holy -Concerns continually; but if our Eyes were so refined as the Servant -of the Prophet had his of old, I suppose we should now see a Throng of -_Devils_ in this very place. The Apostle has intimated, that Angels -come in among us; there are Angels it seems that hark, how I _Preach_, -and how you _Hear_, at this Hour. And our own sad Experience is -enough to intimate, That the _Devils_ are likewise Rendevouzing here. -It is Reported, in _Job_ 1. 5. _When the Sons of God came to present -themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among them._ When we are in -our Church-Assemblies, O how many _Devils_, do you imagine, [90] croud -in among us! There is a _Devil_ that rocques one to Sleep, there is -a _Devil_ that makes another to be thinking of, he scarce knows what -himself; and there is a _Devil_, that makes another, to be pleasing -himself with wanton and wicked Speculations. It is also possible, that -we have our _Closets_, or our _Studies_, gloriously perfumed with -Devotions every day; but alas, can we shut the Devil out of them? No, -Let us go where we will, we shall still find a Devil nigh unto us. -Onely, when we come to Heaven, we shall be out of his reach for ever; -_O thou foul Devil; we are going where thou canst not come!_ He was -hissed out of _Paradese_, and shall never enter it any more. Yea, more -than so, when the _New Jerusalem_ comes down into the _High Places_ of -our Air, from whence the Devil shall then be banished, there shall be -no Devil within the Walls of that Holy City. _Amen. Even so Lord Jesus, -Come quickly._ - -II. Any other acknowledgments of the Lord Jesus Christ, will -be permitted by the Temptations of the Devil, provided those -Acknowledgments of him, which are _True_ and _Full_, may be thereby -prevented. What was it, that the Devil hurried our Lord Jesus Christ -unto the Top of the _Temple_ for? Surely it could not meerly be to find -_Precipices;_ any part of the Wilderness would have afforded _Them_. -No, it was rather to have _Spectators_. And why so, Why, the carnal -Jews had an Expectation among them; that _Elias_ was to fly from Heaven -to the Temple; and the Devil seems willing, that our Lord should be -cry'd up for _Elias_, among the giddy multitude; or any thing in the -World, tho never so considerable otherwise, rather than to be received -as the Christ of God. The Devil will allow his Followers to think very -highly of the Lord Jesus Christ; O but he is very lothe to have them -think, _All_. We read in Col. 1. 19. _It has pleased the Father, that -in him there should all Fullness dwell._ But it is pleasing to the -Devil that we deny something of the Immense _Fullness_, which is in our -Lord. The Devil would confess to our Lord, _Thou art the Holy one of -God!_ but then he claps in, _Thou art Jesus of Nazareth;_ which was to -conceal our Lords being _Jesus of Bethlehem_, and so his being, _The -True Messiah_. All the _Heresies_, and all the Persecutions, that ever -plagued the Church of God, have still been, to strike at some _Glory_ -of our Lord Jesus Christ. A CHRIST Entirely Acknowledged, will save the -Souls of them that so Acknowledge Him; but, says the Devil, _Whatever I -must not give way to that_. As they say, the Devil [91] makes Witches -unable to utter all the _Lords Prayer_, or some such System of -Religion, without some Deprevations of it; thus the Devil will consent -that we may make a very large Confession of the Lord Jesus Christ; only -he will have us to deprave it, at least in some one Important Article. -Some one Honour, some one Office, and some one _Ordinance_ of the Lord -Jesus Christ, must be always left unacknowledged, by those that will do -as the Devil would have them. - -III. _High Stations_ in the Church of God, lay men open to violent -and peculiar _Temptations_ of the Devil. When our Lord was upon the -_Pinacle_, that is not the _Fane_, or _Spire_, but the _Battlements_ -of the _Temple_, there did the Devil pester him, with singular -Molestations, and he therein seems to intend an Entanglement for the -Jews, as well as for our Lord. Believe me they that stand High, cannot -stand safe. The Devil is a _Nimrod_, a mighty Hunter; and common or -little Game, will not serve his Turn: he is a _Leviathan_, of whom we -may say, as in _Job._ 41. 34. _He beholds all high things._ Men of high -Attainments, and Men of high Employments, in the Church of God, must -look, like _Peter_ to be more _Sifted_, and like _Paul_, to be more -_Buffeted_ than other Men. _Feriunt Summos Fulmina Montes._----The -Devil can raise a Storm, when God permitteth it, but as for those -Men that stand near Heaven, the Devil will attack them with his most -cruel storms of Thunder and Lightening. It was said, _let him that -stands take heed;_ but we may say, _They that stand most high, have -cause to take most heed_. The Devil is a _Goliah;_ and when he finds -a _Champion_, he'l be sure most fiercely to Combate such a Man. He is -for, _Killing many Birds with one stone;_ and he knows that he shall -hinder a world of _Good_, and produce a world of _Ill_, if once he can -bring a Man Eminently Stationed into his Toyls. Hence 'tis that the -_Ministers_ of God, are more dogg'd by the Devil, than other persons -are. Especially such _Ministers_, as move in the highest Orb of -Serviceableness; and most of all such _Ministers_ as have spent many -years in Laudable Endeavours to be serviceable; Those Ministers are the -_Stars_ of Heaven, at which the _Tayl_ of the _Dragon_, will give the -most sweeping and most stinging strokes; the Devil will find that for -them, that shall make them _Walk softly_ all their Days. These are the -Men, that have creepled, and vexed the Devil more than other Men; for -which the Devil has an old Quarrel with them. O Neighbours, little do -you think, what black Days of Mourning, and Fasting, and Praying before -the Lord, a Raging Devil does fill the lives of such _Men of God_ -withall. - -[92] IV. The Devil will make a deceitful and unfaithful use of the -_Scriptures_ to make his _Temptations_ forceable. When the Devil -Solicited our Lord, unto an evil thing, he quoted the _Ninty First_ -Psalm unto him, tho' indeed he fallaciously clip'd it, and maim'd it, -of one clause very material in it. O never does the Devil make such -dangerous Passes at us, as when he does wrest our own _Sword_ out -of our Hands, and push _That_ upon us. We have to defend us, that -Weapon in _Eph._ 6. 16. _The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word -of God;_ but when the Devil has that very Weapon to fight us with, he -makes terrible work of it. When the Devil would poyson men with false -_Doctrines_, he'l quote Scriptures for them; a _Quaker_ himself, will -have the First Chapter of _John_ always in his mouth. When the Devil -would perswade men to vile _Actions_, he'l quote Scriptures for them; -he'l encourage men to go on in Sin, by showing them, where 'tis said, -_The Lord is ready to Pardon_. I say this, The one story of _Davids_ -Fall, in the Scripture, has been made by the Devil an Engine for the -Damnation of many Millions. The Devil will fright men from doing those -things, that are, _the Things of their Peace;_ but How? He'l turn a -_Scripture_ into a _Scarecrow_ for them. The Devil will fright them -from all constant Prayer to God, by quoting that Scripture, _The -Sacrifice of the Wicked, is an Abomination to the Lord;_ the Devil will -fright them from the Holy Supper of God, by quoting that Scripture, _He -that Eats and Drinks unworthily, Eats and Drinks damnation to himself_. -And thus the Devil will by some abused Scripture, Terrifie the Children -of God; the Scripture is written as we are told, _For our Comfort;_ -but it is quoted by the Devil, _for our terror_. How many Godly Souls -have been cast into sinful Doubts and Fears, by the Devils foolish -glosses upon that Scripture, _He that doubts is damned;_ and that, -_the fearful shall have their portion in the burning Lake:_ The Devil -sometimes has play'd the _Preacher_, but I say, _Beware all silly Souls -when such a Fool is Preaching_. - -V. Grievous and Pulling Hurries to _Self-Murder_ are none of the -smallest outrages, which the Devil in his _Temptations_ commits upon -us. Why, did the Devil say to our Lord, _Cast thy self down_, but in -hopes that our Lord would have broke his Bones, in the fall? The Devil -is an _Old Murtherer;_ and he loves to _Murder_ men; but no _Murder_ -gives him so much satisfaction, as that which at his instigation, men -perpetrate upon themselves. We [93] see that such as are _Bewitched_ -and _Possessed_ by the Devil, do quickly lay violent hands upon -themselves, if they be not watched continually, and we see that when -persons have begun that _Unnatural_ business of _killing themselves_, -there is a _Preternatural_ Stupendious Prodigious Assistance, by the -Devil given thereunto. When people are going to Harm themselves, we -call upon them, like those to the Jailor, in _Acts_ 16. 28. _Do thy -self no harm!_ And we have this Argument for it, _It is the Devil -that is dragging of you to this mischief; but will you believe, will -you obey such an one as the Devil is?_ What was it that made Judas to -strangle himself? We read it was when the _Devil was in him_. I suppose -there are few _self-murderers_, but what are first very strangely -fallen into the Devils hands; and possibly, 'tis by some Extraordinary -_Discontent_, against God, or _back-sliding_ from him, that the Devil -first entred into those disturbed Souls. Indeed, some very great Saints -of God, have sometimes had hideous Royls raised by the Devil in their -minds; untill they have e'en cry'd out with _Job, I choose strangling -rather than life;_ and sometimes the ill Humours or Vapours in the -Bodies of such Good Men, do so harbour the Devil that they have this -woful motion every day thence made unto them; _You must kill your -self! you must! you must!_ But it is rarely any other than a _Saul_, -an _Abimelek_, an _Achitophel_, or a _Judas;_ rarely any other, than -a very Reprobate, whom the Devil can drive, while the man is _Compos -Mentis_, to Consummate such a Villany. Yea, no Child of God, in his -Right Senses can go so far in this impiety, as to be left without all -Time and Room for true _Repentance_ of the Crime; 'tis _thus_ done, -by none but those that go to the Devil. A _self-murder_, acted by one -that is upon other accounts a Reasonable man, is but such an attempt of -Revenge upon the God that made him, as none but one full of the Devil -can be guilty of. If any of you are Dragoon'd by the Devil, unto the -murdering of your selves, my Advice to you is, _Disclose it, Reveal -it, make it known immediately_. One that Cut his own Throat among us, -Expired crying out, _O that I had told! O that I had told_. You may -spoil the Devil, if you'l _Tell_ what he is a doing of. - -VI. Presumptuous and Unwarrantable _Trials of_ the Blessed God, are -some of those things whereinto the Devil would fain hook us with his -_Temptations_. This was that which the Devil would have brought our -Lord unto, even, _A tempting of the Lord our God_. It is the charge of -our God upon us, in _Deut._ 6. 16. _Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy -God._ But that which the Devil _Tries_, is, to put us upon _Trying_ -in a sinful way whether God be such a God as indeed he is. [94] 'Tis -true as to the ways of Obedience, our God says unto us, _Prove me, -in those ways; Try, whether I won't be as good as my Word_. But then -there are ways of _Presumption_, wherein the Devil would have us to -trie, what a God it is, _With whom we have to do_. The Devil would -have us to trie the Purpose of God, about our selves or others; but -how? By going to the _Devil_ himself; by Consulting _Astrologers_, or -_Fortune Tellers;_ or perhaps by letting the Bible fall open, to see -what is the first Sentence we light upon. The Devil would have us trie -the Mercy of God, but how? By running into _Dangers_, which we have no -call unto. He would have us trie the Power of God; but how? By looking -for good things, without the use of Means for the getting of them. He -would have us trie the Justice of God; but how? By venturing upon Sin -in a _Corner_, with an Imagination that God will never bring us out. He -would have us trie the Promise of God; but how? By _Limiting_ the Lord, -unto such or such a way of manifesting Himself, or else believing of -nothing at all. He would have us trie the Threatning of God; but how? -By going on impenitently in those things, for which the _Wrath of God -comes upon the Children of Disobedience_. Thus would the Devil have us -to affront the Majesty of Heaven every day. - -VII. The _Temptations_ of the Devil, aim at puffing and bloating of -us up, with _Pride;_ as much perhaps as any one iniquity. The Devil -would have had Our Lord make a _Vain glorious_ Discovery of himself -unto the World, by _Flying in the air_, so as no mortal can. _Hoc -Ithacus velit_--the Devil would have us to soar aloft, and not only -to be above other men, but also to _know_ that we are so, _Pride_ is -the Devils own sin; and he affects especially to be, _The King over -the Children of Pride_, it is a caution in 1 Tim. 3. 6. A Pastor -must not be _A Novice; Lest being lifted up with Pride, He fall into -the condemnation of the Devil. (Summo ac Pio cum Tremore Hunc Textum -Legamus nos Ministri Juvenes!)_ Accordingly, the Devil would have us to -be inordinately taken and moved with what _Excellencies_ our God has -bestowed upon us. If our _Estates_ rise, he would have us rise in our -Spirits too. If we have been blessed with Beauty, with Breeding, with -Honour, with Success, with Attire, with Spiritual Priviledges, or with -Praise-worthy Performances; Now says the Devil, _Think thy self better -than other Men_. Yea, the Devil would have us arrogate unto our selves, -those _Excellencies_ which really we never were owners of; and _Boast -of a false Gift_. He would have us moreover to Thirst after Applause -among others that may see Our _Excellencies!_ and be impatient if we -are not accounted _some-body_. He would have us further[95]more, to -aspire after such a _Figure_, as God has never yet seen fitting for us; -and croud into some _High Chair_ that becomes us not. Thus would the -Devil Elevate us into the _Air_, above our Neighbours; and why so? 'Tis -that we may be punished with such _Falls_, as may make us cry out with -_David, O my Bones are broken with my Falls!_ The Devil can't endure to -see men lying in the _Dust;_ because there is no falling thence. He is -a _Fallen Spirit_ himself, and it pleases him to see the _Falls_ of men. - -§. The Third of our Lords Three Temptations, is related in such Terms -as these. Matth. 4. 8, 9. _Again the Devil taketh him up, into an -exceeding High Mountain, and sheweth him all the Kingdoms of the world, -and the glory of them: and saith unto him, all these things will I give -thee, if thou wilt fall down and Worship me._ From whence take these -Remarks. - -I. The Devil in his _Temptations_ will set the Delight of this world -before us; but he'll set a fair, and a false _Varnish_ upon those -Delights. They were some unknown _Perspectives_, which the Devil had, -both for the Refracting of the _Medium_, and for the Magnifying of the -_Object_, whereby he gave our Lord at once a prospect of the whole -Roman Empire; but what was it? It was the _World_, and the _Glory_ of -it; he says not a word of the _World_, and the _Trouble_ of it. No -sure; not a word of that; the Devil will not have his Hook so barely -expos'd unto us. The Devil sets off the Delights of Sin, which he -offers unto us, with a stretched and raised Rhetorick; but he will not -own, _That in the midst of our Laughter, our Heart shall be sorrowful;_ -and _That the end of our Mirth shall be Heaviness_. There is but one -Glass in the Spectacles, with which the Devil would have us to read, -those passages in _Eccles._ 11. 9. _Rejoyce O young Man in thy youth, -and let thy Heart chear thee in the Dayes of thy youth, and walk in the -ways of thy Heart, and in the sight of thine Eyes._ Thus far the Devil -would have us to Read; and he'll make many a fine Comment upon it; -he'll tell us, That if we'll follow the Courses of the World, we shall -swim in all the Delights of the World. But he is not willing you should -Read out the next words; _But know thou, that for all these things God -shall bring thee into judgment_. O he's loth we should be aware of -the dreadful Issues, and Reckonings that our Worldly Delights will be -attended with. He sets before us, the _Pleasures of Sin;_ but he will -not say, _These are but for a Season_. He sets before us, _The Sweet -Waters of Stealth?_ but he will not say, _There is Death in the Pot_. -He is a _Mountebank_, that will bestow nothing but Romantic Praises -upon all that he makes us the Offers of. - -[96] II. There are most Hellish _Blasphemies_ often buzz'd by the -_Temptations_ of the Devil, into the minds of the best Men alive. What -a most Execrable Thing was here laid before our Lord Himself: Even, -To own the _Devil_ as _God!_ a thing that can't be uttered, without -unutterable Horror of Soul. The best man on earth, may have such _Fiery -Darts_ from Hell shot into his mind. One that was acted by the _Devil_, -had the impudence to propound this unto such a good man as _Job, Curse -God_. And the Devil pleases himself, by chasing the Hearts of good -men, with his base Injections, _That there is no God_, or, _That God -is not a Righteous God;_ and a thousand more such things, too Devilish -to be mentioned. A good man is extreamly grieved at it, when he hears -a _Blasphemy_ from the mouth of another man; said the Psalmist, in -Psal. 44. 15, 16. _My Confusion is continually before me, for the -voice of him that Blasphemeth._ But much more when a good man finds -a _Blasphemy_ in his own Heart; O it throws him into most Fevourish -Agonies of Soul. For this cause, a mischievous Devil will _Flie blow_ -the Heart of such a man, with such Blasphemous Thoughts, as make him -crie out, _Lord I am e'n weary of my life_. Yea, the Devil serves the -man just as the Mistress of _Joseph_ dealt with him; he importunes the -man to think wickedly from Day to Day; and if the man refuse, he cries -out at last, _Behold what wicked thoughts this man has lodging in him_. -Sayst thou so? _Satan!_ No, they are Brats of thy own; and at thy Door -alone shall they be laid for ever. - -III. There is a sort of Witchcrafts in those things, whereto the -Temptations of the Devil would inveigle us. To worship the Devil is -Witchcraft, and under that notion was our Lord urged unto sin. We are -told in _1 Sam._ 15. 23. _Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft:_ When -the Devil would have us to sin, he would have us to do the things which -the forlorn Witches use to do. Perhaps there are few persons, ever -allured by the Devil unto an Explicit Covenant with himself. If any -among ourselves be so, my councel is, that you hunt the Devil from you, -with such words as the Psalmist had, _Be gone, Depart from me, ye evil -Doers, for I will keep the Commandments of my God_. But alas, the most -of men, are by the Devil put upon doing the things that are Analagous -to the worst usages of Witches. The Devil says to the sinner, _Despise -thy Baptism, and all the Bond of it, and all the Good of it_. The Devil -says to the sinner, _Come, cast off the Authority of God, and, and -refuse the Salvation of Christ for ever_. Yea, the Devil who is called, -_The God of this World_, would have us to take Him for our God, and -rather Hear Him, Trust Him, Serve Him, than the God that formed us. - -[97] IV. The _Temptations_ of the Devil do Tug and Pull for nothing -more, than that the Rulers of the World may yield Homage unto him. -Our Lord has had this by his Father Engag'd unto him, _That he shall -one day be Governour of the Nations_. The Devil doe's extreamly dread -the approach of that Illustrious time, when _The Kingdom of God shall -come and his Will be done, as in Heaven, and on Earth_. For this cause -it was that he was desirous, Our Lord should rather have accepted of -him, that Kingdom, which _Antichrist_ afterwards accepted of him, for -the Establishment of _Devil-worship_, in the World. I may tell you, The -Devil is mighty unwilling, that there should be one _Godly Magistrate_ -upon the face of the Earth. Such is the influence of _Government_, -that the Devil will every where stickle mightily, to have that siding -with him. What _Rulers_ would the Devil have, to command all mankind, -if he might have his will? Even, such as are called in Psal. 94. 20. -_The throne of iniquity, which frames mischief by a Law;_ such as -will promote Vice, by both Connivance and Example; and such as will -oppress all that shall be _Holy, and Just, and Good_. All men have -cause therefore to be jealous, what Use the Devil may make of them, -with reference to the Affairs of Government; but Rulers may most of -all think, that the Lord Jesus from Heaven calls upon them, _Satan has -desired that he might Sift you, and have you; O Look to it, what side -you take_. - -Thus have you in the Temptations of our Lord, seen the principal of -those Devices, which the Devil has to Entrap our Souls. But what shall -we now do, that we may be fortified against those Devices? O that we -might be well furnished with the _Whole Armour of God!_ But me thinks, -there were some things attending the Temptations of our Lord, which, -would especially Recommend those few Hints unto us for our Guard. - -First, If you are not fond of Temptation, be not fond of Needless, or -Too much Retirement. Where was it, that the Devil fell upon our Lord? -it was when he was Alone in the Wilderness. We should all have our -Times to be Alone every Day; and if the Devil go to scare us out of our -Chambers, with such a Bugbear, as that he'll appear to us, yet stay in -spite of his teeth, stay to finish your Devotions; he Lyes, he dare not -shew his head. But on the other-side by being too solitary, we may lay -our selves too much open to the Devil; You know who says, _Wo to him -that is alone_. - -[98] Secondly, Let an _Oracle_ of God be your defence against a -_Temptation_ of _Hell_. How did our Lord silence the _Devil?_ It was -with an, _It is written!_ And _all_ his Three Citations were from that -one Book of _Deuteronomy_. What a _full_ Armoury then have we, in _all_ -the sacred Pages that lie before us? Whatever the Words of the _Devil_ -are, drown them with the words of the _Great God_. Say, It is _Written_ -The _Belshazzar_ of _Hell_ will Tremble and Withdraw, if you show these -_Hand-Writings_ of the Lord. - -Lastly, Since the Lord Jesus Christ has conquered all the _Temptations_ -of the Devil, Flie to that Lord, Crie to that Lord, that He would -give you a share in his Happy Victory. It was for Us that our Lord -overcome the Devil: and when he did but say, _Satan, Get hence_, away -presently the Tygre flew: Does the Devil molest Us? Then let us Repair -to our Lord, who says, _I know how to succour the Tempted_. Said the -_Psalmist_, _Psal._ 61. 2. _Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I._ -A Woman in this Land being under the Possession of Devils, the Devils -within her, audibly spoke of diverse Harms they would inflict upon her; -but still they made this answer, _Ah! She Runs to the Rock! She Runs to -the Rock!_ and that hindered all. O this _Running to the Rock;_ 'tis -the best Preservation in the World; the _Vultures_ of _Hell_ cannot -prey upon the _Doves_ in the _Clefts_ of that _Rock_. May our God now -lead us thereunto.[208] - -[END OF THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD AND OF THE FIRST VOLUME.] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[150] George Burroughs. Why the Author merely gave the Initials of the -Name of Mr. Burroughs is left to Conjecture. Perhaps he considered -him deeper in the Devil's Arts than the Rest of the accused, and -perhaps he (the Author) had been more uncharitable towards him than -towards others. See the Rev. Mr. Upham's highly interesting _Lectures -on Witchcraft_, 101, _et seq._ He was "the most prominent Victim of -the diabolical Fanaticism of 1692. He was Son of that 'Mrs. Rebecca -Burrows, who came from Virginia when her Son was quite young.' He -was admitted a Member of Mr. Eliot's Church, Roxbury, 12 Apl., 1674. -Probably his Father had died in Virginia, and we may hope, that -the Mother also had gone to another World before the sad Proof of -Perverseness of God's Ordinances in her chosen Refuge by the horrible -Proceedings against her only Child."--_Savage._ His Wife, as will -appear presently, was a Sister of "Mr. Ruck" of Salem. See Mr. Willis's -_Hist. Portland_. - -[151] It is not difficult to understand how a Person, believing, as -all then believed, would be "cast into very great Confusion" at such -Questions. - -[152] Deodat Lawson, who had preached at Salem Village; and on the -24th of March, 1692, he there preached a Sermon, entitled "_Christ's -Fidelity the only Shield against Satan's Malignity;_ being Lecture Day, -and a Time of Publick Examination, of some Suspected for Witchcraft." -The second Edition of this Sermon was reprinted in London is 1704, -in 12mo. Mr. Lawson was a sincere Believer in Witchcraft, and in his -dedicatory Remarks, hopes "that it may please the ALMIGHTY GOD, to -manifest his Power, in putting an End to your Sorrows of this Nature, -by bruising _Satan_ under your Feet shortly."--What is at present known -of him and his Family will be found in Savage, under the appropriate -Head. Respecting his Wife and Daughter, he says they had been dead -above three Years. _Appendix_ to the above _Sermon_, P. 99. He does -accuse Mr. Burroughs. - -[153] It is refreshing, after reading this Case of Mr. Burroughs, as -related by our Author, and to which we are at a Loss to find Words -denunciatory enough to apply, to read the Conclusion to which my -learned and judicious Friend, Mr. Willis comes, after a full View of -all the Circumstances: "There has nothing survived Mr. Burroughs, -either in his Living or Dying, that casts any Reproach upon his -Character; and although he died the Victim of Fanaticism as wicked and -stupid as any which has ever been countenanced in civilized Society, -and which for a Time prejudiced his Memory, yet his Reputation stands -redeemed in a more enlightened Age from any Blemish."--_History of -Portland_, 246, Ed. 1865. - -[154] In 1680 poor Bridget Bishop appears to have been simply -Bridget Oliver, and in that Year she was accused of being a Witch. -"Feb. 22, the Negro of John Ingersol testified, before the Court of -Commissioners, that he saw the Shape of said Bridget on a Beam of the -Barn, with an Egg in its Hand, and that while he looked for a Rake or -Pitchfork to strike it with, it vanished." She was ordered to give -Bonds or go to Prison. See Felt, _Annals of Salem_, 265. She was the -Wife of Edward Bishop, as will be seen further on. Her Husband was -probably the Son of the first Edward Bishop of Salem. The Paternity of -Bridget is uncertain. She may have been of the Family of Thomas Oliver, -whose coming to Salem is recorded in the _Founders of New England_. - -[155] There was a Family of Hobbs at Topsfield. On May 13th, 1692, -William Hobbs of that Place was taken and sent to the Jail in Boston. -On the 23d of the same Month Deliverance and Abigail, probably of -the Family of William before named, were also sent to Boston and -imprisoned. See Felt's _Annals_, 304, also _Hist. Colls. Essex Inst._, -141. - -[156] Mr. Felt does not seem to have met with this Person in the _Salem -Records_. He is mentioned in Savage's _Dictionary_, as marrying, at -Salem, 28 Dec. 1671, Abigail Lord. More will be found of him when we -come to the _More Wonders_. See also _Colls. Essex Inst._ ii, 140. -There are also numerous other References to Persons of the Name. - -[157] Often spelt _Bligh_. A Brick-maker of Salem. His Wife was -Rebecca, Daughter, probably, of Deac. Charles Gott, by whom he had a -large Family. The Names of his Children are given by Savage. - -[158] The Man who had the following extraordinary Experience was -unknown to both Felt and Savage, although he appears to have been an -old Inhabitant of Salem. His Name was probably _Cumin_, _Cuming_, or -_Cummings_, and may have been the Freeman of 1669. - -[159] Supposed to be the Quaker, over a Transaction of which Mr. Savage -with great Eagerness "exults." That Transaction will be found detailed -in the _Hist. and Antiqs. of Boston_, 357. Were Quakers allowed to -testify in those Days? Mr. Lemuel Shattuck has given an Account of the -Family in the Appendix to his _Memorials_, 361, _et seq._ - -[160] Hence it seems Shattuck was living at Salem as early as 1663. - -[161] This Name has probably undergone some orthographic Changes, as -_Lowder_, _Lodder_, &c. There was a Lodder's Lane in Salem, so called -because "the old Man, George _Lowder_ lived on the western Corner where -the West House is."--_Hist. Colls. Salem Inst._ vi, 109. John Louder -had a Wife "Eliz'a," and by her Sons, William, born 10 Feb. 1691; -Nicholas, 31st 6mo., 1693; a Daughter Elizabeth, born 1 Oct. 1695, and -a Son Jared, born 1 Nov. 1697.--_Ibid._ ii, 257. - -[162] Doubtless the same William, Son of Thomas Stacy of Salem, -who married Priscilla Buckley, 28th 9 mo, 1677. He had a Daughter -Priscilla, the same whose Death is mentioned in the Text, without -Doubt. The Family Record is quite extensive, and may be seen in _Hist. -Colls. Salem Inst._, iii, 193. See also, Felt, _Annals of Salem_, Vol. -2, _Index_. - -[163] That a Child's _Rag-baby_, or _Doll_, should be found in an -out-of-the-way Place, put there by little Girls in their Play, did -certainly "crown all" the Stupidity and Folly yet exhibited among -People of mature Years. It proves, as Mr. Chever says, in his Notes on -these Affairs, that "the Reason and Wisdom of the Magistrates had, for -the Time, departed."--_Hist. Colls. Salem Inst._, ii, 78. - -[164] Susannah Martin belonged to Amesbury. She appears to have been -a Woman of superior Mind, judging by her sensible Replies to the -benighted Magistrate. She was a Widow, and one of those sent to Boston -and imprisoned on the 2d of May, and on the 19th of July was hanged. -She was probably the second Wife of George Martin of Salisbury, a -Daughter of Richard North. - -[165] Probably Son of Theodore Atkinson well known among the early -prominent Men of New England; yet he finds no Place in Eliot's -_Biographical Dictionary_. John was a Hatter, and his Wife was Sarah -Myrick, whom he married in 1664. See Savage's _Dictionary_, i, 74. - -[166] There was a Family of Peaches in the County of Essex. In 1668 -there was John and John Jr., often mentioned in various Records. - -[167] He was of Salisbury, 1665, had been of Newbury. His Wife was -Sarah, Daughter of John Eaton. He had several Children, whose Births -and Names will be found in Savage. - -[168] There were several contemporaneous John _Kimbals_ about Essex or -Old Norfolk County, but I meet with nothing to fix upon any one of them -as this John _Kembal_. The Name is since _Kimball_. - -[169] Probably Son of the Hon. William Brown of Salem, who married -Hannah, Daughter of George Curwen. We have no probable Cause of Mrs. -Brown's Languishment, every Ill being then attributed to the Devil or -his Witches. It seems she never recovered from her Malady, whatever -it was, but died on the 22d of Nov. of the same Year, (1692). He -died in 1716.--See Quincy, _Hist. Har. Col._, i, 418, and Savage's -_Dictionary_, i, 279. - -[170] Wife, perhaps, of the John Atkinson mentioned previously.--See -Coffin's _Newbury_, 293. - -[171] Perhaps the same as _Preson_, or _Presson_. He is the _Pressie_ -of Savage, no doubt, who says his Wife was Mary Gage, whom he married -30th Nov., 1665. I do not find among the Gages of Rowley or elsewhere, -a Daughter married to a Pressie. John _Pressie_ was of Amesbury, -1677.--_N. E. H. G. Reg._, vi, 202. - -[172] Savage calls him _Jarvis_ and has given him Wife, Hannah Fowler, -24th Dec., 1685; Son Jarvis, born 2d Oct., 1686; Daughters, Hannah, -born 3d March, 1689, Elizabeth, 3d Sept., 1692, and Son Oliver, born -17th June, 1698. This was a Salisbury Family. The _Joseph_ Ring, -mentioned in the next Section, was perhaps that Joseph born the 3d of -August, 1664 (at Salisbury), Son of Robert. Instead of this Robert -_Ring_ having come over in the Ship Bevis, in 1638, it does not appear -that any Person of the Name of Ring came at that Time in that Ship. -Mr. Savage "strangely" says Robert Ring came over in the Bevis of -Northampton, and stranger still there is no Robert _Ring_ on _his own_ -List of Passengers. For Robert _Knight_ he copied (or some one for -him), Robert _Ringht!_ Being unwilling to admit a new Name into his -Dictionary, he has committed a more serious Blunder. Mr. Lawson says he -was present when Ring gave his Testimony, and fully corroborates our -Author's Statement.--_Lawson_, 113. - -[173] She belonged to Topsfield. There was an Ephraim Howe in that -Town, possibly her Husband. Her Husband had a Brother, as will be seen, -named John, but his Residence is not given. - -[174] This Name is erroneously printed _Stafford_ in the London -Edition. It was an Ipswich Family, of which many Items of its Members -will be found in Dr. Phelps's _Hist. of that Town_, and a few in -Savage's _Dict._ - -[175] This Individual can be identified and traced in the Abbot -_Genealogical Register_, and also in Savage's _Dictionary;_ but more -minute Information is given by his Kinsman, Abiel Abbot, A. M., in his -_History of Andover_, Chap. x.; a valuable little Work by the Way, -without either Heads of Chapters or Index. - -[176] Probably of Topsfield. - -[177] Of Ipswich, supposed to be Son of that Allen _Perley_, who in -1635, came to New England from Hertfordshire. See _Founders of New -England_, 16. John _Pearly_, mentioned in the next Section was no Doubt -of the same Family. - -[178] To what Family this Francis Lane belonged I have not been able to -determine. Perhaps he belonged to the Hampton Family. - -[179] She was of Andover, and the Copy of her Indictment is printed in -full, in the History of that Town. She was the Wife of Thomas Carrier -of Andover, who died in Colchester, Ct., aged 109 Years. See Farmer, -_Hist. Billerica_, 33. See also Calef, _More Wonders_, 136. - -[180] See _Hist. Andover_, 30, 168. He was Son of the first George -Abbot of Andover, and died in 1703, leaving Descendants. His Wife -Sarah, mentioned onward, was Daughter of Ralph _Farnum_ or _Varnum_ of -Andover. Further of this in an ensuing Volume. - -[181] Perhaps _Peter_, who lived in what is since Danvers. - -[182] In the List of Passengers who came to New England in the Ship -Hopewell from London, September, 1635, are the Names of Roger, -Margaret, and Roger Toothaker, of Ages 23, 28 and 1 Years. Allen -Toothaker above named was probably of this Family. He seems to have -resided in Andover, or near his Tormenter. - -[183] Perhaps of the _Rogerses_ of Billerica; but it is about as -uncertain to designate among the John Rogerses as among the John -Smiths. See Farmer's _Hist. Billerica_, 13, 32-3. - -[184] Samuel Preston was of Andover, where he died in 1738, aged 85. -Hence he was born in 1653. See Abbot's _Hist. Andover_, for other -Details of the family. We cannot make much out of Mr. Savage's Article -in his _Dictionary_. - -[185] She was doubtless of the Andover family of Chandler, but Data -does not appear by which she can be assigned to her Place in the -Pedigree of that Family. - -[186] Perhaps of the Family of Ephraim Foster of Andover, and if so, -his Wife. These were the Ancestors of the distinguished Theodore, and -Dwight Foster. See _Hist. Andover_, 38. Ephraim Foster married Hannah, -Daughter of Robert Eames, 1678. - -[187] There was a Family of Lacy at Andover at this Time. Lawrence Lacy -was born there, according to Abbot, in 1683. - -[188] This Person was of Billerica. John _Sheldon_ was among the early -Settlers of that Town, but had gone from there or was dead before -1700.--Farmer's _Billerica_, 34. - -[189] In the London Edition this Word was printed _Heb_, evidently a -typographical Error. Poor Martha Carrier was executed, in pursuance of -Evidence, than which nothing could be more childish and meaningless -ever heard of under "the Cope of Heaven." The poor old Mother to "be -Queen of Hell"! The Author shows his Depravity by extravagantly and -barbarously denouncing her as a "Rampant Hag." - -[190] A learned Jesuit, and as superstitious as he was learned. The -Work out of which the Extract is made, is entitled the _Natural and -Moral History of the West Indies_. Then (1591) a _History of the West -Indies_ included America. - -[191] According to Clavigero, the God the most celebrated in Mexico was -_Huitzilopochzli.--Hist. Mexico_, Cullen's Translation, i, 259. See -also the Plate, _ib._, 279. - -[192] It is certainly singularly noteworthy that the Devil and his -Throng of Witches should adopt the Forms and Practices of the Churches -of the Author's own Order. One would naturally suppose that they would -have chosen those of the primitive Churches. - -[193] It is as much easier, as it is safer to answer these Questions -now than in Dr. Mather's Time. Everybody is born in the same Ignorance -as in those Days, but fortunately we of this Day are surrounded by a -lighter Age, and hence grow up with more Knowledge. And yet _our_ Age -of Light is Light only by Comparison. - -[194] Nicholas _Hemmingius_, I suppose, a native of the Island of -Laland, born in 1513. His Business was that of a Smith, but taking -to Learning, he studied with the celebrated Melancthon, and became a -Professor of Hebrew at Copenhagen. He died in the Year 1600. - -[195] A Word not found in the Dictionaries. Perhaps it may be defined -by the Readers of the Works of the elder Pliny. - -[196] This Story of the iron Spindle is briefly told by Lawson, who -probably took it from our Author. See Lawson's Work, P. 102-3 of the -London Edition. It is not in the original (Boston) Edition. - -[197] There were Pitmans at Marblehead, and Salem at this Time. -Manchester was then included in Salem. There was a Thomas Pitman hung -there not long before the Witch Cases occurred. - -[198] Perhaps Mr. John Higginson. - -[199] There was a Family of _Whitfords_ in Salem at this Time. - -[200] The shocking Barbarity employed in the Execution of this "poor -Man" can only find a Parallel in an Age as benighted as this of 1692. A -more diabolical Depravity could never exhibit itself in human Nature. -The next Story seems to be introduced to lessen the Odium which it is -probable the Author thought might attach itself to the Affair. It is -wonderful indeed, that a foul Murder should have been kept so still, -and then, at a late Day, to come out in a Dream. - -[201] A Son of the first Governor of the Colony, John Endicott. He -resided a considerable Period in Boston. See _Historical and Gen. -Register_, i. 335, _et seq._ He died in the Spring of 1684. - -[202] Anthony Horneck. The original Work was written in High Dutch. The -Author's Name does not appear. We have the Work appended to the fourth -Edition of Glanvil's _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, 1726. Dr. Mather has -given but a brief Abstract. - -[203] It does not appear that a Thanksgiving was appointed, but -the King appointed Commissioners to examine into the Matter. Those -Commissioners proceeded to the Town, and at once entered upon an -Investigation; "to whom both the Minister and several of the People of -Fashion complained with Tears in their Eyes, of the miserable Condition -they were in."--_Ibidem_, 484. - -[204] The Doctor omits some of the best Parts of these Stories. One -or two will more than suffice probably. "Those [Witches] of Elfdale -confessed, That the Devil used to play upon an Harp before them, and -afterwards to go with them that he liked best, into a Chamber, where -he committed venerous Acts with them; and this indeed all confessed; -That he had carnal Knowledge of them, and that the Devil had Sons and -Daughters by them, which he did marry together, and brought forth Toads -and Serpents."--_Page_ 491. - -"They [the bewitched] said they had sometimes seen a very great Devil -like a Dragon, with Fire round about him, and bound with an iron Chain; -and the Devil that converses with them tells them, that if they confess -anything, he will let that great Devil loose upon them, whereby all -Sweedland shall come into great danger."--_Page_ 492. - -[205] The following Paragraph is not in the first Edition. - -[206] Entitled "A Further Account of the Tryals of the New England -Witches ... To which is added Cases of Conscience concerning -Witchcrafts and Evil Spirits personating Men. Written at the Request of -the Ministers of New England." - -[207] It was long a Custom among some of the New England People to keep -Saturday Evening as though it were a Part of Sunday. Others did not -regard that Evening, but kept Sunday Evening. The former claimed that -Sunday began at Sunset. - -[208] The Editor feeling quite confident, that the Reader, by this -Time, has got enough of the Devil, will forbear making any Remarks or -Comments. Why the Author should place his "Discovery" at the End of -his Book the Reader is as well qualified to judge as the Editor, and -he will only add, that it is a Pity that he (the Author) had not made -the Discovery sooner, if by that Discovery the poor Witches had been -let alone, and left out of the Question, as no real Use of them is -conceivable, when, in Reality the Devil could and actually did do all -the Mischief himself. - -As has been before intimated, Dr. Mather was not alone in his -Estimation of the Importance of the Devil. Mr. Lawson, in his Sermon -at Salem Village, before referred to, among other Passages, said to -his Hearers (who were above a thousand): "It is Matter of TERROR, -_Amazement, and Astonishment, to all such wretched Souls_, (if there -be any here in the Congregation, and God grant that none of you may -ever be found as such) _as have given up their Names, and_ Souls _to -the Devil:_ Who by Covenant have bound themselves to be his Slaves and -Drudges, consenting to be Instruments, in whose Shapes, he may torment -and afflict their Fellow-creatures, to the amazing and astoning of the -Standers by."--_Page_ 64. - -Similar Extracts might be made from many of the Writings of that Day, -but Time and Space are inadequate, and the Reader, who may now incline -to a better Acquaintance with the Devil, than these Pages afford him, -must be referred to Dr. Mather's Cotemporaries. - -In closing these Notes it should be mentioned that the Text of this -Edition of the _Wonders of the Invisible World_ has been set up from -the latest London Edition of that Work, as mentioned in the Preface to -this Edition. When that Preface was written it was not contemplated -to use the Original Edition in reading the Proofs. But it was finally -decided to read by the Original. By this Course the Text has been to -some Extent improved. Yet no Difference of Importance was found. The -Departures of the London Publisher were only verbal--never altering the -Sense. At the Expense of a little tautological Verbiage the whole has -been made conformable to the original Edition--manifest typographical -Errors excepted. - - - - -INDEX. - - -NOTE.--As the small Roman Numerals in this Index denote both the -Volumes and the Pages of the Introductions, those who consult it -may observe, that when the Introductory Pages are referred to, the -Reference to the Volume is in large or Roman Capitals:--For Example, I, -xx, refer to the first Volume, and to Page 20 of the Introduction to -the same Volume; II, xxii, refer to Volume second, and Page 22 of that -Volume. - - -ABBOT, Benjamin, 195, iii, 116, 117. - -Abbot, Nehemiah, 191. - -Abbot, Sarah, 196, iii, 117. - -Acosta, Joseph, 201. - -Addington, Isaac, 26, iii, 15, 133. - -Ady, ----, a Writer against Witchcraft, iii, 74. - -Alcot, Job, appointed Counsellor, 26. - -Alden, John, Jr., II, xxiv; tried and imprisoned, iii, 26; his -Narrative, 26-8; Bail refused, 30; escapes, _ib._; cleared by -Proclamation, 128. - -Alden, Timothy, iii, 177, 178. - -Allen, James, 108, 151, iii, 40. - -Allen, John, sees one of the Accused fly in the Air, i, 177; his Oxen -bewitched, iii, 93. - -Allen, William, cited, 7. - -Ambrose, Isaac, on the Devil, 56. - -America, a squallid, horid Desart, 13; of what Use is it, 46; some -hopeful Symptoms of, 97; ever to be in the Devil's Hands? _ib._; -Spirits common to be seen Day and Night in, ii, 116. - -Andover, People of, bewitched, iii, 117, 120, 121, 125, 126. - -Andrew, Daniel, ii, 159, iii, 44; Joseph, 105; Sarah, _ib._ - -Andrews, Thomas, iii, 107. - -Andros, Edmund, Sir, I, lxxxi. - -Andrus, Silas, I, xcii. - -Angels, evil ones, ii, 32, 43, 75; Notions concerning, 187-8. - -Apparition, of those Murdered, 34; of the Devil, 79; of Mr. Beacon, -136-7; Accusers at Trials, 155; their Charges confessed, 188-9; -Witnesses, iii, 106. - -Appleton, Samuel, 26, iii, 15. - -Arnold, John, Jailor of Boston, iii, 20, 179. - -Arnold, Margaret, 145. - -Ashurst, Henry, Sir, I, vi; Agent for Massachusetts, iii, 148-9. - -Astrology, injudiciously regarded, 122, 238. - -Atkinson, John, Witness against Martin, 178; Sarah, 184; John's Cow -bewitched, iii, 94; Sarah, is amazed, _at nothing_, 100. - -Attaballipa, his Fate, iii, 138-9. - -Austin, sweet spirited, 27. - -Aves, Samuel, ii, 68. - -Ayer, John, Jr., iii, 196. - - -BACHELOR, John, Apology of, iii, 135. - -Bailey, John, iii, 40; Constable, 113. - -Bailey, N., his Definition of Witchcraft, I, xiii. - -Baker, ----, Sister to Ann Putnam, iii, 11. - -Balch, Benj. Jr., Wife Elizabeth, swears against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 78. - -Ballantine, John, II, xxii. - -Ballard, Joseph, iii, 51; Brother John, _ib._, 113; Operations to -discover Witches, 55; Witnesses, 126. - -Baptism by the Devil, Ceremony of, iii, 113. - -Bare, John, Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Barker, Abigail, signed a Recantation, iii, 57. - -Barnard, John, II, xxi; prays at Witch Examinations, iii, 56. - -Barnes, Benjamin, iii, 221. - -Bartel, Robert, Capt., iii, 178. - -Barton, James, II, xxiii. - -Bates, William, Extract from, ii, 113-14. - -Baxter, Richard, I, xx; on Memorable Providences, 10, 141; thanks C. -Mather, ii, 43; quoted, 45; his ungainsayable Book, 86; cure of Church -Divisions, 111; commends I. Mather, 113; his Ideas of a Devil and -Witch, &c., 113-119; his Work the Effect of aged Imbecility, 119. - -Bayley, Mrs., Sister to Ann Putnam, iii, 11. - -Beacon, Joseph, 136, 137. - -Beale, William, swears against Mr. English, iii, 177-86; Son dies, 182, -183. - -Belknap, Jeremy, referred to, ii, 85. - -Belzebub, Works ascribed to, iii, 163. - -Bent, Peter, of Sudbury, iii, 221. - -Benom, Mistress, accused, iii, 130. - -Bent, Mr., ----, iii, 100. - -Bentley, William, D. D., on P. English, iii, 179-81. - -Bereans, reference to, ii, 3. - -Bernard, Richard, on detecting Witches, 45-6; Remarks on, ii, 12; Calef -on, 56; how did the Jews manage without him, iii, 165. - -Bibber, John, Witness against Giles Cory, iii, 172. - -Bibber, Sarah, iii, 8; swears against Mrs. Nurse, 11; against Mr. -Burroughs, 62; against Cory, 170. - -Billerica, People of, bewitched, iii, 118. - -Bishop, Bridget, Trial of, 163; what her Shape did, 164; her Coat torn -while Invisible, 165; her Poppets discovered, 173; Teats found upon -her, 174; accused ten Years before, 208; long reputed a Witch, iii, 31; -Executed, _ib._; Copy of her Indictment, 74; others, 75-6; Trial of, -77-80; why called Oliver, 78; has a preternatural Teat, which vanished, -88. - -Bishop, Edward, iii, 11; and Wife Sarah, committed, 16; why cried out -on, 17; escape from Prison, 49; his Sow bewitched, 81-2. - -Bishop, Samuel, iii, 49; had married a Putnam, _ib._ - -Black-art taught by the Devil, I, xii. - -Black, Mary, arrested, iii, 16. - -Blackmore, Richard, Sir, I, lxxvi. - -Black Pig, one appears to John Louder, iii, 85-6. - -Blazdel, [Henry?] 181, iii, 97. - -Bligh, (Bly,) John, swears against Mrs. Bishop, 167, iii, 81-2, 88. - -Bligh, William, 173, iii, 76, 78, 82, 88. - -Blount, Thomas, Definition of Witchcraft, I, xii-xiii. - -Bocking, Jane, 142. - -Bodin, John, Writer on Demonology, ii, 6, 117. - -Bohun, Edmund, Licencer, I, cii. - -Booth, Elizabeth, iii, 16, 204. - -Boxford, Witchcraft in, iii, 126. - -Boynton, Joseph, ii, 151. - -Bradbury, Mary, condemned, iii, 44. - -Bradford, William, 26. - -Bradley, Samuel, II, xxvii. - -Bradstreet, John, accused, iii, 52; makes his escape, 53. - -Bradstreet, Simon, 26, ii, 85, iii, 52, 145-6; Dudley commits accused, -iii, 52. - -Brattle, Thomas, Letter to, ii, 85-92; William, 108. - -Braybrook, Samuel, iii, 7; accuses Giles Cory, 170. - -Bridges, James, iii, 126. - -Bridgham, Joseph, ii, 151. - -Bridgman, Orlando, Sir, 141. - -Brimstone, horrid Scent of, 121; without a Metaphor, 122; a Flood of, -ii, 4; used in tormenting, ii, 33; scalded with, 47; smelt in Margaret -Rule's Case, 53. - -Brinley, George, I, viii. - -Brown, Hopestill, iii, 221. - -Brown, William, Witness, 182; his Wife sees Susannah Martin vanish, -iii, 99; some Devil bewitches her, _ib._ - -Bunyan, John, I, xxi. - -Burder, George, I, lxxix. - -Burnet, Bishop, 140. - -Burroughs, George, 151; Charges against, 153; childish Accusations -against, 154; alleged Confusion, 155; accused of Murders, 156; Ghosts -of his Wives, 157; his Promises to induce People to become Witches, -158; had the Strength of a Giant, 159; Treatment of his Wives, 160; -puts on Invisibility, 161-2; denies the Existence of Witches, 162; -Executed, 163; his great Strength from the Devil, ii, 9; further -Account of his Execution, iii, 38-9; Confession of one of his Accusers, -43; Indictment, 61; Trial, 63; Brother-in-Law to Mr. Ruck, 72-3; denies -that there are Witches, 74; about his putting on Invisibility, 123; -Cause of his being prosecuted, 210. - -Burrows, [Burroughs] Jeremiah, 84. - -Burton, Robert, I, xxxviii. - -Buxton, John, afflicted, iii, 17. - - -CALEF, Robert, I, xxix, lxxv; his _More Wonders_, &c., lxxvi; a -singular Judgment upon, lxxxvii; little known of him, II, xii; a Sir -John, xiii; his _More Wonders_ burnt, xxi; Will of, xxiii; before -Authority to defend himself, ii, 8; Visit to Margaret Rule, 49; -threatened with Arrest for Slander, 54; proposes an Interview with Mr. -C. Mather, 55; Letter to Mr. C. M., 56-59; prosecuted, 55; explains his -Belief of Witchcraft, 56; on the Power of the Devil, 58; complains of -Mr. M.'s bad Faith, 60; not appeared against at Court, _ib._; another -Letter to C. M., 70-74; the Case of Rule further examined, 72, &c.; -another Letter to C. M., 79-85; his Endeavors to clear the Accused, 78; -expects Enemies, 84; will do his Duty, 85; Letter to Mr. B., 85-92; -Letter to the Ministers, 92-102; charges C. M. with being a Cause of -the Witch Troubles, 92; his Answer, 93; his _More Wonders_ denounced, -96; Letter to S. Willard, 102-105; another to C. M., 113; describes -the Perils to an Opposer of Witchcraft, 122; Letter to the Ministers, -124-34; rebukes the Ministers, 132-3; Letter to Wadsworth, 134-40; -Exposure of C. M.'s bad Logic, 136; Answer to Stuart, 186-198; on -Angels, 187; accused of Blasphemy, 202; another in Answer to Stuart, -207-212; Strictures on I. Mather's Agency, iii, 18 or 19. - -Camerarius, living Library, ii, 6. - -Carlton, William, II, vii. - -Carrier, Martha, Indictment and Trial of, 194, iii, 113-121; horribly -tortures poor People, 115; her Children swear against her, _ib._; -causes Sores, 116; pulls one by his Hair, 117; kills Cattle, 118; -shakes Phebe Chandler, 119; makes Noises in the Air, _ib._; seen at -Witch-meetings, 120; goes through the Air on a Pole, _ib._; at a -diabolical Sacrament, _ib._; a rampant Hag, 121; to be Queen of Hell, -_ib._ - -Carrier, Richard, 197, 199, iii, 117; afflicts one, 118. - -Carrier, Thomas, 194. - -Cary, Mrs., accused, iii, 11; sent to Prison, 20; Barbarity towards, -20-25; escapes to New York, _ib._ - -Cary, Jonathan, [Nathaniel,] iii, 25. - -Cat-rope, described, ii, 7. - -Chamberlain, Edward, I, lxxvi. - -Chandler, Bridget, swears against Mrs. Carrier, iii, 119. - -Chandler, Phebe, 198; shaken by a Witch, iii, 118; her Legs seized on, -119. - -Chandler, Susan, 142. - -Chandler, Thomas, Evidence, iii, 126. - -Chapman, Simon, and Wife, iii, 107. - -Charity, recommended, 28. - -Charles, Second, iii, 143. - -Charlestown, Witchcraft Trials at, iii, 126. - -Charms, by whom practiced, ii, 28. - -Chase, G. W., _History of Haverhill_, iii, 128, 196-7. - -Checkley, Samuel, ii, 151. - -Cheever, Ezekiel, Scribe, iii, 31. - -Chester, Bishop of, I, ix. - -Chips in Wort, defined, iii, 126. - -Choate, Thomas, II, xxvi. - -Christian, Philosopher, I, lxxii-iii. - -Churches, why often struck by Thunder, 68-9; prevent Witchcraft, 130-1. - -Churchill, Sarah, iii, 204. - -Circles.--See WITCH-CIRCLES. - -Clark, Mary, Examination of, iii, 195-7. - -Clark, Samuel, his Story of the Devil's Appearance, 121. - -Clavigero, [Francis Xavier,] 202. - -Cloyce, Peter, protests against Mr. Parris, ii, 143. - -Cloyce, Sarah, iii, 7, 53; Sister Nurse, 11, 13; goes out of Meeting, -14; an excellent Woman, 211. - -Colman, Benjamin, I, xci, xcvi. - -Coman, Richard, 167; swears against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 82. - -Comings.--See CUMMINGS. - -Connecticut, Witchcraft in, iii, 130, 131. - -Cook, Elisha, Judge, ii, 157; Agent to England, iii, 148, 221. - -Cook, John, a Witness, i, 166, iii, 78, 80-1. - -Cooper, Thomas, on Witchcraft, xxxv. - -Corwin, Jonathan, I, vii, 26, iii, 6, 10, 15; examines Giles Cory, 169. - -Corwin, George, Sheriff, iii, 49, 50; buried, 79, 187, 202. - -Cory, Giles, pressed to Death, 209, II, vii, iii, 7, 44-5, 79; his -Examination, 169-173; Site of his Residence, 174. - -Cory, Martha, accused, ii, 7, 9; sent to Prison, 10; sentenced to -Death, iii, 44; executed, 45; Ballad on her and her Husband's Fate, -174-77. - -Cotton, John, I, xxv, lxvi. - -Cox, Mary, Irons for, iii, 20. - -Crosby, [Anthony?] a Doctor, declares Hysterics a Case of Witchcraft, -iii, 100. - -Cullender, Rose, 142. - -Cumbey, Robert, II, xxi. - -Cummings, Josiah, iii, 107. - -Cummings, Isaac, Witness, 192, iii, 105; his Mare dies, 111. - -Curiosities, matchless, 201-210. - -Cushing, John D., II, vii. - - -DAGGET, William, iii, 183. - -Dane, Deliverance, signs a Recantation, iii, 57. - -Dane, Francis, iii, 121; John, his Apology, 135. - -Danforth, Samuel, I, xcvi; Thomas, ii, 109; iii, 15; Judge, 125; -Services, 126; admonishes Mrs. Daston, 128. - -Daniel, Samuel, 26. - -Dastin, Goodwife, iii, 126; cleared, 127; but dies in Prison, 128. - -Davis, Silvanus, 26. - -Dean, John Ward, 13. - -Dee, John, Astrologer, 124. - -Defoe, D., on the Devil, 102. - -Delrio, on Witchcraft, I, xiii, xx. - -Demonology, by King James, I, xx; its Character, xxi, xli-xliii. - -Demons, prestigious ones, iii, 160. - -Denmark, great Discovery of Witches in, 148. - -Desaguliers, J. T., I, lxxvi. - -Devil, I, xi; teaches the Black Art, xii; how he creates Witches, xv; -Nature of his Covenant with, xviii-xix; exists by God's Permission, -xx; the Principal in Witchcraft, but cannot be tried, xxvi; assents -to good Offices, xxxvii; appears personally to Witches, liv; what he -requires of them, lv; coming down in great Wrath, I, 50, 54, 76, 95, -101, 117, 122, 135; owned N. England, 15; an Army of Devils, 17; many -sign his Book, 18; has made a dreadful Knot of Witches, _ib._; his -Juggles feared, 19; bid come out of a Damsel, 20; Speech of, 20-1; -may represent an innocent Person, 21; darting Operations, 24; raises -Storms and Tempests, 25; envies the Prospects of the Country, 26; -made us a troubled Sea, 27; gives us Shakes, _ib._; commissioned by -Witches, 29; tells many Truths, 31; Devil-ridden, 33; always leaves -the Mark of his Covenant, 40; League with, 41; his Existence not -doubted, 55-6; Government among, 57; swarm about us like the Frogs of -Egypt, _ib._; Prince of the Power of the Air, _ib._; Belzebub, 58; -knows every Language, _ib._; Degrees of Devils, 59; horrible Dragon, -60; a Tyger, 61; gets Liberty to make a Descent upon Men, _ib._; -Rendezvous of his Troops, _ib._; his long Journey, 62; a Do-evil, 64; -a Moloch, 65; prevents Discoveries and Inventions, 66; sends Plagues, -and Pestilence, and Wars, 67; a Vulcan, 68; makes a horrible Tempest, -69; uses a hot Iron, 71; his Wrath increases, is Prince of this World, -72; God swears at, 73; his Time almost out, 74; God's Command to, -76; makes Earthquakes, 77; his present Quarters, 79; his World, 80; -incredible Droves of, 81; nibbles at the Heels of Saints, 83; the -World his Country, 85; his Time nearly out, 88-91; his eldest Son, 89; -alarmed at the Settlement of N. England, 94; an Eyesore to, _ib._; an -antagonistic Force, 96; appears as a black Man, 102; his Law Book, 104; -takes on the Likeness of harmless People, 106; permitted by God, 107; -burning and sooty, 109; in God's Chain, 110; baptises, 111; administers -the Sacrament, _ib._; how influenced to come down, 114; the Way to -out-wit him, _ib._; we give Rest to, 115; Sparks of Hell Fire flashing -from every Side of, 115; on a Chimney in Germany, 116; throwing Stones -there, and other Mischief, 117; set on by the Wrath of God, 118; -rattling of his Chains heard, 121; an Asp, 122; infernal Dragon, 124; -flies about as a Bird, 130; Children dedicated to, 131; a Whip for his -Back, 132; forced to fly by a Woman behind the Door, 133; a Prince, a -God, 134; afflicts with Distempers, 148-9; a black Man, 159; described, -171; one in a Meeting-house, 174; performs Baptisms at Newbury Falls, -194; carries some to a Witch-meeting on a Pole, 199; appoints a Queen -of Hell, 200; apishly affects divine Things, 201; his Proceedings among -the Swedes, 216; discovered by the Author, 217; his Power, 218; Dog of -Hell, 219; Serpent upon a Rock, 220; tempts with Friendship, 224; a -speckled Snake when he tempted Eve, 225; shoots cruel Bombs, 227; would -burn all the Bibles, 229; a Throng of in the Author's Meeting-house, -230; he rocks Persons to sleep there, 231; hurried Jesus to the Top of -the Temple, 232; prevents Witches from uttering all the Lord's Prayer, -_ib._; a Nimrod, 233; can attack with Thunder and Lightning; raise -Storms, _ib._; a Goliah; dogs Ministers, bad at quoting Scripture, 234; -quotes it for our Terror, 235; plays the Preacher, 236; consulting -Astrologers is going to the Devil, 238; a Mountebank, 241; to worship -him is Witchcraft, 243; with lengthened Chains, ii, 4; commissioned -by Witches questioned, 7; further discussed, _ib._, 8; his Power to -create Strength? 9; origin of the Belief in such a Character, 11; a -damnable Doctrine, 12; appears to an Indian, 25; prodigious Descent -of, 26; his Size, Complexion and Voice, 29-30; his Power, 41; very -uncertain, 42; "horrendous Operations," 46; got a Scourge for his Back, -47; not commissioned by a Witch, 58; denied, 76; can work Miracles, 74; -his Bounds set, 76; causes Plagues, 79; does not know every Language, -80; his Testimony not to be regarded, 82; the oldest Sinner, 90; -more about his Powers, 94-5; vast Numbers of, _ib._; a Free-willer, -118; commissioned by Contract, 128; only commissioned by God, 130-1; -no Father of Bastards, 196; an independent Power, 201; resembles -an Indian, iii, 70; described, 85; flies over an Apple-tree, 86; -Depredation in a Meeting-house, 89; performs Baptism, 112; his Manner -of Baptising, 113; vanquished by Sir W. Phips, 158; commissioned by -Witches, 162; meets with Astonishment, 209. - -Douglass, William, I, lxix, lxx, iii, 125, 159. - -Downer, Robert, Witness against Mrs. Martin, 180; tormented by her in -the Shape of a Cat, iii, 96. - -Dragon, makes Wars, 67; insinuates Witchcraft, 124; a great Devil, 216; -hard after Ministers, 234; keeping Guard, ii, 79. - -Drake, Nathan, Extracts from, I, xxxiii. - -Dudley, Joseph, iii, 145; presides at the Trial of Glover, 153. - -Dummer, Jeremiah, ii, 151. - -Dunton, John, I, vi, viii, 217, ii, 109. - -Durent, Ann, 142; William, _ib._ - -Dustin, Hannah.--See DASTIN. - - -EAMES, Rebecca, condemned and executed, iii, 45. - -Earl, Robert, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69. - -Earth, recedes from the Sun, 75; filled with firey-flying Serpents, 81. - -Earthquakes, the Work of the Devil, 77, 78; happening all over Europe, -91, 92. - -Easty, Isaac, committed for Witchcraft, iii, 16. - -Easty, Mary, sentenced, iii, 44; her Execution, 46; dies protesting her -Innocence, 46-48; an excellent Woman, 211. - -Elimas, Sorceries of, ii, 171. - -Eliot, Edmund, 181, 182, iii, 97-8. - -Eliot, John I, lxvi. - -Elizabeth, Queen, Witchcraft in her Time, I, xxxix. - -Elliott, Andrew, Apology of, iii, 135. - -Ember-weeks, what they are, ii, 116. - -Enchantments encountered, 9-48. - -Endicott, Zerobbabel, 210. - -English, Mary, committed, iii, 16; escapes, 50, 79; Testimony against, -126-7. - -English, Philip, indicted, iii, 16; escapes from Prison, 50; Account -of, 177; an Episcopalian, 178; dies, 181. - -Ethnics, Gentiles, ii, 119, iii, 164. - -Evelith, Joseph, Apology of, iii, 135. - - -FALKNER, condemned to Death, iii, 45. - -Familiar Spirit, who hath it, iii, 166. - -Farnam, John, iii, 126. - -Farnum, [Varnum?] Ralph, 195. - -Farrare, Thomas, iii, 185. - -Fast, appointed in Reference to Witchcraft, iii, 132. - -Felt, Joseph B., cited, ii, 109, iii, 20, 181. - -Filmer, Robert, Sir, on Witchcraft, I, xvii-xx, xxv. - -Firmin, Giles, 13. - -Fisk, Thomas, Apology of, iii, 36, 135. - -Fisk, William, iii, 135. - -Fletcher, Benjamin, Gov., iii, 25; his Kindness to Fugitives from -Witchcraft Prosecutions, 180. - -Flint, Thomas, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Flood, a great one in the Connecticut, 29. - -Fogg, John S. H., ii, 75. - -Fools, made able Fortune-tellers, iii, 142. - -Foster, Ann, executed, iii, 45; her Confession, 119-20; Remark upon, -208. - -Foster, Ephraim, Evidence in Wardwell's Case, iii, 126. - -Foster, Hannah, confesses being carried on a Pole to a Witch-meeting, -199. - -Foster, Jacob, iii, 107. - -Foster, John, first Printer in Boston, 26. - -Fowler, Joseph, iii, 8. - -Fowler, Samuel P., ii, 6; his Life of Parris, iii, 198. - -Foy, [John?] Captain, 137. - -Franckius, [Peter?] I, lxxvi. - -Franklin, Benjamin, I, lxxvi-vii. - -Freemen, and Non-freemen, iii, 143. - -Fuller, Goodman, is killed by Witchcraft, iii, 64. - -Fuller, [Jacob?] a Doctor, decides a Case of Hysterics to be -Witchcraft, iii, 100. - -Fuller, John, iii, 11. - -Fuller, Thomas, D. D., I, lxxvi-vii, II, 196. - -Fuller, Thomas, iii, 199. - - -GALLOWS-HILL, where reputed Witches were executed, iii, 45. - -Gallows-Tree, iii, 177. - -Gaul, John, on Detection of Witches, 42-4; his Rules observed, 153; -Remarks upon, ii, 12; Calef on, 56, 70, 178, 197; Mather on, iii, 64. - -Gedney, Bartholomew, I, vii, 26; Judge, iii, 26; Conduct at Capt. -Alden's Trial, 28, 30, 172. - -Gee, Joshua, I, xcvi. - -Germany, the Devil on a Chimney there, 116, 117; Witchcraft in, ii, 197. - -Ghosts of murdered People appear, 155, 156-7, 209, iii, 106. - -Gibbs, Barnabas, II, xxv. - -Gidney, Bartholomew.--See GEDNEY. - -Gill, Obadiah, II, xxi; William, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Glanville, Joseph, describes Unbelievers in Witchcraft, I, lxi. - -Glover, _Goody_, executed, iii, 153. - -Goblin, one described, iii, 85-6.--See HOBGOBLIN. - -God, swears in loud Thunders at the Devil, 73; more abandons the World -than formerly, 75; bids the Devil make all miserable, 76; permits the -Devil to come upon us, 107; has the Devil in a Chain, 110; his Wrath -sets on the Devil, 118; would have subdued the Devil if called upon, -120; swears in Wrath, 125; clucks to us, 130; a Dog of Hell barking -at him, 219; the Devil superior to, ii, 9; whether he commissions the -Devil, 70; the Mother of, 82; leaves the Devil at free-will, 118; -commissions the Devil, 130-1. - -Godfrey, John, iii, 52. - -Gold, Sam., at Mrs. Bishop's Trial, iii, 78; at Giles Cory's, 170. - -Good, Sarah, accused of being a Witch, iii, 6, 7; her Child also, 11; -Chains for, 20; executed, 33; Horrors attending, 34, 187. - -Good, William, iii, 7. - -Goodall, Goodwife, iii, 8. - -Goodwin, John, Children bewitched, I, lxxxviii; testifies to a Miracle, -II, xxi; Baxter on the Story, 45; farther Note on, iii, 153. - -Gould, William, II, xxiii. - -Gowans, William, I, xciii. - -Gray, Samuel, swears against Mrs. Bishop, 166, iii, 31. - -Green Lane, iii, 115. - -Green, Mary, imprisoned and escapes, iii, 53. - -Green, Thomas, II, xxv. - -Greenslett, John, iii, 64. - -Greenslett, Thomas, swears against Mr. Burroughs, iii, 64. - -Griggs, Dr., iii, 8, 190, 205-6. - - -HADLEY, Deborah, iii, 107. - -Hale, John, prays at Witch Trials, iii, 10; attends Examinations, 22; -his Wife accused, 48; on Mr. Parris's Conduct, 207. - -Hall, Bishop, on the Devil's Prevalency, 112; on Astrology and Magic, -124. - -Hanvoord, Goodman, iii, 11. - -Happy Family, Origin of, 29. - -Hardy, Thomas, his Snare of Devilism, iii, 102. - -Harris, Benjamin, I, vii, II, 55. - -Harrod, John, iii, 11. - -Hathorne, John, I, vii, 26, iii, 6, 9, 15; Inhumanity of, 23; Examinant -of Giles Cory, 169; of Tituba, 187; of Mary Clark, 195. - -Hathorne, Susanna, iii, 195. - -Haverhill, Witchcraft in, iii, 128, 195, 197. - -Hell, Toyls of, 19; Belial of, 22; Mad Dogs of, 27; Philistines of, 27; -Mastives of, 64; lowest Depths of, 77; hellish Rattlesnakes, 80; wild -Beasts of, 86; Ty-dogs of, 108; Adders of, 118; a little Portraiture -of, 131; a Queen appointed for, 200; the Pilate of, ii, 27; Lions and -Bears of, 43; lively Demonstrations of, 47; Covenant with, 136; great -Officers of, iii, 113. - -Hemmingius, Nicholas, 204. - -Herrick, George, ii, 109; Marshal, iii, 11, 17; testifies against Giles -Cory, 172. - -Herrick, Henry, iii, 135. - -Heyman, Samuel, 26. - -Hiacoomes, a Christian Indian, ii, 23. - -Higginson, John, I, vii, 201, 207; Examiner, iii, 126. - -Hill, John, Capt., ii, 75; at Salem, iii, 27. - -Hill, Zeb., a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Hinckley, Thomas, 26. - -Hoar, Dorcas, condemned, iii, 44; Estate seized, 50. - -Hobs, William, committed, iii, 16. - -Hobbes, Thomas, ii, 201. - -Hobbs, Abigail, condemned and executed, iii, 45. - -Hobbs, Deliverance, Witness against Bishop, 165; committed as a Witch, -iii, 16; tormented, 80. - -Hobgoblin, Witchcraft, iii, 137.--See GOBLIN. - -Holland, Joseph, II, xxii. - -Hollingworth, Richard, iii, 179, 182; William, _ib._ - -Holton, Benjamin, iii, 11; Sarah, Witness against Mrs. Nurse, -_ib._--See HOULTON. - -Hopkins, Matthew, 30. - -Horneck, Anthony, 19, 69, 221. - -Horse-shoes, used by Conjurors, iii, 142. - -Houlton, Joseph, iii, 113, 203.--See HOLTON. - -How, Elizabeth, 188, iii, 33; Indictment of, 104; Trial of, 105-113; -Wife of James, _ib._, 107; baptised by the Devil, 112. - -How, John, 190; Witness against his Sister, iii, 109. - -Howe, John, Mr., iii, 139. - -Howell, James, on Witchcraft, ii, 127. - -Hubbard, Elizabeth, iii, 7, 62; swears against Mrs. Bishop, 75-6; -against Carrier, 114; against Giles Cory, 170; has Fits, 192. - -Hudibras, on A. Ross, ii, 126. - -Hudson, William, sees Margaret Rule go up without Hands, ii, 70. - -Hughes, John, iii, 7. - -Huguenots, Note on the, 70. - -Hunnewell, Richard, Lt., iii, 64. - -Hunt, Ephraim, ii, 151. - -Hutchinson, Benj., Complainant, iii, 26. - -Hutchinson, Elisha, 26. - - -IMPS, Employment of, 112; one sinks a Ship, _ib._; one appears like a -Rat, ii, 35. - -Indians, vast Herds of, 65; Efforts of Powawes against the Settlers, -94-5; one of great Strength, 159; under Conduct of the Devil, 207; -Christian, ii, 23; one tempted by the Devil, 25; Witches among, 75; -Reason for, 117-18; Notions of Religion, 125; Covenant to adore the -Devil, 136; practice Witchcraft, iii, 5; resemble the Devil, 70; in -Witchcraft, 185-95; two at Salem, 204. - -Ingersol, John, 163; Nathaniel, ii, 143, iii, 11; Witness, 15, 17, 199. - -Inventions, hindered by the Devil, 66. - -Invisibility of Witches, 204; Mist of, iii, 160. - - -JACOBS, George, Executed, iii, 38; further noticed, 43, 50, 204. - -Jacobs, Margaret, confesses, iii, 43-4; escapes Death, _ib._ - -Jacobs, Mary, one of the Afflicted, iii, 8. - -Jacobs, Thomas, Evidence against Bibber, iii, 8. - -Jackson, Doctor, iii, 183. - -Jamaica, Earthquake at, 78. - -James First, his Demonology, I, xx; his Royal Nonsense, xxii; his Rules -for detecting Witches, _ib._; followed by Cooper, xxxvii; Effect of -James's Book, xli; describes what Witches can do, lii, liii. - -James Second, 10, 92, iii, 131; Knights Sir William Phips, 137, 143. - -Jennings, David, I, lxvii. - -Jesus, on the Top of the Temple, 232; on the Battlements, 233. - -Jewel, Bishop, [John,] I, xxxix. - -Jewett, Nehemiah, ii, 151. - -John, Indian, iii, 3; bewitched, 15; accuses E. Bishop, 17; his Wife -Tituba, 22. - -Johnson, Eliza, iii, 126. - -Johnson, Samuel, defines Witchcraft, xiv. - -Jolliffe, John, Counsellor, 26. - -Judges, remarkably blind, 107; pitiable, 127; defer to Hale's -Decisions, 141; their Reason departed, 174. - -Jurin, James, I, lxxvi. - -Jurors, some acknowledge their Errors, iii, 134-5. - -Justin, Martyr, ii, 10. - - -KEELING, Judge, a wise Decision of, disregarded, 148. - -Kembal, John, Witness against Martin, 180; she bewitches his Cattle, -iii, 96-7; sees a black Cloud, and runs upon Stumps, _ib._; Puppies -appear to him, 98. - -Keney, Henry, testifies against Mrs. Cory, iii, 7. - -Kersey, John, his Definition of Witchcraft, I, xii. - -Keys, used by Conjurors, iii, 142. - -Keysar, ----, Daughter distracted, iii, 16. - -Kimball.--See KEMBLE. - -King, D. P., owned the Site of Giles Cory's House, iii, 74. - -Knowlton, Joseph, and Wife, iii, 107. - - -LACY, Lawrence, Wife bewitched, iii, 120. - -Lacy, Mary, 199; another, 200; Condemned and Executed, iii, 45; her -Confession, 120. - -Lancashire Witches, 158. - -Lane, Francis, Witness, 193, iii, 105; his Rails bewitched, 112. - -Laplanders, Witchcraft among, 22, 108. - -Lawrence, Robert, of Casco, iii, 64. - -Laws, against Witchcraft, remark on, iii, 125; repealed, _ib._ - -Lawson, Dedot, his History, I, iv, vii, 156, 186; endorses the Story -of the Iron Spindle, 205; defends the Proceedings against Witchcraft, -ii, 154-5; at Salem, iii, 7, 12; on Mr. Burroughs, 39; his Wife and -Children killed, 64; Chaplain to Andros's Expedition, _ib._; more about -the Murder of his Family, 68; on the Devil's Baptism, 113. - -Le Clerc, [Jean,] cited, ii, 212. - -Legion, definition of, 56; of Devils, 218, ii, 95. - -Leverett, John, Gov., ii, 108. - -Lewis, Mary, [Mercy,] iii, 26, 75. - -Lewis, Mercy, iii, 8; sees a Man in White, 13; Witness against Mr. -Burroughs, 62, 64; against Mrs. Bishop, 75; against Philip English, -126; against Giles Cory, 170; Account of, 204; why she accused Mr. -Burroughs, 210. - -Leyton, [Thomas,] Mr., of Lynn, iii, 185. - -Loader, [Louder?] John, Evidence against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 76. - -Locker, George, Constable, iii, 187. - -Lothrop, Barnabas, Counsellor, 26. - -Louder, John, 170; sees the Devil, 171; sees a Black Pig, iii, 85. - -Louis, Fourteenth, 93. - -Lynd, Joseph, Counsellor, 26. - - -MANCHESTER, a Spectre worsted there, 206. - -Maniche, an Arabian God, ii, 125, 128. - -Manning, Jacob, Dep. Marshal, arrests Mr. English, iii, 181. - -Marshall, John, II, xxviii. - -Martin, George, iii, 97. - -Martin, Susanna, Trial of, 175; Execution, iii, 33; Indictment against, -89-103; cast into a very singular Confusion, 100; appears to John -Pressy, 101. - -Martyr, Justin, ii, 10. - -Mary, Queen of William Third, 92; Death of, iii, 131. - -Mascon, the Devil of, 59, 70. - -Mason, Stephen, Counsellor, 26. - -Mather, Cotton, why charged with an undue Share of the Persections, I, -iii, lxxiv, lxxxv; his Faith in Witchcraft, v; his unfortunate Book, -xxxiv; Memoirs of, lxv-xcviii; his Defence, 1-4; further Defence of -the Prosecutions, iii, 59-61; Countermines the Plot of the Devil, i, -3; bedeviled, 80; condemns Astrology, 123-4; Pity for the Judges, -127-8; not present at the Witch Trials, 139; Rejoices at the Justice -of the Work against Witches, 140; Horror at the Name of Mr. Burroughs, -152; believes in the Ability of Witches to put on Invisibility, 162, -204; gives Unbelievers three Bones to pick, 205; some Misgivings about -shedding Blood, 207; Argument against Calef, II, xiii-xviii; Story of -Margaret Rule, ii, 21-36; read many Books of Physic, 34; relieves M. -Rule by three Fasts, 39; pains to rescue the Miserable from Lions and -Bears of Hell, 42; thanked by Venerable Baxter, 43; tries to prevent -excessive Credit of spectral Evidence, 44; his own Estimate of his -Labors, 46-7; Complaints, 48; Letters to, 48-62; threatens Calef, -54; has him arrested, 55; fails to meet him, 60; Whittier on, 61; -Letter to Calef, 62-8; brings heavy Charges against him, 64; People -believe smutty Things of him, 65; Defends his Father, 66; offers Mr. -Calef the Use of his Books, 67; Charges of Hellish Witchcraft, 80; -does not understand the Wiles of the Devil, 83; Thunder breaks into -his House, 86; defines a Witch, 90; a Cause of the Convictions, 92; -his Answer, 93; Denial of Statements made by Calef, 96; does not -distinguish between Miracles and Works of the Devil, 97; Arraigned by -R. C. in Argument, 135-6; Messenger, 151; heavy Charges against Calef, -iii, 32; Acquainted with the Wiles of the Devil, _ib._; Conduct at -Mr. Burroughs's Execution, 38; Defence of the Prosecutions, 59-61; -Omissions, iii, 106, 109, 111; an Advocate, 122; his Account of Trials -as faithful as others, 123; his Life of Phips anonymous, and why, 136; -Defends it, 137-8, 140; strenuous for a Reassumption of the Charter, -146; compares Mr. Calef to Satan, 151; the most Active of any in -prosecuting Witches, 154; his contradictory Statements pointed out, -157-8; his Ambidexterity, 154, 159; his Relatives accused, _ib._; -sincere and credulous, 161. - -Mather, Increase, I, vi, xxx; ii, 12; prays with Margaret Rule, 51; -Proceedings against Mr. Calef, 55; cited, 60; defended by his Son, C., -66; on the Devil, 90, 95; _Remarkable Providences_, 106-7; Messenger, -151; Defence about the Charter, iii, 18; Proctor's Appeal to, 40; Cases -of Conscience, 58; Angelographia, 131; his Acts retold by his Son, 136, -141; his Ideas undergo a Change, 142; troubled by Fobb-actions, appears -to King James, 145; his Reason for accepting a new Charter, 149; the -bewitched _Eye_, 160; Moderater of Mr. Parris's Council, 216. - -Mather, Nathaniel, iii, 139. - -Mather, Samuel, Life of his Father, I, lxvii; Funeral Sermon on, xcvii. - -Mead, Matthew, Mr., iii, 139. - -Meeting House, the Devil in one, iii, 89. - -Memorable Providences, approved by Baxter, 10; a Work by I. Mather, ii, -12, 106-7. - -Merlin, Ambrose, ii, 196. - -Mexico, Indians of, 201-2. - -Middlecot, Richard, 26, ii, 151. - -Millenium, near at Hand, 90-1. - -Milton, John, I, xi. - -Ministers, why dogged more by the Devil than others, 234; Stars of -Heaven, in danger of the Dragon's Tail, _ib._ - -Miracles, one witnessed, ii, 74; wrought by Men, 128. - -Mist of Invisibility, iii, 160. - -Moody, Joshua, iii, 40; aids Philip English to escape from Jail, -179-180. - -_More Wonders_, a vile Book, 96. - -Morgan, Samuel, Searcher for Witch teats, iii, 39. - -Mormons, reference to, ii, 81. - -Morton, Charles, ii, 108. - - -NAZIANZEN, the Author like a, 28. - -Newbury-Falls, Baptisms there by the Devil, 194, iii, 112, 197. - -New England, Loyalty and Religion in, 10; no Land so free from Vices, -12; once the Devil's Territory, 15, 120; broken in upon by an Army of -Devils, 17; a Scandal feared from Witchcraft, 19; Province of, 20; -stocked with Rattle-snakes, 25; little Hope of, from the Wrath of the -Devil, 93-4; a howling Wilderness, 94; its Losses by Indians and by -Sea, 95; Decline of Godliness in, 96; poor N. England, 109; People in -the Belly of Hell, 110; pleases the Devil, 122; no People so basely -despise the Gospel, 125; hast destroyed thyself, ii, 6; a Charter -obtained, iii, 142; why Quo Warrantoed, 143; worse circumstanced than -any Corporation in England, _ib._; Revolution in, 144-153; Prodigies -in, not a tenth Part related, 161. - -Necromancy, who are guilty of it, iii, 166. - -Noyes, Nicholas, I, vii, iii, 7, 9; at Alden's Trial, 28; Conduct at -Executions, 34; his Firebrands of Hell, 48; at the Examination of Mary -Clark, 196. - -Nurse, Francis, iii, 7, 198. - -Nurse, Rebecca, iii, 7, 10; Sister Cloyce, 13; executed, 33; her -Explanation, 36, 37; Sister Easty, 46; why accused, 210. - -Nurse, Samuel, ii, 143, 159, 211. - - -OAKES, Thomas, Agent to England, iii, 148. - -Ogilvie, John, Definition of Witchcraft, I, xiv-xvi. - -Old South Church, Boston, iii, 133; Ministers of, in Witchcraft Times, -177. - -Oliver, alias Bishop.--See BISHOP, BRIDGET. - -Orton, Job, on W. Perkins, 38. - -Osborn, Sarah, accused, iii, 6, 7; Iron Chains prepared for, 20; -accused by Tituba, 188. - -Osgood, Mary, Recantation of, iii, 57. - - -PACY, Deborah, afflicted, 142. - -Pacy, Elizabeth, afflicted, 142. - -Paganism, Popery, 52. - -Palmer, John, his Book on N. England, iii, 144. - -Paracelsus, [Auroleus,] I, xxxviii, 68. - -Parker, Alice, a Witch, 208; Sentence to die, iii, 44. - -Parker, Mary, condemned and executed, iii, 45. - -Parris, Elizabeth, iii, 8, 209. - -Parris, Noyes, iii, 221. - -Parris, Samuel, Protest against, ii, 141-3; long and humble -Acknowledgment, 143-8; Ministers and Elders of the Churches recommend -his Acknowledgment be accepted, 149-51; further Protest against, 152-3; -the Elders' Plea for, 155-6; accused of swearing falsely, 158; his -Account of the Beginning of the Troubles, iii, 3-4; swears against -Rebecca Nurse, 11; preaches, 14; appointed Scribe at the Examinations, -15; Examinations at his House, 22; swears against Mrs. Bishop, 75; -Scribe at How's Trial, 105; at other Times, 127; at Cory's Examination, -173; Account of, 198-222; Family of, 203-4, 209; not an Enemy to Mr. -Burroughs, 210; not a swift Witness, _ib._; how his Name comes to be -frequent in the Trials, 211; cleared by a Council, 217; but dismissed, -218; Epitaph on his Wife, 221; his Death, _ib._ - -Parris, Samuel, Deacon, iii, 221. - -Parris, Thomas, iii, 198, 222. - -Payne, Robert, Juror, iii, 127, 185. - -Payson, Edward, ii, 151; pleads for Mrs. How, iii, 106. - -Peabody, John, Apology of, iii, 135. - -Peach, Bernard, a Witness against Mrs. Martin, 178-9; bites a Witch, -iii, 94, 95. - -Peasley, Joseph, Constable, iii, 196. - -Pemberton, Ebenezer, ii, 15. - -Pennington, Thomas, I, ix. - -Perd, Margaret, ii, 50, 51; smells Brimstone, 53. - -Perkins, Thomas, Apology of, iii, 135. - -Perkins, William, defines Witchcraft, I, xiii; his Rules questioned, -xxxiii; Notice of, 37; his Doctrine of Witchcraft, ii, 12; Mr. Calef -on, 56, iii, 165. - -Perley, John, 193-4; Fence Rails bewitched by, iii, 111; Apology of, -135; Samuel and Wife, 105, 106. - -Perley, Timothy, Witness, 192. - -Pharaoh, Old, accused of Witchcraft, iii, 126-7. - -Philistines of Hell, 27. - -Phillips, Edward, I, xi; John, 26; Samuel, ii, 151; Evidence for Mrs. -How, iii, 106. - -Phips, William, arrives, 25, iii, 18; orders Irons for the Accused, -20; orders the Trials for Witchcraft published, 58; called Home, 130; -how became Governor, 137; finished his Life and Government together, -_ib._; a Pizarro, 138; harsh Temper, 141; had his Fortune told, 154; -vanquishes the Devil, 158; his Relatives accused, 159. - -Pike, Robert, 26, iii, 103. - -Pithagoras, Doctrine of, ii, 118. - -Pitman, Thomas, 206. - -Pizarro, Sir W. Phips compared to, iii, 138. - -Plagues, caused by the Devil, ii, 79. - -Plastic Spirit of Witches, 204, ii, 88; a Nonentity hooked in, 90; -Mischief to the Devil, 96. - -Plynyism, what it is, 204. - -Pope, Joseph, and Wife, iii, 8, 203. - -Popery, revived Paganism, 52. - -Poppets, used by Spectres, ii, 40, iii, 82; some found and described, -88; Remark upon, 124. - -Porter, Benjamin, iii, 11. - -Post, Mary, Evidence against Mary Clark, iii, 197. - -Prayers, the great Artillery of Heaven, 132; a Whip for the Devil's -Back, _ib._ - -Prescot, Peter, Dr., 196, iii, 116. - -Pressy, John, Witness against Martin, 184; sees a great Light, iii, -100; his Heels are struck up, 101; Loss of Cows, _ib._ - -Preston, Samuel, 198; his Cow bewitched, iii, 118. - -Preston, Thomas, iii, 203. - -Prince, Thomas, I, xc, xci, xcv. - -Printing, not sooner discovered owing to the Devil, 66. - -Procter, Elizabeth, iii, 7; John, _ib._; Mrs., cried out on, 15; John, -executed, 38; Barbarity to his Family, 40; his Letter to Ministers, -40-2; his Course to prevent Witchcraft, 204. - -Procter, William, made to confess by Torture, iii, 41. - -Prodigies, in N. England, not a tenth Part related, iii, 161. - -Pudeater, Ann, sentenced to be executed, iii, 44. - -Pulsifer, David, 13, II, vii, III, 169. - -Putnam, Ann, iii, 7, 8, 9; Witness against Mrs. Nurse, 11; against Mr. -Burroughs, 39, 62, 63; against Mrs. Bishop, 75; against Giles Cory, -170; against Mary Clark, 197; why she became an Accuser, 210. - -Putnam, Edward, ii, 143, iii, 7. - -Putnam, John, Witness against Mrs. Nurse, iii, 11; Mrs. Dastin, 128; of -Parris's Society, 198. - -Putnam, Joseph, ii, 159. - -Putnam, Thomas, iii, 7; swears against Mrs. Nurse, 11; Mrs. Bishop, 75; -Mrs. Daston, 128. - - -QUINCY, Josiah, on "Certain Proposals," ii, 106; one-sided and -dogmatical, iii, 19; on I. Mather's Diary, 136. - - -RAVEN, Story of one speaking, 33. - -Rawson, Edward, iii, 16, 52, 197. - -Rea, Joshua, iii, 198. - -Redd, Willmet, condemned to die, iii, 45. - -Reed, Richard, iii, 184. - -Rice, Nicholas, iii, 29. - -Rice, Sarah, sent to Prison, iii, 29. - -Richards, John, 26, iii, 30; Judge, 125, 128. - -Ring, Jervis, 185; suffers from Nightmare, iii, 103. - -Ring, Joseph, 186; carried about by Demons, iii, 102; in a Snare of -Devilism, _ib._; hurried through the Air, _ib._; taken to Hellish -Meetings, 102-3. - -Ring, Robert, an Error, 186. - -Robie, William, II, xxi. - -Robinson, George, II, xxvii. - -Roggers, John, Witnesses against Martha Carrier, 197; of Billerica, -iii, 118; killed by Indians, _ib._ - -Ross, Alexander, Hudibras on, ii, 126. - -Ruck, John, Foreman of Jury, 161, iii, 35, 72-3. - -Russell, James, 26, iii, 15. - -Rule, Margaret, Story of, ii, 21; seized by evil Angels, 26; fell into -odd Fits, 28; assaulted by eight cruel Spectres, _ib._; bring her a -red Book to sign, 29; her Tortures described, 30; fasts nine Days, 31; -stuck full of Pins, 32; Liquor poured down her Throat "as of scalding -Brimstone," 33; her Hurts soon cured, 34; taken up to the Ceiling and -held there, 35; her Minister interferes, 38; gets the better of the -Devil, 40; visited by Mr. Calef, 49; his Report of her Case, 49-54; a -Sweetheart in it, 51-2; Aves's Testimony concerning, 68; others, 69-70. - -Rum, used in a Case of Witchcraft, ii, 51. - - -SABBATH, begins at Sunset, Saturday, 223. - -Sadducees, unbelievers in Witchcraft, 32; Baxter on, ii, 45; -Mischievous, 46; Witlings, 60, 61; Atheists, 108; Infidels, iii, 162, -163. - -Safford, Joseph, Witness, 189, iii, 105, 108-9. - -Salem Village, Church Difficulties, ii, 140-3. - -Saltonstall, Nathaniel, 26, ii, 109, iii, 30. - -Sanderson, Robert, Deacon, iii, 207. - -Sargent, Peter, 26. - -Satan.--See DEVIL. - -Sayer, Samuel, Apology of, iii, 135. - -Scotland, Witchcraft in, ii, 7, 197. - -Scott, Margaret, condemned to Death, iii, 44. - -Scott, Reginald, writes against Witchcraft, I, xxxix; Extracts from, -xlv-vii; has taken great Pains, lix. - -Scottow, Joshua, iii, 64. - -Scribonius, Note upon, 1. - -Sergeant, Mr. [Peter,] iii, 31. - -Sewall, Samuel, 26, 209; subscribes to the Truth and Accuracy of -Mather's _Wonders_, 211, iii, 59; Judge, II, xxiv, 157, iii, 15, 31; -Appointment of Judge, 125; Services, 126, 128; in Sorrow for the Part -he took those accused of Witchcraft, 133; a Referee in Mr. Parris's -Case, 221. - -Sewall, Stephen, Captain, iii, 209. - -Sharp, [James,] D. D., iii, 151. - -Shattock, Samuel, 168; swore against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 76; Wife Sarah, -also, _ib._, 83-4; Remarks on his Evidence, 123. - -Sheldon, Susanna, 200; swears against Mr. Burroughs, iii, 66-7; against -Mrs. Bishop, 78; against Mrs. Carrier, 120; against Mary Clark, 196; -Account of, 204. - -Shepard, John, iii, 53; Rev. Mr., 185. - -Sheppard, Rebekah, iii, 11. - -Sherrin, John, iii, 105. - -Sherringham, Robert, 150. - -Sherwin, _Goodwife_, 191. - -Short, Mercy, ii, 27, 37, 51. - -Sibley, John L., I, viii; Mary, iii, 3, 206. - -Sieves, used to conjure with, iii, 142. - -Sikes, Victory, Corporal, iii, 219. - -Simpkins, Thomas, II, xxv. - -Slavery, a Divine Institution, xvi; Effect of its Denunciation, 12-13. - -Smith, James, II, xxiii, III, 203. - -Snow, falls as Wool, I, lxxiii; some red, lxxiv. - -Soam, John, his Cart bewitched, 149. - -Sobieski, John, King, 91. - -_Some Few Remarks_, an Answer to Calef, II, xxi. - -Sorceries, 122, 123; little ones, iii, 142; how known, 165. - -Sow, one bewitched, iii, 109. - -Spectacles invented, 66. - -Spectral Sight, Pretenders to, iii, 166. - -Spectres, how allayed, 30, 31, 35, 103-4; take the Name and Shape of -Accused, 106; call upon People before Death, 109; pranks with an Iron -Spindle, 205; severe Scuffle with one, 206; "Eight Cruel ones" assault -Margaret Rule, ii, 28; "Cursed ones" bring a Book to sign, 29; Threats -of, 34; they steal a Will, _ib._; heard to clap their Hands, 35; -Caution about, 44; one cruelly assaults a Person, [Margaret Rule,] iii, -160. - -Spencer, Edmund, a Witch described by. I, xlix. - -Spencer, Richard, Witness, 150. - -Spindle, Story of one, 205, iii, 160. - -Spirits, white ones, ii, 37; one appears to Margaret Rule, 39. - -Sprague, Martha, bewitched, iii, 126. - -Stacy, William, 172, iii, 86-7, 76. - -Star, Margaret, II, xxv. - -Stephens, Lieutenant, iii, 53; Sister of, 54. - -Stoughton, William, commends the _Wonders_, &c., 5-6; of unspotted -Fidelity, 26; declares Mather's Wonders true, 211; commissions Judges, -iii, 30; attests to the Truth of Mather's _Wonders_, 59; signs the -Death Warrant of Mrs. Bishop, 80; his Appointment, 125; Services, 126. - -Stuart, one, Letter in Defence of Witchcraft, ii, 160-186; another, -198-207; on Blasphemy, 202. - -Swan, Timothy, afflicted, iii, 196. - -Swedeland, Witchcraft in, 108, 211. - -Swinnerten, John, II, xxv. - -Sydney, Henry, Lord, iii, 149. - -Symons, Edward, 9. - - -TALBOT, Lord, causes the Repeal of Witchcraft Laws, iii, 125. - -Tarbell, John, ii, 143, 159, iii, 199, 211, 215. - -Taylor, Zachary, A. M., I, ix. - -Teats, on Witches, ii, 57.--See WITCHTEATS. - -Thacher, Peter, I, xcvii. - -Thompson, Agnes, Confession of, I, xli-ii. - -Thornton, Thomas, testifies to the Performances of Margaret Rule, ii, -69-70. - -Thyaneus, Appolonius, ii, 70. - -Tillotson, Archbishop, 56; aids Dr. Mather, iii, 149. - -Tituba, practices Witchcraft, iii, 6; Note on her Examination, 22; -Examination in full, 178-95; a South American Indian, 200. - -Tockinosh, John, ii, 23. - -Tompson, Benjamin, I, xcv. - -Toothaker, Allin, 196; Family of, 197; abused by a Witch, iii, 117. - -Torry, Samuel, ii, 151; William, _ib._ - -Transubstantiation, as old as the Devil, ii, 200-1. - -Trask, John, his Wife killed by Witchcraft, iii, 79. - -Trithemius, Fancies of, iii, 164. - -Tupper, Samuel, ii, 26; Thomas, _ib._ - -Tyler, Hannah, Recantation of, iii, 57. - -Tyler, Jobe, Deposition concerning Witchcraft, iii, 52. - -Tyler, John, II, xxiv. - -Tyler, Mary, signs a Recantation, iii, 57, 197. - -Tyng, Eleazer, II, xxvii. - - -USHER, Hezekiah, accused, iii, 196. - - -VAN Helmont, Jean, Baptist, ii, 41. - -Varnum, [Farnum,] Ralph, 195. - -Vibber.--See BIBBER. - -Virgin Mary, Mother of God, ii, 82. - -Vitzlipultzli, an Indian Idol, 201. - - -WADSWORTH, Benjamin, Letter to, ii, 134, 135; Timothy, xxi. - -Walcutt, John, Witness, iii, 113. - -Walcutt, Jonathan, iii, 15; Mary, ii, 158, iii, 8, 26, 62, 170, 195, -205. - -Waldron, Abigail, iii, 79. - -Waldron, Nathaniel, iii, 79. - -Waldron, William, I, xcvii. - -Waller, Edmund, I, lxxxi. - -Walley, John, i, 26, ii, 151. - -Walter, Nehemiah, ii, 108. - -Ward, Nathaniel, i, 13. - -Wardwell, Samuel, condemned, iii, 45; Scene at his Execution, 46, 57; -his Wife executed, 125; he covenants with the Devil, 126. - -Warner, Daniel, testifies in Favor of Mrs. How, iii, 107. - -Warren, Mercy, an Accuser, iii, 16, 26, 62, 204. - -Watkins, Mary, had been a Servant, iii, 128; sold into Slavery, 129. - -Watts, Isaac, I, lxvii, lxxvi. - -Way, Aaron, ii, 143; William, _ib._ - -Webber, Samuel, swears in Mr. Burroughs's Case, ii, 9, iii, 63. - -Webster, Noah, Definition of Witchcraft, I, xiv. - -Welch, Edward, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Wendell, Edward, II, xxvii. - -Wentworth, Samuel, II, xxiv. - -West, Abigail, II, xxv. - -West, Thomas, Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39. - -Wheeler, Thomas, II, xxiii. - -Whetford, ----, 208. - -Whiston, William, I, lxxvi. - -Whittier, J. G., on C. Mather, ii, 61, 160, iii, 163, 167, 174. - -Wigglesworth, M., his Day of Doom, ii, 4. - -Wild, John, iii, 16; his Wife Sarah, _ib._; executed, iii, 33. - -Wild, ----, Captain, i, 137. - -Wilds, Ephraim, Constable, iii, 105. - -Wilkins, John, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69. - -Wilkins, Richard, ii, 55, 56. - -Wilkins, Thomas, ii, 143, iii, 216. - -Willard, John, executed, iii, 38, 39; Escape and Capture, 40. - -Willard, Samuel, Letter to, ii, 102, 151; cried out of, iii, 37; appeal -to by Procter, 40; his Agency in the Escape of Mr. English, 177-8. - -Willard, Simon, testifies in Mr. Burroughs's Case, iii, 64. - -William and Mary, I, lxxxiv, 25; Death of Mary, iii, 131. - -Williams, Abigail, ii, 156, 158, iii, 7, 8, 9; at the Devil's -Sacrament, 13; cries out on Capt. Alden, 26; of Mrs. Bishop, 75; -Mr. Cory, 170, 179; Account of, 204; one of the Originators of the -Witchcraft Delusion, 209. - -Williams, Daniel, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69. - -Williams, Nathaniel, a Committee on Salem Affairs, ii, 151. - -Williams, Thomas, opposes Mr. Parris, iii, 212. - -Wilson, John, of Boston, 7. - -Wilson, Sarah, accused, iii, 57. - -Winchell, David, Sergent, iii, 219. - -Winsor, Hannah, iii, 26. - -Winthrop, Adam, Counsellor, 26. - -Winthrop, Wait, 26, ii, 157, iii, 30; Judge, 125, 221. - -Witchcraft, Cause of its Decline, I, iv; Works upon, v-x; Definitions -of, xi-xvi; taught in the Bible, xvi; how People's Eyes were opened, -xvii; how carried on, xxii; Practiced through Images or Pictures, -_ib._; Laws respecting, xxiv-v; the Bible upon, xvi, xxvii; Ideas -respecting, xxviii; opposed only by Infidels, xxix; Origin of, xxxi; -the Question which stayed its Progress, xxxii; Works upon, xxxiv-viii; -Law against, xxxix, xliii; not Spiritualism, lx; at the present Day, -lxxv; came near blowing up all the Churches, 17; Storms of, 20; thorny -Business, 29; will not be shammed, 34; disposed of, 42; in Lapland, -68-9; flourishes where are no Churches, 130-1; to worship the Devil, -243; a Relict of Heathen Learning, ii, 11; a principal ecclesiastical -Engine, 12; further defined, 56-7; how Prosecutions were eventually -checked, 110-11; sensible and evident, 105; Laws made against, iii, -124; repealed in England, 125; a Hobgoblin Monster, 137. - -Witchteats, for the Devil to suck, ii, 57, 100; a horrid Barbarity to -search for, 132; Excrescences, iii, 124. - -Witches, how made, I, xv; Nature of their Covenant with the Devil, -xxiii; the Devil a Slave to, xix; exist by God's Permission, xx; how to -detect, xxiii; vast Numbers executed, xv, xxvii; Punishment impossible, -xxxi; good Witches, xxxvii; one described by Spencer, xlix; different -Kinds, l, lii; how they contract with the Devil, liv-v; Manner of -living, lvi-viii; the Devil has made a dreadful Knot of, 18; prodigious -Meetings of, 19; commission the Devil, 29; Way of discovering, 37; -Confessions and Practices, 103; fairly executed, 107; Executions of, -in Suffolk and Essex, 112; thorny Business, 114; firey Serpents, 124; -in Denmark, 148; Witches impeach Witches, 157; Symptoms of Guilt, 162; -Conduct after the Manner of Congregational Churches, 202-3; by applying -the _Plastic Spirit_, render themselves and Tools invisible, 204; Cause -of Suicides, 207; nineteen executed, 217; can't say the Lord's Prayer, -232; their Power to commission Devils Questioned, ii, 7; Scriptures -do not describe it, _ib._, 8; commission Devils? 76; drive a Trade of -commissioning, 80-1; let fly Demons, 81; turn into Cats, Dogs, and -Cattle, 127; a Witch not known to Reason, 138; can commission Devils, -139; of Lancashire, reference to, iii, 69; steal Liquor, 110; some goe -on a Pole to a Witch-meeting, 120. - -Witch-Circles, held by young Girls, iii, 208; Origin of the Salem -Troubles, _ib._, 209-10. - -Witch-Hill, where the Execution of those accused of Witchcraft were -executed, iii, 45. - -Wizard, a Witch, I, xii, xxxviii; reveals the Witch by the Devil's -Help, 40; the Soul that goeth a whoring after, ii, 154. - -Wood, Martha, Witness, 192, iii, 110. - -Woodbury, Abigail, iii, 79. - -Woodward, John, I, lxxvi. - -Woodward, W. E., I, viii, x-xvi. - -Wolcott.--See WALCUTT. - -Wool, Pall of, as Snow, I, lxxiii. - -Wyllys, Edward, II, xii. - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -Variable spelling and hypheation have been retained. Minor punctuation -inconsistencies have been silently repaired. Footnotes were placed at -the end of each section. Footnote number 25 is missing in the original. -Misnumbered footnote on page 170 was corrected. The Index was -copied from the third volume. - - -Corrections. - -The first line indicates the original, the second the correction. - -p. ix: - - at Witch Trials i England. - at Witch Trials in England. - -p. liii: - - of the one and rhe other, - of the one and the other, - -p. lxxxviii: - - An Accouut of the Case of the Goodwin - An Account of the Case of the Goodwin - -Footnote 41: - - dying in 1701, at the the Age of 70 - dying in 1701, at the Age of 70 - -Footnote 45: - - till the Reign of his present Majesty, Jame II, - till the Reign of his present Majesty, James II, - -Footnote 98: - - This is the Editor's _Corollorary_. - This is the Editor's _Corollary_. - - -Errata. - -The first line indicates the original, the second how it should read. - -p. 31: - - but humbly recommend unto unto the Government - but humbly recommend unto the Government - -p. 61: - - preferr'd unto, might be the occcasion of his - preferr'd unto, might be the occasion of his - -p. 175: - - what passed at he first Examination - what passed at the first Examination - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Witchcraft Delusion in New -England: Its Rise, Progress, a, by Cotton Mather and Robert Calef - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITCHCRAFT *** - -***** This file should be named 50204-0.txt or 50204-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/0/50204/ - -Produced by Dianna Adair, Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Eleni -Christofaki and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of -public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital -Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Drake. - </title> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/i_title.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body {margin: auto 20%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both;} -.break {page-break-before: avoid;} -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em;} -.chapter {page-break-before: always;} - -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} - -.hang {text-indent: -1em; margin-left: 1em;} -.xhang {text-indent: -2em; margin-left: 2em;} -.dropcap:first-letter {font-size: 2.5em; line-height: 80%; padding: 0em; -text-indent: 0em; margin: 0 0.2em 0 0; float: left;} - -.dropcapa {font-size: 2.5em; line-height: 80%; padding: 0em; -text-indent: 0em; margin: 0 0.2em 0 0; display: inline-block; } - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 4em; visibility: hidden; -page-break-before: always;} -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-top: 6em; margin-bottom: 6em; visibility: hidden;} -hr.small {width: 30%; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; margin-top: 0.5em; -margin-bottom: 0.5em; visibility: visible;} - -ul { list-style-type: none; text-indent: 0.5em; } - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ -/* visibility: hidden; */ /* define the position */ -position: absolute; right: 3%; margin-right: 0em; -text-align: right; /* remove any special formating that could be inherited */ -font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; -letter-spacing: 0em; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0em; -font-size: x-small; /* never wrap this */ white-space: nowrap;} -.pagenum span { /* do not show text that is meant for non-css version*/ -visibility: hidden;} -.pagenum a {display: inline-block; color: #808080; -padding: 1px 4px 1px 4px;} - -.hidev {visibility: hidden;} - -.center {text-align: center;} -.bb {border-bottom: solid 1px;} -.bt {border-top: solid 1px;} -.bbox {border: double;} -.right {text-align: right;} -.in4 {text-indent: 4em; text-align: center;} -.in6 {text-indent: 6em; text-align: center;} -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} -.xlarge {font-size: 300%;} -.u {text-decoration: underline;} -.antiqua {font-family: sans-serif; font-weight: bold;} -.err {border-bottom: thin dotted red;} -.errauthor {border-bottom: thin dotted black;} -.gesperrt { - letter-spacing: 0.2em; - margin-right: -0.2em;} - -em.gesperrt -{ font-style: normal; } - -.figcenter {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; -margin-right: auto; clear: both; max-width: 100%; /* div no wider than -screen, even when screen is narrow */ text-align: center;} - -img {max-width: 100%; border: none} -.figleft {float: left; - clear: left; - text-align: center; - padding: 2px; - margin: 0 4px 0 0; /* right margin to keep out from body */} - -.footnotes {border: none;} -.footnote {margin: 1em 4em; font-size: 1em;} -.footnote .label {position: relative; bottom: 0.4em; - vertical-align: baseline; font-size: 80%; text-decoration: none;} -.fnanchor {vertical-align: super; bottom: 0.4em; - font-size: 80%; white-space: nowrap;} - -.poem {display: inline-block; margin: auto; - line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left;} -.poem .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} -.poem .i0 {padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} -.poem .i2 { padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -2em;} -.poem .i4 { padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -1em;} - -.poem .i6 {padding-left: 3em; text-indent: 0em;} -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; - color: black; font-size: .9em; padding: 0.5em; - margin-bottom: 5em; font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - -@media handheld -{ - -body {margin-left: 2%; margin-right: 2%; margin-top: 1%; margin-bottom: 1%;} -p { margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; -text-align: justify; text-indent: 2em; } -.pagenum {display: none;} - -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its -Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol 1 of , by Cotton Mather and Robert Calef - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol 1 of 3) - -Author: Cotton Mather - Robert Calef - -Editor: Samuel G. Drake - -Release Date: October 13, 2015 [EBook #50204] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITCHCRAFT *** - - - - -Produced by Dianna Adair, Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Eleni -Christofaki and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of -public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital -Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="transnote"> -<h3>Transcriber's Note.</h3> - -<p>A <a href="#Transcribers_Note">list</a> of the changes made can be found at the end of the book.</p> -</div> -<hr class="full" /> -<h1>The -Witchcraft Delusion - -In -New England</h1> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_title.jpg" width="500" height="774" alt="coverpage" /> -</div> - - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"><span class="antiqua">Woodward's <br /> - - Historical Series.</span></p> - -<p class="center">No. V.</p></div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -THE<br /> -<span class="antiqua"><big>Witchcraft Delusion</big></span><br /> - -<small>IN</small><br /> -NEW ENGLAND:<br /> -<br /> -<small>ITS</small><br /> -<span class="smcap"> -Rise, Progress, and Termination,</span><br /> -<small>AS EXHIBITED BY</small><br /> -Dr. COTTON MATHER,<br /> -<br /> -<small>IN</small><br /> -<i>THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD;</i><br /> -<br /> -<small>AND BY</small><br /> -Mr. ROBERT CALEF,<br /> -<br /> -<small>IN HIS</small><br /> -<i>MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD</i>.