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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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