<br /> -<br /> -<small>WITH A</small><br /> -<span class="antiqua">Preface, Introduction, and Notes</span>,<br /> -<span class="smcap">By SAMUEL G. DRAKE</span>.<br /> -<br /> -IN THREE VOLUMES.<br /> -<br /> -VOL. I.<br /> -<br /> -<i>The Wonders of the Invisible World.</i></p> -<hr class="small" /> - -<p class="center"> -PRINTED FOR W. ELLIOT WOODWARD,<br /> -ROXBURY, MASS.<br /> -MDCCCLXVI.<br /> -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -No. 103</p> -<p class="center p2"> -Entered according to Act of Congress in the Year 1865,<br /> -By SAMUEL G. DRAKE,<br /> -in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States<br /> -for the District of Massachusetts.</p> -<p class="center p4"> -<span class="smcap">Edition in this size 280 Copies.</span></p> -<p class="center p4"> -<span class="smcap">Munsell, Printer.</span> -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -TO<br /><br /> -MY MORE THAN BROTHER,<br /> -<br /> -<em class="gesperrt"><big>HARLOW ROYS</big></em>,<br /> -<br /> -WHO AT ALL TIMES<br /><br /> -ALIKE IN PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY<br /><br /> -HAS STOOD MY FRIEND,<br /><br /> -WHO WHEN MY STEPS SEEMED RAPIDLY<br /><br /> -DESCENDING INTO THE "DARK VALLEY"<br /><br /> -AND<br /><br /> -"THE RIVER" WITH THE "BOATMAN PALE"<br /><br /> -WERE CLOSE BEFORE ME,<br /><br /> -CHEERED ME BY HIS PRESENCE<br /><br /> -AND HELD ME BACK BY THE GRASP OF HIS STRONG HAND,<br /><br /> -WARM WITH LIFE AND LOVE,<br /><br /> -IN TOKEN OF AN AFFECTION WHICH<br /><br /> -STRONG AT FIRST,<br /><br /> -AS YEARS PASS AND WE GROW OLDER<br /><br /> -GROWS MORE INTENSE,<br /><br /> -I DEDICATE THESE VOLUMES.</p> - <p class="right"> -W. -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter" > -<img src="images/i_f003a.jpg" width="500" height="110" alt="decoration" /> -</div> -<h2 class="break"> - -PREFATORY.</h2> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">iii</a></span> -<img src="images/i_f003t.jpg" width="100" height="107" alt="T" class="figleft" /> -HE Object in giving to the -Public this new Edition of -the <i>Wonders of the Invisible -World</i>, is mainly to preserve an -accurate Reprint of that <i>wonderful</i> -Book. At the same Time it is intended -to show that its Author has unjustly -been singled out and held up to everlasting -Scorn, as though he had been the -Instigator of the whole Mischief; that -from his high Standing socially he was -more prominent than any other Man, and -that this occasioned his being especially -held responsible is clearly true. His ready -Pen also largely contributed to place him -in the front Rank of those whom that -woeful Delusion led captive; he having -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">iv</a></span> -written more largely upon the Subject -than any other.</p> - -<p>The first Edition of the <i>Wonders of the -Invisible World</i> was published in Boston -early in the Year 1693, at which Time -<i>Witches</i> had begun to grow scarce; in -other Words, Prosecutions had nearly -ceased, and People were seriously looking -about themselves, and anxiously inquiring -what they had been about? The -serious Inquirers were those (though few -in Number) who had from the Beginning -had Doubts as to the Reality of -Witchcraft. When this Class began to -reason, their Strength began to concentrate, -and in due Time it put an End to -the Horrors which had so strongly tended -to the Ruin of the whole Community. -Until this Reaction was brought about, -no Person was for a Moment safe. Notwithstanding -this frightful State of Things -was thus brought to a Stand, a large -Portion of the People retained all their -Faith in the Reality of Witchcraft, and -many of them exclaimed in Despair, that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">v</a></span> -"the Kingdom of Satan had prevailed," -and that they were a "God-forsaken -People." In this latter Class was the -Author of the <i>Wonders of the Invisible -World</i>. He never wavered in his Faith -to the very End, because his Conviction -that he had espoused the Truth was -stronger than any Argument which could -be brought against it. Some others of the -Ministers, and one or two of the Judges -were equally sanguine in their own -Righteousness. And yet we find the -following cautious Piece of Advice given -by "several Ministers to his Excellency -and the Honourable Council":—"We -judge that in the Prosecution of these, -and all such Witchcrafts, there is Need of -a very critical and exquisite Caution, lest -by too much Credulity for Things received -only upon the Devil's Authority, -there be a Door opened for a long Train -of miserable Consequences, and Satan get -an Advantage over us, for we should not -be ignorant of his Devices." For all this -it is not easy to discover the Practice of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">vi</a></span> -any of that "exquisite Caution" in the -Proceedings against those accused.</p> - -<p>No sooner was the Edition of the -<i>Wonders</i> printed in Boston, than Copies -were sent to London and reprinted there -with all Dispatch, as will be seen by the -"<i>Imprimatur</i>" in the Front of the Work. -Mr. Deodat Lawson's "<i>Brief and True -Narrative</i>" of the same Affair was printed -in Boston in 1692, by Benj. Harris, and -the next Year in London by John Dunton, -in Connection with Dr. Increase Mather's -"<i>Further Account of the Tryals of the -New England Witches</i>." A second (in -Fact, it was the third) Edition of Mr. -Lawson's Work was issued in London in -1704, which, though he calls it a <i>second -Edition</i> is quite a different Book from the -first Edition. In the first he inserted the -Names of the Parties, while in the last, -Dashes stand in their Stead. It has two -Dedications: one "To the Right Worshipful -and truly Honourable, Sir Henry -Ashhurst, Barr<sup>t</sup>. and to His Truly Honourable -and Religious Consort, Lady Diana -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">vii</a></span> -Ashhurst, Barr<sup>t</sup>:" signed Deodat Lawson. -The other is "To the Worshipful and Worthily -Honoured <i>Bartholomew Gidney</i>, <i>John -Hathorne</i>, and <i>Jonathan Corwin</i>, Esqrs. -Together with the Reverend <i>Mr. John -Higginson</i>, Pastor, and Mr. <i>Nicholas Noyes</i> -Teacher of the Church of Christ at Salem." -Signed Deodat Lavson. It should -be mentioned also that Dr. I. Mather's -"<i>Further Account</i>," &c., contains Nothing -beyond a Reprint of Lawson's Book, (first -Edition) except a "<i>Letter</i>" containing -"<i>A further Account of the Tryals of the -New England Witches</i>," sent "<i>to a Gentleman -in London</i>." This Letter was -added at the End of the "<i>Further Account</i>." -It was probably written by Mr. -Mather to John Dunton, his Friend and -Publisher, and occupies about three additional -Pages.</p> - -<p>In this Reprint of the <i>Wonders</i> I have -followed the second Edition, presuming -that to be the most accurate, as the Copy -from which it was printed was doubtless -furnished by the Author.</p> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">viii</a></span> - -Very few Copies of the original Edition -are known to be in Existence. I have -never owned one, and am indebted to my -Friend, <span class="smcap">George Brinley</span>, Esq., for the Use -of his (rather imperfect) Copy. While -this Preface was in the Hands of the -Printer, my Publisher, Mr. <span class="smcap">Woodward</span>, -has had the rare Fortune to obtain a very -good one.</p> - -<p>At this Period the Press literally -swarmed with Works upon Witchcraft. -Dunton printed in rapid Succession all the -Works from New England, and other -Publishers were equally busy. It would -be a Matter of no little Curiosity if some -one would collect the Titles of the Works -on this Subject, and publish them in -Book Form, with, or even without Abstracts -of their Contents. In a unique -Volume now before me, belonging to -Harvard College Library—for the Loan -of which I am indebted to the Kindness -of Mr. <span class="smcap">Sibley</span>, the Librarian—there are -several Tracts, the Titles of which are -quite as singular as any of the Mathers. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">ix</a></span> -One or two I will here extract. "The -Lancashire Levite Rebuk'd: or, a Vindication -of the Dissenters from Popery, -Superstition, Ignorance, and Knavery, -unjustly Charged on them by Mr. Zachary -Taylor in his Book, entitled, "The Surry -Impostor." Another runs thus: "The -Devil turn'd Casuist or the Cheats of -Rome laid open, in the Exorcism of a -Despairing Devil, at the House of Thomas -Pennington in Orrel in the Parish of -Wigan in the County of Lancaster. By -Zachary Taylor, M. A. Chaplin to the -right reverend Father in God, Nicholas -[Strafford] Lord Bishop of Chester, and -Rector of Wigan."</p> - -<p>Witch Books, as they were called, of -the Father Land, must have been common -among the People of New England, as -will be seen by a Comparison of the -Trials of Witches in both Countries. -This Comparison shows that the accused -in this Country were well acquainted -with the ridiculous Nonsense of what had -been and was passing at Witch Trials <span class="err" title="original: i">in</span> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">x</a></span> -England. The same Cant and Incoherency -are visible at every Step. Insomuch, -that the Frivolity, Shallow-mindedness -and Falsity were so apparent, that they -remind one of the childish Nursery Tales -of Youth, and excite the most profound -Wonder how they could have ever been -viewed as Matter for serious Consideration -by any Persons having any Pretensions to -common Sense.</p> - -<p>The original Records of the Court -Proceedings against those accused of -Witchcraft were never fully given to the -Public, until about two Years ago, Mr. W. -Elliot Woodward, of Roxbury, caused a -complete Transcript to be made of the -whole, and printed them in two Volumes, -small Quarto, uniform with this Undertaking. -Those, with the present Volumes, -will put the Student of New -England History in Possession of nearly -all the Materials existing upon this deeply -interesting, though humiliating, and in -some respects, revolting Subject.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f011.jpg" width="500" height="129" alt="decoration" /> -</div> -<h2 class="break"> - -INTRODUCTORY.</h2> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">xi</a></span> -<img src="images/i_f011a.jpg" width="100" height="169" alt="A" class="figleft" /> -S a Belief in Witchcraft is not entirely -exploded, it may be interesting to -examine a few of the early Definitions -of it.</p> - -<p>One of the earliest Lexicographers, or -Expounders of English Words, was Edward -Phillips, the Nephew of John Milton. -It is said that Phillips made up his Work from -Milton's Preparation in the same Line. However -that might be, it is quite clear that many of his -Definitions have that Clearness and Precision for -which Milton is so remarkable. Phillips's third -(and I believe his last) Edition of "The New -World of Words" was printed in 1671. In that -we find Witchcraft thus defined: "A certain -evill Art, whereby with the Assistance of the -Devil, or evill Spirits, some Wonders may be -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">xii</a></span> -wrought, which exceed the common Apprehension -of Men: It cometh from the Dutch Word -<i>Wiechelen</i>, that is, to divine, or guesse; it is called -in Latin Veneficium, in Greek <i>Pharmaceia</i>, i.e. -the Art of making Poisons."</p> - -<p>In 1706, John Kersey published the sixth Edition -of Philips's Work, greatly augmented; -though the Definition of <i>Witchcraft</i> is cut down -to a few Words, thus: "The Black Art, whereby -with the Assistance of the Devil, or evil Spirits, -some Wonders may be wrought, which exceed -the common Apprehensions of Men."</p> - -<p>Phillips does not define a <i>Witch</i>, but he says a -"Wizard is a Witch, a cunning Man, one that -telleth where things are that were lost. Some -think it comes from the Saxon Word <i>Witega</i>, i.e. -a Prophet."</p> - -<p>Kersey defines a Witch, an old Hag, or Woman -that deals with Familiar Spirits; and a Wizard -"a Sorceror, or Inchanter; a Cunning Man," -&c., as before.</p> - -<p>In 1674, Thomas Blount published the fourth -Edition of his "Glossographia, or Dictionary of -hard Words." He says, "Witch is derived from -the Dutch <i>Witchelen</i>, or <i>Wiichelen</i>, which properly -signifies whinnyng and neighing like a Horse; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">xiii</a></span> -also to foretell or prophecy; and <i>Wiichelen</i>, signifies -a Soothsayer; for that the Germans (from -whom our Ancestors the Saxons usually descended) -did principally (as Tacitus tells us) divine and -foretel Things to come by the whinnying and -neighing of their Horses; <i>Hinitus</i> and <i>Trenitus</i> -are his Words."</p> - -<p>Witchcraft is not defined by Blount himself; -while under the Article <i>Witch</i>, he extracts from -Master William Perkins: "Witchcraft is an Art -serving for the working of Wonders by the Assistance -of the Devil, so far as God will permit." -To make the Definition of Witchcraft still more -plain, Mr. Blount extracts thus from an old -Author named <i>Delrio</i>,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> who defines Witchcraft -to be "An Art, which by the Power of a Contract, -entred into with the Devil, some Wonders -are wrought, which pass the common Understanding -of Men."</p> - -<p>As we approach a later Age, Lexicographers -are pretty careful in their Definitions of Witchcraft. -Bailey, in his folio Dictionary of 1730, -says it is "the Art of bewitching, enchanting, divining, -&c."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">xiv</a></span> -Johnson, though a Believer in Witchcraft, -shirks the Definition of it thus: "The Practice -of Witches. <i>Bacon</i>. Power, more than natural. -<i>Sidney</i>."</p> - -<p>Noah Webster published a Dictionary of the -English Language in 1806, in which he says a -<i>Witch</i> is "a Woman accused of magical Arts, a -Hag." Witchcraft, "the Practice of Witches, a -Charm." The great Lexicographer must have -marvelled at these Definitions in his later Years; -if so, he fails to make due Atonement in his incomparable -"Unabridged." But the learned -Editor of the "Imperial Dictionary,"<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> Dr. Ogilvie, -appears to have taken such Liberty with Dr. -Webster's Work as to bring it up to the Standard -of the Times, especially in that Class of Words in -which <i>Witchcraft</i> is prominent. His Definition -is so much to the Point, so clear, and so well expressed, -that it is, though long, extracted entire: -"<span class="smcap">Witchcraft</span>, the Practice of Witches; Sorcery; -Enchantments; Intercourse with the Devil; -a supernatural Power, which Persons were formerly -supposed to obtain Possession of by entering -into Compact with the Devil. Indeed it was -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">xv</a></span> -fully believed that they gave themselves up to -him, Body and Soul, while he engaged that they -should want for Nothing and be able to assume -whatever Shape they pleased, to visit and torment -their Enemies, and accomplish their infernal Purposes. -As soon as the Bargain was concluded, -the Devil was said to deliver to the Witch an Imp -or familiar Spirit, to be ready at call, and to do -whatever it was directed. By the Aid of this -Imp and the Devil together, the Witch, who was -almost always an old Woman, was enabled to -transport herself through the Air on a Broom-stick -or a Spit, and to transform herself into -various Shapes, particularly those of Cats and -Hares; to inflict Diseases on whomsoever she -pleased, and to punish her Enemies in a Variety -of Ways. The Belief of Witchcraft is very ancient. -It was universally believed in Europe till -the 16th Century, and even maintained its Ground -with tolerable Firmness till the Middle of the -17th Century. Vast Numbers of reputed Witches -were condemned to be burned every Year, so that -in England alone it is computed that no fewer -than 30,000 of them suffered at the Stake."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">xvi</a></span> - -Dr. Ogilvie closes his Definition with one Extract -from Shakespeare:</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="i6">"He hath a Witchcraft</div> -<div class="i0">Over the King in's Tongue."</div> -</div></div> -</div> -<p>It cannot be denied that the Existence of -Witchcraft is as fully taught in the Bible as -Slavery. The Light of Science has extinguished -the one, while the other yet struggles against -Fate.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> To urge the Authority of the Bible, that -Slavery is a divine Institution, and therefore should -be sustained, is just as reasonable as it would be to -urge the Existence of Witches; and were there -as many Interests at Stake in keeping alive Witchcraft, -it would find as many Advocates, doubtless, -as Slavery.</p> - -<p>At first, Voices against Witchcraft were faint -and few. Such was the Bewilderment of the -human Mind in early Ages that Men hardly -dared to think in Opposition to the Superstitions -of the Multitude. Yet there were always some -who doubted the delegated Power of the Devil, -though they were not often lavish enough of -their own Safety to let their Disbelief be known. -Still, there are, no Doubt, some "dark Corners -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">xvii</a></span> -of the Earth" where it would not be entirely -safe for one to declare publicly that there is no -such Matter as Witchcraft. Nor is this so much -to be wondered at, when, at the present Day, and -in a Portion of our own Country, a Man cannot -speak against Slavery, but at the Peril of his Life. -This is no new Aspect growing out of the present -Rebellion, but it has been thus many Years.</p> - -<p>Few Men dared to speak boldly against the -Existence of Witchcraft before the Year 1700. -Though they disbelieved in it they were afraid to -attack it. They began by endeavouring to show -the Insufficiency of the Evidence relied upon in -particular Cases. In this Way, Frauds were detected -and exposed, and the Eyes of Judges were -opened.</p> - -<p>Among the early and successful Combatants of -Witchcraft in England was Sir Robert Filmer. -This Gentleman, though he out-went Machiavel -himself in Arguments to uphold Despotism, yet -he entered a pretty effectual Demurrer against the -Prerogative of the Devil, as attempted to be manifested -in the Persons of aged Matrons. Lancashire -was distinguished above all other Counties -in England in Sir Robert's Time for its Production -of Witches; but when his native County, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">xviii</a></span> -Kent, was scourged by the imaginary Arts of -Satan, he thought it Time to make a public -Declaration of his Views in Regard to the Nature -of the Evidence made Use of for the Conviction -of Witches. He therefore prepared a -Treatise which he entitled "An Advertisement to -the Jury-men of England, touching Witches," -printed in 1680, but whether it was ever printed -before does not appear from this Impression. In -this Work he criticises the Productions of some -of the prominent Authors in Favor of Witchcraft -with much Ability.</p> - -<p>To the Assertion that Witches act under a -Contract with the Devil, Mr. Filmer observes, -"That the Agreement between the Witch and -the Devil they call a Covenant, and yet neither -of the Parties are any Way bound to perform -their Part; and the Devil, without Doubt, notwithstanding -all his Craft, hath far the worst -Part of the Bargain. The Bargain runs thus in -Master Perkins's Work: 'The Witch as a Slave -binds herself by Vow to believe in the Devil, and -to give him either Body, or Soul, or both, under -his Hand-writing, or some Part of his Blood. -The Devil promiseth to be ready at his Vassal's -Command, to appear in the Likeness of any -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">xix</a></span> -Creature, to consult and to aid him for the procuring -of Pleasure, Honor, Wealth, or Preferment; -to go for him, to carry him any whither, -and to do any Command.' Whereby we see the -Devil is not to have Benefit of his Bargain till the -Death of the Witch. In the Meantime, he is to -appear always at the Witche's Command, to go -for him [or her], to carry him any whither, and -to do any Command; which argues the Devil to -be the Witche's Slave, and not the Witch the -Devil's Slave. And though it be true which -Delrio affirmeth, 'That the Devil is at Liberty to -perform or break his Compact, for that no Man -can compel him to keep his Promise;' yet on the -other Side, it is as possible for the Witch to frustrate -the Devil's Contract, if he or she have so -much Grace as to repent; the which there may -be good Cause to do, if the Devil be found not to -perform his Promise. Besides, a Witch may -many Times require that to be done by the Devil, -which God permits not the Devil to do; thus -against his Will the Devil may lose his Credit, -and give Occasion of Repentance, though he -endeavor to the utmost of his Power to bring to -pass whatsoever he hath promised; and so fail of -the Benefit of his Bargain, though he have the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">xx</a></span> -Hand-writing, or some Part of the Blood of the -Witch for his Security, or the Solemnity before -Witnesses, as Delrio imagineth."</p> - -<p>Thus much is given to show in what Manner -the Advocates of Witchcraft were combatted, -without denying the actual Existence of it. It -was as much as could be safely advanced in the -seventeenth Century. To have come out boldly, -and denied the Thing altogether, would have -been to proclaim a Disbelief of the Teachings of -the Bible; and this would have defeated the very -Object sought to be attained. It has, beyond -Question, occurred to all thinking Men in every -Age, that Witches and Devils could not have a -Being without God's Permission; that if they did -or do exist, it is his Pleasure that they should; -that, therefore, if God wished to destroy such Miscreants -he would do it by making War on them -himself, instead of compelling Mankind to fight -them blindfolded for all Eternity, or during the -World's Existence.</p> - -<p>There are few Readers probably who have not -heard of a Book upon Witchcraft by a royal -Hand—a King of England. James I wrote a -Book to which he gave the Title, <i>Dæmonologie</i>. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">xxi</a></span> -To those who have not studied the State of Society -in England for a Century or so before the -Emigration of our Fathers to New England, and -consequently cannot comprehend the Kind and -Degree of Knowledge and Intelligence possessed -by the People; it will seem incredible how they -were bound down by such childish and utterly -puerile Stuff as was put forth by James in his -Work on Witchcraft. Nursery Tales of a later -Day are quite as easily believed to be realities as -the Witch Stories of a former Age, and the Allegories -of Bunyan are much easier transformed -to Realities. That so weak and absurd a Production -as the <i>Dæmonologie</i> reflects the Understanding -and Literature of our Fathers, must be not a little -humiliating to their Descendants to the latest Posterity. -The <i>Dæmonologie</i> was printed at Edinburgh, -in Quarto, six Years before James came to -the Crown of England, namely, in 1593. His -Work corresponded with the Times in which it -was written. Here is a Specimen of its Contents: -"The Devil teaches Witches how to make Pictures -of Wax and Clay, that by the roasting -thereof, the Persons that they bear the Name of, -may be continually melted or dried away by continual -Sickness ... not that any of these -Means which he teacheth them (except Poisons, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">xxii</a></span> -which are composed of Things natural) can of -themselves help any to these Turns they are imployed -in.... That Witches can bewitch, -and take the Life of Men or Women by roasting -of the Pictures [Images] which is very possible to -their Master to perform; for although that Instrument -of Wax have no Virtue in the Turn -doing, yet may he not very well, by that same -Measure that his conjured Slave melts that Wax -at the Fire, may he not, I say, at these same -Times, subtilly as a Spirit, so weaken and scatter -the Spirits of Life of the Patient, as may make -him on the one Part for Faintness to sweat out -the Humours of his Body; and on the other -Part, for the not concurring of these Spirits which -cause his Digestion, so debilitate his Stomach, -that his Humour radical continually sweating out -on the one Part, and no new good Suck being -put in the Place thereof for Lack of Digestion on -the other, he at last shall vanish away even as his -Picture will do at the Fire."</p> - -<p>The Reader will hardly desire any more from -such a royal Source; but even royal Nonsense may -sometimes be Necessary upon historical Points, -and we must listen to their incoherent Jargon, -however much we hold them in Contempt. It -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">xxiii</a></span> -was during the Reign of this King that New -England began to be settled, and the Settlers were -his Subjects, and with them came the Superstitions -common to the People of England.</p> - -<p>In James's Book he lays down Rules for determining -who were Witches, and great Numbers -were executed in Pursuance of those Rules. No -sooner was that benighted King seated upon the -English Throne, but the following Statute was -passed: "If any Person or Persons shall use, practice, -or exercise any Invocation, or Conjuration of -any evil and wicked Spirit, or shall consult, covenant -with, entertain, employ, feed or reward any -evil and wicked Spirit, to or for any Intent and -Purpose: or take up any dead Man, Woman or -Child, out of his, her or their Grave, or any other -Place where the dead Body resteth, or the Skin, -Bone or any Part of the dead Person, to be employed -or used in any Manner of Witchcraft, -Sorcery, Charm, or Inchantment; or shall use, -practice or exercise any Witchcraft; or shall use, -practice or exercise any Witchcraft, Inchantment, -Charm or Sorcery, whereby any Person shall be -killed, destroyed, wasted, consumed, pined or -lamed in his or her Body, or any Part thereof; -that then every such Offender or Offenders, their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">xxiv</a></span> -Aiders, Abettors, and Counsellors, being of any the -said Offenders duly and lawfully convicted and -attainted, shall suffer Pains of Death as a Felon or -Felons."</p> - -<p>This Law does not materially differ from that -enacted in the fifth Year of Elizabeth; yet there -is a Clause in the older one, declaring that, "If -any Person shall take upon him by Witchcraft, -Inchantment, Charm or Sorcery, to tell or declare -in what Place any Treasure of Gold or Silver -should or might be found or hid in the Earth, or -other secret Places, or where Goods, or Things -lost or stolen should be found or be come: Or to -the Intent to provoke any Person to unlawful -Love, or whereby any Cattle or Goods of any -Person shall be destroyed, wasted or impaired; or -to destroy or hurt any Person in his, or her Body, -though the same be not effected, &c. a Year's -Imprisonment, and Pillory, &c. and the second -Conviction, Death."</p> - -<p>In the early Laws of Massachusetts, adopted in -1641, Witchcraft is thus briefly dealt with: "If -any Man or Woman be a Witch (that is hath or -consulteth with a familiar Spirit) they shall be put -to Death." These Laws were called <i>The Body of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">xxv</a></span>Liberties</i>, -and were drawn up by the famous Minister - of Boston, John Cotton. He made them -conform to the Bible, and Passages of Scripture -stand against each Law in the Margin. Against -this is found, Deut. xiii, 6, 10—xvii, 2, 6. Ex. -xxii, 20.</p> - -<p>In Plymouth Colony as late as 1671, nearly the -same Law was enacted. It differed only by saying, -"If any Christian (so called) be a Witch," -&c.</p> - -<p>If Sir Robert Filmer had seen our Laws, he -would, perhaps, have indulged in a few Observations -upon them. The Plymouth People seem to -have looked a little farther than the learned -Minister of Boston, as appears by the Proviso -thrown in, that a <i>Christian</i> could not be a Witch. -Of course the Judges were to determine the Point -of Christian or no Christian, assuming that a -Christian Judge could not err or be mistaken.</p> - -<p>One of the Advocates of Witchcraft having -asserted that a Person cannot make the necessary -Contract with the Devil to become a Witch, -without renouncing God and Baptism, "it will -follow," says Filmer, "that none can be Witches -but such as have first been Christians. And what -shall be said then of all those idolatrous Nations, -of Lapland, Finland, and divers Parts of Africa, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">xxvi</a></span> -and many other heathenish Nations, which Travellers -report to be full of Witches? And indeed, -what Need or Benefit can the Devil gain by -contracting with those Idolators, who are surer -his own than any Covenant can make them?"</p> - -<p>Witchcraft, as formerly believed in, was the -Art of working Wonders or Miracles, and some -of its Expounders asserted, that the Power of effecting -Wonders does not flow from the Skill of -the Witch, but is derived wholly from the Devil, -whom the Witch has Command over, by Virtue -of a Contract. Whereupon Sir Robert Filmer -sensibly remarks, "that the Devil is really the -Worker of the Wonder, and the Witch but the -Counsellor, Persuader or Commander of it, and -only accessory before the Fact, and the Devil only -Principal. Now the Difficulty will be, how the -Accessory can be duly and lawfully convicted and -attainted according as the Statute requires, unless -the Devil, who is the Principle, be first convicted, -or at least, outlawed; which cannot be, because -the Devil can never be lawfully summoned according -to the Rules of our Common Law."</p> - -<p>In this Manner Witchcraft was successfully -assailed, because it was a Species of reasoning that -did not directly interfere with the Superstitions -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvii" id="Page_xxvii">xxvii</a></span> -and Prejudices of the People. But the March of -Mind amongst the Masses was slow, and Trials -for Witchcraft continued in England for twenty -Years after Sir Robert Filmer wrote.</p> - -<p>For one hundred Years, 1580 to 1680, in Germany -alone, 1,000 Persons a Year, on an Average, -were, upon good Authority, said to have suffered -Death for the imaginary Crime of Witchcraft. -Executions in that Country began to abate about -1694; the last Execution, being of a poor Nun, -in 1749. And it may be remarked in this Connection, -that immediately after the miserable -James published his Work on Witchcraft, 600 -Persons were put to a cruel Death for being -Witches.</p> - -<p>"Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live," is a -Command, and it was once considered as much to -be regarded as any other Command in the Bible. -That there were Witches in the World was as -plain, and as much to be believed, as that there -were Spirits of any Kind whatever. Whoever -believed in the Immortality of the Soul, believed -in the Immortality of bad Souls as well as good. -Soul is another Word for Spirit; hence good -Spirits and bad Spirits. Witches were bad Spirits, -but whether they originated <i>in</i> Mankind, or -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxviii" id="Page_xxviii">xxviii</a></span> -whether they were sent there to take Possession of -the human Body, and to exclude a better Tenant, -has not been satisfactorily settled by Psychologists -and Metaphysicians. But one Thing seems to be -well established, and that is, that quite as many -bad Spirits find Habitations in the Sons and -Daughters of these Days, as at any former Period. -Fortunately it was found out, at length, that destroying -the Tenement of a bad Spirit, did not -destroy that Spirit. But this was not thought of -until Thousands had been put to Death.</p> - -<p>It will doubtless be said by many, that if ever -there were Witches in the World, there are -Witches now. This Point it is not intended to -argue. There were always those who denied the -Existence of Witches; or, what amounted to the -same Thing, they would never allow that there -was sufficient Evidence produced to prove that -<i>Craft</i> against any who were accused of it. Persons -who thus question all Court Proceedings, -where Witchcraft was attempted to be detected, -were regarded as unfit for good Society, and unworthy -of its Protection.</p> - -<p>Those who were for "ridding the Land" of -Witches, thought those who questioned the Legality -of their Proceedings, were, at least, Infidels, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxix" id="Page_xxix">xxix</a></span> -in the most obnoxious Sense, and they were -generally treated as such, and were to be shunned -by Society. Thus it fared with <span class="smcap">Mr. Robert -Calef</span>, who, during the Prosecutions and Executions -of the People accused in Massachusetts, as -will be seen in the Progress of the present Work.</p> - -<p>It is scarcely conceivable by even the partially -enlightened of the present Age, that only one -hundred and fifty Years ago our Ancestors were, -in some respects, so slightly removed from Barbarity -and heathen Darkness. Superstition will -give Way only to mental Culture; but there may -be considerable mental Culture, and also much Superstition; -for Persons may be educated in many -Things when those very Things are founded in -Error. Certain Premises are taken for granted, -because no Data exist, or at least insufficient Data, -to investigate them and the Foundations on which -they rest. This is still the Case, but it was more -so in Times past.</p> - -<p>Barbarous Nations, as the Aborigines of any -Country, are Slaves to the same Kind of Superstition -as that which caused the Executions for -Witchcraft by the Governments of Old and New -England. Even many of those who opposed the -Prosecutions for that imaginary Crime, were not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxx" id="Page_xxx">xxx</a></span> -free from the same Superstitions with the Advocates -of it. They believed in Witchcraft, and -only argued the Want of Evidence against it. -This gave them a decided Disadvantage, because the -Evidence was, in many Cases, apparently so overwhelming; -insomuch, that "the learned Baxter" -wrote to Dr. Increase Mather, declaring, "The -Evidence is so convincing, that he must be a very -obdurate Sadducee who will not believe it." -Hence if there were some Persons who did not -believe the strange and unnatural Things alleged -to have been performed by Persons charged with -Witchcraft they were treated as "obdurate Sadducees," -whose Unbelief was only a Pretence. -Times have so much changed, that it is not necessary -to make the Admissions which the Opposers -of Witchcraft formerly made. Then, to -deny the Existence of it was precisely the same -as to deny that the Bible was a Revelation from -God. Therefore, as was before observed, those -who opposed the Prosecutions for Witchcraft, -labored under a great Disadvantage. The Belief -in it being nearly universal, the solitary Individual -who dared to stem so popular a Torrent, now -looked upon clearly as a Delusion, had nothing to -expect on all Hands, but Obloquy, Derision and -Contempt.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxi" id="Page_xxxi">xxxi</a></span> - -From all which, Nothing is easier to be discerned -than this—wherever Ignorance is the -greatest, there Superstition prevails most; that -therefore it follows of course, that Ignorance and -Superstition are the Parents of Witchcraft.</p> - -<p>It never occurred to Believers in Witchcraft, it -would seem, that if Witches really existed, a Prosecution -against them could no more reach them -than it would the Air in a Bubble or the Breath -which they breathed; for if they possessed the -Power claimed for them, they also had the Power -to abandon the Bodies they possessed the Moment -it was decided to punish them in such Bodies; -and thus disconcert all Attempts to obstruct their -Craft.</p> - -<p>The Advocates of Witchcraft affirm that it is -by Virtue of a League with the Devil that the -Witch is enabled to carry on her Operations; and -that the Devil, God's great Enemy, is allowed to -commission Witches, that they may also counteract -his (God's) Purposes by ensnaring Souls, as -though the Devil had not Power enough to do -the whole Mischief himself; and thus in a sneakingly -indirect Way make a Cats-paw of some -demented old Woman, or other simple Person.</p> - -<p>In the midst of the Proceedings against the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxii" id="Page_xxxii">xxxii</a></span> -People charged with being Witches, and while -several Jails were crowded with those unfortunate -Persons, a very serious Question arose, which, of -itself, was calculated to cause the most violent of -the Prosecutors to stay their bloody Hands, and -to ask themselves, what they had been doing? -and if, after all, there was not a Possibility that -they had been guilty of shedding innocent Blood? -The Question was a very simple and natural one, -namely, Is it not possible for a Witch to appear in -the Shape of an innocent Person? As soon as this -Question was started, there was quite a Shock in -the Community, and the Men accounted the -wisest in the Land stood still for a Time, and -looked inquiringly upon one another. As long -as the afflicted Persons accused only the Poor and -Friendless, Nothing appears to have been thought -of the Possibility that such Persons could be innocent -of the Charges preferred against them. -But, when at length, Persons considered of unblemished -Lives, standing among the first in the -Community, came to be accused, then the Case -wore a different Aspect; then it was that the before -mentioned important Question came up. -This Question divided the People, and from that -Division Safety resulted. In this Instance, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiii" id="Page_xxxiii">xxxiii</a></span> -common Order of Things was reversed; Safety -came from a Division, and not from Union. -Hence a new Proverb is derived—In Union there -may be Error, while Division may elicit the -Truth.</p> - -<p>The People, thus brought to a Stand, had a -little Time for reflection. This, some improved -to the Advantage of themselves, while others -improved it for the Advantage of the Public. -Some had been so strenuous in their Efforts to -convict accused Persons, that it was now very -difficult for them, even to suspend their Efforts -without giving their Opponents an immediate -Advantage over them; that even though the -Judges of the Courts who tried the accused, had -been guided mainly by "Mr. Perkins's Rules for -the Discovery of Witches," on a careful Inspection -of those Rules at this Day, it is difficult to see -how Convictions were forced out of them.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, strong Ground having been taken -that Witches existed, and Persons reputed Witches -having been prosecuted with the utmost Rigor, -and unrelenting Perseverance for a long Time, -the chief Agents in these bloody Proceedings, -firm in their Convictions that they had done -righteously, deemed it incumbent upon themselves -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiv" id="Page_xxxiv">xxxiv</a></span> -to keep the People to the same Opinions. This -was the Origin of this unfortunate Book, "<i>The -Wonders of the Invisible World</i>;" the chief Part, -or perhaps all of which, was composed while -above one hundred poor People in and about Salem -and Boston were suffering a wretched imprisonment -in the filthy and barbarous Jails of those -Days, to which Jails and Prisons of our Days are -in Comparison, Palaces. It was doubtless no -sooner determined that the Proceedings against -the Witches should be given to the World, than -the Person was designated who should perform -that Service. And from the very opening of that -Work it is at once discovered, that it was intended -as a "Defence" of what had been already done, -as well as to urge a Continuance of those Proceedings, -"until the Land was fully purged of the -Demons which infested it."</p> - -<p>For a long Period, the Publication of Books -detailing the Doings and Prosecutions of Witches -seems to have extended rather than abridged the -Belief in Witchcraft. This may be accounted for -in Part from the Consideration that the Teachers -of the People were themselves groveling in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxv" id="Page_xxxv">xxxv</a></span> -Mire of Superstition. A more particular Reference -to some of the Works best known somewhat -more than two Centuries ago shall here follow.</p> - -<p>One Thomas Cooper published in 1617, a -Work of this Title, "The Mystery of Witchcraft. -Discouering, the Truth, Nature, Occasions, -Growth and Power thereof. Together -with the Detection and Punishment of the same. -As also, the Seuerall Stratagems of Sathan, ensnaring -the poore Soule by this desperate Practize -of annoying the Bodie: with the seueral Vses -thereof to the Church of Christ. Very necessary -for the redeeming of these atheisticall and secure -Times."</p> - -<p>This Author dedicated his Work to the "Maior -and Corporation of the Ancient Citie of Chester," -&c., in which Dedication we find the following, -which, throwing some Light on the reverend -Dealer in Darkness, is extracted. He commences, -"Diuers, and verie weighty haue been -the Motiues (right Worshipfull) to induce mee -to the Dedication of these my Labors in this -kinde vnto your Worships.</p> - -<p>"The first is, because my first Calling from -the Vniversitie, to employ my Ministrie for the -Edification of the Saints, was by the Gouernors of -your famous Citie, to succeed that painefull and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvi" id="Page_xxxvi">xxxvi</a></span> -profitable Teacher, Maister Harrison, who was -thence called by the King's most Excellent Maiestie, -to be one of the sixe Teachers to those -barren and needfull Places of the Country of -Lancashire. And therefore, hauing both kind -intertainment among you; and by some of you -being furthered to a more settled Pastorall Charge -in that Countie, I could not but leave some Memoriall -of my Thankefulnesse vnto you herein.</p> - -<p>"Secondly, my free Admission to that Pastorall -Charge, together with the singular Providence of -God, in directing my Ministrie for the informing -and reforming of that ignorant People, who never -before enioyed any constant Ministrie, as also his -admirable Protection and Deliuerance of me from -vnreasonable Men, that vsed all their Force and -Cunning to hinder the Proceedings of the Gospel -of Christ."</p> - -<p>These Extracts are made because they give a -Glimpse of the Life and Character of an Author, -second only to King James as a Cultivator of -Witchcraft. His Book is a small Duodecimo of -368 Pages, in the Close of which he says, "to the -wise and humble Reader, I am not ashamed to -acknowledge, that which thou canst not but discerne; -that I have borrowed most of my Grounds -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvii" id="Page_xxxvii">xxxvii</a></span> -from his Maiesties Dæmonologie, Mr. Perkins, -Mr. Gifford, and others." And this truly may -be added, "the Blind were led by the Blind," in -the fullest Sense of the Maxim. Master Cooper -further remarks upon the Labors of his royal -Predecessor and others in these Words, "they -have waded before mee heerein, to confirme the -Authoritie thereof, against the Atheisme of these -evill Dayes: that so each might have the perfect -Honour of their owne Paines."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<p>In his second Chapter he says, "it is proued -that there haue beene, are, and shall be Witches -to the World's End: both by sound Testimony, -1st, from the Word; 2d, from Antiquity; 3d, -from pregnant Reasons, and so such Obiections -answered, as seeme to contradict this Truth."</p> - -<p>This most singularly superstitious Writer says -there were good Witches as well as bad ones; -that these good Witches are called the <i>unbinding</i> -ones; because they undo what the bad Witch -does, and yet is allowed to do good Offices with -the Consent of the Devil.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> - -<p>Good Witches performed wonderful Cures, -according to the Belief of those Days. Even -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxviii" id="Page_xxxviii">xxxviii</a></span>Burton<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> says, "they can effect such Cures, the -maine Question is whether it be lawful in a desperate -Case, to crave their Help, or ask a Wizard's -Advice. 'Tis a common Practice of some Men -to go first to a Witch, and then to a Physitian. -If one cannot help the other shall." And Paracelsus -declared, "that it mattered not whether a -sick Person were helped by God or Devil, so that -he were eased." Some, however, demurred to -this, and affirmed that it was better to die than be -cured by a Witch or a Sorcerer.</p> - -<p>Further to illustrate the Subject, I shall have -Recourse to Mr. Nathan Drake's <i>Shakespeare, -and his Times</i>. That chief of Expounders of -the "Immortal Bard," having had occasion to -review the Subject of Witchcraft, and having -made so clear and valuable an Analysis of it in his -Examination of the Witches of Shakespeare, as is -nowhere else to be found, I am, as will be the -Readers of this Introduction, I apprehend, fortunate -in being able to avail myself of the Labors -of that eminent Scholar and able Antiquary.</p> - -<p>The Play of Macbeth is founded on a Species -of Superstition that, during the Life-time of -Shakespeare, prevailed in England and Scotland, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxix" id="Page_xxxix">xxxix</a></span> -in a Degree until then unknown. In the 33d -Year of Henry VIII, was enacted a Statute which -adjudged all Witchcraft and Sorcery to be Felony -without the Benefit of Clergy; but at the Commencement -of the Reign of Elizabeth, the Evil -seems to have been greatly on the Increase, for -Bishop Jewel, preaching before the Queen, in -1558, tells her, "It may please your Grace to understand -that Witches and Sorcerers within these -few last Years are marvelously increased within -your Grace's Realm. Your Grace's Subjects pine -away, even unto the Death, their Colour fadeth, -their Flesh rotteth, their Speech is benumbed, -their Senses are bereft, I pray God they may never -practice further then upon the Subject."<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> How -prevalent the Delusion had become, in the Year -1584, we have the most ample Testimony in the -ingenious Work of Reginald Scot, entitled "The -Discoverie of Witchcraft," which was written as -the sensible and humane Author has informed us, -"in behalfe of the Poore, the Aged, and the -Simple,"<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> -and it reflects singular Discredit on the -Age in which it was produced, that a Detection -so complete, both with regard to Argument and -Fact, should have failed in effecting its Purpose. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xl" id="Page_xl">xl</a></span> -But the Infatuation had seized all Ranks, with an -Influence which rivaled that resulting from an -Article of religious Faith, and Scot begins his -Work with the Observation, that "the Fables of -Witchcraft have taken so fast hold and deepe Root -in the Heart of Man, that fewe or none can, now -adaies, with Patience indure the Hand and Correction -of God. For if any Adversitie, Greefe, -Sicknesse, Losse of Children, Corne, Cattell, or -Libertie happen unto them; by and by they exclaime -uppon Witches;—insomuch as a Clap of -Thunder, or a Gale of Wind is no sooner heard, -but either they run to ring Bells, or crie out to -burne Witches;"<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> and in his second Chapter, he -declares, "I have heard to my greefe some of the -Minesterie affirme, that they have had in their -Parish at one Instant xvij or xviij Witches: -meaning such as could work Miracles supernaturallie,"<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> -a Declaration which, in a subsequent Part -of his Book, he more particularly applies, when he -informs us, that xvij or xviij were condemned at -once at St. Osees in the County of Essex, being a -whole Parish, though of no great Quantitie."<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> - -<p>The Mischief, however, was but in Progress, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xli" id="Page_xli">xli</a></span>and received a rapid Acceleration from the Publication -of the <i>Dæmonologie</i> of King James, at -Edinburgh, in the Year 1597. The Origin of -this very curious Treatise was probably laid in -the royal Mind, in Consequence of the supposed -Detection of a Conspiracy of 200 Witches with -Dr. Fian, "Register to the Devil," at their -Head, to bewitch and drown His Majesty, on his -Return from Denmark, in 1590. James attended -the Examination of these poor Wretches with -the most eager Curiosity, and the most willing -Credulity; and, when Agnis Tompson confessed, -that she, with other Witches, to the Number -just mentioned, went altogether by Sea, each one -in her Riddle, or Sieve, with Flagons of Wine, -making merry and drinking by the Way, to the -Kirk of North Berwick, in Lothian, where, when -they had landed, they took Hands and danced, -singing all with one Voice:</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"Commer [Gossip] go ye before, commer goe ye</div> -<div class="i0">Gif ye will not go before, commer let me."</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>And "that Geilis Duncane did go before them, -playing said Reel on a Jew's Trump." James -sent for Duncane, and listened with Delight -to his Performance of the Witches' Reel on the -Jews-harp!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlii" id="Page_xlii">xlii</a></span> - - On Agnis, however, asserting, that the Devil -had met them at the Kirk, His Majesty could -not avoid expressing some Doubts; when, taking -him aside, she "declared unto him the very -Words which had passed between him and his -Queen on the first Night of their Marriage, with -their Answer each to other; whereat the King -wondered greatly, and swore by the living God, -that he believed all the Devils in Hell could not -have discovered the same."<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> - -<p>That the Particulars elicited from the Confessions -of these unfortunate Beings, which, it is said, -"made the King in a wonderful Admiration," -formed the Basis of the <i>Dæmonologie</i>, may be therefore -readily admitted. It is also to be deplored, -that, weak and absurd as this Production now appears -to us, its Effect on the Age of its Birth, -and a Century afterwards, were extensive and -melancholy in the extreme. It contributed, indeed, -more than any other Work on the Subject, -to rivet the Fetters of Credulity; and scarcely had -a twelve month elapsed from its Publication, before -its Result was visible in the Destruction in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliii" id="Page_xliii">xliii</a></span>Scotland, of not less than 600 human Beings at -once, for this imaginary Crime!<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> - -<p>The Succession of James to the Throne of -Elizabeth served but to propagate the Contagion; -for no sooner had he reached this Country, than -his Dæmonologie reappeared from an English -Press, being printed in London, in 1603, in -Quarto, and with a Preface to the Reader, which -commences by informing him of the "fearfull -abounding at this Time in this Country, of these -detestable Slaves of the Devel, the Witches, or -Enchanters;"<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> a Declaration which, during the -Course of the same Year, was accompanied by a -new Statute against Witches, one Clause of which -enacts, that, "Any one that shall use, practice, or -exercise any Invocation or Conjuration of any -evill or wicked Spirit, or consult, covenant with, -entertaine or employ, feede or reward, any evill -or wicked Spirit, to or for any Intent or Purpose; -or take up any dead Man, Woman or Child, out -of his, her, or their Grave, or any other Place -where the dead Body resteth, or the Skin, Bone, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliv" id="Page_xliv">xliv</a></span>or other Part of any dead Person, to be employed -or used in any Manner of Witchcraft, Sorcery, -Charme, or Enchantment; or shall use, practice, -or exercise any Witchcraft, Enchantment, -Charme, or Sorcery, whereby any Person shall -be killed, destroyed, wasted, consumed, pined, or -lamed, in his or her Body, or any Part thereof, -such Offenders, duly and lawfully convicted and -attainted, shall suffer Death."</p> - -<p>This Act was not repealed until the Year 1736. -(ix Geo. II.)</p> - -<p>We cannot wonder if Measures such as those, -which stamped the already existing Superstitions -with the renewed Authority of the Law, and -with the Influence of regal Argument and Authority, -should render a Belief in the Existence -of Witchcraft almost universal; Fashion and Interest -on the one Hand, and Ignorance and Fear -on the other, mutually contributing, by concealing -and banishing Doubt, to disseminate Error, -and preclude Detection.</p> - -<p>Who those were who, at this Period, had the -Misfortune to be branded with the Appellation -of Witches; what Deeds were imputed to them, -and what was the Nature of their supposed Compact -with the Devil, are Questions which will -be most satisfactorily answered in the Words of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlv" id="Page_xlv">xlv</a></span> -Reginald Scot, whose Book is not only extremely -scarce, but highly curious and entertaining; and -two or three Chapters from this copious Treasury -of Superstition, with a very few Comments from -other Sources, will exhaust this Part of the Subject.</p> - -<p>"The Sort of such as are said to be Witches," -writes Scot, "are Women which be commonly -old, lame, bleare-eied, pale, fowle, and full of -Wrinkles; poore, sullen, Superstitious, and Papists; -or such as know no Religion; in whose -drousie Minds the Divell hath gotten a fine Seat; -so as, what Mischeefe, Mischance, Calamitie, or -Slaughter is brought to passe, they are easilie persuaded -the same is doone by themselves; imprinting -in their Minds an earnest and constant -Imagination thereof. They are leane and deformed, -shewing Melancholie in their Faces, to -the Horror of all that see them. They are -doting, Scolds, mad, develish, and not much -differing from them that are thought to be -possessed with Spirits; so firme and stedfast in -their Opinions, as whosoever shall onelie have -respect to the Constancie of their Words uttered, -would easilie beleeve they were true indeed.</p> - -<p>"These miserable Wretches are so odious unto -all their Neighbors, and so feared, as few dare -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvi" id="Page_xlvi">xlvi</a></span> -offend them, or denie them anie Thing they -aske: whereby they take upon them; yea, and -some Times thinke, that they can doo such -Things as are beyond the Abilitie of humane -Nature. These go from House to House, and -from Doore to Doore for a Pot full of Milke, -Yest, Drinke, Pottage, or some such Reelefe; -without the which they could hardlie live: -neither obtaining for their Service and Paines, -nor by their Art, nor yet at the Divels Hands -(with whome they are said to make a perfect and -visible Bargaine) either Beautie, Monie, Promotion, -Welth, Worship, Pleasure, Honor, Knowledge, -Learning, or any other Benefit whatsoever.</p> - -<p>"It falleth out many Times, that neither their -Necessities, nor their Expectation is answered or -served, in those Places where they beg or borrowe; -but ratheir Kindness is by their Neighbors -reproved. And further, in Tract of Time the -Witch weareth odious and tedious to her Neighbors; -and they againe are despised and despited -of hir; so as sometimes she curseth one, and -sometimes another; and that from the Maister of -the House, his Wife, Children, Cattell, &c. to -the little Pig that lieth in the Stie. Thus in -Processe of Time they have all displeased hir, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvii" id="Page_xlvii">xlvii</a></span> -she hath wished evil Luck unto them all; perhaps -with Curses and Imprecations made in -Forme. Doubtless (at Length) some of hir -Neighbors die, or falle sicke; or some of their -Children are visited with Diseases that ver them -strangelie: as Apoplexies, Epilepsies, Convulsions, -hot Fevers, Wormes, &c. Which by ignorant -Parents are supposed to be the Vengeance of -Witches. Yea and their Opinions and Conceits -are confirmed and maintained by unskilfull -Physicians: according to the common Saieng; -<i>Inscitiæ Pallium Maleficium et Incantatio</i>, Witchcraft -and Inchantment is the Cloke of Ignorance: -whereas indeed evill Humors, and not strange -Words, Witches, or Spirits are the Causes of such -Diseases. Also some of their Cattell perish, -either by Disease or Mischance. Then they, -upon whom such Adversities fall, weighing the -Fame that goeth upon this Woman (hir Words, -Displeasure, and Curses meeting so justly with -their Misfortune) doo not onlie conceive, but are -resolved, that all their Mishaps are brought to -passe by hir onelie Means.</p> - -<p>"The Witch on the other Side expecting hir -Neighbors Mischances, and seeing Things sometimes -come to passe according to hir Wishes, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlviii" id="Page_xlviii">xlviii</a></span> -Curses, and Incantations (for Bodin himself confesseth, -that not above two in a hundred of their -Witchings or Wishings take effect) being called -before a Justice, by due Examination of the Circumstances -is driven to see hir Imprecations and -Desires, and hir Neighbors Harmes and Losses to -concurre, and as it were to take effect: and so -confesseth that she (as a Goddes) hath brought -such Things to passe. Wherein, not onelie she, -but the Accuser, and also the Justice are fowlie -deceived and abused; as being thorough hir Confession -and other Circumstances persuaded (to the -Injury of Gods Glorie) that she hath doone, or -can doo that which is proper onelie to God -himselfe.</p> - -<p>"Another Sort of Witches there are, which be -absolutelie Cooseners: These take upon them, -either for Glorie, Fame, or Gaine, to doo any -Thing, which God or the Divell can doo: either -for fortelling Things to come, bewraieng of -Secrets, curing of Maladies, or working of Miracles."<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> - -<p>To this Chapter from Scot, which we have -given entire, may be added the admirable Description -of the Abode of a Witch from the Pen -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlix" id="Page_xlix">xlix</a></span>of Spenser, who as Warton hath observed, copied -from living Objects, and had probably been -struck with seeing such a Cottage, in which a -Witch was supposed to live:</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"There is a gloomy hollow Glen she found</div> -<div class="i0">A little Cottage built of Sticks and Reeds</div> -<div class="i0">In homely wise, and walled with Sods around;</div> -<div class="i0">In which a Witch did dwell, in loathly Weedes.</div> -<div class="i0">And wilful Want, all carelesse of her Needes</div> -<div class="i0">So choosing solitarie to abide</div> -<div class="i0">Far from all Neighbours, that her divilish Deeds</div> -<div class="i0">And hellish Arts from People she might hide,</div> -<div class="i0">And hurt far off unknowne whomever she enviede."<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></div> -</div></div> -</div> -<p>This very striking Picture forever fixed the -Character of the Habitation allotted to a Witch; -thus in a singularly curious Tract, entitled, -"Round about our Coal-Fire," published about -the Close of the seventeenth Century, and which -details, in a pleasing Manner, the Tradition of -the olden Time, as a Source of Christmas Amusement, -it is said that "a Witch must be a hagged -old Woman, living in a little rotten Cottage, -under a Hill, by a Wood-side, and must be frequently -spinning at the Door: she must have a -black Cat, two or three Broom-sticks, an Imp -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_l" id="Page_l">l</a></span>or two, and two or three diabolical Teats to -suckle her Imps."</p> - -<p>Of the wonderful Feats which the various -Kinds of Witches were supposed capable of performing, -Scott has favored us with the following -succinct Enumeration. There are three Sorts of -Witches he tells us, "one Sort can hurt and not -helpe, the second can helpe and not hurt, the -third can both helpe and hurt. Among the -hurtfull Witches there is one Sort more beastlie -than any Kind of Beasts, saving Wolves: for -these usually devour and eate young Children and -Infants of their owne Kind. These be they that -raise Haile, Tempests, and hurtfull Weather; as -Lightning, Thunder, &c. These be they that -procure Barrennesse in Man, Woman and Beast. -These can throwe Children in Waters, as they -walk with their Mothers, and not be seene. -These can make Horses kicke, till they cast their -Riders. These can pass from Place to Place in -the Aire invisible. These can so alter the Mind -of Judges, that they can have no Power to hurt -them. These can procure to themselves and to -others, Taciturnitie and Insensibilitie in their -Torments. These can bring trembling to the -Hands, and strike Terror into the Minds of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_li" id="Page_li">li</a></span> -that apprehend them. These can manifest unto -others, Things hidden and lost, and foreshow -Things to come; and see them as though they -were present. These can alter Men's Minds to -inordinate Love or Hate. These can kill whom -they list with Lightning and Thunder. These -can take away Man's Courage. These can make -a Woman miscarrie in Childbirth, and destroie -the Child in the Mother's Wombe, without any -sensible Means either inwardlie or outwardlie -applied. These can with their Looks kill either -Man or Beast.</p> - -<p>"Others doo write, that they can pull downe -the Moone and the Starres. Some write that -with wishing they can send Needles into the -Livers of their Enemies. Some that they can -transferre Corne in the Blade from one Place to -another. Some, that they can cure Diseases supernaturallie, -flie in the Aire, and danse with -Divels. Some write, that they can play the Part -of <i>Succubus</i>, and contract themselves to <i>Incubus</i>. -Some saie they can transubstantiate themselves -and others, and take the Forms and Shapes -of Asses, Woolves, Ferrets, Cowes, Asses, Horses, -Hogs, &c. Some say they can keepe Divels and -Spirits in the Likenesse of Todes and Cats.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lii" id="Page_lii">lii</a></span> - - They can raise Spirits (as others affirme), drie -up Springs, turn the Course of running Waters, -inhibit the same, and staie both Day and Night, -changing the one into the other. They can go -in and out at Awger Holes, and saile in an Egge -Shell, a Cockle or Muscle Shell, through and -under the tempestuous Seas. They can bring -Soules out of the Graves. They can teare Snakes -in Pieces. They can also bring to pass, that -Churne as long as you list, your Butter will not -come; <i>especially, if either the Maids have eaten up -the Cream; or the Good-wife have sold the Butter -before in the Market</i>."<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> - -<p>The only material Accession which the royal -James has made to this curious Catalogue of the -Deeds of Witchcraft, consists in informing us, -that these aged and decrepid Slaves of Satan, -"make Picture of Waxe and Clay, that by the -roasting thereof, the Persons that they bear the -Name of, may be continually melted or dried -away by continuall Sicknesse;"<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> and his Mode -of explaining how the Devil performs this Marvel, -is a notable Instance both of his Ingenuity -and his Eloquence. This Deed, he says, "is -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_liii" id="Page_liii">liii</a></span>verie possible to their Master to performe; for -although that Instrument of Waxe have no Vertue -in that Turne doing, yet may he not very -well, even by the same Measure, that his conjured -Slaves melt that Waxe at the Fire, may be not, -I say, at these same Times, subtily, as a Spirit, so -weaken and scatter the Spirits of Life of the Patient, -as may make him on the one Part, for -Faintnesse, to sweat out the Humour of his Bodie, -and on the other Part, for the not Concurrence -of these Spirits, which causes his Digestion, so -debilitate his stomache that this Humour radicall -continually, sweating out on the one Part, and -no newe good sucke being put in the Place thereof, -for Lacke of Digestion on the other, he at last -shall vanish away, even as his Picture will doe at -the Fire? And that knavish and cunning Workman, -by troubling him onely at sometimes, -makes a Proportion, so neere betwixt the working -of the one and <span class="err" title="original: rhe">the</span> other, that both shall end -as it were at one Time."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> - -<p>It remains to notice the Nature of the Compact -or Bargain, which Witches were believed to -enter into with their Seducer, and the Species of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_liv" id="Page_liv">liv</a></span>Homage which they were compelled to pay -him; and here again we must have Recourse to -Scot, not only as the most compressed, but as the -most authentic Detailer of this strange Credulity -of his Times. "The Order of their Bargaine or -profession," says he, "is double; the one solemne -and publike; the other secret and private. That -which is called solemne or publike, is where -Witches come together at certaine Assemblies, -at the Times prefixed, and doo not onelie see the -Divell in visible Forme; but confer and talke -familiarlie with him. In which Conference the -Divell exhorteth them to observe their Fidelitie -unto him, promising them long Life and Prosperitie. -Then the Witches assembled, commanded -a new Disciple (whom they call a Novice) -unto him: and if the Divell find that young -Witch apt and forward in the Renunciation of -christian Faith, in despising anie of the seven -Sacraments, in treading upon Crosses, in spetting -at the Time of the Elevation, in breaking their -Fast on fasting Daies, and fasting on Sundaies: -then the Devill giveth foorth his Hand, and the -Novice joining Hand in Hand with him, promiseth -to observe and keepe all the Divels Commandments.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lv" id="Page_lv">lv</a></span> - - "This doone, the Divell beginneth to be more -bold with hir, telling her plainlie, that all this -will not serve his Turne: and therefore requireth -Homage at hir Hands: yea he also telleth hir, -that she must grant him both hir Bodie and Soule -to be tormented in everlasting Fire; which she -yeeldeth unto. Then he chargeth hir to procure -as manie Men, Women and Children also, -as she can, to enter into this Societie. Then he -teacheth them to make Ointments of the Bowels -and Members of Children, whereby they ride in -the Aire, and accomplish all their Desires. So -as if there be anie Children unbaptized, or not -garded by the Signe of the Crosse, or Orisons; -then the Witches may and do catche them from -their Mother's Sides in the Night, or out of their -Cradles, or otherwise kill them with their Ceremonies; -and after Buriall steale them out of their -Graves, and seeth them in a Caldron, until their -Flesh be made potable. Of the thickest whereof -they make Ointments, whereby they ride in the -Aire; but the thinner Potion they put into Flaggons, -whereof whosoever drinketh, observing -certain Ceremonies, immediatelie becometh a -Maister or rather a Mistresse in that Practice and -Facultie.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lvi" id="Page_lvi">lvi</a></span> - - "Their Homage with their Oth and Bargaine -is received for a certeine Terme of Yeares; -sometimes forever. Sometimes it consisteth in -the Deniall of the whole Faith, sometimes in -Part. And this is doone either by Oth, Protestation -of Words, or by Obligation in writing, -sometimes sealed with Wax, sometimes signed -with Blood, sometimes by kissing the Divel's -bare Buttocks.</p> - -<p>"You must also understand, that after they -have delicatelie banketted with the Divell and -the Ladie of the Fairies; and have eaten up a fat -Oxe, and emptied a Butt of Malmesie, and a -Binne of Bread at some noble Man's House, in -the Dead of the Night, nothing is missed of all -this in the Morning. For the Ladie <i>Sibylla</i>, -<i>Minerva</i>, or <i>Diana</i>, with a golden Rod striketh -the Vessel and the Binne, and they are fully replenished -againe." After mentioning that the -Bullock is restored in the same magical Manner, -he states it as an "infallible Rule, that everie -Fortnight, or at least everie Month, each Witch -must kill one Child at the least for hir Part." -He also relates from Bodin, that "at these magicall -Assemblies, the Witches never faile to dance,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lvii" id="Page_lvii">lvii</a></span> -and whiles they sing and danse, everie one hath -a broome in hir Hand, and holdeth it up aloft."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> - -<p>To these Circumstances attending the Meetings -of this unhallowed Sisterhood, King James -adds, that Satan, in Order that "hee may the -more vively counterfeit and scorne God, oft -Times makes his Slaves to conveene in those very -Places, which are destinate and ordained for the -conveening of the Servants of God (I meane by -Churches):—further, Witches oft times confesse, -not only his conveening in the Church with -them, but his occupying of the Pulpit."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> For -this Piece of Information James seems to have -been indebted to the Confessions of Agnis Tompson; -but he also relates, that the Devil, as soon -as he has induced his Votaries to renounce their -God and Baptism, "gives them his Marke upon -some secret Place of their Bodie, which remaines -soare unhealed, whilest his next Meeting with -them, and thereafter ever insensible, however it -be nipped or pricked by any;" a Seal of Destinction -which, he tells us at the Close of his -Treatise, is of great Use in detecting them on -their Trial, as "the finding of their Marke, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lviii" id="Page_lviii">lviii</a></span>the trying the Insensiblenes thereof," was considered -as a positive Proof of their Craft. His -Majesty, however, proceeds to mention another -Mode of ascertaining their Guilt, terminating the -Paragraph in a Manner not very flattering to his -female Subjects, or very expressive of his own -Gallantry. "The other is," he tells us, "their -fleeting on the Water: for as in a secret Murther, -if the dead Carkase bee at any Time thereafter -handled by the Murtherer, it will gush out -of Blood, as if the Blood were crying to the -Heaven for Revenge of the Murtherer, God -having appointed that secret supernaturall Signe, -for Triall of that secret unnaturall Crime, so it -appears that God hath appointed (for a supernaturall -Signe of the monstrous Impietie of -Witches) that the Water shall refuse to receive -them in her Bosome, that have shaken off them -the sacred Water of Baptisme, and wilfully refused -the Benefite thereof: No, not so much as -their Eyes are able to shed Teares (threaten and -torture them as you please) while first they repent -(God not permitting them to dissemble -their Obstinacie in so horrible a Crime) albeit -the Women-kind especially, be able otherwayes -to shed Teares at every light Occasion when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lix" id="Page_lix">lix</a></span> -will, yea, although it were dissembling like the -Crocodiles."<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<p>Such are the chief Features of this gross Superstition, -as detailed by the Writers of the -Period in which it most prevailed in this Country. -<i>Scot</i> has taken infinite Pains in collecting, -from every Writer on the Subject, the <i>minutiæ</i> of -Witchcraft, and his Book is expanded to a thick -Quarto, in Consequence of his commenting at -large on the Particulars which he had given in -his initiatory Chapters, for the Purpose of their -complete Refutation and Exposure; a Work of -great Labor, and which shows, at every Step, -how deeply this Credulity had been impressed on -the Subjects of Elizabeth. <i>James</i>, on the other -Hand, though a Man of considerable Erudition, -and, in some respects, of shrewd, good Sense, -wrote in Defence of this Folly, and, unfortunately -for Truth and Humanity, the Doctrine of -the Monarch was preferred to that of the Sage.</p> - -<p>Fortunately the Time has arrived when the -Belief of a King, or that of any other titled Personage, -has very little Effect in fastening upon the -World at large any peculiar Opinions he may -have formed upon any Subject not within the -Province of Reason.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lx" id="Page_lx">lx</a></span> - Spiritualists and the Disciples of Mesmer have -made the Discovery that Witchcraft is fully explained -by one or the other of the Mysteries taught -by them. How much Truth there may be in the -Assertion I cannot undertake to determine. But -from a very limited Acquaintance with Mysteries -in general, my Opinion is that the Application of -Mesmerism for the Explanation of Witchcraft, -would partake very much of the Nature of -applying one Absurdity to the Explanation of -another.</p> - -<p>For the "thousand and one" Examples of -Witchcraft practiced by accused Persons in New -England, an almost exact Parallel may be found -in Cases which had previously occurred in Old -England. And, in Proportion to the Number -of Inhabitants in the respective Countries, there -were as many in New as in Old England who -raised their Voices against Prosecutions for the -supposed Crime. Hence it is very obvious that -mental Darkness was as dense in Old as in New -England, at the Time of the Delusions of which -we are speaking.</p> - -<p>Superstition was then bounded only by the -Limits of what was termed Civilization. The -Light of Science for the last two hundred Years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxi" id="Page_lxi">lxi</a></span> -has considerably relieved Mankind from that -deadly Incubus, and it is gratifying to believe that -the March of Mind is onward and that a future -of pure Light is before the World of Humanity. -Like dark Spots on a Planet, some Superstitions -seem almost as unaccountable, and their Removal -appears about as difficult, so long have we been -accustomed to tolerate them.</p> - -<p>As late as 1668 it was asserted by an eminent -English Writer, a Member of the Royal Society,<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> -that "<i>Atheism</i> is begun in <i>Saducism</i>. And those -that dare not bluntly say, <i>There</i> is NO GOD, -content themselves, (for a fair <i>Step</i>, and <i>Introduction</i>) -to deny there are SPIRITS, or WITCHES. -Which Sort of <i>Infidels</i>, though they are not ordinary -among the <i>meer vulgar</i>, yet are they -numerous in a little higher Rank of <i>Understandings</i>. -And those that know anything of the -World, know, that most of the looser <i>Gentry</i>, and -the small Pretenders to <i>Philosophy</i> and <i>Wit</i>, are -generally Deriders of the <i>Belief</i> of <i>Witches</i>, and -<i>Apparitions</i>."</p> - -<p>Hence there were but two Horns to the Dilemma -in which every one found himself—he -must believe in Witchcraft and all the other -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxii" id="Page_lxii">lxii</a></span>degrading Attendants on that Belief, or he must -be viewed and scorned as an Atheist, and as an -Unbeliever in everything that was good!</p> - -<p>It was difficult for People to distinguish between -Miracles and Witchcraft, especially when -the most learned Men,<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> in Order to make the -Miracle of the Ascent of the Saviour appear -reasonable, argued that "He went as far towards -Heaven as he could on Foot, even to the Top of -Mount Olivet." And when Elijah was to fast -forty Days, "that there might be no Waste of -miraculous Power, God would have him eat a -double Meal before entering upon the Term of -fasting!" With such wretched Absurdities were -the Minds of People of that Time enslaved. -The Superstitions of the Greeks and Romans -were not greater. And although there is a -steady Progress in intellectual Improvement, and -a Time is believed to be approaching when the -World will be as free from the Cheats and Impostures -of the present Day, as some of the -present Day are of those of previous Ages; yet it -is in a Measure discouraging, when we see the -Thousands ensnared by such transparent Jugglery -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxiii" id="Page_lxiii">lxiii</a></span>as that which has peopled the Salt Lake Regions, -and drawn other Thousands in our Midst to witness -Feats that never did nor never will happen, -except in the deluded Brains of those who desire -to be thus deluded.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f063.jpg" width="300" height="233" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> A Jesuit of Loraine. His Book was a "Magical Disquisition."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> In three Volumes, royal Octavo, Glasgow, 1856-9.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> This Part of this Introduction -was written not long before the -Southern Rebellion began.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> <i>The Mysterie of Witchcraft</i>, P. 363.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Ibid, 211.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> <i>Anatomy of Melancholy</i>, 221, Edition in Folio, 1651.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Strype's <i>Annals</i>, I, P. 8.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <i>Epistle to Sir Roger Manwood</i>, P. 1.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> <i>Epistle to Sir Roger Manwood</i>, -Chap. i, Pp. 1 and 2.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Scot, <i>Discoverie</i>, Chap. ii, P. 4.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> <i>Discourse of Devils and Spirits</i>, -P. 543; annexed to the <i>Discoverie -of Witchcraft</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> See <i>Gent. Magz.</i>, XLIX, P. 449; Vol. VII, P. 556.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Nashe's <i>Lenten Stuff</i>, 1599, -as quoted by Reed, in his <i>Shakespeare</i>, -Vol. X, Pp. 5, 11.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> King James's <i>Works</i>, as published -by James, Bishop of Winton, -Folio, 1616, P. 91.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <i>Discoverie of Witchcraft</i>, Vol. I, Chap. 3, Pp. 7-9.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Todd's <i>Spenser</i>, iv, 480-1. <i>Faerie Queene</i>, B. iii, Cant. 7, Stan. 6.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <i>Discoverie of Witchcraft</i>, Book i, Chap. 4, Pp. 9-11.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> James's <i>Works</i>, by Winton, P. 116.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> James's <i>Works</i>, by Winton, P. 117.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <i>Discoverie of Witchcraft</i>, Book iii, Chap. 1, 2, Pp. 40-2.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> <i>Works, apud</i> Winton, Pp. 112, 113.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> King James's <i>Works, apud</i> Winton, Pp. 111, 135-6.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Joseph Glanvill, in his <i>Blow at Modern Saducism</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Spencer's <i>Discourse concerning Prodigies</i>, London, 1665.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="full" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f065.jpg" width="500" height="114" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<h2 class="break">MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR.</h2> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_lxv" id="Page_lxv">lxv</a></span> -<img src="images/i_f065c.jpg" width="100" height="162" alt="C" class="figleft" /> -OTTON <span class="smcap">Mather</span> was born in Boston, -February 12th, 1662-3. In his -Youth he was remarkable for his -Progress in Knowledge, and soon became -extensively known for his varied -Acquirements. At the Age of Twelve he -entered Harvard College, and graduated in -due Course. He was thrice married: 1st, -when in his twenty-fourth Year, to Abigail, -Daughter of Col. John Phillips, of Charlestown; -2d, to Widow Elizabeth Hubbard, Daughter of -Dr. John Clark; and 3d, to Lydia, Widow of Mr. -John George, Daughter of the Rev. Samuel Lee, -sometime of Bristol in Rhode Island. By the -last Wife he had no Children, but by the others -he had fifteen, nine of which were by the first.</p> - -<p>The Father of Mr. Mather was Dr. Increase -Mather, Pastor of the North Church, of Boston, -of whom the Biographer of the former remarks, -that, "as President of Harvard College, by whose -printed composures both Latin and English, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxvi" id="Page_lxvi">lxvi</a></span> -by whose Agency in the Courts of three Monarchs -for his afflicted Country, have rendered -him universally known."</p> - -<p>His Mother was Maria, Daughter of Mr. -John Cotton of Boston, a Name as intimately -associated with the History of New England as -any other. And judging from the Portraits of -the Grandsire and Grandson, there was a very -strong Resemblance of the one to the other.</p> - -<p>Mr. Mather began to preach in 1680, and his -first Sermon was delivered in Dorchester, on the -22d of August of that Year. In the following -February he was invited to become an Assistant -to his Father in the North Church in Boston, -which Invitation he accepted. About two Years -later he was unanimously chosen Pastor by the -same Church, but was not ordained until May, -1684; his Ordination probably being deferred on -Account of his Youth; being at the Time of his -Ordination but twenty-one Years and three -Months old. On that Occasion he received the -Right Hand of Fellowship from the venerable -Mr. John Eliot, of Roxbury.</p> - -<p>At an early Age he began to keep a Diary, -and from the Passages we have from it we are -convinced that its Entries were dictated by an -honest Mind, and that Duplicity and evil Intentions -could never find an abiding Place therein; -that his sole Aim was Goodness, and a strong -Desire to lead a life of Purity, is manifest -throughout.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxvii" id="Page_lxvii">lxvii</a></span> - -Mr. Mather commenced Author at the Age -of 23, and continued his Publications to the Year -of his Decease; extending over a Period of about -forty-two Years. In that Time he is said by his -Biographer to have issued 383 Books; thus -averaging about nine each Year. But many of -his <i>Books</i> would in these Days be called Pamphlets, -as they consisted of only a few Pages—a -very few indeed containing Pages sufficient to -give them the Character of a Book. A List of -these 383 Works is given in his Life by his Son, -but it is known to be incomplete. The List is -very deficient in Respect to the Titles of the -Works, also, insomuch that their Contents cannot -be determined from them.</p> - -<p>There are several Biographies of Dr. Cotton -Mather, all drawn mainly from that by his Son, -Dr. Samuel Mather. An Abridgment of this -was published in England in 1744, in a small -12mo, by David Jennings. Mr. Jennings was -instigated to undertake the Abridgment by Dr. -Isaac Watts; the latter having consulted with -Mr. Mather previously, and obtained his Consent -to let his Work appear in an Abridgment. In -giving his Consent for the abridged Edition, he -thus apologizes for the original Undertaking: -"The Life of my Father, as you have it in your -Hands, was a youthful Attempt;<a name="FNanchor_26_25" id="FNanchor_26_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_25" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> though I now -plainly discern my Defects in it, and am sorry to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxviii" id="Page_lxviii">lxviii</a></span>see such a Number of them, yet I can look on it -with some Comfort; partly from a Consciousness -of my honest Meaning in it, and partly because I -find several worthy Persons approve of many -Things in it, and have done me the Honour of -expressing themselves favourable about it."</p> - -<p>The Mode of writing Biography has very much -changed since the Life of Dr. Mather was first -written. Those written previous to, and at that -Period, at least many of them, might be reduced -in Bulk from five to seven-eighths, without -omitting anything of Value. This Remark is -applicable to other Performances of that Time, -and to some in these as well.</p> - -<p>It may be justly said of Cotton Mather, that -he was one of the most remarkable Men of the -Age in which he lived; not only remarkable on -one, but on many Accounts; and for none, perhaps, -more than for his wonderful Precociousness, -or the early Intuitiveness of his Mind. -His Memory was likewise very extraordinary. -The Acquirement of Knowledge seems to have -been with him accomplished almost without -Effort; and his Writings show that they were -generally drawn from the Storehouse of his -Mind, where, from Reading and Observation, -they had been from Time to Time deposited. -Authors who write from this Source alone are -generally diffuse, and wanting in those very essential -and minute Particulars, which in these -Days constitute so important a Part of every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxix" id="Page_lxix">lxix</a></span> -Man's Writings. His Style is very peculiar; and -no One who is acquainted with the Writings of -"famous Thomas Fuller," can hardly doubt that -Cotton Mather attempted to make that Writer's -Composition a Model for his own. Still he falls -considerably short of Fuller in his Attempts at -witty Conceits; in them the latter is always -happy, while the former often fails.</p> - -<p>His Ability for acquiring Languages has probably -been surpassed by but very few, and he is -said to have been Master of more Languages than -any other Person in New England in his Time. -Those, especially the Latin, it must be confessed, -he made a most unreasonable Use of, bringing in -Passages from them at all Times, as though every -Body understood them, as well as himself.</p> - -<p>So far as we now remember, Dr. Douglass -seems to have been the Author of the Fashion or -Practice, so much of late Years in Vogue, of reviling -Cotton Mather. It has been carried to -such an Extent in some Quarters, that any One -who presumes to mention his Name, does it at -the Peril of coming in for a Share of Obloquy -and Abuse himself. Some not only charge him -with committing all Sorts of Errors and Blunders, -but they bring against him the more serious -Charge of misrepresenting Matters of Fact. -Now it would be well for those who bring those -Charges to scrutinize their own Works. It may -be, if they cannot see anything pedantic, puerile -or false in them themselves, others may come in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxx" id="Page_lxx">lxx</a></span> -Contact with Errors even worse than those of -Stupidity.</p> - -<p>It is not to be denied that the Mind of Dr. -Mather was singularly constituted; and whoever -shall undertake an Analysis of it will find a more -difficult Task, we apprehend, than those have -found who content themselves with nothing -further than vituperative Denunciations upon its -Productions. We owe a vast Deal to Cotton -Mather; especially for his historical and biographical -Works. Were these alone to be struck -out of Existence it would make a Void in these -Departments of our Literature, that would probably -confound any who affect to look upon them -with Contempt. Even Dr. Douglass, although -he has somewhere asserted, that, to point out all -the Errors in the <i>Magnalia</i>, would be to copy -the whole Book, is nevertheless, much indebted -to him for Facts in many Parts of the very Work -in which he has made that Statement; hence it -would be very bad Logic that would not charge -Dr. Douglass with copying Errors into his Work, -knowing them to be Errors. It would be very -easy for us to point to some Writers of our own -Time equally obnoxious to the same plain Kind -of Argument. And a late Writer of very good -Standing has, with great apparent Deliberation -said, that, "it is impossible to deny, that the Reputation -of Cotton Mather has declined of late -Years." This, of course, was his Belief; but it -strikes us as very singular, that that same Author,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxi" id="Page_lxxi">lxxi</a></span> -should, at the same Time, make the largest Book -on the Life of a Man, in such a <i>State of Decline</i>, -that had hitherto appeared! But we are under -no Concern for the Reputation of Cotton Mather, -even in the Hands of his Enemies, and we -have no Intention of setting up a special Defence -of him or his Writings. We are willing the -latter should pass for exactly what they are worth. -All we design to do is to caution those a little -who need Caution, and save them, if we may, -from having the Windows in their own Houses -broken, by the very Missiles they themselves have -thrown.</p> - -<p>But so far from the <i>Reputation</i> of Dr. Mather -being in a <i>Decline</i>, his Writings have never been -so much sought after as at the present Time! -So much so that even Reprints of such of them -as have been made are at once taken up, and at -high Prices. Twenty Years ago, the <i>Magnalia</i> -did not command above eight or ten Dollars, -while Copies are at present rarely to be had for five -Times their former Price. Reference is had to -the original Edition, of course. This can hardly -be taken as an Indication of a declining Reputation. -The Style in all his Works, though -peculiar to himself, is nevertheless attractive, and -never tedious, although often upon tedious Subjects. -In Point of Scholarship, he was not -excelled by any in the Country, and would not -suffer by a Comparison with the best of his Time -in England.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxii" id="Page_lxxii">lxxii</a></span> - - The Charge of excessive Credulity has been -brought against Dr. Mather, as though that -Trait of Character were peculiar to him alone. -There does not appear to be any Justice in -singling him out as responsible for all the Credulity -in the Country. That he was credulous -no One will deny, nor will it be denied that he -was surrounded by a credulous Community, the -great Majority of which were equally credulous, -and he was made to speak for them. Hence he -has become conspicuous while others are nearly -or quite forgotten. All Men are credulous in -some Way and upon certain Things. Belief and -Credulity are much the same. The Degree of -Evidence required to convert the latter into the -former has never been settled; nor can it be until -all Minds are of the same Capacity. It requires -a large Amount daily of Credulity to enable us -to live in the tolerably good Opinion of our -Companions in and out of Doors everywhere. -Dismiss all of that liberal Sentiment from our -Minds and we should be dismissed by the most of -our Friends.</p> - -<p>In the Reprints of some of the Works of Dr. -Mather great Injustice has been done him, -while, at the same Time, a Cheat has been put -upon the Public. One Instance may be here -given. In the Year 1815 there appeared a tolerably -neat Edition of the <i>Christian Philosopher</i>,<a name="FNanchor_27_26" id="FNanchor_27_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_26" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> -in a Duodecimo of 324 Pages, printed at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxiii" id="Page_lxxiii">lxxiii</a></span>Charlestown, for which a Copyright appears to -have been taken out. On a cursory Examination -we can discover no Ground for copyrighting -this Edition, except for making it unlike the -Original in one Respect only, namely, Omission -of Important Matter. As an Example of the -Omissions the following may be taken: "We -read of Heaven <i>giving Snow like Wool</i>. I have -known it <i>give a Snow of Wool</i>. In a Town of -<i>New England</i>, called <i>Fairfield</i>, in a bitter snowy -Night, there fell a Quantity of Snow, which -covered a large frozen Pond, but of such a <i>woolen</i> -Consistence, that it can be called nothing but -<i>Wool</i>. I have a Quantity of it, that has been -these many Years lying by me."</p> - -<p>Now, in the Edition of 1815, this important -Passage is entirely omitted! If Dr. Mather was -imposed upon by some ignorant and mischievous -Wight, that has nothing to do in excusing a Deception -on the Part of a Publisher, who contracts -to reprint a Work without any Reservation. If -an Editor or Publisher thinks to save the Credit -of his Author by falsifying his Text, he can only -be sure of one Thing, and that is, to bring discredit -upon himself.</p> - -<p>I must here dismiss the <i>Christian Philosopher</i>; -but in another Work by our Author, of an -earlier Date,<a name="FNanchor_28_27" id="FNanchor_28_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_27" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> there is a singular Story of Snow -which may be noticed here: "It was credibly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxiv" id="Page_lxxiv">lxxiv</a></span>affirmed, that in the Winter of the Year 1688, -there fell a <i>Red Snow</i>, which lay like Blood on a -Spot of Ground, not many Miles from Boston; -but the Dissolution of it by a Thaw, which -within a few Hours melted it, made it not -capable of lying under the Contemplation of so -many <i>Witnesses</i> as it might be worthy of."</p> - -<p>As the <i>Red Snow</i> did not come under the -Doctor's immediate Observation, he has spoken -of it with commendable Caution; insomuch that -his Character for Credulity is not enhanced by -the Relation of the Story. Moreover it is a well -known Fact that <i>Red Snow</i> is often mentioned by -reputable northern Travelers. But we have -never heard that it <i>snowed Wool</i> at any other -Time and Place, except as mentioned above.</p> - -<p>In 1692, Dr. Mather published his <i>Wonders -of the Invisible World</i>. This was the authorized -Account of the Witchcraft Cases of that Time. -In this he laid himself open to the Charge of -Credulity, which, it cannot be denied, has been -pretty well sustained ever since.</p> - -<p>Many have reproached Dr. Mather, as though -he was the Author of that dismal and awful Delusion. -This is singularly unjust. He was himself -one of the deluded; and this is the only -Charge that can lie against him relative to it. -All the World then believed in Witchcraft, and -People entered into it according to their Temperament -and Circumstances. The Delusion -was not a Native of New England, but an Exotic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxv" id="Page_lxxv">lxxv</a></span> -from the Father Land; and it had been well if -this had been the only one imported thence. -Even when Prosecutions had ceased, there was -not a Cessation of a Belief in the Reality of -Witchcraft; its Progress was stayed from a very -different Cause, as is now too well known to be -entered into or explained. Even to the present -Day there are Thousands who believe in its -Reality; and that Belief can only be extirpated -by the Progress of genuine Knowledge. Within -our Remembrance we could ride from Boston in -a single Day, with a very moderate Horse, into -a New England Town where the Belief in -Witchcraft was very general, and where many an -old Horse-shoe could have been seen nailed to -half the Bedsteads in the Town to keep away -those imaginary Miscreants who came riding -through the Air upon Broomsticks, or across the -Lots upon the Back of some poor old Woman, -who perhaps from some Malady had not left her -House for Years. How much short of a Day's -Ride by Steam or otherwise it would now be -necessary to take to reach a Place where the Belief -exists, we shall not undertake, but leave for -others to determine.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cotton Mather</span> was undoubtedly the most -prominent Author who wrote on Witchcraft, -and in the full Belief of it, in his Time, in -this Country; this Circumstance accounts for -his being singled out by "one <i>Robert Calef</i>," -who attacked him with some Success, even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxvi" id="Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a></span> -then, in his Book which he called <i>More -Wonders of the Invisible World</i>, &c., which -he published in London, in a quarto Volume, -in the Year 1700. In his Book, Calef styles -himself "Merchant, of <i>Boston</i> in <i>New England</i>." -Now in the Absence of Proof to the -contrary, it may not be unfair to presume, that -Calef issued his Work quite as soon as he dared -to, and quite as soon as public Opinion would -tolerate a Work which had for its Aim a deadly -Blow against a Belief in the imaginary Crime of -Witchcraft. For we know that as soon as Calef's -Book did appear, some of Dr. Mather's Friends -came out with another Work against that Author, -from the Title of which alone its Contents can -pretty well be judged of. It is <i>Some few Remarks -upon a Scandalous Book written by one -Robert Calef</i>. But this Book and its Authors -are alike almost unknown, while Calef occupies -a conspicuous Place among the Benefactors of -Mankind.</p> - -<p>The foreign Correspondence of Dr. Mather was -very extensive; "so that," says his Son, "I have -known him at one Time to have above <i>fifty</i> beyond -Sea." Among his Correspondents were -many of the most learned and famous Men in -Europe; as <span class="smcap">Sir Richard Blackmore</span>, <span class="smcap">Mr. Whiston</span>, -<span class="smcap">Dr. Desaguliers</span>, <span class="smcap">Mr. Pillionere</span>, <span class="smcap">Dr. -Franckius</span>, <span class="smcap">Wm. Waller</span>, <span class="smcap">Dr. Chamberlain</span>, -<span class="smcap">Dr. Woodward</span>, <span class="smcap">Dr. Jurin</span>, <span class="smcap">Dr. Watts</span>, &c., -&c. In a Letter which he wrote in 1743 Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxvii" id="Page_lxxvii">lxxvii</a></span> -Watts says, "he had enjoyed a happy Correspondence -with Dr. Cotton Mather, for nearly twenty -Years before his Death, as well as with the Rev. -Mr. Samuel Mather, his Son, ever since."</p> - -<p>In 1710 came out a Book from the Pen of -our Author, which he entitled "<i>Bonifacius:</i> An -Essay upon the <span class="smcap">Good</span> to be devised by those who -would answer the great End of Life." In this -Work are many good Maxims and Reflections, -but its Popularity has probably been very much -enhanced by what Dr. Franklin has said of it. -Dr. Mather was well acquainted with Franklin -when the latter was a young Man; and when -Franklin was an old Man, in the Year 1784, in -writing to Samuel Mather, Son of our Subject, -he thus alludes to it in his happy Style: "When -I was a Boy, I met with a Book entitled, <i>Essays -to do Good</i>, which I think was written by your -Father. It had been so little regarded by a -former Possessor, that several Leaves of it were -torn out; but the Remainder gave me such a -Turn of thinking, as to have an Influence on my -Conduct through Life; for I have always set a -greater Value on the Character of a <i>Doer of Good</i> -than on any other Kind of Reputation." In the -same Letter is to be found that often told anecdote -of an Interview he once had with Dr. Mather. -This too, that it may lose nothing at our -Hands, we will give in the Author's own -Words: "You mention being in your seventy-eighth -Year; I am in my seventy-ninth; we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxviii" id="Page_lxxviii">lxxviii</a></span> -are grown old together. It is now more than -sixty Years since I left Boston, but I remember -well both your Father and Grandfather; -having heard them both in the Pulpit, and seen -them in their Houses. The last Time I saw -your Father was in the Beginning of 1724, when -I visited him after my first Trip to Pennsylvania. -He received me in his Library, and on my taking -leave showed me a shorter Way out of the House -through a narrow Passage, which was crossed by -a Beam overhead. We were still talking as I -withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I -turning partly towards him, when he said hastily, -'<i>stoop, stoop!</i>' I did not understand him, till I -felt my Head hit against the Beam. He was a -Man that never missed any Occasion of giving -Instruction, and upon this he said to me, '<i>You -are young, and have the World before you</i>; <span class="smcap">Stoop</span> -<i>as you go through it, and you will miss many hard -Thumps</i>,' This Advice, thus beat into my Head, -has frequently been of Use to me; and I often -think of it, when I see Pride mortified, and -Misfortunes brought upon People by their carrying -their Heads too high." This Moral, so -essentially good in itself, does not need the high -Recommendation of a Franklin, though but for -him it would not, probably, have been brought -to the Knowledge of every Youth who has -learned, or may yet learn to read.</p> - -<p>The <i>Essay to do Good</i> has passed through -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxix" id="Page_lxxix">lxxix</a></span>many Editions, but how many it would be difficult - to determine. It was several Times reprinted -in London, once as late as 1807, under -the Supervision of the distinguished Dr. George -Burder. In this Country its Issue has not been -confined to the Press of one Denomination.</p> - -<p>It may be too much a Custom for us to dwell -on the Errors and Misfortunes of People while -living; and to err, on the other Hand, by making -their Characters appear too perfect after they -have passed away; especially if they have been -sufficiently conspicuous in Life to require a -written Memorial of them after their Decease. -Though Dr. Cotton Mather had Enemies while -living, his Memory has been pursued with more -Malignity since his Death, than has happened to -that of most Men; and, as we conceive, without -sufficient Reason, and which could only be warranted -by the most undoubted Proofs, that he -has purposely led us into Errors, and that he -acted falsely on the most important Occasions; -and that, finally, he was too bad a Man to make -any Acknowledgment of all this, though conscious -of it when he took his final Departure -with the Messenger of his last Summons.</p> - -<p>He had vituperative Enemies in his Lifetime, -from some of whom he received abusive anonymous -Letters. These Letters he carefully filed, -and wrote upon them simply the Word "Libels," -which was all the Notice he took of them. It -was an invariable Rule with him, that if he was -obliged to speak of the evil Ways of People to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxx" id="Page_lxxx">lxxx</a></span> -do so in Humility and Regret, and never in a -Manner that could be offensive. In his Diary -he speaks of <i>Pride</i> as a Sin, "which all are subject -unto, and more especially Ministers," and -still more especially was it "the besetting Sin of -young Ministers." Had he lived in these latter -Days that Annoyance might have been less on -Account of its Universality.</p> - -<p>Mr. Mather's Time was that of long Sermons, -and we are told that he usually closed them with -the <i>fourteenth</i> Division of his Discourses. Besides -his Labors on Sundays, he sometimes -preached eleven Sermons in one Week besides. -He also constantly had Students with him whom -he instructed in various Branches of Knowledge.</p> - -<p>Of the Part Dr. Mather took in State Affairs, -his Biographer says he was not at Liberty to omit -an Account, although it was a difficult Section; -and that he was "more at a Loss what to do -about it than any one in the whole Book." The -Author, however, concludes, as he could not -omit the Subject, to treat it "in such a general -Way as to give no One any Offence." And as it -is a <i>Section</i> of the Doctor's Life of great Interest, -it will here be given entire in the Language of -his Biographer, who wrote so near the Time -that his Account carries its Readers back to those -stirring Scenes of the Revolution of 1688, and -furnishes a Picture, life-like, of the every-day -Manners of our Fathers on that memorable and -novel Event.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxi" id="Page_lxxxi">lxxxi</a></span> - - The Account follows: "My Country is very -sensible that in the Year 1688 (when one of the -most wicked Kings was on the British Throne) -Andros and his Crew were very violent, illegal -and arbitrary in their Proceedings. I need not -give any Narrative of their Managements here, -because there has been an Account of them already -given to the World.<a name="FNanchor_29_28" id="FNanchor_29_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_28" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> - -<p>"While these roaring Lions and ranging Bears -were in the midst of their Ravages; it was in -the Month of April when we had News by the -Edges concerning a Descent made upon England -by the Prince of Orange for the Rescue of the -Nations from Slavery and Popery; then a strange -Disposition entred into the Body of our People to -assert our Liberties against the arbitrary Rulers -that were fleecing them. But it was much -feared by the more sensible Gentlemen at Boston, -that an unruly Company of Soldiers, who had -newly deserted the Service in which they had -bin employed for the Eastern War, by the gathering -of their Friends to them to protect them -from the Governor, who, they tho't, intended -Nothing but Ruine to them, would make a great -Stir, and produce a bloody Revolution. And -therefore the principal Gentlemen in Boston met -with Mr. Mather to consult what was best to be -done; and they all agreed, if possible, that they -would extinguish all Essays in our People to an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxii" id="Page_lxxxii">lxxxii</a></span>Insurrection; but that, if the country People to -the Northward, by any violent Motions push'd on -the Matter so far as to make a Revolution unavoidable, -then to prevent the shedding of Blood -by an ungoverned Multitude, some of the Gentlemen -present would appear in the Head of -what Action should be done; and a Declaration -was prepared accordingly.</p> - -<p>"On April 18, the People were so driving and -furious, that unheaded they began to seize our -public Oppressors: upon which the Gentlemen -aforesaid found it necessary to appear that by -their Authority among the People the unhappy -Tumults might be a little regulated. -And thro' the Goodness of God, although the -whole Country were now in a most prodigious -Ferment and Thousands of exasperated People -in Arms were come into Boston, yet there was -no Manner of Outrage committed; only the -<i>Public Robbers</i> that had lorded it over Us were -confined. 'Twas then Mr. Mather appeared—He -was the Instrument of preventing the Excesses -into which the <i>Wrath of Man</i> is too ready -to run. He came, and like a Nestor or Ulisses -reasoned down the Passions of the Populace. -Had he lisped a Syllable for it, perhaps the People -would, by a sudden Council of War, have -try'd, judg'd and hang'd those ill Men who -would have treated him otherwise. Nevertheless -he set himself both publicly and privately to -hinder the Peoples proceeding any further than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxiii" id="Page_lxxxiii">lxxxiii</a></span> -to reserve the Criminals for the Justice of the -English Parliament.</p> - -<p>"Now the Persecution which was intended for -Mr. Mather was diverted; for on that very Day -that he was to be committed to <i>Half a Year's -Imprisonment</i>,<a name="FNanchor_30_29" id="FNanchor_30_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_29" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> those that would have wrong'd -him were justly taken into Custody: And yet so -generous was he as not only to expose his Name, -but even his Life unto the Rage of the Multitude -for the saving of some that would have hurt him: -Tho' he had no Thanks for his Ingenuity.</p> - -<p>"The Spirit which acted him in these Matters -is expressed in a Sermon he preached to the Convention -of the Colony from 2 Chron. xv, 2. It -was printed under the Title of, <i>The Way to -Prosperity</i>.</p> - -<p>"A few Days before this, the Inhabitants of -Boston assembling together to chuse Representatives -for that Convention, it was apprehended, -that the different Persuasions of the People, about -the next Steps to be taken for our Settlement, -would have produced a Fury near to Bloodshed; -and therefore Mr. Mather was desired to be at -their Meeting. The Meeting began with dangerous -and horrible Paroxysms, which when he -saw, he upon it made an affectionate and moving -Speech to them, at which many fell into Tears -and the whole Body of the People present immediately -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxiv" id="Page_lxxxiv">lxxxiv</a></span> -united in the Methods of Peace Mr. -Mather proposed unto them."</p> - -<p>From what is here given it is not difficult -to decide whether Mr. Mather was for or against -Andros and his Government. It is a Pity the -Author did not revise his Work in his mature -Years, as well for his own Credit as a Writer as -for his Father's Honor. It is the poorest of all -his Performances.</p> - -<p>The Convention before mentioned having -ordered a Thanksgiving, for that "It having -pleased the God of Heaven to mitigate his many -Frowns upon us in the Summer past, with a -Mixture of some very signal Favours, and in the -midst of Wrath so far to remember Mercy; -That our Indian Enemies have had a Check put -upon their Designs of Blood and Spoil, ... -and especially in the happy Accession of Their -Majesties our Sovereigns, King William and -Queen Mary to the Throne. It was therefore -ordered that Thursday the 19th of December, -1689, be kept as a Day of Thanksgiving." This -Order was dated Dec. 3d, 1689.</p> - -<p>On this Thanksgiving Occasion Dr. Mather -delivered one of his most elaborate Sermons, -occupying, with a brief Appendix, <i>sixty-two -Pages</i>, 16mo. In it he refers to the Revolution -under various Heads; comparing it to an Earthquake, -one having then but recently nearly -destroyed Lima. And more terrible Pictures it -would be difficult to conceive of, than he has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxv" id="Page_lxxxv">lxxxv</a></span> -drawn, of what would have been the Condition -of New England, had not the Revolution succeeded.</p> - -<p>The next great Event in the Life of our -Author was the Witchcraft Delusion. As his -own Work upon that memorable Chapter in -New England's Annals is to be given in Connection -with this Biography, any Apology or Remarks -upon his Participation in it from the -Editor could be of but little Value or Interest, -no more will be done here than to extract what -his Biographer-Son has favored the World with. -That, as will be seen, is apologetical, and is far -better told than the Part he took in the Revolution. -It is indeed about all that can be said in -Extenuation of one thus circumstanced.</p> - -<p>"The Summer of the Year 1692, was a very -doleful Time unto the whole Country. The -Devils, after a most præternatural Manner by the -dreadful Judgements of Heaven took a bodily -Possession of many People in our Salem, and -Places adjacent; where the Houses of the poor -People began to be filled with the Cries of Persons -tormented by evil Spirits. There seemed to -be an execrable Witchcraft in the Foundation of -this wondrous Affliction; many Persons of divers -Characters being accused, apprehended, prosecuted -upon the <i>Visions</i> of the afflicted.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Mather, for his Part, was always afraid -of proceeding to convict and condemn any Person -as a <i>Confederate</i> with afflicting Dæmons upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxvi" id="Page_lxxxvi">lxxxvi</a></span> -so feeble an Evidence as a <i>spectral Representation</i>. -Accordingly he ever testified against it both -publicly and privately, and particularly in his -Letter to the Judges, he besought them that they -would by no Means admit it; and where a considerable -Assembly of Ministers gave in their -Advice about the Matter, he not only concurred -with the Advice but he drew it up.</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless, on the other Side, he saw in most -of the Judges a charming Instance of Prudence -and Patience; and as he knew their exemplary -Piety, so he observed the Agony of Soul with -which they sought the Direction of Heaven, -above most other of our People who were enchanted -into a raging, railing and unreasonable -Disposition. For this Cause, tho' Mr. Mather -could not allow the Principles some of the Judges -had espoused, he could not however but speak -honorably of their Persons on all Occasions; and -his Compassion upon the Sight of their Difficulties, -which Compassion was raised by his Journeys -to Salem the chief Seat of these diabolical Vexations, -caused him still to go to the Place. And -merely for this Reason, some mad People in the -Country (from whom one or two credulous -Foreigners have dared to publish the abusive -Story) under a Fascination of their <i>Spirits</i> equal -to what our <i>Energumens</i> had upon their <i>Bodies</i>, -reviled Mr. Mather as if he had been the Doer -of the hard Things that were done in the Prosecution -of the Witchcraft.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxvii" id="Page_lxxxvii">lxxxvii</a></span> - - "In this evil Time Mr. Mather offered at the -Beginning, that if the <i>possessed People</i> might be -scattered far asunder, he would singly provide for -six of them; and he with some others would see -whether without more bitter Methods, <i>Prayer</i> -and <i>Fasting</i> would not put an End unto these -heavy Trials: But his offer was not accepted.</p> - -<p>"However for a great Part of the Summer he -did almost every Week spend a Day by himself -in the Exercise of a secret Fast before the Lord. -On these Days he cried unto God, not only for -his own Preservation from the Malice and Power -of the evil Angels, but also for a good Issue of the -Calamities in which he had permitted the evil -Angels to ensnare the miserable Country. He -also besought the Lord that he would enable him, -prosper, direct, and accept him in publishing such -Testimonies for Him as were proper, and would -be serviceable unto his Interests on that Occasion.</p> - -<p>"And that a right Use might be made of the -prodigious Things which had been happening -among us, he now composed and published his -Book entituled, <i>The Wonders of the Invisible -World</i>, which was reprinted several Times in -London: In the Preface he speaks of, '<i>the heart-breaking -Exercises</i>', he went thro' in writing it. -There was a certain Disbeliever of Witchcraft -who wrote against this Book; but as the Man is -dead, his Book died long before him.<a name="FNanchor_31_30" id="FNanchor_31_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_30" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxviii" id="Page_lxxxviii">lxxxviii</a></span></p> -<p>"But having spoken eno' of the more publick -Witchcraft, I think I will hale in here an Account -of a Witchcraft happening in one private -Family at Boston, two or three Years before the -general one. 'Twas, I think, in the Year 1689, -in the Winter, that several Children belonging to -a pious Family at the South End of Boston were -horribly bewitch'd and possessed.<a name="FNanchor_32_31" id="FNanchor_32_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_31" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> - -<p>"Mr. Mather tho't it would be for the Glory -of God, if he not only pray'd with as well as for -the Children; but also took an Account of the -extraordinary Symptoms which attended them, -with sufficient Attestations to confound the Sadducism -and Atheism of a debauched Age."</p> - -<p>An <span class="err" title="original: Accouut">Account</span> of the Case of the Goodwin -Family was separately published, and was noticed -with Commendation by the "learned and pious -Baxter," which has been often referred to as a -Proof that other great Men, as well as Mr. -Mather, were Believers in Witchcraft.</p> - -<p>The Novelty and Singularity of a Thing was -no Cause of its Rejection by Mr. Mather, and we -next find him advocating Inoculation for the -Small-pox; and, according to his Biographer he -was the Cause of its Introduction into this -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lxxxix" id="Page_lxxxix">lxxxix</a></span>Country. But in that, as in many other Things, -too much is claimed for him. I have elsewhere -given a History of its being put in Practice in -Boston.<a name="FNanchor_33_32" id="FNanchor_33_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_32" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> - -<p>In 1714 Dr. Mather was chosen a Member of -the Royal Society of London; upon which Event -his Biographer remarks: "The Respect which -the Royal Society paid him, did also very much -encourage him, and fortify him in his Essays to -do Good, while it added to the superior Circumstances -in which he was placed above the Contempt -of Envious Men."</p> - -<p>This last remark will apply to some of our own -Times; who, if their Power were equal to their -Envy, few besides themselves would be allowed -to possess much in the Way of Honors without -their Permission. It was probably on this Occasion, -that some Individuals circulated the Report -that the Doctor was not a Member of the Royal -Society. Whereupon a Letter from the Secretary -of that Society was produced, in which this Passage -occurs: "As for your being chosen a Member -of the Royal Society, that has been done, both -by the Council and Body of the Society: only the -Ceremony of Admission is wanting; which you -being beyond Sea, cannot be performed." This -having been promulgated, the envious Detractors -were silenced in that Age, and it is rather surprising -that Ignorance and Malice should attempt -to revive it in this. As Mr. Mather never visited -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xc" id="Page_xc">xc</a></span>England, he of course never attended a Meeting -of the Royal Society. But this did not affect his -Membership. That this did not affect his Membership -may be mentioned as pretty good Evidence, -the Fact that some of his Works were soon -after published in London, in the best Style of -the Day, having appended to his Name in their -Title-Pages, "D. D. and Fellow of the Royal -Society." Now such an Assumption would have -been an Offence of a serious Character, had it -been merely an Assumption; and a Rebuke would -have gone forth from the Royal Society, and -would ever since have been a Matter of Record and -Notoriety. But Nothing of the Kind is heard of, -plainly because Dr. Mather stood right with the -Records of the Royal Society.</p> - -<p>Nobody will charge the <span class="smcap">Rev. Thomas Prince</span> -with Insincerity in what he has said of his Colaborers, -and <small>HE</small> says, "Dr. Cotton Mather, though -born and constantly residing in this remote corner -of America, has yet for near these forty Years -made so rising and great a Figure in the learned -World, as has attracted to him while alive, the -Eyes of many at the furthest Distance; and now -deceased, can't but raise a very general Wish to -see the Series, and more especially the domestic -Part of so distinguished a Life exhibited. His -printed Writings so full of Piety and various -Erudition, his vast Correspondence, and the continual -Reports of Travellers who had conversed -with him, had spread his Reputation into other -Countries. And when, about fourteen Years ago, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xci" id="Page_xci">xci</a></span> -travelled abroad, I could not but admire to what -Extent his Fame had reached, and how inquisitive -were Gentlemen of Letters to hear and know of -the most particular and lively Manner, both of his -private Conversation and public Performances -among us."</p> - -<p>Dr. Colman speaks in the highest Terms of -Dr. Mather, in his Funeral Sermon. "His printed -Works," he says, "will not convey to Posterity, -nor give to Strangers a just Idea of the real Worth -and great Learning of the Man." To this and a -great deal more equally commendatory, Mr. -Prince subscribes in these Words: "Every one -who intimately knew the Doctor will readily -assent to this Description."</p> - -<p>It would be difficult, perhaps, to produce an -Example of Industry equal to that of which we -are speaking. In one Year, it is said he kept sixty -Fasts and twenty vigils, and published fourteen -Books—all this besides performing his ministerial -Duties; which, in those Days, were Something -more than <i>nominal</i>. He kept a Diary, which has -been extensively used by some of his Biographers, -but we have not sought after it, as it is said to be -scattered in different Places! How this happened -we have not been informed. Notwithstanding -he published so many Works, he left nearly as -much unpublished in Manuscript; the principal -Part of which is entitled, <i>Biblia Americana</i>, or -<i>The Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament -Illustrated</i>. For the Publication of this Work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xcii" id="Page_xcii">xcii</a></span> -Proposals were issued soon after its Author died, -but Nothing further seems to have been done -about it. Of the <i>Biblia Americana</i>, the Doctor's -Son remarks, "<i>That</i> is a Work, the writing of -which is enough constantly to employ a Man, -unless he be a Miracle of Diligence, the Half of -the three Score Years and ten, the Sum of Years -allowed to us."</p> - -<p>It remains now to mention the Book by which -Dr. Mather is best known, and which will make his -Name prominent through all coming Time—the -Reader's Mind is already in Advance of the Pen—the -<i>MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA</i>. -This was printed in London, in 1702, in a moderate -sized folio Volume, the Aggregate of its -Pages being 794. It is chiefly a Collection of what -the Author had before printed on historical and -biographical Subjects. The Value of its Contents -has been variously estimated. Some decrying it -below <i>any</i> Value, while others pronounce it "the -only Classic ever written in America." At the -Hazard of incurring the Charge of Stupidity, we -are of the decided Opinion that it has a Value -between those Extremes. But we have sufficiently -expressed our Mind on the Value of the Author's -Works before.</p> - -<p>Until about the Year 1853 there had been -but two Editions of the <i>Magnalia</i>. The Work -was then stereotyped and issued in two handsome -octavo Volumes, by the late Mr. Silas Andrus, -extensively known among the Publishers of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xciii" id="Page_xciii">xciii</a></span> -Country. This was the third Edition of the -Work, and possessed the Advantage of Translations -of the Quotations from the dead Languages with -which the Work abounds. About two Years -later an Edition was issued from the same stereotype -Plates, and was accompanied by an Index. -This, tho' very incomplete, rendered the Work -much more valuable. The Plates we are informed -are now in the Hands of Mr. William Gowans -of New York, who is preparing to bring out a -sumptuous Edition of it with a new and complete -Index. About thirty-two Years had elapsed between -the second and third Editions, though they -were by the same Publisher. The Date of the -second was 1820.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, this Edition was printed from a -Copy of that in Folio, which had not the Errata, and -consequently abounds with all the Errors contained -in the original Edition. To those who do not -understand the Matter, this printing an Edition of -the <i>Magnalia</i> without correcting its Errata, may -seem to incur for the Publisher severe Reprehension. -But the Truth appears to be, that the Copy -used in printing the new Edition had not the complete -Errata attached to it; and that in Fact, but -very few Copies of the original Edition can be -found to which it is attached. Now we account -for its Rarity in this Way. Dr. Mather, living in -Boston while his Work was printing in London, -could make no Corrections while it was passing -through the Press; but when he received his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xciv" id="Page_xciv">xciv</a></span> -Copies afterwards, he found so many Errors that -he was induced to print an extra Sheet of Corrections. -This extra Sheet may not have been struck -off until most of the Copies of the <i>Magnalia</i> which -had been sent to New England were distributed. -Thus we account for the rare Occurrence -of Copies of the <i>Magnalia</i> containing the Errata; -and hence we think the Publisher of the Edition of -1820 should not be too severely censured. That -our Solution is correct, we would mention that out -of a great many Copies of the folio Edition imported -by ourself and others from England, not -one of them contained the Errata in Question.</p> - -<p>On the last Page of the <i>Magnalia</i>, the following -are the last three Lines: "<span class="smcap">Errata</span>. Reader, Carthagenia -was of the Mind, that unto those <i>three -Things</i> which the Ancients held impossible, there -should be added this <i>fourth</i>, to find a Book printed -without <i>Erratas</i>. It seems the Hands of <i>Briareus</i>, -and the Eyes of <i>Argus</i> will not prevent them." -And the additional Errata of which we have been -speaking, the Author thus prefaces: "The <i>Holy -Bible</i> it self, in some of its Editions, hath been affronted -with scandalous Errors of the <i>Press-work</i>; -and in one of them, they so printed those Words, -Psalms cxix, 161, '<i>Printers have persecuted me</i>,'" -&c.</p> - -<p>When the <i>Magnalia</i> was published, Dr. Mather's -old Schoolmaster, among others, wrote commendatory -Poetry upon it, which was, according to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xcv" id="Page_xcv">xcv</a></span> -Fashion of the Day, inserted in its introductory -Pages. The following brief Specimen by <span class="smcap">Tompson</span> -may not be thought inappropriate to be -extracted here:</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"Is the bless'd <span class="smcap">Mather</span> Necromancer turn'd,</div> -<div class="i0">To raise his Country's Father's Ashes urn'd?</div> -<div class="i0">Elisha's Dust, Life to the Dead imparts;</div> -<div class="i0">This Prophet by his more familiar Arts,</div> -<div class="i0">Unseals our Hero's Tombs, and gives them Air;</div> -<div class="i0">They rise, they walk, they talk, look wondrous fair;</div> -<div class="i0">Each of them in an Orb of Light doth shine,</div> -<div class="i0">In Liveries of Glory most divine.</div> -<div class="i2">When ancient Names I in thy Pages meet,</div> -<div class="i0">Like Gems on Aaron's costly Breast-plate set;</div> -<div class="i0">Methinks Heaven's open, while great Saints descend,</div> -<div class="i0">To wreathe the Brows, by which their Acts were penned."</div> -</div></div> -</div> -<p>Few Ministers preached a greater Number of -Funeral Sermons than Dr. Mather; and when he -died his Cotemporaries seemed to have vied with -each other in performing the same Office for him. -Several of their Sermons were printed. Some of -these with their quaint Titles are now before us. -Foremost among them appears that of the excellent -<span class="smcap">Mr. Prince</span>; he entitled his, "The Departure -of <span class="smcap">Elijah</span> lamented.—A Sermon occasioned -by the great and publick Loss in the <i>Decease</i> of -the very <span class="smcap">Reverend</span> and <span class="smcap">Learned</span> COTTON -MATHER, D.D., F.R.S., and Senior Pastor of -the <i>North Church</i> in Boston. Who left this Life -on <i>Feb. 13th, 1727,8</i>. The Morning after he -finished the LXV. Year of his Age." From -2 Kings ii, 12, 13. The Imprint of this Sermon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xcvi" id="Page_xcvi">xcvi</a></span> -is, "<span class="smcap">Boston</span> in <i>New England:</i> Printed for <i>D. -Henchman</i>, near the Brick Meeting House in -Cornhill. MDCCXXVIII."</p> - -<p>The running Title of Dr. Colman's Sermon on -the same Occasion is "The holy Walk and -glorious Translation of blessed <i>ENOCH</i>." His -Text was Gen. v. 24. It would be difficult to -find anything of the Kind, either before or since, -which, in our Judgment, is superior to this Discourse -of Dr. Colman; but valuable as it is, we -cannot introduce Extracts from it here. His -Allusion, however, to the then past and present -State of Things connected with his Subject, is so -happy that we cannot overlook it.</p> - -<p>"Dr. Mather's Brethren in the Ministry here," -he says, "are bereaved and weak with him. God -has taken their Father as well as his, from their -Heads this Day. He was a Pastor in the Town -when the eldest of the present Pastors were but -Children, and long before most of them were -born. They are weak indeed when he that is -now speaking to them is the <i>first</i> in Years among -them, in all respects else the least," &c.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Rev. Joshua Gee</span>, Colleague with Dr. -Mather, also preached a Funeral Sermon on his -departed Friend, entitled, "<span class="smcap">Israel's</span> <i>Mourning</i> for -<span class="smcap">Aaron's</span> <i>Death</i>." In this Discourse there is the -following important Note: "Within a few Months -past, we have been called to lament the Deaths of -two such aged Servants of the <span class="smcap">Lord</span>. The Rev. -<i>Mr. Samuel Danforth</i> of Taunton, who died Nov.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xcvii" id="Page_xcvii">xcvii</a></span> -14. And my honored Father-in-law, the Rev. -<i>Mr. Peter Thatcher</i> of Milton, who died Dec. -17, 1727: while the Days of mourning were -scarce over in this Town for my dearly beloved -Friend and Brother, the Rev. <i>Mr. William Waldron</i>, -who died Sept. 11, 1727."</p> - -<p>Dr. Mather's Son and Biographer, "<span class="smcap">Samuel -Mather</span>, M. A., and Chaplain at <span class="smcap">Castle William</span>," -also preached a Funeral Sermon on his -Father's Death. "The <i>Departure</i> and <i>Character</i> -of <span class="smcap">Elijah</span> considered and improved," was its -running Title. Only about five Years before, the -deceased preached a Sermon on the Death of his -Father; in the Title-page of which, when printed, -instead of the Author's Name we read, "By one -who, as a <span class="smcap">Son</span> with a <i>FATHER</i>, served with him -in the Gospel."</p> - -<p>Dr. Mather died intestate, and the Order of -the Judge of Probate for the Distribution of his -Estate is as follows: "One third to his Widow, -Lydia Mather; two single Shares or fourth Parts -to Samuel Mather, Clerk, only surviving Son, and -one Share each to the Rest of his Children, viz., -Abigail Willard, deceased, Wife of Daniel Willard, -also deceased, their Children and legal Representatives, -and Hannah Mather, Spinster." -Dated, 25th May, 1730.</p> - -<p>The Portrait now in Circulation of Dr. Mather -was engraved from a beautiful <i>Mezzotinto</i>, half -Size, with the following Inscription underneath -it:</p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xcviii" id="Page_xcviii">xcviii</a></span> - -"Cottonus Matherus S. Theologiæ Doctor -Regiæ Societatis Londiniensis Socius, et Eccelsiæ -apud Bostonum Nov˭Anglorum nuper Præpositus.</p> - -<p>Ætatis Suæ LXV. MDCCXXVII.</p> - -<p class="center">P. Pelham ad vivum pinxit ab Origin Fecit."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Those desiring genealogical Information of the -Mather Family, I must refer to the Pedigree -printed in Connection with Dr. I. Mather's <i>Brief -History</i>, &c.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_25" id="Footnote_26_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_25"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> He was only 23 when the -Work was published, which is indeed -an Apology for its crude -Style of Composition.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_26" id="Footnote_27_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_26"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Octavo, London, 1721. Printed -for Emanuel Matthews, at the -Bible <i>in</i> Pater-Noster-Row.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_27" id="Footnote_28_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_27"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> <i>Appendix Touching Prodigies</i> -to his <i>Convention Sermon</i> of May -23, 1689.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_28" id="Footnote_29_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_28"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Referring doubtless to <i>New -England Justified</i>, published by -the Author's Grandfather.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_29" id="Footnote_30_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_29"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> It would seem from this that -Mr. Mather had been prosecuted, -tried and sentenced to six Months' -Imprisonment, but there appears -no other Intimation of it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_30" id="Footnote_31_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_30"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Calef's <i>More Wonders of the -Invisible World</i> is the Book asserted -to have died <i>long before its Author</i>. -However that might have been considered 30 Years after the <i>More</i> -Wonders was printed, it is far from -being Dead in this Age. Remarks -will be more in Order when we -come to <i>introduce</i> the Work.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_31" id="Footnote_32_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_31"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> It is rather surprising that the -Author should speak doubtfully of -the Case of this Family as to the -Time of its Occurrence, when the -<i>Magnalia</i> was at his Hand, giving -Date and Details of the Affair. See -that Work, B. vi, Page 71.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_32" id="Footnote_33_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_32"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> See <i>History and Antiquities of Boston</i>, 561-3.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f099.jpg" width="400" height="647" alt="observations" /> -</div> -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p class="center bb"><span class="antiqua">The Wonders of the Invisible World.</span> </p> - -<p class="center"><big>OBSERVATIONS</big></p> - -<p class="center">As well <i>Historical</i> as <i>Theological</i>, upon the NATURE, the<br /> -NUMBER, and the OPERATIONS of the<br /> -<span class="xlarge">DEVILS.</span></p> - -<p class="center"> -Accompany'd with -</p> - -<ul class="hang"> - -<li>I. Some Accounts of the Grievous Molestations, by DÆMONS -and WITCHCRAFTS, which have lately -annoy'd the Countrey; and the Trials of some eminent -<i>Malefactors</i> Executed upon occasion thereof: with several -Remarkable <i>Curiosities</i> therein occurring.</li> - -<li>II. Some Counsils, Directing a due Improvement of the terrible -things, lately done, by the Unusual & Amazing -Range of EVIL SPIRITS, in Our Neighbourhood: & -the methods to prevent the <i>Wrongs</i> which those <i>Evil</i> -<i>Angels</i> may intend against all sorts of people among us; -especially in Accusations of the Innocent.</li> - -<li>III. Some Conjectures upon the great EVENTS, likely -to befall, the WORLD in General, and NEW-ENGLAND -in Particular; as also upon the Advances of -the TIME, when we shall see BETTER DAYES.</li> - -<li>IV. A short Narrative of a late Outrage committed by a -knot of WITCHES in <i>Swedeland</i>, very much Resembling, -and so far Explaining, <i>That</i> under which our parts -of <i>America</i> have laboured!</li> - -<li>V. THE DEVIL DISCOVERED: In a Brief Discourse upon -those TEMPTATIONS, which are the more Ordinary -<i>Devices</i> of the Wicked One.</li></ul> - -<p class="center bt bb"> -By <span class="antiqua">Cotton Mather</span>.</p> -<p class="center"> -<i>Boston</i> Printed, and Sold by <i>Benjamin Harris</i>, 1693. -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f100.jpg" width="400" height="297" alt="published" /> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f100a.jpg" width="200" height="22" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"> -<span class="dropcapa">P</span>Ublished by the Special<br /> -Command of His EXCELLENCY,<br /> - -the Governour<br /> -of the Province of<br /> -the Massachusetts-Bay in<br /> -New-England. -</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f100b.jpg" width="200" height="21" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - </div> -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_f101.jpg" width="400" height="622" alt="tryals" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="bbox"> - <p class="center"><i>The Wonders of the Invisible World:</i> </p> - -<p class="center">Being an Account of the</p> - -<p class="center"><em class="gesperrt">TRYALS</em></p> - -<p class="center">OF</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="antiqua">Several WWitches</span>,</p> - -<p class="center">Lately Excuted in</p> - -<p class="center"><em class="gesperrt">NEW-ENGLAND</em>:</p> - -<p class="center">And of several remarkable Curiosities therein Occurring.</p> - -<p class="center">Together with,</p> - -<ul class="hang"> - -<li>I. Observations upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the -Devils.</li> - -<li>II. A short Narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of Witches -in <i>Swede-Land</i>, very much resembling, and so far explaining, that -under which <i>New-England</i> has laboured,</li> - -<li>III. Some Councels directing a due Improvement of the Terrible things -lately done by the unusual and amazing Range of <i>Evil-Spirits</i> in -<i>New-England</i>.</li> - -<li>IV. A brief Discourse upon those <i>Temptations</i> which are the more ordinary -Devices of Satan.</li></ul> - -<p class="center bt bb">By <i>COTTON MATHER</i>.</p> - -<p class="center bb">Published by the Special Command of his EXCELLENCY the Govenour of -the Province of the <i>Massachusetts-Bay</i> in <i>New-England</i>.</p> - -<p class="center">Printed first, at <i>Boston</i> in <i>New-England</i>; and Reprinted at <i>London</i>, -for <i>John Dunton</i>, at the <i>Raven</i> in the <i>Poultry</i>. 1693.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_cii" id="Page_cii">cii</a></span> -Imprimatur.</p> -<p class="in4"> -Decmb. 23.</p> -<p class="in6"> -1692.</p> -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">Edmund Bohun.</span><a name="FNanchor_34_33" id="FNanchor_34_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_33" class="fnanchor">[34]</a><br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_33" id="Footnote_34_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_33"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Edmund Bohun was himself a -Writer of considerable Note. The -Work by which he is best known -is probably that entitled <i>The Character -of Queen Elizabeth</i>, a sizable -Octavo, printed in 1693. His Writings -are said to be Voluminous, yet -but few of them are met with at this -Day. One of the first Gazetteers -was by him in a thick Octavo, 1688. -He does not, however, call it a -Gazetteer, but a Geographical Dictionary. -His Descriptions compare -singularly with those of the same -Articles in Works of later Times: -as for Example, he says Columbus -discovered America in 1499. All -the Notice Boston receives at his -Hands is at the Close of an Article -on Boston in Lincolnshire—"there -is another Place in <i>New England</i> -of the same Name." Under the -Head of New England he gives it a -much larger Notice; calls New -England <i>a Colony</i>, "and they have -built seven great Towns, the Chief -of which is Boston, which in 1670, -had fifty Sail of Ships belonging to -it." He was Author of a Life of Bishop -Jewell, and was living in 1700.</p></div></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_p001.jpg" width="500" height="57" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<h2 class="break">THE<br /> -<span class="antiqua"> -Author's Defence</span>.</h2> - -<p> - -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span> - -<img src="images/lettert.jpg" width="100" height="99" alt="T" title="T" class="figleft" /> -<i>IS</i>, as I remember, the Learned <i>Scribonius</i>,<a name="FNanchor_35_34" id="FNanchor_35_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_34" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> -who reports, that One of his -Acquaintance, devoutly making his -Prayers on the behalf of a Person -molested by <i>Evil Spirits</i>, received -from those <i>Evil Spirits</i> an horrible Blow over the -Face: And I may my self expect not few or small -Buffetings from Evil Spirits, for the Endeavours -wherewith I am now going to encounter them. -I am far from Insensible that at this extraordinary -Time of the <i>Devils coming down in great Wrath -upon us</i>, there are too many Tongues and Hearts -thereby <i>set on fire of Hell;</i> that the various Opinions -about the Witchcrafts which of later Time -have troubled us, are maintained by some with so -much cloudy Fury, as if they could never be sufficiently -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span> - -stated, unless written in the Liquor -wherewith Witches use to write their Covenants; -and that he who becomes an Author at such a -time, had need be <i>fenced with Iron, and the Staff -of a Spear</i>. The unaccountable Frowardness, -Asperity, Untreatableness, and Inconsistency of -many Persons, every Day gives a visible Exposition -of that passage, <i>An evil spirit from the Lord -came upon Saul;</i> and Illustration of that Story, -<i>There met him two possessed with Devils, exceeding -fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.</i> To -send abroad a Book, among such Readers, were a -very unadvised thing, if a Man had not such -Reasons to give, as I can bring, for such an Undertaking. -Briefly, I hope it cannot be said, <i>They are -all so;</i> No, I hope the Body of this People, -are yet in such a Temper, as to be capable of -applying their Thoughts, to make a <i>Right Use</i> of -the stupendous and prodigious Things that are -happening among us: And because I was concern'd, -when I saw that no abler Hand emitted -any Essays to engage the Minds of this People, in -such holy, pious, fruitful Improvements, as God -would have to be made of his amazing Dispensations -now upon us. THEREFORE it is, that -One of the Least among the Children of <i>New-England</i>, -has here done, what is done. None, but -<i>the Father, who sees in secret</i>, knows the Heart-breaking -Exercises, wherewith I have composed -what is now [vi] going to be exposed, lest I -should in any one thing miss of doing my designed -Service for his Glory, and for his People; but I -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span> - -am now somewhat comfortably assured of his -favourable acceptance; and, <i>I will not fear; what -can a Satan do unto me!</i><a name="FNanchor_36_35" id="FNanchor_36_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_35" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> - -<p>Having performed something of what God -required, in labouring to suit his Words unto his -Works, at this Day among us, and therewithal -handled a Theme that has been sometimes -counted not unworthy the Pen, even of a King,<a name="FNanchor_37_36" id="FNanchor_37_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_36" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> -it will easily be perceived, that some subordinate -Ends have been considered in these Endeavours.</p> - -<p>I have indeed set myself to countermine the -whole <span class="smcap">PLOT</span> of the Devil, against <i>New-England</i>, -in every Branch of it, as far as one of my <i>darkness</i>, -can comprehend such a <i>Work of Darkness</i>. I -may add, that I have herein also aimed at the -Information and Satisfaction of Good Men in -another Country, a thousand Leagues off, where -I have, it may be, more, or however, more considerable -Friends, than in <i>My Own;</i> And I do -what I can to have that Country, now, as well as -always, in the best Terms with <i>My Own</i>. But -while I am doing these things, I have been driven -a little to do something likewise for myself; I -mean, by taking off the false Reports, and hard -Censures about my Opinion in these Matters, the -<i>Parters Portion</i> which my <i>pursuit of Peace</i> has -procured me among the <i>Keen</i>. My hitherto <i>unvaried -Thoughts</i> are here published; and I believe, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> - -they will be owned by most of the Ministers of -God in these Colonies; nor can amends be well -made me, for the wrong done me, by other sorts -of <i>Representations</i>.</p> - -<p class="p2">In fine; For the <i>Dogmatical</i><a name="FNanchor_38_37" id="FNanchor_38_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_37" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> part of my Discourse, -I want no Defence; for the <i>Historical</i> part -of it, I have a very Great One; the Lievtenant-Governour -of <i>New-England</i><a name="FNanchor_39_38" id="FNanchor_39_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_38" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> having perused it, -has done me the Honour of giving me a <i>Shield</i>, -under the Umbrage whereof I now dare to walk -Abroad.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_34" id="Footnote_35_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_34"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> The only known Work of -"Learned Scribonius" is that entitled -<i>De Compositione Medicamentorum</i> -Liber," the best Edition of -which is said to be that of Padua, -1655, in 4to, with Notes by Rhodius. -He was of Rome in the -Time of Claudius. His Book is a -Sort of Repository of Prescriptions, -which Prescriptions were of about -as much value, in a medical Point of -View, as later ones were for determining -what Persons were Witches. -<i>Nouveau Dict. Hist. a Lyon</i>, 1804.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_35" id="Footnote_36_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_35"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> This Self Complacency is somewhat -surprising, considering this -Record was made while above an -hundred poor Wretches were lying -in the Jails of Boston and Salem!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_36" id="Footnote_37_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_36"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> The Author doubtless has Reference -to the <i>Dæmonology</i> of James -I. See <a href="#Page_xi"><i>Introduction</i></a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_37" id="Footnote_38_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_37"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> It is said that the learned Joseph -Glanvil was made a "Fellow of the -Royal Society" for an elaborate -Treatise which he wrote on "The -Vanity of <i>Dogmatizing</i>." If that -entitled the said Joseph to be thus -distinguished, no one ought any -longer to question our Author's -Claim to the same Distinction. -Glanvil was as earnest a Defender -of Witchcraft in his Time as Doctor -Mather was a few Years later; -and his Books, like this of the Doctor's, -are entirely neglected except by -the curious Investigators of the Progress -of Society.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_38" id="Footnote_39_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_38"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Thus speaking of New England -was strictly correct then, though -it reminds us of what our English -Brethren used to say at a much later -Period in Reference to Boston,—speaking -of it as "the Colony of -Boston," "the Colony of New -England," &c.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_p005.jpg" width="500" height="78" alt="decoration" /> -</div> -<p class="center">[vii] <span class="smcap">Reverend and Dear</span> SIR,</p> - -<p> -<img src="images/i_p005y.jpg" width="100" height="95" alt="Y" class="figleft" /> -<i>OU very much gratify'd me, as well as -put a kind Respect upon me, when you -put into my hands, your elaborate and -most seasonable Discourse, entituled,</i> -The Wonders of the Invisible World. -<i>And having now perused so fruitful and happy a -Composure, upon such a Subject, at this Juncture of -Time; and considering the place that I hold in the -Court of</i> Oyer <i>and</i> Terminer, <i>still labouring and -proceeding in the Trial of the Persons accused and -convicted for Witchcraft, I find that I am more -nearly and highly concerned than as a meer ordinary -Reader, to express my Obligation and Thankfulness -to you for so great Pains; and cannot but hold myself -many ways bound, even to the utmost of what is -proper for me, in my present publick Capacity, to -declare my</i> singular Approbation <i>thereof. Such is -your Design, most plainly expressed throughout the -whole; such your Zeal for God, your Enmity to -Satan and his Kingdom, your Faithfulness and Compassion -to this poor People; such the Vigour, but yet -great Temper of your Spirit; such your Instruction -and Counsel, your</i> Care of Truth, <i>your Wisdom and -Dexterity in allaying and moderating that among us, -which needs it; such your clear discerning of Divine</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> - -<i>Providences and Periods, now running on apace -towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and -finally, such your good News of</i> The Shortness of -the Devil's Time,<a name="FNanchor_40_39" id="FNanchor_40_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_39" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> <i>that all Good Men must needs -desire, the making of this your Discourse publick to -the World; and will greatly rejoyce, that the</i> Spirit -of the Lord <i>has thus enabled you to</i> lift up a Standard -<i>against the Infernal Enemy, that hath been</i> -coming in like a Flood upon us. <i>I do therefore -make it my particular and earnest Request unto you, -that as soon as may be, you will commit the same -unto the</i> PRESS <i>accordingly. I am,</i></p> - -<p class="center"> -Your assured Friend,</p> -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">William Stoughton</span>.<a name="FNanchor_41_40" id="FNanchor_41_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_40" class="fnanchor">[41]</a><br /> -</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_39" id="Footnote_40_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_39"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> This has Reference to what is -intimated in that Part of the present -Volume, entitled—"The Devil Discovered."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p> -<a name="Footnote_41_40" id="Footnote_41_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_40"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> -The Writer of the above Letter -(Judge Stoughton) was 61 Years -old at the Time; and it may reasonably -be supposed was in the full -Enjoyment of his intellectual Faculties. -And as he was one of the -ablest Men of his Day, such an Indorsement -of the Author's Work -was no mean Fortification from behind -which to defend even a very -bad Cause. Stoughton lived several -Years after he had ceased trying -Witches,—dying in 1701, at <span class="err" title="original: the the">the</span> - Age of 70. He was Son of -Mr. Israel Stoughton of Dorchester, -a Captain in the Pequot War, and -Colonel afterwards in the Parliamentary -Army in England.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p class="xhang"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span> -[viii]<a name="FNanchor_42_41" id="FNanchor_42_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_41" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> - -<span class="dropcapa">I</span> LIVE by <i>Neighbours</i> that force me to -produce these undeserved Lines. But -now, as when Mr. Wilson<a name="FNanchor_43_42" id="FNanchor_43_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_42" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> beholding a -great Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman -then present, said unto him, <i>Sir, I'll tell you a great -Thing: Here is a mighty Body of People; and there is -not</i> Seven <i>of them all, but what loves</i> Mr. Wilson. -That gracious Man presently and pleasantly reply'd: -<i>Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that; -here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not so -much as</i> One <i>among them all, but Mr.</i> Wilson <i>loves -him.</i> Somewhat so: 'Tis possible, that among -this Body of People, there may be few that love -the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to -boast so far, there is not one among all this Body -of People, whom this <i>Mather</i> would not study to -serve, as well as to love. With such a <i>Spirit of -Love</i>, is the Book now before us written: I appeal -to all <i>this World;</i> and if <i>this</i> World will deny me -the Right of acknowledging so much, I appeal to -the other, that it is <i>not written with an Evil Spirit:</i> -for which cause I shall not wonder, if <i>Evil Spirits</i> -be exasperated by what is written, as the <i>Sadduces</i> -doubtless were with what was discoursed in the -Days of our Saviour. I only demand the <i>Justice</i>, -that others <i>read</i> it, with the same Spirit wherewith -I <i>writ</i> it.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_41" id="Footnote_42_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_41"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> No Paging thus far in the -Original.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_42" id="Footnote_43_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_42"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> John Wilson, the first Minister -of Boston. He died August 7th -1667, aged 78. See the <i>Biographical -Dictionaries</i>, Eliot and Allen.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="full" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_p009.jpg" width="500" height="130" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<h2 class="break">[5] ENCHANTMENTS ENCOUNTER'D.</h2> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum hidev"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> -§ I.</p> -<p> -<img src="images/letteri.jpg" width="100" height="99" alt="I" class="figleft" /> - -T was as long ago, as the Year -1637, that a Faithful Minister -of the Church of <i>England</i>, whose -Name was Mr. <i>Edward Symons</i>,<a name="FNanchor_44_43" id="FNanchor_44_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_43" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> -did in a Sermon afterwards -Printed, thus express himself; 'At <i>New-England</i> -now the Sun of Comfort begins to appear, and -the glorious Day-Star to show it self;—<i>Sed -Venient Annis Sæculæ Seris</i>, there will come -Times in after Ages, when the <i>Clouds will overshadow -and darken the Sky there</i>. Many now -promise to themselves nothing but successive -Happiness there, which for a time through God's -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> - -Mercy they may enjoy; and I pray God, they -may a long time; but in this World there is no -Happiness perpetual.' An <i>Observation</i>, or I had -almost said, an <i>Inspiration</i>, very dismally now -verify'd upon us! It has been affirm'd by some -who best knew <i>New-England</i>, That the World -will do <i>New-England</i> a great piece of Injustice, -if it acknowledge not a measure of Religion, -Loyalty, Honesty, and Industry, in the People -there, beyond what is to be found with any other -People for the Number of them.<a name="FNanchor_45_44" id="FNanchor_45_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_44" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> When I did -a few years ago, publish a Book, which mentioned -a few memorable Witchcrafts, committed in this -country; the excellent <i>Baxter</i>, graced the Second -Edition of that Book, with a kind Preface, -wherein he sees cause to say, <i>If any are Scandalized, -that</i> New-England, <i>a place of as serious -Piety, as any I can hear of, under Heaven, should -be troubled so much with Witches; I think, 'tis no -wonder: Where will the Devil show most Malice, -but where he is hated, and hateth most:</i> And I hope, -the Country will still deserve and answer the -Charity so expressed by that Reverend Man of -God.<a name="FNanchor_46_45" id="FNanchor_46_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_45" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> Whosoever travels over this Wilderness, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> - -will see it richly bespangled with Evangelical -Churches, whose Pastors are holy, able, and painful -Overseers of their Flocks, lively Preachers, -and vertuous Livers; and such as in their several -Neighbourly Associations, have had their Meetings -whereat Ecclesiastical Matters of common -Concernment are considered: <i>Churches</i>, whose -Communicants have been seriously examined -about their Experiences of Regeneration, as well -as about their Knowledge, and Belief, and blameless -Conversation, before their Admission to the -Sacred Communion; although others of less but -hopeful Attainments in Christianity are not ordinarily -deny'd Baptism for themselves and theirs; -Churches, which are shye of using any thing in -the Worship of God, for which they cannot see a -Warrant of God; but with whom yet the Names -of <i>Congregational</i>, <i>Presbyterian</i>, <i>Episcopalian</i>, or -<i>Antipædobaptist</i>, are swallowed up in that of -<i>Christian;</i> Persons of all those Perswasions being -taken into our [6] Fellowship, when visible -Goodliness has recommended them:<a name="FNanchor_47_46" id="FNanchor_47_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_46" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> Churches, -which usually do within themselves manage their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span>own Discipline, under the Conduct of their Elders; -but yet call in the help of <i>Synods</i> upon -Emergencies, or Aggrievances; <i>Churches</i>, Lastly, -wherein Multitudes are growing ripe for Heaven -every day; and as fast as these are taken off, others -are daily rising up. And by the Presence and -Power of the Divine Institutions thus maintained -in the Country. We are still so happy, that I -suppose there is no Land in the Universe more -free from the debauching, and the debasing Vices -of Ungodliness. The Body of the People are -hitherto so disposed, that <i>Swearing</i>, <i>Sabbath-breaking</i>, -<i>Whoring</i>, <i>Drunkenness</i>, and the like, do -not make a Gentleman, but a Monster, or a Goblin, -in the vulgar Estimation.<a name="FNanchor_48_47" id="FNanchor_48_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_47" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> All this notwithstanding, -we must humbly confess to our God, -that we are miserably degenerated from the first -Love of our Predecessors; however we boast our -selves a little, when Men would go to trample -upon us, and we venture to say, <i>Wherein soever -any is bold (we speak foolishly) we are bold also</i>.<a name="FNanchor_49_48" id="FNanchor_49_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_48" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span>The first Planters of these Colonies were a chosen -Generation of Men, who were first so pure, as to -disrelish many things which they thought wanted -Reformation elsewhere; and yet withal so peaceable, -that they embraced a voluntary Exile in a -squalid, horrid, <i>American</i> Desart,<a name="FNanchor_50_49" id="FNanchor_50_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_49" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> rather than to -live in Contentions with their Brethren. Those -good Men imagined that they should leave their -Posterity in a place, where they should never see -the Inroads of Profanity, or Superstition: And a -famous Person returning hence, could in a Sermon -before the Parliament profess, <i>I have been seven -Years in a Country, where I never saw one Man -drunk, or heard one Oath sworn, or beheld one -Beggar in the Streets all the while</i>.<a name="FNanchor_51_50" id="FNanchor_51_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_50" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> Such great -Persons as <i>Budæus</i>, and others, who mistook Sir -<i>Thomas Moor's</i> <span class="smcap">Utopia</span>, for a Country really -existent, and stirr'd up some Divines charitably to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span>undertake a Voyage thither, might now have -certainly found a Truth in their Mistake; <i>New-England</i> -was a true <i>Utopia</i>. But, alas, the -Children and Servants of those old Planters must -needs afford many degenerate Plants, and there is -now risen up a Number of People, otherwise -inclined than our <i>Joshua's</i>, and the Elders that -out-liv'd them. Those two things our holy Progenitors, -and our happy Advantages make Omissions -of Duty, and such Spiritual Disorders as the -whole World abroad is overwhelmed with, to be -as provoking in us, as the most flagitious Wickednesses -committed in other places; and the Ministers -of God are accordingly severe in their -Testimonies: But in short, those Interests of the -Gospel, which were the Errand of our Fathers -into these Ends of the Earth, have been too much -neglected and postponed, and the Attainments of -an handsome Education, have been too much -undervalued, by Multitudes that have not fallen -into Exorbitances of Wickedness; and some, especially -of our young Ones, when they have got -abroad from under the Restraints here laid upon -them, have become extravagantly and abominably -Vicious. Hence 'tis, that the Happiness of <i>New-England</i> -has been but for a time, as it was foretold, -and not for a long time, as has been desir'd -for us. A Variety of Calamity has long follow'd -this Plantation; and we have all the Reason -imaginable to ascribe it unto the Rebuke of -Heaven upon us for our manifold <i>Apostasies;</i> we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -make no right use of our Disasters: If we do not, -<i>Remember whence we are fallen, and repent, and do -the first Works</i>. But yet our Afflictions may come -under a further Consideration with us: There is -a further Cause of our Afflictions, whose due must -be given him.</p> - -<p class="p2">[7] § II. The <i>New-Englanders</i> are a People of -God settled in those, which were once the <i>Devil's</i> -Territories; and it may easily be supposed that the -<i>Devil</i> was exceedingly disturbed, when he perceived -such a People here accomplishing the -Promise of old made unto our Blessed Jesus, -<i>That He should have the Utmost parts of the Earth -for his Possession</i>.<a name="FNanchor_52_51" id="FNanchor_52_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_51" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> There was not a greater Uproar -among the <i>Ephesians</i>, when the Gospel was -first brought among them, than there was among, -<i>The Powers of the Air</i> (after whom those <i>Ephesians</i> -walked) when first the <i>Silver Trumpets</i> of the -Gospel here made the <i>Joyful Sound</i>. The Devil -thus Irritated, immediately try'd all sorts of -Methods to overturn this poor Plantation: and so -much of the Church, as was <i>Fled into this Wilderness</i>, -immediately found, <i>The Serpent cast out of -his Mouth a Flood for the carrying of it away.</i> I -believe, that never were more <i>Satanical Devices</i> -used for the Unsetling of any People under the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> - -Sun, than what have been Employ'd for the Extirpation -of the <i>Vine</i> which God has here <i>Planted, -Casting out the Heathen, and preparing a Room -before it, and causing it to take deep Root, and fill -the Land, so that it sent its Boughs unto the</i> Atlantic -<i>Sea</i> Eastward, <i>and its Branches unto the</i> Connecticut -<i>River</i> Westward, <i>and the Hills were covered -with the shadow thereof</i>. But, All those Attempts -of Hell, have hitherto been Abortive, many an -<i>Ebenezer</i> has been Erected unto the Praise of -God, by his Poor People here; and, <i>Having obtained -Help from God, we continue to this Day</i>. -Wherefore the Devil is now making one Attempt -more upon us; an Attempt more Difficult, more -Surprizing, more snarl'd with unintelligible Circumstances -than any that we have hitherto Encountred;<a name="FNanchor_53_52" id="FNanchor_53_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_52" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> -an Attempt so <i>Critical</i>, that if we -get well through, we shall soon Enjoy <i>Halcyon</i> -Days with all the <i>Vultures</i> of Hell <i>Trodden under -our Feet</i>. He has wanted his <i>Incarnate Legions</i> -to Persecute us, as the People of God have in -the other Hemisphere been Persecuted: he has -therefore drawn forth his more <i>Spiritual</i> ones to -make an Attacque upon us. We have been -advised by some Credible Christians yet alive, -that a Malefactor, accused of <i>Witchcraft</i> as well -as <i>Murder</i>, and Executed in this place more than -Forty Years ago, did then give Notice of, <i>An -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span>Horrible</i> <span class="smcap">Plot</span> <i>against the Country</i> by <span class="smcap">Witchcraft</span>, -<i>and a Foundation of</i> <span class="smcap">Witchcraft</span> <i>then -laid, which if it were not seasonably discovered, -would prbably Blow up, and pull down all the -Churches in the Country</i>.<a name="FNanchor_54_53" id="FNanchor_54_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_53" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> And we have now -with Horror seen the <i>Discovery</i> of such a <i>Witchcraft!</i> -An Army of <i>Devils</i> is horribly broke in -upon the place which is the <i>Center</i>, and after a -sort, the <i>First-born</i> of our <i>English</i> Settlements: -and the Houses of the Good People there are -fill'd with the doleful Shrieks of their Children -and Servants, Tormented by Invisible Hands, with -Tortures altogether preternatural. After the -Mischiefs there Endeavoured, and since in part -Conquered, the terrible Plague, of <i>Evil Angels</i>, -hath made its Progress into some other places, -where other Persons have been in like manner -Diabolically handled. These our poor Afflicted -Neighbours, quickly after they become <i>Infected</i> -and <i>Infested</i> with these <i>Dæmons</i>, arrive to a Capacity -of Discerning those which they conceive the -<i>Shapes</i> of their Troublers; and notwithstanding -the Great and Just Suspicion, that the <i>Dæmons</i> -might Impose the <i>Shapes</i> of Innocent Persons in -their <i>Spectral Exhibitions</i> upon the Sufferers, -(which may perhaps prove no small part of the -<i>Witch-Plot</i> in the issue) yet many of the Persons -thus Represented, being Examined, several of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> - -them have been Convicted of a very Damnable -<i>Witchcraft:</i> yea, more than One <i>Twenty</i> have -<i>Confessed</i>, that they have Signed unto a <i>Book</i>, -which the Devil show'd them, and Engaged in -his Hellish Design of <i>Bewitching</i>, and <i>Ruining</i> our -Land. <i>We</i> [8] know not, at least I know not, -how far the <i>Delusions</i> of Satan may be Interwoven -into some Circumstances of the <i>Confessions;</i> but -one would think, all the Rules of Understanding -Humane Affayrs are at an end, if after so many -most Voluntary Harmonious <i>Confessions</i>, made by -Intelligent Persons of all Ages, in sundry Towns, at -several Times, we must not Believe the <i>main -strokes</i> wherein those <i>Confessions</i> all agree: especially -when we have a thousand preternatural Things -every day before our eyes, wherein the <i>Confessors</i> -do acknowledge their Concernment, and give -Demonstration of their being so Concerned. If -the Devils now can strike the minds of men with -any <i>Poisons</i> of so fine a Composition and Operation, -that Scores of Innocent People shall Unite, -in <i>Confessions</i> of a Crime, which we see actually -committed, it is a thing prodigious, beyond the -Wonders of the former Ages, and it threatens no -less than a sort of a Dissolution upon the World. -Now, by these <i>Confessions</i> 'tis Agreed, <i>That</i> the -Devil has made a dreadful Knot of <i>Witches</i> in the -Country, and by the help of <i>Witches</i> has dreadfully -increased that Knot: <i>That</i> these <i>Witches</i> -have driven a Trade of Commissioning their <i>Confederate -Spirits</i>, to do all sorts of Mischiefs to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -Neighbours, whereupon there have ensued such -Mischievous consequences upon the Bodies and -Estates of the Neighbourhood, as could not otherwise -be accounted for: yea, <i>That</i> at prodigious -<i>Witch-Meetings</i>, the Wretches have proceeded so -far, as to Concert and Consult the Methods of -Rooting out the Christian Religion from this -Country, and setting up instead of it, perhaps a -more gross <i>Diabolism</i>, than ever the World saw -before. And yet it will be a thing little short of -<i>Miracle</i>, if in so <i>spread</i> a Business as this, the -Devil should not get in some of his Juggles, to -confound the Discovery of all the rest.<a name="FNanchor_55_54" id="FNanchor_55_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_54" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p> - -<p class="p2">§ III. Doubtless, the Thoughts of many will -receive a great Scandal against <i>New-England</i>, from -the Number of Persons that have been Accused, -or Suspected, for <i>Witchcraft</i>, in this Country: But -it were easie to offer many things, that may -Answer and Abate the Scandal. If the Holy -God should any where permit the Devils to hook -two or three wicked <i>Scholars</i> into <i>Witchcraft</i>, and -then by their Assistance to Range with their -<i>Poisonous Insinuations</i> among Ignorant, Envious, -Discontented People, till they have cunningly -decoy'd them into some sudden <i>Act</i>, whereby the -Toyls of Hell shall be perhaps inextricably cast -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span>over them: what Country in the World would -not afford <i>Witches</i>, numerous to a Prodigy? Accordingly, -The Kingdoms of <i>Sweden</i>, <i>Denmark</i>, -<i>Scotland</i>, yea and <i>England</i> it self, as well as the -Province of <i>New-England</i>,<a name="FNanchor_56_55" id="FNanchor_56_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_55" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> have had their Storms -of <i>Witchcrafts</i> breaking upon them, which have -made most Lamentable Devastations: which also -I wish, may be <i>The Last</i>. And it is not uneasie -to be imagined, that God has not brought out all -the <i>Witchcrafts</i> in many other Lands with such -a speedy, dreadful, destroying <i>Jealousie</i>, as burns -forth upon such <i>High Treasons</i>, committed here -in <i>A Land of Uprightness:</i> Transgressors may -more quickly here than elsewhere become a Prey -to the Vengeance of Him, <i>Who has Eyes like a -Flame of Fire</i>, and, <i>who walks in the midst of the -Golden Candlesticks</i>. Moreover, There are many -parts of the World, who if they do upon this -Occasion insult over this People of God, need -only to be told the Story of what happen'd at <i>Loim</i>, -in the Duchy of <i>Gulic</i>, where a Popish Curate -having ineffectually try'd many Charms to Eject -the Devil out of a Damsel there possessed, he passionately -bid the Devil come out of her into -himself; but the Devil answered him, <i>Quid mihi -Opus, est eum tentare, quem Novissimo die, Jure Optimo, -sum possessurus?</i> That is, <i>What need I meddle -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span>with one whom I am sure to have, and hold at the -Last-day as my own for ever!</i></p> - -<p>[9] But besides all this, give me leave to add, it -is to be hoped, That among the Persons represented -by the <i>Spectres</i> which now afflict our -Neighbours, there will be found <i>some</i> that never -explicitly contracted with any of the <i>Evil Angels</i>. -The Witches have not only intimated, but some -of them acknowledged, That they have plotted -the Representations of <i>Innocent Persons</i>, to cover -and shelter themselves in their Witchcrafts; now, -altho' our good God has hitherto generally preserved -us from the Abuse therein design'd by the -Devils for us, yet who of us can exactly state, -<i>How far our God may for our Chastisement permit -the Devil to proceed in such an Abuse?</i> It was the -Result of a Discourse, lately held at a Meeting of -some very Pious and Learned Ministers among -us, <i>That the Devils may sometimes have a permission -to Represent an Innocent Person, as Tormenting such -as are under Diabolical Molestations: But that such -things are Rare and Extraordinary; especially when -such matters come before Civil Judicature.</i><a name="FNanchor_57_56" id="FNanchor_57_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_56" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> The -Opinion expressed with so much Caution and -Judgment, seems to be the prevailing Sense of -many others, who are men Eminently Cautious -and Judicious; and have both <i>Argument</i> and -<i>History</i> to Countenance them in it. It is <i>Rare -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> - -and Extraordinary</i>, for an Honest <i>Naboth</i> to have -his Life it self Sworn away by two <i>Children of -Belial</i>, and yet no Infringement hereby made on -the Rectoral Righteousness of our Eternal Soveraign, -whose <i>Judgments are a Great Deep</i>, and -who <i>gives none Account of His matters</i>.<a name="FNanchor_58_57" id="FNanchor_58_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_57" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> Thus, -although the Appearance of Innocent Persons in -<i>Spectral Exhibitions</i> afflicting the Neighbourhood, -be a thing <i>Rare and Extraordinary;</i> yet -who can be sure, that the great <i>Belial</i> of Hell -must needs be always <i>Yoked</i> up from this piece of -Mischief? The best man that ever lived has been -called a <i>Witch:</i> and why may not this too usual -and unhappy Symptom of A <i>Witch</i>, even a Spectral -Representation, befall a person that shall be -none of the worst? Is it not possible? The -<i>Laplanders</i> will tell us 'tis possible: for Persons -to be unwittingly attended with officious <i>Dæmons</i>, -bequeathed unto them, and impos'd upon them, -by Relations that have been <i>Witches</i>.<a name="FNanchor_59_58" id="FNanchor_59_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_58" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> <i>Quæry</i>, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span>also, Whether at a Time, when the Devil with -his Witches are engag'd in a War upon a people, -some certain steps of ours, in such a War, may -not be follow'd with our appearing so and so for -a while among them in the Visions of our afflicted -<i>Forlorns!</i> And, Who can certainly say, what -other Degrees or Methods of sinning, besides that -of a <i>Diabolical Compact</i>, may give the Devils advantage -to act in the Shape of them that have -miscarried? Besides what may happen for a -while, to try the <i>Patience</i> of the Vertuous. May -not some that have been ready upon feeble -grounds uncharitably to Censure and Reproach -other people, be punished for it by <i>Spectres</i> for a -while exposing them to Censure and Reproach? -And furthermore, I pray, that it may be considered, -Whether a World of Magical Tricks often -used in the World, may not insensibly oblige -<i>Devils</i> to wait upon the Superstitious Users of -them. A Witty Writer against <i>Sadducism</i> has -this Observation, That persons who never made -any express Contract with <i>Apostate Spirits</i>, yet -may Act strange Things by <i>Diabolick Aids</i>, which -they procure by the use of those wicked <i>Forms</i> -and <i>Arts</i>, that the Devil first imparted unto his -Confederates. And he adds, <i>We know not but the -Laws of the Dark Kingdom may Enjoyn a particular -Attendance upon all those that practice their -Mysteries, whether they know them to be theirs or no</i>. -Some of them that have been cry'd out upon as -<i>Employing Evil Spirits</i> to hurt our Land, have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> - -been known to be most bloody <i>Fortune-Tellers;</i> -and some of them have confessed, That when they -told <i>Fortunes</i>, they would pretend the Rules of -<i>Chiromancy</i> and the like Ignorant Sciences, but -indeed they had no Rule (they said) [10] but this, -<i>The things were then Darted into their minds</i>. -<i>Darted!</i> Ye Wretches;<a name="FNanchor_60_59" id="FNanchor_60_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_59" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> By whom, I pray? -Surely by none but the <i>Devils;</i> who, tho' perhaps -they did not exactly <i>Foreknow</i> all the thus Predicted -Contingencies; yet having once <i>Foretold</i> -them, they stood bound in Honour now to use -their Interest, which alas, in <i>This World</i>, is very -great, for the Accomplishment of their own -Predictions. There are others, that have used -most wicked <i>Sorceries</i> to gratifie their unlawful -Curiosities, or to prevent Inconveniencies in Man -and Beast; <i>Sorceries</i>, which I will not <i>Name</i>, lest -I should by naming, <i>Teach them</i>.<a name="FNanchor_61_60" id="FNanchor_61_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_60" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> Now, some -<i>Devil</i> is evermore Invited into the Service of the -Person that shall Practise these <i>Witchcrafts;</i> and -if they have gone on Impenitently in these Communions -with any <i>Devil</i>, the <i>Devil</i> may perhaps -become at last a <i>Familiar</i> to them, and so assume -their <i>Livery</i>, that they cannot shake him off in -any way, but that One, which I would most -heartily prescribe unto them, Namely, That of a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span>deep and long <i>Repentance</i>. Should these <i>Impieties</i> -have been committed in such a place as <i>New-England</i>, -for my part I should not wonder, if -when <i>Devils</i> are Exposing the <i>Grosser</i> Witches -among us, God permit them to bring in these -<i>Lesser</i> ones with the rest for their perpetual Humiliation. -In the Issue therefore, may it not be -found, that <i>New-England</i> is not so stock'd with -<i>Rattle Snakes</i>, as was imagined.<a name="FNanchor_62_61" id="FNanchor_62_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_61" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> - -<p class="p2">§ IV. But I do not believe, that the progress of -<i>Witchcraft</i> among us, is all the Plot which the -Devil is managing in the <i>Witchcraft</i> now upon -us. It is judged, That the Devil rais'd the Storm, -whereof we read in the Eighth Chapter of -<i>Matthew</i>, on purpose to over-set the little Vessel -wherein the Disciples of Our Lord were Embarqued -with Him. And it may be fear'd, that -in the <i>Horrible Tempest</i> which is now upon ourselves, -the design of the Devil is to sink that -Happy Settlement of Government, wherewith -Almighty God has graciously enclined Their -Majesties to favour us.<a name="FNanchor_63_62" id="FNanchor_63_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_62" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> We are blessed with a -<span class="smcap">Governour</span>, than whom no man can be more -willing to serve Their Majesties, or this their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span>Province: He is continually venturing his <i>All</i> to -do it: and were not the Interests of his Prince -dearer to him than his own, he could not but soon -be weary of the <i>Helm</i>, whereat he sits. We are -under the Influence of a <span class="smcap">Lieutenant Governour</span>,<a name="FNanchor_64_63" id="FNanchor_64_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_63" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> -who not only by being admirably -accomplished both with Natural and Acquired -Endowments, is fitted for the Service of Their -Majesties, but also with an unspotted Fidelity -applies himself to that Service. Our <span class="smcap">Councellours</span> -are some of our most Eminent Persons, -and as Loyal Subjects to the Crown, as hearty -lovers of their Country.<a name="FNanchor_65_64" id="FNanchor_65_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_64" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> Our Constitution also -is attended with singular Priviledges; All which -Things are by the Devil exceedingly <i>Envy'd</i> unto -us. And the Devil will doubtless take this occasion -for the raising of such complaints and clamours, -as may be of pernicious consequence unto some -part of our present Settlement, if he can so far -<i>Impose</i>. But that which most of all Threatens -us, in our present Circumstances, is the <i>Misunderstanding</i>, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> - -and so the <i>Animosity</i>, whereunto the -<i>Witchcraft</i> now Raging, has Enchanted us. The -Embroiling, first, of our <i>Spirits</i>, and then of our -<i>Affairs</i>, is evidently as considerable a Branch of -the Hellish Intrigue which now vexes us as any -one Thing whatever. The Devil has made us -like a <i>Troubled Sea</i>, and the <i>Mire</i> and <i>Mud</i> begins -now also to heave up apace. Even Good -and Wise Men suffer themselves to fall into their -<i>Paroxysms;</i> and the Shake which the Devil is now -giving us, fetches up the <i>Dirt</i> which before lay -still at the bottom of our sinful Hearts. If we -allow the Mad Dogs of Hell to poyson us by -biting us, [11] we shall imagine that we see nothing -but such things about us, and like such things fly -upon all that we see. Were it not for what is <small>IN -US</small>, for my part, I should not fear a thousand -Legions of Devils: 'tis by our Quarrels that we -spoil our Prayers; and if our humble, zealous, and -united Prayers are once hindred: Alas, the <i>Philistines</i> -of Hell have cut our Locks for us; they -will then blind us, mock us, ruine us: In truth, I -cannot altogether blame it, if People are a little -transported, when they conceive all the secular -Interests of themselves and their Families at the -Stake; and yet at the sight of these Heartburnings, -I cannot forbear the Exclamation of the Sweet-spirited -<i>Austin</i>, in his Pacificatory Epistle to <i>Jerom</i>, -on the Contest with <i>Ruffin</i>, <i>O misera & miseranda -Conditio!</i> O Condition, truly miserable! But -what shall be done to cure these Distractions? It -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> -is wonderfully necessary, that some healing Attempts -be made at this time: And I must needs -confess (if I may speak so much) like a <i>Nazianzen</i>, -I am so desirous of a share in them, that if, being -thrown overboard, were needful to allay the <i>Storm</i>, -I should think Dying, a Trifle to be undergone, -for so great a Blessedness.<a name="FNanchor_66_65" id="FNanchor_66_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_65" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> - -<p class="p2">§ V. I would most importunately in the first -place, entreat every Man to maintain an holy -Jealousie over his own Soul at this time, and think; -May not the Devil make me, though ignorantly -and unwillingly, to be an Instrument of doing -something that he would have to be done? For -my part, I freely own my Suspicion, lest something -of Enchantment, have reach'd more Persons -and Spirits among us, than we are well aware of. -But then, let us more generally agree to maintain -a kind Opinion one of another. That Charity -without which, even our giving our Bodies to be -burned would profit nothing, uses to proceed by -this Rule; It is kind, it is not easily provok'd, it -thinks no Evil, it believes all things, hopes all -things. But if we disregard this Rule of Charity, -we shall indeed give our Body Politick to be -burned.<a name="FNanchor_67_66" id="FNanchor_67_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_66" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> I have heard it affirmed, That in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> - late great Flood upon <i>Connecticut</i>, those Creatures -which could not but have quarrelled at another -time, yet now being driven together very agreeably -stood by one another.<a name="FNanchor_68_67" id="FNanchor_68_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_67" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> I am sure we shall be -worse than <i>Bruitish</i> if we fly upon one another at -a time when the Floods of Belial make us afraid. -On the one side; [Alas, my Pen, must thou write -the word, <i>Side</i> in the Business?] There are very -worthy Men, who, having been call'd by God, -when and where this Witchcraft first appeared -upon the Stage to encounter it, are earnestly -desirous to have it sifted unto the bottom of it. -And I pray, which of us all that should live -under the continual Impressions of the Tortures, -Outcries, and Havocks which Devils confessedly -Commissioned by Witches make among their -distressed Neighbours, would not have a Biass that -way beyond other Men? Persons this way disposed -have been Men eminent for Wisdom and -Vertue, and Men acted by a noble Principle of -Conscience. Had not Conscience (of Duty to -God) prevailed above other Considerations with -them, they would not for all they are worth in -the World have medled in this Thorny business. -Have there been any disputed Methods used in -discovering the Works of Darkness? It may be -none but what have had great Precedents in other -parts of the World; which may, though not altogether -justifie, yet much alleviate a Mistake in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> - -us if there should happen to be found any such -mistake in so dark a Matter.<a name="FNanchor_69_68" id="FNanchor_69_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_68" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> They have done -what they have done, with multiplied Addresses -to God for his Guidance, and have not been insensible -how [12] much they have exposed themselves -in what they have done. Yea, they would -gladly contrive and receive an expedient, how the -shedding of Blood, might be spared, by the Recovery -of Witches, not gone beyond the Reach of -Pardon. And after all, they invite all good Men, -in terms to this purpose, 'Being amazed at the -Number and Quality of those accused of late, we -do not know but Satan by his Wiles may have -enwrapped some innocent Persons; and therefore -should earnestly and humbly desire the most -Critical Enquiry upon the place, to find out the -Falacy; that there may be none of the Servants -of the Lord, with the worshippers of <i>Baal</i>.' I -may also add, That whereas, if once a Witch do -ingeniously confess among us, no more <i>Spectres</i> -do in their Shapes after this, trouble the Vicinage; -if any guilty Creatures will accordingly to so good -purpose confess their Crime to any Minister of -God, and get out of the Snare of the Devil, as no -Minister will discover such a Conscientious Confession, -so I believe none in the Authority will -press him to discover it; but rejoyc'd in a Soul -sav'd from Death. On the other side [if I must -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> -again use the word <i>Side</i>, which yet I hope to live -to blot out] there are very worthy Men, who are -not a little dissatisfied at the Proceedings in the -Prosecution of this Witchcraft. And why? Not -because they would have any such abominable -thing, defended from the Strokes of Impartial -Justice. No, those Reverend Persons who gave -in this Advice unto the Honourable Council; -'That Presumptions, whereupon Persons may be -Committed, and much more Convictions, whereupon -Persons may be Condemned, as guilty of -Witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more considerable -than barely the Accused Persons being -represented by a <i>Spectre</i> unto the Afflicted; Nor -are Alterations made in the Sufferers, by a Look -or Touch of the Accused, to be esteemed an -infallible Evidence of Guilt; but frequently -liable to be abused by the Devils Legerdemains:' -I say, those very Men of God most conscientiously -Subjoined this Article to that Advice,—'Nevertheless -we cannot but humbly recommend <span class="errauthor" title="read: unto">unto -unto</span> the Government, the speedy and vigorous -Prosecution of such as have rendred themselves -Obnoxious; according to the best Directions -given in the Laws of God, and the wholsome -Statutes of the <i>English</i> Nation for the Detection -of Witchcraft.' Only 'tis a most commendable -Cautiousness, in those gracious Men, to be very -shye lest the Devil get so far into our Faith, as -that for the sake of many Truths which we find -he tells us, we come at length to believe any -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> - -Lyes, wherewith he may abuse us: whereupon, -what a Desolation of Names would soon ensue, -besides a thousand other pernicious Consequences? -and lest there should be any such Principles taken -up, as when put into Practice must unavoidably -cause the <i>Righteous to perish with the Wicked;</i> or -procure the Bloodshed of any Persons, like the -<i>Gibeonites</i>, whom some learned Men suppose to be -under a false Notion of Witches, by <i>Saul</i> exterminated.</p> - -<p>They would have all due steps taken for the -Extinction of Witches; but they would fain have -them to be sure ones; nor is it from any thing, -but the real and hearty goodness of such Men, -that they are loth to surmise ill of other Men, -till there be the fullest Evidence for the surmises. -As for the Honourable Judges that have been -hitherto in the Commission, they are above my -Consideration: wherefore I will only say thus -much of them, That such of them as I have the -Honour of a Personal Acquaintance with, are -Men of an excellent Spirit; and as at first they -went about the work for which they were Commission'd, -with [13] a very great aversion, so they -have still been under Heart-breaking Solicitudes, -how they might therein best serve both God and -Man? In fine, Have there been faults on any -side fallen into? Surely, they have at worst been -but the faults of a well-meaning Ignorance. On -every side then, why should not we endeavour -with amicable Correspondencies, to help one -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> -another out of the Snares wherein the Devil -would involve us? To wrangle the Devil out of -the Country, will be truly a New Experiment: -Alas! we are not aware of the Devil, if we do -not think, that he aims at inflaming us one against -another; and shall we suffer our selves to be -Devil-ridden? or by any unadvisableness contribute -unto the Widening of our Breaches?</p> - -<p>To say no more, there is a published and -credible Relation; which affirms, That very -lately in a part of <i>England</i>, where some of the -Neighbourhood were quarrelling, a <i>Raven</i> from -the Top of a Tree very articulately and unaccountably -cry'd out, <i>Read the Third of Collossians -and the Fifteenth!</i> Were I my self to chuse what -sort of Bird I would be transformed into, I would -say, <i>O that I had wings like a Dove!</i> Nevertheless, -I will for once do the Office, which as it -seems, Heaven sent that Raven upon; even to -beg, <i>That the Peace of God may Rule in our -Hearts</i>.</p> - - -<p class="p2">§ VI. 'Tis necessary that we unite in every -thing: but there are especially two Things -wherein our Union must carry us along together. -We are to unite in our Endeavours to deliver our -distressed Neighbours, from the horrible Annoyances -and Molestations with which a dreadful -Witchcraft is now persecuting of them. To -have an hand in any thing, that may stifle or -obstruct a Regular Detection of that Witchcraft, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> -is what we may well with an holy fear avoid. -Their Majesties good Subjects must not every -day be torn to pieces by horrid Witches, and -those bloody Felons, be left wholly unprosecuted. -The Witchcraft is a business that will -not be sham'd, without plunging us into sore -Plagues, and of long continuance.<a name="FNanchor_70_69" id="FNanchor_70_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_69" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> But then -we are to unite in such Methods for this deliverance, -as may be unquestionably safe, lest <i>the -latter end be worse than the beginning</i>. And here, -what shall I say? I will venture to say thus -much, That we are safe, when we make just as -much use of all Advice from the invisible World, -as God sends it for. It is a safe Principle, That -when God Almighty permits any Spirits from the -unseen Regions, to visit us with surprizing Informations, -there is then something to be enquired -after; we are then to enquire of one another, -What Cause there is for such things? The peculiar -Government of God, over the unbodied -Intelligences, is a sufficient Foundation for this -Principle. When there has been a Murder -committed, an Apparition of the slain Party accusing -of any Man, altho' such Apparitions have -oftner spoke true than false, is not enough to -Convict the Man as guilty of that Murder; but -yet it is a sufficient occasion for Magistrates to -make a particular Enquiry, whether such a Man -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> - -have afforded any ground for such an Accusation. -Even so a Spectre exactly resembling such or such -a Person, when the Neighbourhood are tormented -by such Spectres, may reasonably make Magistrates -inquisitive whether the Person so represented -have done or said any thing that may argue -their confederacy with Evil Spirits, altho' it may -be defective enough in point of Conviction; -especially at a time, when 'tis possible, some over-powerful -Conjurer may have got the skill of thus -exhibiting the Shapes of all sorts of Persons, on -purpose to stop the Prosecution of the Wretches, -whom due Enquiries thus provoked, might have -made obnoxious unto Justice.</p> - -<p>[14] <i>Quœre</i>, Whether if God would have us to -proceed any further than bare <i>Enquiry</i>, upon what -Reports there may come against any Man, from -the World of <i>Spirits</i>, he will not by his Providence -at the same time have brought into our -hands, these more evident and sensible things, -whereupon a man is to be esteemed a Criminal. -But I will venture to say this further, that it will -be safe to account the Names as well as the Lives -of our Neighbors; two considerable things to be -brought under a Judicial Process, until it be found -by Humane Observations that the Peace of Mankind -is thereby disturbed. We are Humane -Creatures, and we are safe while we say, they -must be Humane Witnesses, who also have in -the particular Act of Seeing, or Hearing, which -enables them to be Witnesses, had no more than -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> - -Humane Assistances, that are to turn the Scale -when Laws are to be executed. And upon this -Head I will further add: A wise and a just Magistrate, -may so far give way to a common Stream -of Dissatisfaction, as to forbear acting up to the -heighth of his own Perswasion, about what may -be judged convictive of a Crime, whose Nature -shall be so abstruse and obscure, as to raise much -Disputation. Tho' he may not do what he should -leave undone, yet he may leave undone something -that else he could do, when the Publick -Safety makes an <i>Exigency</i>.</p> - -<p class="p2">§ VII. I was going to make one Venture more; -that is, to offer some safe Rules, for the finding -out of the Witches, which are at this day our -accursed Troublers: but this were a Venture too -<i>Presumptuous</i> and <i>Icarian</i> for me to make; I leave -that unto those Excellent and Judicious Persons, -with whom I am not worthy to be numbred: All -that I shall do, shall be to lay before my Readers, -a brief <i>Synopsis</i> of what has been written on that -Subject, by a Triumvirate of as Eminent Persons -as have ever handled it. I will begin with,</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_43" id="Footnote_44_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_43"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Probably the same whose Name -appears in sundry Publications as -<i>Symmonds</i>. Walker, <i>Sufferings of -the Clergy</i>, ii, 361, calls him Simmons, -and speaks very dubiously of -him, as though he was a great Sufferer -both for, and for not being a -Puritan. See also <i>Ibid</i>, Part i, 67, -68. Neale, <i>Hist. Puritans</i>, ii, 19-20. -Brooks's <i>Lives</i>, iii, 110-11. -Old Thomas Fuller was well acquainted -with Mr. Symonds, and -gives an Anecdote or two about him -in his <i>Worthies</i>, and tells us he died -<i>about</i> 1649, in London. He died -in 1649, in London.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_44" id="Footnote_45_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_44"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> As to the <i>Loyalty</i> professed, -<i>that</i> required pretty strong Assurances -on the Part of the prominent -Men of New England, to gain it -Credence among the Officials in -Old England; for not long before an -Agent of Massachusetts had asserted -that "the Acts of that Colony were -not subject to any reëxamination in -England;" and a Writer of 1688 -that "till the Reign of his present -Majesty, <span class="err" title="original: Jame">James</span> II, New England -would never submit to any Governor -sent from England, but lived like a -Free State."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_45" id="Footnote_46_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_45"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> The Work here referred to was published in 1689. Its Title -abridged was—<i>Memorable Providences -relating to Witchcrafts and -Possessions, with some Sermons annexed</i>. -Its being republished and -commended by Baxter, only shows -that that great Man was as much -benighted as the Rest of the World, -so far as the Matter in Hand is concerned.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_46" id="Footnote_47_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_46"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> This Amalgamation of Creeds -was often attempted by the more -catholic Portion of the Community, -and as often defeated by the more -dogmatical Part, from the first Settlement -of the Country to this Day. -When there is but one Interest to -serve, and when that one Interest is -agreed upon, then will a millenial -Amalgamation of Creeds take place.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_47" id="Footnote_48_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_47"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> In the first Settlement of the -Country, when all, or nearly all -were within the Pale of the Church, -or directly under the Eye of the -Minister or a Magistrate, there was -little Need of Courts, Constables -and Lawyers; but in a growing -Community those Days must necessarily -be of limited Duration; and -as there never was a Community of -any considerable Numbers, in Times -past, wherein there were no <i>Monsters -or Goblins</i>, such a Community -is hardly to be expected to be found -in Time to come.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_48" id="Footnote_49_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_48"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> It is human Nature for People -to resent being taunted with Faults, -whether they be real or imaginary. -While a few will reform the many -will cling to Error with more Tenacity. -Thus the enormous Crime -of Slavery—few Men were so depraved -by Nature as to maintain -that it was right, in reasoning with -themselves; while, when it was -harshly denounced as a vile Felony, Anger took the Place of Reason in -the Slaveholder, and here Argument -only served to rivet firmer -the Fetters intended to be removed. -So it was with other less heinous -Offences.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_49" id="Footnote_50_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_49"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> This and similar Expressions -were in frequent Use by nearly all -the early Writers on American -Affairs. "In this Howling Wilderness," -"in these goings down of -the Sun," &c., &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_50" id="Footnote_51_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_50"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> This "famous Person" was -Mr. Giles Firmin. See <i>N. E. Hist. -and Gen. Reg.</i> iv, 11; <i>also</i> Felt, -<i>Eccl. Hist. N. Eng.,</i> ii, 48. Nathaniel -Ward has a very similar -Passage: "I thank God that I have -lived in a Colony of many thousand -English almost these twelve Years, -am held a very sociable Man, yet I -may considerately say, I never -heard but one Oath sworne, nor -never saw one Man drunk, nor -never heard of three Women Adulteresses -in all this time, that I can -call to mind."—<i>Simple Cobber</i>, 67, -Pulsifer's <i>Edition</i>, 1843. The -Reader will find much that is -highly interesting respecting the -Worthies mentioned in this Note in -Mr. J. Ward Dean's <i>Life of Nathaniel -Ward</i>, now ready for -Publication.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_51" id="Footnote_52_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_51"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Ideas similar to these are often -met with in the <i>Magnalia</i> and other -Writings of the Author. But he -was by no means singular in his -Notions regarding the Devil. Most -of the Divines of Dr. Mather's -Day inculcated the same Sentiments, -to say nothing of those of a later Day.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_52" id="Footnote_53_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_52"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> This frank Acknowledgment -that Witchcraft was "snarl'd" and -"unintelligible," would seem to -have been a sufficient Reason for -letting it alone. But Reason and -Superstition cannot exist together.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_53" id="Footnote_54_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_53"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> It is not very clear to what -particular Case the Author refers. -See <i>Hist. and Antiqs. Boston</i>, 283, -309. "More than forty Years -ago" is too indefinite for present -historical Purposes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_54" id="Footnote_55_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_54"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> It has long been perfectly -clear that the Devil <i>did get in his -Juggles</i>, and that he <i>did</i> succeed, -almost beyond Belief, in confounding -the Understanding of the whole -Community, and particularly that -of our Author. Respecting Witchcraft -in Sweden, &c., consult Dr. -Anthony Horneck's <i>Relation of -the Swedish Witches</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_55" id="Footnote_56_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_55"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> It is not strange that English -Writers talk about the "Colony of -Boston," when our own best informed -Natives speak in this careless -Manner about the "Province of -New-England."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_56" id="Footnote_57_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_56"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> The serious Consideration of -this Postulate was the primary -Cause of the Reaction which followed -the Prosecution. See Dr. I. -Mather's <i>Cases of Conscience</i>. MS. -in the Editor's Possession.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_57" id="Footnote_58_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_57"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> The Incomprehensibleness of -the Creator is nowhere more strikingly -expressed than in the following -old Lines: -</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">What mortal Man can with a Span mete out Eternity?</div> -<div class="i0">Or fathom it by Depth of Wit or Strength of Memory?</div> -<div class="i0">The lofty Sky is not so high, Hell's Depth to this is small;</div> -<div class="i0">The World so wide is but a Stride, compared therewithal.</div> -<div class="i0">It is a main great Ocean, withouten Bank or Bound:</div> -<div class="i0">A deep Abyss, wherein there is no Bottom to be found.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p class="right"> -<i>Day of Doom</i>, Edit. 1715, P. 51. -</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_58" id="Footnote_59_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_58"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> In the Notes of Butler and -Dr. Nash to <i>Hudibras</i> the Reader -will find some Amusement respecting -the Witches of Lapland. Although -the Laplanders are described -as a miserable Race, they could not -have been much behind the English -in Matters of Superstition at this -Period. Dr. Heylyn says the Laplanders, -"at their first going out of -their Doores in a Morning vse to -giue worship and diuine honour all -the Day following, to that liuing -Creature what ere it be, which they -see at their first going out." <i>Mikrokosmos</i>, -328, Edit. 1624, 4to.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_59" id="Footnote_60_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_59"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> It does not appear to have occurred -to the Doctor that a <i>good -Spirit</i> might have been the Author -of such <i>darting</i> Operations.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_60" id="Footnote_61_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_60"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> It would have been gratifying -to at least some of the Author's -Readers if he had informed them -how, where and when he became -possessed of the Art of Sorcery, and -as he acknowledges having the Art, -how he escaped Prosecution. This -is <i>parum claris lucem dare</i> indeed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_61" id="Footnote_62_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_61"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> This Hopefulness occasionally -breaks out. It ill agrees with the -doleful Tone often expressed, in -various Parts of the Doctor's Writings—that -"New England is on -the broad Road to Perdition."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_62" id="Footnote_63_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_62"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> This has Reference to the -Favor expected at the Hands of -William and Mary. The new -Charter granted by them was received -in Boston on the 14th of -May, 1692. Sir Wm. Phipps came -over at the same Time and assumed -the Office of Governor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_63" id="Footnote_64_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_63"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> William Stoughton, afterwards -Governor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_64" id="Footnote_65_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_64"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> These were to be 28 in Number. -As the early Histories do -not name them I copy them here -from the Charter as printed in -1726: "Simon Broadstreet, John -Richards, Nathanael Saltonstall, -Wait Winthrop, John Philips, -James Russell, Samuel Sewall, Samuel -Appleton, Bartholomew Gedney, -John Hathorn, Elisha Hutchinson, -Robert Pike, Jonathan -Corwin, John Jolliffe, Adam Winthrop, -Richard Middlecot, John -Foster, Peter Sergeant, Joseph -Lynd, Samuel Heyman, Stephen -Mason, Thomas Hinkley, William -Bradford, John Walley, Barnabas -Lothrop, Job Alcot, Samuel Daniel, -and Silvanus Davis, Esquires." -Isaac Addington was appointed -Secretary. Nearly all noticed in -Allen's <i>Amer. Biog. Dict.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_65" id="Footnote_66_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_65"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> The horrible Picture drawn -in this long Paragraph has Reference -especially to the still deep -Current among the few who did -not believe in Witchcraft, or at -least who did not believe in extreme -Measures against those accused -of it.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_66" id="Footnote_67_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_66"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Strange Source, indeed, whence -to hear a Plea for Charity!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_67" id="Footnote_68_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_67"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Did this Fact suggest the Idea -of the <i>Happy Family</i> to the Keepers -of modern Menageries? The Freshet -is not mentioned by the Chroniclers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_68" id="Footnote_69_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_68"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> There was a Proposition, it is -said, to send to England to engage -one Matthew Hopkins, a professed -Witch-finder, then in high repute -in that Country. See <i>History and -Antiquities of Boston</i>, 309.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_69" id="Footnote_70_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_69"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> It is at every Step surprising to -observe how the Writer assumes to -be the Judge, in this at the same Time -"dark and incomprehensible Business," -as it is frequently acknowledged -by him to be.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h3>AN ABSTRACT OF MR. PERKINS'S<a name="FNanchor_71_70" id="FNanchor_71_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_70" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> -<br />WAY FOR THE DISCOVERY<br /> -OF WITCHES.</h3> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> - -I. <span class="smcap">There</span> <i>are</i> Presumptions, <i>which do at least -probably and conjecturally note one to be a</i> Witch. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> -<i>These give occasion to Examine, yet they are no -sufficient Causes of Conviction.</i></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> - -II. <i>If any Man or Woman be notoriously defamed -for a</i> Witch, <i>this yields a strong Suspition. Yet the -Judge ought carefully to look, that the Report be -made by</i> Men <i>of Honesty and Credit.</i></p> - -<p>III. <i>If a</i> Fellow-Witch, <i>or</i> Magician, <i>give -Testimony of any Person to be a</i> Witch; <i>this indeed -is not sufficient for Condemnation; but it is a fit -Presumption to cause a straight Examination.</i></p> - -<p>IV. <i>If after Cursing there follow Death, or at -least some mischief: for</i> Witches <i>are wont to practise -their mischievous Facts by Cursing and Banning: -This also is a sufficient matter of Examination, tho' -not of Conviction.</i></p> - -<p>V. <i>If after Enmity, Quarrelling, or Threatning, -a present mischief does follow; that also is a great -Presumption.</i></p> - -<p>[15] VI. <i>If the Party suspected be the Son or -Daughter, the man-servant or maid-servant, the -Familiar Friend, near Neighbor, or old Companion, -of a known and convicted Witch; this may be likewise -a Presumption; for Witchcraft is an Art that may -be learned, and conveyed from man to man.</i></p> - -<p>VII. <i>Some add this for a Presumption: If the -Party suspected be found to have the Devil's mark; -for it is commonly thought, when the Devil makes -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> - -his Covenant with them, he alwaies leaves his mark -behind them, whereby he knows them for his own:—a -mark whereof no evident Reason in Nature can be -given.</i></p> - -<p>VIII. <i>Lastly, If the party examined be Unconstant, -or contrary to himself, in his deliberate -Answers, it argueth a Guilty Conscience, which -stops the freedom of Utterance. And yet there are -causes of Astonishment, which may befal the Good, -as well as the Bad.</i></p> - -<p>IX. <i>But then there is a</i> Conviction, <i>discovering -the</i> Witch, <i>which must proceed from just and -sufficient proofs, and not from bare presumptions.</i></p> - -<p>X. <i>Scratching of the suspected party, and Recovery -thereupon, with several other such weak -Proofs; as also, the fleeting of the suspected Party, -thrown upon the Water; these Proofs are so far -from being sufficient, that some of them are, after a -sort, practices of Witchcraft.</i></p> - -<p>XI. <i>The Testimony of some Wizzard, tho' offering -to shew the Witches Face in a Glass: This, I grant, -may be a good Presumption, to cause a strait Examination; -but a sufficient Proof of Conviction it -cannot be. If the Devil tell the Grand Jury, that -the person in question is a Witch, and offers withal -to confirm the same by Oath, should the Inquest receive -his Oath or Accusation to condemn the man? -Assuredly no. And yet, that is as much as the Testimony -of another Wizzard, who only by the Devil's -help reveals the Witch.</i></p> - -<p>XII. <i>If a man, being dangerously sick, and like to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span> -dy, upon Suspicion, will take it on his Death, that -such an one hath bewitched him, it is an Allegation of -the same nature, which may move the Judge to -examine the Party, but it is of no moment for Conviction.</i></p> - -<p>XIII. <i>Among the sufficient means of Conviction, -the first is, the free and voluntary Confession of the -Crime, made by the party suspected and accused, -after Examination. I say not, that a bare confession -is sufficient, but a Confession after due Examination, -taken upon pregnant presumptions. -What needs now more witness or further Enquiry?</i></p> - -<p>XIV. <i>There is a second sufficient Conviction, by -the Testimony of two Witnesses, of good and honest -Report, avouching before the Magistrate, upon their -own Knowledge, the two things: either that the party -accused hath made a League with the Devil, or hath -done some known practices of witchcraft. And,</i> all -Arguments that do necessarily prove either of -these, <i>being brought by two sufficient Witnesses, are -of force fully to convince the party suspected.</i></p> - -<p>XV. <i>If it can be proved, that the party suspected -hath called upon the</i> Devil, <i>or desired his -Help, this is a pregnant proof of a League formerly -made between them.</i></p> - -<p>XVI. <i>If it can be proved, that the party hath -entertained a Familiar Spirit, and had Conference -with it, in the likeness of some visible Creatures; -here is Evidence of witchcraft.</i></p> - -<p>XVII. <i>If the witnesses affirm upon Oath, that the -suspected person hath done any action or work which -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> - -necessarily infers a Covenant made, as, that he hath -used En-[16]chantments, divined things before they -come to pass, and that peremptorily, raised Tempests, -caused the Form of a dead man to appear; it -proveth sufficiently, that he or she is a</i> Witch.<a name="FNanchor_72_71" id="FNanchor_72_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_71" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> -This is the Substance of Mr. <i>Perkins</i>.</p> - -<p class="p4">'Take next the Sum of Mr. <i>Gaules</i><a name="FNanchor_73_72" id="FNanchor_73_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_72" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> Judgment -about the Detection of Witches. 1. Some -Tokens for the Trial of Witches are altogether -unwarrantable. Suchare the old Paganish Sign, -the Witches <i>Long Eyes;</i> the Tradition of Witches -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span>not weeping; the casting of the Witch into the -Water, with Thumbs and Toes ty'd a-cross. And -many more such Marks, which if they are to -know a Witch by, certainly 'tis no other Witch, -but the User of them. 2. There are some -Tokens for the Trial of Witches, more probable, -and yet not so certain as to afford Conviction. -Such are strong and long Suspicion: Suspected -Ancestors, some appearance of Fact, the Corps -bleeding upon the Witches touch, the Testimony -of the Party bewitched, the supposed -Witches unusual Bodily marks, the Witches -usual Cursing and Banning, the Witches lewd -and naughty kind of Life. 3. Some Signs there -are of a Witch, more certain and infallible. As, -<i>firstly</i>, Declining of Judicature, or faultering, -faulty, unconstant, and contrary Answers, upon -judicial and deliberate examination. <i>Secondly</i>, -When upon due Enquiry into a person's Faith -and Manners, there are found <i>all</i> or <i>most</i> of the -Causes which produce Witchcraft, namely, -<i>God</i> forsaking, <i>Satan</i> invading, particular <i>Sins</i> -disposing; and lastly, a compact compleating all. -<i>Thirdly</i>, The Witches free Confession, together -with full Evidence of the Fact. <i>Confession</i> without -<i>Fact</i> may be a meer Delusion, and <i>Fact</i> -without <i>Confession</i> may be a meer Accident. -<i>4thly</i>, The semblable Gestures and Actions of -suspected Witches, with the comparable Expressions -of Affections, which in all Witches have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> -been observ'd and found very much alike. -<i>Fifthly</i>, The Testimony of the Party bewitched, -whether pining or dying, together with the joynt -Oaths of sufficient persons, that have seen certain -prodigious Pranks or Feats, wrought by the Party -accused. 4. Among the most unhappy circumstances -to convict a Witch, one is, a maligning -and oppugning the Word, Work, and Worship -of God, and by any extraordinary sign seeking -to seduce any from it. See <i>Deut.</i> 13. 1, 2, -<i>Mat.</i> 24. 24. <i>Act.</i> 13. 8, 10. 2 <i>Tim.</i> 3. 8. Do -but mark well the places, and for this very -Property (of thus opposing and perverting) they -are all there concluded arrant and absolute -Witches. 5. It is not requisite, that so <i>palpable -Evidence of Conviction</i> should here come in, as in -other more sensible matters; 'tis enough, if there -be but so much <i>circumstantial</i> Proof or Evidence, -as the Substance, Matter, and Nature of such an -abstruse Mystery of Iniquity will well admit. -[<i>I suppose he means, that whereas in other Crimes -we look for more direct proofs, in this there is a -greater use of consequential ones.</i>] 'But I could -heartily wish, that the Juries were empanell'd -of the most eminent Physicians, Lawyers, and -Divines that a Country could afford. In the -mean time 'tis not to be called a Toleration, if -Witches escape, where Conviction is wanting. -To this purpose our <i>Gaule</i>.'</p> - -<p>I will transcribe a little from one Author more, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> -'tis the Judicious <i>Bernard</i> of <i>Batcomb</i>,<a name="FNanchor_74_73" id="FNanchor_74_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_73" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> who in -his <i>Guide to grand Jurymen</i>, after he has mention'd -several things that are shrewd Presumptions of a -Witch, proceeds to such things as are the <i>Convictions</i> -of such an one. And he says, '<i>A witch -in league with the</i> Devil <i>is convicted by</i> [1]<a name="FNanchor_75_74" id="FNanchor_75_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_74" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> <i>these -Evidences;</i> I. By a witches <i>Mark;</i> which is on -the Baser sort of Witches; and this, by the Devils -either Sucking or Touching of them. <i>Tertullian</i> -says, <i>It is the Devils custome to mark his</i>. And -note, That this mark is <i>Insensible</i>, and being -prick'd it will not Bleed. Sometimes, its like a -<i>Teate;</i> sometimes but a <i>Blewish Spot;</i> sometimes -a <i>Red</i> one; and sometimes the <i>flesh Sunk:</i> but -the Witches do sometimes cover them. II. By -the Witches <i>Words</i>. As when they have been -heard calling on, speaking to, or Talking of -their <i>Familiars;</i> or, when they have been heard -<i>Telling</i> of <i>Hurt</i> they have done to man or -beast: Or when they have been heard <i>Threatning</i> -of such Hurt; Or if they have been heard -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> -Relating their <i>Transportations</i>. III. By the -Witches <i>Deeds</i>. As when they have been <i>seen</i> -with their Spirits, or seen secretly Feeding any -of their <i>Imps</i>. Or, when there can be found -their Pictures, Poppets, and other Hellish Compositions. -IV. By the Witches <i>Extasies:</i> With -the Delight whereof, Witches are so taken, that -they will hardly conceal the same: Or, however -at some time or other, they may be found in -them. V. By one or more <i>Fellow-Witches</i>, -Confessing their own Witchcraft, and bearing -Witness against others; if they can make good -the Truth of their Witness, and give sufficient -proof of it. As, that they have seen them with -their Spirits or, that they have Received Spirits -from them; or that they can tell, when they -used Witchery-Tricks to Do Harm; or, that -they told them what Harm they had done; or -that they can show the mark upon them; or, -that they have been together in their Meetings; -and such like. VI. By some <i>Witness of God</i> -Himself, happening upon the Execrable Curses -of Witches upon themselves, Praying of God to -show some Token, if they be Guilty. VII. By -the Witches own <i>Confession</i>, of Giving their Souls -to the Devil. It is no Rare thing, for Witches -to Confess.'</p> - -<p>They are Considerable Things, which I have -thus Recited; and yet it must be with <i>Open Eyes</i>, -kept upon <i>Open Rules</i>, that we are to follow these -things.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> - -<i>S.</i> 8. But <i>Juries</i> are not the only Instruments -to be imploy'd in such a Work; all <i>Christians</i> are -to be concerned with daily and fervent <i>Prayers</i>, -for the assisting of it. In the Days of <i>Athanasius</i>, -the Devils were found unable to stand before -that <i>Prayer</i>, however then used perhaps with too -much of Ceremony, <i>Let God Arise, Let his Enemies -be scattered</i>. <i>Let them also that Hate Him, -flee before Him.</i></p> - -<p>O that instead of letting our Hearts <i>Rise</i> against -one another, our Prayers might <i>Rise</i> unto an high -pitch of Importunity, for such a <i>Rising</i> of the -Lord! Especially, Let them that are <i>Suffering</i> -by <i>Witchcraft</i>, be sure to <i>stay</i> and <i>pray</i>, and <i>Beseech -the Lord thrice</i>, even as much as ever they -can, before they complain of any Neighbour for -afflicting them. Let them also that are <i>accused</i> -of <i>Witchcraft</i>, set themselves to <i>Fast</i> and <i>Pray</i>, -and so shake off the <i>Dæmons</i> that would like -<i>Vipers</i> fasten upon them; and get the <i>Waters of -Jealousie</i> made profitable to them.</p> - -<p>And Now, O <i>Thou Hope of</i> New-England, -<i>and the Saviour thereof in the Time of Trouble; Do -thou look mercifully down upon us, & Rescue us, out -of the Trouble which at this time do's threaten to -swallow us up. Let Satan be shortly bruised under -our Feet, and Let the Covenanted Vassals of -Satan, which have Traiterously brought him in upon -us, be Gloriously Conquered, by thy Powerful and -Gracious Presence in the midst of us. Abhor us -not, O God, but cleanse us, but heal us, but save us,</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -<i>for the sake of thy Glory. Enwrapped in our Salvations. -By thy Spirit, Lift up a standard against -our infernal adversaries, Let us quickly find thee -making of us glad, according to the Days wherein -we have been afflicted. Accept of all our Endeavours -to glorify thee, in the Fires that are upon us; and -among the rest, Let these my poor and weak essays, -composed with what Tears, what Cares, what -Prayers, thou</i> only <i>knowest, not want the Acceptance -of the Lord.</i></p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_70" id="Footnote_71_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_70"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> The same "Master William -Perkins," I suppose, who wrote the -three stout Folios of Puritan Theology, -published in 1606, besides -many smaller Works. The earliest -Notice I find of him is by another -equally famous and voluminous -Puritan, the Rev. Samuel Clark, in -his <i>Marrow of Ecclesiastical History</i>, -published in 1650. Mr. Clark informs -us that William Perkins was -born at Marston in Warwickshire, -in 1558, was educated at "<i>Christ's</i> -College in <i>Cambridg</i>," and that in -the 24th of <i>Elizabeth</i>, he was -chosen a Fellow of that College, -and that "hee was very wilde in -his Youth." From his Professorship, -"hee was chosen to <i>Saint Andrews</i> -Parish in <i>Cambridg</i>, where he -preached all his Life after. His -Sermons were not so plain, but the -piously learned did admire them; -nor so learned, but the plain did -understand them: Hee brought the -Schools into the Pulpit, and unshelling -their Controversies out of -their hard School-tearms, made -thereof plain and wholsom Meat for -his People: He was an excellent -Chirurgion at the jointing of a -broken Soul, and at stating of a -doubtful Conscience. In his Sermons -hee used to pronounce the -Word <i>Damn</i> with such an Emphasis, -as left a dolefull Echo in his -Auditor's Ears a good while after: -and when hee was Catechist in -Christ's College, in expounding the -Commandments, hee applied them -so Home to the Conscience as was -able to make his Hearers Harts fall -down, and their Hairs almost to -stand upright." -</p> -<p> -On Reference to the Works of -famous Thomas Fuller, it will be -found, that in his Life of Perkins -he has substantially the same Account. -From that Author Mr. -Clark doubtless borrowed the Expressions -used by him, as Fuller's -Work was published several Years -before, and they seem peculiar to -that highly talented Writer. Clark -is followed because he was of the -same religious Denomination as Mr. -Perkins. Mr. Clark continues: "In -his Life hee was so pious and spotless, -that Malice was afraid to bite -at his Credit, into which shee knew -that her Teeth could not enter: -Hee had a rare Felicitie in reading of Books, and as it were but turning -them over would give an exact -account of all that was considerable -therein: hee perused Books so -speedily that one would think that -hee read nothing, and yet so accurately -that one would think he read -all: Besides his frequent Preaching, -hee wrote manie excellent Books, -both Treatises, and Commentaries, -which for their Worth were manie -of them translated into Latine, and -sent beyond Sea, where to this -Daie they are highly prized, and -much set by, yea some of them are -translated into <i>French</i>, <i>High-Dutch</i>, -and <i>Low-Dutch:</i> and his -reformed Catholick was translated -into <i>Spanish;</i> yet no Spaniard -ever since durst take up the Gantlet -of Defiance cast down by this -Champion." -</p> -<p> -But there is one Fact mentioned -by Fuller which Mr. Clark omits: -"There goeth," he says, "an uncontrolled -Tradition, that Perkins, -when a young Scholar, was a great -Studier of Magic, occasioned perchance -by his Skill in the Mathematics. -For, ignorant People count -all Circles above their own Sphere -to be Conjring; and presently cry -out, 'those Things are done by -Black Art' for which their dim -Eyes can see no Colour in Reason. -And in such Case, when they cannot -fly up to Heaven to make it a -Miracle, they fetch it from Hell -to make it Magic, though it may -lawfully be done by natural Causes." -</p> -<p> -Mr. Perkins died "in the fourtieth -Year of his Age, <i>Anno</i> 1602, -being born the first, and dying the -last Year of [the Reign of] Elizabeth: -He was of a ruddie Complexion, -fat and corpulent: Lame of -his right Hand, yet this <i>Ehud</i> with -a left-handed Pen did stab the -Romish Caus—as one faith: [Hugh -Holland] -</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">'Though Nature thee of thy right Hand bereft.</div> -<div class="i0">'Right well thou writest with thy Hand that's left.'</div> -</div></div> - </div> -<p> -"Hee was buried with great Solemnity -at the sole Charges of -Christs College, the Universitie, and -Town striving which should express -more Sorrow thereat: Doctor <i>Montague</i>, -afterwards Bishop of Winchester -preached his Funeral Sermon."—<i>Marrow -of Ecclesiastical -Historie</i>, 414-417, and Fuller's -<i>Holy and Profane State</i>, 80-84. -</p> -<p> -The well known Rev. Mr. Job -Orton speaks of the Folios of Perkins -with Delight, and adds: -"What led me more particularly to -read him was, that his Elder Brother -was one of my Ancestors, from -whom I am in a direct Line, by -my Mother's Side descended."—Orton, -in <i>Brook's Lives</i>, ii, 135. -In his Will, dated 16 Oct., 1602, -he mentions, among others, Nathaniel -Cradock, his Brother-in-law, -Wife Timothye, Father and Mother -Thomas and Anna Perkins, Son-in-law, -John Hinde, and Brethren and -Sisters, but not by Name.—<i>Ibid.</i> -</p> -<p> -I have been more particular in -this Notice of Perkins for two -Reasons; first, because of his Puritanism -he was selected as a prime -Authority in Matters of Witchcraft -by our Author; and second, because -he seems to have been a Man possessing -that Precocity of Mind, and in -other respects was similarly gifted. -To those desirous of learning more of -that noted Puritan Leader will find -Gratification in the excellent and -elaborate Life of him in Brook's -<i>Lives of the Puritans</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_71" id="Footnote_72_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_71"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> On perusing these Articles for -the Detection of Witches, one cannot -escape the Conviction that on -their being sifted by the ordinary -Rules of Common-sense, they actually -amount to nothing at all. Thus -in Article VI it is laid down, that -"Witchcraft is an Art, that may -be learned, and conveyed from -Man to Man." This Postulate -follows of course, previously assuming -that the Occult Sciences originate -in Mathematics; and further, that -Mathematical Calculations are inseparable -from the Laws that govern -the whole System of the Universe, -and hence emanate from, or are a -Part of the Creator himself. Whence -then, with this inevitable Conclusion, -does the "Art" originate? -Nothing can be clearer, therefore, -than this,—if those learned Plodders -of Master Perkins's Time had followed -out the most simple Rules of -Logic, they would have had neither -Witch nor Devil wherewith to addle -their own Brains, or to confound -those of the unlearned Multitude. -This Question being disposed of, -all others having Dependence on it, -or traceable to it, effectually dispose -of the whole Question of Witchcraft.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_72" id="Footnote_73_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_72"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> John Gaule has not, so far as -ascertained, been stumbled on by -any Makers of Biographical Dictionaries, -and Bibliographers are almost -equally silent. How many Works -he was Author of is not known. -The Title of one is <i>Distractions, or -Holy Madness</i>, 12mo, 1629. He -wrote other theological Works, but -their Titles have not come to the -Annotator's Knowledge.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_73" id="Footnote_74_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_73"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> As there is more than one -<i>Batcomb</i> in England "Judicious -Bernard's" being <i>of</i> that Place is -not much of a Guide to any looking -after his Biography. Fortunately, -or unfortunately for him, his Portrait -was engraved, and that caused -him to be noticed by Granger. -His Name was Richard, and he -was Pastor of "Batcombe" in -Somersetshire. The Work extracted -from by our Author was -published in 1627. He was Author -of a Concordance to the Bible, -though it was not so entitled; also -of a Work called the <i>Threefold -Treatise of the Sabbath</i>, in 1641, -in which Year he died. His Portrait -by Hollar first appeared in this -Work.—<i>Biog. Hist. England</i>, ii, -369. He was perhaps the Author -of <i>The Isle of Man; or the Legal -Proceedings in Man-Shire against -Sinne</i>, 12mo, 1635.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_74" id="Footnote_75_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_74"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Here the paging begins anew, -in the Edition followed.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_p049.jpg" width="500" height="161" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<h2 class="break">[2] A DISCOURSE ON THE WONDERS<br /> -OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD.<a name="FNanchor_76_75" id="FNanchor_76_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_75" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></h2> - -<p class="bt bb center">UTTERED (IN PART) ON AUG. 4, 1692.</p> - -<p class="hang">Ecclesiastical History has Reported it unto us, -That a Renowned Martyr at the Stake, seeing -the Book of the <span class="smcap">Revelation</span> thrown by his -no less Profane than Bloody Persecutors, to be -Burn'd in the same Fire with himself, he cryed -out, <i>O Beata Apocalypsis; quam bene mecum -agitur, qui tecum Comburar!</i> <span class="smcap">Blessed Revelation!</span> -said he, <i>How Blessed am I in this Fire, -while I have Thee to bear me Company</i>.<a name="FNanchor_77_76" id="FNanchor_77_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_76" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> As -for our selves this Day, 'tis a Fire of sore Affliction -and Confusion, wherein we are Embroiled; -but it is no inconsiderable Advantage -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span>unto us, that we have the Company of this -Glorious and Sacred Book the <span class="smcap">Revelation</span> to -assist us in our Exercises. From that Book -there is one Text, which I would single out at -this time to lay before you; 'tis that in</p> - -<p class="center p2"> -<span class="smcap">Revel.</span> xii. 12. -</p> - -<p class="hang"><i>Wo to the Inhabitants of the Earth, and of the -Sea; for the Devil is come down unto you, having -great Wrath; because he knoweth, that he hath -but a short time.</i></p> - - -<p> -<img src="images/i_p050t.jpg" width="100" height="102" alt="T" class="figleft" />HE Text is Like the Cloudy and - -Fiery Pillar, vouchsafed unto <i>Israel</i>, -in the Wilderness of old; -there is a very <i>dark side</i> of it in -the Intimation, that, <i>The Devil -is come down having great Wrath;</i> -but it has also a <i>bright side</i>, when -it assures us, that, <i>He has but a short time;</i> Unto -the Contemplation of <i>both</i>, I do this Day Invite -you.</p> - -<p>We have in our Hands a Letter from our -Ascended Lord in Heaven, to Advise us of his -being still alive, and of his Purpose e're long, to -give us a Visit, wherein we shall see our Living -<i>Redeemer, stand at the latter day upon the Earth</i>. -'Tis the last Advice that we have had from -Heaven, for now sixteen Hundred years; and the -scope of it, is, to represent how the Lord Jesus -Christ having begun to set up his Kingdom in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> -the World, by the preaching of the Gospel, he -would from time to time utterly break to pieces -all Powers that should make Head against it, until, -<i>The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdomes -of our Lord, and of his</i> [3] <i>Christ, and he -shall Reign for ever and ever</i>. 'Tis a Commentary -on what had been written by <i>Daniel</i>, about, <i>The -fourth Monarchy;</i> with some Touches upon, <i>The -Fifth;</i> wherein, <i>The greatness of the Kingdom under -the whole Heaven, shall be given to the people of the -Saints of the most High:</i> And altho' it have, as -'tis expressed by one of the Ancients, <i>Tot Sacramenta -quot verba</i>, a Mystery in every Syllable, yet -it is not altogether to be neglected with such a -Despair, as that, <i>I cannot read, for the Book is -sealed</i>. It is a <span class="smcap">Revelation</span>, and a singular, and -notable <i>Blessing</i> is pronounced upon them that -humbly study it.</p> - -<p>The Divine Oracles, have with a most admirable -Artifice and Carefulness, drawn, as the very -pious <i>Beverley</i>, has laboriously Evinced, an exact -<span class="smcap">Line of Time</span>, from the first Sabbath at the -<i>Creation</i> of the World, unto the great Sabbatism -at the <i>Restitution</i> of all Things. In that famous -<i>Line of Time</i>, from the Decree for the Restoring -of <i>Jerusalem</i>, after the Babylonish Captivity, there -seem to remain a matter of <i>Two Thousand and -Three Hundred Years</i>, unto that <i>New Jerusalem</i>, -whereto the Church is to be advanced, when the -Mystical <i>Babylon</i> shall be <i>fallen</i>. At the Resurrection -of our Lord, there were seventeen or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> -eighteen Hundred of those Years, yet upon the -Line, to run unto, <i>The rest which remains for the -People of God;</i> and this Remnant in the <i>Line of -Time</i>, is here in our <i>Apocalypse</i>, variously Embossed, -Adorned, and Signalized with such Distinguishing -Events, if we mind them, will help -us escape that Censure, <i>Can ye not Discern the -Signs of the Times?</i></p> - -<p>The Apostle <i>John</i>, for the View of these -Things, had laid before him, as I conceive, a -<i>Book</i>, with leaves, or folds; which <i>Volumn</i> was -written both on the <i>Backside</i>, and on the <i>Inside</i>, -and Roll'd up in a Cylindriacal Form, under -seven <i>Labels</i>, fastned with so many <i>Seals</i>. The -first <i>Seal</i> being opened, and the first <i>Label</i> removed, -under the first <i>Label</i> the Apostle saw -what he saw, of a first <i>Rider</i> Pourtray'd, and so -on, till the last <i>Seal</i> was broken up; each of the -Sculptures being enlarged with agreeable <i>Visions</i> -and <i>Voices</i>, to illustrate it. The Book being now -Unrolled, there were <i>Trumpets</i>, with wonderful -Concomitants, Exhibited successively on the Expanding -<i>Backside</i> of it. Whereupon the Book -was <i>Eaten</i>, as it were to be Hidden, from Interpretations; -till afterwards, in the <i>Inside</i> of it, the -Kingdom of Anti-christ came to be Exposed. -Thus, the Judgments of God on the <i>Roman -Empire</i>, first unto the Downfal of <i>Paganism</i>, and -then, unto the Downfal of <i>Popery</i>, which is but -Revived <i>Paganism</i>, are in these Displayes, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> -Lively Colours and Features made sensible unto -us.</p> - -<p>[4] Accordingly, in the Twelfth Chapter of -this Book, we have an August Preface, to the -Description of that Horrid <i>Kingdom</i>, which our -Lord Christ refused, but Antichrist accepted, -from the Devils Hands; a Kingdom, which for -<i>Twelve Hundred and Sixty</i> Years together, was to -be a continual oppression upon the People of God, -and opposition unto his Interests; until the Arrival -of that Illustrious Day, wherein, <i>The Kingdom -shall be the Lords, and he shall be Governour -among the Nations</i>. The Chapter is (as an Excellent -Person calls it) an <i>Extravasated Account</i> -of the Circumstances, which befell the <i>Primitive -Church</i>, during the first Four or Five Hundred -Years of Christianity: It shows us the Face of -the Church, first in <i>Rome</i> Heathenish, and then -in Rome Converted, before the <i>Man of Sin</i> was -yet come to <i>Mans Estate</i>. Our Text contains -the Acclamations made upon the most Glorious -Revolution that ever yet happened upon the -Roman Empire; namely, That wherein the -Travailing Church brought forth a Christian -Emperour. This was a most Eminent <i>Victory</i> -over the Devil, and <i>Resemblance</i> of the State, -wherein the World, ere long shall see, <i>The Kingdom -of our God, and the Power of his Christ</i>. It is -here noted,</p> - -<p>First, As a matter of <i>Triumph</i>. 'Tis said, <i>Rejoyce, -ye Heavens, and ye that dwell in them</i>. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> -Saints in both Worlds, took the Comfort of this -Revolution; the Devout Ones that had outlived -the late Persecutions, were filled with Transporting -Joys, when they saw the <i>Christian</i> become the -<i>Imperial</i> Religion, and when they saw Good Men -come to give Law unto the rest of Mankind; the -Deceased Ones also, whose Blood had been Sacrificed -in the Ten Persecutions, doubtless made the -Light Regions to ring with <i>Hallelujahs</i> unto -God, when there were brought unto them, the -Tidings of the Advances now given to the -<i>Christian</i> Religion, for which they had suffered -<i>Martyrdom</i>.</p> - -<p>Secondly, As a matter of <i>Horror</i>. 'Tis said, -<i>Wo to the Inhabiters of the Earth and of the Sea</i>. -The <i>Earth</i> still means the <i>False Church</i>, the <i>Sea</i> -means the <i>Wide World</i>, in Prophetical Phrasæology. -There was yet left a vast party of Men, -that were Enemies to the Christian Religion, in -the power of it; a vast party left for the Devil -to work upon: Unto these is a <i>Wo</i> denounced; -and why so? 'Tis added, <i>For the Devil is come -down unto you, having great Wrath, because he -knows, that he has but a short time</i>. These were, -it seems, to have some desperate and peculiar -Attempts of the Devil made upon them. In the -mean time, we may entertain this for our Doctrine.</p> - -<p><i>Great Wo proceeds from the Great</i> <span class="smcap">Wrath</span>, <i>with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> -which</i> [5] <i>the</i> <span class="smcap">Devil</span>, <i>towards the end of his</i> <span class="smcap">Time</span>, -<i>will make a</i> <span class="smcap">Descent</span> <i>upon a miserable World.</i></p> - -<p>I have now Published a most awful and solemn -Warning for our selves at this day; which has -four <i>Propositions</i>, comprehended in it.</p> - -<p><i>Proposition I.</i> That there is a <i>Devil</i>, is a thing -Doubted by none but such as are under the Influence -of the <i>Devil</i>. For any to deny the Being -of a <i>Devil</i> must be from an Ignorance or Profaneness, -worse than <i>Diabolical</i>. <i>A Devil.</i> What is -<i>that?</i> We have a Definition of the Monster, in -<i>Eph.</i> 6. 12. <i>A Spiritual Wickedness</i>, that is, <i>A -wicked Spirit</i>. A Devil is a <i>Fallen Angel</i>, an Angel -<i>Fallen</i> from the Fear and Love of God, and from -all Celestial Glories; but <i>Fallen</i> to all manner of -Wretchedness and Cursedness. He was once in -that Order of Heavenly Creatures, which God in -the Beginning made <i>Ministering Spirits</i>, for his -own peculiar Service and Honour, in the management -of the Universe; but we may now write -that Epitaph upon him, <i>How art thou fallen from -Heaven! thou hast said in thine Heart, I will Exalt -my Throne above the Stars of God; but thou art -brought down to Hell!</i> A Devil is a <i>Spiritual</i> and -<i>Rational Substance</i>, by his <i>Apostacy</i> from God, inclined -to all that is Vicious, and for that <i>Apostacy</i> -confined unto the Atmosphere of this Earth, <i>in -Chains, under Darkness, unto the Judgment of the -Great Day</i>. This is a <i>Devil;</i> and the <i>Experience</i> -of Mankind as well as the <i>Testimony</i> of Scripture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> -does abundantly prove the Existence of such a -Devil.<a name="FNanchor_78_77" id="FNanchor_78_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_77" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p> - -<p>About this <i>Devil</i>, there are many things, -whereof we may reasonably and profitably be -Inquisitive; such things, I mean, as are in our -Bibles Reveal'd unto us; according to which if -we do not speak on so <i>dark</i> a Subject, but according -to our own uncertain, and perhaps humoursome -Conjectures, <i>There is no Light in us</i>. I will -carry you with me, but unto one Paragraph of -the Bible, to be informed of three Things, relating -to the <i>Devil;</i> 'tis the Story of the <i>Gadaren -Energumen</i>, in the fifth Chapter of <i>Mark</i>.</p> - -<p>First, then, 'Tis to be granted; the <i>Devils</i> are -so many, that some Thousands, can sometimes -at once apply themselves to vex one Child of -Man. It is said, in Mark 5. 15. <i>He that was -Possessed with the Devil, had the Legion.</i> Dreadful -to be spoken! A <i>Legion</i> consisted of Twelve -Thousand Five Hundred People: And we see -that in one Man or two, so many <i>Devils</i> can be -spared for a Garrison. As the Prophet cryed out, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span><i>Multitudes, Multitudes, in the Valley of Decision!</i> -So I say, <i>There are multitudes, multitudes, in the -valley of Destruction, where the Devils are!</i> When -[6] we speak of, <i>The Devil</i>, 'tis, <i>A name of Multitude;</i> -it means not <i>One</i> Individual Devil, so Potent -and Scient, as perhaps a <i>Manichee</i> would imagine; -but it means a <i>Kind</i>, which a <i>Multitude</i> -belongs unto. Alas, the <i>Devils</i>, they swarm about -us, like the <i>Frogs of Egypt</i>, in the most Retired -of our Chambers. Are we at our <i>Boards?</i> There -will be Devils to Tempt us unto Sensuality: Are -we in our <i>Beds?</i> There will be Devils to Tempt -us unto Carnality; Are we in our <i>Shops?</i> There -will be Devils to Tempt us unto Dishonesty. -Yea, Tho' we get into the Church of God, there -will be Devils to Haunt us in the very <i>Temple</i> it -self, and there tempt us to manifold Misbehaviours. -I am verily perswaded, That there are -very few Humane Affairs whereinto some Devils -are not Insinuated; There is not so much as a -<i>Journey</i> intended, but <i>Satan</i> will have an hand in -<i>hindering</i> or <i>furthering</i> of it.</p> - -<p>Secondly, 'Tis to be supposed, That there is a -sort of Arbitrary, even Military <i>Government</i>, among -the <i>Devils</i>. This is intimated, when in <i>Mar.</i> 5. -9. <i>The unclean Spirit said, My Name is Legion:</i> -they are under such a Discipline as <i>Legions</i> use -to be. Hence we read about, <i>The Prince of the -power of the Air:</i> Our <i>Air</i> has a <i>power?</i> or an -Army of Devils in the <i>High Places</i> of it; and -these Devils have a <i>Prince</i> over them, who is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> -<i>King over the Children of Pride</i>. 'Tis probable, -That the Devil, who was the Ringleader of that -mutinous and rebellious Crew, which first shook -off the Authority of God, is now the General of -those Hellish Armies;<a name="FNanchor_79_78" id="FNanchor_79_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_78" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> Our Lord, that Conquered -him, has told us the Name of him; 'tis -<i>Belzebub;</i> 'tis he that is <i>the Devil</i>, and the rest -are <i>his Angels</i>, or his Souldiers. Think on vast -Regiments of cruel and bloody <i>French Dragoons</i>, -with an <i>Intendant</i> over them, overrunning a pillaged -Neighbourhood, and you will think a little, -what the Constitution among the <i>Devils</i> is.</p> - -<p>Thirdly, 'tis to be supposed, that some Devils -are more peculiarly <i>Commission'd</i>, and perhaps -<i>Qualify'd</i>, for some Countries, while others are -for others. This is intimated when in <i>Mar.</i> 5. -10. The Devils <i>besought</i> our Lord much, <i>that he -would not send them away out of the Countrey</i>. -Why was that? But in all probability, because -<i>these Devils</i> were more able <i>to do the works of the -Devil</i>, in such a Countrey, than in another. It -is not likely that every Devil does know every -<i>Language;</i> or that every Devil can do every <i>Mischief</i>.<a name="FNanchor_80_79" id="FNanchor_80_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_79" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> -'Tis possible, that the <i>Experience</i>, or, if I -may call it so, the <i>Education</i> of all Devils is not -alike, and that there may be some difference in -their <i>Abilities</i>. If one might make an Inference -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span>from what the Devils <i>do</i>, to what they <i>are</i>, One -cannot [7] forbear dreaming, that there are <i>degrees</i> -of Devils. Who can allow, that such Trifling -<i>Dæmons</i>, as that of <i>Mascon</i>,<a name="FNanchor_81_80" id="FNanchor_81_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_80" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> or those that -once infested our <i>New berry</i>, are of so much -Grandeur, as those <i>Dæmons</i>, whose Games are -mighty Kingdoms? Yea, 'tis certain, that all -Devils do not make a like Figure in the <i>Invisible -World</i>. Nor does it look agreeably, That the -<i>Dæmons</i>, which were the Familiars of such a Man -as the old <i>Apollonius</i>, differ not from those baser -Goblins that chuse to Nest in the filthy and loathsom -Rags of a beastly Sorceress. Accordingly, -why may not some Devils be more accomplished -for what is to be done in such and such places, -when others must be <i>detach'd</i> for other Territories? -Each Devil, as he sees his advantage, cries -out, <i>Let me be in this Countrey, rather than another</i>. -But <i>Enough</i>, if not <i>too much</i>, of these things.<a name="FNanchor_82_81" id="FNanchor_82_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_81" class="fnanchor">[82]</a></p> - -<p><i>Proposition II.</i> There is a Devilish <i>Wrath</i> -against <i>Mankind</i>, with which the <i>Devil</i> is for -<i>God's sake</i> Inspired. The Devil is himself broiling -under the intollerable and interminable <i>Wrath</i> -of God; and a fiery <i>Wrath</i> at God, is, that which -the Devil is for that cause Enflamed. Methinks -I see the posture of the Devils in <i>Isa.</i> 8. 21. -<i>They fret themselves, and Curse their God, and look -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span>upward.</i> The first and chief <i>Wrath</i> of the Devil, -is at the Almighty God himself; he knows, <i>The -God that made him, will not have mercy on him, and -the God that formed him, will shew him no favour;</i> -and so he can have no <i>Kindness</i> for that God, -who has no <i>Mercy</i>, nor <i>Favour</i> for him. Hence -'tis, that he cannot bear the <i>Name</i> of God should -be acknowledged in the World: Every Acknowledgement -paid unto <i>God</i>, is a fresh drop of the -burning Brimstone falling upon the Devil; he -does make his Insolent, tho' Impotent Batteries, -even upon the <i>Throne</i> of God himself: and foolishly -affects to have himself exalted unto that -<i>Glorious High Throne</i>, by all people, as he sometimes -is, by Execrable <i>Witches</i>. This horrible -Dragon does not only with his Tayl strike at the -<i>Stars of God</i>, but at the God himself, who made -the <i>Stars</i>, being desirous to outshine them all. -God and the Devil are sworn Enemies to each -other; the Terms between them, are those, in -<i>Zech.</i> 11. 18. <i>My Soul loathed them, and their Soul -also abhorred me.</i> And from this Furious <i>wrath</i>, -or Displeasure and Prejudice at God, proceeds -the Devils <i>wrath</i> at us, the poor Children of Men. -Our doing the <i>Service</i> of God, is one thing that -exposes us to the <i>wrath</i> of the Devil. We are -the <i>High Priests</i> of the World; when all Creatures -are called upon, <i>Praise ye the Lord</i>, they -bring to us those demanded <i>Praises</i> of God, saying, -<i>do you offer them for us</i>. Hence 'tis, that the -Devil has a Quarrel with [8] us, as he had with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> -the <i>High-Priest</i> in the Vision of Old. Our bearing -the Image of God is another thing that brings -the <i>wrath</i> of the Devil upon us. As a <i>Tyger</i>, -thro' his Hatred at man will tear the very Picture -of him, if it come in his way; such a <i>Tyger</i> the -Devil is; because God said of old, <i>Let us make -Man in our Image</i>, the Devil is ever saying, <i>Let -us pull this man to pieces</i>. But the envious <i>Pride</i> -of the Devil, is one thing more that gives an Edge -unto his Furious <i>Wrath</i> against us. The Apostle -has given us an hint, as if <i>Pride</i> had been the -<i>Condemnation of the Devil</i>. 'Tis not unlikely, that -the Devil's <i>Affectation</i> to be above that Condition -which he might learn that Mankind was to be -preferr'd unto, might be the <span class="errauthor" title="read: occasion">occcasion</span> of his -taking up Arms against the <i>Immortal King</i>. -However, the Devil now sees <i>Man</i> lying in the -Bosom of God, but <i>himself</i> damned in the bottom -of Hell; and this enrages him exceedingly; <i>O</i>, -says he, <i>I cannot bear it, that man should not be as -miserable as my self</i>.</p> - -<p><i>Proposition III.</i> The <i>Devil</i>, in the prosecution, -and the execution of his <i>wrath</i> upon them, often -gets a <i>Liberty</i> to make a <i>Descent</i> upon the Children -of men. When the Devil <i>does hurt</i> unto us, -he <i>comes down</i> unto us; for the Rendezvouze of -the <i>Infernal Troops</i>, is indeed in the <i>supernal parts</i> -of our Air.<a name="FNanchor_83_82" id="FNanchor_83_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_82" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> But as 'tis said, <i>A sparrow of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span>Air does not fall down without the will of God;</i> so I -may say, <i>Not a Devil in the Air, can come down -without the leave of God</i>. Of this we have a famous -Instance in that Arabian Prince, of whom the -Devil was not able so much as to <i>Touch</i> any thing, -till the most high God gave him a permission, to -<i>go down</i>.<a name="FNanchor_84_83" id="FNanchor_84_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_83" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> The Devil stands with all the Instruments -of death, aiming at us, and begging of the -Lord, as that King ask'd for the Hood-wink'd -<i>Syrians</i> of old, <i>Shall I smite 'em, shall I smite 'em?</i> -He cannot strike a blow, till the Lord say, <i>Go -down and smite</i>, but sometimes he <i>does</i> obtain from -the <i>high possessor of Heaven and Earth</i>, a License -for the doing of it. The Devil sometimes does -make most rueful Havock among us; but still -we may say to him, as our Lord said unto a great -Servant of his, <i>Thou couldst have no power against -me, except it were given thee from above</i>.<a name="FNanchor_85_84" id="FNanchor_85_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_84" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> The -Devil is called in 1 <i>Pet.</i> 5. 8. <i>Your Adversary.</i> -This is a Law-term; and it notes <i>An Adversary -at Law</i>. The Devil cannot come at us, except -in some sence according to <i>Law;</i> but sometimes -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span>he does procure sad things to be inflicted, according -to the <i>Law of</i> the eternal King upon us. The -Devil first <i>goes up</i> as an <i>Accuser</i> against us. He -is therefore styled <i>The Accuser;</i> and it is on -this account, that his proper Name does belong -unto him. There is a Court somewhere kept; -a Court of Spirits, where the Devil enters all sorts -of Complaints [9] against us all; he charges us -with manifold <i>sins</i> against the Lord our God: -<i>There</i> he loads us with heavy <i>Imputations</i> of Hypocrysie, -Iniquity, Disobedience; whereupon he -urges, <i>Lord, let 'em now have the death, which is their -wages, paid unto 'em!</i> If our <i>Advocate</i> in the -Heavens do not now take off his Libel; the Devil, -then, with a Concession of God, <i>comes down</i>, as a -<i>destroyer</i> upon us. Having first been an <i>Attorney</i>, -to bespeak that the Judgments of Heaven may -be ordered for us, he then also pleads, that he -may be the <i>Executioner</i> of those Judgments; and -the God of Heaven sometimes after a sort, signs -a Warrant, for this <i>destroying Angel</i>, to do what -has been <i>desired</i> to be done for the <i>destroying of -men</i>. But such a <i>permission</i> from God, for the -Devil to <i>come down</i>, and <i>break in</i> upon mankind, -oftentimes must be accompany'd with a <i>Commission</i> -from some wretches of mankind it self. Every -man is, as 'tis hinted in <i>Gen.</i> 4. 9. <i>His brother's -keeper</i>. We are to <i>keep</i> one another from the -Inroads of the Devil, by mutual and cordial -Wishes of prosperity to one another. When ungodly -people give their <i>Consents</i> in <i>witchcrafts</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> -diabolically performed, for the Devil to annoy -their Neighbours, he finds a breach made in the -Hedge about us, whereat he Rushes in upon us, -with grievous molestations. Yea, when the impious -people, that never saw the Devil, do but -utter their <i>Curses</i> against their Neighbours, those -are so many <i>watch words</i>, whereby the Mastives -of Hell are animated presently to fall upon us. -Tis thus, that the Devil gets <i>leave</i> to worry us.</p> - -<p><i>Proposition IV.</i> Most horrible <i>woes</i> come to be -inflicted upon Mankind, when the <i>Devil</i> does in -<i>great wrath</i>, make a <i>descent</i> upon them. The -<i>Devil</i> is a <i>Do-Evil</i>, and wholly set upon mischief. -When our Lord once was going to <i>Muzzel</i> him, -that he might not mischief others, he cry'd out, -<i>Art thou come to torment me?</i> He is, it seems, -himself <i>Tormented</i>, if he be but <i>Restrained</i> from -the tormenting of Men. If upon the sounding -of the Three last <i>Apocalyptical Angels</i>, it was an -outcry made in Heaven, <i>Wo, wo, wo, to the inhabitants -of the Earth by reason of the voice of the -Trumpet</i>. I am sure, a <i>descent</i> made by the Angel -of <i>death</i>, would give cause for the like Exclamation: -<i>Wo to the world, by reason of the wrath of the -Devil!</i> what a <i>woful</i> plight, mankind would by -the descent of the Devil be brought into, may be -gathered from the <i>woful</i> pains, and wounds, and -hideous desolations which the Devil brings upon -them, with whom he has with a <i>bodily Possession</i> -made a Seisure. You may both in Sacred and -Profane History, read many a direful Account of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> -the <i>woes</i>, which they that are possessed by the -Devil, do undergo: And from thence conclude, -<i>What</i> [10] <i>must the Children of Men hope from such -a Devil!</i> Moreover, the <i>Tyrannical Ceremonies</i>, -whereto the Devil uses to subjugate such <i>Woful</i> -Nations or Orders of Men, as are more Entirely -under his Dominion, do declare what <i>woful</i> Work -the Devil would make where he comes. The -very Devotions of those forlorn <i>Pagans</i>, to whom -the Devil is a Leader, are most bloody <i>Penances;</i> -and what <i>Woes</i> indeed must we expect from such -a Devil of a <i>Moloch</i>, as relishes no Sacrifices like -those of Humane Heart-blood, and unto whom -there is no Musick like the bitter, dying, doleful -Groans, ejaculated by the Roasting Children of -Men.</p> - -<p>Furthermore, the servile, abject, needy circumstances -wherein the Devil keeps the Slaves, -that are under his more sensible Vassalage, do -suggest unto us, how <i>woful</i> the Devil would render -all our Lives. We that live in a Province, -which affords unto us all that may be necessary -or comfortable for us, found the Province fill'd -with vast Herds of Salvages, that never saw so -much as a <i>Knife</i>, or a <i>Nail</i>, or a <i>Board</i>, or a Grain -of <i>Salt</i>, in all their Days. No better would the -Devil have the World provided for. Nor should -we, or any else, have one convenient thing about -us, but be as indigent as <i>usually</i> our most <i>Ragged -Witches</i> are; if <i>the Devil's Malice</i> were not overruled -by a <i>compassionate God</i>, who <i>preserves Man</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> -<i>and Beast</i>. Hence 'tis, that <i>the Devil</i>, even like a -<i>Dragon</i>, keeping a Guard upon such <i>Fruits</i> as -would <i>refresh</i> a languishing World, has hindred -Mankind for many Ages, from hitting upon those -<i>useful Inventions</i>, which yet <i>were so obvious</i> and <i>facil</i>, -that it is every bodies wonder, they were no -sooner hit upon. The <i>bemisted World</i>, must jog -on for thousands of Years, without the knowledg -of <i>the Loadstone</i>, till a <i>Neapolitan</i> stumbled upon -it, about <i>three hundred years</i> ago. Nor must the -World be <i>blest</i> with such a <i>matchless Engine</i> of -<i>Learning</i> and <i>Vertue</i>, as that of <i>Printing</i>, till about -<i>the middle of the Fifteenth Century</i>. Nor could -<i>One Old Man, all over the Face of the whole Earth</i>, -have the <i>benefit</i> of such a <i>Little</i>, tho' most <i>needful</i> -thing, as a pair of <i>Spectacles</i>, till a <i>Dutch-Man</i>, a -<i>little while</i> ago accommodated us.<a name="FNanchor_86_85" id="FNanchor_86_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_85" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> - -<p>Indeed, as the Devil does begrutch us all manner -of <i>Good</i>, so he does annoy us with all manner -of <i>Wo</i>, as often as he finds himself capable of doing -it. But shall we mention some of the <i>special -woes</i> with which the Devil does usually infest the -World! Briefly then; <i>Plagues</i> are some of those -<i>woes</i> with which the Devil troubles us. It is said -of the <i>Israelites</i>, in 1 <i>Cor.</i> 10. 10. <i>They were destroyed -of the destroyer</i>. That is, they had <i>the -Plague</i> among them. 'Tis the <i>Destroyer</i>, or <i>the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span>Devil</i>, that scatters <i>Plagues</i> about the World. -Pestilential and Contagious Diseases, 'tis the Devil -who does oftentimes invade us with them. 'Tis -no uneasy thing for the Devil to impreg[11]nate -the Air about us, with such Malignant <i>Salts</i>, as -meeting with <i>the Salt</i> of our <i>Microcosm</i>, shall -immediately cast us into that Fermentation and -Putrefaction, which will utterly dissolve all the -Vital Tyes within us; Ev'n as an <i>Aqua-Fortis</i>, -made with a conjunction of <i>Nitre</i> and <i>Vitriol</i>, -Corrodes what it Seizes upon. And when the -Devil has raised those <i>Arsenical Fumes</i>, which -become <i>Venemous Quivers</i> full of <i>Terrible Arrows</i>, -how easily can he shoot the deleterious <i>Miasms</i> -into those Juices or Bowels of Mens Bodies, -which will soon Enflame them with a Mortal -Fire! Hence come such <i>Plagues</i>, as that <i>Beesom -of Destruction</i>, which within our memory swept -away such a Throng of People from one <i>English</i> -City in one Visitation;<a name="FNanchor_87_86" id="FNanchor_87_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_86" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> And hence those Infectious -Fevers, which are but so many <i>Disguised -Plagues</i> among us, causing Epidemical Desolations. -Again, <i>Wars</i> are also some of those <i>Woes</i>, -with which the Devil causes our Trouble. It is -said in <i>Rev.</i> 12. 17. <i>The Dragon was Wrath and -he went to make War;</i> and there is in truth scarce -any <i>War</i>, but what is of the <i>Dragon's</i> kindling.<a name="FNanchor_88_87" id="FNanchor_88_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_87" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span>The Devil is that <i>Vulcan</i>, out of whose Forge -come the instruments of our <i>Wars</i>, and it is he -that finds us Employments for those Instruments. -We read concerning <i>Dæmoniacks</i>, or People in -whom the Devil was, that they would cut and -wound themselves; and so, when the Devil is in -Men, he puts 'em upon dealing in that barbarous -fashion with one another. <i>Wars</i> do often furnish -him with some Thousands of Souls in one -Morning from one Acre of Ground; and for the -sake of such <i>Thyestæan</i> Banquets, he will push us -upon as many <i>Wars</i> as he can.</p> - -<p>Once more, why may not <i>Storms</i> be reckoned -among those <i>Woes</i>, with which the Devil does -disturb us? It is not improbable that <i>Natural -Storms</i> on the World are often of the Devils -raising. We are told in <i>Job</i> 1. 11, 12, 19. that -the Devil made a <i>Storm</i>, which hurricano'd the -House of <i>Job</i>, upon the Heads of them that were -Feasting in it. <i>Paracelsus</i> could have informed -the Devil, if he had not been informed, as besure -he was before, That if much <i>Aluminious</i> matter, -with <i>Salt Petre</i> not throughly prepared, be mixed, -they will send up a cloud of Smoke, which <i>will</i> -come down in Rain. But undoubtedly the <i>Devil</i> -understands as <i>well</i> the way to make a <i>Tempest</i> as -to turn the <i>Winds</i> at the <i>Solicitation</i> of a <i>Laplander;</i><a name="FNanchor_89_88" id="FNanchor_89_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_88" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> -whence perhaps it is, that Thunders are -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span>observed oftner to break upon <i>Churches</i> than upon -any other <i>Buildings;</i> and besides many a Man, -yea many a Ship, yea, many a Town has miscarried, -when the Devil has been permitted from -above to make an horrible Tempest.<a name="FNanchor_90_89" id="FNanchor_90_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_89" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> However -that the Devil has raised many <i>Metaphorical -Storms</i> upon the Church, is a thing, than which -there is nothing more notorious. It was said -unto Believers in <i>Rev.</i> 2. 10. <i>The Devil shall -cast some of [12] you into Prison</i>. The Devil was -he that at first set <i>Cain upon Abel</i> to butcher him, -as the Apostle seems to suggest, for his Faith in -God, as a <i>Rewarder</i>. And in how many <i>Persecutions</i>, -as well as <i>Heresies</i> has the Devil been -ever since Engaging all the Children of <i>Cain!</i> -That Serpent the Devil has acted his cursed Seed -in unwearied endeavours to have them, <i>Of whom -the World is not worthy</i>, treated as those who are -<i>not worthy to live in the World</i>. By the impulse -of the Devil, 'tis that first the old <i>Heathens</i>, and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span>then the mad <i>Arians</i> were <i>pricking Briars</i> to the -true Servants of God; and that the <i>Papists</i> that -came after them, have out done them all for -Slaughters, upon those that have been <i>accounted -as the Sheep for the Slaughters</i>. The late <i>French</i> -Persecution is perhaps the horriblest that ever was -in the World:<a name="FNanchor_91_90" id="FNanchor_91_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_90" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> And as the Devil of <i>Mascon</i> -seems before to have meant it in his out-cries -upon <i>the Miseries preparing for the poor Hugonots!</i> -Thus it has been all acted by a singlar -Fury of the old Dragon inspiring of his Emissaries.</p> - -<p>But in reality, <i>Spiritual Woes</i> are the <i>principal -Woes</i> among all those that the Devil would have -us undone withal. <i>Sins</i> are the worst of <i>Woes</i>, -and the Devil seeks nothing so much as to plunge -us into Sins. When men do commit a Crime -for which they are to be Indicted, they are -usually <i>mov'd by the Instigation of the Devil</i>. The -Devil will put <i>ill men upon being worse</i>. Was it -not he that said in 1 <i>King.</i> 22. 22. <i>I will go forth, -and be a lying Spirit in the Mouth of all the Prophets?</i> -Even so the Devil becomes an <i>Unclean -Spirit</i>, <i>a Drinking Spirit</i>, <i>a Swearing Spirit</i>, <i>a -Worldly Spirit</i>, <i>a Passionate Spirit</i>, <i>a Revengeful -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span>Spirit</i>, and the like in the Hearts of those that -are already too much of such a Spirit; and thus -they become improv'd in Sinfulness. Yea, the -Devil will put <i>good men upon doing ill</i>. Thus we -read in 1 <i>Chron.</i> 21. 1. <i>Satan provoked David to -number Israel</i>. And so the <i>Devil provokes</i> men -that are Eminent in Holiness unto such things as -may become eminently Pernicious; he <i>provokes</i> -them especially unto <i>Pride</i>, and unto many unsuitable -Emulations. There are likewise most -lamentable Impressions which the <i>Devil</i> makes -upon the <i>Souls of Men</i> by way of punishment -upon them for their <i>Sins</i>. 'Tis thus when an -Offended God puts the <i>Souls</i> of <i>Men</i> over into -the Hands of that Officer <i>who has the power of -Death, that is, the Devil</i>. It is the woful Misery -of Unbelievers in 2 <i>Cor.</i> 4. 4. <i>The god of this -World has blinded their minds</i>. And thus it may -be said of those woful Wretches whom the <i>Devil</i> -is a God unto, <i>the Devil so muffles them that they -cannot see the things of their peace</i>. And <i>the Devil -so hardens them, that nothing will awaken their -cares about their Souls:</i> How come so many to be -<i>Seared</i> in their Sins? 'Tis the Devil that with a -red hot Iron fetcht from his Hell [13] does <i>cauterise</i> -them. Thus 'tis, till perhaps at last they -come to have a <i>Wounded Conscience</i> in them, and -the Devil has often a share in their Torturing and -confounded Anguishes. The <i>Devil</i> who Terrified -<i>Cain</i>, and <i>Saul</i>, and <i>Judas</i> into Desperation, -still becomes a <i>King of Terrors</i> to many Sinners,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> -and frights them from laying hold on the Mercy -of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. In these -regards, <i>Wo unto us, when the Devil comes down -upon us</i>.<a name="FNanchor_92_91" id="FNanchor_92_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_91" class="fnanchor">[92]</a></p> - -<p><i>Proposition V.</i> Toward the <i>End</i> of his <i>Time</i> the -<i>Descent</i> of the Devil in <i>Wrath</i> upon the World -will produce more <i>woful Effects,</i> than what have -been in <i>former Ages</i>. The dying Dragon, will -bite more cruelly and sting more bloodily than -ever he did before: The Death-pangs of the -Devil will make him to be more of a <i>Devil</i> than -ever he was; and the Furnace of this <i>Nebuchadnezzar</i> -will be heated <i>seven times</i> hotter, just -before its putting out.</p> - -<p>We are in the first place to apprehend, that -there is a time fixed and stated by God for the -Devil to enjoy a dominion over our sinful and -therefore woful World. The <i>Devil</i> once exclaimed -in <i>Mat.</i> 8. 29. <i>Jesus, thou Son of God, art -thou come hither to Torment us before our Time?</i> It is -plain, that until the second coming of our Lord -the <i>Devil</i> must have a time of plagueing the -World, which he was afraid would have Expired -at his first. The <i>Devil</i> is <i>by the wrath of God the -Prince of this World;</i> and the time of his Reign -is to continue until the time when our Lord -himself shall <i>take to himself his great Power and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span>Reign</i>. Then 'tis that the <i>Devil</i> shall hear the -Son of God swearing with loud Thunders -against him, <i>Thy time shall now be no more!</i> Then -shall the <i>Devil</i> with his Angels receive their -doom, which will be, <i>depart into the everlasting -Fire prepared for you</i>.</p> - -<p>We are also to apprehend, that in the <i>mean -time</i>, the Devil can give a shrewd guess, when he -draws near to the <i>End of his Time</i>. When he -saw Christianity enthron'd among the <i>Romans</i>, it -is here said, in our <i>Rev.</i> 12. 12. <i>He knows he hath -but a short time.</i> And how does he <i>know it?</i> Why -<i>Reason</i> will make the Devil to <i>know</i> that God -won't suffer him to have the <i>Everlasting Dominion;</i> -and that when God has once begun to rescue the -World out of his hands, he'll go through with it, -until the <i>Captives of the mighty shall be taken away -and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered</i>. But -the Devil will have <i>Scripture</i> also, to make him -<i>know</i>, that when his Antichristian <i>Vicar</i>, the <i>seven-headed -Beast</i> on the <i>seven-hilled</i> City,<a name="FNanchor_93_92" id="FNanchor_93_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_92" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> shall have -spent his determined years, he with his <i>Vicar</i> must -unavoidably go down into the <i>bottomless Pit</i>. It -is not improbable, that the Devil often hears the -<i>Scripture</i> expounded in our Congregations; yea -that we never assemble without a <i>Satan</i> among -us. As there are some Divines, who do with -more uncertainty conjecture, from a certain place -in the Epistle to the <i>Ephesians</i>, That the Angels -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span>do sometimes come into our Churches, to gain -some advantage from our Ministry. But be sure -our <i>Demonstrable Interpretations</i> may give Repeated -Notices to the Devil, <i>That his time is almost out;</i> -and what the Preacher says unto the <i>Young Man, -Know thou, that God will bring thee into Judgment!</i> -<span class="smcap">That</span> may our Sermons tell unto the <i>Old Wretch, -Know thou, that the time of thy Judgment is at hand</i>.</p> - -<p>But we must now, likewise, apprehend, that in -<i>such a time</i>, the <i>woes</i> of the World will be -heightened, beyond what they were at <i>any time</i> -yet from the foundation of the World. Hence -'tis, that the Apostle has forewarned us, in 2 <i>Tim.</i> -3. 1. <i>this know, that</i> [14] <i>in the last days, perillous -times shall come.</i> Truly, when the Devil <i>knows</i>, -that he is got into his <i>Last days</i>, he will make -<i>perillous times</i> for us; the times will grow more -full of <i>Devils</i>, and therefore more full of <i>Perils</i>, -than ever they were before. Of this, if we would -<i>know</i>, what cause is to be assigned; It is not only, -because the Devil grows more <i>able</i>, and more -<i>eager</i> to vex the World; but also, and chiefly, -because the World is more <i>worthy</i> to be vexed by -the Devil, than ever heretofore. The <i>Sins</i> of -Men in this Generation, will be more <i>mighty Sins</i>, -than those of the former Ages; men will be more -Accurate and Exquisite and Refined in the arts of -<i>Sinning</i>, than they use to be. And besides, their -own sins, the sins of all the former Ages will also -lie upon the sinners of this generation. Do we -ask why the <i>mischievous powers of darkness</i> are to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span> -prevail more in our days, than they did in those -that are past and gone! 'Tis because that men by -sinning over again the sins of the former days, -have a <i>Fellowship with all those unfruitful works of -darkness</i>. As 'twas said in <i>Matth.</i> 23. 36. <i>All these -things shall come upon this generation;</i> so the men of -the last Generation, will find themselves involved -in the guilt of all that went before them. Of -Sinners 'tis said, <i>They heap up Wrath;</i> and the -sinners of the Last Generations do not only add -unto the <i>heap</i> of sin that has been pileing up ever -since the Fall of man, but they Interest themselves -in every sin of that enormous heap. There has -been a Cry of all former ages going up to God, -<i>That the Devil may come down!</i> and the sinners of -the Last Generations, do sharpen and louden that -<i>cry</i>, till the thing do come to pass, as Destructively -as Irremediably. From whence it follows, that -the Thrice Holy God, with his Holy Angels, will -now after a sort more <i>abandon</i> the World, than in -the former ages. The roaring Impieties of the -<i>old World</i>, at last gave mankind such a distast in -the Heart of the Just God, that he came to say, -<i>It Repents me that I have made such a Creature!</i> -And however, it may be but a witty Fancy, in a -late Learned Writer, that the <i>Earth</i> before the -Flood was nearer to the Sun, than it is at this Day; -and that Gods Hurling down the <i>Earth</i> to a further -distance from the <i>Sun</i>, were the cause of that -Flood;<a name="FNanchor_94_93" id="FNanchor_94_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_93" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> yet we may fitly enough say, that men -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> -perished by a <i>Rejection</i> from the God of Heaven. -Thus the enhanc'd Impieties of this <i>our World</i>, -will Exasperate the Displeasure of God, at such a -rate, as that he will more <i>cast us off</i>, than heretofore; -until at last, he do with a more than ordinary -Indignation say, <i>Go Devils; do you take them, -and make them beyond all former measures miserable!</i></p> - -<p>If Lastly, We are inquisitive after Instances of -those aggravated <i>woes</i>, with which the Devil will -towards the <i>End</i> of his <i>Time</i> assault us; let it be -remembered, That all the Extremities which -were foretold by the <i>Trumpets</i> and <i>Vials</i> in the -Apocalyptick Schemes of these things, to come -upon the World, were the <i>woes</i> to come from the -<i>wrath</i> of the Devil, upon the <i>shortning</i> of his -<i>Time</i>. The horrendous desolations that have come -upon mankind, by the Irruptions of the old <i>Barbarians</i> -upon the <i>Roman</i> World, and then of the -<i>Saracens</i>, and since, of the <i>Turks</i>, were such <i>woes</i> -as men had never seen before. The Infandous -<i>Blindness</i> and <i>Vileness</i> which then came upon -mankind, and the Monstrous <i>Croisadoes</i> which -thereupon carried the <i>Roman</i> World by Millions -together unto the Shambles; were also such <i>woes</i> -as had never yet had a Parallel. And yet these -were some of the things here intended, when it -was said, <i>Wo! For the Devil is come down in great -Wrath, having but a short time</i>.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span></p> -<p>But besides all these things, and besides the increase -of <i>Plagues</i> and <i>Wars</i>, and <i>Storms</i>, and <i>Internal -Maladies</i> now in our days, there are especially -two most extraordinary <i>Woes</i>, one would -fear, will in these days become very ordinary. -One <i>Woe</i> that may be look'd for is, A frequent -Repition of <i>Earth-quakes</i>, and this perhaps by the -energy of the Devil in the <i>Earth</i>. The Devil -will be clap't up, as a Prisoner in or near the -Bowels of the earth, when once that <i>Conflagration</i> -shall be dispatched, which will make, <i>The -New Earth wherein shall dwell Righteousness;</i> and -that <i>Conflagration</i> will doubtless be much promoted -by the Subterraneous <i>Fires</i>, which are a -cause of the <i>Earthquakes</i> in our Dayes. Accordingly, -we read, <i>Great Earthquakes in divers -places</i>, enumerated among the Tokens of the -<i>Time</i> approaching, when the Devil shall have no -longer <i>Time</i>. I suspect, That we shall now be -visited with more Usual [15] and yet more Fatal -<i>Earthquakes</i> than were our Ancestors; in asmuch as -the <i>Fires</i> that are shortly to <i>Burn unto the Lowest -Hell, and set on Fire the Foundations of the Mountaions</i>, -will now get more Head than they use to -do; and it is not impossible, that the Devil, who -is ere long to be punished in those <i>Fires</i>, may -aforehand augment his Desert of it, by having an -hand in using some of those <i>Fires</i>, for our Detriment. -Learned Men have made no scruple to -charge the Devil with it; <i>Deo permittente, Terræ -motus causat</i>. The Devil surely, was a party in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> -the <i>Earthquake</i>,<a name="FNanchor_95_94" id="FNanchor_95_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_94" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> whereby the Vengeance of God, -in one black Night sunk Twelve considerable -Cities of <i>Asia</i>, in the Reign of <i>Tiberious</i>.<a name="FNanchor_96_95" id="FNanchor_96_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_95" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> But -there will be more such <i>Catastrophe's</i> in our -Dayes; <i>Italy</i> has lately been <i>Shaking</i>, till its -<i>Earthquakes</i> have brought Ruines at once upon -more than thirty Towns; but it will within a -little while, <i>shake</i> again, and <i>shake</i> till the Fire of -God have made an Entire <i>Etna</i> of it. And behold, -This very Morning, when I was intending -to utter among you such Things as these, we are -cast into an <i>Heartquake</i> by Tidings of an <i>Earthquake</i> -that has lately happened at <i>Jamaica:</i> an -horrible <i>Earthquake</i>, whereby the <i>Tyrus</i> of the -English <i>America</i>, was at once pull'd into the Jaws -of the Gaping and Groaning Earth, and many -Hundreds of the Inhabitants buried alive.<a name="FNanchor_97_96" id="FNanchor_97_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_96" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> The -Lord sanctifie so dismal a Dispensation of his Providence, -unto all the <i>American</i> Plantations! But -be assured, my Neighbours, the <i>Earthquakes</i> are -not over yet! We have not yet seen <i>the last</i>. And -then, Another <i>Wo</i> that may be Look'd for is, -The Devils being now let Loose in <i>preternatural -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span>Operations</i> more than formerly; and perhaps in -<i>Possessions</i> and <i>Obsessions</i> that shall be very marvellous. -You are not Ignorant, That just before our -Lords <i>First Coming</i>, there were most observable -Outrages committed by the Devil upon the Children -of Men: And I am suspicious, That there -will again be an unusual Range of the Devil -among us, a little before the <i>Second Coming</i> of our -Lord, which will be, to give the last stroke, in -<i>Destroying the works of the Devil</i>. The <i>Evening -Wolves</i> will be much abroad, when we are near -the <i>Evening</i> of the World. The Devil is going -to be Dislodged of the <i>Air</i>, where his present -Quarters are; God will with flashes of hot <i>Lightning</i> -upon him, cause him to <i>fall as Lightning</i> -from his Ancient Habitations: And the <i>Raised -Saints</i> will there have a <i>New Heaven</i>, which We -<i>expect according to the Promise of God</i>. Now a -little before this thing, you be like to see the -Devil more <i>sensibly</i> and <i>visibly</i> Busy upon <i>Earth</i> -perhaps, than ever he was before. You shall -oftner hear about <i>Apparitions</i> of the Devil, and -about poor people strangely Bewitched, <i>Possessed</i> -and <i>Obsessed</i>, by Infernal Fiends. When our -Lord is going to set up His Kingdom, in the -most <i>sensible</i> and <i>visible</i> manner, that ever was, and -in a manner answering the <i>Transfiguration</i> in <i>the -Mount</i>, it is a Thousand to One, but the Devil -will in sundry <i>parts of the world</i>, assay <i>the like</i> for -Himself, with a most Apish Imitation: and Men, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> -at least in <i>some</i> Corners of the World, and perhaps -in <i>such</i> as God may have some special Designs -upon, will to their Cost, be more Familiarized -<i>with the World of Spirits</i>, than they had been -formerly.</p> - -<p>So that, in fine, if just before <i>the End</i>, when -<i>the times of the</i> Jews were to be finished, a man then -ran about every where, crying, <i>Wo to the Nation! -Wo to the City! Wo to the Temple! Wo! Wo! Wo!</i> -Much more may the descent of the Devil, just -before his <i>End</i>, when also <i>the times of the Gentiles</i> -will be finished, cause us to cry out, <i>Wo! Wo! -Wo! because of the black things that threaten us!</i></p> - -<p>But it is now Time to make our Improvement -of what has been said. And, first, we shall entertain -our selves with a few <i>Corollaries</i>, deduced -from what has been thus asserted.</p> - -<p><i>Corollary I.</i> What cause have we to bless God, -for our preservation from the <i>Devils wrath</i>, in -this which may too reasonably be called the <i>Devils -World!</i> While we are in <i>this present evil world</i>, -We are continually surrounded with swarms of -those Devils, who make this <i>present world</i>, become -so <i>evil</i>. What a wonder of Mercy is it, -that no <i>Devil</i> could ever yet make a prey of us!<a name="FNanchor_98_97" id="FNanchor_98_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_97" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> -We can set our foot no where but we shall tread -in the midst of most Hellish <i>Rattle-Snakes;</i> and -one of those <i>Rattle-Snakes</i> once thro' the mouth -of a Man, on whom he had Seized, hissed out -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span>such a Truth as this, <i>If God would let me loose upon -you, I should find enough in the Best of you all, to -make you all mine</i>.<a name="FNanchor_99_98" id="FNanchor_99_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_98" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> What shall I say? The <i>Wilderness</i> -thro' which we are passing to the <i>Pro-[16]mised -Land</i>, is all over fill'd with <i>Fiery flying serpents</i>. -But, blessed be God; None of them have -hitherto so fastned upon us, as to confound us -utterly! All our way to Heaven, lies by the -<i>Dens of Lions</i>, and the <i>Mounts of Leopards;</i> there -are incredible Droves of Devils in our way. But -have we safely got on our way thus far? O let -us be thankful to our Eternal preserver for it. It -is said in Psal. 76. 10. <i>Surely the wrath of Man -shall praise thee, and the Remainder of wrath shalt -thou restrain;</i> But <i>surely</i> it becomes to praise God, -in that we have yet sustain'd no more Damage by -the <i>wrath of the Devil</i>, and in that he has restrain'd -that Overwhelming <i>wrath</i>. We are poor, Travellers -in a World, which is as well the Devils -<i>Field</i>, as the Devils <i>Gaol;</i><a name="FNanchor_100_99" id="FNanchor_100_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_99" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> a World in every -Nook whereof the Devil is encamped with <i>Bands -of Robbers</i>, to pester all that have their <i>Face looking -Zion-ward:</i> And are we all this while preserved -from the undoing Snares of the <i>Devil?</i> it -is, <i>Thou, O keeper of Israel, that hast hitherto been -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span>our Keeper!</i> And therefore, <i>Bless the Lord, O my -soul, Bless his Holy Name, who has redeemed thy -Life from the Destroyer!</i></p> - -<p><i>Corollary II.</i> We may see the rise of those -multiply'd, magnify'd, and Singularly-stinged -Afflictions, with which <i>aged</i>, or <i>dying</i> Saints frequently -have their <i>Death</i> Prefaced, and their -<i>Age</i> embittered. When the Saints of God are -going to leave the World, it is usually a more -<i>Stormy World</i> with them, than ever it was; and -they find more <i>Vanity</i>, and more <i>Vexation</i> in the -world than ever they did before. It is true, -<i>That many are the afflictions of the Righteous;</i> but -a little before they bid adieu to all those many -<i>Afflictions</i>, they often have greater, harder, Sorer, -Loads thereof laid upon them, than they had yet -endured. It is true, <i>That thro' much Tribulation -we must enter into the Kingdom of God;</i> but a little -before our <i>Entrance</i> thereinto, our <i>Tribulation</i> -may have some sharper accents of Sorrow, than -ever were yet upon it. And what is the cause of -this? It is indeed the <i>Faithfulness of our God unto -us</i>, that we should find the Earth more full of -<i>Thorns</i> and <i>Briars</i> than ever, just before he fetches -us from <i>Earth</i> to <i>Heaven;</i> that so we may go -away the more willingly, the more easily, and -with less Convulsion, at his calling for us. O -there are <i>ugly Ties</i>, by which we are fastned unto -this world; but God will by <i>Thorns and Briars</i> -tear those <i>Ties</i> asunder. But, <i>is not the Hand of -Joab here?</i> Sure, There is the <i>wrath</i> of the <i>Devil</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> -also in it. A little before we step into Heaven, -the <i>Devil</i> thinks with himself, <i>My time to abuse -that Saint is now but short; what Mischief I am to -do that Saint, must be done quickly, if at all; he'l -shortly be out of my Reach for ever.</i> And for -this cause he will now fly upon us with the -Fiercest Efforts and Furies of his <i>Wrath</i>. It was -allowed unto the <i>Serpent</i>, in Gen. 2. 15. To <i>Bruise -the Heel</i>. Why, at the <i>Heel</i>, or at the <i>Close</i>, of -our Lives, the <i>Serpent</i> will be nibbling, more than -ever in our Lives before: and it is <i>Because now -he has but a short time</i>. He knows, That we -shall very shortly be, <i>Where the wicked cease from -Troubling, and where the Weary are at Rest;</i> wherefore -that <i>Wicked</i> one will now <i>Trouble</i> us, more -than ever he did, and we shall have so much -<i>Disrest</i>, as will make us more <i>weary</i> than ever we -were, of things here below.</p> - -<p><i>Corollary III.</i> What a Reasonable Thing then -is it, that they whose <i>Time</i> is but <i>short</i>, should -make as great <i>Use</i> of their <i>Time</i>, as ever they -can! I pray, let us learn some <i>good</i>, even from the -<i>wicked One</i> himself. It has been advised, <i>Be wise -as Serpents:</i> why, there is a piece of <i>Wisdom</i>, -whereto that old <i>Serpent</i>, the Devil himself, may -be our Moniter. When the Devil perceives his -<i>Time</i> is but <i>short</i>, it puts him upon <i>Great Wrath</i>. -But how should it be with <i>us</i>, when we perceive -that our <i>Time</i> is but <i>short?</i> why, it should put us -upon <i>Great Work</i>. The motive which makes -the Devil to be more full of <i>wrath;</i> should make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> -us more full of <i>warmth</i>, more full of <i>watch</i>, and -more full of <i>All Diligence to make our Vocation, -and Election sure</i>. Our <i>Pace</i> in our Journey -<i>Heaven-ward</i>, must be Quickened, if our <i>space</i> -for that Journey be shortned, even as <i>Israel</i> went -further the <i>two last</i> years of their Journey <i>Canaan-ward</i>, -than they did in 38 years before. The -Apostle brings this, as a <i>spur</i> to the Devotions of -Christians, in 1 <i>Cor.</i> 7. 29. <i>This I say, Brethren, -the time is short.</i> Even so, I <i>say</i> this; some things -I lay before you, which I do only <i>think</i>, or <i>guess</i>, -but here is a thing which I venture to <i>say</i> with -all the [33] freedom imaginable. You have now -a <i>Time</i> to <i>Get</i> good, even a <i>Time</i> to make sure of -<i>Grace and Glory, and every good thing</i>, by true -Repentance: But, <i>This I say, the time is but short</i>. -You have now <i>Time</i> to <i>Do</i> good, even to <i>serve out -your generation</i>, as by the <i>Will</i>, so for the <i>Praise</i> -of God; but, <i>This I say, the time is but short</i>. And -what I say thus to <i>All</i> People, I say to <i>Old</i> People, -with a peculiar Vehemency: Sirs, It cannot be -long before your <i>Time</i> is out; there are but a few -sands left in the glass of your <i>Time:</i> And it is -of all things the saddest, for a man to say, <i>My -time is done, but my work undone!</i> O then, <i>To -work</i> as fast as you can; and of Soul-work, and -Church-work, dispatch as much as ever you can. -Say to all <i>Hindrances</i>, as the gracious <i>Jeremiah -Burroughs</i><a name="FNanchor_101_100" id="FNanchor_101_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_100" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> would sometimes to <i>Visitants: You'll -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span>excuse me if I ask you to be short with me, for my work -is great, and my time is but short</i>. Methinks every -<i>time</i> we hear a Clock, or see a Watch, we have -an admonition given us, that our <i>Time</i> is upon -the <i>wing</i>, and it will all be gone within a little -while. I remember I have read of a famous man, -who having a <i>Clock-watch</i> long lying by him, out -of Kilture in his Trunk, it unaccountably struck -Eleven just before he died. Why, there are -many of you, for whom I am to do that office -this day: I am to tell you <i>You are come to your</i> -Eleventh <i>hour;</i> there is no more than a <i>twelfth -part</i> at most, of your life yet behind. But if we -neglect our business, till our <i>short Time</i> shall be -reduced into <i>none</i>, then, <i>woe to us, for the great -wrath of God will send us down from whence there is -no Redemption</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Corollary IV.</i></p> - -<p>How welcome should a <i>Death in the Lord</i> be unto -them that belong not unto the Devil, but unto the -Lord! While we are sojourning in this World, we -are in what may upon too many accounts be called -<i>The Devils Country:</i> We are where the Devil may -come upon us in <i>great wrath</i> continually. The -day when God shall take us out of this World, -will be, <i>The day when the Lord will deliver us from -the hand of all our Enemies, and from the hand of -Satan</i>. In such a day, why should not our song -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span>be that of the Psalmist, <i>Blessed be my Rock, and let -the God of my Salvation be exalted!</i> While we -are here, we are in <i>the valley of the shadow of -death;</i> and what is it that makes it so? 'Tis because -the <i>wild Beasts of Hell</i> are lurking on every -side of us, and every minute ready to salley forth -upon us. But our <i>Death</i> will fetch us out of that -<i>Valley</i>, and carry us where we shall be <i>for ever -with the Lord</i>. We are now under the daily -<i>Buffetings</i> of the Devil, and he does molest us with -such <i>Fiery Darts</i>, as cause us even to cry out, -<i>I am weary of my Life</i>. Yea, but are we as -<i>willing to die, as, weary of Life?</i> Our Death will -then soon set us where we cannot be reach'd by -the <i>Fist of Wickedness;</i> and where the <i>Perfect -cannot be shotten at</i>. It is said in <i>Rev.</i> 14. 13. -<i>Blessed are the [34] Dead which die in the Lord, -they rest from their labours.</i> But we may say, -<i>Blessed are the Dead in the Lord, inasmuch as they -rest from the Devils!</i> Our <i>dying</i> will be but our -<i>taking wing:</i> When attended with a Convoy of -winged Angels, we shall be convey'd into that -Heaven, from whence the Devil having been -thrown he shall never more come thither after us. -What if God should now say to us, as to <i>Moses</i>, -<i>Go up and die!</i> As long as we <i>go up</i>, when we -<i>die</i>, let us receive the Message with a joyful Soul; -we shall soon be there, where the Devil can't <i>come -down</i> upon us. If the <i>God of our Life</i> should now -send that Order to us, which he gave to <i>Hezekiah</i>, -<i>Set thy house in order, for thou shalt die, and not</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> -<i>live;</i> we need not be cast into such deadly Agonies -thereupon, as <i>Hezekiah</i> was: We are but going to -that <i>House</i>, the Golden Doors whereof, cannot be -entred by the Devil that here did use to persecute -us. Methinks I see the Departed <i>Spirit</i> of a Believer, -triumphantly carried thro' the Devils <i>Territories</i>, -in such a stately and Fiery Chariot, as the -<i>Spiritualizing Body</i> of <i>Elias</i> had; methink I see -the Devil, with whole Flocks of <i>Harpies</i>, grinning -at this Child of God, but unable to fasten any of -their griping Talons upon him: And then, upon -the utmost edge of our <i>Atmosphœre</i>, methinks I -overhear the holy Soul, with a most heavenly -Gallantry, deriding the defeated Fiend, and saying, -<i>Ah! Satan! Return to thy Dungeons again; I am -going where thou canst not come for ever!</i> O 'tis a -brave thing so to die! and especially so to die, in -<i>our time</i>. For, tho' when we call to mind, <i>That -the Devils time is now but short</i>, it may almost make -us wish to <i>live</i> unto the <i>end</i> of it; and to say with -the Psalmist, <i>Because the Lord will shortly appear -in his Glory to build up</i> Zion. <i>O my God! Take -me not away in the midst of my days.</i> Yet when we -bear in mind, <i>that the Devils Wrath is now most -great</i>, it would make one willing to be <i>out of the -way</i>. Inasmuch as now is the time for the doing -of those things in the prospect whereof <i>Balaam</i> -long ago cry'd out <i>Who shall live when such things -are done!</i> We should not be inordinatly loth to -<i>die</i> at such a time. In a word, the <i>Times</i> are so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> -<i>bad</i>, that we may well count it, as <i>good</i> a <i>time</i> to -die in, as ever we saw.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Corollary V.</i></p> - -<p>Good News for the <i>Israel</i> of God, and particularly -for his <i>New-English Israel</i>. If the Devils -<i>Time</i> were above a <i>thousand years ago</i>, pronounced -<i>short</i>, what may we suppose it now in <i>our</i> Time? -Surely <i>we</i> are not a <i>thousand years</i> distant from -those happy <i>thousand years</i> of rest and peace, and -[which is better] <i>Holiness</i> reserved for the People -of God in the latter days; and if we are not a -<i>thousand years</i> yet short of that Golden Age, there -is cause to think, that we are not an <i>hundred</i>. That -the blessed <i>Thousand years</i> are not yet begun, is -abundantly clear [35] from this, <i>We do not see the -Devil bound;</i> No, the Devil was never more let -<i>loose</i> than in our Days; and it is very much that -any should imagine otherwise: But the same -thing that proves the <i>Thousand Years</i> of prosperity -for the Church of God, under the whole Heaven, -to be not yet <i>begun</i>, does also prove, that it is not -very <i>far off;</i> and that is the prodigious <i>wrath</i> with -which the Devil does in our days Persecute, yea, -desolate the World. Let us cast our Eyes almost -where we will, and we shall see the <i>Devils</i> domineering -at such a rate as may justly fill us with -astonishment; it is questionable whether <i>Iniquity</i> -ever were so rampant, or whether <i>Calamity</i> were -ever so pungent, as in this Lamentable <i>time;</i> We -may truly say, <i>'Tis the Hour and the Power of</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> -<i>Darkness</i>. But, tho' the <i>wrath</i> be so <i>great</i>, the -<i>time</i> is but <i>short:</i> when we are perplexed with the -<i>wrath</i> of the Devil, the <i>Word</i> of our God at the -same time unto us, is that in Rom. 16. 20. <i>The -God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet -Shortly.</i> Shortly, didst thou say, dearest Lord! -O gladsome word! Amen, <i>Even so, come Lord! -Lord Jesus, come quickly! We shall never be rid of -this troublesome Devil, till thou do come to Chain -him up!</i></p> - -<p>But because the people of God, would willingly -be told <i>whereabouts</i> we are, with reference to the -<i>wrath and the time</i> of the Devil, you shall give me -leave humbly to set before you a few <i>Conjectures</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center p2"><i>The first Conjecture.</i></p> - -<p>The Devils <i>Eldest Son</i> seems to be towards the -<i>End</i> of his last <i>Half-time;</i> and if it be so, the -Devils Whole-time, cannot but be very near its -<i>End</i>. It is a very scandalous thing that any <i>Protestant</i>, -should be at a loss where to find <i>the Anti-Christ</i>. -But, we have a sufficient assurance, that -the Duration of <i>Anti-Christ</i>, is to be but for a -<i>Time</i>, and for <i>Times</i>, and for <i>Half a time;</i> that is -for <i>Twelve Hundred and Sixty Years</i>. And indeed, -those <i>Twelve Hundred and Sixty Years</i>, were the -very Spott of <i>Time</i> left for the <i>Devil</i>, and meant -when 'tis here said, <i>He has but a short time</i>. Now, -I should have an <i>easie time</i> of it, if I were never -put upon an <i>Harder Task</i>, than to produce what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> -might render it extreamly probable, that Anti-christ -entred his last <i>Half-time</i>, or the last <i>Hundred</i> -and <i>Fourscore</i> years of his Reign, <i>at</i> or soon -<i>after</i> the celebrated <i>Reformation</i> which began at -the year 1517 in the former Century.<a name="FNanchor_102_101" id="FNanchor_102_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_101" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> Indeed, -it is very agreeable to see how Antichrist then lost -<i>Half</i> of his Empire; and how that <i>half</i> which -then became <i>Reformed</i>, have been upon many -accounts little more than <i>Half-reformed</i>. But by -this computation, we must needs be within a very -few years of such a <i>Mortification</i> to befal the See -of <i>Rome</i>, as that Antichrist, who has lately been -planting (what proves no more lasting than) a -<i>Tabernacle in the Glorious Holy Mountain between -the Seas</i>, must quickly, <i>Come to his End and none -shall help him</i>. [36] So then, within a very little -while, we shall see the Devil stript of the grand, -yea, the last, <i>Vehicle</i>, wherein he will be capable -to abuse our World. The <i>Fires</i>, with which, -<i>That Beast</i> is to be consumed, will so singe the -Wings of the <i>Devil</i> too, that he shall no more set -the Affairs of <i>this</i> world on <i>Fire</i>. Yea, they shall -both go into the same <i>Fire</i>, to be <i>tormented for -ever and ever</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center p2"><i>The Second Conjecture.</i></p> - -<p>That which is, perhaps, the greatest Effect of -the <i>Devils Wrath</i>, seems to be in a manner at an -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span><i>end:</i> and this would make one hope that the -<i>Devils time</i> cannot be far from its <i>end</i>. It is in -Persecution, that the <i>wrath</i> of the Devil uses to -break forth, with its greatest fury. Now there -want not probabilities, that the <i>last Persecution</i> -intended for the Church of God, before the Advent -of our Lord, has been upon it. When we -see the <i>second Woe passing away</i>, we have a fair -signal given unto us, <i>That the last slaughter of our -Lord's Witnesses is over;</i> and then what Quickly -follows? The next thing is, <i>The Kingdoms of this -World, are become the Kingdoms of Our Lord, and -of His Christ:</i> and then <i>down</i> goes the Kingdom -of the Devil, so that he cannot any more <i>come -down</i> upon us. Now, the Irrecoverable and Irretrievable -Humiliations that have lately befallen -the <i>Turkish Power</i>, are but so many Declarations -of the <i>second Woe passing away</i>.<a name="FNanchor_103_102" id="FNanchor_103_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_102" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> And the dealings -of God with the <i>European</i> parts of the world, at this -day do further strengthen this our expectation. We -<i>do</i> see, <i>at this hour a great Earth-quake all Europe -over:</i> and <i>we shall</i> see, that this <i>great Earth-quake</i>, -and these great Commotions, will but contribute -unto the advancement of our Lords hitherto depressed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span> -Interests. 'Tis also to be remark'd that, -a disposition to recognize the <i>Empire</i> of God over -the <i>Conscience</i> of man, does now prevail more in -the world than formerly; and God from on High -more touches the Hearts of Princes and Rulers -with an averseness to Persecution. 'Tis particularly -the unspeakable happiness of the English -Nation, to be under the Influences of that excellent -Queen, who could say, <i>In as much as a man -cannot make himself believe what he will, why -should we Persecute men for not believing as we do! -I wish I could see all good men of one mind; but in -the mean time I pray, let them however love one -another.</i><a name="FNanchor_104_103" id="FNanchor_104_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_103" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> Words worthy to be written in Letters -of Gold! and by <i>us</i> the more to be considered, -because to one of <i>Ours</i> did that royal Person express -Her self so excellently, so obligingly. When -the late King <i>James</i> published his Declaration for -<i>Liberty of Conscience</i>, a worthy Divine in the -Church of <i>England</i>, then studying the <i>Revelation</i>, -saw cause upon <i>Revelational</i> Grounds, to declare -himself in such words as these, <i>Whatsoever others -may intend or design by this Liberty of Conscience, I -cannot believe, that it will ever be recalled in</i> England, -<i>as long as the World stands</i>. And you know -how miraculously [37] the <i>Earth-quake</i><a name="FNanchor_105_104" id="FNanchor_105_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_104" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> which -then immediately came upon the Kingdom, has -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span>established that <i>Liberty!</i> But that which exceeds -all the tendencies this way, is, the dispensation of -God at this Day, towards the blessed <i>Vaudois</i>. -Those renowned <i>Waldenses</i>, which were a sort of -<i>Root</i> unto all Protestant Churches, were never -dissipated, by all the Persecutions of many Ages, -till within these few years, the <i>French</i> King and -the Duke of <i>Savoy</i> leagued for their dissipation.<a name="FNanchor_106_105" id="FNanchor_106_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_105" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> -But just <i>Three years and a half after the scattering</i> -of that holy people, to the surprise of all the -World, <i>Spirit of life from God</i> is come into them; -and having with a thousand Miracles repossessed -themselves of their antient Seats, their hot <i>Persecutor</i> -is become their great <i>Protector</i>. Whereupon -the reflection of the worthy person, that writes -the story is, <i>The Churches of</i> Piemont, <i>being the -Root of the Protestant Churches, they have been the -first established; the Churches of other places, being -but the Branches, shall be established in due time, -God will deliver them speedily, He has already delivered -the Mother, and He will not long leave the -Daughter behind: He will finish what he has gloriously -begun!</i></p> - - -<p class="center p2"><i>The Third Conjecture.</i></p> - -<p>There is <i>little room</i> for hope, that the <i>great -wrath</i> of the Devil, will not prove the present -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span>ruine of our poor <i>New-England</i> in particular. I -believe, there never was a poor Plantation, more -pursued by the <i>wrath</i> of the <i>Devil</i>, than our poor -<i>New-England;</i> and that which makes our condition -very much the more deplorable is, that -the <i>wrath</i> of the <i>great God</i> Himself, at the same -time also presses hard upon us. It was a rousing -<i>alarm</i> to the Devil, when a great Company of -English <i>Protestants</i> and <i>Puritans</i>, came to erect -Evangelical Churches, in a corner of the World, -where he had reign'd without any controul for -many Ages; and it is a vexing <i>Eye-sore</i> to the -Devil, that our Lord Christ should be known, -and own'd and preached in this <i>howling Wilderness</i>. -Wherefor he has left no <i>Stone unturned</i>, -that so he might undermine his Plantation, and -force us out of our Country.</p> - -<p>First, The Indian <i>Powawes</i>, used all their Sorceries -to molest the first Planters here;<a name="FNanchor_107_106" id="FNanchor_107_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_106" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> but -God said unto them, <i>Touch them not!</i> Then, <i>Seducing -Spirits</i> came to <i>root</i> in this Vineyard, but -God so rated them off, that they have not prevail'd -much farther than the Edges of our Land.<a name="FNanchor_108_107" id="FNanchor_108_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_107" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> -After this, we have had a continual <i>blast</i> upon -some of our principal Grain, annually diminishing -a vast part of our <i>ordinary Food</i>. Herewithal, -wasting <i>Sicknesses</i>, especially Burning and Mortal -Agues, have Shot the Arrows of Death in at our -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span>Windows. Next, we have had many Adversaries -of our own Language, who have been perpetually -assaying to deprive us of those <i>English -Liberties</i>, in the encouragement whereof these -Territories have been settled.<a name="FNanchor_109_108" id="FNanchor_109_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_108" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> As if this had -not been [38] enough; The <i>Tawnies</i> among whom -we came, have watered our Soil with the Blood -of many Hundreds of our Inhabitants. Desolating -<i>Fires</i> also have many times laid the chief -Treasure of the whole Province in Ashes. As -for <i>Losses</i> by Sea, <i>they</i> have been multiply'd upon -us: and particularly in the present <i>French War</i>, -the whole English Nation have observ'd that no -part of the Nation has proportionably had so -many Vessels taken, as our poor <i>New-England</i>. -Besides all which, now at last the Devils are (if I -may so speak) <i>in Person</i> come down upon us with -such a <i>Wrath</i>, as is justly <i>much</i>, and will quickly be -<i>more</i>, the Astonishment of the World. Alas, I may -sigh over <i>this</i> Wilderness, as <i>Moses</i> did over <i>his</i>, -in Psal. 90. 7. 9. <i>We are consumed by thine Anger, -and by thy Wrath we are troubled: All our days -are passed away in thy Wrath.</i> And I may add -this unto it, <i>The Wrath of the Devil too has been -troubling and spending of us, all our days</i>.</p> - -<p>But what will become of this poor <i>New-England</i> -after all? Shall we sink, expire, perish, -before the <i>short time</i> of the Devil shall be finished?<a name="FNanchor_110_109" id="FNanchor_110_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_109" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> -I must confess, That when I consider -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span>the lamentable <i>Unfruitfulness</i> of men, among us, -under as powerful and perspicuous Dispensations -of the Gospel, as are in the World; and when -I consider the declining state of the <i>Power of -Godliness</i> in our Churches, with the most horrible -Indisposition that perhaps ever was, to recover -out of this declension; I cannot but <i>Fear</i> lest it -comes to this, and lest an <i>Asiatic</i> Removal of -Candlesticks come upon us. But upon some -other Accounts, I would fain <i>hope</i> otherwise; and -I will give <i>you</i> therefore the opportunity to try -what Inferences may be drawn from these probable -Prognostications.</p> - -<p>I say, <i>First</i>, That surely, <i>America's</i> Fate must -at the long run include <i>New-Englands</i> in it. -What was the design of our God, in bringing -over so many <i>Europeans</i> hither of late Years? Of -what use or state will <i>America</i> be, when the -<i>Kingdom of God</i> shall come? If it must all be -the Devils propriety, while the <i>saved Nations</i> of -the other Hæmisphere shall be <i>Walking in the -Light of the New Jerusalem</i>, Our <i>New-England</i> -has then, 'tis likely, done all that it was erected -for. But if God have a purpose to make here a -seat for any of <i>those glorious things which are spoken -of thee, O thou City of God;</i> then even thou, <i>O -New-England</i>, art within a very little while of -better days than ever yet have dawn'd upon thee.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span></p> -<p>I say, <i>Secondly</i>, That tho' there be very <i>Threatning</i> -Symptoms on <i>America</i>, yet there are some -<i>hopeful</i> ones. I confess, when one thinks upon -the crying Barbarities with which the most of -those <i>Europeans</i> that have Peopled this New -world, became the Masters of it; it looks but -<i>Ominously</i>. When one also thinks how much the -way of living in many parts of <i>America</i>, is utterly -inconsistent with the very Essentials of <i>Christianity;</i> -yea, how much Injury and Violence is there[39]in -done to <i>Humanity</i> it self; it is enough to -damp the Hopes of the most Sanguine Complexion. -And the <i>Frown</i> of Heaven which has -hitherto been upon Attempts of better Gospellizing -the Plantations, considered, will but increase -the <i>Damp</i>. Nevertheless, on the other side, what -shall be said of all the <i>Promises</i>, That <i>our Lord -Jesus Christ shall have the uttermost parts of the -Earth for his Possession?</i> and of all the <i>Prophecies</i>, -That <i>All the ends of the Earth shall remember and -turn unto the Lord?</i> Or does it look <i>agreeably</i>, -That such a rich quarter of the World, equal in -some regards to all the rest, should never be out -of the <i>Devils</i> hands, from the first Inhabitation -unto the last Dissolution of it? No sure; why -may not the <i>last</i> be the <i>first?</i> and the <i>Sun of -Righteousness</i> come to shine <i>brightest</i>, in Climates -which it rose <i>latest</i> upon!</p> - -<p>I say, <i>Thirdly</i>, That <i>as</i> it fares with <i>Old England</i>, -so it will be most likely to fare with <i>New-England</i>. -For which cause, by the way, there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -may be more of the Divine Favour in the present -Circumstances of our dependence on <i>England</i>, -than we are well aware of. This is very sure, if -matters <i>go ill</i> with our <i>Mother</i>, her poor American -<i>Daughter</i> here, must feel it; nor could our -former Happy Settlement have hindred our sympathy -in that Unhappiness. But if matters <i>go -Well</i> in the Three Kingdoms; as long as God -shall bless the English Nation, with Rulers that -shall encourage <i>Piety</i>, <i>Honesty</i>, <i>Industry</i>, in their -Subjects, and that shall cast a Benign Aspect upon -the Interests of our Glorious Gospel, <i>Abroad</i> as -well as at <i>Home;</i> so long, <i>New-England</i> will at -least keep its head above water: and so much -the more, for our comfortable Settlement in -such a Form as we are now cast into. Unless -there should be any singular, destroying, <i>Topical -Plagues</i>, whereby an offended God should at last -make us <i>Rise;</i> But, <i>Alas, O Lord, what other -Hive hast thou provided for us!</i></p> - -<p>I say, <i>Fourthly</i>, That the <i>Elder England</i> will -certainly and speedily be Visited with the <i>ancient -loving kindness</i> of God. When one sees, how -strangely the Curse of our <i>Joshua</i>, has fallen upon -the Persons and Houses of them that have attempted -the Rebuilding of the <i>Old</i> Romish -<i>Jericho</i>, which has there been so far demolished, -they cannot but say, That the <i>Reformation</i> there, -shall not only be maintained, but also pursued, -proceeded, perfected; and that God will shortly -there have a <i>New Jerusalem</i>. Or, Let a Man in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> -his thoughts run over but the series of amazing -Providences towards the English Nation for the -last <i>Thirty Years:</i> Let him reflect, how many -Plots for the ruine of the Nation have been -strangely discovered? yea, how very unaccountably -those very <i>Persons</i>, yea, I may also say, and -those very <i>Methods</i> which were intended for the -tools of that ruine, have become the instruments -or occasions of Deliverances? A man cannot -but say upon these Reflec[40]tions, as the Wife -of <i>Manoah</i> once prudently expressed her self, <i>If -the Lord were pleased to have Destroyed us, He would -not have shew'd us all these things</i>. Indeed, It is -not unlikely, that the Enemies of the English -Nation, may yet provoke such a <i>Shake</i> unto it, as -may perhaps exceed any that has hitherto been -undergone: the Lord prevent the Machinations -of his Adversaries! But that <i>shake</i> will usher in -the most <i>glorious Times</i> that ever arose upon the -English <i>Horizon</i>. As for the <i>French</i> Cloud which -hangs over <i>England</i>, tho' it be like to Rain showers -of <i>Blood</i> upon a Nation, where the <i>Blood</i> of the -Blessed Jesus has been too much treated as an -<i>Unholy Thing;</i> yet I believe God will shortly -scatter it: and my belief is grounded upon a bottom -that will bear it. If that overgrown <i>French -Leviathan</i><a name="FNanchor_111_110" id="FNanchor_111_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_110" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> should accomplish any thing like a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span>Conquest of <i>England</i>, what could there be to -hinder him from the Universal Empire of the -<i>West?</i> But the <i>Visions</i> of the Western World, in -the <i>Views</i> both of <i>Daniel</i> and of <i>John</i>, do assure -us, that whatever Monarch, shall while the <i>Papacy</i> -continues go to swallow up the <i>Ten Kings</i> which -received <i>their Power</i> upon the Fall of the Western -Empire, he must miscarry in the Attempt. -The <i>French Phaetons</i> Epitaph seems written in -that, <i>Sure Word of Prophecy</i>.</p> - -<p>[Since the making of this Conjecture, there -are arriv'd unto us, the News of a Victory obtain'd -by the <i>English</i> over the <i>French</i>, which further -confirms our Conjecture; and causes us to sing, -<i>Pharaohs Chariots, and his Hosts, has the Lord cast -down into the Sea; Thy right-hand has dashed in -pieces the Enemy!</i>]<a name="FNanchor_112_111" id="FNanchor_112_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_111" class="fnanchor">[112]</a></p> - -<p>Now, <i>In the Salvation</i> of England, the Plantations -cannot but <i>Rejoyce</i>, and <i>New-England</i> also -will <i>be Glad</i>.</p> - -<p>But so much for our <i>Corollaries</i>, I hasten to -the main thing designed for your entertainment. -And that is,</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_75" id="Footnote_76_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_75"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> This was printed at the Time -(1692) in a Separate Tract.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_76" id="Footnote_77_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_76"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Whoever has the Inclination -to turn over the Pages of the Martyrology -may perhaps find who -this "Renowned Person" was.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_77" id="Footnote_78_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_77"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> To this elaborate Definition of -the Devil and his Attributes it will -hardly be necessary to add or diminish. -But taking what Tillotson says -of God, not quite so much need be -said of the Devil. The Archbishop -says, in his happy Manner: "We -attribute nothing to God that hath -any repugnancy or contradiction in -it." It naturally follows then, that -all else comes from the Devil. -</p> -<p> -The famous Isaac Ambros says, -"The first Period wherein Satan -first begins to Assault the Elect, -it is from their quickening in the -Womb."—<i>War with Devils</i>, P. 29, -2d Ed. 1738. "So may we say of -every Child, as soon as it is quickened -in the Womb, that the Great -Red Dragon, the Devil, stands ready -to devour it."—<i>Ibid.</i> Our Author -was not alone in remarkable Ideas.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_78" id="Footnote_79_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_78"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> It does not appear how the -Devil-in-chief came by his Appointment; -whether his Office was by -Election, or in what Manner he attained -his high Station. It is not -very material however.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_79" id="Footnote_80_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_79"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> A very different Decision will -be found elsewhere in our Pages.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_80" id="Footnote_81_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_80"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> "The Devil of Mascon" was -one of the Productions following the -"Glorious Restoration," as Carlyle -ironically calls it. Full Title in -Bohn's Lowndes, <span class="smcap">Art. Devil</span>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_81" id="Footnote_82_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_81"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> AMEN will doubtless be the -Response of every one; but do not -flatter yourself, Reader, that you -are thus soon delivered from the -Devil.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_82" id="Footnote_83_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_82"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Perhaps it may not be irrational -to conclude that the Abode of -the Devil, in those <i>supernal</i> Parts is -at least as far from the Earth as the -fixed Stars; the nearest of these, our -Author informs us, in his <i>Christian Philosopher</i>, 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_83" id="Footnote_84_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_83"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> The Author doubtless viewed -the Stories in the <i>Arabian Nights</i> -as Realities and actual Occurrences.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_84" id="Footnote_85_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_84"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> "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, <i>Mystery of -Witchcraft</i>, 18-19.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_85" id="Footnote_86_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_85"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_86" id="Footnote_87_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_86"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_87" id="Footnote_88_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_87"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> 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 <i>Home -Cyclopedia</i>, compiled by Messrs. -George Ripley and Bayard Taylor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_88" id="Footnote_89_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_88"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> A very considerable Part of -the learned John Scheffer's <i>History of Lapland</i> 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 -<i>Account</i>, before referred to, -"Done from the High-Dutch."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_89" id="Footnote_90_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_89"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> This will all be found verified -(if the Reader can command sufficient -Credulity) in a curious little -Work entitled <i>England's Warning -Pieces</i>, printed in 1642, and fully -illustrated by Engravings. Among -<i>Prodigies</i> 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 <i>Winthrop's Journal</i>, -i, 261-3.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_90" id="Footnote_91_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_90"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> This has Reference to the -then late Persecution of the Huguenots -in France. They had been -protected by the Edict of Henry -the Fourth (Nantes, 1598), which -was revoked in 1685 by Louis -XIV; by which Revocation about -50,000 Protestants were forced to -fly the Kingdom. Some fled to -Germany, Holland, Switzerland, -England, and some even took Refuge -in New England, where their -Posterity are yet well known, respected -and honored.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_91" id="Footnote_92_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_91"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> If, according to our Author, -there is anything good or bad, that -the Devil does not do, and is not -the Author of, one might not unreasonably -inquire what it is? Certainly -in his Charges against the -Devil every Accusation imaginable -is exhausted, not one left even to -father upon a Witch. Erratic -Brains thus overdo themselves.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_92" id="Footnote_93_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_92"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> Rome was built on seven Hills. It is to that he alludes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_93" id="Footnote_94_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_93"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Ray refers to the Subject of the Earth having been once nearer the Sun than at present. See -<i>Physico-Theological Discourses</i>, P. -381; also Dr. John Woodward's -<i>Natural History of the Earth</i>, 245, -Edition 1695, 8vo. Other Authors -might be referred to.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_94" id="Footnote_95_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_94"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> So far as the Annotator's Reading -goes he has not found the Devil -charged with making Earthquakes -previous to our Author's Time. He -certainly was in Advance of all Philosophers, -ancient and modern, as -respects that Discovery.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_95" id="Footnote_96_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_95"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Claudius Nero Tiberius died -A. D. 37, aged 78.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_96" id="Footnote_97_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_96"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> On the 7th of June, 1692, -Jamaica was partly destroyd. Some -1500 People perished. Why Jamaica -or its Capitol is compared to -the ancient <i>Tyros</i> or <i>Tyrus</i> it is not -easy to understand, as it might be -difficult to find two Places differing -wider in most Respects. See Ray's -<i>Discourses</i>, 258, where may be seen -a particular Account of this Earthquake.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_97" id="Footnote_98_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_97"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> The Annotator is very greatly -out in his Reckoning if the Reader -does not decide that the Author was -of all Men the most "bedeviled" of -any ever heard or read of by him. -This is the Editor's <span class="err" title="original: Corollorary"><i>Corollary</i></span>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_98" id="Footnote_99_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_98"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> This is related by one Mr. -Balsom. See Clarke's <i>Martyrology</i>, -ii, 179. The Devil had Possession -of the Body of the Man, and uttered -the Language italicized in the Text, -making Use of the Man's Organs of -Speech.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_99" id="Footnote_100_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_99"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> It may not be easy for the -Reader to discern how the whole -Earth and the infinite Realms of -Space about it can be much of a -<i>Gaol</i>, especially with such a liberal -Yard. The Doctor's Imagination is -singularly at random sometimes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_100" id="Footnote_101_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_100"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> A noted Puritan of the Time -of Cromwell. In such of his Books -as have come under my Notice, his -Name is uniformly <i>Burroughs</i>. His <i>Rare Jewell</i>, 410, 1648, was formerly -very popular, and there is a -handsome Edition of it as late as -1845.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_101" id="Footnote_102_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_101"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> One has indeed a very "<i>easie -Time</i> of it" in prophecying, and it -is quite as easy to be laughed at for -such Folly by those who come after -such shallow-pated Soothsayers. -The Author felt very sure that by the Year 1697, only five Years -from the Time he was writing, that -the Devil would have "his Wings -so singed that he should no more -set the Affairs of this World on -Fire." That is to say—the Millenium -would then begin!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_102" id="Footnote_103_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_102"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> The Turks had not received -their greatest Check until after our -Author wrote. Mahomet IV commenced -with renewed Vigor the -War against Germany in 1663. It -was continued with alternate Success -and Disaster, until 1683, when -John Sobieski, King of Poland, -raised the Siege of Vienna; but it -was not till 1699 that the Turks -were driven out of Transylvania.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_103" id="Footnote_104_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_103"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> The reported Utterance of -Queen Mary (Consort of William -the Third) at an Interview between -her and the Author's Father, at -Whitehall, April 9th, 1691. See -<i>Parentator</i>, p. 130.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_104" id="Footnote_105_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_104"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> This refers to the coming in -of the Prince of Orange, and the -Overthrow of James the Second's -Government.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_105" id="Footnote_106_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_105"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> On the 15th of March, 1691, -Louis the XIV captured Nice in -Piedmont, defended by the Duke -of Savoy. But in the following -Year the French lost the Supremacy -of the Sea in the terrible Battle off -La Hogue. That Supremacy they -have never yet obtained.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_106" id="Footnote_107_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_106"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> See <i>Morton's Memorial</i>, P. 38, -Edition 16º. Edition 1721. Mather's -<i>Relation</i>, 110, Ed. 4º, 1864. -Johnson's <i>Wonderworking Providence</i>, -51.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_107" id="Footnote_108_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_107"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Having Reference, probably, -to the Antinomians, as the more -liberal Christians were called.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_109_108" id="Footnote_109_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_108"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> The Difficulties with the Episcopalians.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_110_109" id="Footnote_110_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_109"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> The absurd Notion that the -Devil's <i>Time was very short</i> in 1693, was generally entertained by -Christians. This Matter has already -been referred to. When the World -and its Affairs can go on without -antagonistic Forces it is pretty certain -the Devil's <i>Time</i> will be about out.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_111_110" id="Footnote_111_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_110"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> Although the Affairs of the -French King had begun to decline -when the Author wrote the above, -his Opponents were not without -great Fear from him, as he achieved -several considerable Victories on the -Land after the signal Defeat of his -Fleet mentioned in a previous Note.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_112_111" id="Footnote_112_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_111"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> This Paragraph, though bracketed, is in the original Edition, <i>Page</i> 47.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -AN HORTATORY AND NECESSARY ADDRESS,<br /> -TO A COUNTRY NOW EXTRAORDINARILY<br /> -ALARUM'D<br /> -BY THE WRATH OF THE<br /> -DEVIL. <i>TIS THIS</i>, </h3> - -<p class="dropcap">LET us now make a good and a right use of -the prodigious <i>descent</i> which the <i>Devil</i> in -<i>Great Wrath</i> is at this day making upon -our Land. Upon the Death of a Great Man -once, an Orator call'd the Town together, crying -out, <i>Concurrite Cives, Dilapsa sunt vestra Mœnia!</i> -that is, <i>Come together, Neighbours, your Town-Walls -are fallen down!</i> But such is the descent -of the Devil at this day upon our selves, that I -may truly tell you, <i>The Walls of the whole World -are broken down!</i> The usual <i>Walls</i> of defence -about mankind have such a Gap made in them, -that the very <i>Devils</i> are broke in upon us, to seduce -the <i>Souls</i>, torment the <i>Bodies</i>, sully the -<i>Credits</i>, and consume the <i>Estates</i> of our Neighbours, -[41] with Impressions both as <i>real</i> and as -<i>furious</i>, as if the <i>Invisible</i> World were becoming -<i>Incarnate</i>, on purpose for the vexing of us. And -what use ought now to be made of so tremendous -a dispensation? We are engaged in a <i>Fast</i> this -day;<a name="FNanchor_113_112" id="FNanchor_113_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_112" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> but shall we try to fetch <i>Meat out of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span>Eater</i>, and make the <i>Lion</i> to afford some <i>Hony</i> -for our <i>Souls?</i></p> - -<p>That the Devil is <i>come down unto us with great -Wrath</i>, we find, we feel, we now deplore.<a name="FNanchor_114_113" id="FNanchor_114_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_113" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> In -many ways, for many years hath the Devil been -assaying to Extirpate the Kingdom of our Lord -Jesus here. <i>New-England</i> may complain of the -Devil, as in Psal. 129. 1, 2. <i>Many a time have they -afflicted me, from my Youth, may</i> New-England -<i>now say; many a time have they afflicted me from my -Youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.</i> -But now there is a more than ordinary <i>affliction</i>, -with which the <i>Devil</i> is Galling of us: and such -an one as is indeed Unparallelable. The things -confessed by <i>Witches</i>, and the things endured by -<i>Others</i>, laid together, amount unto this account of -our Affliction. The <i>Devil</i>, Exhibiting himself -ordinarily as a small <i>Black man</i>, has decoy'd a -fearful knot of proud, froward, ignorant, envious -and malicious creatures, to lift themselves in his -horrid Service, by entring their Names in a <i>Book</i> -by him tendred unto them.<a name="FNanchor_115_114" id="FNanchor_115_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_114" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> These <i>Witches</i>, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span>whereof above a Score have now <i>Confessed and -shown their Deeds</i>, and some are now tormented -by the Devils, for <i>Confessing</i>, have met in Hellish -<i>Randezvouzes</i>, wherein the Confessors do say, they -have had their diabolical Sacraments, imitating -the <i>Baptism</i> and the <i>Supper</i> of our Lord. In -these hellish meetings, these Monsters have associated -themselves to do no less a thing than, <i>To -destroy the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in -these parts of the World;</i> and in order hereunto, -First they each of them have their <i>Spectres</i>, or -Devils, commission'd by them, & representing of -them, to be the Engines of their Malice. By -these wicked <i>Spectres</i>, they seize poor people -about the Country, with various & bloudy <i>Torments;</i> -and of those evidently Preternatural torments -there are some have dy'd. They have -bewitched some, even so far as to make <i>Self-destroyers:</i><a name="FNanchor_116_115" id="FNanchor_116_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_115" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> -and others are in many Towns here -and there languishing under their <i>Evil hands</i>. -The people thus afflicted, are miserably scratched -and bitten, so that the Marks are most visible to -all the World, but the causes utterly invisible; and -the same Invisible Furies do most visibly stick Pins -into the bodies of the afflicted, and <i>scald</i> them, -and hideously distort, and disjoint all their members, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> -besides a thousand other sorts of Plagues -beyond these of any natural diseases which they -give unto them. Yea, they sometimes drag the -poor people out of their chambers, and carry them -over Trees and Hills, for divers miles together. -A large part of the persons tortured by these Diabolical -<i>Spectres</i>, are horribly tempted by them, -sometimes with fair [42] promises, and sometimes -with hard threatnings, but always with felt miseries, -to sign the <i>Devils Laws</i> in a Spectral Book -laid before them; which two or three of these -poor Sufferers, being by their tiresome sufferings -overcome to do, they have immediately been released -from all their miseries and they appear'd in -<i>Spectre</i> then to Torture those that were before their -Fellow-Sufferers. The <i>Witches</i> which by their -covenant with the Devil, are become Owners of -<i>Spectres</i>, are oftentimes by their own <i>Spectres</i> required -and compelled to give their consent, for -the molestation of some, which they had no mind -otherwise to fall upon; and cruel Depredations -are then made upon the Vicinage. In the Prosecution -of these Witchcrafts, among a thousand -other unaccountable things, the <i>Spectres</i> have an -odd faculty of cloathing the most substantial and -corporeal Instruments of Torture, with Invisibility, -while the wounds thereby given have been the -most palpable things in the World; so that the -Sufferers assaulted with Instruments of Iron, -wholly unseen to the standers by, though, to their -cost, seen by themselves, have, upon snatching,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> -wrested the Instruments out of the <i>Spectres</i> hands, -and every one has then immediately not only -<i>beheld</i>, but <i>handled</i>, an Iron Instrument taken by a -Devil from a Neighbour. These wicked <i>Spectres</i> -have proceeded so far, as to steal several quantities -of Mony from divers people, part of which -Money, has, before sufficient Spectators, been dropt -out of the Air into the Hands of the Sufferers, -while the <i>Spectres</i> have been urging them to subscribe -their <i>Covenant with Death</i>.<a name="FNanchor_117_116" id="FNanchor_117_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_116" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> In such extravagant -ways have these Wretches propounded, -the <i>Dragooning</i> of as many as they can, in their -own Combination, and the <i>Destroying</i> of others, -with lingring, spreading, deadly diseases; till our -Countrey should at last become too hot for us. -Among the Ghastly Instances of the <i>success</i> which -those Bloody Witches have had, we have seen even -some of their own Children, so dedicated unto the -Devil, that in their Infancy, it is found, the <i>Imps</i> -have sucked them, and rendred them Venemous -to a Prodigy. We have also seen the Devils first -batteries upon the Town, where the first Church -of our Lord in this Colony was gathered, producing -those distractions, which have almost ruin'd -the Town.<a name="FNanchor_118_117" id="FNanchor_118_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_117" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> We have seen likewise the <i>Plague</i> -reaching afterwards into other Towns far and near, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span>where the Houses of good Men have the Devils -filling of them with terrible Vexations!</p> - -<p>This is the Descent, which, it seems, the Devil -has now made upon us. But that which makes -this Descent the more formidable, is; the <i>multitude</i> -and <i>quality</i> of Persons accused of an interest -in this <i>Witchcraft</i>, by the Efficacy of the <i>Spectres</i> -which take their Name and shape upon them; -causing very many good and wise Men to fear, -[43] That many <i>innocent</i>, yea, and some <i>vertuous</i> -persons, are by the Devils in this matter, imposed -upon; That the Devils have obtain'd the power, -to take on them the likeness of harmless people, -and in that likeness afflict other people, and be so -abused by Præstigious <i>Dæmons</i>, that upon their -look or touch, the afflicted shall be oddly affected. -Arguments from the <i>Providence of God</i>, on the -one side, and from our <i>Charity</i> towards <i>Man</i> on -the other side, have made this now to become a -most agitated Controversie among us. There is -an <i>Agony</i> produced in the Minds of Men, lest the -Devil should sham us with <i>Devices</i>, of perhaps a -finer Thred, than was ever yet practised upon the -World. The whole business is become hereupon -so <i>Snarled</i>, and the determination of the Question -one way or another, so <i>dismal</i>, that our Honourable -Judges have a Room for <i>Jehoshaphat's</i> Exclamation, -<i>We know not what to do!</i><a name="FNanchor_119_118" id="FNanchor_119_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_118" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> They have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span>used, as Judges have heretofore done, the <i>Spectral -Evidences</i>, to introduce their further Enquiries -into the <i>Lives</i> of the persons accused; and they -have thereupon, by the wonderful Providence of -God, been so strengthened with <i>other evidences</i>, -that some of the <i>Witch Gang</i> have been fairly -Executed. But what shall be done, as to those -against whom the <i>evidence</i> is chiefly founded in -the <i>dark world?</i> Here they do solemnly demand -our Addresses to the <i>Father of Lights</i>, on their -behalf. But in the mean time, the Devil improves -the <i>Darkness</i> of this Affair, to push us into -a <i>Blind Mans Buffet</i>, and we are even ready to be -<i>sinfully</i>, yea, hotly, and madly, mauling one another -in the <i>dark</i>.<a name="FNanchor_120_119" id="FNanchor_120_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_119" class="fnanchor">[120]</a></p> - -<p>The consequence of these things, every <i>considerate</i> -Man trembles at; and the more, because -the frequent cheats of Passion, and Rumour, do -precipitate so many, that I wish I could say, The -most were <i>considerate</i>.</p> - -<p>But that which carries on the formidableness -of our Trials, unto that which may be called, <i>A -wrath unto the uttermost</i>, is this: It is not without -the <i>wrath</i> of the Almighty <i>God</i> himself, that the -<i>Devil</i> is permitted thus to come down upon us in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span><i>wrath</i>. It was said, in <i>Isa.</i> 9. 19. <i>Through the -wrath of the Lord of Hosts, the Land is darkned.</i> -Our Land is <i>darkned</i> indeed; since the <i>Powers of -Darkness</i> are turned in upon us: 'tis a <i>dark time</i>, -yea a black night indeed, now the <i>Ty-dogs</i><a name="FNanchor_121_120" id="FNanchor_121_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_120" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> of -the Pit are abroad among us: but, <i>It is through the -wrath of the Lord of Hosts!</i> Inasmuch as the <i>Fire-brands -of Hell</i> it self are used for the scorching of -us, with cause enough may we cry out, <i>What means -the heat of this Anger?</i> Blessed Lord! Are all the -other Instruments of thy Vengeance, too good for -the chastisement of such transgressors as we are? -Must the very <i>Devils</i> be sent out of <i>Their own -place</i>, to be our Troublers: Must we be lash'd -with <i>Scorpions</i>, fetch'd from the <i>Place of [44] -Torment?</i> Must this <i>Wilderness</i> be made a Receptacle -for the <i>Dragons of the Wilderness?</i> If a <i>Lapland</i> -should nourish in it vast numbers, the successors -of the old <i>Biarmi</i>,<a name="FNanchor_122_121" id="FNanchor_122_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_121" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> who can with looks -or words bewitch other people, or sell Winds to -Mariners, and have their <i>Familiar Spirits</i> which -they bequeath to their Children when they die, -and by their Enchanted Kettle-Drums can learn -things done a Thousand Leagues off; If a <i>Swedeland</i> -should afford a Village, where some scores of -Haggs, may not only have their Meetings with -<i>Familiar Spirits</i>, but also by their Enchantments -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span>drag many scores of poor children out of their -Bed-chambers, to be spoiled at those Meetings; -This, were not altogether a matter of so much -wonder! But that <i>New-England</i> should this way -be harrassed! They are not <i>Chaldeans</i>, that <i>Bitter -and Hasty Nation</i>, but they are, <i>Bitter and Burning -Devils;</i> They are not <i>Swarthy Indians</i>, but they -are <i>Sooty Devils;</i> that are let loose upon us. Ah, -Poor <i>New-England!</i> Must the plague of <i>Old -Ægypt</i> come upon thee? Whereof we read in -<i>Psal.</i> 78. 49. <i>He cast upon them the fierceness of -his Anger, Wrath, and Indignation, and Trouble, by -sending Evil Angels among them</i>. What, O what -must next be looked for? Must that which is -there next mentioned, be next encountered? <i>He -spared not their soul from death, but gave their life -over to the Pestilence.</i> For my part, when I consider -what <i>Melancthon</i> says, in one of his Epistles, -<i>That these Diabolical Spectacles are often Prodigies;</i> -and when I consider, how often people have been -by <i>Spectres</i> called upon, just before their Deaths; -I am verily afraid, lest some wasting <i>Mortality</i> be -among the things, which this Plague is the <i>Fore-runner</i> -of. I pray God prevent it!</p> - -<p>But now, <i>What shall we do?</i></p> - -<p><i>I.</i> Let the Devils <i>coming down</i> in <i>great wrath</i> -upon us, cause us to <i>come down</i> in <i>great grief</i> before -the Lord. We may truly and sadly say, <i>We -are brought very low! Low</i> indeed, when the -Serpents of the dust, are crawling and coyling -about us, and Insulting over us. May we not say,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> -<i>We are in the very Belly of Hell</i>, when <i>Hell</i> it self -is feeding upon us? But how <i>Low</i> is that! O let -us then most penitently lay our selves very <i>Low</i> before -the God of Heaven, who has thus Abased -us.<a name="FNanchor_123_122" id="FNanchor_123_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_122" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> When a Truculent <i>Nero</i> a <i>Devil</i> of a Man, -was turned in upon the World, it was said, in 1 -Pet. 5. 6. <i>Humble your selves under the mighty hand -of God</i>. How much more now ought we to <i>humble -our selves</i> under that <i>Mighty Hand</i> of that God -who indeed has the <i>Devil</i> in a <i>Chain</i>, but has -horribly lengthened on the <i>Chain!</i><a name="FNanchor_124_123" id="FNanchor_124_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_123" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> When the -old people of God heard any <i>Blasphemies</i>, tearing -of his Ever-Blessed Name to pieces, they were to -<i>Rend their Cloaths</i> at what they heard. I am -sure that we have cause to <i>Rend our Hearts</i> this -Day, when we see [45] what an High Treason -has been committed against the most high God, -by the Witchcrafts in our Neighbourhood. We -may say; and shall we not be <i>humbled</i> when we -say it? <i>We have seen an horrible thing done in our -Land!</i> O 'tis a most humbling thing, to think, -that ever there should be such an abomination -among us, as for a crue of humane race to renounce -their <i>Maker</i>, and to unite with the <i>Devil</i>, -for the troubling of mankind, and for People to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>be, (as is by some confess'd) <i>Baptized</i> by a <i>Fiend</i> -using this form upon them, <i>Thou art mine and I -have a full power over thee!</i> afterwards communicating -in an Hellish <i>Bread</i> and <i>Wine</i>, by that -Fiend administred unto them. It was said in -Deut. 18. 10, 11, 12. <i>There shall not be found -among you an Inchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, -or a Consulter with Familiar Spirits, or a Wizzard, -or a Necromancer; For all that do these things are -an Abomination to the Lord, and because of these -Abominations, the Lord thy God doth drive them out -before thee.</i> That <i>New-England</i> now should have -these <i>Abominations</i> in it, yea, that some of no mean -<i>Profession</i>, should be found guilty of them: Alas, -what <i>Humiliations</i> are we all hereby oblig'd unto? -O 'tis a <i>Defiled Land</i>, wherein we live; Let us be -humbled for these <i>Defiling Abominations</i>, lest we -be driven out of our Land. It's a very <i>humbling</i> -thing to think, what reproaches will be cast upon -us, for this matter, among <i>The Daughters of the -Philistines</i>. Indeed, enough might easily be said -for the vindication of <i>this</i> Country from the <i>Singularity</i> -of this matter, by ripping up, what has -been discovered in <i>others</i>. <i>Great Britain</i> alone, -and this also in our days of <i>Greatest Light</i>, has -had that in it, which may divert the Calumnies -of an ill-natured World, from centring here. -They are words of the Devout Bishop <i>Hall,</i><a name="FNanchor_125_124" id="FNanchor_125_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_124" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span><i>Satans prevalency in this Age, is most clear in the -marvellous Number of Witches abounding in all -places. Now Hundreds are discovered in one Shire; -and, if Fame Deceives us not, in a Village of Fourteen -Houses in the North, are found so many of this -Damned Brood. Yea, and those of both Sexes, who -have Professed much Knowledge, Holiness, and Devotion, -are drawn into this Damnable Practice.</i> I -suppose the Doctor in the first of those Passages, -may refer to what happened in the Year 1645. -When so many Vassals of the Devil were Detected, -that there were <i>Thirty</i> try'd at one time, -whereas about <i>fourteen</i> were Hang'd, and an -Hundred more detained in the Prisons of <i>Suffolk</i> -and <i>Essex</i>. Among other things which many of -these Acknowledged, one was, That they were -to undergo certain <i>Punishments</i>, if they did not -such and such <i>Hurts</i>, as were appointed them. -And, among the rest that were then Executed, -there was an Old Parson, called <i>Lowis</i>, who confessed, -That he had a couple of <i>Imps</i>, whereof -<i>one</i> was always putting him upon the doing of -Mischief; Once particularly, that <i>Imp</i> calling for -his Consent so to do, went immediately and Sunk -a <i>Ship</i>, then under Sail.<a name="FNanchor_126_125" id="FNanchor_126_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_125" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> I pray, let not <i>New-England</i> - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> -become of an Unsavoury and a Sulphurous -Resentment in the Opinion of the World abroad, -for the Doleful things which are now fallen out -among us, while there are such <i>Histories</i> of other -places abroad in the World.<a name="FNanchor_127_126" id="FNanchor_127_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_126" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> Nevertheless, I am -sure that <i>we</i>, the People of <i>New-England</i>, have -cause enough to <i>Humble</i> our selves under our most -<i>Humbling</i> Circumstances. We must no more be -<i>Haughty, because of the Lords Holy Mountain among -us;</i> No it becomes us rather to be, <i>Humble, because -we have been such an Habitation of Unholy -Devils!</i></p> - -<p><i>II.</i> Since the Devil is <i>come down in great wrath</i> -upon us, let not us in our <i>great wrath</i> against one -another provide a <i>Lodging</i> for him. It was a most -wholesome caution, in <i>Eph.</i> 4. 26, 27. <i>Let not the -Sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place -to the Devil.</i> The Devil is come down to see -what <i>Quarter</i> he shall find among us:<a name="FNanchor_128_127" id="FNanchor_128_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_127" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> And if -his coming down, do now fill us with <i>wrath</i> -against one another, and if between the cause of -the <i>Sufferers</i> on one hand, and the cause of the -<i>Suspected</i> on t'other, we carry things to such extreams -of <i>Passion</i> as are now gaining upon us, the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span>Devil will Bless himself, to find such a convenient -<i>Lodging</i> as we shall therein afford unto him.<a name="FNanchor_129_128" id="FNanchor_129_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_128" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> -And it may be that the <i>wrath</i> which we have had -against one another has had more than a little influence -upon the coming down of the Devil in -that <i>wrath</i> which now amazes us. Have not -many of us been <i>Devils</i> one unto another for -Slanderings, for Backbitings, for Animosities? -For <i>this</i>, among other causes, perhaps, God has -permitted the Devils to be worrying, as they now -are, among us. But it is high time to leave off -all <i>Devilism</i>, when the <i>Devil</i> himself is falling -upon us: And it is <i>no time</i> for us to be Censuring -and Reviling one another, with a <i>Devilish wrath</i>, -when the <i>wrath</i> of the <i>Devil</i> is annoying of us. -The way for us to out-wit the Devil, in the <i>Wiles</i> -with which he now <i>Vexes</i> [46] us, would be for -us to joyn as one man in our cries to God, for the -Directing, and Issuing of this Thorny Business; -but if we do not <i>Lift up</i> our Hands to Heaven, -<i>without Wrath</i>, we cannot then do it <i>without -Doubt</i>, of speeding in it. I am ashamed when I -read French Authors giving this Character of -Englishmen [<i>Ils se haissent Les uns les autres, et -sont en Division Continuelle.</i>] <i>They hate one another, -and are always Quarelling one with another.</i><a name="FNanchor_130_129" id="FNanchor_130_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_129" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> And -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span>I shall be much more ashamed, if it become the -Character of <i>New-Englanders;</i> which is indeed -what the Devil would have. <i>Satan</i> would make -us <i>bruise</i> one another, by breaking of the <i>Peace</i> -among us; but O let us disappoint him. We -read of a thing that sometimes happens to the -<i>Devil</i>, when he is foaming with his <i>Wrath</i>, in -Mat. 12. 43. <i>The unclean Spirit seeks rest, and -finds none.</i> But we give <i>rest</i> unto the Devil, by -<i>wrath</i> one against another. If we would lay -aside all fierceness, and keenness, in the disputes -which the Devil has raised among us; and if we -would use to one another none but the <i>soft -Answers, which turn away wrath:</i> I should hope -that we might light upon such Counsels, as would -quickly Extricate us out of our <i>Labyrinths</i>. But -the old <i>Incendiary</i> of the world, is come from -Hell, with <i>Sparks</i> of Hell-Fire flashing on every -side of him; and we make ourselves <i>Tynder</i> to the -Sparks. When the Emperour <i>Henry</i> III.<a name="FNanchor_131_130" id="FNanchor_131_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_130" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> kept -the Feast of <i>Pentecost</i>, at the City <i>Mentz</i>, there -arose a dissension among some of the people there, -which came from words to blows, and at last it -passed on to the shedding of Blood. After the -Tumult was over, when they came to that clause -in their Devotions, <i>Thou hast made this day Glorious;</i> -the Devil to the unexpressible Terrour of -that vast Assembly, made the Temple Ring with -that Outcry <i>But I have made this Day Quarrelsome!</i> -We are truly come into a day, which by being -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span>well managed might be very <i>Glorious</i>, for the exterminating -of those <i>Accursed things</i>, which have -hitherto been the Clogs of our Prosperity; but if -we make this day <i>Quarrelsome</i>, thro' any <i>Raging -Confidences</i>, Alas, <i>O Lord, my Flesh Trembles for -Fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy Judgments</i>. -<i>Erasmus</i>, among other Historians, tells us, that at -a Town in <i>Germany</i>, a Witch or Devil, appeared -on the Top of a Chimney, Threatning to set the -Town on <i>Fire:</i> And at length, Scattering a Pot -of Ashes abroad, the Town was presently and horribly -Burnt unto the Ground.<a name="FNanchor_132_131" id="FNanchor_132_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_131" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> Methinks, I see -the <i>Spectres</i>, from the Top of the Chimneys to -the Northward, threatning to scatter <i>Fire</i>, about -the Countrey; but let us quench that <i>Fire</i>, by the -most amicable Correspondencies: Lest, as the -<i>Spectres</i>, have, they say, already most Literally -burnt some of our Dwellings there do come forth -a further <i>Fire</i> from the <i>Brambles</i> of Hell, which -may more terribly <i>Devour</i> us. Let us not be like -a <i>Troubled House</i>, altho' we are so much haunted -by the <i>Devils</i>. Let our <i>Long suffering</i> be a well-placed -piece of <i>Armour</i>, about us, against the -<i>Fiery Darts</i> of the wicked ones. History informs -us, That so long ago, as the year, 858, a certain -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span>Pestilent and Malignant sort of <i>Dæmon</i>, molested -<i>Caumont</i> in <i>Germany</i> with all sorts of methods to -stir up strife among the Citizens. He uttered -Prophecies, he detected Villanies, he branded -people with all kind of Infamies. He incensed -the Neighbourhood against one Man particularly, -as the cause of all the mischiefs: who yet proved -himself innocent. He threw stones at the Inhabitants, -and at length burnt their Habitations, till -the Commission of the <i>Dæmon</i> could go no further. -I say, let us be well aware lest such <i>Dæmons</i> -do <i>Come hither also</i>.</p> - -<p><i>III.</i> Inasmuch as the Devil is come down in -<i>Great Wrath</i>, we had need Labour, with all the -Care and Speed we can to Divert the <i>Great Wrath</i> -of Heaven from coming at the same time upon -us. The God of Heaven has with long and loud -Admonitions, been calling us to <i>a Reformation of -our Provoking Evils</i>, as the only way to avoid -that <i>Wrath</i> of His, which does not only <i>Threaten</i> -but <i>Consume</i> us. 'Tis because we have been Deaf -to those <i>Calls</i> that we are now by a provoked -God, laid open to the <i>Wrath</i> of the Devil himself. -It is said in Pr. 16. 7. <i>When a mans ways please -the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be at peace -with him.</i> The Devil is our grand <i>Enemy;</i> and -tho' we would not be at peace <i>with</i> him, yet we -would be at peace from him, that is, we would -have him unable to disquiet our <i>peace</i>. But inasmuch -as the <i>wrath</i> which we endure from this -<i>Enemy</i>, will allow us no <i>peace</i>, we may be sure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span> -<i>our ways have not pleased the Lord</i>. It is because -we have <i>broken the hedge</i> of Gods <i>Precepts</i>, that the -hedge of Gods <i>Providence</i> is not so entire as it uses -to be about us; but <i>Serpents</i> are <i>biting</i> of us. O -let us then set [47] our selves to make our <i>peace</i> -with our God, whom we have <i>displeased</i> by our -iniquities: and let us not imagine that we can encounter -the <i>Wrath</i> of the Devil, while there is -the <i>Wrath</i> of God Almighty to set that Mastiff -upon us. <span class="smcap">Reformation! Reformation!</span> has -been the repeated <i>Cry</i> of all the Judgments that -have hitherto been upon us; because we have been -as <i>deaf Adders</i> thereunto, the <i>Adders</i> of the Infernal -Pit are now hissing about us. At length, -as it was of old said, <i>Luke</i> 16. 30. <i>If one went unto -them from the dead, they will repent;</i> even so, there -are some come unto us from the <i>Damned</i>. The -great God has loosed the Bars of the Pit, so that -many <i>damned Spirits</i> are come in among us, to -make us <i>repent</i> of our Misdemeanours. The -means which the Lord had formerly employ'd for -our <i>awakening</i>, were such, that he might well have -said, <i>What could I have done more?</i> and yet after -all, he has done <i>more</i>, in some regards, than was -ever done for the awakening of any People in the -World. The things now done to awaken our -Enquiries after our <i>provoking Evils</i>, and our endeavours -to Reform those evils, are most <i>extraordinary</i> -things; for which cause I would freely -speak it, if we now do not some <i>extraordinary</i> -things in returning to God; we are the most <i>incurable</i>, -and I wish it be not quickly said, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> -most <i>miserable</i> People under the Sun. Believe me, -'tis a time for all people to do something <i>extraordinary, -in searching and trying of their ways, and in -turning to the Lord</i>. It is at an <i>extraordinary</i> rate -of <i>Circumspection</i> and <i>Spiritual mindedness</i>, that we -should all now maintain a <i>walk with God</i>. At such -a time as this ought <i>Magistrates</i> to do something -<i>extraordinary</i> in promoting of what is laudable, -and in restraining and chastising of <i>Evil Doers</i>. At -such a time as this ought <i>Ministers</i> to do something -<i>extraordinary</i> in pulling the Souls of Men out of -the <i>Snares</i> of the Devil, not only by publick -Preaching, but by personal Visits and Counsels, -<i>from house to house</i>. At such a time as this ought -<i>Churches</i> to do something <i>extraordinary</i>, in <i>renewing</i> -of their Covenants, and in <i>remembring</i>, and -<i>reviving</i> the Obligations of what they have renewed. -Some admirable Designs about the <i>Reformation</i> -of Manners, have lately been on foot in -the English Nation, in pursuance of the most -excellent Admonitions which have been given for -it, by the Letters of Their Majesties.<a name="FNanchor_133_132" id="FNanchor_133_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_132" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> Besides -the vigorous Agreements of the <i>Justices</i> here and -there in the Kingdom, assisted by godly Gentlemen -and Informers, to execute the <i>Laws</i> upon -prophane Offenders: there has been started a <i>Proposal</i> -for the well-affected people in every Parish, -to enter into orderly <i>Societies</i>, whereof every -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>Member shall bind himself, not only to <i>avoid</i> -Prophaneness in himself, but also according unto -to their Place, to do their utmost in first <i>Reproving;</i> -and, if it must be so, then <i>Exposing</i>, and so -<i>Punishing</i>, as the Law directs, for others that shall -be guilty. It has been observed, that the English -Nation has had some of its greatest Successes, -upon some special and signal <i>Actions</i> this way; -and a discouragement given under Legal Proceedings -of this kind, must needs be very exercising -to the <i>Wise that observe these things</i>. But -O why should not <i>New-England</i> be the most forward -part of the English Nation in such <i>Reformations?</i> -Methinks I hear the Lord from Heaven -saying over us, <i>O that my People had hearkened -unto me; then I should soon have subdued the Devils, -as well as their other Enemies!</i> There have been -some feeble Essays towards <i>Reformation</i> of late in -our <i>Churches;</i> but, I pray what comes of them? -Do we stay till the <i>Storm</i> of his <i>Wrath</i> be over? -Nay, let us be doing what we can, as fast as we -can, to divert the <i>Storm</i>. The Devils having -broke in upon our World,<a name="FNanchor_134_133" id="FNanchor_134_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_133" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> there is great asking, -<i>Who is it that has brought them in?</i> And many do -by <i>Spectral</i> Exhibitions come to be <i>cry'd out</i> -upon. I hope in Gods time it will be found, -that among those that are thus <i>cry'd out</i> upon, -there are persons yet <i>Clear from the great Trans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span>gression;</i> -but indeed, all the <i>Unreformed</i> among us, -may justly be <i>cry'd out</i> upon, as having too much -of an hand in letting of the Devils into our Borders; -'tis <i>our</i> Worldliness, <i>our</i> Formality, <i>our</i> -Sensuality, and <i>our</i> Iniquity that has help'd this -letting of the Devils in. O let us then at last, -<i>consider our ways</i>. 'Tis a strange passage recorded -by Mr. <i>Clark</i><a name="FNanchor_135_134" id="FNanchor_135_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_134" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> in the Life of his Father That -the People of his Parish, refusing to be Reclaimed -from their <i>Sabbath breaking</i>, by all the zealous -Testimonies which that good Man bore against -it; at last, on a night after the people had retired -home from a Revelling Prophanation of the <i>Lords -Day</i>, there was heard a great Noise, with rattling -of Chains up and down the Town, and an horrid -Scent of Brimstone fill'd the Neighbourhood. -Upon which the <i>guilty Consciences</i> of the Wretches -told [48] them, the Devil was come to fetch them -away; and it so terrifi'd them, that an Eminent -<i>Reformation</i> follow'd the Sermons which that -Man of God Preached thereupon. Behold, Sinners, -behold and <i>wonder</i>, lest you <i>perish:</i> the very -<i>Devils</i> are walking about our Streets, with lengthened -<i>Chains</i>, making a dreadful Noise in our Ears, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span>and <i>Brimstone</i> even without a Metaphor, is making -an hellish and horrid stench in our Nostrils.<a name="FNanchor_136_135" id="FNanchor_136_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_135" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> I -pray leave off all those things whereof your <i>guilty -Consciences</i> may now accuse you, lest these Devils -do yet more direfully fall upon you. <i>Reformation</i> -is at this time our only <i>Preservation</i>.</p> - -<p><i>IV</i>. When the Devil is come down in <i>great -Wrath</i>, let every <i>great Vice</i> which may have a -more particular tendency to make us a Prey unto -that <i>Wrath</i>, come into a due discredit with us. -It is the general Concession of all men, who are -not become too <i>Unreasonable</i> for common Conversation, -that the Invitation of <i>Witchcrafts</i> is -the thing that has now introduced the Devil into -the midst of us. I say then, let not only all -<i>Witchcrafts</i> be duly abominated with us, but also -let us be duly watchful against all the <i>Steps</i> leading -thereunto. There are lesser <i>Sorceries</i> which -they say, are too frequent in our Land. As it -was said in 2 <i>King</i>. 17. 9. <i>The Children of</i> Israel -<i>did secretly those things that were not right, against -the Lord their God</i>. So 'tis to be feared, the -Children of <i>New-England</i> have <i>secretly</i> done -many things that have been pleasing to the Devil. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span>They say, that in some Towns it has been an -usual thing for People to cure Hurts with <i>Spells</i>, -or to use detestable Conjurations, with <i>Sieves</i>, -<i>Keys</i>, and <i>Pease</i>, and <i>Nails</i>, and <i>Horse-shoes</i>, and I -know not what other Implements, to learn the -things for which they have a forbidden, and an -impious <i>Curiosity</i>.<a name="FNanchor_137_136" id="FNanchor_137_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_136" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> 'Tis in the Devils Name, -that such things are done; and in Gods Name I -do this day charge them, as vile Impieties. By -these Courses 'tis, that People play upon <i>The Hole -of the Asp</i>, till that cruelly venemous <i>Asp</i> has -pull'd many of them into the deep <i>Hole</i> of <i>Witchcraft</i> -it self. It has been acknowledged by some -who have sunk the deepest into this <i>horrible Pit</i>, -that they began at these little <i>Witchcrafts;</i> on -which 'tis pity but the Laws of the English Nation, -whereby the incorrigible repetition of those -<i>Tricks</i>, is made <i>Felony</i>, were severally Executed. -From the like sinful <i>Curiosity</i> it is, that the Prognostications -of <i>Judicial Astrology</i>, are so injudiciously -regarded by multitudes among us; and -altho' the Jugling <i>Astrologers</i> do scarce ever hit -right, except it be in such <i>Weighty Judgments</i>, -forsooth, as that many <i>Old Men</i> will die such a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span>year, and that there will be many <i>Losses</i> felt by -some that venture to Sea, and that there will be -much <i>Lying</i> and <i>Cheating</i> in the World; yet their -foolish Admirers will not be perswaded but that -the Innocent <i>Stars</i> have been concern'd in these -Events. It is a disgrace to the English Nation, -that the Pamphlets of such idle, futil, trifling -<i>Stargazers</i> are so much considered; and the -Countenance hereby given to a Study, wherin at -last, all is done by <i>Impulse</i>, if any thing be done -to any purpose at all, is not a little perillous to -the Souls of Men. It is (<i>a Science</i>, I dare not call -it, but) a <i>Juggle</i>, whereof the Learned <i>Hall</i> well -says, <i>It is presumptious and unwarrantable, and cry'd -ever down by Councils and Fathers, as unlawful, as -that which lies in the mid-way between Magick and -Imposture, and partakes not a little of both</i>.<a name="FNanchor_138_137" id="FNanchor_138_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_137" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> Men -consult the Aspects of Planets, whose Northern -or Southern motions receive denominations from -a <i>Cælestial Dragon</i>, till the <i>Infernal Dragon</i> at -length insinuate into them, with a <i>Poison</i> of -<i>Witchcraft</i> that can't be cured. Has there not -also been a world of discontent in our Borders? -'Tis no wonder, that the <i>fiery Serpents</i> are so -Stinging of us; We have been a <i>Murmuring Generation</i>. -It is not Irrational, to ascribe the late -Stupendious growth of <i>Witches</i> among us, partly -to the bitter <i>discontents</i>, which Affliction and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span>Poverty has fill'd us with: it is inconceivable, -what advantage the Devil gains over men, by <i>discontent</i>. -Moreover, the Sin of <i>Unbelief</i> may be -reckoned as perhaps the chief <i>Crime</i> of our Land. -We are told, <i>God swears in wrath, against them -that believe not;</i> and what follows then but this, -<i>That the Devil comes unto them in wrath!</i> Never -were the offers of the <i>Gospel</i>, more freely tendered, -or more basely despised, among any People -under the whole Cope of Heaven, than in this -<i>N. E.</i><a name="FNanchor_139_138" id="FNanchor_139_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_138" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> Seems it all marvellous unto us, that -the <i>Devil</i> should get such a footing in our Country? -Why, 'tis because the <i>Saviour</i> has been -slighted here, perhaps more than any where. The -Blessed Lord Jesus Christ [49] has been profering -to us, <i>Grace, and Glory, and every good thing</i>, -and been alluring of us to Accept of Him, with -such Terms as these, <i>Undone Sinner, I am All; -Art thou willing that I should be thy All?</i> But, as a -proof of that Contempt which this Unbelief has -cast upon these proffers, I would seriously ask of -the so many Hundreds above a Thousand People -within these Walls; which of you all, O how -few of you, can indeed say, <i>Christ is mine, and I -am his, and he is the Beloved of my Soul?</i> I would -only say thus much: When the precious and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>glorious Jesus, is Entreating of us to Receive <i>Him</i>, -in all His <i>Offices</i>, with all His <i>Benifits;</i> the Devil -minds what Respect we pay unto that Heavenly -Lord; if we <i>Refuse Him that speaks from Heaven</i>, -then he that, <i>Comes from Hell</i>, does with a sort of -claim set in, and cry out, <i>Lord, since this Wretch -is not willing that thou shouldst have him, I pray, let -me have him</i>. And thus, by the just vengeance of -Heaven, the Devil becomes a <i>Master</i>, a <i>Prince</i>, a -<i>God</i>, unto the miserable Unbelievers: but O what -are many of them then hurried unto! All of -these Evil Things, do I now set before you, as -<i>Branded</i> with the Mark of the Devil upon them.</p> - -<p><i>V.</i> With <i>Great Regard</i>, with <i>Great Pity</i>, should -we Lay to Heart the Condition of those, who -are cast into Affliction, by the <i>Great Wrath</i> of -the Devil. There is a Number of our Good -Neighbours, and some of them very particularly -noted for Goodness and Vertue, of whom we may -say, <i>Lord, They are vexed with Devils</i>. Their -Tortures being primarily Inflicted on their <i>Spirits</i>, -may indeed cause the Impressions thereof upon -their Bodies to be the less <i>Durable</i>, tho' rather -the more <i>Sensible:</i> but they Endure Horrible -Things, and many have been actually Murdered. -Hard <i>Censures</i> now bestow'd upon these poor -Sufferers, cannot but be very Displeasing unto our -Lord, who, as He said, about some that had been -Butchered by a <i>Pilate</i>, in Luc. 13. 2, 3. <i>Think ye -that these were Sinners above others, because they -suffered such Things? I tell you No, But except ye</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> -<i>Repent, ye shall all likewise Perish:</i> Even so, he -now says, <i>Think ye that they who now suffer by the -Devil, have been greater Sinners than their Neighbours?</i> -No, Do you Repent of your <i>own Sins</i>, -Lest the Devil come to fall foul of <i>you</i>, as he has -done to <i>them</i>. And if this be so, How <i>Rash</i> a -thing would it be, if such of the poor Sufferers, -as carry it with a Becoming Piety, Seriousness, -and Humiliation under their present Suffering, -should be unjustly <i>Censured;</i> or have their very -<i>Calamity</i> imputed unto them as a <i>Crime?</i> It is an -easie thing, for us to fall into the Fault of, <i>Adding -Affliction to the Afflicted</i>, and of, <i>Talking to the -Grief of those that are already wounded</i>. Nor can -it be wisdom to slight the Dangers of such a -Fault. In the mean time, We have no Bowels -in us, if we do not Compassionate the Distressed -County of <i>Essex</i>, now crying to all these Colonies, -<i>Have pity on me, O ye my Friends, Have pity on -me, for the Hand of the Lord has Touched me, and -the Wrath of the Devil has been therewithal turned -upon me</i>. But indeed, if an hearty <i>pity</i> be due to -any, I am sure, the Difficulties which attend our -Honourable <i>Judges</i>, do demand no Inconsiderable -share in that <i>Pity</i>. What a Difficult, what [50] -an Arduous Task, have those Worthy Personages -now upon their Hands? To carry the <i>Knife</i> so -exactly, that on the one side, there may be no -Innocent Blood Shed,<a name="FNanchor_140_139" id="FNanchor_140_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_139" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> by too unseeing a <i>Zeal -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span>for the Children of Israel;</i> and that on the other -side, there may be no Shelter given to those -Diabolical <i>Works of Darkness</i>, without the Removal -whereof we never shall have <i>Peace;</i> or to -those <i>Furies</i> whereof several have kill'd <i>more -people</i> perhaps than would serve to make a Village: -<i>Hic Labor, Hoc Opus est!</i> O what need have we, -to be concerned, that the Sins of our <i>Israel</i>, may -not provoke the God of Heaven to leave his -<i>Davids</i>, unto a wrong Step, in a matter of such -Consequence, as is now before them! Our Disingenuous, -Uncharitable, Unchristian Reproaching -of such <i>Faithful Men</i>, after all, <i>The Prayers -and Supplications, with strong Crying and Tears</i>, -with which we are daily plying the Throne of -Grace, that they may be kept, from what <i>They -Fear</i>, is none of the way for our preventing of -what We <i>Fear</i>. Nor all this while, ought our -<i>Pity</i> to forget such <i>Accused</i> ones, as call for indeed -our most Compassionate <i>Pity</i>, till there be -fuller Evidences that they are less worthy of it.<a name="FNanchor_141_140" id="FNanchor_141_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_140" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> -If <i>Satan</i> have any where maliciously brought -upon the <i>Stage</i>, those that have hitherto had a -just and good stock of Reputation for their just -and good Living, among us; If the <i>Evil One</i> -have obtained a permission to <i>Appear</i>, in the -Figure of such as we have cause to think, have -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span>hitherto <i>Abstained</i>, even from the <i>Appearance of -Evil:</i> It is in Truth, such an Invasion upon <i>Mankind</i>, -as may well Raise an Horror in us all: But, -O what Compassions are due to such as may come -under such Misrepresentations, of the <i>Great Accuser!</i> -Who of us can say, what may be shewn -in the <i>Glasses</i> of the Great <i>Lying Spirit?</i> Altho' -the <i>Usual Providence</i> of God [we praise Him!] -keeps us from such a Mishap; yet where have -we an <i>Absolute Promise</i>, that we shall every one -always be kept from it? As long as <i>Charity</i> is -bound to Think <i>no Evil</i>, it will not Hurt us that -are <i>Private Persons</i>, to forbear the <i>Judgment</i> -which belongs not unto us. Let it rather be our -Wish, May the Lord help them to Learn the -<i>Lessons</i>, for which they are now put unto so hard -a School.</p> - -<p><i>VI.</i> With a <i>Great Zeal</i>, we should lay hold on -the <i>Covenant</i> of God, that we may secure <i>Us</i> and -<i>Ours</i>, from the <i>Great Wrath</i>, with which the -Devil Rages. Let us come into the <i>Covenant of -Grace</i>, and then we shall not be hook'd into a -<i>Covenant with the Devil</i>, nor be altogether unfurnished -with Armour against the Wretches that -are in that <i>Covenant</i>. The way to come under -the Saving Influences of the <i>New Covenant</i>, is, to -close with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the All-sufficient -<i>Mediator</i> of it: Let us therefore do, -<i>that</i>, by Resigning up our selves unto the Saving, -Teaching, and Ruling Hands of this Blessed -<i>Mediator</i>. Then we shall be, what we read in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> -Jude 1. <i>Preserved in Christ Jesus:</i> That is, as -the <i>Destroying Angel</i>, could not meddle with such -as had been distinguished, by the Blood of the -<i>Passeover</i> on their Houses: Thus the Blood of the -Lord Jesus Christ, Sprinkled on our Souls, will -<i>Preserve</i> us from the Devil. The <i>Birds of prey</i> -(and indeed the <i>Devils</i> [51] most literally in the -shape of great <i>Birds!</i>) are flying about. Would -we find a Covert from these <i>Vultures?</i> Let us -then Hear our Lord Jesus from Heaven Clocquing<a name="FNanchor_142_141" id="FNanchor_142_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_141" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> -unto us, <i>O that you would be gathered -under my wings!</i> Well; when this is done, Then -let us own the <i>Covenant</i>, which we are now come -into, by joining ourselves to a Particular <i>Church</i>, -walking in the Order of the Gospel; at the doing -whereof, according to that <i>Covenant</i> of God, We -give up Our selves unto the Lord, and in Him -unto One Another, While others have had their -Names Entred in the <i>Devils Book;</i> let our Names -be found in the <i>Church Book</i>, and let us be <i>Written -among the Living in Jerusalem</i>. By no means -let, <i>Church work</i> sink and fail in the midst of us; -but let the Tragical Accidents which now happen, -exceedingly Quicken that <i>work</i>. So many -of the <i>Rising Generation</i>, utterly forgetting the -Errand of our Fathers to build Churches in this -Wilderness, and so many of our <i>Cottages</i> being -allow'd to Live, where they do not, and perhaps -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>cannot, wait upon God with the Churches of His -People; 'tis as likely as any one thing to procure -the swarmings of <i>Witch crafts</i> among us.<a name="FNanchor_143_142" id="FNanchor_143_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_142" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> But -it becomes us, with a like Ardour, to bring our -poor <i>Children</i> with us, as we shall do, when we -come our selves, into the <i>Covenant</i> of God. It -would break an heart of Stone, to have seen, -what I have lately seen; Even poor Children of -several Ages, even from seven to twenty, more or -less, <i>Confessing</i> their Familiarity with Devils; but -at the same time, in Doleful bitter Lamentations, -that made a little Pourtraiture of <i>Hell</i> it self, -Expostulating with their execrable Parents, for -<i>Devoting</i> them to the Devil in their Infancy, and -so <i>Entailing</i> of Devillism upon them! Now, as -the Psalmist could say, <i>My Zeal hath consumed -me, because my Enemies have forgotten thy words:</i> -Even so, let the Nefarious wickedness of those -that have Explicitly dedicated their Children to -the Devil, even with Devilish Symbols, of such a -Dedication, Provoke our <i>Zeal</i> to have our Children, -Sincerely, Signally, and openly <i>Consecrated</i> -unto God; with an <i>Education</i> afterwards assuring -and confirming that Consecration.</p> - -<p><i>VII.</i> Let our <i>Prayer</i> go up with great Faith, -against the Devil, that comes down in great -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span>Wrath. Such is the Antipathy of the Devil to -our <i>Prayer</i>, that he cannot bear to stay long -where much of it is: Indeed it is <i>Diaboli Flagellum</i>, -as well as <i>Miseriæ Remedium;</i> the Devil will -soon be Scourg'd out of the Lord's Temple, by a -<i>Whip</i>, made and used, with the <i>effectual fervent -Prayer of Righteous Men</i>. When the Devil by -Afflicting of us, drives us to our Prayers, he is -<i>The Fool making a Whip for his own Back</i>. Our -Lord said of the Devil in <i>Matt.</i> 17. 21. <i>This -Kind goes not out, but by Prayer and Fasting.</i> But, -<i>Prayer and Fasting</i> will soon make the Devil be -gone. Here are <i>Charms</i> indeed! Sacred and -blessed <i>Charms</i>, which the Devil cannot stand -before. A Promise of God, being well managed -in the <i>Hands</i> of them that are much upon their -Knees, will so resist the Devil, that he will <i>Flee -from us</i>. At every other Weapon the Devils will -be too hard for us; the <i>Spiritual Wickednesses in -High Places</i>, have manifestly the Upper hand of -[52] us; that <i>Old Serpent</i> will be too old for us, -too cunning, too subtil; they will soon <i>out wit</i> us, -if we think to Encounter them with any <i>Wit</i> of -our own. But when we come to <i>Prayers</i>, Incessant -and Vehement <i>Prayers</i> before the Lord, there -we shall be too hard for them. When well-directed -<i>Prayers</i>, that great Artillery of Heaven, -are brought into the Field, <i>There</i> methinks I see, -<i>There are these workers of Iniquity fallen, all of -them!</i> And who can tell, how much the most -<i>Obscure Christian</i> among you all, may do towards -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span>the Deliverance of our Land from the Molestations -which the Devil is now giving to us. I -have Read, That on a day of Prayer kept by some -good People for and with a Possessed Person, the -Devil at last flew out of the Window, and referring -to a Devout, plain, mean Woman then in -the Room, he cry'd out, <i>O the Woman behind the -Door!</i><a name="FNanchor_144_143" id="FNanchor_144_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_143" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> <i>'Tis that Woman that forces me away!</i> -Thus the Devil that now troubles us, may be -forced within a while to forsake us; and it shall -be said, <i>He was driven away by the Prayers of -some Obscure and Retired Souls, which the World has -taken but little notice of!</i> The Great God is about a -Great <i>Work</i> at this day among us: Now, there is -extream Hazard, lest the Devil who by Compulsion -must submit unto that <i>Great Work</i>, may also by -<i>Permission</i>, come to Confound that <i>Work;</i> both -in the Detections of some, and in the Confessions -of others, whose Ungodly deeds may be brought -forth, by a <i>Great Work</i> of God; there is Hazard -lest the Devil intertwist some of his Delusions. -'Tis <span class="smcap">Prayer</span>, I say, 'tis <span class="smcap">Prayer</span>, that -must carry us well through the strange things -that are now upon us. Only that Prayer must -then be the Prayer of Faith: O where is our -Faith in him, Who <i>hath spoiled these Principalities -and Powers, on his Cross, Triumphing over them!</i></p> - -<p><i>VIII.</i> Lastly, Shake off, every Soul, shake off -the <i>hard Yoak</i> of the Devil. Where 'tis said, <i>The -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span>whole World lyes in Wickedness;</i> 'tis by some of the -Ancients rendred, <i>The whole World lyes in the -Devil</i>. The Devil is a Prince, yea, the Devil is a -God unto all the Unregenerate; and alas, there is -<i>A whole World of them</i>.<a name="FNanchor_145_144" id="FNanchor_145_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_144" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> Desolate Sinners, consider -what an horrid Lord it is that you are -Enslav'd unto; and Oh shake off your Slavery to -such a Lord. Instead of <i>him</i>, now make your -Choice of the Eternal God in Jesus Christ; Chuse -him with a most unalterable Resolution, and unto -him say, with <i>Thomas, My Lord, and my God!</i> -Say with the Church, <i>Lord, other Lords have had -the Dominion over us, but now thou alone shalt be our -Lord for ever</i>. Then instead of your Perishing -under the wrath of the Devils, God will fetch -you to a place among those that fill up the Room -of the Devils, left by their Fall from the Ethereal -Regions. It was a most awful Speech made by -the Devil, Possessing a young Woman, at a Village -in <i>Germany, By the command of God, I am come to -Torment the Body of this young Woman, tho I cannot -hurt her Soul; and it is that I may warn Men, -to take heed of sinning against God. Indeed</i> (said he) -<i>'tis very sore against my will that I do it; but the -command of God forces me to declare what I do; -however I know that at the Last Day, I shall have -more Souls than God himself</i>. So spoke that horrible -Devil! But O that none [53] of our Souls -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span>may be found among the Prizes of the Devil, in -the Day of God! O that what the Devil has -been forced to declare, of his Kingdom among -us, may prejudice our Hearts against him for -ever!</p> - -<p>My Text says, <i>The Devil is come down in great -Wrath, for he has but a short time</i>. Yea, but if -you do not by a speedy and through Conversion to -God, escape the Wrath of the Devil, you will -your selves go down, where the Devil is to be, -and you will there be sweltring under the Devils -Wrath, not for a <i>short Time</i>, but <i>World without -end;</i> not for a <i>Short Time</i> but for <i>Infinite Millions -of Ages</i>. The smoke of your Torment under -that Wrath, will <i>Ascend for ever and ever!</i> Indeed, -the Devil's time for his Wrath upon you in -this World, can be but short, but his time for you -to do his Work, or, which is all one, to delay -your turning to God, that is a <i>Long Time</i>. When -the Devil was going to be Dispossessed of a Man, -he Roar'd out, <i>Am I to be Tormented before my -time?</i> You will <i>Torment</i> the Devil, if you Rescue -your Souls out of his hands, by true Repentance: -If once you begin to look that way, he'll Cry -out, <i>O this is before my Time, I must have more -Time, yet in the Service of such a guilty Soul</i>. But, -I beseech you, let us join thus to torment the -Devil, in an holy Revenge upon him, for all the -Injuries which he has done unto us; let us tell -him, <i>Satan, thy time with me is but short, Nay, thy -time with me shall be no more; I am unutterably -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> -sorry that it has been so much; Depart from me thou -Evil-Doer, that would'st have me an Evil-Doer like -thy self; I will now for ever keep the Commandments -of that God, in whom I Live and Move, and -have my Being!</i> The Devil has plaid a fine Game -for himself indeed, if by his troubling of our -Land, the Souls of many People should come to -<i>think upon their ways, till even they turn their Feet -into the Testimonies of the Lord</i>. Now that the -Devil may be thus outshot in his own Bow, is the -desire of all that love the Salvation of God among -us, as well as of him, who has thus Addressed -you. <i>Amen.</i></p> - -<p class="p2 dropcap">HAVING thus discoursed on the <i>Wonders of -the Invisible World</i>, I shall now, with God's -help, go on to relate some Remarkable and Memorable -Instances of <i>Wonders</i> which that <i>World</i> -has given to ourselves. And altho the chief Entertainment -which my Readers do expect, and -shall receive, will be a true History of what has -occurred, respecting the <span class="smcap">Witchcrafts</span> wherewith -we are at this day Persecuted; yet I shall -choose to usher in the mention of those things, -with</p> - - -<p class="hang p2"><i>A Narrative of an</i> <span class="smcap">Apparition</span> <i>which a Gentleman -in</i> <span class="smcap">Boston</span>, <i>had of his Brother, just then -murthered in</i> <span class="smcap">London</span>.</p> - -<p class="dropcap">IT was on the Second of <i>May</i> in the Year 1687, -that a most ingenious, accomplished and well-disposed -young Gentleman, Mr. <i>Joseph Beacon</i>, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> -about Five a Clock in the Morning, as he lay, -whether Sleeping or [54] Waking he could not -say, (but judged the latter of them) had a View -of his Brother then at <i>London</i>, altho he was now -himself at our <i>Boston</i>, distanced from him a thousand -Leagues.<a name="FNanchor_146_145" id="FNanchor_146_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_145" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> This his Brother appear'd unto -him, in the Morning about Five a Clock at <i>Boston</i>, -having on him a <i>Bengal</i> Gown, which he -usually wore, with a Napkin tyed about his Head; -his Countenance was very Pale, Gastly, Deadly, -and he had a bloody Wound on one side of his -Fore-head. <i>Brother!</i> says the Affrighted <i>Joseph. -Brother!</i> Answered the Apparition. Said <i>Joseph, -What's the matter Brother? How came you here!</i> -The Apparition replied, <i>Brother, I have been most -barbarously and injuriously Butchered, by a Debauched -Drunken Fellow, to whom I never did any wrong in -my Life</i>. Whereupon he gave a particular Description -of the Murderer; adding, <i>Brother, This -Fellow changing his Name, is attempting to come -over unto</i> New-England, <i>in</i> Foy, <i>or</i> Wild; <i>I -would pray you on the first Arrival of either of these, -to get an Order from the Governor, to Seize the -Person, whom I have now described; and then do -you Indict him for the Murder of me your Brother: -I'll stand by you and prove the Indictment</i>. And so -he Vanished. Mr. <i>Beacon</i> was extreamly astonished -at what he had seen and hear'd; and the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span>People of the Family not only observed an extraordinary -Alteration upon him, for the Week following, -but have also given me under their Hands -a full Testimony, that he then gave them an Account -of this Apparition.</p> - -<p>All this while, Mr. <i>Beacon</i> had no advice of any -thing amiss attending his Brother then in <i>England;</i> -but about the latter end of <i>June</i> following, he -understood by the common ways of Communication, -that the <i>April</i> before, his Brother going in -haste by Night to call a Coach for a Lady, met a -Fellow then in Drink, with his <i>Doxy</i> in his -Hand: Some way or other the Fellow thought -himself Affronted with the hasty passage of this -<i>Beacon</i>, and immediately ran into the Fire-side of -a Neighbouring Tavern, from whence he fetched -out a Fire-fork, wherewith he grievously wounded -<i>Beacon</i> in the Skull; even in that very part where -the Apparition show'd his Wound. Of this -Wound he Languished until he Dyed on the -Second of <i>May</i>, about five of the Clock in the -Morning at <i>London</i>. The Murderer it seems was -endeavouring an Escape, as the Apparition affirm'd, -but the Friends of the Deceased <i>Beacon</i>, Seized -him; and Prosecuting him at Law, he found the -help of such Friends as brought him off without -the loss of his Life; since which, there has no -more been heard of the Business.</p> - -<p>This History I received of Mr. <i>Joseph Beacon</i> -himself; who a little before his own Pious and -hopeful Death, which follow'd not long after,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span> -gave me the Story written and signed with his -own Hand, and attested with the Circumstances -I have already mentioned.</p> - - - -<p class="p2 dropcap">BUT I shall no longer detain my Reader, from -his expected Entertainment, in a brief account -of the Tryals which have passed upon some -of the Malefactors lately Executed at <i>Salem</i>, for -the <i>Witchcrafts</i> whereof they stood Convicted. -For my own part, I was not present at any of -them; [55] nor ever had I any Personal prejudice -at the Persons thus brought upon the Stage; -much less at the Surviving Relations of those -Persons, with and for whom I would be as hearty -a Mourner as any Man living in the World: -<i>The Lord Comfort them!</i> But having received a -Command so to do, I can do no other than shortly -relate the chief <i>Matters of Fact</i>, which occur'd -in the Tryals of some that were Executed, in an -Abridgment Collected out of the <i>Court-Papers</i>, -on this occasion put into my hands. You are to -take the <i>Truth</i>, just as it was; and the Truth will -hurt no good Man. There might have been -more of these, if my Book would not thereby -have swollen too big; and if some other worthy -hands did not perhaps intend something further -in these <i>Collections;</i> for which cause I have only -singled out Four or Five, which may serve to -illustrate the way of Dealing, wherein <i>Witchcrafts</i> -use to be concerned; and I report matters -not as an <i>Advocate</i>, but as an <i>Historian</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> - -They were some of the Gracious Words inserted -in the Advice, which many of the Neighbouring -Ministers, did this Summer humbly lay -before our Honorable Judges, <i>We cannot but with -all thankfulness, acknowledge the success which the -Merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and Assiduous -endeavours of Our Honourable Rulers, to detect -the abominable Witchcrafts which have been committed -in the Country; Humbly Praying, that the -discovery of those mysterious and mischievous wickednesses, -may be Perfected</i>. If in the midst of the -many Dissatisfactions among us, the Publication -of these Tryals may promote such a Pious Thankfulness -unto God, for Justice being so far executed -among us, I shall Rejoice that God is -Glorified; and pray, that no wrong steps of ours -may ever sully any of his Glorious Works. But -we will begin with,</p> - - - -<p class="hang"><i>A Modern Instance of Witches, Discovered and -Condemned in a Tryal, before that celebrated -Judge, Sir Matthew Hale</i>.<a name="FNanchor_147_146" id="FNanchor_147_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_146" class="fnanchor">[147]</a></p> - - -<p class="dropcap">IT may cast some Light upon the Dark things -now in <i>America</i>, if we just give a glance upon -the <i>like things</i> lately happening in <i>Europe</i>. We -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span>may see the <i>Witchcrafts</i> here most exactly resemble -the <i>Witchcrafts</i> there; and we may learn -what sort of Devils do trouble the World.</p> - -<p>The Venerable <i>Baxter</i> very truly says, <i>Judge</i> -Hale <i>was a Person, than whom, no Man was more -Backward to Condemn a Witch, without full Evidence</i>.</p> - -<p>Now, one of the latest Printed Accounts about -a <i>Tryal of Witches</i>, is of what was before him, -and it ran on this wise. [Printed in the Year 1682.] -And it is here the rather mentioned, because it -was a Tryal, much considered by the Judges of -<i>New England</i>.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span> -<i>I. Rose Cullender</i> and <i>Amy Duny</i>, were severally -Indicted, for Bewitching <i>Elizabeth Durent</i>, <i>Ann -Durent</i>, <i>Jane Bocking</i>, <i>Susan Chandler</i>, <i>William -Durent</i>, <i>Elizabeth</i> and <i>Deborah Pacy</i>. And the -Evidence whereon they were Convicted, stood -upon divers particular Circumstances.</p> - -<p>[56] <i>II. Ann Durent</i>, <i>Susan Chandler</i>, and <i>Elizabeth -Pacy</i>, when they came into the Hall, to give -Instructions for the drawing the Bills of Indictments, -they fell into strange and violent Fits, so -that they were unable to give in their Depositions, -not only then, but also during the whole -Assizes. <i>William Durent</i> being an Infant, his -Mother Swore, that <i>Amy Duny</i> looking after her -Child one Day in her absence, did at her return -confess, that she had <i>given suck to the Child:</i> (tho' -she were an Old Woman:) Whereat, when <i>Durent</i> -expressed her displeasure, <i>Duny</i> went away with -Discontents and Menaces.</p> - -<p>The Night after, the Child fell into strange -and sad Fits, wherein it continued for Divers -Weeks. One Doctor <i>Jacob</i> advised her to hang -up the Childs Blanket, in the Chimney Corner -all Day, and at Night when she went to put the -Child into it, if she found any Thing in it then -to throw it without fear into the Fire. Accordingly, -at Night, there fell a great Toad out of -the Blanket, which ran up and down the Hearth. -A Boy catch't it, and held it in the Fire with -the Tongs: where it made an horrible Noise, -and Flash'd like to Gun-Powder, with a report<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> -like that of a Pistol: Whereupon the Toad was no -more to be seen. The next Day a Kinswoman of -<i>Duny's</i>, told the Deponent, that her Aunt was all -grievously scorch'd with the Fire, and the Deponent -going to her House, found her in such a -Condition. <i>Duny</i> told her, she might thank her -for it; but she should live to see some of her -Children Dead, and herself upon Crutches. But -after the Burning of the Toad, this Child Recovered.</p> - -<p>This Deponent further Testifi'd, That Her -Daughter <i>Elizabeth</i>, being about the Age of Ten -Years, was taken in like manner, as her first Child -was, and in her Fits complained much of <i>Amy -Duny</i>, and said, that she did appear to Her, and -afflict her in such a manner as the former. One -Day she found <i>Amy Duny</i> in her House, and -thrusting her out of Doors, <i>Duny</i> said, <i>You need -not be so Angry, your Child won't live long</i>. And -within three Days the Child died. The Deponent -added, that she was Her self, not long after -taken with such a Lameness in both her Legs, -that she was forced to go upon Crutches; and -she was now in Court upon them. [It was -Remarkable, that immediately upon the Juries -bringing in <i>Duny</i> Guilty, <i>Durent</i> was restored -unto the use of her Limbs, and went home without -her Crutches.]</p> - -<p><i>III.</i> As for <i>Elizabeth</i> and <i>Deborah Pacy</i>, one -Aged Eleven Years, the other Nine; the elder, -being in Court, was made utterly senseless, during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> -all the time of the Trial: or at least speechless. -By the direction of the Judge <i>Duny</i> was privately -brought to <i>Elizabeth Pacy</i>, and she touched her -Hand: whereupon the Child, without so much -as seeing her, suddenly leap'd up and flew upon -the Prisoner; the younger was too ill, to be -brought unto the Assizes. But <i>Samuel Pacy</i>, their -Father, testifi'd, that his Daughter <i>Deborah</i> was -taken with a sudden Lameness; and upon the -grumbling of <i>Amy Duny</i>, for being denied something, -where this Child was then [57] sitting, the -Child was taken with an extream pain in her -stomach, like the pricking of Pins; and shrieking -at a dreadful manner, like a Whelp, rather -than a Rational Creature. The Physicians could -not conjecture the cause of the Distemper; but -<i>Amy Duny</i> being a Woman of ill Fame, and the -Child in Fits crying out of <i>Amy Duny</i>, as affrighting -her with the Apparition of her Person, the -Deponent suspected her, and procured her to be -set in the stocks. While she was there, she said -in the hearing of Two Witnesses, <i>Mr.</i> Pacy <i>keeps -a great stir about his Child, but let him stay till he -has done as much by his Children, as I have done by -mine:</i> And being Asked, What she had done to her -Children, she Answered, <i>She had been fain to open -her Childs Mouth with a Tap to give it Victuals</i>. -The Deponent added, that within Two Days, the -Fits of his Daughters were such, that they could -not preserve either Life or Breath, without the -help of a Tap. And that the Children Cry'd out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span> -of <i>Amy Duny</i>, and of <i>Rose Cullender</i>, as afflicting -them with their Apparitions.</p> - -<p><i>IV.</i> The Fits of the Children were various. -They would sometimes be Lame on one side; -sometimes on t'other. Sometimes very sore; -sometimes restored unto their Limbs, and then -Deaf, or Blind, or Dumb, for a long while together. -Upon the Recovery of their Speech, -they would Cough extreamly; and with much -Flegm, they would bring up Crooked Pins; and -one time, a Two-penny Nail, with a very broad -Head. Commonly at the end of every Fit, they -would cast up a Pin. When the Children Read, -they could not pronounce the Name of, <i>Lord</i>, or -<i>Jesus</i>, or <i>Christ</i>, but would fall into Fits; and -say, Amy Duny <i>says, I must not use that Name</i>. -When they came to the Name of <i>Satan</i>, or <i>Devil</i>, -they would clap their Fingers on the Book, crying -out, <i>This bites, but it makes me speak right -well!</i> The Children in their Fits would often -Cry out, <i>There stands</i> Amy Duny, or <i>Rose Cullender;</i> -and they would afterwards relate, <i>That -these Witches appearing before them, threatned them, -that if they told what they saw or heard, they would -Torment them ten times more than ever they did before</i>.</p> - -<p><i>V. Margaret Arnold</i>, the Sister of Mr. <i>Pacy</i>, -Testifi'd unto the like Sufferings being upon the -Children, at her House, whither her Brother had -Removed them. And that sometimes, the Children -(<i>only</i>) would see things like Mice, run about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> -the House; and one of them suddenly snap'd one -with the Tongs, and threw it into the Fire, where -it screeched out like a Rat. At another time, a -thing like a Bee, flew at the Face of the younger -Child; the Child fell into a Fit; and at last -Vomited up a <i>Two-penny Nail</i>, with a Broad Head; -affirming, <i>That the Bee brought this Nail, and -forced it into her Mouth</i>. The Child would in -like manner be assaulted with Flies, which -brought Crooked Pins, unto her, and made her -first swallow them, and then Vomit them. She -one Day caught an Invisible <i>Mouse</i>, and throwing -it into the Fire, it Flash'd like to Gun-Powder. -None besides the Child saw the <i>Mouse</i>, but every -one saw the <i>Flash</i>. She also de[58]clared, out of -her Fits, that in them, <i>Amy Duny</i> much tempted -her to destroy her self.</p> - -<p><i>VI.</i> As for <i>Ann Durent</i>, her Father Testified, -That upon a Discontent of <i>Rose Cullender</i>, his -Daughter was taken with much Illness in her -Stomach and great and sore Pains, like the Pricking -of Pins: and then Swooning Fits, from which -Recovering, she declared, <i>She had seen the Apparition</i> -of Rose Cullender, <i>Threatning to Torment -her</i>. She likewise Vomited up diverse Pins. The -Maid was Present at Court, but when <i>Cullender</i> -look'd upon her, she fell into such Fits, as made -her utterly unable to declare any thing.</p> - -<p><i>Ann Baldwin</i> deposed the same.</p> - -<p><i>VII. Jane Bocking</i>, was too weak to be at the -Assizes. But her Mother Testifi'd, that her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> -Daughter having formerly been Afflicted with -Swooning Fits, and Recovered of them; was now -taken with a great Pain in her Stomach; and -New Swooning Fits. That she took little Food, -but every Day Vomited Crooked Pins. In her -first Fits, she would Extend her Arms, and use -Postures, as if she catched at something, and when -her Clutched Hands were forced open, they would -find several Pins diversely Crooked, unaccountably -lodged there. She would also maintain a Discourse -with some that were Invisibly present, when -casting abroad her Arms, she would often say, <i>I -will not have it!</i> but at last say, <i>Then I will have it!</i> -and closing her Hand, which when they presently -after opened, a Lath-Nail was found in it. But -her great Complaints were of being Visited by the -shapes of <i>Amy Duny</i>, and <i>Rose Cullender</i>.</p> - -<p><i>VIII.</i> As for <i>Susan Chandler</i>, her Mother Testified, -That being at the search of <i>Rose Cullender</i>, -they found on her Belly a thing like a Teat, of -an Inch long; which the <i>said Rose</i> ascribed to a -strain. But near her Privy-parts, they found -Three more, that were smaller than the former. -At the end of the long Teat, there was a little -Hole, which appeared, as if newly Sucked; and -upon straining it, a white Milky matter issued -out. The Deponent further said, That her -Daughter being one Day concerned at <i>Rose Cullenders</i> -taking her by the Hand, she fell very sick, -and at Night cry'd out, <i>That</i> Rose Cullender -<i>would come to Bed unto her</i>. Her Fits grew violent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> -and in the Intervals of them, she declared, <i>That -she saw</i> Rose Cullender <i>in them, and once having -of a great Dog with her</i>. She also Vomited up -Crooked Pins; and when she was brought into -Court, she fell into her Fits. She Recovered her -self in some Time, and was asked by the Court, -whether she was in a Condition to take an Oath, -and give Evidence. She said, she could; but -having been Sworn, she fell into her Fits again, -and, <i>Burn her! Burn her!</i> were all the words that -she could obtain power to speak. Her Father -likewise gave the same Testimony with her -Mother; as to all but the Search.</p> - -<p><i>IX.</i> Here was the Sum of the Evidence: -Which Mr. Serjeant Keeling,<a name="FNanchor_148_147" id="FNanchor_148_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_147" class="fnanchor">[148]</a> thought not sufficient -to Convict the Prisoners. For admitting -the Chil[59]dren were Bewitched, yet, said he, it -can never be Apply'd unto the Prisoners, upon the -Imagination only of the Parties Afflicted; inasmuch -as no person whatsoever could then be in -Safety.</p> - -<p>Dr. <i>Brown</i>, a very Learned Person then present, -gave his Opinion, that these Persons were Bewitched. -He added, That in <i>Denmark</i>, there -had been lately a great Discovery of Witches; -who used the very same way of Afflicting people, -by Conveying Pins and Nails into them. His -Opinion was, that the Devil in Witchcrafts, did -Work upon the Bodies of Men and Women, upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span>a <i>Natural Foundation;</i> and that he did Extraordinarily -afflict them, with such Distempers as -their Bodies were most subject unto.</p> - -<p><i>X.</i> The Experiment about the <i>Usefulness</i>, yea, -or <i>Lawfulness</i> whereof Good Men have sometimes -disputed, was divers Times made, That tho' the -Afflicted were utterly deprived of all sense in their -Fits, yet upon the <i>Touch</i> of the Accused, they -would so screech out, and fly up, as not upon any -other persons. And yet it was also found that -once upon the touch of an innocent person, the -like effect follow'd, which put the whole Court -unto a stand: altho' a small Reason was at length -attempted to be given for it.</p> - -<p><i>XI.</i> However, to strengthen the Credit of what -had been already produced against the Prisoners, -One <i>John Soam</i> Testifi'd, That bringing home his -Hay in Three Carts, one of the Carts wrenched -the Window of <i>Rose Cullenders</i> House, whereupon -she flew out, with violent Threatenings -against the Deponent. The other Two Carts, passed -by Twice, Loaded, that Day afterwards; but the -Cart which touched <i>Cullenders</i> House, was Twice -or Thrice that Day overturned. Having again -Loaded it, as they brought it thro' the Gate which -Leads out of the Field, the Cart stuck so fast in -the Gates Head, that they could not possibly get -it thro', but were forced to cut down the Post of -the Gate, to make the Cart pass thro', altho' they -could not perceive that the Cart did of either side -touch the Gate-Post. They afterwards, did with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> -much Difficulty get it home to the Yard; but -could not for their Lives get the Cart near the -place, where they should unload. They were -fain to unload at a great Distance; and when they -were Tired, the Noses of them that came to Assist -them, would burst forth a Bleeding; so they -were fain to give over till next morning; and -then they unloaded without any difficulty.</p> - -<p><i>XII. Robert Sherringham</i> also Testifi'd, That -the Axle-Tree of his Cart, happening in passing, -to break some part of <i>Rose Cullenders</i> House, in -her Anger at it, she vehemently threatned him, -<i>His Horses should suffer for it</i>. And within a -short time, all his Four Horses dy'd; after which -he sustained many other Losses in the sudden -Dying of his Cattle. He was also taken with a -Lameness in his Limbs; and so vexed with Lice -of an extraordinary Number and Bigness, that no -Art could hinder the Swarming of them, till he -burnt up two Suits of Apparel.</p> - -<p>[60] <i>XIII.</i> As for <i>Amy Duny</i>, 'twas Testifi'd -by one <i>Richard Spencer</i> that he heard her say, <i>The -Devil would not let her Rest; until she were Revenged -on the Wife of</i> Cornelius Sandswel. And -that <i>Sandswel</i> testifi'd, that her Poultry dy'd suddenly, -upon <i>Amy Dunys</i> threatning of them; and -that her Husbands Chimney fell, quickly after -<i>Duny</i> had spoken of such a disaster. And a Firkin -of Fish could not be kept from falling into the -Water, upon suspicious words of <i>Duny's</i>.</p> - -<p><i>XIV.</i> The Judge told the Jury, they were to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -inquire now, first, whether these Children were -Bewitched; and secondly, Whether the Prisoners -at the Bar were guilty of it. He made no doubt, -there were such Creatures as Witches; for the -Scriptures affirmed it; and the Wisdom of all -Nations had provided Laws against such persons. -He pray'd the God of Heaven to direct their -Hearts in the weighty thing they had in hand; -for, <i>To Condemn the Innocent, and let the Guilty go -free, were both an Abomination to the Lord</i>.</p> - -<p>The Jury in half an hour brought them in -<i>Guilty</i> upon their several Indictments, which were -Nineteen in Number.</p> - -<p>The next Morning, the Children with their -Parents, came to the Lodgings of the Lord Chief -Justice, and were in as good health as ever in their -Lives; being Restored within half an Hour after -the Witches were Convicted.</p> - -<p>The Witches were Executed; and <i>Confessed</i> -nothing; which indeed will not be wondred by -them, who Consider and Entertain the Judgment -of a Judicious Writer, <i>That the Unpardonable Sin, -is most usually Committed by Professors of the Christian -Religion, falling into Witchcraft</i>.</p> - -<p>We will now proceed unto several of the like -Tryals among ourselves.<a name="FNanchor_149_148" id="FNanchor_149_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_148" class="fnanchor">[149]</a></p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_113_112" id="Footnote_113_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_112"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> Written in 1692.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_114_113" id="Footnote_114_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_113"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> Notwithstanding the extraordinary -Familiarity of our Author -with the Devil, he does not as yet -pretend to have seen him, although -he must have been in Everybody's -Way. About twenty Years later, -according to De Foe, he had become -quite scarce, insomuch that -few could pretend to have seen -him; and hence People became -somewhat credulous about the Existence -of his Majesty, "as if -nothing but seeing the Devil could -satisfie them there was such a Person; -and nothing is more wonderful -to me, in the whole System of -Spirits, than that Satan does not -think fit to justify the Reality of -his Being, by appearing to such in -some of his worst Figures, and tell -them in full Grimace who he is."—<i>Essay -on Apparitions.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_115_114" id="Footnote_115_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_114"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> The appearing of the Devil -in the Shape of a black Man, or a Man in black is the old Story imported -from England. See <i>Examination -and Confession of</i> Christian -Green, Wife of Robert Green <i>of -Brewham, Co. Somerset</i>, printed in -<i>Sadducismus Triumphatus</i>, ed. 1726, -P. 306.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_116_115" id="Footnote_116_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_115"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> It is not so remarkable that -some should have destroyed themselves -under such Circumstances, as -that the greater Part of them did -not so perish.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_117_116" id="Footnote_117_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_116"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> This is not a Whit behind -the far-famed Story of "The Devil -and Dr. Faustus."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_118_117" id="Footnote_118_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_117"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> Church Difficulties were so -common, that it is not quite certain -to which the Author has Reference; -though it seems likely he refers to -the Troubles in the Time of Mr. -Nicholet.—See Felt, <i>History of</i> -ii, <i>Salem</i>, 587-8.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_119_118" id="Footnote_119_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_118"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> This was indeed a Dilemma; -but it may now seem exceeding -strange that learned Judges had not -adopted the only safe Course at such -a Time, and simply <i>to have done -nothing</i>. They appear to have been as much amazed and out of their -Wits as the poor Sufferers; and to -find Relief proceeded to shed their -Blood, and to shout thereupon that -they "<i>had been fairly executed!</i>"</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_120_119" id="Footnote_120_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_119"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> How the Judges could have -read these Admissions of a "snarled -Business" into which no one could -pretend to see, and to "declare -their singular Approbation thereof," -it is difficult to comprehend, upon -any other Grounds than as expressed -in the last Note. They were indeed -as blind as any in the "<i>Buffet</i>."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_121_120" id="Footnote_121_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_120"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> By these "Ty-dogs" the -Author probably had Reference to -<i>Cerberus</i>. Writers on Mythology -do not mention, as I remember, -that their Monster was ever turned -loose to worry Mankind.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_122_121" id="Footnote_122_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_121"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> There was a Line of Swedish -Monarchs of the Name of Biorn. -The first of the Name began to -reign about 829 of the present era.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_123_122" id="Footnote_123_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_122"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> When these <i>Wonders</i> were -written, the <i>Paradise Lost</i> had been -published twenty-five Years. The -Author must have been very familiar -with it, yet I have not met with -any Reference to Milton in any of -his Writings.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_124_123" id="Footnote_124_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_123"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> It may be Difficult for some -to comprehend wherein the Devil -was blamed; for, according to the -Text he goes no further than he is -commanded or permitted to go by -a Power whereby he was fully and -completely controlled.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_125_124" id="Footnote_125_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_124"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> "The pious Bishop of Norwich." -He was a Cotemporary of -the weak King James, and his Companion -on one of his Excursions -into Scotland. He was mild and -temperate compared with Laud and others of his Time. He was born -in Leicester about 1574, and died -in Norfolk in 1656, in the 82d -Year of his Age. He appears not -to have been much behind Dr. Mather -in speaking of the "damned -Brood" of Witches. His Works -are even now held in much Repute -by many, and were collected and -published in three heavy Folios, -1647-62.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_126_125" id="Footnote_126_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_125"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> The Reader may perhaps find -all he will care to know respecting -the Suffolk Witches in Hutchinson's <i>Historical Essay</i>, 79, <i>et sequen.</i> second -Edition. But Suffolk furnishes -but a small Portion of England infected -by Witchcraft, and Mr. -Hutchinson's Work has not the -hundredth Part of them.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_127_126" id="Footnote_127_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_126"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> Witchcraft may be said to -have been on the Wane in Old -England when this of 1692-3 began -in New England. Indeed there -is no Comparison, as to the Extent -of the Delusion between the two -Countries.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_128_127" id="Footnote_128_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_127"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> If he <i>is</i> such a knowing Devil -as was generally supposed, he certainly -must have known to a certainty -the Success he was to meet -with before setting out.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_129_128" id="Footnote_129_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_128"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> It is hardly to be inferred -from the Sentiments here expressed, -that the Author was among the -most earnest of his blind Advocates -for extreme Measures against those -accused.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_130_129" id="Footnote_130_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_129"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> Not a good Translation, but -the Sense is sufficiently apparent. -Voltaire has the same in Substance -in one of his "Letters concerning -the English Nation." A Condition -not peculiar to any Country.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_131_130" id="Footnote_131_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_130"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> The Time of Henry III was from 1574 to 1589.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_132_131" id="Footnote_132_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_131"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> Those who are familiar with -the Works of Erasmus may verify -the Story. He may have been, -and probably was, like the Rest of -the learned World, a Believer in -such Nonsense. The great Poet -who has contributed to his Immortality -in the following Lines may -not have heard of the above Story: -</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"At length Erasmus, that great injured Name,</div> -<div class="i0">(The Glory of the Priesthood and the Shame!)</div> -<div class="i0">Stem'd the wild Torrent of a bar'brous Age,</div> -<div class="i0">And drove those holy Vandals off the Stage."</div> -</div></div></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_133_132" id="Footnote_133_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_132"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> There was about this Time a -Society established in England expressly -for the "Reformation of -Manners," and a small octavo -Volume was issued under its Auspices, -setting forth the Objects and -Necessity for such a Society. In it -the Plantations are remembered.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_134_133" id="Footnote_134_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_133"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> The Author does not seem to -remember that he has elsewhere said -with much Emphasis, that "this remote -Part of the Earth" was the -Devil's own Territory, that he was -undisturbed here before the white -People came and that he did not -expect to be disturbed here.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_135_134" id="Footnote_135_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_134"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> This was Mr. Samuel Clarke -or Clark (as he indifferently wrote -his own Surname), and his Father's -Name was Hugh Clark. The Life -spoken of is in the <i>Martyrology</i> by -the Son, a Work not now often referred -to, but one abounding with -interesting and curious biographical -and historical Information, having -intimate Connection with the Founders -of New England, and containing -a good deal concerning many of -them. See his <i>Lives</i>, appended to -the <i>Martyrology</i>, Page 127, <i>et seq.</i> -Folio, 1677. I have often had Occasion -to refer to his various Works.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_136_135" id="Footnote_136_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_135"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> There appears to have been -some Mystery about that Perfume -of Brimstone, if indeed "Metaphor" -be left out of the Account, as the -Author says it is to be. One might -be led to suppose that the Circumstance -which happened at Oxford -in 1577, was of the Character of -that in the Text, as alluded to by -Hutchinson, in his <i>Historical Essay -concerning Witchcraft</i>, Page 38, but -on Reference to his Authority, a -Parallel is hardly warranted. The -Story will be found fully related in -Camden's <i>Reign of Elizabeth</i>, 237, -Ed. 1675.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_137_136" id="Footnote_137_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_136"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> In that curious Poem entitled -<i>The Sorceress</i>, are the following -Lines, among others, on "The -Spell:" -</p> -<div class="center"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="i0">"Rust of the Gibbet, and Bone of the Dead,</div> -<div class="i2">I mingle and into the Teakettle throw,</div> -<div class="i0">Root of Skunk-cabbage and Rattlesnakes Mead,</div> -<div class="i2">And Leaves pluck'd at Midnight from Juniper bough.</div> -<div class="i4">Charm break the Rest</div> -<div class="i4">Of the Parsun distrest,</div> -<div class="i0">From his Eyes let the Blessing of Slumber depart;</div> -<div class="i4">Lucifer aid me</div> -<div class="i4">And Night overshade me,</div> -<div class="i0">Spirit of Beelzebub, lend me thine Art." &c.</div> -</div></div></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_138_137" id="Footnote_138_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_137"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> A vast Number of Books had -been published previous to our Author's -Time upon Magic, and Astrology. -A principal Writer on these -Subjects was Dr. John Dee. His -Diary was published by the <i>Camden -Society</i> in 1842. See also William -Lilley's <i>Hist. of his Life and Times</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_139_138" id="Footnote_139_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_138"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> This most uncharitable Assertion -is a complete Contradiction of -what has before been asserted. He -had already made poor New England -bad enough, but this seems to -place her in a perfectly hopeless -Condition. Not many Pages back -the Author cautioned the World -lest it should not do Justice to New -England, by believing her worse than -Old England. A disordered Brain -will always drive a Pen at random.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_140_139" id="Footnote_140_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_139"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> An Idea reminding one of the -Case of the Jew in the <i>Merchant of -Venice</i>. Unfortunately for the poor -accused Wretches, there was no Daniel to sit in Judgment, and to see -that no Blood was taken with the -Pound of Flesh.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_141_140" id="Footnote_141_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_140"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> This certainly does not exhibit -the Author as a "principal -Ringleader" in those Persecutions. -A Remark similar has been made -to a previous Passage in the Text, -of a like Purport. And frequent -parallel Passages may be found.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_142_141" id="Footnote_142_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_141"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> This is the French Form of -what we now write <i>Clucking</i>. The -Verb <i>to cluck</i> is well known, and -in frequent Use where Hens are -raised, but to employ it as the Doctor -does cannot but excite Ridicule.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_143_142" id="Footnote_143_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_142"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> Allowing this to be a just -Conclusion it is remarkable that the -Devil did not set his Witches at -Work in the Beginning in the Colony -of Plymouth; there were repeated -Complaints to the Commissioners -of the United Colonies, that -various Towns in that Colony had -neglected Ministers and Churches -altogether; while from the County -of Essex we hear of no such Complaints.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_144_143" id="Footnote_144_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_143"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> Additional Particulars respecting -this Woman may be seen in Dr. -I. Mather's <i>Prevalency of Prayer</i>, -published in Connection with his -<i>Relation</i>. See <i>Early Hist. New -England</i>, 275.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_145_144" id="Footnote_145_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_144"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> Many, no Doubt, will think -it strange that the Author did not -count himself in. Had he done so -he assuredly would have lost no -Credit with his Readers now, nor -probably by those in future.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_146_145" id="Footnote_146_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_145"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> This Mr. Beacon does not -appear to have belonged to Boston. -He was probably a casual Resident -at that Time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_147_146" id="Footnote_147_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_146"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> We are told by Bishop Burnet -(the Father of our Governor -Burnet), that Judge Hale was born -at Alderly in Gloucestershire, the -first of November, 1609, and died -on the 25th of December, 1676. In -the Life of Sir Matthew, appended -to his <i>Contemplations</i>, is given one of -the most interesting Pieces of Biography -extant. In Accordance with -one of his Sayings he was buried in -the Church-yard of Alderly, and -not in the Church, as was in his -Time the prevailing Custom—that Saying was: "The Churches were -for the Living, and the Church-yards -for the Dead." In the Bishop's -Life of him will be found a particular -Account of his Family. After -the great Fire of London he was -one of the principal Judges that sat -in Clifford's Inn, to regulate the -Affairs between Landlord and Tenant, -growing out of that Desolation. -And with Sir Orlando Bridgman -he rendered great Service in -accommodating Differences which -otherwise would long have retarded -the rebuilding of the City. Whereas -its "sudden and quiet building is -justly reconed one of the Wonders -of the Age." He was made "Lord -Chief Justice of England," May -18th, 1671, which Office he resigned -but a few Months previous -to his Death, owing to his Infirmity. -He lamented the rigorous Proceedings -against the Nonconformists, -though the adherent to the established -Church; and used to say, -"Those of the Separation were -good Men, but they had <i>narrow -Souls</i>, who would break the Peace -of the Church, about such <i>inconsiderable -Matters</i>, as the Points in Difference -were." There does not -appear to be taken any Notice of -the Trials of Witches by Burnet in -his Life of the Judge. It may be -sufficient to say, that, like our Judges, -Sewall and Stoughton, he was a -Believer in Witchcraft, because there -was Evidence of its Existence in the -Bible! He was a timid Man, and -this Timidity would not allow him so -much as "to sum up the Evidence" -in the Trial above given, and thus -was the Case submitted to the Jury, -who speedily gave in their Verdict -of Guilty. There can be no Doubt -but if Sir Matthew Hale had lived -until the End of the New England -Trials, he would, like Judge Sewall, -have repented of his Course.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_148_147" id="Footnote_148_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_147"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> Spelt Keyling in the <i>Life of -Hale</i>, whom he (Hale) succeeded -as Lord Chief Justice, without taking -his good Sense with him.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_149_148" id="Footnote_149_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_148"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> There is different, and somewhat -more of a common Sense -Account of this Trial in Hutchinson's -<i>Essay</i>, Pp. 139-157, Chap. viii.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h3> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> -I.<br /> - - THE TRYAL OF G. B.<br /> - - <i>At a Court of</i> OYER <i>and</i> TERMINER, <br /> - - <span class="smcap">Held in Salem</span>, 1692.</h3> - - -<p class="dropcap">GLAD should I have been, if I had never -known the Name of this Man; or never -had this occasion to mention so much as the first -Letters of his Name. But the Government requiring -some Account of his [61] Trial to be -inserted in this Book, it becomes me with all -Obedience to submit unto the Order.</p> - -<p>I. This <i>G. B.</i><a name="FNanchor_150_149" id="FNanchor_150_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_149" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> was Indicted for Witch-craft, -and in the prosecution of the Charge against him, -he was Accused by five or six of the Bewitched, as -the Author of their Miseries; he was Accused by -Eight of the Confessing Witches, as being an head -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>Actor at some of their Hellish Randezvouzes, and -one who had the promise of being a King in Satan's -Kingdom, now going to be Erected: He -was accused by Nine Persons for extraordinary -Lifting, and such feats of Strength, as could not -be done without a Diabolical Assistance. And -for other such things he was Accused, until about -thirty Testimonies were brought in against him; -nor were these judg'd the half of what might have -been considered for his Conviction: However they -were enough to fix the Character of a Witch -upon him according to the Rules of Reasoning, -by the Judicious <i>Gaule</i>, in that Case directed.</p> - -<p>II. The Court being sensible, that the Testimonies -of the Parties Bewitched, use to have a -Room among the <i>Suspicions</i> or <i>Presumptions</i>, -brought in against one Indicted for Witchcraft; -there were now heard the Testimonies of several -Persons, who were most notoriously Bewitched, -and every day Tortured by Invisible Hands, and -these now all charged the Spectres of <i>G. B.</i> to -have a share in their Torments. At the Examination -of this <i>G. B.</i> the Bewitched People were -grievously harassed with Preternatural Mischiefs, -which could not possibly be dissembled; and they -still ascribed it unto the endeavours of <i>G. B.</i> to -Kill them. And now upon his Tryal of one of -the Bewitched Persons, testified, that in her -Agonies, a little black Hair'd Man came to her, -saying his Name was <i>B.</i> and bidding her set her -hand unto a Book which he shewed unto her; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span> -bragging that he was a <i>Conjurer</i>, above the ordinary -Rank of Witches; That he often Persecuted -her with the offer of that Book, saying, <i>She should -be well, and need fear nobody, if she would but Sign -it;</i> But he inflicted cruel Pains and Hurts upon -her, because of her denying so to do. The Testimonies -of the other Sufferers concurred with -these; and it was remarkable, that whereas <i>Biting</i> -was one of the ways which the Witches used for -the vexing of the Sufferers; when they cry'd out -of <i>G. B.</i> Biting them, the print of the Teeth -would be seen on the Flesh of the Complainers, -and just such a Set of Teeth as <i>G. B's</i> would then -appear upon them, which could be distinguished -from those of some other Mens. Others of them -testified, That in their Torments, <i>G. B.</i> tempted -them to go unto a Sacrament, unto which they -perceived him with a Sound of Trumpet, Summoning -of other Witches, who quickly after the -Sound, would come from all Quarters unto the -Rendezvouz. One of them falling into a kind of -Trance, afterwards affirmed, that <i>G. B.</i> had carried -her into a very high Mountain, where he shewed -her mighty and glorious Kingdoms, and said, <i>He -would give them all to her, if she would</i> [62] <i>write -in his Book;</i> but she told him, <i>They were none of his -to give;</i> and refused the Motions; enduring of -much Misery for that refusal.</p> - -<p>It cost the Court a wonderful deal of Trouble, -to hear the Testimonies of the Sufferers; for when -they were going to give in their Depositions, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> -would for a long time be taken with Fits, that -made them uncapable of saying anything. The -Chief Judg asked the Prisoner, who he thought -hindred these Witnesses from giving their <i>Testimonies?</i> -And he answered, <i>He supposed it was the -Devil</i>. That Honourable Person, then repli'd, -<i>How comes the Devil so loathe to have any Testimony -born against you?</i> Which cast him into very great -Confusion.<a name="FNanchor_151_150" id="FNanchor_151_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_150" class="fnanchor">[151]</a></p> - -<p>III. It has been a frequent thing for the Bewitched -People to be entertained with Apparitions -of <i>Ghosts</i> of Murdered People, at the same -time that the <i>Spectres</i> of the Witches trouble -them. These Ghosts do always affright the Beholders -more than all the other spectral Representations; -and when they exhibit themselves, -they cry out, of being Murdered by the Witchcrafts -or other Violences of the Persons who are -then in Spectre present. It is further considerable, -that once or twice, these <i>Apparitions</i> have been -seen by others, at the very same time that they have -shewn themselves to the Bewitched; and seldom -have there been these <i>Apparitions</i>, but when -something unusual or suspected, have attended the -Death of the Party thus Appearing. Some that -have been accused by these <i>Apparitions</i> accosting -of the Bewitched People, who had never heard a -word of any such Persons ever being in the World, -have upon a fair Examination, freely and fully -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>confessed the Murthers of those very Persons, -altho these also did not know how the Apparitions -had complained of them. Accordingly -several of the Bewitched, had given in their -Testimony, that they had been troubled with the -Apparitions of two Women, who said, that they -were <i>G. B's</i> two Wives, and that he had been the -Death of them; and that the Magistrates must be -told of it, before whom if <i>B.</i> upon his Tryal -denied it, they did not know but that they should -appear again in the Court. Now, <i>G. B.</i> had been -Infamous for the Barbarous usage of his two late -Wifes, all the Country over. Moreover, it was -testified, the Spectre of <i>G. B.</i> threatning of the -Sufferers, told them, he had Killed (besides others) -Mrs. <i>Lawson</i> and her Daughter <i>Ann</i>.<a name="FNanchor_152_151" id="FNanchor_152_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_151" class="fnanchor">[152]</a> And it -was noted, that these were the Vertuous Wife and -Daughter of one at whom this <i>G. B.</i> might have -a prejudice for his being serviceable at <i>Salem Village</i>, -from whence himself had in ill Terms removed -some Years before: And that when they -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span>dy'd, which was long since, there were some odd -Circumstances about them, which made some of -the Attendents there suspect something of Witchcraft, -tho none Imagined from what Quarter it -should come.</p> - -<p>Well, <i>G. B.</i> being now upon his Tryal, one of -the Bewitched Persons was cast into Horror at -the Ghost of <i>B's</i> two Deceased Wives then appearing -before him, and crying for <i>Vengeance</i> -against him. Hereupon seve[63]ral of the Bewitched -Persons were successively called in, who -all not knowing what the former had seen and -said, concurred in their Horror of the Apparition, -which they affirmed that he had before him. But -he, tho much appalled, utterly deny'd that he discerned -any thing of it; nor was it any part of his -<i>Conviction</i>.</p> - -<p>IV. Iudicious Writers have assigned it a great -place in the Conviction of <i>Witches, when Persons -are Impeached by other notorious Witches, to be as -ill as themselves; especially, if the Persons have been -much noted for neglecting the Worship of God</i>. Now, -as there might have been Testimonies enough of -<i>G. B's</i> Antipathy to <i>Prayer</i>, and the other Ordinances -of God, tho by his Profession, singularly -Obliged thereunto; so, there now came in against -the Prisoner, the Testimonies of several Persons, -who confessed their own having been horrible -<i>Witches</i>, and ever since their Confessions, had been -themselves terribly Tortured by the Devils and -other Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> -therein undergone the Pains of many <i>Deaths</i> for -their Confessions.</p> - -<p>These now testified, that <i>G. B.</i> had been at -Witch-meetings with them; and that he was the -Person who had Seduc'd, and Compell'd them -into the snares of Witchcraft: That he promised -them <i>Fine Cloaths</i>, for doing it; that he brought -Poppets to them, and Thorns to stick into those -Poppets, for the Afflicting of other People; and -that he exhorted them with the rest of the Crew, -to Bewitch all <i>Salem Village</i>, but besure to do it -Gradually; if they would prevail in what they -did.</p> - -<p>When the <i>Lancashire Witches</i> were Condemn'd -I don't remember that there was any considerable -further Evidence, than that of the Bewitched, -and than that of some that confessed. We see so -much already against <i>G. B.</i> But this being indeed -not enough, there were other things to -render what had already been produced <i>credible</i>.</p> - -<p>V. A famous Divine recites this among the -Convictions of a Witch; <i>The Testimony of the -party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together -with the joint Oaths of sufficient Persons that have -seen certain Prodigious Pranks or Feats wrought by -the Party Accused</i>. Now, God had been pleased -so to leave this <i>G. B.</i> that he had ensnared himself -by several Instances, which he had formerly -given of a Preternatural Strength, and which -were now produced against him. He was a very -Puny Man, yet he had often done things beyond<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span> -the strength of a Giant. A Gun of about seven -foot Barrel, and so heavy that strong Men could -not steadily hold it out with both hands; there -were several Testimonies, given in by Persons of -Credit and Honor, that he made nothing of taking -up such a Gun behind the Lock, with but one -hand, and holding it out like a Pistol, at Arms-end. -<i>G. B.</i> in his Vindication, was so foolish as -to say, That <i>an</i> Indian <i>was there, and held it out -at the same time:</i> Whereas none of the Spectators -ever saw any such <i>Indian;</i> but they supposed the -<i>Black Man</i>, (as the Witches call the Devil; and -they generally say he resembles an <i>Indian</i>) might -[64] give him that Assistance. There was Evidence -likewise brought in, that he made nothing -of taking up whole Barrels fill'd with <i>Malasses</i> or -<i>Cider</i>, in very disadvantageous Postures, and Carrying -of them through the difficultest Places out -of a Canoo to the Shore.</p> - -<p>[Yea, there were two Testimonies that <i>G. B.</i> -with only putting the Fore Finger of his Right -hand into the Muzzle of an heavy Gun, a Fowling-piece -of about six or seven foot Barrel, did -lift up the Gun, and hold it out at Arms-end; a -Gun which the Deponents though strong Men -could not with both hands lift up, and hold out -at the But-end, as is usual. Indeed, one of these -Witnesses was over-perswaded by some Persons to -be out of the way upon <i>G. B's</i> Tryal; but he -came afterwards with Sorrow for his withdraw, -and gave in his Testimony: Nor were either of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span> -these Witnesses made use of as Evidences in the -Trial.]</p> - -<p>VI. There came in several Testimonies relating -to the Domestick Affairs of <i>G. B.</i> which had a -very hard Aspect upon him; and not only prov'd -him a very ill Man; but also confirmed the belief -of the Character, which had been already -fastned on him.</p> - -<p>'Twas testified, that keeping his two Successive -Wives in a strange kind of Slavery, he would -when he came home from abroad, pretend to tell -the Talk which any had with them; That he -has brought them to the point of Death, by his -harsh Dealings with his Wives, and then made -the People about him, to promise that in case -Death should happen, they would say nothing -of it; That he used all means to make his Wives -Write, Sign, Seal, and Swear a Covenant, never -to reveal any of his Secrets; That his Wives had -privately complained unto the Neighbours about -frightful Apparitions of Evil Spirits, with which -their House was sometimes infested; and that -many such things have been whispered among -the Neighbourhood. There were also some other -Testmonies relating to the Death of People -whereby the Consciences of an Impartial Jury -were convinced that <i>G. B.</i> had Bewitched the -Persons mentioned in the Complaints. But I am -forced to omit several passages, in this, as well as -in all the succeeding Tryals, because the Scribes -who took notice of them, have not supplyed me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> - -VII. One Mr. <i>Ruck</i>, Brother-in-Law to this -<i>G. B.</i> testified, that <i>G. B.</i> and he himself, and his -Sister, who was <i>G. B's</i> Wife, going out for two or -three Miles to gather Straw-berries, <i>Ruck</i> with -his Sister, the Wife of <i>G. B.</i> Rode home very -Softly, with <i>G. B.</i> on Foot in their Company, -<i>G. B.</i> stept aside a little into the Bushes; whereupon -they halted and Halloo'd for him. He -not answering, they went away homewards, with -a quickened pace, without expectation of seeing -him in a considerable while; and yet when they -were got near home, to their Astonishment, they -found him on foot with them, having a Basket of -Straw-berries. <i>G. B.</i> immediately then fell to -Chiding his Wife, on the account of what she -had been speaking to her [65] Brother, of him, -on the Road: which when they wondred at, he -said, <i>He knew their thoughts</i>. <i>Ruck</i> being startled -at that, made some Reply, intimating, that the -Devil himself did not know so far; but <i>G. B.</i> -answered, <i>My God makes known your Thoughts -unto me</i>. The Prisoner now at the Bar had nothing -to answer, unto what was thus witnessed against -him, that was worth considering. Only he said, -<i>Ruck, and his Wife left a Man with him, when -they left him</i>. Which <i>Ruck</i> now affirm'd to be -false; and when the Court asked <i>G. B. What the -Man's Name was?</i> his Countenance was much -altered; nor could he say, who 'twas. But the -Court began to think, that he then step'd aside, -only that by the assistance of the <i>Black Man</i>, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> -might put on his <i>Invisibility</i>, and in that <i>Fascinating -Mist</i>, gratifie his own Jealous Humour, to -hear what they said of him. Which trick of -rendring themselves <i>Invisible</i>, our Witches do in -their Confessions pretend, that they sometimes are -Masters of; and it is the more credible, because -there is Demonstration, that they often render -many other things utterly <i>Invisible</i>.</p> - -<p>VIII. <i>Faltring, faulty, unconstant, and contrary -Answers upon judicial and deliberate Examination</i>, -are counted some unlucky Symptoms of Guilt, in -all Crimes, especially in Witchcrafts. Now there -never was a Prisoner more eminent for them, -than <i>G. B.</i> both at his Examination and on his -Trial. His <i>Tergiversations</i>, <i>Contradictions</i>, and -<i>Falshoods</i>, were very sensible: he had little to -say, but that he had heard some things that he -could not prove, Reflecting upon the Reputation -of some of the Witnesses. Only he gave in a -Paper to the Jury; wherein, altho' he had many -times before, granted, not only that there are -<i>Witches</i>, but also, that the present Sufferings of -the Country are the effects of <i>horrible Witchcrafts</i>, -yet he now goes to evince it, <i>That there neither -are, nor ever were Witches, that having made a -Compact with the Devil, can send a Devil to Torment -other people at a distance</i>. This Paper was -Transcribed out of <i>Ady;</i> which the Court presently -knew, as soon as they heard it. But he -said, he had taken none of it out of any Book; -for which, his Evasion afterwards, was, That a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> -Gentleman gave him the Discourse in a Manuscript, -from whence he Transcribed it.</p> - -<p>IX. The Jury brought him in <i>Guilty:</i> But -when he came to Dy, he utterly deni'd the -Fact, whereof he had been thus convicted.<a name="FNanchor_153_152" id="FNanchor_153_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_152" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p> - -<h3>II. <i>The Tryal of</i> <span class="smcap">Bridget Bishop</span>,<a name="FNanchor_154_153" id="FNanchor_154_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_153" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> <i>alias Oliver, -at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, held at Salem, -June 2. 1692.</i></h3> - -<p>I. <span class="dropcapa">S</span>HE was Indicted for Bewitching of several -Persons in the Neighbourhood, the Indictment -being drawn up, according to the <i>Form</i> in -[66] such Cases as usual. And pleading, <i>Not -Guilty</i>, there were brought in several persons, who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span>had long undergone many kinds of Miseries, -which were preternaturally inflicted, and generally -ascribed unto an <i>horrible Witchcraft</i>. There was -little occasion to prove the <i>Witchcraft</i>, it being -evident and notorious to all beholders. Now to -fix the <i>Witchcraft</i> on the Prisoner at the Bar, the -first thing used, was the Testimony of the <i>Bewitched;</i> -whereof several testifi'd, That the <i>Shape</i> -of the Prisoner did oftentimes very grivously -Pinch them, Choak them, Bite them, and Afflict -them; urging them to write their Names in a -<i>Book</i>, which the said Spectre called, <i>Ours</i>. One of -them did further testifie, that it was the <i>Shape</i> of -this Prisoner, with another, which one day took -her from her Wheel, and carrying her to the -River-side, threatned there to Drown her, if she -did not Sign to the <i>Book</i> mentioned: which yet -she refused. Others of them did also testifie, that -the said Shape did in her Threats brag to them -that she had been the Death of sundry Persons, -then by her named; that she had <i>Ridden</i> a Man -then likewise named. Another testifi'd, the Apparition -of <i>Ghosts</i> unto the Spectre of <i>Bishop</i>, crying -out, <i>You Murdered us!</i> About the Truth -whereof, there was in the Matter of Fact but too -much suspicion.</p> - -<p>II. It was testifi'd, That at the Examination -of the Prisoner before the Magistrates, the Bewitched -were extreamly tortured. If she did but -cast her Eyes on them, they were presently struck -down; and this in such a manner as there could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> -be no Collusion in the Business. But upon the -Touch of her Hand upon them, when they lay -in their Swoons, they would immediately Revive; -and not upon the Touch of any ones else. Moreover, -Upon some Special Actions of her Body, as -the shaking of her Head, or the turning of her -Eyes, they presently and painfully fell into the -like postures. And many of the like Accidents -now fell out, while she was at the Bar. One at -the same time testifying, That she said, <i>She could -not be troubled to see the afflicted thus tormented</i>.</p> - -<p>III. There was Testimony likewise brought -in, that a Man striking once at the place, where -a bewitched person said, the <i>Shape</i> of this <i>Bishop</i> -stood, the bewitched cried out, <i>That he had tore -her Coat</i>, in the place then particularly specifi'd; -and the Woman's Coat was found to be Torn in -that very place.</p> - -<p>IV. One <i>Deliverance Hobbs</i>,<a name="FNanchor_155_154" id="FNanchor_155_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_154" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> who had confessed -her being a Witch, was now tormented by -the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now -testifi'd, That this <i>Bishop</i> tempted her to Sign the -<i>Book</i> again, and to deny what she had confess'd. -She affirm'd, That it was the Shape of this Prisoner, -which whipped her with Iron Rods, to -compel her thereunto. And she affirmed, that -this <i>Bishop</i> was at a General Meeting of the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span>Witches, in a Field at <i>Salem</i>-Village, and there -partook of a Diabolical Sacrament in Bread and -Wine then administred.</p> - -<p>[67] V. To render it further unquestionable, -that the Prisoner at the Bar, was the Person truly -charged in this <i>Witchcraft</i>, there were produced -many Evidences of <span class="smcap">OTHER</span> <i>Witchcrafts</i>, by her -perpetrated. For Instance, <i>John Cook</i> testifi'd, -That about five or six Years ago, one Morning, -about Sun-Rise, he was in his Chamber assaulted -by the <i>Shape</i> of this Prisoner: which look'd on -him, grinn'd at him, and very much hurt him -with a Blow on the side of the Head: and that -on the same day, about Noon, the same <i>Shape</i> -walked in the Room where he was, and an Apple -strangely flew out of his Hand, into the Lap of -his Mother, six or eight Foot from him.</p> - -<p>VI. <i>Samuel Gray</i><a name="FNanchor_156_155" id="FNanchor_156_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_155" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> testifi'd, That about fourteen -Years ago, he wak'd on a Night, and saw the -Room where he lay full of Light; and that he -then saw plainly a Woman between the Cradle, -and the Bed-side, which look'd upon him. He -rose, and it vanished; tho' he found the Doors all -fast. Looking out at the Entry-door, he saw the -same Woman, in the same Garb again; and said, -<i>In God's Name, what do you come for?</i> He went -to Bed, and had the same Woman again assaulting -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span>him. The Child in the Cradle gave a great -Screech, and the Woman disappeared. It was -long before the Child could be quieted; and tho' -it were a very likely thriving Child, yet from this -time it pined away, and after divers Months, died -in a sad Conditon. He knew not <i>Bishop</i>, nor her -Name; but when he saw her after this, he knew -by her Countenance, and Apparel, and all Circumstances, -that it was the Apparition of this -<i>Bishop</i>, which had thus troubled him.</p> - -<p>VII. <i>John Bly</i><a name="FNanchor_157_156" id="FNanchor_157_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_156" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> and his Wife testifi'd, That he -bought a Sow of <i>Edward Bishop</i>, the Husband of -the Prisoner; and was to pay the Price agreed, -unto another person. This Prisoner being angry -that she was thus hindred from fingring the Mony, -quarrell'd with <i>Bly</i>. Soon after which, the Sow -was taken with strange Fits; Jumping, Leaping, -and Knocking her Head against the Fence; she -seem'd Blind and Deaf, and would neither Eat -nor be Suck'd. Whereupon a Neighbour said, she -believed the Creature was <i>Over-looked;</i> and sundry -other Circumstances concurred, which made -the Deponents believe that <i>Bishop</i> had bewitched -it.</p> - -<p>VIII. <i>Richard Coman</i><a name="FNanchor_158_157" id="FNanchor_158_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_157" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> testifi'd, That eight -Years ago, as he lay awake in his Bed, with a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span>Light burning in the Room, he was annoy'd -with the Apparition of this <i>Bishop</i>, and of two -more that were strangers to him, who came and -oppressed him so, that he could neither stir himself, -nor wake any one else, and that he was the -Night after, molested again in the like manner; the -said <i>Bishop</i>, taking him by the Throat, and pulling -him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered -for this Cause to lodge with him; and that -Night, as they were awake, discoursing together, -this <i>Coman</i> was once more visited by the Guests -which had formerly been so troublesom; his -Kinsman being at the same time strook speechless, -and unable to move Hand or [68] Foot. He -had laid his Sword by him, which these unhappy -Spectres did strive much to wrest from him; only -he held too fast for them. He then grew able to -call the People of his House; but altho' they -heard him, yet they had not power to speak or -stir; until at last, one of the People crying out, -<i>What's the matter?</i> The Spectres all vanished.</p> - -<p>IX. <i>Samuel Shattock</i><a name="FNanchor_159_158" id="FNanchor_159_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_158" class="fnanchor">[159]</a> testifi'd, That in the -Year, 1680, this <i>Bridget Bishop</i>, often came to his -House upon such frivolous and foolish Errands, -that they suspected she came indeed with a purpose -of mischief. Presently, whereupon, his -eldest Child, which was of as promising Health -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span>and Sense, as any Child of its Age, began to droop -exceedingly; and the oftner that <i>Bishop</i> came to -the House, the worse grew the Child. As the -Child would be standing at the Door, he would -be thrown and bruised against the Stones, by an -Invisible Hand, and in like sort knock his Face -against the sides of the House, and bruise it after -a miserable manner. After this <i>Bishop</i> would -bring him things to Dy, whereof he could not -imagin any use; and when she paid him a piece -of Mony, the Purse and Mony were unaccountably -conveyed out of a lock'd Box, and never seen -more. The Child was immediately, hereupon, -taken with terrible Fits, whereof his Friends -thought he would have dyed: Indeed he did almost -nothing but Cry and Sleep for several Months -together; and at length his Understanding was -utterly taken away. Among other Symptoms of -an Inchantment upon him, one was, That there -was a Board in the Garden, whereon he would -walk; and all the Invitations in the World could -never fetch him off. About 17 or 18 years -after,<a name="FNanchor_160_159" id="FNanchor_160_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_159" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> there came a Stranger to <i>Shattock's</i> House, -who seeing the Child, said, <i>This poor Child is Bewitched; -and you have a Neighbour living not far -off, who is a Witch</i>. He added, <i>Your Neighbour -has had a falling out with your Wife; and she said, -in her Heart, your Wife is a proud Woman, and she -would bring down her Pride in this Child</i>. He then -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span>remembred, that <i>Bishop</i> had parted from his -Wife in muttering and menacing Terms, a little -before the Child was taken Ill. The abovesaid -Stranger would needs carry the bewitched Boy -with him, to <i>Bishop's</i> House, on pretence of buying -a Pot of Cyder. The Woman entertained -him in a furious manner; and flew also upon the -Boy, scratching his Face till the Blood came; and -saying, <i>Thou Rogue, what dost thou bring this Fellow -here to plague me?</i> Now it seems the Man had said, -before he went, That he would fetch Blood of -<i>her</i>. Ever after the Boy was follow'd with -grievous Fits, which the Doctors themselves -generally ascribed unto <i>Witchcraft;</i> and wherein -he would be thrown still into the <i>Fire</i> or the -<i>Water</i>, if he were not constantly look'd after; -and it was verily believed that <i>Bishop</i> was the -cause of it.</p> - -<p>X. <i>John Louder</i><a name="FNanchor_161_160" id="FNanchor_161_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_160" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> testifi'd, That upon some -little Controversy with <i>Bishop</i> about her Fowls, -going well to Bed, he did awake in the Night by -Moon[69]light, and did see clearly the likeness of -this Woman grievously oppressing him; in which -miserable condition she held him, unable to help -himself, till near Day. He told <i>Bishop</i> of this; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span>but she deny'd it, and threatned him very much. -Quickly after this, being at home on a Lords day, -with the doors shut about him, he saw a black -Pig approach him; at which, he going to kick, it -vanished away. Immediately after, sitting down, -he saw a black Thing jump in at the Window, -and come and stand before him. The Body was -like that of a Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, -but the Face much like a Mans. He being so -extreamly affrighted, that he could not speak; this -Monster spoke to him, and said, <i>I am a Messenger -sent unto you, for I understand that you are in some -Trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me, -you shall want for nothing in this World</i>. Whereupon -he endeavoured to clap his Hands upon it; -but he could feel no substance; and it jumped out -of the Window again; but immediately came in -by the Porch, tho' the Doors were shut, and said, -<i>You had better take my Counsel!</i> He then struck -at it with a Stick, but struck only the Ground-sel, -and broke the Stick: The Arm with which he -struck was presently Disenabled, and it vanished -away. He presently went out at the Back-door, -and spied this <i>Bishop</i>, in her Orchard, going toward -her House; but he had not power to set one -foot forward unto her. Whereupon, returning into -the House, he was immediately accosted by the -Monster he had seen before; which Goblin was -now going to fly at him; whereat he cry'd out, -<i>The whole Armour of God be between me and you!</i> -So it sprang back, and flew over the Apple-tree;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> -shaking many Apples off the Tree, in its flying -over. At its leap, it flung Dirt with its Feet -against the Stomack of the Man; whereon he -was then struck Dumb, and so continued for -three Days together. Upon the producing of this -Testimony, <i>Bishop</i> deny'd that she knew this Deponent: -Yet their two Orchards joined; and they -had often had their little Quarrels for some years -together.</p> - -<p>XI. <i>William Stacy</i><a name="FNanchor_162_161" id="FNanchor_162_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_161" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> testify'd, That receiving -Mony of this <i>Bishop</i>, for work done by him; he -was gone but a matter of three Rods from her, -and looking for his Mony, found it unaccountably -gone from him. Some time after, <i>Bishop</i> -asked him, whether her Father would grind her -Grist for her? He demanded why? She reply'd, -<i>Because Folks count me a Witch</i>. He answered, -<i>No question but he will grind it for you</i>. Being -then gone about six Rods from her, with a small -Load in his Cart, suddenly the Off-wheel slump't; -and sunk down into an hole, upon plain Ground; -so that the Deponent was forced to get help for -the recovering of the Wheel: But stepping back -to look for the hole, which might give him this -Disaster, there was none at all to be found. Some -time after, he was waked in the Night; but it -seem'd as light as day; and he perfectly saw the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span>shape of this <i>Bishop</i> [70] in the Room, troubling of -him; but upon her going out, all was dark again. -He charg'd <i>Bishop</i> afterwards with it, and she -deny'd it not; but was very angry. Quickly -after, this Deponent having been threatned by -<i>Bishop</i>, as he was in a dark Night going to the -Barn, he was very suddenly taken or lifted from -the Ground, and thrown against a Stone-wall: -After that, he was again hoisted up and thrown -down a Bank, at the end of his House. After -this again, passing by this <i>Bishop</i>, his Horse with -a small Load, striving to draw, all his Gears flew -to pieces, and the Cart fell down; and this Deponent -going then to lift a Bag of Corn, of about -two Bushels, could not budge it with all his -Might.</p> - -<p>Many other Pranks of this <i>Bishop's</i> this Deponent -was ready to testify. He also testify'd, That -he verily believ'd, the said <i>Bishop</i> was the Instrument -of his Daughter <i>Priscilla's</i> Death; of which -suspicion, pregnant Reasons were assigned.</p> - -<p>XII. To crown all, <i>John Bly</i> and <i>William Bly</i> -testify'd, That being employ'd by <i>Bridget Bishop</i>, -to help take down the Cellar-wall of the old -House wherein she formerly lived, they did in -holes of the said old Wall, find several <i>Poppets</i>, -made up of Rags and Hogs-brussels, with headless -Pins in them, the Points being outward; -whereof she could give no Account to the Court, -that was reasonable or tolerable.<a name="FNanchor_163_162" id="FNanchor_163_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_162" class="fnanchor">[163]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span></p> -<p>XIII. One thing that made against the Prisoner -was, her being evidently convicted of <i>gross -Lying</i> in the Court, several times, while she was -making her Plea; but besides this, a Jury of -Women found a preternatural Teat upon her -Body: But upon a second search, within 3 or 4 -hours, there was no such thing to be seen. There -was also an Account of other People whom this -Woman had Afflicted; and there might have -been many more, if they had been enquired for; -but there was no need of them.</p> - -<p>XIV. There was one very strange thing more, -with which the Court was newly entertained. -As this Woman was under a Guard, passing by -the great and spacious Meeting-house of <i>Salem</i>, -she gave a look towards the House: and immediately -a <i>Dæmon</i> invisibly entring the Meeting-house, -tore down a part of it; so that tho' there -was no Person to be seen there, yet the People, -at the noise, running in, found a Board, which -was strongly fastned with several Nails, transported -unto another quarter of the House.</p> - -<h3> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> -III. <i>The Tryal of</i> <span class="smcap">Susanna Martin</span>,<a name="FNanchor_164_163" id="FNanchor_164_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_163" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> <i>at the -Court of Oyer and Terminer, held by Adjournment -at Salem, June 29. 1692.</i></h3> - -<p>I. <span class="dropcapa">S</span>US<i>ANNA MARTIN</i>, pleading <i>Not Guilty</i> -to the Indictment of <i>Witchcraft</i>, brought -in against her, there were produced the Evidences -of ma[71]ny Persons very sensibly and grievously -Bewitched; who all complained of the Prisoner -at the Bar, as the Person whom they believed the -cause of their Miseries. And now, as well as in -the other Trials, there was an extraordinary Endeavour -by <i>Witchcrafts</i>, with Cruel and frequent -Fits, to hinder the poor Sufferers from giving in -their Complaints, which the Court was forced -with much Patience to obtain, by much waiting -and watching for it.</p> - -<p>II. There was now also an account given of -what passed at <span class="errauthor" title="read: the">he</span> first Examination before the -Magistrates. The Cast of her <i>Eye</i>, then striking -the afflicted People to the Ground, whether they -saw that Cast or no; there were these among -other Passages between the Magistrates and the -Examinate.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Pray, what ails these People?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> I don't know.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> -<i>Magistrate.</i> But what do you think ails them?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> I don't desire to spend my Judgment -upon it.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Don't you think they are bewitch'd?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> No, I do not think they are.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Tell us your Thoughts about them -then.</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> No, my thoughts are my own, when -they are in, but when they are out they are anothers. -Their Master.——</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Their Master? who do you think -is their Master?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> If they be dealing in the Black Art, -you may know as well as I.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Well, what have you done towards -this?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> Nothing at all.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Why, 'tis you or your Appearance.</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> I cannot help it.</p> - -<p><i>Magistrate.</i> Is it not <i>your</i> Master? How comes -your Appearance to hurt these?</p> - -<p><i>Martin.</i> How do I know? He that appeared -in the Shape of <i>Samuel</i>, a glorified Saint, may -appear in any ones Shape.</p> - -<p>It was then also noted in her, as in others like -her, that if the Afflicted went to approach her, -they were flung down to the Ground. And, -when she was asked the reason of it, she said, <i>I -cannot tell; it may be the Devil bears me more -Malice than another</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> - -III. The Court accounted themselves, alarum'd -by these Things, to enquire further into the Conversation -of the Prisoner; and see what there -might occur, to render these Accusations further -credible. Whereupon, <i>John Allen</i> of <i>Salisbury</i>, -testify'd, That he refusing, because of the weakness -of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves at the request -of this <i>Martin</i>, she was displeased at it; and -said, <i>It had been as good that he had; for his Oxen -should never do him much more Service</i>. Whereupon -this Deponent said, <i>Dost thou threaten me, -thou old Witch? I'l throw thee into the Brook:</i> -Which [72] to avoid, she flew over the Bridge, -and escaped. But, as he was going home, one of -his Oxen tired, so that he was forced to Unyoke -him, that he might get him home. He then -put his Oxen, with many more, upon <i>Salisbury</i> -Beach, where Cattle did use to get <i>Flesh</i>. In a -few days, all the Oxen upon the Beach were -found by their Tracks, to have run unto the -Mouth of <i>Merrimack-River</i>, and not returned; -but the next day they were found come ashore -upon <i>Plum-Island</i>. They that sought them, used -all imaginable gentleness, but they would still -run away with a violence, that seemed wholly -Diabolical, till they came near the mouth of -<i>Merrimack-River;</i> when they ran right into the -Sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. One -of them then swam back again, with a swiftness, -amazing to the Beholders, who stood ready to -receive him, and help up his tired Carcass: But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> -the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and -from thence, through the Marshes, up into <i>Newbury</i> -Town, and so up into the Woods; and there -after a while found near <i>Amesbury</i>. So that, of -fourteen good Oxen, there was only this saved: -The rest were all cast up, some in one place, and -some in another, Drowned.</p> - -<p>IV. <i>John Atkinson</i><a name="FNanchor_165_164" id="FNanchor_165_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_164" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> testifi'd, That he exchanged -a Cow with a Son of <i>Susanna Martin's</i> -whereat she muttered, and was unwilling he -should have it. Going to receive this Cow, tho' -he Hamstring'd her, and Halter'd her, she, of a -Tame Creature, grew so mad, that they could -scarce get her along. She broke all the Ropes -that were fastned unto her, and though she were -ty'd fast unto a Tree, yet she made her escape, -and gave them such further trouble, as they could -ascribe to no cause but Witchcraft.</p> - -<p>V. <i>Bernard Peache</i><a name="FNanchor_166_165" id="FNanchor_166_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_165" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> testifi'd, That being in -Bed, on the Lord's-day Night, he heard a scrabbling -at the Window, whereat he then saw <i>Susanna -Martin</i> come in, and jump down upon the -Floor. She took hold of this Deponent's Feet, -and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she lay -upon him near Two Hours; in all which time -he could neither speak nor stir. At length, -when he could begin to move, he laid hold on -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span>her Hand, and pulling it up to his Mouth, he -bit three of her Fingers, as he judged, unto the -Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, -down the Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent -thereupon called unto the People of the -House, to advise them of what passed; and he -himself did follow her. The People saw her not; -but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand of the -Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; -and several more drops of Blood upon the Snow -newly fallen abroad: There was likewise the -print of her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; -but no more sign of any Footing further off.</p> - -<p>At another time this Deponent was desired by -the Prisoner, to come unto an Husking of Corn, -at her House; and she said, <i>If he did not come, it -were better that he did!</i> He went not; but the -Night following, <i>Susanna</i> [73] <i>Martin</i>, as he -judged, and another came towards him. One of -them said, <i>Here he is!</i> but he having a Quarter-staff, -made a Blow at them. The Roof of the -Barn, broke his Blow; but following them to -the Window, he made another Blow at them, -and struck them down; yet they got up, and got -out, and he saw no more of them.</p> - -<p>About this time, there was a Rumour about -the Town, that <i>Martin</i> had a Broken Head; but -the Deponent could say nothing to that.</p> - -<p>The said <i>Peache</i> also testifi'd the Bewitching -the Cattle to Death, upon <i>Martin's</i> Discontents.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> - -VI. <i>Robert Downer</i><a name="FNanchor_167_166" id="FNanchor_167_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_166" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> testifi'd, That this Prisoner -being some Years ago prosecuted at Court -for a Witch, he then said unto her, <i>He believed -she was a Witch</i>. Whereat she being dissatisfied, -said, <i>That some She-Devil would shortly fetch him -away!</i> Which words were heard by others, as -well as himself. The Night following, as he lay -in his Bed, there came in at the Window, the -likeness of a <i>Cat</i>, which flew upon him, took fast -hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable -while and almost killed him. At length he remembered -what <i>Susanna Martin</i> had threatned -the Day before; and with much striving he cried -out, <i>Avoid, thou She-Devil! In the Name of God -the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Avoid!</i> -Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and -flew out at the Window.</p> - -<p>And there also came in several Testimonies, -that before ever <i>Downer</i> spoke a word of this Accident, -<i>Susanna Martin</i> and her Family had -related, <i>How this</i> Downer <i>had been handled!</i></p> - -<p>VII. <i>John Kembal</i><a name="FNanchor_168_167" id="FNanchor_168_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_167" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> testified, that <i>Susanna -Martin</i>, upon a Causeless Disgust, had threatned -him, about a certain Cow of his, <i>That she should -never do him any more Good:</i> and it came to pass -accordingly. For soon after the Cow was found -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span>stark dead on the dry Ground, without any Distemper -to be discerned upon her. Upon which -he was followed with a strange Death upon more -of his Cattle, whereof he lost in one Spring to the -Value of Thirty Pounds. But the said <i>John -Kembal</i> had a further Testimony to give in -against the Prisoner which was truly admirable.</p> - -<p>Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, -he applied himself to buy one of this <i>Martin</i>, who -had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she -not letting him have his choice, he said, he would -supply himself then at one <i>Blezdels</i>. Having -mark'd a Puppy, which he lik'd at <i>Blezdels</i>, he -met <i>George Martin</i>, the Husband of the Prisoner, -going by, who asked him, <i>Whether he would not -have one of his Wife's Puppies?</i> and he answered, -<i>No</i>. The same Day, <i>one Edmond Eliot</i>, being at -<i>Martin's</i> House, heard <i>George Martin</i> relate, -where this <i>Kembal</i> had been, and what he had -said. Whereupon <i>Susanna Martin</i> replied, <i>If I -live, I'll give him Puppies enough!</i> Within a few -days after, this <i>Kembal</i>, coming out of the Woods, -there arose a little Black [74] Cloud in the N.W. -and <i>Kembal</i> immediately felt a force upon him, -which made him not able to avoid running upon -the stumps of Trees, that were before him, albeit -he had a broad, plain Cart-way, before him; but -tho' he had his Ax also on his Shoulder, to endanger -him in his Falls, he could not forbear -going out of his way to tumble over them. -When he came below the Meeting House, there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> -appeared unto him, a little thing like a <i>Puppy</i>, -of a Darkish Colour; and it shot backwards and -forwards between his Legs. He had the Courage -to use all possible Endeavours of Cutting it with -his Ax; but he could not Hit it: the Puppy gave -a jump from him, and went, as to him it seem'd -to him into the Ground. Going a little further, -there appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat -bigger than the first, but as Black as a Cole. -Its Motions were quicker than those of his Ax; -it flew at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat; -so, over his Shoulder one way, and then over his -Shoulder another way. His Heart now began to -fail him, and he thought the Dog would have -tore his Throat out. But he recovered himself, -and called upon God in his Distress; and naming -the Name of Jesus Christ, it vanished away at -once. The Deponent spoke not one Word of -these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his Wife. -But the next Morning, <i>Edmond Eliot</i>, going into -<i>Martin's</i> House, this Woman asked him where -<i>Kembal</i> was? He replied, <i>At home, a Bed, for -ought he knew</i>. She returned, <i>They say, he was -frighted last Night.</i>. <i>Eliot</i> asked, <i>With what?</i> -She answered, <i>With Puppies</i>. <i>Eliot</i> asked, <i>Where -she heard of it, for he had heard nothing of it?</i> She -rejoined, <i>About the Town</i>. Altho' <i>Kembal</i> had -mentioned the Matter to no Creature living.</p> - -<p>VIII. <i>William Brown</i><a name="FNanchor_169_168" id="FNanchor_169_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_168" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> testifi'd, That Heaven -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span>having blessed him with a most Pious and Prudent -Wife, this Wife of his, one day met with -<i>Susanna Martin:</i> but when she approach'd just -unto her, <i>Martin</i> vanished out of sight, and left -her extreamly affrighted. After which time, the -said <i>Martin</i> often appear'd unto her, giving her -no little trouble; and when she did come, she was -visited with Birds, that sorely peck'd and prick'd -her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a Pullet's Egg, -would rise in her Throat, ready to choak her, till -she cry'd out, <i>Witch, you shan't choak me!</i> While -this good Woman was in this extremity, the -Church appointed a Day of Prayer, on her behalf; -whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; and she saw not -<i>Martin</i> as formerly; and the Church, instead of -their Fast, gave Thanks for her Deliverance. -But a considerable while after, she being Summoned -to give in some Evidence at the Court, -against this <i>Martin</i>, quickly thereupon this <i>Martin</i> -came behind her, while she was milking her -Cow, and said unto her, <i>For thy defaming me at -Court, I'll make thee the miserablest Creature in the -World</i>. Soon after which, she fell into a strange -kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, -and uncapable of any reasonable Action; the -Physicians de[75]claring, that her Distemper was -preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span>bewitched her; and in that condition she now -remained.</p> - -<p>IX. <i>Sarah Atkinson</i><a name="FNanchor_170_169" id="FNanchor_170_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_169" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> testify'd, That <i>Susanna -Martin</i> came from <i>Amesbury</i> to their House at -<i>Newbury</i>, in an extraordinary Season, when it -was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she -said, unto <i>Atkinson</i>) all that long way on Foot. -She brag'd and shew'd how dry she was; nor -could it be perceived that so much as the Soles -of her Shoes were wet. <i>Atkinson</i> was amazed at -it; and professed, that she should her self have -been wet up to the knees, if she had then came -so far; but <i>Martin</i> reply'd, <i>She scorn'd to be -Drabbled!</i> It was noted, that this Testimony -upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular Confusion.</p> - -<p>X. <i>John Pressy</i><a name="FNanchor_171_170" id="FNanchor_171_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_170" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> testify'd, That being one -Evening very unaccountably Bewildred, near a -Field of <i>Martins</i>, and several times, as one under -an Enchantment, returning to the place he had -left, at length he saw a marvellous Light, about -the bigness of an Half-bushel, near two Rod out -of the way. He went, and struck at it with a -Stick, and laid it on with all his might. He -gave it near forty blows; and felt it a palpable -substance. But going from it, his Heels were -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span>struck up, and he was laid with his Back on the -Ground, sliding, as he thought, into a Pit; from -whence he recover'd by taking hold on the Bush; -altho' afterwards he could find no such Pit in the -place. Having, after his Recovery, gone five or -six Rod, he saw <i>Susanna Martin</i> standing on his -Left-hand, as the Light had done before; but -they changed no words with one another. He -could scarce find his House in his Return; but -at length he got home extreamly affrighted. -The next day, it was upon Enquiry understood, -that <i>Martin</i> was in a miserable condition by pains -and hurts that were upon her.</p> - -<p>It was further testify'd by this Deponent, That -after he had given in some Evidence against <i>Susanna -Martin</i>, many years ago, she gave him foul -words about it; and said, <i>He should never prosper -more;</i> particularly, <i>That he should never have more -than two Cows; that tho' he was never so likely to -have more, yet he should never have them</i>. And -that from that very day to this, namely for twenty -years together, he could never exceed that number; -but some strange thing or other still prevented -his having of any more.</p> - -<p>XI. <i>Jervis Ring</i><a name="FNanchor_172_171" id="FNanchor_172_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_171" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> testify'd, That about seven -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span>years ago, he was oftentimes and grievously oppressed -in the Night, but saw not who troubled -him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, -plainly saw <i>Susanna Martin</i> approach him. She -came to him, and forceably bit him by the Finger; -so that the Print of the bite is now, so long -after, to be seen upon him.</p> - -<p>XII. But besides all of these Evidences, there -was a most wonderful Account of one <i>Joseph -Ring</i>, produced on this occasion.</p> - -<p>[76] This Man has been strangely carried about -by <i>Dæmons</i>, from one <i>Witch-meeting</i> to another, -for near two years together; and for one quarter -of this time, they have made him, and keep him -Dumb, tho' he is now again able to speak. There -was one <i>T. H.</i> who having, as 'tis judged, a design -of engaging this <i>Joseph Ring</i> in a snare of -Devillism, contrived a while, to bring this <i>Ring</i> -two Shillings in Debt unto him.</p> - -<p>Afterwards, this poor Man would be visited -with unknown shapes, and this <i>T. H.</i> sometimes -among them; which would force him away with -them, unto unknown Places, where he saw Meetings, -Feastings, Dancings; and after his return, -wherein they hurried him along through the Air, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span>he gave Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that -he had indeed been so transported. When he was -brought unto these hellish Meetings, one of the -first Things they still did unto him, was to give -him a knock on the Back, whereupon he was -ever as if bound with Chains, uncapable of stirring -out of the place, till they should release him. -He related, that there often came to him a Man, -who presented him a <i>Book</i>, whereto he would -have him set his Hand; promising to him, that -he should then have even what he would; and -presenting him with all the delectable Things, -Persons, and Places, that he could imagin. But -he refusing to subscribe, the business would end -with dreadful Shapes, Noises and Screeches, which -almost scared him out of his Wits. Once with -the Book, there was a Pen offered him, and an -Ink-horn with Liquor in it, that seemed like -Blood: but he never toucht it.</p> - -<p>This Man did now affirm, That he saw the Prisoner -at several of those hellish Randezvouzes.</p> - -<p>Note, this Woman was one of the most impudent, -scurrilous, wicked Creatures in the World; -and she did now throughout her whole Tryal, -discover herself to be such an one. Yet when -she was asked, what she had to say for self? Her -chief Plea was, <i>That she had led a most virtuous -and holy Life</i>.</p> - -<h3> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> -IV. <i>The Tryal of</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth How</span>,<a name="FNanchor_173_172" id="FNanchor_173_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_172" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> <i>at the Court -of Oyer and Terminer, held by Adjournment at -Salem June 30, 1692</i>.</h3> - -<p>I. <span class="dropcapa">E</span><i>LIZABETH HOW</i> pleading <i>Not Guilty</i> -to the Indictment of Witchcrafts, then -charged upon her; the Court, according to the -usual Proceedings of the Courts in <i>England</i>, in -such Cases, began with hearing the Depositions -of several afflicted People, who were grievously -tortured by sensible and evident <i>Witchcrafts</i>, and -all complained of the Prisoner, as the cause of -their Trouble. It was also found that the Sufferers -were not able [77] to bear her <i>Look</i>, as likewise, -that in their greatest Swoons, they distinguished -her <i>Touch</i> from other Peoples, being -thereby raised out of them.</p> - -<p>And there was other Testimony of People to -whom the shape of this <i>How</i>, gave trouble nine -or ten years ago.</p> - -<p>II. It has been a most usual thing for the bewitched -Persons, at the same time that the <i>Spectres</i>, -representing the <i>Witches</i>, troubled them, to -be visited with Apparitions of <i>Ghosts</i>, pretending -to have been Murdered by the <i>Witches</i> then -represented. And sometimes the Confessions of -the Witches afterwards acknowledged those very -Murders, which these <i>Apparitions</i> charged upon -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span>them; altho' they had never heard what Informations -had been given by the Sufferers.</p> - -<p>There were such Apparitions of Ghosts testified -by some of the present Sufferers; and the Ghosts -affirmed, that this <i>How</i> had Murdered them: -Which things were <i>fear'd</i> but not <i>prov'd.</i></p> - -<p>III. This <i>How</i> had made some Attempts of -joyning to the Church at <i>Ipswich</i>, several years -ago; but she was denyed an admission into that -Holy Society, partly through a suspicion of -Witchcraft, then urged against her. And there -now came in Testimony, of preternatural Mischiefs, -presently befalling some that had been -Instrumental to debar her from the Communion -whereupon she was intruding.</p> - -<p>IV. There was a particular Deposition of <i>Joseph -Safford</i>,<a name="FNanchor_174_173" id="FNanchor_174_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_173" class="fnanchor">[174]</a> That his Wife had conceived an -extream Aversion to this <i>How</i>, on the Reports of -her Witchcrafts: But <i>How</i> one day, taking her -by the Hand, and saying, <i>I believe you are not -ignorant of the great Scandal that I lye under, by -an evil Report raised upon me</i>. She immediately, -unreasonably and unperswadeably, even like one -Enchanted, began to take this Woman's part. -<i>How</i> being soon after propounded, as desiring an -Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the -pious Brethren were unsatisfy'd about her. The -Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters objected -against her; and no Arguments in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span>World could hinder this Goodwife <i>Safford</i> from -going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise, -with much ado, that she would not go to the -Church-meeting, yet she could not refrain going -thither also. <i>How's</i> Affairs there were so canvased, -that she came off rather <i>Guilty</i> than <i>Cleared;</i> -nevertheless Goodwife <i>Safford</i> could not forbear -taking her by the Hand, and saying, <i>Tho' you are -Condemned before Men, you are justify'd before God</i>. -She was quickly taken in a very strange manner, -Frantick, Raving, Raging and crying out, <i>Goody</i> -How <i>must come into the Church; she is a precious -Saint; and tho' she be condemned before Men, she is -Justify'd before God</i>. So she continued [78] for -the space of two or three Hours; and then fell -into a Trance. But coming to her self, she cry'd -out, <i>Ha! I was mistaken;</i> and afterwards again -repeated, <i>Ha! I was mistaken!</i> Being asked by a -stander by, <i>Wherein?</i> she replyed, <i>I thought Goody</i> -How <i>had been a precious Saint of God, but now I -see she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my -Child, and we shall never be well, till there be a -Testimony for her, that she may be taken into the -Church</i>. And <i>How</i> said afterwards, that she was -very sorry to see <i>Safford</i> at the Church-meeting -mentioned. <i>Safford</i>, after this, declared herself -to be afflicted by the Shape of <i>How;</i> and from -that Shape she endured many Miseries.</p> - -<p>V. <i>John How</i>, Brother to the Husband of the -Prisoner testified, that he refusing to accompany -the Prisoner unto her Examination, as was by -her desired, immediately some of his Cattle were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> -Bewitched to Death, leaping three or four foot -high, turning about, speaking, falling, and dying -at once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use -that might as well perhaps have been omitted, -the Hand wherein he held his Knife was taken -very numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, -for several Days, being not well at this very Time. -And he suspected this Prisoner for the Author of -it.</p> - -<p>VI. <i>Nehemiah Abbot</i><a name="FNanchor_175_174" id="FNanchor_175_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_174" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> testify'd, that unusual -and mischievous Accidents would befal his Cattle, -whenever he had any Difference with this Prisoner. -Once, particularly, she wished his Ox -choaked; and within a little while that Ox was -choaked with a Turnip in his Throat. At another -Time, refusing to lend his Horse, at the -Request of her Daughter, the Horse was in a -preternatural manner abused. And several other -odd things of that kind were testified.</p> - -<p>VII. There came in Testimony, that one Goodwife -<i>Sherwin</i>, upon some Difference with <i>How</i>, -was Bewitched; and that she dyed, charging this -<i>How</i> with having an Hand in her Death. And -that other People had their Barrels of Drink unaccountably -mischieved, spoil'd and spilt, upon -their displeasing of her.</p> - -<p>The things in themselves were trivial, but there -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span>being such a Course of them, it made them the -more to be considered. Among others, <i>Martha -Wood</i>, gave her Testimony, That a little after her -Father had been employed in gathering an account -of <i>How's</i> Conversation, they once and again lost -great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in -such a manner, as they could ascribe to nothing -but Witchcraft. As also, That <i>How</i> giving her -some Apples, when she had eaten of them, she -was taken with a very strange kind of Amaze, -insomuch that she knew not what she said or -did.</p> - -<p>VIII. There was likewise a Cluster of Depositions, -That one <i>Isaac Cummings</i><a name="FNanchor_176_175" id="FNanchor_176_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_175" class="fnanchor">[176]</a> refusing to -lend his Mare unto the Husband of this <i>How</i>, -the Mare was within a Day or two taken in a -strange condition: The Beast [79] seemed much -abused, being bruised as if she had been running -over the Rocks, and marked where the Bridle -went, as if burnt with a red hot Bridle. Moreover, -one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the Cure -of the Beast, a blew Flame issued out of her, took -hold of her Hair, and not only spread and burnt -on her, but it also flew upwards towards the Roof -of the Barn, and had like to have set the Barn on -Fire: And the Mare dyed very suddenly.</p> - -<p>IX. <i>Timothy Perley</i><a name="FNanchor_177_176" id="FNanchor_177_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_176" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> and his Wife, testify'd, -Not only unaccountable Mischiefs befel their -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span>Cattle, upon their having of Differences with this -Prisoner: but also that they had a Daughter destroyed -by Witchcrafts; which Daughter still -charged <i>How</i> as the Cause of her Affliction. And -it was noted, that she would be struck down -whenever <i>How</i> were spoken of. She was often -endeavoured to be thrown into the Fire, and into -the Water, in her strange Fits: Tho' her Father -had corrected her for charging <i>How</i> with bewitching -her, yet (as was testified by others also) -she said, She was sure of it, and must dye standing -to it. Accordingly she charged <i>How</i> to the -very Death; and said, <i>Tho'</i> How <i>could afflict and -torment her Body, yet she could not hurt her Soul:</i> -And, <i>That the Truth of this matter would appear -when she should be dead and gone</i>.</p> - -<p>X. <i>Francis Lane</i><a name="FNanchor_178_177" id="FNanchor_178_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_177" class="fnanchor">[178]</a> testified, That being hired -by the Husband of this <i>How</i> to get him a parcel -of Posts and Rails, this Lane hired <i>John Pearly</i> -to assist him. This Prisoner then told <i>Lane</i>, -That she believed the Posts and Rails would -not do, because <i>John Perly</i> helped him; but -that if he had got them alone, without <i>John -Pearlie's</i> help, they might have done well enough. -When <i>James How</i> came to receive his Posts and -Rails of <i>Lane</i>, <i>How</i> taking them up by the Ends, -they, tho' good and sound, yet unaccountably -broke off, so that <i>Lane</i> was forced to get thirty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span>or forty more. And this Prisoner being informed -of it, she said, She told him so before, because -<i>Pearly</i> helped about them.</p> - -<p>XI. Afterwards there came in the Confessions -of several other (penitent) Witches, which affirmed -this <i>How</i> to be one of those, who with them -had been baptized by the Devil in the River at -<i>Newbury</i>-Falls: before which he made them -there kneel down by the Brink of the River and -worshiped him.</p> - -<h3>V. <i>The Trial of</i> <span class="smcap">Martha Carrier</span>,<a name="FNanchor_179_178" id="FNanchor_179_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_179_178" class="fnanchor">[179]</a> <i>at the -Court of Oyer and Terminer, held by Adjournment -at Salem, August 2, 1692</i>.</h3> - -<p>I. <span class="dropcapa">M</span><i>ARTHA CARRIER</i> was Indicted for -the bewitching of certain Persons, according -to the Form usual in such Cases, pleading -<i>Not Guilty</i>, [80] to her Indictment; there were -first brought in a considerable number of the bewitched -Persons; who not only made the Court -sensible of an horrid Witchcraft committed upon -them, but also deposed, That it was <i>Martha -Carrier</i>, or her Shape, that grievously tormented -them, by Biting, Pricking, Pinching and Choaking -of them. It was further deposed, That while -this <i>Carrier</i> was on her Examination, before the -Magistrates, the Poor People were so tortured -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span>that every one expected their Death upon the very -spot, but that upon the binding of <i>Carrier</i> they -were eased. Moreover the Look of <i>Carrier</i> then -laid the Afflicted People for dead; and her Touch, -if her Eye at the same time were off them, raised -them again: Which Things were also now seen -upon her Tryal. And it was testified, That upon -the mention of some having their Necks twisted -almost round, by the Shape of this <i>Carrier</i>, she -replyed, <i>Its no matter though their Necks had been -twisted quite off</i>.</p> - -<p>II. Before the Trial of this Prisoner, several of -her own Children had frankly and fully confessed, -not only that they were Witches themselves, but -that this their Mother had made them so. This -Confession they made with great Shews of Repentance, -and with much Demonstration of -Truth. They related Place, Time, Occasion; -they gave an account of Journeys, Meetings and -Mischiefs by them performed, and were very -credible in what they said. Nevertheless, this -Evidence was not produced against the Prisoner -at the Bar, inasmuch as there was other Evidence -enough to proceed upon.</p> - -<p>III. <i>Benjamin Abbot</i><a name="FNanchor_180_179" id="FNanchor_180_179"></a><a href="#Footnote_180_179" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> gave in his Testimony, -That last <i>March</i> was a twelvemonth, this <i>Carrier</i> -was very angry with him, upon laying out some -Land, near her Husband's: Her Expressions in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span>this Anger, were, <i>That she would stick as close to -Abbot as the Bark stuck to the Tree; and that he -should repent of it afore seven Years came to an End, -so as Doctor</i> Prescot<a name="FNanchor_181_180" id="FNanchor_181_180"></a><a href="#Footnote_181_180" class="fnanchor">[181]</a> <i>should never cure him</i>. These -Words were heard by others besides <i>Abbot</i> himself; -who also heard her say, <i>She would hold his -Nose as close to the Grindstone as ever it was held -since his Name was</i> Abbot. Presently after this, -he was taken with a Swelling in his Foot, and -then with a Pain in his Side, and exceedingly -tormented. It bred into a Sore, which was -launced by Doctor <i>Prescot</i>, and several Gallons -of Corruption ran out of it. For six Weeks it -continued very bad, and then another Sore bred -in the Groin, which was also lanced by Doctor -<i>Prescot</i>. Another Sore then bred in his Groin, -which was likewise cut, and put him to very -great Misery: He was brought unto Death's -Door, and so remained until <i>Carrier</i> was taken, -and carried away by the Constable, from which -very Day he began to mend, and so grew better -every Day, and is well ever since.</p> - -<p><i>Sarah Abbot</i> also, his Wife, testified, That her -Hus[41]band was not only all this while Afflicted -in his Body, but also that strange extraordinary -and unaccountable Calamities befel his Cattel; -their Death being such as they could guess at no -Natural Reason for.</p> - -<p>IV. <i>Allin Toothaker</i><a name="FNanchor_182_181" id="FNanchor_182_181"></a><a href="#Footnote_182_181" class="fnanchor">[182]</a> testify'd, That <i>Richard</i>, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span>the son of <i>Martha Carrier</i>, having some difference -with him, pull'd him down by the Hair of -the Head. When he Rose again, he was going -to strike at <i>Richard Carrier;</i> but fell down flat -on his Back to the ground, and had not power to -stir hand or foot, until he told <i>Carrier</i> he yielded; -and then he saw the shape of <i>Martha Carrier</i>, go -off his breast.</p> - -<p>This <i>Toothaker</i>, had Received a wound in the -<i>Wars;</i> and he now testify'd, that <i>Martha Carrier</i> -told him, He <i>should never be Cured</i>. Just -afore the Apprehending of <i>Carrier</i>, he could -thrust a knitting Needle into his wound, four -inches deep; but presently after her being siezed, -he was thoroughly healed.</p> - -<p>He further testify'd, that when <i>Carrier</i> and he -sometimes were at variance, she would clap her -hands at him, and say, <i>He should get nothing by it;</i> -whereupon he several times lost his Cattle, by -strange Deaths, whereof no natural causes could -be given.</p> - -<p>V. <i>John Rogger</i><a name="FNanchor_183_182" id="FNanchor_183_182"></a><a href="#Footnote_183_182" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> also testifyed, That upon the -threatning words of this malicious <i>Carrier</i>, his -Cattle would be strangely bewitched; as was more -particularly then described.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span></p> -<p>VI. <i>Samuel Preston</i><a name="FNanchor_184_183" id="FNanchor_184_183"></a><a href="#Footnote_184_183" class="fnanchor">[184]</a> testify'd, that about two -years ago, having some difference with <i>Martha -Carrier</i>, he lost a <i>Cow</i> in a strange Preternatural -unusual manner; and about a month after this, -the said <i>Carrier</i>, having again some difference with -him, she told him; <i>He had lately lost a Cow, and -it should not be long before he lost another;</i> which -accordingly came to pass; for he had a thriving -and well-kept <i>Cow</i>, which without any known -cause quickly fell down and dy'd.</p> - -<p>VII. <i>Phebe Chandler</i><a name="FNanchor_185_184" id="FNanchor_185_184"></a><a href="#Footnote_185_184" class="fnanchor">[185]</a> testify'd, that about a -Fortnight before the apprehension of <i>Martha -Carrier</i>, on a Lordsday, while the Psalm was -singing in the <i>Church</i>, this <i>Carrier</i> then took her -by the shoulder and shaking her, asked her, <i>where -she lived:</i> she made her no Answer, although as -<i>Carrier</i>, who lived next door to her Fathers House, -could not in reason but know who she was. -Quickly after this, as she was at several times -crossing the Fields, she heard a voice, that she -took to be <i>Martha Carriers</i>, and it seem'd as if -it [42] was over her head. The voice told her, -<i>she should within two or three days be poisoned</i>. -Accordingly, within such a little time, one half -of her right hand, became greatly swollen, and -very painful; as also part of her Face; whereof -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span>she can give no account how it came. It continued -very bad for some dayes; and several times -since, she has had a great pain in her breast; and -been so siezed on her leggs, that she has hardly -been able to go. She added, that lately, going -well to the House of God, <i>Richard</i>, the son of -<i>Martha Carrier</i>, look'd very earnestly upon her, -and immediately her hand, which had formerly -been poisoned, as is abovesaid, began to pain her -greatly, and she had a strange Burning at her -stomach; but was then struck deaf, so that she -could not hear any of the prayer, or singing, till -the two or three last words of the Psalm.</p> - -<p>VIII. One <i>Foster</i>,<a name="FNanchor_186_185" id="FNanchor_186_185"></a><a href="#Footnote_186_185" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> who confessed her own -share in the Witchcraft for which the Prisoner -stood indicted, affirm'd, that she had seen the -prisoner at some of their <i>Witch-meetings</i>, and -that it was this <i>Carrier</i>, who perswaded her to -be a Witch. She confessed, that the Devil carry'd -them on a pole, to a Witch-meeting; but -the pole broke, and she hanging about <i>Carriers</i> -neck, they both fell down, and she then received -an hurt by the Fall, whereof she was not at this -very time recovered.</p> - -<p>IX. One <i>Lacy</i>,<a name="FNanchor_187_186" id="FNanchor_187_186"></a><a href="#Footnote_187_186" class="fnanchor">[187]</a> who likewise confessed her -share in this Witchcraft, now testify'd, that she -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span>and the prisoner were once Bodily present at a -<i>Witch-meeting</i> in <i>Salem Village;</i> and that she -knew the prisoner to be a Witch, and to have -been at a Diabolical sacrament, and that the -prisoner was the undoing of her, and her Children, -by enticing them into the snare of the Devil.</p> - -<p>X. Another <i>Lacy</i>, who also confessed her share -in this Witchcraft, now testify'd, that the prisoner -was at the <i>Witch-meeting</i>, in <i>Salem Village</i>, where -they had Bread and Wine Administred unto them.</p> - -<p>XI. In the time of this prisoner's Trial, one -<i>Susanna Sheldon</i>,<a name="FNanchor_188_187" id="FNanchor_188_187"></a><a href="#Footnote_188_187" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> in open Court had her hands -Unaccountably ty'd together with a Wheel-band, -so fast that without cutting, it could not be loosed: -It was done by a <i>Spectre;</i> and the Sufferer affirm'd, -it was the <i>Prisoners</i>.</p> - -<p><i>Memorandum.</i> This Rampant Hag, <i>Martha -Carrier</i>, was the [43] person, of whom the Confessions -of the Witches, and of her own Children -among the rest, agreed, That the Devil had promised -her, she should be <i>Queen of Hell</i>.<a name="FNanchor_189_188" id="FNanchor_189_188"></a><a href="#Footnote_189_188" class="fnanchor">[189]</a></p> - -<p class="p2 dropcap">HAVING thus far done the Service imposed -upon me; I will further pursue it, by relating -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> -a few of those Matchless <span class="smcap">Curiosities</span>, with -which the <i>Witchcraft</i> now upon us, has entertained -us. And I shall Report nothing but with -Good Authority, and what I would invite all my -Readers to examine, while 'tis yet Fresh and New, -that if there be found any mistake, it may be as -willingly <i>Retracted</i>, as it was unwillingly <i>Committed</i>.</p> - -<h4><i>The First</i> <span class="smcap">Curiositie</span>.</h4> - -<p>I. 'Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious -and Impudent <i>imitation</i> of Divine Things, is -Apishly affected by the Devil, in several of those -matters, whereof the Confessions of our <i>Witches</i>, -and the Afflictions of our <i>Sufferers</i> have informed -us.</p> - -<p>That Reverend and Excellent Person, Mr. <i>John -Higginson</i>, in my Conversation with him, Once -invited me to this Reflection; that the Indians -which came from far to settle about <i>Mexico</i>, were -in their Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct -of the <i>Devil</i>, very strangely Emulating what -the Blessed God gave to <i>Israel</i> in the Wilderness.</p> - -<p><i>Acosta</i>,<a name="FNanchor_190_189" id="FNanchor_190_189"></a><a href="#Footnote_190_189" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> is our Author for it, that the Devil in -'their Idol <i>Vitzlipultzli</i>,<a name="FNanchor_191_190" id="FNanchor_191_190"></a><a href="#Footnote_191_190" class="fnanchor">[191]</a> governed that mighty -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span>Nation. He commanded them to leave their -Country, promising to make them <i>Lords</i> over all -the Provinces possessed by <i>Six</i> other Nations of -Indians, and give them a Land abounding with -all precious things. They went forth, carrying -their Idol with them, in a Coffer of <i>Reeds</i>, supported -by Four of their Principal <i>Priests;</i> with -whom he still <i>Discoursed</i> in secret, Revealing to -them the Successes, and Accidents of their way. -He advised them, when to <i>March</i>, and where to -<i>Stay</i>, and without his Commandment they -moved not. The first thing they did, wherever -they came, was to Erect a <i>Tabernacle</i>, for their -false god; which they set always in the midst -of their Camp, and there placed the <i>Ark</i> upon -an <i>Alter</i>. When they, Tired with pains, talked -of, <i>proceeding no further</i> in their Journey, then a -certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, -this Devil in one night, horribly kill'd them -that [44] had started this Talk, by pulling out -their Hearts. And so they passed on till they -came to <i>Mexico.</i>'</p> - -<p>The Devil which <i>then</i> thus imitated what was -in the Church of the <i>Old Testament</i>, now among -<i>Us</i> would Imitate the Affairs of the Church in -the <i>New</i>. The <i>Witches</i> do say, that they form -themselves much after the manner of <i>Congregational -Churches;</i> and that they have a <i>Baptism</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span>and a <i>Supper</i>, and <i>Officers</i> among them, abominably -Resembling those of our Lord.<a name="FNanchor_192_191" id="FNanchor_192_191"></a><a href="#Footnote_192_191" class="fnanchor">[192]</a></p> - -<p>But there are many more of these Bloody <i>Imitations</i>, -if the Confessions of the <i>Witches</i> are to be -Received; which I confess, ought to be but with -very much of Caution.</p> - -<p>What is their stricking down with a fierce -<i>Look?</i> What is their making of the Afflicted <i>Rise</i>, -with a touch of their <i>Hand?</i> What is their -Transportation thro' the <i>Air?</i> What is their -Travelling <i>in Spirit</i>, while their Body is cast into -a Trance? What is their causing of <i>Cattle</i> to -run mad and perish? What is their Entring -their Names in a <i>Book?</i> What is their coming -together from all parts at the Sound of a <i>Trumpet?</i> -What is their Appearing sometimes Cloathed -with <i>Light</i> or <i>Fire</i> upon them? What is their -Covering of themselves and their Instruments -with <i>Invisibility?</i> But a Blasphemous Imitation -of certain Things recorded about our Saviour or -His Prophets, or the Saints in the Kingdom of -God.<a name="FNanchor_193_192" id="FNanchor_193_192"></a><a href="#Footnote_193_192" class="fnanchor">[193]</a></p> - - -<h4><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> - -<i>A Second</i> <span class="smcap">Curiositie</span>.</h4> - -<p>II. In all the <i>Witchcraft</i> which now Grievously -Vexes us, I know not whether anything be -more Unaccountable, than the Trick which the -Witches have to render themselves, and their -Tools <i>Invisible</i>. <i>Witchcraft</i> seems to be the Skill -of Applying the <i>Plastic Spirit</i> of the World, unto -some unlawful purposes, by means of a Confederacy -with <i>Evil Spirits</i>. Yet one would wonder -how the <i>Evil Spirits</i> themselves can do some -things: especially at <i>Invisibilizing</i> of the Grossest -Bodies. I can tell the Name of an Ancient -Author, who pretends to show the <i>way</i>, how a -man may come to walk about <i>Invisible</i>, and I can -tell the Name of another Ancient Author, who -pretends to Explode that way. But I will not -speak too plainly Lest I should unawares Poison -some of my <i>Readers</i>, as the pious <i>Hemingius</i><a name="FNanchor_194_193" id="FNanchor_194_193"></a><a href="#Footnote_194_193" class="fnanchor">[194]</a> -did one of his <i>Pupils</i>, when he only by way of -Diversion recited a <i>Spell</i>, which, they had said, -would cure <i>Agues</i>. This much I will say; The -notion of procuring <i>Invisibility</i>, by any <i>Natural -Expedient</i>, yet known, is, I Believe, a meer <span class="smcap">Plinyism</span>;<a name="FNanchor_195_194" id="FNanchor_195_194"></a><a href="#Footnote_195_194" class="fnanchor">[195]</a> -How far it may be [45] obtained by a -<i>Magical Sacrament</i>, is best known to the Dangerous -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> -Knaves that have try'd it. But our <i>Witches</i> -do seem to have got the knack: and this is one -of the Things, that make me think, <i>Witchcraft</i> -will not be fully understood, until the day when -there shall not be one Witch in the World.</p> - -<p>There are certain people very <i>Dogmatical</i> about -these matters; but I'll give them only these three -Bones to pick.</p> - -<p>First, One of our bewitched people, was cruelly -assaulted by a <i>Spectre</i>, that, she said, ran at her -with a <i>spindle:</i> tho' no body else in the Room, -could see either the <i>Spectre</i> or the <i>spindle</i>. At -last, in her miseries, giving a snatch at the <i>Spectre</i>, -she pull'd the <i>spindle</i> away, and it was no sooner -got into her hand, but the other people then present, -beheld, that it was indeed a Real, Proper, -Iron <i>spindle</i>, belonging they knew to whom; -which when they lock'd up very safe, it was -nevertheless by <i>Demons</i> unaccountably stole away, -to do further mischief.<a name="FNanchor_196_195" id="FNanchor_196_195"></a><a href="#Footnote_196_195" class="fnanchor">[196]</a></p> - -<p>Secondly, Another of our bewitched people, -was haunted with a most abusive <i>Spectre</i>, which -came to her, she said, with a <i>sheet</i> about her. -After she had undergone a deal of Teaze, from -the Annoyance of the <i>Spectre</i>, she gave a violent -snatch at the sheet that was upon it; wherefrom -she tore a corner, which in her hand immediately -became <i>Visible</i> to a Roomful of Spectators; a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span>palpable Corner of a Sheet. Her Father, who -was now holding her, catch'd that he might keep -what his Daughter had so strangely seized, but -the unseen <i>Spectre</i> had like to have pull'd his -hand off, by endeavouring to wrest it from him; -however he still held it, and I suppose has it still to -show; it being but a few hours ago, namely -about the beginning of this <i>October</i>, that this -Accident happened; in the family of one <i>Pitman</i>,<a name="FNanchor_197_196" id="FNanchor_197_196"></a><a href="#Footnote_197_196" class="fnanchor">[197]</a> -at <i>Manchester</i>.</p> - -<p>Thirdly, A young man, delaying to procure -Testimonials, for his Parents, who being under -confinement on suspicion of <i>Witchcraft</i>, required -him to do that service for them, was quickly -pursued with odd Inconveniences. But once -above the Rest, an Officer going to put his <i>Brand</i> -on the Horns of some <i>Cows</i>, belonging to these -people, which tho' he had seiz'd for some of their -debts, yet he was willing to leave in their possession, -for the subsistance of the poor Family; -this young man help'd in holding the Cows to be -thus branded. The three first <i>Cows</i> he held well -enough; but when the hot Brand was clap'd on -the Fourth, he <i>winc'd</i> and <i>shrunk</i> at such a Rate, -as that he could hold the Cow no longer. Being -afterwards Examined about it, he confessed, that -at that very instant when the <i>Brand</i> entered the -<i>Cow's Horn</i>, exactly the like [46] burning <i>Brand</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span>was clap'd upon his own Thigh; where he has -exposed the lasting marks of it, unto such as asked -to see them.</p> - -<p>Unriddle these Things,—<i>Et Eris mihi magnus -Apollo</i>.</p> - - -<h4><i>A Third</i> <span class="smcap">Curiositie</span>.</h4> - -<p>III. If a Drop of <i>Innocent Blood</i> should be shed, -in the Prosecution of the <i>Witchcrafts</i> among us, -how unhappy are we! For which cause, I cannot -express my self in better terms than those of -a most Worthy Person, who lives near the present -Center of these things.<a name="FNanchor_198_197" id="FNanchor_198_197"></a><a href="#Footnote_198_197" class="fnanchor">[198]</a> <i>The Mind of</i> God -<i>in these matters, is to be carefully lookt into, with -due Circumspection, that Satan deceive us not with -his Devices, who transforms himself into an Angel -of Light, and may pretend justice and yet intend -mischief</i>. But on the other side, if the storm of -Justice do now fall only on the Heads of those -guilty <i>Witches</i> and <i>Wretches</i> which have defiled -our Land, <i>How Happy!</i></p> - -<p>The Execution of some that have lately Dyed, -has been immediately attended, with a strange -Deliverance of some, that had lain for many -years, in a most sad Condition, under, they knew -not whose <i>evil hands</i>. As I am abundantly satisfy'd, -That many of the Self-Murders committed -here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody -<i>Witchcraft</i>, letting fly <i>Demons</i> upon the miserable -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span><i>Seneca's;</i> thus it has been admirable unto me to -see, how a Devilish <i>Witchcraft</i>, sending Devils -upon them, has driven many poor people to <i>Despair</i>, -and persecuted their minds, with such -Buzzes of <i>Atheism</i> and <i>Blasphemy</i>, as has made -them even run <i>distracted with Terrors:</i> And some -long <i>Bow'd</i> down under such a <i>spirit of Infirmity</i>, -have been marvellously Recovered upon the death -of the Witches.</p> - -<p>One <i>Whetford</i><a name="FNanchor_199_198" id="FNanchor_199_198"></a><a href="#Footnote_199_198" class="fnanchor">[199]</a> particularly ten years ago, -challenging of <i>Bridget Bishop</i> (whose Trial you -have had) with steeling of a Spoon, <i>Bishop</i> threatned -her very direfully: presently after this, was -<i>Whetford</i> in the Night, and in her Bed, visited -by <i>Bishop</i>, with one <i>Parker</i>, who making the -Room light at their coming in, there discoursed -of several mischiefs they would inflict upon her. -At last they pull'd her out, and carried her unto -the Sea-side, there to <i>drown</i> her; but she calling -upon God, they left her, tho' not without Expressions -of their Fury. From that very time, -this poor <i>Whetford</i> was utterly spoilt, and grew a -Tempted, Froward, Crazed sort of a Woman; a -vexation to her self, and all about her; and many -ways unreasonable. In this Distraction she lay, -till those women were Apprehended by the Authority; -<i>then</i> she be[47]gan to mend; and upon -their Execution, was presently and perfectly Recovered, -from the ten years madness that had -been upon her.</p> -<h4><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> - -<i>A Fourth</i> <span class="smcap">Curiositie</span>.</h4> - -<p>IV. 'Tis a thousand pitties, that we should -permit our Eyes to be so <i>Blood-shot</i> with passions, -as to loose the sight of many wonderful things, -wherein the Wisdom and Justice of God, would -be Glorify'd. Some of those things, are the frequent -<span class="antiqua">Apparitions</span> of Ghosts, whereby many Old -<span class="antiqua">Murders</span> among us, come to be considered. And, -among many Instances of this kind, I will single -out one, which concerned a poor man, lately -<i>Prest</i> unto Death, because of his Refusing to -<i>Plead</i> for his Life.<a name="FNanchor_200_199" id="FNanchor_200_199"></a><a href="#Footnote_200_199" class="fnanchor">[200]</a> I shall make an Extract of -a Letter, which was written to my Honourable -Friend, <i>Samuel Sewal</i>, Esq.; by Mr. <i>Putman</i>, to -this purpose;</p> - -<p>'The Last Night my Daughter <i>Ann</i>, was -grievously Tormented by Witches, Threatning -that she should be <i>Pressed</i> to Death, before <i>Giles -Cory</i>. But thro' the Goodness of a Gracious -God, she had at last a little Respite. Whereupon -there appeared unto her (she said) a man -in a Winding Sheet, who told her that <i>Giles -Cory</i> had Murdered him, by <i>Pressing</i> him to -Death with his Feet; but that the Devil there -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span>appeared unto him, and Covenanted with him, -and promised him, <i>He should not be Hanged</i>. -The Apparition said, God Hardned his heart; -that he should not hearken to the Advice of the -Court, and so Dy an easy Death; because as it -said, <i>It must be done to him as he has done to me</i>. -The Apparition also said, That <i>Giles Cory</i>, was -carry'd to the Court for this, and that the Jury -had found the Murder, and that her Father -knew the man, and the thing was done before -she was born. Now Sir, This is not a little -strange to us; that no body should Remember -these things, all the while that <i>Giles Cory</i> was in -Prison, and so often before the Court. For all -people now Remember very well, (and the Records -of the Court also mention it,) That about -Seventeen Years ago, <i>Giles Cory</i> kept a man in -his House, that was almost a Natural Fool: -which Man Dy'd suddenly. A Jury was impannel'd -upon him, among whom was Dr. <i>Zerobbabel -Endicot;</i><a name="FNanchor_201_200" id="FNanchor_201_200"></a><a href="#Footnote_201_200" class="fnanchor">[201]</a> who found the man bruised -to Death, and having clodders of Blood about -his Heart. The Jury whereof several are yet -alive brought in the man Murdered; but as if -some Enchantment had hindred the Prosecution -of the Matter, the Court Proceeded not against -[48] <i>Giles Cory</i>, tho' it cost him a great deal of -Mony to get off. Thus the Story,'</p> - -<p class="dropcap">T<i>HE Reverend and Worthy Author, having at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> -the Direction of His</i> <span class="smcap">Excellency</span> <i>the Governour, -so far Obliged the Publick, as to give some -Account of the Sufferings brought upon the Countrey -by</i> Witchcraft; <i>and of the Tryals which have passed -upon several Executed for the Same:</i></p> - -<p><i>Upon Perusal thereof, We find the Matters of -Fact and Evidence, Truly reported. And a Prospect -given, of the</i> Methods of Conviction, <i>used in -the Proceedings of the Court at</i> Salem.</p> - -<p> -Boston Octob. 11. -1692. -</p> - <p class="right">William Stoughton </p> - <p class="right">Samuel Sewall.</p> - -<p class="dropcap">BUT is <i>New-England</i>, the only Christian Countrey, -that hath undergone such Diabolical -Molestations? No, there are other Good people, -that have in this way been harassed; but none in -circumstances more like to <i>Ours</i>, than the people -of God, in <i>Sweedland</i>. The story is a very Famous -one; and it comes to Speak English by the Acute -Pen of the Excellent and Renowned Dr. <i>Horneck</i>.<a name="FNanchor_202_201" id="FNanchor_202_201"></a><a href="#Footnote_202_201" class="fnanchor">[202]</a> -I shall only single out a few of the -more Memorable passages therein Occurring; and -where it agrees with what happened among ourselves, -my Reader shall understand, by my inserting -a Word of every such thing in <span class="antiqua">Black Letter</span>.</p> - -<p>I. It was in the Year 1669. and 1670. That at -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span><i>Mohra</i> in <i>Sweedland</i>, the <span class="antiqua">Devils</span> by the help of -<span class="antiqua">Witches</span>, committed a most horrible outrage. -Among other Instances of Hellish Tyranny there -exercised, one was, that Hundreds of their -Children, were usually in the Night fetcht from -their Lodgings, to a Diabolical Rendezvouz, at a -place they called, <i>Blockula</i>, where the Monsters -that so Spirited them, <span class="antiqua">Tempted</span> them all manner -of Ways to <span class="antiqua">Associate</span> with them. Yea, such was -the perillous Growth of this <i>Witchcraft</i>, that Persons -of Quality began to send their Children into -other Countries to avoid it.</p> - -<p>II. The Inhabitants had earnestly sought God -by <span class="antiqua">Prayer</span>; and <span class="antiqua">Yet</span> their Affliction <span class="antiqua">Continued</span>. -Whereupon <span class="antiqua">Judges</span> had a Special <span class="antiqua">Commission</span> to -find and root out the Hellish Crew; and the -rather, because another County in the Kingdom, -which had been so molested, was delivered upon -the Execution of the <i>Witches</i>.</p> - -<p>III. The <span class="antiqua">Examination</span>, was begun with a Day of -<span class="antiqua">Humiliation</span>; appointed by Authority.<a name="FNanchor_203_202" id="FNanchor_203_202"></a><a href="#Footnote_203_202" class="fnanchor">[203]</a> Whereupon -the Commissioners <span class="antiqua">Consulting</span>, how they -might resist such a Dangerous Flood, the <span class="antiqua">Suffering -Children</span>, were first Examined; and tho' they -were [49] Questioned <span class="antiqua">One</span> by <span class="antiqua">One</span> apart, yet their -<span class="antiqua">Declarations All Agreed</span>. The <span class="antiqua">Witches</span> Accus'd -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span>in these Declarations, were then Examined; and -tho' at first they obstinately <span class="antiqua">Denied</span>, yet at length -many of them ingenuously <span class="antiqua">Confessed</span> the Truth of -what the children had said; owning with Tears, -that the <span class="antiqua">Devil</span>, whom they call'd <i>Loeyta</i>, had -stopt their <span class="antiqua">Mouths</span>; but he being now <span class="antiqua">Gone</span> from -them, they could <span class="antiqua">No Longer Conceal</span> the Business. -The things by them <span class="antiqua">Acknowledged</span>, most wonderfully -<span class="antiqua">Agreed</span> with what other Witches, in other -places had confessed.</p> - -<p>IV. They confessed, that they did use to <span class="antiqua">Call -upon</span> the <span class="antiqua">Devil</span>, who thereupon would <span class="antiqua">Carry</span> them -away, over the Tops of Houses, to a Green -Meadow, where they gave themselves unto him. -Only one of them said, That sometimes the <i>Devil</i> -only took away her <span class="antiqua">Strength</span>, leaving her <span class="antiqua">Body</span> on -the ground; but she went at other times in <span class="antiqua">Body</span> -too.</p> - -<p>V. Their manner was to come into the <span class="antiqua">Chambers</span> -of people, and fetch away their children upon -Beasts, of the Devils providing: promising <span class="antiqua">Fine -Clothes</span> and other Fine Things unto them, to inveagle -them. They said, they never had power -to do thus, till of late; but now the Devil did -<span class="antiqua">Plague</span> and <span class="antiqua">Beat</span> them, if they did not gratifie -him, in this piece of Mischief. They said, they -made use of all sorts of <span class="antiqua">Instruments</span> in their Journeys! -Of <span class="antiqua">Men</span>, of <span class="antiqua">Beasts</span>, of <span class="antiqua">Posts</span>; the <i>Men</i> -they commonly laid asleep at the place, whereto -they rode them; and if the children mentioned -the <span class="antiqua">Names</span> of them that stole them away, <b>they</b><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> -were miserably <span class="antiqua">Scourged</span> for it, until some of them -were killed. The <span class="antiqua">Judges</span> found the marks of the -Lashes on some of them; but the Witches said, -<span class="antiqua">They would Quickly vanish</span>. Moreover the Children -would be in <span class="antiqua">Strange Fits</span>, after they were -brought Home from these Transportations.</p> - -<p>VI. The <span class="antiqua">First Thing</span>, they said, they were to -do at <i>Blockula</i>, was to give themselves unto the -Devil, and <span class="antiqua">Vow</span> that they would serve him. Hereupon, -they <span class="antiqua">cut their Fingers</span>, and with <span class="antiqua">Blood</span> writ -their <span class="antiqua">Names</span> in his <span class="antiqua">Book</span>. And he also caused -them to be <span class="antiqua">Baptised</span> by such <span class="antiqua">Priests</span>, as he had, in -this Horrid company. In <span class="antiqua">some</span> of them, the -<span class="antiqua">Mark</span> of the <span class="antiqua">cut Finger</span> was to be found; they -said, that the Devil gave <span class="antiqua">Meat</span> and <span class="antiqua">Drink</span>, as to -<i>Them</i>, so to the Children they brought with -them: that afterwards their Custom was to <i>Dance</i> -before him; and <i>swear</i> and <i>curse</i> most horribly; -they said, that the Devil show'd them a great -Frightful, Cruel <i>Dragon</i>, telling them, <span class="antiqua">If they -confessed any Thing</span>, he would let loose that Great -Devil upon them; they added, that the Devil had -a <span class="antiqua">Church</span>, and that when the <span class="antiqua">Judges</span> were coming, -he told them <span class="antiqua">he would</span> [50] <span class="antiqua">kill them all</span>; and -that some of them had <span class="antiqua">Attempted to Murder the -Judges</span> but <span class="antiqua">could not</span>.</p> - -<p>VII. Some of the <span class="antiqua">Children</span>, talked much of a -<span class="antiqua">White Angel</span>, which did use to <span class="antiqua">Forbid</span> them, what -the Devil had bid them to do, and <span class="antiqua">Assured</span> them -that these doings would <span class="antiqua">Not last long</span>; but that -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> -what had been done was permitted for the wickedness -of the People. This <span class="antiqua">White Angel</span>, would -sometimes rescue the Children, from <span class="antiqua">Going in</span>, -with the Witches.</p> - -<p>VIII. The Witches confessed many mischiefs -done by them, declaring with what kind of -<span class="antiqua">Enchanted Tools</span>, they did their Mischiefs. They -sought especially to <span class="antiqua">kill the Minister</span> of <i>Elfdale</i>, but -could not. But some of them said, that such as -they wounded, would <span class="antiqua">Be recovered</span>, upon or before -their Execution.</p> - -<p>IX. The <span class="antiqua">Judges</span> would fain have seen them -show some of their <span class="antiqua">Tricks</span>; but they Unanimously -declared, that, <span class="antiqua">Since they had confessed</span>, all, they -found all their <span class="antiqua">Witchcraft</span> gone; and the Devil -then <span class="antiqua">Appeared very Terrible</span> unto them, threatning -with an <span class="antiqua">Iron Fork</span>, to thrust them into a Burning -Pit, if they persisted in their Confession.</p> - -<p>X. They were discovered no less than <i>three-score -and ten</i> Witches in One Village, <span class="antiqua">three and -twenty</span> of which <span class="antiqua">freely confessing</span> their Crimes, -were condemned to dy. The rest, (<span class="antiqua">One</span> pretending -she was with Child) were sent to <i>Fahluna</i>, where -most of them were afterwards executed. Fifteen -Children, which confessed themselves engaged in -this Witchery, dyed as the rest. Six and Thirty -of them between <i>nine</i> and <i>sixteen</i> years of Age, -who had been less guilty, were forced to run the -Gantlet, and be lashed on their hands once a -Week, for a year together; twenty more who -had less inclination to these Infernal enterprises, -were lashed with Rods upon their Hands for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> -three Sundays together, at the Church door; the -number of the seduced Children, was about three -hundred. This course, together with <span class="antiqua">Prayers</span> in -all the Churches thro' the Kingdom, issued in the -deliverance of the Country.<a name="FNanchor_204_203" id="FNanchor_204_203"></a><a href="#Footnote_204_203" class="fnanchor">[204]</a></p> - -<p>XI. The most Accomplished Dr. <i>Horneck</i> inserts -a most wise caution, in his preface to this -Narrative, saies he, <i>there is no Public Calamity, but -some ill people, will serve themselves of the sad providence -and make use of it for their own ends; as</i> -Thieves <i>when an house or town is on Fire, will steal -what they can</i>. And he mentions a Remarkable -Story of a young Woman, at <i>Stockholm</i>, in the -year 1676, Who accused her own Mother of being -a Witch; and swore positively, that she had -carried her away in the Night; the poor Woman -was burnt upon it: professing her innocency to -the last. But tho' she had been an Ill Woman, -yet it afterwards prov'd that she was not <i>such</i> an -one; for her Daughter came to the Judges [51] -with hideous Lamentations, Confessing, That she -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span>had wronged her Mother, out of a wicked spite -against her; whereupon the Judges gave order -for her Execution too.</p> - -<p>But, so much of these things; and, now, <i>Lord, -make these Labours of thy Servant, Profitable to thy -People!</i></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="center"><a name="FNanchor_205_204" id="FNanchor_205_204"></a><a href="#Footnote_205_204" class="fnanchor">[205]</a><i>Matter Omitted in the Trials.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nineteen</span> Witches have been Executed at <i>New-England</i>, one -of them was a Minister, and two Ministers more are Accus'd. -There is a hundred Witches more in Prison, which broke Prison, -and about two Hundred more are Accus'd, some Men of great -Estates in <i>Boston</i>, have been accus'd for <i>Witchcraft</i>. Those -Hundred now in Prison accus'd for Witches, were Committed -by fifty of themselves being <i>Witches</i>, some of <i>Boston</i>, but most -about <i>Salem</i>, and the Towns Adjacent. Mr. <i>Increase Mather</i> -has published a Book<a name="FNanchor_206_205" id="FNanchor_206_205"></a><a href="#Footnote_206_205" class="fnanchor">[206]</a> about <i>Witchcraft</i>, occasioned by the late -Trials of Witches, which will be speedily printed in <i>London</i> by -<i>John Dunton</i>.</p></blockquote> - -<h3>THE DEVIL DISCOVERED.</h3> - -<p class="center">2 Cor. II. ii. <i>We are not Ignorant of His</i> <span class="smcap">Devices</span>.</p> - -<p class="dropcap">OUR Blessed Saviour has blessed us, with a -counsil, as Wholsome and as Needful as any -that can be given us, in Math. 26. 41. <i>Watch -and Pray, that yee Enter not into Temptation.</i> As -there is a Tempting <i>Flesh</i>, and a Tempting <i>World</i>, -which would seduce us from Our Obedience to -the Laws of God, so there is a Busy <i>Devil</i>, who -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span>is by way of Eminency called, <i>The Tempter;</i> because -by him, the Temptations of the <i>Flesh</i> and -the <i>World</i> are managed.</p> - -<p>It is not <i>One Devil</i> alone, that has Cunning or -Power enough to apply the Multitudes of <i>Temptations</i>, -whereby Mankind is daily diverted from -the Service of God; No, the <i>High Places</i> of Our -Air, are Swarming full of those <i>Wicked Spirits</i>, -whose Temptations trouble us; they are so many, -that it seems no less than a <i>Legion</i>, or more than -twelve thousands may be spared, for the Vexation -of one miserable man. But because those Apostate -Angels, are all <i>United</i> under one Infernal -Monarch, in the Designs of Mischief, 'tis in the -Singular Number, that they are spoken of. Now, -the <i>Devil</i> whose Malice and Envy, prompts him -to do what he can, that we may be as unhappy -as himself, do's ordinarily use more <i>Fraud</i> than -<i>Force</i>, in his assaulting of us; he that assail'd our -First Parents, in a <i>Serpent</i>, will still Act <i>Like a -Serpent</i>, rather than a <i>Lion</i>, in prosecuting of his -wicked purposes upon us, and for us to guard -against the Wiles of the <i>Wicked One</i>, is one of -the greatest cares, with which our God ha's -charged us.</p> - -<p>We are all of us liable to various <i>Temptations</i> -every day, whereby if we are carried aside from -the strait <i>Paths of Righteousness</i>, we get all sorts -of wounds unto our selves. Of <i>Temptations</i>, I -may say, as the Wise Man said, of <i>Mortality;</i> -<i>there is no discharge from that war</i>. The <i>Devils</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> -fell hard upon both <i>Adams</i>, nor may [52] any -among the Children of both, imagine to be excused. -The <i>Son</i> of God Himself, had this Dog -of Hell, barking at Him; and much more may -the Children of <i>Men</i>, look to be thus Visited; -indeed, there is hardly any <i>Temptation</i>, but what -is, <i>Common to Man</i>. When I was considering, -how to spend one Hour in Raising a most Effectual -and Profitable <i>Breastwork</i>, against the inroads -of this Enemy, I perceived it would be done, by -a short answer to this</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Case.</span></h3> - -<p><i>What are those Usual Methods of</i> Temptation, -<i>with which the Powers of Darkness do assault the -Children of Men?</i></p> - -<p>The <i>Corinthians</i>, having upon the Apostles -Direction, Excommunicated one of their Society, -who had married his Mother-in-law, & this, as -it is thought, while his own Father was Living -too; the Apostle encourages them to Re-admit -that man, upon his very deep and sharp <i>Repentance</i>. -He gives divers Reasons of his propounding -this unto them; whereof one is, <i>Lest -Satan should get advantage of them;</i> for, had the -man miscarried, under any Rigour of the Sentence -continued upon him, after his <i>Repentance</i>, -'tis well if the Church itself had not quickly -fallen to pieces thereupon; besure, the Success of -the Gospel had been more than a little Incommoded. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span> -The Apostle upon this Occasion, intimates, -That <i>Satan</i> has his <i>Devices;</i> by which -word are meant, Artifices or Contrivances used -for the <i>Deceiving</i> of those that are Treated with -them well, But what shall <i>we do</i> that we may -come to this <i>Corinthian Attainment, We are not -Ignorant of Satan's Devices?</i> [<i>Non cuivis homini -Contingit!</i>]</p> - -<p>Truly, the Devil has <i>Mille Nocendi Artes;</i> and -it will be impossible for us, to run over all the -<i>Stratagems</i> and <i>Policies</i> of our Adversary. I shall -only attempt a few Observations upon the <i>Temptations</i> -of our Lord Jesus Christ: who was -<i>Tempted in all things like unto us, except in our Sins</i>. -When we read the <i>Temptations</i> of our Lord Jesus -Christ, in the Fourth Chapter of <i>Matthew</i> There, -Thence, you will understand, what was once -counted so difficult; Even, <i>The way of a Serpent -upon the Rock</i>. There are certain Ancient and -Famous <i>Methods</i> which the Devil in his <i>Temptations</i>, -does mostly accustome himself unto; which -is not so much from any Barrenness, or Sluggishness -in the Devil, but because he has had the -Encouragement of a, <i>Probatum est</i>, upon those -horrid Methods. How did the Devil assault the -First <i>Adam?</i> It was with Temptations drawn -from <i>Pleasure</i>, and <i>Profit</i>, and <i>Honour</i>, which, as -the Apostle notes, in 1 Joh. 2, 16. are, <i>All that -is in the World</i>. [53] With the very same temptations -it was, that he fell upon the Second <i>Adam</i> -too. Now, in those <i>Temptations</i>, you will see the -more <i>Usual Methods</i>, whereby the <i>Devil</i> would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span> -be Ensnaring of us; and I beseech you to attend -unto the following Admonitions, as those <i>Warnings</i> -of God, which the Lives of your souls depend -upon your taking of.</p> - -<p>There were especially Three <i>Remarkable</i> Assaults -of <i>Temptations</i>, which the <i>Devil</i> it seems, -visibly made upon our Lord; after he had been -more invisibly for Forty dayes together <i>Tempting</i> -of that Holy One; and we may make a few distinct -<i>Remarks</i> upon them all.</p> - -<p>§ The first of our Lords three Temptations is -thus related, in Mat. 4, 3. <i>He was an Hungry; -and when the Tempter came to him, he said, If thou -be the Son of God, Command that these Stones be -made Bread.</i></p> - -<p>From whence, take these <i>Remarks</i>.</p> - -<p>I. The Devil will ordinarily make our <i>Conditions</i>, -to be the Advantages of his <i>Temptations</i>. -When our Lord was <i>Hungry</i>, then <i>Bread! Bread!</i> -shall be all the Cry of his Temptation; the Devil -puts him upon a wrong step, for the getting of -<i>Bread</i>. There is no Condition, but what has indeed -some <i>Hunger</i> accompanying of it; and the -Devil marks what it is, that we are <i>Hungry</i> for. -One mans Condition makes him <i>Hunger</i> for Preferments, -or Employments, another mans makes -him <i>Hunger</i> for Cash or Land, or Trade; another -mans makes him <i>Hunger</i> for Merriments, or -Diversions: And the Condition of every Afflicted -Man, makes him <i>Hunger</i> with Impatience for -Deliverance. Now the Devil will be sure to suit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> -his Perswasions with our <i>Conditions</i>. When he -has our <i>Condition</i> to speak with him, & for him, -then thinks he, <i>I am sure this man will now hearken -to my Proposals!</i> Hence, if men are in <i>Prosperity</i>, -the Devil will tempt them to Forgetfulness of -God; if they are in <i>Adversity</i>, he will tempt -them to Murmuring at God; in all the expressions -of those impieties. Wise <i>Agur</i> was aware -of this; in <i>Prov.</i> 30, 9. says he, if a man be <i>Full</i>, -he shall be tempted, <i>to deny God, and say who is -the Lord?</i> if a man be Poor, he shall be tempted, -<i>to steal, and take the Name of God in vain</i>. The -Devil will talk suitably; if you ponder your -Conditions, you may expect you shall be tempted -agreeably thereunto.</p> - -<p>II. The Devil does often manage his <i>temptations</i>, -by urging of our <i>Necessities</i>. Our Lord, was -thus by the Devil bawl'd upon; <i>You want Bread, -and you'll starve, if in my way you get it not</i>. The -Devil will show some forbidden thing unto us, -and plead concerning it, as of <i>Bread</i> we use to -say, <i>it must be had</i>. <i>Necessity</i> has a wonderful compulsion -in it. You may see what <i>Necessity</i> will -do, if you read in Deut. 28. 56. <i>the tender and the -delicate Woman among you, her eye shall be evil towards -the Children that she shall bear, for she shall -eat them for want of all things</i>. The Devil will -perswade us that there is a <i>Necessity</i> of our doing -what he does propound unto us; and then tho' -the <i>Laws</i> of God about us were so many <i>Walls</i> -of Stone, yet we shall break [54] through them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span> -all. That little inconvenience, of our coming to -beg our <i>Bread</i>, O what a fearful Representation -does the Devil make of it! and when once the -Devil scares us to think of a sinful thing, <i>it must -be done</i>, we soon come to think, <i>it may be done</i>. -When the Devil has frighted us into an Apprehension, -that it is a <i>Needful</i> thing which we are -prompted unto, he presently Engages all the Faculties -of our Souls, to prove, that it may be a -<i>Lawful</i> one; the Devil told <i>Esau, You'll dye if -you don't sell your Birthright;</i> the Devil told -<i>Aaron, You'll pull all the people about your ears, if -you do not countenance their superstitions;</i> and then -they comply'd immediately. Yea, sometimes if -the Devil do but Feign a Necessity, he does -thereby <i>Gain</i> the Hearts of Men; he did but -feign a Need, when he told <i>Saul, the Cattel must -be spared, and the sacrifice must be precipitated</i>, and -he does but feign a Need, when he tells many a -man, <i>if you do no servile work on the Sabbath-day, -and if you don't Rob God of his evening</i>,<a name="FNanchor_207_207" id="FNanchor_207_207"></a><a href="#Footnote_207_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a> <i>you'll -never subsist in the world</i>. All the denials of God, -in the world, use to be from this Fallacy impos'd -upon us. It never can be necessary for us to violate -any Negative Commandment in the Law of -our God; where God says, <i>thou shalt not</i>, we cannot -upon any pretence reply, I <i>must</i>. But the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span>Devil will put a most formidable and astonishing -face of necessity upon many of those <i>Abominable -things, which are hateful to the soul of God</i>. He'll -say nothing to us about, the one thing needful; -but the petite and the sorry <i>Need-nots</i> of this -world, he'll set off with most bloody Colours of -<i>Necessity</i>. He will not say, <i>'tis necessary for you to -maintain the Favour of your God, and secure the</i> -welfare of your Soul; but he'll say, <i>'tis necessary -for you to keep in with your Neighbours; and that -you and yours may have a good Living among them</i>.</p> - -<p>III. The Devil does insinuate his most Horrible -<i>Temptations</i>, with pretence, of much <i>Friendship</i> -and <i>Kindness</i> for us. He seemed very unwilling -that our Lord should want any thing that might -be comfortable for him; but, he was a <i>Devil</i> still! -The <i>Devil</i> flatters our Mother Eve, as if he was -desirous to make her more Happy than her -Maker did; but there was the <i>Devil</i> in that -flattery. <i>Sub Amici fallere Nomen</i>,——to Salute -men with profers to do all manner of Service for -them; and at the same time to Stab them as -<i>Joab</i> did <i>Abner</i> of old; this is just like the <i>Devil</i>, -and the <i>Devil</i> truly has many Children that Imitate -him in it. Some very Affectionate Things -were spoken once unto our Lord; <i>Lord, be it far -from thee, that thou shouldest suffer any Trouble!</i> -But our Lords Answer was, in Mat. 16. 23. <i>Get -thee behind me Satan.</i> The Devil will say to a -man, <i>I would have thee to Consult thy own Interest, -and I would have Trouble to be far from thee</i>. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> -speaks these <i>Fair Things</i>, by the Mouths of our -professed Friends unto us, as he did by the Tongue -of a Speckled Snake unto our Deluded Parents at -the first. But all this while, 'tis a Direction that -has been wisely given us; <i>When he speaks fair, -Believe him not, for there are seven Abominations in -his Heart</i>.</p> - -<p>IV. Things in themselves <i>Allowable</i> and <i>Convenient</i>, -are oftentimes turned into sore <i>Temptations</i> -by the Devil. He press'd our Lord unto the -mak[55]ing of <i>Bread;</i> Why, that very thing -was afterwards done by our Lord, in the Miracles -of the <i>Loaves;</i> and yet it is now a motion of the -<i>Devil, Pray, make thy self a little Bread</i>. The -Devil will frequently put men by, from the doing -of a <i>seasonable Duty;</i> but how? Truly by putting -us upon another <i>Duty</i>, which may be at that juncture -a most <i>Unseasonable</i> Thing. It is said in -Eccl. 8. 5. <i>A Wise Mans heart discerns both Time -and Judgment.</i> The <i>Ill-Timing</i> of good Things, -is One of the chief Intregues, which the Devil -has to Prosecute. The Devil himself, will Egg -us on to many a <i>Duty;</i> and why so? But because -at that very Time a more proper and Useful -Duty, will have a <i>Supersedeas</i> given thereunto. -And, thus there are many Things, whereof we -can say, though no more than this, yet so much -as this, <i>They are Lawful ones</i>, by which Lawful -Things——<i>Perimus Omnes</i>. Where shall we find -that the Devil has laid our most fatal Snares? -Truly, our Snares are on the <i>Bed</i>, where it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> -<i>Lawful</i> for us to Sleep; at the <i>Board</i>, where it is -<i>Lawful</i> for us to Sit; in the <i>Cup</i>, where 'tis -<i>Lawful</i> to Drink; and in the <i>Shops</i>, where we -have <i>Lawful</i> Business to do. The <i>Devil</i> will decoy -us, unto the utmost Edge of the <i>Liberty</i> that -is <i>Lawful</i> for us; and then one Little push, hurries -us into a Transgression against the Lord. And -the <i>Devil</i> by Inviting us to a <i>Lawful</i> thing, at a -wrong time for it, Layes us under further Entanglement -of Guilt before God. 'Tis <i>Lawful</i> for -People to use Recreations; but in the Evening -of the Lords Day, or the Morning of any Day, -how Ensnaring are they! The <i>Devil</i> then too -commonly bears part in the Sport. If <i>Promiscuous -Dancing</i> were Lawful; though almost all the -Christian Churches in the World, have made a -Scandal of it; yet for Persons to go presently -from a <i>Sermon</i> to a <i>Dance</i>, is to do a thing, which -Doubtless the <i>Devil</i> makes good Earnings of.</p> - -<p>V. To <i>distrust</i> Gods Providence and Protection, -is one of the worst things, into which the Devil -by his <i>Temptations</i> would be hurrying of us. He -would fain have driven our Lord unto a Suspicion -of Gods care about Him, said the Devil, <i>You may -dy for lack of Bread, if you do not look better after -your self, than God is like to do for you</i>. It is an -usual thing for Persons to dispair of Gods <i>Fatherly -Care</i> Concerning them; they torture themselves -with distracting and amazing Fears, that they -shall come to want before they dy; Yea, they -even say with <i>Jonas</i>, in Chap. 2. 4. <i>I am cast out</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span> -<i>of the sight of God;</i> He wont look after me! But -it is the Devil that is the Author of all such -Melancholly Suggestions in the minds of men. -It is a thought that often raises a Feaver in the -Hearts of <i>Married</i> Persons, when Charges grow -upon them; <i>God will never be able in the way of -my calling, to feed and cloath all my Little Folks</i>. -It is a Thought with which <i>Aged</i> persons are -often tormented, <i>Tho' God has all my dayes hitherto -supplied me, yet I shall be pinched with Straits -before I come to my Journeys end</i>. 'Tis a malicious -Devil that raises these <i>Evil surmisings</i> in the hearts -of Men. And sometimes a distemper of Body -affords a Lodg[56]ing for the Devil, from whence -he shoots the cruel Bombs of such <i>Fiery Thoughts</i> -into the minds of many other persons. With -such thoughts does the Devil choose to persecute -us; because thereby we come to <i>Forfeit</i> what we -<i>Question</i>. We <i>Question</i> the Care of God, and so -we <i>Forfeit</i> it, until perhaps the Devil do utterly -<i>drown us in Perdition</i>. Our God says, <i>Trust in -the Lord, and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed</i>. -But the Devil says, <i>don't you trust in God; be -afraid that you shall not be fed;</i> and thus he hinders -men from the <i>doing of Good</i>.</p> - -<p>VI. There is nothing more Frequent in the -<i>Temptations</i> of the Devil, then for our <i>Adoption</i> -to be doubted, because of our <i>Affliction</i>. When -our Lord was in his Penury, then says the Devil, -<i>If thou be the Son of God;</i> he now makes an <i>If</i>, -of it; <i>What? the Son of God, and yet not be able to</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span> -<i>Command a Bit of Bread!</i> Thus, when we are in -very Afflictive Circumstances, this will be the -Devils Inference, <i>Thou art not a Child of God</i>. -The Bible says in Heb. 12. 7. <i>If you are Chastened, -it is a shrow'd sign that you can't be Children.</i> -Since he can't Rob us of our <i>Grace</i>, he would -Rob us of our <i>Joy;</i> and therefore having Accused -us unto God, he then Accuses God unto -us. When <i>Israel</i> was weak and faint in the Wilderness, -then did <i>Amalek</i> set upon them; just so -does the Devil set upon the people of God, when -their Losses, their Crosses, their Exercises have -Enfeebled their Souls within them; and what -says the Devil? E'en the same that was mutter'd -in the Ear of the Afflicted <i>Job, Is not this the -Uprightness of thy Ways? Remember, I pray thee, -who ever perished, being Innocent? If thou wert a -Child of God, He would never follow thee, with such -Testimonies of his Indignation</i>. This is the <i>Logic</i> -of the Devil; and he thus interrupts that patience -and that Chearfulness wherewith we should <i>suffer -the will of God</i>.</p> - -<p>VII. To dispute the Divine Original and Authority -of <i>Gods Word</i>, is not the least of those -<i>Temptations</i> with which the Devil troubles us. -God from Heaven, had newly said unto our Lord, -<i>this is my Beloved Son;</i> but now the Devil would -have him to make a dispute of it, <i>If thou be the -son of God</i>. The Devil durst not be so Impudent, -and Brasen fac'd, as to bid men use <i>Pharaohs</i> -Language, <i>Who is the Lord, that I should obey his</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> -<i>voice?</i> But he will whisper into our Ears, what -he did unto our Mother <i>Eve</i> of old, <i>It is not the -Lord that hath spoken what you call his Word</i>. -The Devil would have men say unto the <i>Scripture</i>, -what they said unto the <i>Prophet</i>, in Jer. 43. -2. <i>Thou speakest falsely; the Lord our God hath -not sent thee to speak what thou sayest unto us;</i> & -he would fain have secret & cursed Misgivings in -our hearts, <i>that things are not altogether so as the -Scripture has represented them</i>. The Devil would -with all his heart make one huge Bonefire of all -the Bibles in the world; & he has got Millions -of persecutors to <i>assist him in the suppression of that -miraculous book. It was the devil once in the -tongue of a Papist</i>, that cry'd out, <i>A plague on this -bible; this 'tis that</i> [89] <i>does all our mischief</i>. But -because he can't <i>Suppress</i> this Book, he sets himself, -to <i>Disgrace</i> it all that he can. Altho' the -Scripture carries its <i>own Evidence</i> with it, and be -all over, so pure, so great, so true, and so powerful, -that it is impossible it should proceed from any -but God alone; yet the Devil would gladly bring -some Discredit upon it, as if it were but some -<i>Humane Contrivance;</i> Of nothing, is the Devil -more desirous, than this; That we should not -count, <i>Christ</i> so precious, <i>Heaven</i> so Glorious, -<i>Hell</i> so Dreadful, and <i>Sin</i> so odious, as the Scripture -has declared it.</p> - -<p>§. The Second of our Lords Three Temptations, -is related after this manner, in Mat. 4. 5, 6. -<i>Then the Devil taketh him up, into the Holy City,</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> -<i>and setteth him upon a Pinacle of the Temple; and -saith unto him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thy -self down; for it is written, He shall give his Angels -charge concerning thee, and in their Hands, they -shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy Foot -against a Stone</i>.</p> - -<p>From whence take these <i>Remarks</i>.</p> - -<p>I. The places of the greatest <i>Holiness</i> will not -secure us from Annoyance by the <i>Temptations</i> of -the Devil, to the greatest wickedness. When our -Lord was in the <i>Holy City</i>, the Devil fell upon -him there. Indeed, there is now no proper <i>Holiness</i> -of <i>Places</i> in our Days; the Signs and Means -of Gods more special Presence are not under the -Gospel, ty'd unto any certain <i>places:</i> Nevertheless -there are <i>places</i>, where we use to enjoy much of -God; and where, altho' God visit not the <i>Persons</i> -for the sake of the <i>Places</i>, yet he visits the <i>Places</i> -for the sake of the <i>Persons</i>. But, I am to tell -you that the Devil will visit those <i>Places</i> and best -<i>Persons</i> there. No <i>Place</i>, that I know of, has -got such a <i>Spell</i> upon it, as will always keep the -Devil out. The <i>Meeting-House</i> wherein we Assemble -for the Worship of God, is fill'd with -many Holy People, and many Holy Concerns -continually; but if our Eyes were so refined as -the Servant of the Prophet had his of old, I suppose -we should now see a Throng of <i>Devils</i> in -this very place. The Apostle has intimated, that -Angels come in among us; there are Angels it -seems that hark, how I <i>Preach</i>, and how you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> -<i>Hear</i>, at this Hour. And our own sad Experience -is enough to intimate, That the <i>Devils</i> are -likewise Rendevouzing here. It is Reported, in -<i>Job</i> 1. 5. <i>When the Sons of God came to present -themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among -them.</i> When we are in our Church-Assemblies, -O how many <i>Devils</i>, do you imagine, [90] croud -in among us! There is a <i>Devil</i> that rocques one -to Sleep, there is a <i>Devil</i> that makes another to be -thinking of, he scarce knows what himself; and -there is a <i>Devil</i>, that makes another, to be pleasing -himself with wanton and wicked Speculations. -It is also possible, that we have our <i>Closets</i>, or our -<i>Studies</i>, gloriously perfumed with Devotions every -day; but alas, can we shut the Devil out of them? -No, Let us go where we will, we shall still find -a Devil nigh unto us. Onely, when we come to -Heaven, we shall be out of his reach for ever; <i>O -thou foul Devil; we are going where thou canst not -come!</i> He was hissed out of <i>Paradese</i>, and shall -never enter it any more. Yea, more than so, -when the <i>New Jerusalem</i> comes down into the -<i>High Places</i> of our Air, from whence the Devil -shall then be banished, there shall be no Devil -within the Walls of that Holy City. <i>Amen. -Even so Lord Jesus, Come quickly.</i></p> - -<p>II. Any other acknowledgments of the Lord -Jesus Christ, will be permitted by the Temptations -of the Devil, provided those Acknowledgments of -him, which are <i>True</i> and <i>Full</i>, may be thereby -prevented. What was it, that the Devil hurried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> -our Lord Jesus Christ unto the Top of the <i>Temple</i> -for? Surely it could not meerly be to find -<i>Precipices;</i> any part of the Wilderness would -have afforded <i>Them</i>. No, it was rather to have -<i>Spectators</i>. And why so, Why, the carnal Jews -had an Expectation among them; that <i>Elias</i> was -to fly from Heaven to the Temple; and the Devil -seems willing, that our Lord should be cry'd up -for <i>Elias</i>, among the giddy multitude; or any -thing in the World, tho never so considerable -otherwise, rather than to be received as the Christ -of God. The Devil will allow his Followers to -think very highly of the Lord Jesus Christ; O -but he is very lothe to have them think, <i>All</i>. -We read in Col. 1. 19. <i>It has pleased the Father, -that in him there should all Fullness dwell.</i> But it -is pleasing to the Devil that we deny something -of the Immense <i>Fullness</i>, which is in our Lord. -The Devil would confess to our Lord, <i>Thou art -the Holy one of God!</i> but then he claps in, <i>Thou -art Jesus of Nazareth;</i> which was to conceal our -Lords being <i>Jesus of Bethlehem</i>, and so his being, -<i>The True Messiah</i>. All the <i>Heresies</i>, and all the -Persecutions, that ever plagued the Church of -God, have still been, to strike at some <i>Glory</i> of -our Lord Jesus Christ. A <span class="smcap">Christ</span> Entirely Acknowledged, -will save the Souls of them that so -Acknowledge Him; but, says the Devil, <i>Whatever -I must not give way to that</i>. As they say, -the Devil [91] makes Witches unable to utter -all the <i>Lords Prayer</i>, or some such System of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span> -Religion, without some Deprevations of it; thus -the Devil will consent that we may make a very -large Confession of the Lord Jesus Christ; only -he will have us to deprave it, at least in some one -Important Article. Some one Honour, some one -Office, and some one <i>Ordinance</i> of the Lord Jesus -Christ, must be always left unacknowledged, by -those that will do as the Devil would have them.</p> - -<p>III. <i>High Stations</i> in the Church of God, lay -men open to violent and peculiar <i>Temptations</i> of -the Devil. When our Lord was upon the <i>Pinacle</i>, -that is not the <i>Fane</i>, or <i>Spire</i>, but the <i>Battlements</i> -of the <i>Temple</i>, there did the Devil pester him, -with singular Molestations, and he therein seems -to intend an Entanglement for the Jews, as well -as for our Lord. Believe me they that stand -High, cannot stand safe. The Devil is a <i>Nimrod</i>, -a mighty Hunter; and common or little Game, -will not serve his Turn: he is a <i>Leviathan</i>, of -whom we may say, as in <i>Job.</i> 41. 34. <i>He beholds -all high things.</i> Men of high Attainments, and -Men of high Employments, in the Church of -God, must look, like <i>Peter</i> to be more <i>Sifted</i>, -and like <i>Paul</i>, to be more <i>Buffeted</i> than other -Men. <i>Feriunt Summos Fulmina Montes.</i>——The -Devil can raise a Storm, when God permitteth it, -but as for those Men that stand near Heaven, the -Devil will attack them with his most cruel storms -of Thunder and Lightening. It was said, <i>let him -that stands take heed;</i> but we may say, <i>They that -stand most high, have cause to take most heed</i>. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span> -Devil is a <i>Goliah;</i> and when he finds a <i>Champion</i>, -he'l be sure most fiercely to Combate such a Man. -He is for, <i>Killing many Birds with one stone;</i> and -he knows that he shall hinder a world of <i>Good</i>, -and produce a world of <i>Ill</i>, if once he can -bring a Man Eminently Stationed into his Toyls. -Hence 'tis that the <i>Ministers</i> of God, are more -dogg'd by the Devil, than other persons are. -Especially such <i>Ministers</i>, as move in the highest -Orb of Serviceableness; and most of all such -<i>Ministers</i> as have spent many years in Laudable -Endeavours to be serviceable; Those Ministers -are the <i>Stars</i> of Heaven, at which the <i>Tayl</i> of the -<i>Dragon</i>, will give the most sweeping and most -stinging strokes; the Devil will find that for -them, that shall make them <i>Walk softly</i> all their -Days. These are the Men, that have creepled, -and vexed the Devil more than other Men; for -which the Devil has an old Quarrel with them. -O Neighbours, little do you think, what black -Days of Mourning, and Fasting, and Praying -before the Lord, a Raging Devil does fill the -lives of such <i>Men of God</i> withall.</p> - -<p>[92] IV. The Devil will make a deceitful and -unfaithful use of the <i>Scriptures</i> to make his <i>Temptations</i> -forceable. When the Devil Solicited our -Lord, unto an evil thing, he quoted the <i>Ninty -First</i> Psalm unto him, tho' indeed he fallaciously -clip'd it, and maim'd it, of one clause very material -in it. O never does the Devil make such -dangerous Passes at us, as when he does wrest our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span> -own <i>Sword</i> out of our Hands, and push <i>That</i> upon -us. We have to defend us, that Weapon in <i>Eph.</i> 6. -16. <i>The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of -God;</i> but when the Devil has that very Weapon -to fight us with, he makes terrible work of it. -When the Devil would poyson men with false -<i>Doctrines</i>, he'l quote Scriptures for them; a <i>Quaker</i> -himself, will have the First Chapter of <i>John</i> -always in his mouth. When the Devil would -perswade men to vile <i>Actions</i>, he'l quote Scriptures -for them; he'l encourage men to go on in Sin, -by showing them, where 'tis said, <i>The Lord is -ready to Pardon</i>. I say this, The one story of -<i>Davids</i> Fall, in the Scripture, has been made by -the Devil an Engine for the Damnation of many -Millions. The Devil will fright men from doing -those things, that are, <i>the Things of their Peace;</i> -but How? He'l turn a <i>Scripture</i> into a <i>Scarecrow</i> -for them. The Devil will fright them from -all constant Prayer to God, by quoting that Scripture, -<i>The Sacrifice of the Wicked, is an Abomination -to the Lord;</i> the Devil will fright them from the -Holy Supper of God, by quoting that Scripture, -<i>He that Eats and Drinks unworthily, Eats and -Drinks damnation to himself</i>. And thus the Devil -will by some abused Scripture, Terrifie the Children -of God; the Scripture is written as we are -told, <i>For our Comfort;</i> but it is quoted by the -Devil, <i>for our terror</i>. How many Godly Souls -have been cast into sinful Doubts and Fears, by -the Devils foolish glosses upon that Scripture, <i>He</i> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span> -<i>that doubts is damned;</i> and that, <i>the fearful shall -have their portion in the burning Lake:</i> The Devil -sometimes has play'd the <i>Preacher</i>, but I say, -<i>Beware all silly Souls when such a Fool is Preaching</i>.</p> - -<p>V. Grievous and Pulling Hurries to <i>Self-Murder</i> -are none of the smallest outrages, which the -Devil in his <i>Temptations</i> commits upon us. Why, -did the Devil say to our Lord, <i>Cast thy self down</i>, -but in hopes that our Lord would have broke his -Bones, in the fall? The Devil is an <i>Old Murtherer;</i> -and he loves to <i>Murder</i> men; but no -<i>Murder</i> gives him so much satisfaction, as that -which at his instigation, men perpetrate upon -themselves. We [93] see that such as are <i>Bewitched</i> -and <i>Possessed</i> by the Devil, do quickly lay -violent hands upon themselves, if they be not -watched continually, and we see that when persons -have begun that <i>Unnatural</i> business of <i>killing -themselves</i>, there is a <i>Preternatural</i> Stupendious -Prodigious Assistance, by the Devil given thereunto. -When people are going to Harm themselves, -we call upon them, like those to the Jailor, -in <i>Acts</i> 16. 28. <i>Do thy self no harm!</i> And we -have this Argument for it, <i>It is the Devil that is -dragging of you to this mischief; but will you believe, -will you obey such an one as the Devil is?</i> -What was it that made Judas to strangle himself? -We read it was when the <i>Devil was in him</i>. I -suppose there are few <i>self-murderers</i>, but what are -first very strangely fallen into the Devils hands; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span> -and possibly, 'tis by some Extraordinary <i>Discontent</i>, -against God, or <i>back-sliding</i> from him, that -the Devil first entred into those disturbed Souls. -Indeed, some very great Saints of God, have -sometimes had hideous Royls raised by the Devil -in their minds; untill they have e'en cry'd out -with <i>Job, I choose strangling rather than life;</i> and -sometimes the ill Humours or Vapours in the -Bodies of such Good Men, do so harbour the -Devil that they have this woful motion every day -thence made unto them; <i>You must kill your self! -you must! you must!</i> But it is rarely any other -than a <i>Saul</i>, an <i>Abimelek</i>, an <i>Achitophel</i>, or a -<i>Judas;</i> rarely any other, than a very Reprobate, -whom the Devil can drive, while the man is -<i>Compos Mentis</i>, to Consummate such a Villany. -Yea, no Child of God, in his Right Senses can -go so far in this impiety, as to be left without all -Time and Room for true <i>Repentance</i> of the -Crime; 'tis <i>thus</i> done, by none but those that go -to the Devil. A <i>self-murder</i>, acted by one that -is upon other accounts a Reasonable man, is but -such an attempt of Revenge upon the God that -made him, as none but one full of the Devil can -be guilty of. If any of you are Dragoon'd by -the Devil, unto the murdering of your selves, my -Advice to you is, <i>Disclose it, Reveal it, make it -known immediately</i>. One that Cut his own Throat -among us, Expired crying out, <i>O that I had told! -O that I had told</i>. You may spoil the Devil, if -you'l <i>Tell</i> what he is a doing of.</p> - -<p>VI. Presumptuous and Unwarrantable <i>Trials of</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> -the Blessed God, are some of those things whereinto -the Devil would fain hook us with his <i>Temptations</i>. -This was that which the Devil would -have brought our Lord unto, even, <i>A tempting of -the Lord our God</i>. It is the charge of our God -upon us, in <i>Deut.</i> 6. 16. <i>Thou shalt not tempt the -Lord thy God.</i> But that which the Devil <i>Tries</i>, -is, to put us upon <i>Trying</i> in a sinful way whether -God be such a God as indeed he is. [94] 'Tis -true as to the ways of Obedience, our God says -unto us, <i>Prove me, in those ways; Try, whether I -won't be as good as my Word</i>. But then there are -ways of <i>Presumption</i>, wherein the Devil would -have us to trie, what a God it is, <i>With whom we -have to do</i>. The Devil would have us to trie the -Purpose of God, about our selves or others; but -how? By going to the <i>Devil</i> himself; by Consulting -<i>Astrologers</i>, or <i>Fortune Tellers;</i> or perhaps -by letting the Bible fall open, to see what is the -first Sentence we light upon. The Devil would -have us trie the Mercy of God, but how? By -running into <i>Dangers</i>, which we have no call -unto. He would have us trie the Power of God; -but how? By looking for good things, without -the use of Means for the getting of them. He -would have us trie the Justice of God; but how? -By venturing upon Sin in a <i>Corner</i>, with an Imagination -that God will never bring us out. He -would have us trie the Promise of God; but how? -By <i>Limiting</i> the Lord, unto such or such a way -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span> -of manifesting Himself, or else believing of nothing -at all. He would have us trie the Threatning -of God; but how? By going on impenitently -in those things, for which the <i>Wrath of -God comes upon the Children of Disobedience</i>. Thus -would the Devil have us to affront the Majesty -of Heaven every day.</p> - -<p>VII. The <i>Temptations</i> of the Devil, aim at -puffing and bloating of us up, with <i>Pride;</i> as -much perhaps as any one iniquity. The Devil -would have had Our Lord make a <i>Vain glorious</i> -Discovery of himself unto the World, by <i>Flying -in the air</i>, so as no mortal can. <i>Hoc Ithacus velit</i>—the -Devil would have us to soar aloft, and not -only to be above other men, but also to <i>know</i> that -we are so, <i>Pride</i> is the Devils own sin; and he -affects especially to be, <i>The King over the Children -of Pride</i>, it is a caution in 1 Tim. 3. 6. A Pastor -must not be <i>A Novice; Lest being lifted up with -Pride, He fall into the condemnation of the Devil. -(Summo ac Pio cum Tremore Hunc Textum Legamus -nos Ministri Juvenes!)</i> Accordingly, the -Devil would have us to be inordinately taken and -moved with what <i>Excellencies</i> our God has bestowed -upon us. If our <i>Estates</i> rise, he would -have us rise in our Spirits too. If we have been -blessed with Beauty, with Breeding, with Honour, -with Success, with Attire, with Spiritual -Priviledges, or with Praise-worthy Performances; -Now says the Devil, <i>Think thy self better than -other Men</i>. Yea, the Devil would have us arrogate -unto our selves, those <i>Excellencies</i> which really<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> -we never were owners of; and <i>Boast of a false -Gift</i>. He would have us moreover to Thirst -after Applause among others that may see Our -<i>Excellencies!</i> and be impatient if we are not -accounted <i>some-body</i>. He would have us further[95]more, -to aspire after such a <i>Figure</i>, as -God has never yet seen fitting for us; and croud -into some <i>High Chair</i> that becomes us not. Thus -would the Devil Elevate us into the <i>Air</i>, above -our Neighbours; and why so? 'Tis that we may -be punished with such <i>Falls</i>, as may make us cry -out with <i>David, O my Bones are broken with my -Falls!</i> The Devil can't endure to see men lying -in the <i>Dust;</i> because there is no falling thence. -He is a <i>Fallen Spirit</i> himself, and it pleases him -to see the <i>Falls</i> of men.</p> - -<p>§. The Third of our Lords Three Temptations, -is related in such Terms as these. Matth. -4. 8, 9. <i>Again the Devil taketh him up, into an -exceeding High Mountain, and sheweth him all the -Kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them: and -saith unto him, all these things will I give thee, if -thou wilt fall down and Worship me.</i> From whence -take these Remarks.</p> - -<p>I. The Devil in his <i>Temptations</i> will set the -Delight of this world before us; but he'll set a -fair, and a false <i>Varnish</i> upon those Delights. -They were some unknown <i>Perspectives</i>, which -the Devil had, both for the Refracting of the -<i>Medium</i>, and for the Magnifying of the <i>Object</i>, -whereby he gave our Lord at once a prospect of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> -the whole Roman Empire; but what was it? It -was the <i>World</i>, and the <i>Glory</i> of it; he says not -a word of the <i>World</i>, and the <i>Trouble</i> of it. No -sure; not a word of that; the Devil will not -have his Hook so barely expos'd unto us. The -Devil sets off the Delights of Sin, which he offers -unto us, with a stretched and raised Rhetorick; -but he will not own, <i>That in the midst of our -Laughter, our Heart shall be sorrowful;</i> and <i>That -the end of our Mirth shall be Heaviness</i>. There is -but one Glass in the Spectacles, with which the -Devil would have us to read, those passages in -<i>Eccles.</i> 11. 9. <i>Rejoyce O young Man in thy youth, -and let thy Heart chear thee in the Dayes of thy -youth, and walk in the ways of thy Heart, and in -the sight of thine Eyes.</i> Thus far the Devil would -have us to Read; and he'll make many a fine -Comment upon it; he'll tell us, That if we'll -follow the Courses of the World, we shall swim -in all the Delights of the World. But he is not -willing you should Read out the next words; -<i>But know thou, that for all these things God shall -bring thee into judgment</i>. O he's loth we should -be aware of the dreadful Issues, and Reckonings -that our Worldly Delights will be attended with. -He sets before us, the <i>Pleasures of Sin;</i> but he -will not say, <i>These are but for a Season</i>. He sets -before us, <i>The Sweet Waters of Stealth?</i> but he -will not say, <i>There is Death in the Pot</i>. He is a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> -<i>Mountebank</i>, that will bestow nothing but Romantic -Praises upon all that he makes us the -Offers of.</p> - -<p>[96] II. There are most Hellish <i>Blasphemies</i> -often buzz'd by the <i>Temptations</i> of the Devil, into -the minds of the best Men alive. What a most -Execrable Thing was here laid before our Lord -Himself: Even, To own the <i>Devil</i> as <i>God!</i> a -thing that can't be uttered, without unutterable -Horror of Soul. The best man on earth, may -have such <i>Fiery Darts</i> from Hell shot into his -mind. One that was acted by the <i>Devil</i>, had the -impudence to propound this unto such a good -man as <i>Job, Curse God</i>. And the Devil pleases -himself, by chasing the Hearts of good men, with -his base Injections, <i>That there is no God</i>, or, <i>That -God is not a Righteous God;</i> and a thousand more -such things, too Devilish to be mentioned. A -good man is extreamly grieved at it, when he -hears a <i>Blasphemy</i> from the mouth of another -man; said the Psalmist, in Psal. 44. 15, 16. <i>My -Confusion is continually before me, for the voice of -him that Blasphemeth.</i> But much more when a -good man finds a <i>Blasphemy</i> in his own Heart; -O it throws him into most Fevourish Agonies of -Soul. For this cause, a mischievous Devil will -<i>Flie blow</i> the Heart of such a man, with such -Blasphemous Thoughts, as make him crie out, -<i>Lord I am e'n weary of my life</i>. Yea, the Devil -serves the man just as the Mistress of <i>Joseph</i> dealt -with him; he importunes the man to think -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> -wickedly from Day to Day; and if the man refuse, -he cries out at last, <i>Behold what wicked -thoughts this man has lodging in him</i>. Sayst thou -so? <i>Satan!</i> No, they are Brats of thy own; and -at thy Door alone shall they be laid for ever.</p> - -<p>III. There is a sort of Witchcrafts in those -things, whereto the Temptations of the Devil -would inveigle us. To worship the Devil is -Witchcraft, and under that notion was our Lord -urged unto sin. We are told in <i>1 Sam.</i> 15. 23. -<i>Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft:</i> When the -Devil would have us to sin, he would have us to -do the things which the forlorn Witches use to -do. Perhaps there are few persons, ever allured -by the Devil unto an Explicit Covenant with -himself. If any among ourselves be so, my councel -is, that you hunt the Devil from you, with -such words as the Psalmist had, <i>Be gone, Depart -from me, ye evil Doers, for I will keep the Commandments -of my God</i>. But alas, the most of men, -are by the Devil put upon doing the things that -are Analagous to the worst usages of Witches. -The Devil says to the sinner, <i>Despise thy Baptism, -and all the Bond of it, and all the Good of it</i>. The -Devil says to the sinner, <i>Come, cast off the Authority -of God, and, and refuse the Salvation of Christ for -ever</i>. Yea, the Devil who is called, <i>The God of -this World</i>, would have us to take Him for our -God, and rather Hear Him, Trust Him, Serve -Him, than the God that formed us.</p> - -<p>[97] IV. The <i>Temptations</i> of the Devil do Tug -and Pull for nothing more, than that the Rulers -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> -of the World may yield Homage unto him. Our -Lord has had this by his Father Engag'd unto -him, <i>That he shall one day be Governour of the -Nations</i>. The Devil doe's extreamly dread the -approach of that Illustrious time, when <i>The Kingdom -of God shall come and his Will be done, as in -Heaven, and on Earth</i>. For this cause it was that -he was desirous, Our Lord should rather have -accepted of him, that Kingdom, which <i>Antichrist</i> -afterwards accepted of him, for the Establishment -of <i>Devil-worship</i>, in the World. I may tell you, -The Devil is mighty unwilling, that there should -be one <i>Godly Magistrate</i> upon the face of the -Earth. Such is the influence of <i>Government</i>, that -the Devil will every where stickle mightily, to -have that siding with him. What <i>Rulers</i> would -the Devil have, to command all mankind, if he -might have his will? Even, such as are called in -Psal. 94. 20. <i>The throne of iniquity, which frames -mischief by a Law;</i> such as will promote Vice, by -both Connivance and Example; and such as will -oppress all that shall be <i>Holy, and Just, and Good</i>. -All men have cause therefore to be jealous, what -Use the Devil may make of them, with reference -to the Affairs of Government; but Rulers -may most of all think, that the Lord Jesus from -Heaven calls upon them, <i>Satan has desired that he -might Sift you, and have you; O Look to it, what -side you take</i>.</p> - -<p>Thus have you in the Temptations of our Lord, -seen the principal of those Devices, which the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span> -Devil has to Entrap our Souls. But what shall -we now do, that we may be fortified against -those Devices? O that we might be well furnished -with the <i>Whole Armour of God!</i> But me -thinks, there were some things attending the -Temptations of our Lord, which, would especially -Recommend those few Hints unto us for -our Guard.</p> - -<p>First, If you are not fond of Temptation, be -not fond of Needless, or Too much Retirement. -Where was it, that the Devil fell upon our Lord? -it was when he was Alone in the Wilderness. -We should all have our Times to be Alone every -Day; and if the Devil go to scare us out of our -Chambers, with such a Bugbear, as that he'll -appear to us, yet stay in spite of his teeth, stay to -finish your Devotions; he Lyes, he dare not shew -his head. But on the other-side by being too -solitary, we may lay our selves too much open to -the Devil; You know who says, <i>Wo to him that -is alone</i>.</p> - -<p>[98] Secondly, Let an <i>Oracle</i> of God be your -defence against a <i>Temptation</i> of <i>Hell</i>. How did -our Lord silence the <i>Devil?</i> It was with an, <i>It is -written!</i> And <i>all</i> his Three Citations were from -that one Book of <i>Deuteronomy</i>. What a <i>full</i> -Armoury then have we, in <i>all</i> the sacred Pages -that lie before us? Whatever the Words of the -<i>Devil</i> are, drown them with the words of the -<i>Great God</i>. Say, It is <i>Written</i> The <i>Belshazzar</i> -of <i>Hell</i> will Tremble and Withdraw, if you show -these <i>Hand-Writings</i> of the Lord.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> - - Lastly, Since the Lord Jesus Christ has conquered -all the <i>Temptations</i> of the Devil, Flie to -that Lord, Crie to that Lord, that He would give -you a share in his Happy Victory. It was for -Us that our Lord overcome the Devil: and when -he did but say, <i>Satan, Get hence</i>, away presently -the Tygre flew: Does the Devil molest Us? -Then let us Repair to our Lord, who says, <i>I know -how to succour the Tempted</i>. Said the <i>Psalmist</i>, -<i>Psal.</i> 61. 2. <i>Lead me to the Rock that is higher -than I.</i> A Woman in this Land being under the -Possession of Devils, the Devils within her, audibly -spoke of diverse Harms they would inflict -upon her; but still they made this answer, <i>Ah! -She Runs to the Rock! She Runs to the Rock!</i> and -that hindered all. O this <i>Running to the Rock;</i> -'tis the best Preservation in the World; the <i>Vultures</i> -of <i>Hell</i> cannot prey upon the <i>Doves</i> in the -<i>Clefts</i> of that <i>Rock</i>. May our God now lead us -thereunto. -<a name="FNanchor_208_208" id="FNanchor_208_208"></a><a href="#Footnote_208_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a> -</p> - -<p class="center p2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> - - [<span class="smcap">End of the Wonders of the Invisible World -and of the First Volume.</span>]</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_150_149" id="Footnote_150_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_149"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> George Burroughs. Why -the Author merely gave the Initials -of the Name of Mr. Burroughs is -left to Conjecture. Perhaps he -considered him deeper in the -Devil's Arts than the Rest of the -accused, and perhaps he (the Author) -had been more uncharitable -towards him than towards others. -See the Rev. Mr. Upham's highly -interesting <i>Lectures on Witchcraft</i>, -101, <i>et seq.</i> He was "the most -prominent Victim of the diabolical -Fanaticism of 1692. He was Son -of that 'Mrs. Rebecca Burrows, -who came from Virginia when her -Son was quite young.' He was admitted -a Member of Mr. Eliot's -Church, Roxbury, 12 Apl., 1674. -Probably his Father had died in -Virginia, and we may hope, that -the Mother also had gone to another -World before the sad Proof -of Perverseness of God's Ordinances -in her chosen Refuge by the horrible -Proceedings against her only Child."—<i>Savage.</i> -His Wife, as will appear -presently, was a Sister of "Mr. -Ruck" of Salem. See Mr. Willis's -<i>Hist. Portland</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_151_150" id="Footnote_151_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_150"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> It is not difficult to understand -how a Person, believing, as all then -believed, would be "cast into very -great Confusion" at such Questions.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_152_151" id="Footnote_152_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_151"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> Deodat Lawson, who had -preached at Salem Village; and on -the 24th of March, 1692, he there -preached a Sermon, entitled "<i>Christ's -Fidelity the only Shield against Satan's -Malignity;</i> being Lecture -Day, and a Time of Publick Examination, -of some Suspected for -Witchcraft." The second Edition -of this Sermon was reprinted in -London is 1704, in 12mo. Mr. -Lawson was a sincere Believer in -Witchcraft, and in his dedicatory -Remarks, hopes "that it may please -the ALMIGHTY GOD, to manifest -his Power, in putting an End to -your Sorrows of this Nature, by -bruising <i>Satan</i> under your Feet -shortly."—What is at present known -of him and his Family will be found -in Savage, under the appropriate -Head. Respecting his Wife and -Daughter, he says they had been -dead above three Years. <i>Appendix</i> -to the above <i>Sermon</i>, P. 99. He -does accuse Mr. Burroughs.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_153_152" id="Footnote_153_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_152"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> It is refreshing, after reading -this Case of Mr. Burroughs, as related -by our Author, and to which we -are at a Loss to find Words denunciatory -enough to apply, to read the -Conclusion to which my learned -and judicious Friend, Mr. Willis -comes, after a full View of all the -Circumstances: "There has nothing -survived Mr. Burroughs, either -in his Living or Dying, that casts -any Reproach upon his Character; -and although he died the Victim of -Fanaticism as wicked and stupid as -any which has ever been countenanced -in civilized Society, and -which for a Time prejudiced his -Memory, yet his Reputation stands -redeemed in a more enlightened -Age from any Blemish."—<i>History -of Portland</i>, 246, Ed. 1865.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_154_153" id="Footnote_154_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_153"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> In 1680 poor Bridget Bishop -appears to have been simply Bridget -Oliver, and in that Year she was -accused of being a Witch. "Feb. -22, the Negro of John Ingersol testified, -before the Court of Commissioners, -that he saw the Shape of -said Bridget on a Beam of the Barn, -with an Egg in its Hand, and that -while he looked for a Rake or Pitchfork -to strike it with, it vanished." -She was ordered to give Bonds or -go to Prison. See Felt, <i>Annals of -Salem</i>, 265. She was the Wife of -Edward Bishop, as will be seen further -on. Her Husband was probably -the Son of the first Edward -Bishop of Salem. The Paternity -of Bridget is uncertain. She may -have been of the Family of Thomas -Oliver, whose coming to Salem is -recorded in the <i>Founders of New -England</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_155_154" id="Footnote_155_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_154"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> There was a Family of Hobbs -at Topsfield. On May 13th, 1692, -William Hobbs of that Place was -taken and sent to the Jail in Boston. -On the 23d of the same Month -Deliverance and Abigail, probably -of the Family of William before -named, were also sent to Boston and -imprisoned. See Felt's <i>Annals</i>, 304, -also <i>Hist. Colls. Essex Inst.</i>, 141.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_156_155" id="Footnote_156_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_155"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> Mr. Felt does not seem to -have met with this Person in the -<i>Salem Records</i>. He is mentioned -in Savage's <i>Dictionary</i>, as marrying, -at Salem, 28 Dec. 1671, Abigail -Lord. More will be found of him -when we come to the <i>More Wonders</i>. -See also <i>Colls. Essex Inst.</i> ii, -140. There are also numerous other -References to Persons of the Name.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_157_156" id="Footnote_157_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_156"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> Often spelt <i>Bligh</i>. A Brick-maker -of Salem. His Wife was -Rebecca, Daughter, probably, of -Deac. Charles Gott, by whom he -had a large Family. The Names -of his Children are given by Savage.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_158_157" id="Footnote_158_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_157"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> The Man who had the following -extraordinary Experience was -unknown to both Felt and Savage, -although he appears to have been -an old Inhabitant of Salem. His -Name was probably <i>Cumin</i>, <i>Cuming</i>, -or <i>Cummings</i>, and may have -been the Freeman of 1669.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_159_158" id="Footnote_159_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_158"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> Supposed to be the Quaker, -over a Transaction of which Mr. -Savage with great Eagerness "exults." -That Transaction will be -found detailed in the <i>Hist. and Antiqs. -of Boston</i>, 357. Were Quakers -allowed to testify in those Days? -Mr. Lemuel Shattuck has given an -Account of the Family in the Appendix -to his <i>Memorials</i>, 361, <i>et seq.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_160_159" id="Footnote_160_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_159"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> Hence it seems Shattuck was living at Salem as early as 1663.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_161_160" id="Footnote_161_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_160"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> This Name has probably undergone -some orthographic Changes, -as <i>Lowder</i>, <i>Lodder</i>, &c. There -was a Lodder's Lane in Salem, so -called because "the old Man, George -<i>Lowder</i> lived on the western Corner -where the West House is."—<i>Hist. -Colls. Salem Inst.</i> vi, 109. -John Louder had a Wife "Eliz'a," -and by her Sons, William, born -10 Feb. 1691; Nicholas, 31st 6mo., -1693; a Daughter Elizabeth, born -1 Oct. 1695, and a Son Jared, born -1 Nov. 1697.—<i>Ibid.</i> ii, 257.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_162_161" id="Footnote_162_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_161"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> Doubtless the same William, -Son of Thomas Stacy of Salem, who -married Priscilla Buckley, 28th 9 -mo, 1677. He had a Daughter -Priscilla, the same whose Death is -mentioned in the Text, without -Doubt. The Family Record is quite -extensive, and may be seen in <i>Hist. -Colls. Salem Inst.</i>, iii, 193. See also, -Felt, <i>Annals of Salem</i>, Vol. 2, <i>Index</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_163_162" id="Footnote_163_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_162"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> That a Child's <i>Rag-baby</i>, or -<i>Doll</i>, should be found in an out-of-the-way Place, put there by little -Girls in their Play, did certainly -"crown all" the Stupidity and Folly -yet exhibited among People of mature -Years. It proves, as Mr. Chever -says, in his Notes on these Affairs, -that "the Reason and Wisdom -of the Magistrates had, for the -Time, departed."—<i>Hist. Colls. Salem -Inst.</i>, ii, 78.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_164_163" id="Footnote_164_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_163"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> Susannah Martin belonged to -Amesbury. She appears to have -been a Woman of superior Mind, -judging by her sensible Replies to the -benighted Magistrate. She was a -Widow, and one of those sent to -Boston and imprisoned on the 2d -of May, and on the 19th of July -was hanged. She was probably the -second Wife of George Martin of -Salisbury, a Daughter of Richard -North.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_165_164" id="Footnote_165_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_164"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> Probably Son of Theodore -Atkinson well known among the -early prominent Men of New England; -yet he finds no Place in Eliot's -<i>Biographical Dictionary</i>. John was -a Hatter, and his Wife was Sarah -Myrick, whom he married in 1664. -See Savage's <i>Dictionary</i>, i, 74.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_166_165" id="Footnote_166_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_165"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> There was a Family of Peaches -in the County of Essex. In 1668 -there was John and John Jr., often -mentioned in various Records.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_167_166" id="Footnote_167_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_166"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> He was of Salisbury, 1665, -had been of Newbury. His Wife -was Sarah, Daughter of John Eaton. -He had several Children, whose -Births and Names will be found in -Savage.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_168_167" id="Footnote_168_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_167"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> There were several contemporaneous -John <i>Kimbals</i> about Essex -or Old Norfolk County, but I -meet with nothing to fix upon any -one of them as this John <i>Kembal</i>. -The Name is since <i>Kimball</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_169_168" id="Footnote_169_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_168"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> Probably Son of the Hon. -William Brown of Salem, who -married Hannah, Daughter of -George Curwen. We have no probable Cause of Mrs. Brown's -Languishment, every Ill being then -attributed to the Devil or his -Witches. It seems she never recovered -from her Malady, whatever -it was, but died on the 22d of Nov. -of the same Year, (1692). He -died in 1716.—See Quincy, <i>Hist. -Har. Col.</i>, i, 418, and Savage's -<i>Dictionary</i>, i, 279.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_170_169" id="Footnote_170_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_169"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Wife, perhaps, of the John -Atkinson mentioned previously.—See -Coffin's <i>Newbury</i>, 293.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_171_170" id="Footnote_171_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_170"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> Perhaps the same as <i>Preson</i>, -or <i>Presson</i>. He is the <i>Pressie</i> of -Savage, no doubt, who says his Wife -was Mary Gage, whom he married -30th Nov., 1665. I do not find -among the Gages of Rowley or elsewhere, -a Daughter married to a Pressie. -John <i>Pressie</i> was of Amesbury, -1677.—<i>N. E. H. G. Reg.</i>, vi, 202.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_172_171" id="Footnote_172_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_172_171"><span class="label">[172]</span></a> Savage calls him <i>Jarvis</i> and -has given him Wife, Hannah Fowler, -24th Dec., 1685; Son Jarvis, -born 2d Oct., 1686; Daughters, -Hannah, born 3d March, 1689, -Elizabeth, 3d Sept., 1692, and Son -Oliver, born 17th June, 1698. This -was a Salisbury Family. The <i>Joseph</i> -Ring, mentioned in the next -Section, was perhaps that Joseph -born the 3d of August, 1664 (at -Salisbury), Son of Robert. Instead -of this Robert <i>Ring</i> having come -over in the Ship Bevis, in 1638, it does not appear that any Person of -the Name of Ring came at that -Time in that Ship. Mr. Savage -"strangely" says Robert Ring came -over in the Bevis of Northampton, -and stranger still there is no Robert -<i>Ring</i> on <i>his own</i> List of Passengers. -For Robert <i>Knight</i> he copied (or -some one for him), Robert <i>Ringht!</i> -Being unwilling to admit a new -Name into his Dictionary, he has -committed a more serious Blunder. -Mr. Lawson says he was present -when Ring gave his Testimony, and -fully corroborates our Author's Statement.—<i>Lawson</i>, -113.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_173_172" id="Footnote_173_172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173_172"><span class="label">[173]</span></a> She belonged to Topsfield. -There was an Ephraim Howe in -that Town, possibly her Husband. -Her Husband had a Brother, as will -be seen, named John, but his Residence -is not given.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_174_173" id="Footnote_174_173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_174_173"><span class="label">[174]</span></a> This Name is erroneously printed -<i>Stafford</i> in the London Edition. -It was an Ipswich Family, of which -many Items of its Members will be -found in Dr. Phelps's <i>Hist. of that -Town</i>, and a few in Savage's <i>Dict.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_175_174" id="Footnote_175_174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_175_174"><span class="label">[175]</span></a> This Individual can be identified -and traced in the Abbot <i>Genealogical -Register</i>, and also in Savage's -<i>Dictionary;</i> but more minute -Information is given by his Kinsman, -Abiel Abbot, A. M., in his -<i>History of Andover</i>, Chap. x.; a -valuable little Work by the Way, -without either Heads of Chapters -or Index.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_176_175" id="Footnote_176_175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176_175"><span class="label">[176]</span></a> Probably of Topsfield.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_177_176" id="Footnote_177_176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_177_176"><span class="label">[177]</span></a> Of Ipswich, supposed to be -Son of that Allen <i>Perley</i>, who in -1635, came to New England from -Hertfordshire. See <i>Founders of -New England</i>, 16. John <i>Pearly</i>, -mentioned in the next Section was -no Doubt of the same Family.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_178_177" id="Footnote_178_177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178_177"><span class="label">[178]</span></a> To what Family this Francis -Lane belonged I have not been able -to determine. Perhaps he belonged -to the Hampton Family.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_179_178" id="Footnote_179_178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_179_178"><span class="label">[179]</span></a> She was of Andover, and the -Copy of her Indictment is printed -in full, in the History of that Town. -She was the Wife of Thomas Carrier -of Andover, who died in Colchester, -Ct., aged 109 Years. See -Farmer, <i>Hist. Billerica</i>, 33. See -also Calef, <i>More Wonders</i>, 136.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_180_179" id="Footnote_180_179"></a><a href="#FNanchor_180_179"><span class="label">[180]</span></a> See <i>Hist. Andover</i>, 30, 168. -He was Son of the first George -Abbot of Andover, and died in -1703, leaving Descendants. His -Wife Sarah, mentioned onward, -was Daughter of Ralph <i>Farnum</i> or -<i>Varnum</i> of Andover. Further of -this in an ensuing Volume.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_181_180" id="Footnote_181_180"></a><a href="#FNanchor_181_180"><span class="label">[181]</span></a> Perhaps <i>Peter</i>, who lived in -what is since Danvers.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_182_181" id="Footnote_182_181"></a><a href="#FNanchor_182_181"><span class="label">[182]</span></a> In the List of Passengers who -came to New England in the Ship Hopewell from London, September, -1635, are the Names of Roger, -Margaret, and Roger Toothaker, of -Ages 23, 28 and 1 Years. Allen -Toothaker above named was probably -of this Family. He seems -to have resided in Andover, or -near his Tormenter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_183_182" id="Footnote_183_182"></a><a href="#FNanchor_183_182"><span class="label">[183]</span></a> Perhaps of the <i>Rogerses</i> of -Billerica; but it is about as uncertain -to designate among the John -Rogerses as among the John Smiths. -See Farmer's <i>Hist. Billerica</i>, 13, -32-3.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_184_183" id="Footnote_184_183"></a><a href="#FNanchor_184_183"><span class="label">[184]</span></a> Samuel Preston was of Andover, -where he died in 1738, aged -85. Hence he was born in 1653. -See Abbot's <i>Hist. Andover</i>, for -other Details of the family. We -cannot make much out of Mr. Savage's -Article in his <i>Dictionary</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_185_184" id="Footnote_185_184"></a><a href="#FNanchor_185_184"><span class="label">[185]</span></a> She was doubtless of the Andover -family of Chandler, but Data -does not appear by which she can -be assigned to her Place in the Pedigree -of that Family.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_186_185" id="Footnote_186_185"></a><a href="#FNanchor_186_185"><span class="label">[186]</span></a> Perhaps of the Family of -Ephraim Foster of Andover, and -if so, his Wife. These were the -Ancestors of the distinguished Theodore, -and Dwight Foster. See -<i>Hist. Andover</i>, 38. Ephraim Foster -married Hannah, Daughter of -Robert Eames, 1678.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_187_186" id="Footnote_187_186"></a><a href="#FNanchor_187_186"><span class="label">[187]</span></a> There was a Family of Lacy -at Andover at this Time. Lawrence -Lacy was born there, according -to Abbot, in 1683.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_188_187" id="Footnote_188_187"></a><a href="#FNanchor_188_187"><span class="label">[188]</span></a> This Person was of Billerica. -John <i>Sheldon</i> was among the early -Settlers of that Town, but had -gone from there or was dead before -1700.—Farmer's <i>Billerica</i>, 34.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_189_188" id="Footnote_189_188"></a><a href="#FNanchor_189_188"><span class="label">[189]</span></a> In the London Edition this -Word was printed <i>Heb</i>, evidently -a typographical Error. Poor Martha -Carrier was executed, in pursuance -of Evidence, than which nothing -could be more childish and -meaningless ever heard of under -"the Cope of Heaven." The -poor old Mother to "be Queen of -Hell"! The Author shows his -Depravity by extravagantly and barbarously -denouncing her as a "Rampant -Hag."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_190_189" id="Footnote_190_189"></a><a href="#FNanchor_190_189"><span class="label">[190]</span></a> A learned Jesuit, and as superstitious -as he was learned. The -Work out of which the Extract is -made, is entitled the <i>Natural and -Moral History of the West Indies</i>. -Then (1591) a <i>History of the -West Indies</i> included America.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_191_190" id="Footnote_191_190"></a><a href="#FNanchor_191_190"><span class="label">[191]</span></a> According to Clavigero, the God the most celebrated in Mexico -was <i>Huitzilopochzli.—Hist. Mexico</i>, -Cullen's Translation, i, 259. -See also the Plate, <i>ib.</i>, 279.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_192_191" id="Footnote_192_191"></a><a href="#FNanchor_192_191"><span class="label">[192]</span></a> It is certainly singularly noteworthy -that the Devil and his Throng -of Witches should adopt the Forms -and Practices of the Churches of -the Author's own Order. One -would naturally suppose that they -would have chosen those of the primitive -Churches.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_193_192" id="Footnote_193_192"></a><a href="#FNanchor_193_192"><span class="label">[193]</span></a> It is as much easier, as it is -safer to answer these Questions now -than in Dr. Mather's Time. Everybody -is born in the same Ignorance -as in those Days, but fortunately -we of this Day are surrounded -by a lighter Age, and hence grow up -with more Knowledge. And yet -<i>our</i> Age of Light is Light only by -Comparison.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_194_193" id="Footnote_194_193"></a><a href="#FNanchor_194_193"><span class="label">[194]</span></a> Nicholas <i>Hemmingius</i>, I suppose, -a native of the Island of Laland, -born in 1513. His Business -was that of a Smith, but taking to -Learning, he studied with the celebrated -Melancthon, and became a -Professor of Hebrew at Copenhagen. -He died in the Year 1600.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_195_194" id="Footnote_195_194"></a><a href="#FNanchor_195_194"><span class="label">[195]</span></a> A Word not found in the -Dictionaries. Perhaps it may be -defined by the Readers of the Works -of the elder Pliny.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_196_195" id="Footnote_196_195"></a><a href="#FNanchor_196_195"><span class="label">[196]</span></a> This Story of the iron Spindle -is briefly told by Lawson, who probably -took it from our Author. See -Lawson's Work, P. 102-3 of the -London Edition. It is not in the -original (Boston) Edition.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_197_196" id="Footnote_197_196"></a><a href="#FNanchor_197_196"><span class="label">[197]</span></a> There were Pitmans at Marblehead, -and Salem at this Time. -Manchester was then included in -Salem. There was a Thomas Pitman -hung there not long before the -Witch Cases occurred.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_198_197" id="Footnote_198_197"></a><a href="#FNanchor_198_197"><span class="label">[198]</span></a> Perhaps Mr. John Higginson.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_199_198" id="Footnote_199_198"></a><a href="#FNanchor_199_198"><span class="label">[199]</span></a> There was a Family of <i>Whitfords</i> in Salem at this Time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_200_199" id="Footnote_200_199"></a><a href="#FNanchor_200_199"><span class="label">[200]</span></a> The shocking Barbarity employed -in the Execution of this -"poor Man" can only find a Parallel -in an Age as benighted as this -of 1692. A more diabolical Depravity -could never exhibit itself in -human Nature. The next Story -seems to be introduced to lessen the -Odium which it is probable the -Author thought might attach itself -to the Affair. It is wonderful indeed, -that a foul Murder should -have been kept so still, and then, at a -late Day, to come out in a Dream.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_201_200" id="Footnote_201_200"></a><a href="#FNanchor_201_200"><span class="label">[201]</span></a> A Son of the first Governor -of the Colony, John Endicott. He -resided a considerable Period in -Boston. See <i>Historical and Gen. -Register</i>, i. 335, <i>et seq.</i> He died -in the Spring of 1684.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_202_201" id="Footnote_202_201"></a><a href="#FNanchor_202_201"><span class="label">[202]</span></a> Anthony Horneck. The original -Work was written in High -Dutch. The Author's Name does -not appear. We have the Work -appended to the fourth Edition of -Glanvil's <i>Sadducismus Triumphatus</i>, -1726. Dr. Mather has given -but a brief Abstract.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_203_202" id="Footnote_203_202"></a><a href="#FNanchor_203_202"><span class="label">[203]</span></a> It does not appear that a -Thanksgiving was appointed, but -the King appointed Commissioners -to examine into the Matter. Those -Commissioners proceeded to the -Town, and at once entered upon -an Investigation; "to whom both -the Minister and several of the -People of Fashion complained with -Tears in their Eyes, of the miserable -Condition they were in."—<i>Ibidem</i>, -484.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_204_203" id="Footnote_204_203"></a><a href="#FNanchor_204_203"><span class="label">[204]</span></a> The Doctor omits some of -the best Parts of these Stories. One -or two will more than suffice probably. -"Those [Witches] of Elfdale -confessed, That the Devil used -to play upon an Harp before them, -and afterwards to go with them -that he liked best, into a Chamber, -where he committed venerous Acts -with them; and this indeed all confessed; -That he had carnal Knowledge -of them, and that the Devil -had Sons and Daughters by them, -which he did marry together, and -brought forth Toads and Serpents."—<i>Page</i> -491. -</p> -<p> -"They [the bewitched] said they -had sometimes seen a very great -Devil like a Dragon, with Fire round -about him, and bound with an iron -Chain; and the Devil that converses -with them tells them, that if they -confess anything, he will let that -great Devil loose upon them, whereby -all Sweedland shall come into -great danger."—<i>Page</i> 492.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_205_204" id="Footnote_205_204"></a><a href="#FNanchor_205_204"><span class="label">[205]</span></a> The following Paragraph is -not in the first Edition.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_206_205" id="Footnote_206_205"></a><a href="#FNanchor_206_205"><span class="label">[206]</span></a> Entitled "A Further Account -of the Tryals of the New England -Witches ... To which is added -Cases of Conscience concerning -Witchcrafts and Evil Spirits personating -Men. Written at the Request -of the Ministers of New England."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_207_207" id="Footnote_207_207"></a><a href="#FNanchor_207_207"><span class="label">[207]</span></a> It was long a Custom among -some of the New England People -to keep Saturday Evening as though -it were a Part of Sunday. Others -did not regard that Evening, but -kept Sunday Evening. The former -claimed that Sunday began at Sunset.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_208_208" id="Footnote_208_208"></a><a href="#FNanchor_208_208"><span class="label">[208]</span></a> The Editor feeling quite confident, -that the Reader, by this -Time, has got enough of the Devil, -will forbear making any Remarks -or Comments. Why the Author -should place his "Discovery" at -the End of his Book the Reader is -as well qualified to judge as the -Editor, and he will only add, that -it is a Pity that he (the Author) -had not made the Discovery sooner, -if by that Discovery the poor -Witches had been let alone, and -left out of the Question, as no real -Use of them is conceivable, when, in -Reality the Devil could and actually -did do all the Mischief himself. -</p> -<p> -As has been before intimated, -Dr. Mather was not alone in his -Estimation of the Importance of the -Devil. Mr. Lawson, in his Sermon -at Salem Village, before referred to, -among other Passages, said to his -Hearers (who were above a thousand): -"It is Matter of TERROR, -<i>Amazement, and Astonishment, to all -such wretched Souls</i>, (if there be -any here in the Congregation, and -God grant that none of you may -ever be found as such) <i>as have given -up their Names, and</i> Souls <i>to the -Devil:</i> Who by Covenant have -bound themselves to be his Slaves -and Drudges, consenting to be Instruments, -in whose Shapes, he may -torment and afflict their Fellow-creatures, -to the amazing and astoning -of the Standers by."—<i>Page</i> 64. -</p> -<p> -Similar Extracts might be made -from many of the Writings of that -Day, but Time and Space are inadequate, -and the Reader, who may -now incline to a better Acquaintance -with the Devil, than these -Pages afford him, must be referred -to Dr. Mather's Cotemporaries. -</p> -<p> -In closing these Notes it should -be mentioned that the Text of this -Edition of the <i>Wonders of the Invisible -World</i> has been set up from -the latest London Edition of that -Work, as mentioned in the Preface -to this Edition. When that Preface -was written it was not contemplated -to use the Original Edition -in reading the Proofs. But it -was finally decided to read by the -Original. By this Course the Text -has been to some Extent improved. -Yet no Difference of Importance -was found. The Departures of the -London Publisher were only verbal—never -altering the Sense. At -the Expense of a little tautological -Verbiage the whole has been made -conformable to the original Edition—manifest -typographical Errors excepted.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="full" /> -<h2>INDEX.</h2> - -<p class="dropcap"> -NOTE.—As the small Roman Numerals in this Index denote both the Volumes -and the Pages of the Introductions, those who consult it may observe, that when -the Introductory Pages are referred to, the Reference to the Volume is in large or -Roman Capitals:—For Example, I, xx, refer to the first Volume, and to Page 20 of the -Introduction to the same Volume; II, xxii, refer to Volume second, and Page 22 of -that Volume. -</p> - -<ul> -<li class="dropcap">ABBOT, Benjamin, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, iii, 116, 117.</li> - -<li>Abbot, Nehemiah, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> - -<li>Abbot, Sarah, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, iii, 117.</li> - -<li>Acosta, Joseph, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li>Addington, Isaac, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 15, 133.</li> - -<li>Ady, ——, a Writer against Witchcraft, iii, 74.</li> - -<li>Alcot, Job, appointed Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Alden, John, Jr., II, xxiv; - tried and imprisoned, iii, 26; - his Narrative, 26-8; - Bail refused, 30; - escapes, <i>ib.</i>; - cleared by Proclamation, 128.</li> - -<li>Alden, Timothy, iii, 177, 178.</li> - -<li>Allen, James, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, iii, 40.</li> - -<li>Allen, John, sees one of the Accused fly in the Air, i, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>; - his Oxen bewitched, iii, 93.</li> - -<li>Allen, William, cited, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> - -<li>Ambrose, Isaac, on the Devil, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</li> - -<li>America, a squallid, horid Desart, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>; - of what Use is it, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>; - some hopeful Symptoms of, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>; - ever to be in the Devil's Hands? <i>ib.</i>; - Spirits common to be seen Day and Night in, ii, 116.</li> - -<li>Andover, People of, bewitched, iii, 117, 120, 121, 125, 126.</li> - - <li>Andrew, Daniel, ii, 159, iii, 44; - Joseph, 105; Sarah, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Andrews, Thomas, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Andros, Edmund, Sir, I, <a href="#Page_lxxxi">lxxxi</a>.</li> - -<li>Andrus, Silas, I, <a href="#Page_xcii">xcii</a>.</li> - -<li>Angels, evil ones, ii, 32, 43, 75; - Notions concerning, 187-8.</li> - -<li>Apparition, of those Murdered, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>; - - of the Devil, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; - - of Mr. Beacon, <a href="#Page_136">136-7</a>; - - Accusers at Trials, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>; - - their Charges confessed, <a href="#Page_188">188-9</a>; - - Witnesses, iii, 106.</li> - -<li>Appleton, Samuel, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 15.</li> - -<li>Arnold, John, Jailor of Boston, iii, 20, 179.</li> - -<li>Arnold, Margaret, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> - -<li>Ashurst, Henry, Sir, I, <a href="#Page_vi">vi</a>; - - Agent for Massachusetts, iii, 148-9.</li> - -<li>Astrology, injudiciously regarded, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>.</li> - -<li>Atkinson, John, Witness against Martin, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>; - - Sarah, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; - - John's Cow bewitched, iii, 94; - - Sarah, is amazed, <i>at nothing</i>, 100.</li> - -<li>Attaballipa, his Fate, iii, 138-9.</li> - -<li>Austin, sweet spirited, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> - -<li>Aves, Samuel, ii, 68.</li> - -<li>Ayer, John, Jr., iii, 196.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">BACHELOR, John, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Bailey, John, iii, 40; - - Constable, 113.</li> - -<li>Bailey, N., his Definition of Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>.</li> - -<li>Baker, ——, Sister to Ann Putnam, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Balch, Benj. Jr., Wife Elizabeth, swears against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 78.</li> - -<li>Ballantine, John, II, xxii.</li> - -<li>Ballard, Joseph, iii, 51; - - Brother John, <i>ib.</i>, 113; - - Operations to discover Witches, 55; - - Witnesses, 126.</li> - -<li>Baptism by the Devil, Ceremony of, iii, 113.</li> - -<li>Bare, John, Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Barker, Abigail, signed a Recantation, iii, 57.</li> - -<li>Barnard, John, II, xxi; - - prays at Witch Examinations, iii, 56.</li> - -<li>Barnes, Benjamin, iii, 221.</li> - -<li>Bartel, Robert, Capt., iii, 178.</li> - -<li>Barton, James, II, xxiii.</li> - -<li>Bates, William, Extract from, ii, 113-14.</li> - -<li>Baxter, Richard, I, <span class="errauthor" title="read: xxx"><a href="#Page_xxx">xx</a></span>; - - on Memorable Providences, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>; - - thanks C. Mather, ii, 43; - - quoted, 45; - - his ungainsayable Book, 86; - - cure of Church Divisions, 111; - - commends I. Mather, 113; - - his Ideas of a Devil and Witch, &c., 113-119; - - his Work the Effect of aged Imbecility, 119.</li> - -<li>Bayley, Mrs., Sister to Ann Putnam, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Beacon, Joseph, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> - -<li>Beale, William, swears against Mr. English, iii, 177-86; - - Son dies, 182, 183.</li> - -<li>Belknap, Jeremy, referred to, ii, 85.</li> - -<li>Belzebub, Works ascribed to, iii, 163.</li> - -<li>Bent, Peter, of Sudbury, iii, 221.</li> - -<li>Benom, Mistress, accused, iii, 130.</li> - -<li>Bent, Mr., ——, iii, 100.</li> - -<li>Bentley, William, D. D., on P. English, iii, 179-81.</li> - -<li>Bereans, reference to, ii, 3.</li> - -<li>Bernard, Richard, on detecting Witches, <a href="#Page_45">45-6</a>; - - Remarks on, ii, 12; - - Calef on, 56; - - how did the Jews manage without him, iii, 165.</li> - -<li>Bibber, John, Witness against Giles Cory, iii, 172.</li> - -<li>Bibber, Sarah, iii, 8; - - swears against Mrs. Nurse, 11; - - against Mr. Burroughs, 62; - - against Cory, 170.</li> - -<li>Billerica, People of, bewitched, iii, 118.</li> - -<li><a id="Bishop"></a>Bishop, Bridget, Trial of, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; - - what her Shape did, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; - - her Coat torn while Invisible, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>; - - her Poppets discovered, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; - - Teats found upon her, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; - - accused ten Years before, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>; - - long reputed a Witch, iii, 31; - - Executed, <i>ib.</i>; - - Copy of her Indictment, 74; - - others, 75-6; - - Trial of, 77-80; - - why called Oliver, 78; - - has a preternatural Teat, which vanished, 88.</li> - -<li>Bishop, Edward, iii, 11; - - and Wife Sarah, committed, 16; - - why cried out on, 17; - - escape from Prison, 49; - - his Sow bewitched, 81-2.</li> - -<li>Bishop, Samuel, iii, 49; - - had married a Putnam, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Black-art taught by the Devil, I, <a href="#Page_xii">xii</a>.</li> - -<li>Black, Mary, arrested, iii, 16.</li> - -<li>Blackmore, Richard, Sir, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Black Pig, one appears to John Louder, iii, 85-6.</li> - -<li>Blazdel, [Henry?] <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, iii, 97.</li> - -<li>Bligh, (Bly,) John, swears against Mrs. Bishop, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, iii, 81-2, 88.</li> - -<li>Bligh, William, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, iii, 76, 78, 82, 88.</li> - -<li>Blount, Thomas, Definition of Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xxii">xii-xiii</a>.</li> - -<li>Bocking, Jane, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> - -<li>Bodin, John, Writer on Demonology, ii, 6, 117.</li> - -<li>Bohun, Edmund, Licencer, I, <a href="#Page_cii">cii</a>.</li> - -<li>Booth, Elizabeth, iii, 16, 204.</li> - -<li>Boxford, Witchcraft in, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Boynton, Joseph, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Bradbury, Mary, condemned, iii, 44.</li> - -<li>Bradford, William, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Bradley, Samuel, II, xxvii.</li> - -<li>Bradstreet, John, accused, iii, 52; - - makes his escape, 53.</li> - -<li>Bradstreet, Simon, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, ii, 85, iii, 52, 145-6; - - Dudley commits accused, iii, 52.</li> - -<li>Brattle, Thomas, Letter to, ii, 85-92; - - William, 108.</li> - -<li>Braybrook, Samuel, iii, 7; - - accuses Giles Cory, 170.</li> - -<li>Bridges, James, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Bridgham, Joseph, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Bridgman, Orlando, Sir, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> - -<li>Brimstone, horrid Scent of, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>; - - without a Metaphor, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>; - - a Flood of, ii, 4; - - used in tormenting, ii, 33; - - scalded with, 47; - - smelt in Margaret Rule's Case, 53.</li> - -<li>Brinley, George, I, <a href="#Page_viii">viii</a>.</li> - -<li>Brown, Hopestill, iii, 221.</li> - -<li>Brown, William, Witness, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>; - - his Wife sees Susannah Martin vanish, iii, 99; - - some Devil bewitches her, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Bunyan, John, I, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>.</li> - -<li>Burder, George, I, <a href="#Page_lxxix">lxxix</a>.</li> - -<li>Burnet, Bishop, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> - -<li>Burroughs, George, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>; - - Charges against, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>; - - childish Accusations against, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>; - - alleged Confusion, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>; - - accused of Murders, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; - - Ghosts of his Wives, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; - - his Promises to induce People to become Witches, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>; - - had the Strength of a Giant, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>; - - Treatment of his Wives, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>; - - puts on Invisibility, <a href="#Page_161">161-2</a>; - - denies the Existence of Witches, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; - - Executed, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; - - his great Strength from the Devil, ii, 9; - - further Account of his Execution, iii, 38-9; - - Confession of one of his Accusers, 43; - - Indictment, 61; - - Trial, 63; - - Brother-in-Law to Mr. Ruck, 72-3; - - denies that there are Witches, 74; - - about his putting on Invisibility, 123; - - Cause of his being prosecuted, 210.</li> - -<li>Burrows, [Burroughs] Jeremiah, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> - -<li>Burton, Robert, I, <a href="#Page_xxxviii">xxxviii</a>.</li> - -<li>Buxton, John, afflicted, iii, 17.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">CALEF, Robert, I, <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>, <a href="#Page_lxxv">lxxv</a>; - - his <i>More Wonders</i>, &c., <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>; - - a singular Judgment upon, <a href="#Page_lxxxvii">lxxxvii</a>; - - little known of him, II, xii; - - a Sir John, xiii; - - his <i>More Wonders</i> burnt, xxi; - - Will of, xxiii; - - before Authority to defend himself, ii, 8; - - Visit to Margaret Rule, 49; - - threatened with Arrest for Slander, 54; - - proposes an Interview with Mr. C. Mather, 55; - - Letter to Mr. C. M., 56-59; - - prosecuted, 55; - - explains his Belief of Witchcraft, 56; - - on the Power of the Devil, 58; - - complains of Mr. M.'s bad Faith, 60; - - not appeared against at Court, <i>ib.</i>; - - another Letter to C. M., 70-74; - - the Case of Rule further examined, 72, &c.; - - another Letter to C. M., 79-85; - - his Endeavors to clear the Accused, 78; - - expects Enemies, 84; - - will do his Duty, 85; - - Letter to Mr. B., 85-92; - - Letter to the Ministers, 92-102; - - charges C. M. with being a Cause of the Witch Troubles, 92; - - his Answer, 93; - - his <i>More Wonders</i> denounced, 96; - - Letter to S. Willard, 102-105; - - another to C. M., 113; - - describes the Perils to an Opposer of Witchcraft, 122; - - Letter to the Ministers, 124-34; - - rebukes the Ministers, 132-3; - - Letter to Wadsworth, 134-40; - - Exposure of C. M.'s bad Logic, 136; - - Answer to Stuart, 186-198; - - on Angels, 187; - - accused of Blasphemy, 202; - - another in Answer to Stuart, 207-212; - - Strictures on I. Mather's Agency, iii, 18 or 19.</li> - -<li>Camerarius, living Library, ii, 6.</li> - -<li>Carlton, William, II, vii.</li> - -<li>Carrier, Martha, Indictment and Trial of, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, iii, 113-121; - - horribly tortures poor People, 115; - - her Children swear against her, <i>ib.</i>; - - causes Sores, 116; - - pulls one by his Hair, 117; - - kills Cattle, 118; - - shakes Phebe Chandler, 119; - - makes Noises in the Air, <i>ib.</i>; - - seen at Witch-meetings, 120; - - goes through the Air on a Pole, <i>ib.</i>; - - at a diabolical Sacrament, <i>ib.</i>; - - a rampant Hag, 121; - - to be Queen of Hell, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Carrier, Richard, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, iii, 117; - - afflicts one, 118.</li> - -<li>Carrier, Thomas, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> - -<li>Cary, Mrs., accused, iii, 11; - - sent to Prison, 20; - - Barbarity towards, 20-25; - - escapes to New York, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Cary, Jonathan, [Nathaniel,] iii, 25.</li> - -<li>Cat-rope, described, ii, 7.</li> - -<li>Chamberlain, Edward, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Chandler, Bridget, swears against Mrs. Carrier, iii, 119.</li> - -<li>Chandler, Phebe, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>; - - shaken by a Witch, iii, 118; - - her Legs seized on, 119.</li> - -<li>Chandler, Susan, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> - -<li>Chandler, Thomas, Evidence, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Chapman, Simon, and Wife, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Charity, recommended, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> - -<li>Charles, Second, iii, 143.</li> - -<li>Charlestown, Witchcraft Trials at, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Charms, by whom practiced, ii, 28.</li> - -<li>Chase, G. W., <i>History of Haverhill</i>, iii, 128, 196-7.</li> - -<li>Checkley, Samuel, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Cheever, Ezekiel, Scribe, iii, 31.</li> - -<li>Chester, Bishop of, I, <a href="#Page_ix">ix</a>.</li> - -<li>Chips in Wort, defined, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Choate, Thomas, II, xxvi.</li> - -<li>Christian, Philosopher, I, <a href="#Page_lxxii">lxxii-iii</a>.</li> - -<li>Churches, why often struck by Thunder, <a href="#Page_68">68-9</a>; - - prevent Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_130">130-1</a>.</li> - -<li>Churchill, Sarah, iii, 204.</li> - -<li>Circles.—See <span class="smcap">Witch-Circles</span>.</li> - -<li>Clark, Mary, Examination of, iii, 195-7.</li> - -<li>Clark, Samuel, his Story of the Devil's Appearance, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> - -<li>Clavigero, [Francis Xavier,] <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> - -<li>Cloyce, Peter, protests against Mr. Parris, ii, 143.</li> - -<li>Cloyce, Sarah, iii, 7, 53; - - Sister Nurse, 11, 13; - - goes out of Meeting, 14; - - an excellent Woman, 211.</li> - -<li>Colman, Benjamin, I, <a href="#Page_xci">xci</a>, <a href="#Page_xcvi">xcvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Coman, Richard, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>; - - swears against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 82.</li> - -<li>Comings.—See <span class="smcap">Cummings</span>.</li> - -<li>Connecticut, Witchcraft in, iii, 130, 131.</li> - -<li>Cook, Elisha, Judge, ii, 157; - - Agent to England, iii, 148, 221.</li> - -<li>Cook, John, a Witness, i, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, iii, 78, 80-1.</li> - -<li>Cooper, Thomas, on Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_xxxv">xxxv</a>.</li> - -<li>Corwin, Jonathan, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 6, 10, 15; - - examines Giles Cory, 169.</li> - -<li>Corwin, George, Sheriff, iii, 49, 50; - - buried, 79, 187, 202.</li> - -<li>Cory, Giles, pressed to Death, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, II, vii, iii, 7, 44-5, 79; - - his Examination, 169-173; - - Site of his Residence, 174.</li> - -<li>Cory, Martha, accused, ii, 7, 9; - - sent to Prison, 10; - - sentenced to Death, iii, 44; - - executed, 45; - - Ballad on her and her Husband's Fate, 174-77.</li> - -<li>Cotton, John, I, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>, <a href="#Page_lxvi">lxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Cox, Mary, Irons for, iii, 20.</li> - -<li>Crosby, [Anthony?] a Doctor, declares Hysterics a Case of Witchcraft, iii, 100.</li> - -<li>Cullender, Rose, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> - -<li>Cumbey, Robert, II, xxi.</li> - -<li>Cummings, Josiah, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Cummings, Isaac, Witness, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, iii, 105; - - his Mare dies, 111.</li> - -<li>Curiosities, matchless, <a href="#Page_201">201-210</a>.</li> - -<li>Cushing, John D., II, vii.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">DAGGET, William, iii, 183.</li> - -<li>Dane, Deliverance, signs a Recantation, iii, 57.</li> - -<li>Dane, Francis, iii, 121; John, his Apology, 135.</li> - -<li>Danforth, Samuel, I, <a href="#Page_xcvi">xcvi</a>; - - Thomas, ii, 109; iii, 15; - - Judge, 125; - - Services, 126; - - admonishes Mrs. Daston, 128.</li> - -<li>Daniel, Samuel, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Dastin, Goodwife, iii, 126; - - cleared, 127; - - but dies in Prison, 128.</li> - -<li>Davis, Silvanus, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Dean, John Ward, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li>Dee, John, Astrologer, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> - -<li>Defoe, D., on the Devil, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> - -<li>Delrio, on Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>.</li> - -<li>Demonology, by King James, I, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>; - - its Character, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>, <a href="#Page_xli">xli-xliii</a>.</li> - -<li>Demons, prestigious ones, iii, 160.</li> - -<li>Denmark, great Discovery of Witches in, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li>Desaguliers, J. T., I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Devil, I, <a href="#Page_xi">xi</a>; - - teaches the Black Art, <a href="#Page_xii">xii</a>; - - how he creates Witches, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; - - Nature of his Covenant with, <a href="#Page_xxviii">xviii-xix</a>; - - exists by God's Permission, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>; - - the Principal in Witchcraft, but cannot be tried, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>; - - assents to good Offices, <a href="#Page_xxxvii">xxxvii</a>; - - appears personally to Witches, <a href="#Page_liv">liv</a>; - - what he requires of them, <a href="#Page_lv">lv</a>; - - coming down in great Wrath, I, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; - - owned N. England, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; - - an Army of Devils, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; - - many sign his Book, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; - - has made a dreadful Knot of Witches, <i>ib.</i>; - - his Juggles feared, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; - - bid come out of a Damsel, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>; - - Speech of, <a href="#Page_20">20-1</a>; - - may represent an innocent Person, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; - - darting Operations, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; - - raises Storms and Tempests, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>; - - envies the Prospects of the Country, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; - - made us a troubled Sea, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; - - gives us Shakes, <i>ib.</i>; commissioned by Witches, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>; - - tells many Truths, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>; - - Devil-ridden, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; - - always leaves the Mark of his Covenant, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>; - - League with, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>; - - his Existence not doubted, <a href="#Page_55">55-6</a>; - - Government among, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; - - swarm about us like the Frogs of Egypt, <i>ib.</i>; - - Prince of the Power of the Air, <i>ib.</i>; - - Belzebub, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>; - - knows every Language, <i>ib.</i>; - - Degrees of Devils, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>; - - horrible Dragon, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>; - - a Tyger, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; - - gets Liberty to make a Descent upon Men, <i>ib.</i>; - - Rendezvous of his Troops, <i>ib.</i>; - - his long Journey, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>; - - a Do-evil, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>; - - a Moloch, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>; - - prevents Discoveries and Inventions, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>; - - sends Plagues, and Pestilence, and Wars, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>; - - a Vulcan, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>; - - makes a horrible Tempest, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>; - - uses a hot Iron, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; - - his Wrath increases, is Prince of this World, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>; - - God swears at, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>; - - his Time almost out, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>; - - God's Command to, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>; - - makes Earthquakes, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>; - - his present Quarters, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; - - his World, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; - - incredible Droves of, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>; - - nibbles at the Heels of Saints, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>; - - the World his Country, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>; - - his Time nearly out, <a href="#Page_88">88-91</a>; - - his eldest Son, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>; - - alarmed at the Settlement of N. England, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>; - - an Eyesore to, <i>ib.</i>; - - an antagonistic Force, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>; - - appears as a black Man, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>; - - his Law Book, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>; - - takes on the Likeness of harmless People, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>; - - permitted by God, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; - - burning and sooty, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>; - - in God's Chain, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; - - baptises, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>; - - administers the Sacrament, <i>ib.</i>; - - how influenced to come down, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>; - - the Way to out-wit him, <i>ib.</i>; - - we give Rest to, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; - - Sparks of Hell Fire flashing from every Side of, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; - - on a Chimney in Germany, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>; - - throwing Stones there, and other Mischief, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; - - set on by the Wrath of God, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; - - rattling of his Chains heard, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>; - - an Asp, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>; - - infernal Dragon, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; - - flies about as a Bird, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>; - - Children dedicated to, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>; - - a Whip for his Back, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>; - - forced to fly by a Woman behind the Door, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; - - a Prince, a God, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>; - - afflicts with Distempers, <a href="#Page_148">148-9</a>; - - a black Man, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>; - - described, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>; - - one in a Meeting-house, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; - - performs Baptisms at Newbury Falls, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>; - - carries some to a Witch-meeting on a Pole, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>; - - appoints a Queen of Hell, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>; - - apishly affects divine Things, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; - - his Proceedings among the Swedes, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; - - discovered by the Author, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>; - - his Power, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; - - Dog of Hell, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; - - Serpent upon a Rock, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>; - - tempts with Friendship, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; - - a speckled Snake when he tempted Eve, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; - - shoots cruel Bombs, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; - - would burn all the Bibles, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; - - a Throng of in the Author's Meeting-house, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>; - - he rocks Persons to sleep there, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>; - - hurried Jesus to the Top of the Temple, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; - - prevents Witches from uttering all the Lord's Prayer, <i>ib.</i>; - - a Nimrod, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>; - - can attack with Thunder and Lightning; - - raise Storms, <i>ib.</i>; - - a Goliah; - - dogs Ministers, bad at quoting Scripture, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; - - quotes it for our Terror, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; - - plays the Preacher, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>; - - consulting Astrologers is going to the Devil, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>; - - a Mountebank, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>; - - to worship him is Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>; - - with lengthened Chains, ii, 4; - - commissioned by Witches questioned, 7; - - further discussed, <i>ib.</i>, 8; - - his Power to create Strength? 9; - - origin of the Belief in such a Character, 11; - - a damnable Doctrine, 12; - - appears to an Indian, 25; - - prodigious Descent of, 26; - - his Size, Complexion and Voice, 29-30; - - his Power, 41; - - very uncertain, 42; - - "horrendous Operations," 46; - - got a Scourge for his Back, 47; - - not commissioned by a Witch, 58; - - denied, 76; - - can work Miracles, 74; - - his Bounds set, 76; - - causes Plagues, 79; - - does not know every Language, 80; - - his Testimony not to be regarded, 82; - - the oldest Sinner, 90; - - more about his Powers, 94-5; - - vast Numbers of, <i>ib.</i>; - - a Free-willer, 118; - - commissioned by Contract, 128; - - only commissioned by God, 130-1; - - no Father of Bastards, 196; - - an independent Power, 201; - - resembles an Indian, iii, 70; - - described, 85; - - flies over an Apple-tree, 86; - - Depredation in a Meeting-house, 89; - - performs Baptism, 112; - - his Manner of Baptising, 113; - - vanquished by Sir W. Phips, 158; - - commissioned by Witches, 162; - - meets with Astonishment, 209.</li> - -<li>Douglass, William, I, <a href="#Page_lxix">lxix</a>, <a href="#Page_lxx">lxx</a>, iii, 125, 159.</li> - -<li>Downer, Robert, Witness against Mrs. Martin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>; - - tormented by her in the Shape of a Cat, iii, 96.</li> - -<li>Dragon, makes Wars, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>; - - insinuates Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; - - a great Devil, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; - - hard after Ministers, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; - - keeping Guard, ii, 79.</li> - -<li>Drake, Nathan, Extracts from, I, <a href="#Page_xxxiii">xxxiii</a>.</li> - -<li>Dudley, Joseph, iii, 145; - - presides at the Trial of Glover, 153.</li> - -<li>Dummer, Jeremiah, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Dunton, John, I, <a href="#Page_vi">vi</a>, <a href="#Page_viii">viii</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, ii, 109.</li> - -<li>Durent, Ann, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>; William, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Dustin, Hannah.—See <span class="smcap">Dastin</span>.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">EAMES, Rebecca, condemned and executed, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Earl, Robert, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69.</li> - -<li>Earth, recedes from the Sun, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; - - filled with firey-flying Serpents, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>.</li> - -<li>Earthquakes, the Work of the Devil, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>; - - happening all over Europe, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>.</li> - -<li>Easty, Isaac, committed for Witchcraft, iii, 16.</li> - -<li>Easty, Mary, sentenced, iii, 44; - - her Execution, 46; - - dies protesting her Innocence, 46-48; - - an excellent Woman, 211.</li> - -<li>Elimas, Sorceries of, ii, 171.</li> - -<li>Eliot, Edmund, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, iii, 97-8.</li> - -<li>Eliot, John I, <a href="#Page_lxvi">lxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Elizabeth, Queen, Witchcraft in her Time, I, <a href="#Page_xxxix">xxxix</a>.</li> - -<li>Elliott, Andrew, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Ember-weeks, what they are, ii, 116.</li> - -<li>Enchantments encountered, <a href="#Page_9">9-48</a>.</li> - -<li>Endicott, Zerobbabel, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> - -<li>English, Mary, committed, iii, 16; - - escapes, 50, 79; - - Testimony against, 126-7.</li> - -<li>English, Philip, indicted, iii, 16; - - escapes from Prison, 50; - - Account of, 177; - - an Episcopalian, 178; - dies, 181.</li> - -<li>Ethnics, Gentiles, ii, 119, iii, 164.</li> - -<li>Evelith, Joseph, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">FALKNER, condemned to Death, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Familiar Spirit, who hath it, iii, 166.</li> - -<li>Farnam, John, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Farnum, [Varnum?] Ralph, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> - -<li>Farrare, Thomas, iii, 185.</li> - -<li>Fast, appointed in Reference to Witchcraft, iii, 132.</li> - -<li>Felt, Joseph B., cited, ii, 109, iii, 20, 181.</li> - -<li>Filmer, Robert, Sir, on Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii-xx</a>, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>.</li> - -<li>Firmin, Giles, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li>Fisk, Thomas, Apology of, iii, 36, 135.</li> - -<li>Fisk, William, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Fletcher, Benjamin, Gov., iii, 25; - - his Kindness to Fugitives from Witchcraft Prosecutions, 180.</li> - -<li>Flint, Thomas, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Flood, a great one in the Connecticut, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> - -<li>Fogg, John S. H., ii, 75.</li> - -<li>Fools, made able Fortune-tellers, iii, 142.</li> - -<li>Foster, Ann, executed, iii, 45; - - her Confession, 119-20; - - Remark upon, 208.</li> - -<li>Foster, Ephraim, Evidence in Wardwell's Case, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Foster, Hannah, confesses being carried on a Pole to a Witch-meeting, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>.</li> - -<li>Foster, Jacob, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Foster, John, first Printer in Boston, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Fowler, Joseph, iii, 8.</li> - -<li>Fowler, Samuel P., ii, 6; - - his Life of Parris, iii, 198.</li> - -<li>Foy, [John?] Captain, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> - -<li>Franckius, [Peter?] I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Franklin, Benjamin, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi-vii</a>.</li> - -<li>Freemen, and Non-freemen, iii, 143.</li> - -<li>Fuller, Goodman, is killed by Witchcraft, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Fuller, [Jacob?] a Doctor, decides a Case of Hysterics to be Witchcraft, iii, 100.</li> - -<li>Fuller, John, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Fuller, Thomas, D. D., I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi-vii</a>, II, 196.</li> - -<li>Fuller, Thomas, iii, 199.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">GALLOWS-HILL, where reputed Witches were executed, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Gallows-Tree, iii, 177.</li> - -<li>Gaul, John, on Detection of Witches, <a href="#Page_42">42-4</a>; - his Rules observed, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>; - Remarks upon, ii, 12; - Calef on, 56, 70, 178, 197; - Mather on, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Gedney, Bartholomew, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; - Judge, iii, 26; - Conduct at Capt. Alden's Trial, 28, 30, 172.</li> - -<li>Gee, Joshua, I, <a href="#Page_xcvi">xcvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Germany, the Devil on a Chimney there, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; - Witchcraft in, ii, 197.</li> - -<li>Ghosts of murdered People appear, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156-7</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, iii, 106.</li> - -<li>Gibbs, Barnabas, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>Gidney, Bartholomew.—See <span class="smcap">Gedney</span>.</li> - -<li>Gill, Obadiah, II, xxi; - William, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Glanville, Joseph, describes Unbelievers in Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_lxi">lxi</a>.</li> - -<li>Glover, <i>Goody</i>, executed, iii, 153.</li> - -<li>Goblin, one described, iii, 85-6.—See <span class="smcap">Hobgoblin</span>.</li> - -<li>God, swears in loud Thunders at the Devil, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>; - more abandons the World than formerly, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; - bids the Devil make all miserable, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>; - permits the Devil to come upon us, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; - has the Devil in a Chain, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; - his Wrath sets on the Devil, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; - would have subdued the Devil if called upon, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>; - swears in Wrath, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>; - clucks to us, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>; - a Dog of Hell barking at him, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; - the Devil superior to, ii, 9; - whether he commissions the Devil, 70; - the Mother of, 82; - leaves the Devil at free-will, 118; - commissions the Devil, 130-1.</li> - -<li>Godfrey, John, iii, 52.</li> - -<li>Gold, Sam., at Mrs. Bishop's Trial, iii, 78; - at Giles Cory's, 170.</li> - -<li>Good, Sarah, accused of being a Witch, iii, 6, 7; - her Child also, 11; - Chains for, 20; - executed, 33; - Horrors attending, 34, 187.</li> - -<li>Good, William, iii, 7.</li> - -<li>Goodall, Goodwife, iii, 8.</li> - -<li>Goodwin, John, Children bewitched, I, <a href="#Page_lxxxviii">lxxxviii</a>; - testifies to a Miracle, II, xxi; - Baxter on the Story, 45; - farther Note on, iii, 153.</li> - -<li>Gould, William, II, xxiii.</li> - -<li>Gowans, William, I, <a href="#Page_xciii">xciii</a>.</li> - -<li>Gray, Samuel, swears against Mrs. Bishop, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, iii, 31.</li> - -<li>Green Lane, iii, 115.</li> - -<li>Green, Mary, imprisoned and escapes, iii, 53.</li> - -<li>Green, Thomas, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>Greenslett, John, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Greenslett, Thomas, swears against Mr. Burroughs, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Griggs, Dr., iii, 8, 190, 205-6.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">HADLEY, Deborah, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Hale, John, prays at Witch Trials, iii, 10; - attends Examinations, 22; - his Wife accused, 48; - on Mr. Parris's Conduct, 207.</li> - -<li>Hall, Bishop, on the Devil's Prevalency, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>; - on Astrology and Magic, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> - -<li>Hanvoord, Goodman, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Happy Family, Origin of, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> - -<li>Hardy, Thomas, his Snare of Devilism, iii, 102.</li> - -<li>Harris, Benjamin, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, II, 55.</li> - -<li>Harrod, John, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Hathorne, John, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, 26, iii, 6, 9, 15; - Inhumanity of, 23; - Examinant of Giles Cory, 169; - of Tituba, 187; - of Mary Clark, 195.</li> - -<li>Hathorne, Susanna, iii, 195.</li> - -<li>Haverhill, Witchcraft in, iii, 128, 195, 197.</li> - -<li>Hell, Toyls of, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; - Belial of, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; - Mad Dogs of, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; - Philistines of, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; - Mastives of, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>; - lowest Depths of, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>; - hellish Rattlesnakes, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; - wild Beasts of, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; - Ty-dogs of, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>; - Adders of, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; - a little Portraiture of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>; - a Queen appointed for, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>; - the Pilate of, ii, 27; - Lions and Bears of, 43; - lively Demonstrations of, 47; - Covenant with, 136; - great Officers of, iii, 113.</li> - -<li>Hemmingius, Nicholas, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> - -<li>Herrick, George, ii, 109; - Marshal, iii, 11, 17; - testifies against Giles Cory, 172.</li> - -<li>Herrick, Henry, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Heyman, Samuel, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Hiacoomes, a Christian Indian, ii, 23.</li> - -<li>Higginson, John, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; - Examiner, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Hill, John, Capt., ii, 75; - at Salem, iii, 27.</li> - -<li>Hill, Zeb., a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Hinckley, Thomas, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Hoar, Dorcas, condemned, iii, 44; - Estate seized, 50.</li> - -<li>Hobs, William, committed, iii, 16.</li> - -<li>Hobbes, Thomas, ii, 201.</li> - -<li>Hobbs, Abigail, condemned and executed, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Hobbs, Deliverance, Witness against Bishop, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>; - committed as a Witch, iii, 16; - tormented, 80.</li> - -<li>Hobgoblin, Witchcraft, iii, 137.—See <span class="smcap">Goblin</span>.</li> - -<li>Holland, Joseph, II, xxii.</li> - -<li>Hollingworth, Richard, iii, 179, 182; - William, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Holton, Benjamin, iii, 11; - Sarah, Witness against Mrs. Nurse, <i>ib.</i>—See <span class="smcap">Houlton</span>.</li> - -<li>Hopkins, Matthew, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> - -<li>Horneck, Anthony, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> - -<li>Horse-shoes, used by Conjurors, iii, 142.</li> - -<li>Houlton, Joseph, iii, 113, 203.—See <span class="smcap">Holton</span>.</li> - -<li>How, Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, iii, 33; - Indictment of, 104; - Trial of, 105-113; - Wife of James, <i>ib.</i>, 107; - baptised by the Devil, 112.</li> - -<li>How, John, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>; - Witness against his Sister, iii, 109.</li> - -<li>Howe, John, Mr., iii, 139.</li> - -<li>Howell, James, on Witchcraft, ii, 127.</li> - -<li>Hubbard, Elizabeth, iii, 7, 62; - swears against Mrs. Bishop, 75-6; - against Carrier, 114; - against Giles Cory, 170; - has Fits, 192.</li> - -<li>Hudibras, on A. Ross, ii, 126.</li> - -<li>Hudson, William, sees Margaret Rule go up without Hands, ii, 70.</li> - -<li>Hughes, John, iii, 7.</li> - -<li>Huguenots, Note on the, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> - -<li>Hunnewell, Richard, Lt., iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Hunt, Ephraim, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Hutchinson, Benj., Complainant, iii, 26.</li> - -<li>Hutchinson, Elisha, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">IMPS, Employment of, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>; - one sinks a Ship, <i>ib.</i>; - one appears like a Rat, ii, 35.</li> - -<li>Indians, vast Herds of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>; - Efforts of Powawes against the Settlers, <a href="#Page_94">94-5</a>; - one of great Strength, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>; - under Conduct of the Devil, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; - Christian, ii, 23; - one tempted by the Devil, 25; - Witches among, 75; - Reason for, 117-18; - Notions of Religion, 125; - Covenant to adore the Devil, 136; - practice Witchcraft, iii, 5; - resemble the Devil, 70; -in Witchcraft, 185-95; - two at Salem, 204.</li> - -<li>Ingersol, John, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; - Nathaniel, ii, 143, iii, 11; - Witness, 15, 17, 199.</li> - -<li>Inventions, hindered by the Devil, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li>Invisibility of Witches, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>; - Mist of, iii, 160.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">JACOBS, George, Executed, iii, 38; - further noticed, 43, 50, 204.</li> - -<li>Jacobs, Margaret, confesses, iii, 43-4; - escapes Death, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Jacobs, Mary, one of the Afflicted, iii, 8.</li> - -<li>Jacobs, Thomas, Evidence against Bibber, iii, 8.</li> - -<li>Jackson, Doctor, iii, 183.</li> - -<li>Jamaica, Earthquake at, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> - -<li>James First, his Demonology, I, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>; - his Royal Nonsense, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; - his Rules for detecting Witches, <i>ib.</i>; - followed by Cooper, <a href="#Page_xxxvii">xxxvii</a>; - Effect of James's Book, <a href="#Page_xli">xli</a>; - describes what Witches can do, <a href="#Page_lii">lii</a>, <a href="#Page_liii">liii</a>.</li> - -<li>James Second, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, iii, 131; - Knights Sir William Phips, 137, 143.</li> - -<li>Jennings, David, I, <a href="#Page_lxvii">lxvii</a>.</li> - -<li>Jesus, on the Top of the Temple, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; - on the Battlements, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> - -<li>Jewel, Bishop, [John,] I, <a href="#Page_xxxix">xxxix</a>.</li> - -<li>Jewett, Nehemiah, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>John, Indian, iii, 3; - bewitched, 15; - accuses E. Bishop, 17; - his Wife Tituba, 22.</li> - -<li>Johnson, Eliza, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Johnson, Samuel, defines Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a>.</li> - -<li>Jolliffe, John, Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Judges, remarkably blind, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; - pitiable, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; - defer to Hale's Decisions, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>; - their Reason departed, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> - -<li>Jurin, James, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Jurors, some acknowledge their Errors, iii, 134-5.</li> - -<li>Justin, Martyr, ii, 10.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">KEELING, Judge, a wise Decision of, disregarded, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> - -<li>Kembal, John, Witness against Martin, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>; - she bewitches his Cattle, iii, 96-7; - sees a black Cloud, and runs upon Stumps, <i>ib.</i>; - Puppies appear to him, 98.</li> - -<li>Keney, Henry, testifies against Mrs. Cory, iii, 7.</li> - -<li>Kersey, John, his Definition of Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xii">xii</a>.</li> - -<li>Keys, used by Conjurors, iii, 142.</li> - -<li>Keysar, ——, Daughter distracted, iii, 16.</li> - -<li>Kimball.—See <span class="smcap">Kemble</span>.</li> - -<li>King, D. P., owned the Site of Giles Cory's House, iii, 74.</li> - -<li>Knowlton, Joseph, and Wife, iii, 107.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">LACY, Lawrence, Wife bewitched, iii, 120.</li> - -<li>Lacy, Mary, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>; another, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>; - Condemned and Executed, iii, 45; - her Confession, 120.</li> - -<li>Lancashire Witches, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.</li> - -<li>Lane, Francis, Witness, 193, iii, 105; - his Rails bewitched, 112.</li> - -<li>Laplanders, Witchcraft among, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</li> - -<li>Lawrence, Robert, of Casco, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Laws, against Witchcraft, remark on, iii, 125; - repealed, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Lawson, Dedot, his History, I, <a href="#Page_iv">iv</a>, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; - endorses the Story of the Iron Spindle, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; - defends the Proceedings against Witchcraft, ii, 154-5; - at Salem, iii, 7, 12; - on Mr. Burroughs, 39; - his Wife and Children killed, 64; - Chaplain to Andros's Expedition, <i>ib.</i>; - more about the Murder of his Family, 68; - on the Devil's Baptism, 113.</li> - -<li>Le Clerc, [Jean,] cited, ii, 212.</li> - -<li>Legion, definition of, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>; of Devils, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, ii, 95.</li> - -<li>Leverett, John, Gov., ii, 108.</li> - -<li>Lewis, Mary, [Mercy,] iii, 26, 75.</li> - -<li>Lewis, Mercy, iii, 8; - sees a Man in White, 13; - Witness against Mr. Burroughs, 62, 64; - against Mrs. Bishop, 75; - against Philip English, 126; - against Giles Cory, -170; - Account of, 204; - why she accused Mr. Burroughs, 210.</li> - -<li>Leyton, [Thomas,] Mr., of Lynn, iii, 185.</li> - -<li>Loader, [Louder?] John, Evidence against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 76.</li> - -<li>Locker, George, Constable, iii, 187.</li> - -<li>Lothrop, Barnabas, Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Louder, John, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; - sees the Devil, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>; - sees a Black Pig, iii, 85.</li> - -<li>Louis, Fourteenth, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> - -<li>Lynd, Joseph, Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">MANCHESTER, a Spectre worsted there, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> - -<li>Maniche, an Arabian God, ii, 125, 128.</li> - -<li>Manning, Jacob, Dep. Marshal, arrests Mr. English, iii, 181.</li> - -<li>Marshall, John, II, xxviii.</li> - -<li>Martin, George, iii, 97.</li> - -<li>Martin, Susanna, Trial of, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; - Execution, iii, 33; - Indictment against, 89-103; - cast into a very singular Confusion, 100; - appears to John Pressy, 101.</li> - -<li>Martyr, Justin, ii, 10.</li> - -<li>Mary, Queen of William Third, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>; - Death of, iii, 131.</li> - -<li>Mascon, the Devil of, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> - -<li>Mason, Stephen, Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Mather, Cotton, why charged with an undue Share of the Persections, I, <a href="#Page_iii">iii</a>, <a href="#Page_lxxiv">lxxiv</a>, <a href="#Page_lxxxv">lxxxv</a>; - his Faith in Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_v">v</a>; - his unfortunate Book, <a href="#Page_xxxiv">xxxiv</a>; - Memoirs of, <a href="#Page_lxv">lxv-xcviii</a>; - his Defence, <a href="#Page_1">1-4</a>; - further Defence of the Prosecutions, iii, 59-61; - Countermines the Plot of the Devil, i, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>; - bedeviled, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; - condemns Astrology, <a href="#Page_123">123-4</a>; - Pity for the Judges, <a href="#Page_127">127-8</a>; - not present at the Witch Trials, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>; - Rejoices at the Justice of the Work against Witches, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>; - Horror at the Name of Mr. Burroughs, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>; - believes in the Ability of Witches to put on Invisibility, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>; - gives Unbelievers three Bones to pick, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; - some Misgivings about shedding Blood, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; - Argument against Calef, II, xiii-xviii; - Story of Margaret Rule, ii, 21-36; - read many Books of Physic, 34; - relieves M. Rule by three Fasts, 39; - pains to rescue the Miserable from Lions and Bears of Hell, 42; - thanked by Venerable Baxter, 43; - tries to prevent excessive Credit of spectral Evidence, 44; - his own Estimate of his Labors, 46-7; - Complaints, 48; - Letters to, 48-62; - threatens Calef, 54; - has him arrested, 55; - fails to meet him, 60; - Whittier on, 61; - Letter to Calef, 62-8; - brings heavy Charges against him, 64; - People believe smutty Things of him, 65; - Defends his Father, 66; - offers Mr. Calef the Use of his Books, 67; - Charges of Hellish Witchcraft, 80; - does not understand the Wiles of the Devil, 83; - Thunder breaks into his House, 86; - defines a Witch, 90; - a Cause of the Convictions, 92; - his Answer, 93; - Denial of Statements made by Calef, 96; - does not distinguish between Miracles and Works of the Devil, 97; - Arraigned by R. C. in Argument, 135-6; - Messenger, 151; - heavy Charges against Calef, iii, 32; - Acquainted with the Wiles of the Devil, <i>ib.</i>; - Conduct at Mr. Burroughs's Execution, 38; - Defence of the Prosecutions, 59-61; - Omissions, iii, 106, 109, 111; - an Advocate, 122; - his Account of Trials as faithful as others, 123; - his Life of Phips anonymous, and why, 136; - Defends it, 137-8, 140; - strenuous for a Reassumption of the Charter, 146; - compares Mr. Calef to Satan, 151; - the most Active of any in prosecuting Witches, 154; - his contradictory Statements pointed out, 157-8; - his Ambidexterity, 154, 159; - his Relatives accused, <i>ib.</i>; - sincere and credulous, 161.</li> - -<li>Mather, Increase, I, <a href="#Page_vi">vi</a>, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>; ii, 12; - prays with Margaret Rule, 51; - Proceedings against Mr. Calef, 55; - cited, 60; - defended by his Son, C., 66; - on the Devil, 90, 95; - <i>Remarkable Providences</i>, 106-7; - Messenger, 151; - Defence about the Charter, iii, 18; - Proctor's Appeal to, 40; - Cases of Conscience, 58; - Angelographia, 131; - his Acts retold by his Son, 136, 141; - his Ideas undergo a Change, 142; - troubled by Fobb-actions, appears to King James, 145; - his Reason for accepting a new Charter, 149; - the bewitched <i>Eye</i>, 160; - Moderater of Mr. Parris's Council, 216.</li> - -<li>Mather, Nathaniel, iii, 139.</li> - -<li>Mather, Samuel, Life of his Father, I, <a href="#Page_lxvii">lxvii</a>; - Funeral Sermon on, <a href="#Page_xcvii">xcvii</a>.</li> - -<li>Mead, Matthew, Mr., iii, 139.</li> - -<li>Meeting House, the Devil in one, iii, 89.</li> - -<li>Memorable Providences, approved by Baxter, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>; - a Work by I. Mather, ii, 12, 106-7.</li> - -<li>Merlin, Ambrose, ii, 196.</li> - -<li>Mexico, Indians of, <a href="#Page_201">201-2</a>.</li> - -<li>Middlecot, Richard, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Millenium, near at Hand, <a href="#Page_90">90-1</a>.</li> - -<li>Milton, John, I, <a href="#Page_xi">xi</a>.</li> - -<li>Ministers, why dogged more by the Devil than others, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; - Stars of Heaven, in danger of the Dragon's Tail, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Miracles, one witnessed, ii, 74; - wrought by Men, 128.</li> - -<li>Mist of Invisibility, iii, 160.</li> - -<li>Moody, Joshua, iii, 40; - aids Philip English to escape from Jail, 179-180.</li> - -<li><i>More Wonders</i>, a vile Book, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>.</li> - -<li>Morgan, Samuel, Searcher for Witch teats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Mormons, reference to, ii, 81.</li> - -<li>Morton, Charles, ii, 108.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">NAZIANZEN, the Author like a, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> - -<li>Newbury-Falls, Baptisms there by the Devil, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, iii, 112, 197.</li> - -<li>New England, Loyalty and Religion in, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>; - no Land so free from Vices, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; - once the Devil's Territory, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>; - broken in upon by an Army of Devils, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; - a Scandal feared from Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; - Province of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>; - stocked with Rattle-snakes, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>; - little Hope of, from the Wrath of the Devil, <a href="#Page_93">93-4</a>; - a howling Wilderness, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>; - its Losses by Indians and by Sea, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>; - Decline of Godliness in, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>; - poor N. England, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>; - People in the Belly of Hell, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; - pleases the Devil, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>; - no People so basely despise the Gospel, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>; - hast destroyed thyself, ii, 6; - a Charter obtained, iii, 142; - why Quo Warrantoed, 143; - worse circumstanced than any Corporation in England, <i>ib.</i>; - Revolution in, 144-153; - Prodigies in, not a tenth Part related, 161.</li> - -<li>Necromancy, who are guilty of it, iii, 166.</li> - -<li>Noyes, Nicholas, I, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>, iii, 7, 9; - at Alden's Trial, 28; - Conduct at Executions, 34; - his Firebrands of Hell, 48; - at the Examination of Mary Clark, 196.</li> - -<li>Nurse, Francis, iii, 7, 198.</li> - -<li>Nurse, Rebecca, iii, 7, 10; - Sister Cloyce, 13; - executed, 33; - her Explanation, 36, 37; - Sister Easty, 46; - why accused, 210.</li> - -<li>Nurse, Samuel, ii, 143, 159, 211.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">OAKES, Thomas, Agent to England, iii, 148.</li> - -<li>Ogilvie, John, Definition of Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv-xvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Old South Church, Boston, iii, 133; - Ministers of, in Witchcraft Times, 177.</li> - -<li>Oliver, alias Bishop.—See <a href="#Bishop"><span class="smcap">Bishop, Bridget</span></a>.</li> - -<li>Orton, Job, on W. Perkins, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> - -<li>Osborn, Sarah, accused, iii, 6, 7; - Iron Chains prepared for, 20; - accused by Tituba, 188.</li> - -<li>Osgood, Mary, Recantation of, iii, 57.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">PACY, Deborah, afflicted, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> - -<li>Pacy, Elizabeth, afflicted, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> - -<li>Paganism, Popery, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li>Palmer, John, his Book on N. England, iii, 144.</li> - -<li>Paracelsus, [Auroleus,] I, <a href="#Page_xxxviii">xxxviii</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> - -<li>Parker, Alice, a Witch, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>; - Sentence to die, iii, 44.</li> - -<li>Parker, Mary, condemned and executed, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Parris, Elizabeth, iii, 8, 209.</li> - -<li>Parris, Noyes, iii, 221.</li> - -<li>Parris, Samuel, Protest against, ii, 141-3; - long and humble Acknowledgment, 143-8; - Ministers and Elders of the Churches recommend his Acknowledgment be accepted, 149-51; - further Protest against, 152-3; - the Elders' Plea for, 155-6; - accused of swearing falsely, 158; - his Account of the Beginning of the Troubles, iii, 3-4; - swears against Rebecca Nurse, 11; - preaches, 14; - appointed Scribe at the Examinations, 15; - Examinations at his House, 22; - swears against Mrs. Bishop, 75; - Scribe at How's Trial, 105; - at other Times, 127; - at Cory's Examination, 173; - Account of, 198-222; - Family of, 203-4, 209; - not an Enemy to Mr. Burroughs, 210; - not a swift Witness, <i>ib.</i>; - how his Name comes to be frequent in the Trials, 211; - cleared by a Council, 217; - but dismissed, 218; - Epitaph on his Wife, 221; - his Death, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Parris, Samuel, Deacon, iii, 221.</li> - -<li>Parris, Thomas, iii, 198, 222.</li> - -<li>Payne, Robert, Juror, iii, 127, 185.</li> - -<li>Payson, Edward, ii, 151; - pleads for Mrs. How, iii, 106.</li> - -<li>Peabody, John, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Peach, Bernard, a Witness against Mrs. Martin, <a href="#Page_178">178-9</a>; - bites a Witch, iii, 94, 95.</li> - -<li>Peasley, Joseph, Constable, iii, 196.</li> - -<li>Pemberton, Ebenezer, ii, 15.</li> - -<li>Pennington, Thomas, I, <a href="#Page_ix">ix</a>.</li> - -<li>Perd, Margaret, ii, 50, 51; - smells Brimstone, 53.</li> - -<li>Perkins, Thomas, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Perkins, William, defines Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>; - his Rules questioned, <a href="#Page_xxxiii">xxxiii</a>; - Notice of, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>; - his Doctrine of Witchcraft, ii, 12; - Mr. Calef on, 56, iii, 165.</li> - -<li>Perley, John, <a href="#Page_193">193-4</a>; - Fence Rails bewitched by, iii, 111; - Apology of, 135; - Samuel and Wife, 105, 106.</li> - -<li>Perley, Timothy, Witness, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> - -<li>Pharaoh, Old, accused of Witchcraft, iii, 126-7.</li> - -<li>Philistines of Hell, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> - -<li>Phillips, Edward, I, <a href="#Page_xi">xi</a>; - John, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; - Samuel, ii, 151; - Evidence for Mrs. How, iii, 106.</li> - -<li>Phips, William, arrives, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, iii, 18; - orders Irons for the Accused, 20; - orders the Trials for Witchcraft published, 58; - called Home, 130; - how became Governor, 137; - finished his Life and Government together, <i>ib.</i>; - a Pizarro, 138; - harsh Temper, 141; - had his Fortune told, 154; - vanquishes the Devil, 158; - his Relatives accused, 159.</li> - -<li>Pike, Robert, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 103.</li> - -<li>Pithagoras, Doctrine of, ii, 118.</li> - -<li>Pitman, Thomas, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> - -<li>Pizarro, Sir W. Phips compared to, iii, 138.</li> - -<li>Plagues, caused by the Devil, ii, 79.</li> - -<li>Plastic Spirit of Witches, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, ii, 88; - a Nonentity hooked in, 90; - Mischief to the Devil, 96.</li> - -<li>Plynyism, what it is, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> - -<li>Pope, Joseph, and Wife, iii, 8, 203.</li> - -<li>Popery, revived Paganism, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> - -<li>Poppets, used by Spectres, ii, 40, iii, 82; - some found and described, 88; - Remark upon, 124.</li> - -<li>Porter, Benjamin, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Post, Mary, Evidence against Mary Clark, iii, 197.</li> - -<li>Prayers, the great Artillery of Heaven, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>; - a Whip for the Devil's Back, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Prescot, Peter, Dr., <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, iii, 116.</li> - -<li>Pressy, John, Witness against Martin, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; - sees a great Light, iii, 100; - his Heels are struck up, 101; - Loss of Cows, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Preston, Samuel, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>; - his Cow bewitched, iii, 118.</li> - -<li>Preston, Thomas, iii, 203.</li> - -<li>Prince, Thomas, I, <a href="#Page_xc">xc</a>, <a href="#Page_xci">xci</a>, <a href="#Page_xcv">xcv</a>.</li> - -<li>Printing, not sooner discovered owing to the Devil, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li>Procter, Elizabeth, iii, 7; - John, <i>ib.</i>; - Mrs., cried out on, 15; - John, executed, 38; - Barbarity to his Family, 40; - his Letter to Ministers, 40-2; - his Course to prevent Witchcraft, 204.</li> - -<li>Procter, William, made to confess by Torture, iii, 41.</li> - -<li>Prodigies, in N. England, not a tenth Part related, iii, 161.</li> - -<li>Pudeater, Ann, sentenced to be executed, iii, 44.</li> - -<li>Pulsifer, David, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, II, vii, III, 169.</li> - -<li>Putnam, Ann, iii, 7, 8, 9; - Witness against Mrs. Nurse, 11; - against Mr. Burroughs, 39, 62, 63; - against Mrs. Bishop, 75; - against Giles Cory, 170; - against Mary Clark, 197; - why she became an Accuser, 210.</li> - -<li>Putnam, Edward, ii, 143, iii, 7.</li> - -<li>Putnam, John, Witness against Mrs. Nurse, iii, 11; - Mrs. Dastin, 128; - of Parris's Society, 198.</li> - -<li>Putnam, Joseph, ii, 159.</li> - -<li>Putnam, Thomas, iii, 7; - swears against Mrs. Nurse, 11; - Mrs. Bishop, 75; - Mrs. Daston, 128.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">QUINCY, Josiah, on "Certain Proposals," ii, 106; - one-sided and dogmatical, iii, 19; - on I. Mather's Diary, 136.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">RAVEN, Story of one speaking, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.</li> - -<li>Rawson, Edward, iii, 16, 52, 197.</li> - -<li>Rea, Joshua, iii, 198.</li> - -<li>Redd, Willmet, condemned to die, iii, 45.</li> - -<li>Reed, Richard, iii, 184.</li> - -<li>Rice, Nicholas, iii, 29.</li> - -<li>Rice, Sarah, sent to Prison, iii, 29.</li> - -<li>Richards, John, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 30; - Judge, 125, 128.</li> - -<li>Ring, Jervis, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>; - suffers from Nightmare, iii, 103.</li> - -<li>Ring, Joseph, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; - carried about by Demons, iii, 102; - in a Snare of Devilism, <i>ib.</i>; - hurried through the Air, <i>ib.</i>; - taken to Hellish Meetings, 102-3.</li> - -<li>Ring, Robert, an Error, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>.</li> - -<li>Robie, William, II, xxi.</li> - -<li>Robinson, George, II, xxvii.</li> - -<li>Roggers, John, Witnesses against Martha Carrier, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>; - of Billerica, iii, 118; - killed by Indians, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Ross, Alexander, Hudibras on, ii, 126.</li> - -<li>Ruck, John, Foreman of Jury, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, iii, 35, 72-3.</li> - -<li>Russell, James, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, iii, 15.</li> - -<li>Rule, Margaret, Story of, ii, 21; - seized by evil Angels, 26; - fell into odd Fits, 28; - assaulted by eight cruel Spectres, <i>ib.</i>; - bring her a red Book to sign, 29; - her Tortures described, 30; - fasts nine Days, 31; - stuck full of Pins, 32; - Liquor poured down her Throat "as of scalding Brimstone," 33; - her Hurts soon cured, 34; - taken up to the Ceiling and held there, 35; - her Minister interferes, 38; - gets the better of the Devil, 40; - visited by Mr. Calef, 49; - his Report of her Case, 49-54; - a Sweetheart in it, 51-2; - Aves's Testimony concerning, 68; - others, 69-70.</li> - -<li>Rum, used in a Case of Witchcraft, ii, 51.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">SABBATH, begins at Sunset, Saturday, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>.</li> - -<li>Sadducees, unbelievers in Witchcraft, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>; - Baxter on, ii, 45; - Mischievous, 46; - Witlings, 60, 61; - Atheists, 108; - Infidels, iii, 162, 163.</li> - -<li>Safford, Joseph, Witness, 189, iii, 105, 108-9.</li> - -<li>Salem Village, Church Difficulties, ii, 140-3.</li> - -<li>Saltonstall, Nathaniel, 26, ii, 109, iii, 30.</li> - -<li>Sanderson, Robert, Deacon, iii, 207.</li> - -<li>Sargent, Peter, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Satan.—See <span class="smcap">Devil</span>.</li> - -<li>Sayer, Samuel, Apology of, iii, 135.</li> - -<li>Scotland, Witchcraft in, ii, 7, 197.</li> - -<li>Scott, Margaret, condemned to Death, iii, 44.</li> - -<li>Scott, Reginald, writes against Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xxxix">xxxix</a>; - Extracts from, <a href="#Page_xlv">xlv-vii</a>; - has taken great Pains, <a href="#Page_lix">lix</a>.</li> - -<li>Scottow, Joshua, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>Scribonius, Note upon, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>.</li> - -<li>Sergeant, Mr. [Peter,] iii, 31.</li> - -<li>Sewall, Samuel, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>; - subscribes to the Truth and Accuracy of Mather's <i>Wonders</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, iii, 59; - Judge, II, xxiv, 157, iii, 15, 31; - Appointment of Judge, 125; - Services, 126, 128; - in Sorrow for the Part he took those accused of Witchcraft, 133; - a Referee in Mr. Parris's Case, 221.</li> - -<li>Sewall, Stephen, Captain, iii, 209.</li> - -<li>Sharp, [James,] D. D., iii, 151.</li> - -<li>Shattock, Samuel, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>; - swore against Mrs. Bishop, iii, 76; - Wife Sarah, also, <i>ib.</i>, 83-4; - Remarks on his Evidence, 123.</li> - -<li>Sheldon, Susanna, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>; - swears against Mr. Burroughs, iii, 66-7; - against Mrs. Bishop, 78; - against Mrs. Carrier, 120; - against Mary Clark, 196; - Account of, 204.</li> - -<li>Shepard, John, iii, 53; - Rev. Mr., 185.</li> - -<li>Sheppard, Rebekah, iii, 11.</li> - -<li>Sherrin, John, iii, 105.</li> - -<li>Sherringham, Robert, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li>Sherwin, <i>Goodwife</i>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> - -<li>Short, Mercy, ii, 27, 37, 51.</li> - -<li>Sibley, John L., I, <a href="#Page_viii">viii</a>; - Mary, iii, 3, 206.</li> - -<li>Sieves, used to conjure with, iii, 142.</li> - -<li>Sikes, Victory, Corporal, iii, 219.</li> - -<li>Simpkins, Thomas, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>Slavery, a Divine Institution, <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>; - Effect of its Denunciation, <a href="#Page_12">12-13</a>.</li> - -<li>Smith, James, II, xxiii, III, 203.</li> - -<li>Snow, falls as Wool, I, <a href="#Page_lxxiii">lxxiii</a>; - some red, <a href="#Page_lxxiv">lxxiv</a>.</li> - -<li>Soam, John, his Cart bewitched, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> - -<li>Sobieski, John, King, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> - -<li><i>Some Few Remarks</i>, an Answer to Calef, II, xxi.</li> - -<li>Sorceries, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>; - little ones, iii, 142; - how known, 165.</li> - -<li>Sow, one bewitched, iii, 109.</li> - -<li>Spectacles invented, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> - -<li>Spectral Sight, Pretenders to, iii, 166.</li> - -<li>Spectres, how allayed, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103-4</a>; - take the Name and Shape of Accused, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>; - call upon People before Death, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>; - pranks with an Iron Spindle, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; - severe Scuffle with one, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>; - "Eight Cruel ones" assault Margaret Rule, ii, 28; - "Cursed ones" bring a Book to sign, 29; - Threats of, 34; - they steal a Will, <i>ib.</i>; - heard to clap their Hands, 35; - Caution about, 44; - one cruelly assaults a Person, [Margaret Rule,] iii, 160.</li> - -<li>Spencer, Edmund, a Witch described by. I, <a href="#Page_xlix">xlix</a>.</li> - -<li>Spencer, Richard, Witness, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> - -<li>Spindle, Story of one, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, iii, 160.</li> - -<li>Spirits, white ones, ii, 37; - one appears to Margaret Rule, 39.</li> - -<li>Sprague, Martha, bewitched, iii, 126.</li> - -<li>Stacy, William, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, iii, 86-7, 76.</li> - -<li>Star, Margaret, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>Stephens, Lieutenant, iii, 53; - Sister of, 54.</li> - -<li>Stoughton, William, commends the <i>Wonders</i>, &c., <a href="#Page_6">5-6</a>; - of unspotted Fidelity, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; - declares Mather's Wonders true, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>; - commissions Judges, iii, 30; - attests to the Truth of Mather's <i>Wonders</i>, 59; - signs the Death Warrant of Mrs. Bishop, 80; - his Appointment, 125; - Services, 126.</li> - -<li>Stuart, one, Letter in Defence of Witchcraft, ii, 160-186; - another, 198-207; - on Blasphemy, 202.</li> - -<li>Swan, Timothy, afflicted, iii, 196.</li> - -<li>Swedeland, Witchcraft in, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> - -<li>Swinnerten, John, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>Sydney, Henry, Lord, iii, 149.</li> - -<li>Symons, Edward, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">TALBOT, Lord, causes the Repeal of Witchcraft Laws, iii, 125.</li> - -<li>Tarbell, John, ii, 143, 159, iii, 199, 211, 215.</li> - -<li>Taylor, Zachary, A. M., I, <a href="#Page_ix">ix</a>.</li> - -<li>Teats, on Witches, ii, 57.—See <span class="smcap">Witchteats</span>.</li> - -<li>Thacher, Peter, I, <a href="#Page_xcvii">xcvii</a>.</li> - -<li>Thompson, Agnes, Confession of, I, <a href="#Page_xli">xli-ii</a>.</li> - -<li>Thornton, Thomas, testifies to the Performances of Margaret Rule, ii, 69-70.</li> - -<li>Thyaneus, Appolonius, ii, 70.</li> - -<li>Tillotson, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>; - aids Dr. Mather, iii, 149.</li> - -<li>Tituba, practices Witchcraft, iii, 6; - Note on her Examination, 22; - Examination in full, 178-95; - a South American Indian, 200.</li> - -<li>Tockinosh, John, ii, 23.</li> - -<li>Tompson, Benjamin, I, <a href="#Page_xcv">xcv</a>.</li> - -<li>Toothaker, Allin, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>; - Family of, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>; - abused by a Witch, iii, 117.</li> - -<li>Torry, Samuel, ii, 151; - William, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Transubstantiation, as old as the Devil, ii, 200-1.</li> - -<li>Trask, John, his Wife killed by Witchcraft, iii, 79.</li> - -<li>Trithemius, Fancies of, iii, 164.</li> - -<li>Tupper, Samuel, ii, 26; - Thomas, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Tyler, Hannah, Recantation of, iii, 57.</li> - -<li>Tyler, Jobe, Deposition concerning Witchcraft, iii, 52.</li> - -<li>Tyler, John, II, xxiv.</li> - -<li>Tyler, Mary, signs a Recantation, iii, 57, 197.</li> - -<li>Tyng, Eleazer, II, xxvii.</li> - - -<li class="p2 dropcap">USHER, Hezekiah, accused, iii, 196.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">VAN Helmont, Jean, Baptist, ii, 41.</li> - -<li>Varnum, [Farnum,] Ralph, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> - -<li>Vibber.—See <span class="smcap">Bibber</span>.</li> - -<li>Virgin Mary, Mother of God, ii, 82.</li> - -<li>Vitzlipultzli, an Indian Idol, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> - -<li class="p2 dropcap">WADSWORTH, Benjamin, Letter to, ii, 134, 135; - Timothy, xxi.</li> - -<li>Walcutt, John, Witness, iii, 113.</li> - -<li>Walcutt, Jonathan, iii, 15; - Mary, ii, 158, iii, 8, 26, 62, 170, 195, 205.</li> - -<li>Waldron, Abigail, iii, 79.</li> - -<li>Waldron, Nathaniel, iii, 79.</li> - -<li>Waldron, William, I, <a href="#Page_xcvii">xcvii</a>.</li> - -<li>Waller, Edmund, I, <a href="#Page_lxxxi">lxxxi</a>.</li> - -<li>Walley, John, i, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Walter, Nehemiah, ii, 108.</li> - -<li>Ward, Nathaniel, i, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> - -<li>Wardwell, Samuel, condemned, iii, 45; - Scene at his Execution, 46, 57; - his Wife executed, 125; - he covenants with the Devil, 126.</li> - -<li>Warner, Daniel, testifies in Favor of Mrs. How, iii, 107.</li> - -<li>Warren, Mercy, an Accuser, iii, 16, 26, 62, 204.</li> - -<li>Watkins, Mary, had been a Servant, iii, 128; - sold into Slavery, 129.</li> - -<li>Watts, Isaac, I, <a href="#Page_lxvii">lxvii</a>, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Way, Aaron, ii, 143; - William, <i>ib.</i></li> - -<li>Webber, Samuel, swears in Mr. Burroughs's Case, ii, 9, iii, 63.</li> - -<li>Webster, Noah, Definition of Witchcraft, I, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a>.</li> - -<li>Welch, Edward, a Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Wendell, Edward, II, xxvii.</li> - -<li>Wentworth, Samuel, II, xxiv.</li> - -<li>West, Abigail, II, xxv.</li> - -<li>West, Thomas, Searcher for Witchteats, iii, 39.</li> - -<li>Wheeler, Thomas, II, xxiii.</li> - -<li>Whetford, ——, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> - -<li>Whiston, William, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Whittier, J. G., on C. Mather, ii, 61, 160, iii, 163, 167, 174.</li> - -<li>Wigglesworth, M., his Day of Doom, ii, 4.</li> - -<li>Wild, John, iii, 16; - his Wife Sarah, <i>ib.</i>; - executed, iii, 33.</li> - -<li>Wild, ——, Captain, i, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> - -<li>Wilds, Ephraim, Constable, iii, 105.</li> - -<li>Wilkins, John, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69.</li> - -<li>Wilkins, Richard, ii, 55, 56.</li> - -<li>Wilkins, Thomas, ii, 143, iii, 216.</li> - -<li>Willard, John, executed, iii, 38, 39; - Escape and Capture, 40.</li> - -<li>Willard, Samuel, Letter to, ii, 102, 151; - cried out of, iii, 37; - appeal to by Procter, 40; - his Agency in the Escape of Mr. English, 177-8.</li> - -<li>Willard, Simon, testifies in Mr. Burroughs's Case, iii, 64.</li> - -<li>William and Mary, I, <a href="#Page_lxxxiv">lxxxiv</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>; - Death of Mary, iii, 131.</li> - -<li>Williams, Abigail, ii, 156, 158, iii, 7, 8, 9; - at the Devil's Sacrament, 13; - cries out on Capt. Alden, 26; - of Mrs. Bishop, 75; - Mr. Cory, 170, 179; - Account of, 204; - one of the Originators of the Witchcraft Delusion, 209.</li> - -<li>Williams, Daniel, on Margaret Rule, ii, 69.</li> - -<li>Williams, Nathaniel, a Committee on Salem Affairs, ii, 151.</li> - -<li>Williams, Thomas, opposes Mr. Parris, iii, 212.</li> - -<li>Wilson, John, of Boston, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> - -<li>Wilson, Sarah, accused, iii, 57.</li> - -<li>Winchell, David, Sergent, iii, 219.</li> - -<li>Winsor, Hannah, iii, 26.</li> - -<li>Winthrop, Adam, Counsellor, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> - -<li>Winthrop, Wait, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, ii, 157, iii, 30; - Judge, 125, 221.</li> - -<li>Witchcraft, Cause of its Decline, I, <a href="#Page_iv">iv</a>; - Works upon, <a href="#Page_v">v-x</a>; - Definitions of, <a href="#Page_xi">xi-xvi</a>; - taught in the Bible, <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>; - how People's Eyes were opened, <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>; - how carried on, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; - Practiced through Images or Pictures, <i>ib.</i>; - Laws respecting, <a href="#Page_xxiv">xxiv-v</a>; - the Bible upon, <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>, <a href="#Page_xxviii">xxvii</a>; - Ideas respecting, xxviii; - opposed only by Infidels, xxix; - Origin of, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; - the Question which stayed its Progress, <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>; - Works upon, <a href="#Page_xxxiv">xxxiv-viii</a>; - Law against, <a href="#Page_xxxix">xxxix</a>, <a href="#Page_xliii">xliii</a>; - not Spiritualism, <a href="#Page_lx">lx</a>; - at the present Day, <a href="#Page_lxxv">lxxv</a>; - came near blowing up all the Churches, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; - Storms of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>; - thorny Business, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>; - will not be shammed, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>; - disposed of, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; - in Lapland, <a href="#Page_68">68-9</a>; - flourishes where are no Churches, <a href="#Page_130">130-1</a>; - to worship the Devil, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>; - a Relict of Heathen Learning, ii, 11; - a principal ecclesiastical Engine, 12; - further defined, 56-7; - how Prosecutions were eventually checked, 110-11; - sensible and evident, 105; - Laws made against, iii, 124; - repealed in England, 125; - a Hobgoblin Monster, 137.</li> - -<li>Witchteats, for the Devil to suck, ii, 57, 100; - a horrid Barbarity to search for, 132; - Excrescences, iii, 124.</li> - -<li>Witches, how made, I, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; - Nature of their Covenant with the Devil, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>; - the Devil a Slave to, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>; - exist by God's Permission, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>; - how to detect, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>; - vast Numbers executed, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>, <a href="#Page_xxvii">xxvii</a>; - Punishment impossible, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; - good Witches, <a href="#Page_xxxvii">xxxvii</a>; - one described by Spencer, <a href="#Page_xlix">xlix</a>; - different Kinds, <a href="#Page_l">l</a>, <a href="#Page_lii">lii</a>; - how they contract with the Devil, <a href="#Page_liv">liv-v</a>; - Manner of living, <a href="#Page_lvi">lvi-viii</a>; - the Devil has made a dreadful Knot of, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; - prodigious Meetings of, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; - commission the Devil, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>; - Way of discovering, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>; - Confessions and Practices, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>; - fairly executed, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; - Executions of, in Suffolk and Essex, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>; - thorny Business, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>; - firey Serpents, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; - in Denmark, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>; - Witches impeach Witches, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; - Symptoms of Guilt, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; - Conduct after the Manner of Congregational Churches, <a href="#Page_202">202-3</a>; - by applying the <i>Plastic Spirit</i>, render themselves and Tools invisible, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>; - Cause of Suicides, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; - nineteen executed, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>; - can't say the Lord's Prayer, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; - their Power to commission Devils Questioned, ii, 7; - Scriptures do not describe it, <i>ib.</i>, 8; - commission Devils? 76; - drive a Trade of commissioning, 80-1; - let fly Demons, 81; - turn into Cats, Dogs, and Cattle, 127; - a Witch not known to Reason, 138; - can commission Devils, 139; - of Lancashire, reference to, iii, 69; - steal Liquor, 110; - some goe on a Pole to a Witch-meeting, 120.</li> - -<li>Witch-Circles, held by young Girls, iii, 208; - Origin of the Salem Troubles, <i>ib.</i>, 209-10.</li> - -<li>Witch-Hill, where the Execution of those accused of Witchcraft were executed, iii, 45. -</li> -<li>Wizard, a Witch, I, <a href="#Page_xii">xii</a>, <a href="#Page_xxxviii">xxxviii</a>; - reveals the Witch by the Devil's Help, 40; - the Soul that goeth a whoring after, ii, 154.</li> - -<li>Wood, Martha, Witness, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, iii, 110.</li> - -<li>Woodbury, Abigail, iii, 79.</li> - -<li>Woodward, John, I, <a href="#Page_lxxvi">lxxvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Woodward, W. E., I, <a href="#Page_viii">viii</a>, <a href="#Page_x">x-xvi</a>.</li> - -<li>Wolcott.—See <span class="smcap">Walcutt</span>.</li> - -<li>Wool, Pall of, as Snow, I, <a href="#Page_lxxiii">lxxiii</a>.</li> - -<li>Wyllys, Edward, II, xii.</li> -</ul> - -<hr class="full" /> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2><a name="Transcribers_Note" id="Transcribers_Note">Transcriber's Note.</a></h2> - -<p> -Variable spelling and hypheation have been retained. -Minor punctuation inconsistencies have been silently repaired. -Footnotes were placed at the end of each section. -Footnote number 25 is missing in the original. -Misnumbered footnote on page 170 was corrected. -The Index was copied from the third volume. -</p> - -<h3>Corrections.</h3> -<p>The first line indicates the original, the second the correction.</p> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_ix">ix</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>at Witch Trials i -England.</li> - -<li>at Witch Trials <span class="u">in</span> -England.</li></ul> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_liii">liii</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>of the one and rhe other,</li> - -<li>of the one and <span class="u">the</span> other, </li></ul> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_lxxxviii">lxxxviii</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>An Accouut of the Case of the Goodwin</li> - -<li>An <span class="u">Account</span> of the Case of the Goodwin</li> -</ul> -<p>Footnote <a href="#Footnote_41_40">41</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>dying in 1701, at the the - Age of 70 </li> - -<li>dying in 1701, at <span class="u">the</span> - Age of 70 </li> -</ul> -<p>Footnote <a href="#Footnote_45_44">45</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>till the Reign of his present -Majesty, Jame II,</li> - -<li>till the Reign of his present -Majesty, <span class="u">James</span> II,</li> -</ul> - - -<p>Footnote <a href="#Footnote_98_97">98</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>This is the Editor's <i>Corollorary</i>.</li> - -<li>This is the Editor's <span class="u"><i>Corollary</i></span>.</li> -</ul> - -<h3>Errata.</h3> - -<p>The first line indicates the original, the second how it should read.</p> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_31">31</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>but humbly recommend unto unto the Government</li> - -<li>but humbly recommend <span class="u">unto</span> the Government</li></ul> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_61">61</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>preferr'd unto, might be the occcasion of his</li> - -<li>preferr'd unto, might be the <span class="u">occasion</span> of his</li></ul> - -<p>p. <a href="#Page_175">175</a>:</p> - -<ul><li>what passed at he first Examination</li> - -<li>what passed at <span class="u">the</span> first Examination</li></ul> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Witchcraft Delusion in New -England: Its Rise, Progress, a, by Cotton Mather and Robert Calef - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITCHCRAFT *** - -***** This file should be named 50204-h.htm or 50204-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/2/0/50204/ - -Produced by Dianna Adair, Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Eleni -Christofaki and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of -public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital -Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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