PART V.

_An Account of the matters of Fact at_ Salem-Village, _&c._ p. 90

_The Examination of Mrs._ Cary. p. 95

_The Examination of Mr_ John Aldin. p. 98

Bishop _alias_ Oliver _Condemned_. p. 100

_An Abstract of the Ministers Advice to the Governour._ p. 101

[9] Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, Sus. Martin, Eliz. How and Sarah

Wildes _Condemned_. p. 101

_The Declaration of the Foreman of the Jury, relating to words spoken

by_ Rebecca Nurse. p. 102

Rebecca Nurses _Interpretation of these words_. p. 103

_Mr_ George Burroughs, John Procter, Eliz. Procter, John Willard,

George Jacobs and Martha Carryer _Condemned_. _Ibid._

_A Letter of_ John Procter _to the Ministers._ p. 104

_A Letter of_ Margaret Jacobs _to her Father._ p. 105

Martha Cary, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeater, Dorcas Hore,

Mary Bradbery, Margaret Scot, W. Red, Samuel Wardwel, Mary Parker,

Abigail Falkner, Rebecca Emes, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, _and_ Abigail

Hobs _Condemned_. p. 106

Giles Cary _Prest to Death_. Ibid.

_A Petition of_ Mary Easty _to the Judge._ p. 107

_A Declaration of some that had confest themselves Guilty_ (at

Andover.) p. 111

_The Preface of Mr._ C. M. _in Wonders of the Invisible World, to his

Account of the Tryals of five of those that were Executed at_ Salem.

p. 113

The whole of his said Account, with one Indictment added to each

Tryal, _viz._

_The Tryal of_ Mr. Burroughs. p. 114

_The Tryal of_ Bridget Bishop. p. 120

_The Tryal of_ Susanna Martin. p. 126

_The Tryal of_ Elizabeth How. p. 133

_The Tryal of_ Martha Carryer. p. 136

_The Tryal of_ Wardwes _Wife at the first Superior Court in_ Salem.

p. 141

_The Tryal of_ Sarah Daston _at_ Charlestown. Ibid.

_The Tryal of_ Mary Watkins _at_ Boston. p. 142

_The Tryal of_ Mr. Bennom _at_ Hartford, _in the Collony of

Connecticut._ Ibid.

_A Proclamation for a Fast in the Province of_ Massachuset. p. 143

_The Acknowledgement of several Jury-Men, relating to the Condemning

of some for Witches._ p. 144

_A Postscript relating to a Book Intituled,_ The Life of Sir _W.

Phips._ p. 145

_Therein an Objection Answered, viz. But what are there no Witches?_

p. 155

[Illustration]

[10] _SIR,_

_I NOW lay before you a very Entertaining Story,[19] a Story which

relates yet more_ Wonders of the Invisible World, _a Story which

tells the Remarkable Afflictions and Deliverance of one that had been

Prodigiously handled by the_ Evil Angels. _I was myself a daily_

Eye Witness _to a large part of these Occurrences, and there may be

produced Scores of Substantial_ Witnesses _to the most of them; yea, I

know not of any one Passage of the Story but what may be sufficiently

attested. I do not Write it with a design of throwing it presently into

the Press, but only to preserve the Memory of such Memorable things,

the forgetting whereof would neither be_ pleasing _to God, nor useful

to Men; as also to give you, with some others of peculiar and obliging

Friends, a sight of some_ Curiosities, _and I hope this Apology will

serve to Excuse me, if I mention, as perhaps I may, when I come to a

tenth Paragraph in my Writing, some things which I would have omitted

in a farther Publication._

Cotton Mather.

FOOTNOTES:

[19] This singular "Story" does not appear to have been published by

its Author, nor have I any other History of it than is found in these

Pages. Nor do I find anything of a Family of the Name of Rule. Neither

Farmer nor Savage have it in their genealogical Works. Yet there was

a Family living for some Time at the North End of the Name of _Rule_.

They may not have been long resident. See Note 33.

[Illustration]

[1] ANOTHER BRAND Pluckt out of the BURNING, Or, More Wonders of the

Invisible World.

Part I. Section I.

_The Afflictions of_ MARGARET RULE.

WIthin these few years there died in the _Southern Parts_ a Christian

_Indian_, who notwithstanding some of his _Indian_ Weakness, had

something of a better Character of vertue and Goodness, than many of

our People can allow to most of their Country-men, that profess the

_Christian Religion_.[20] He had been a Zealous Preacher of the Gospel

to his Neighbourhood, and a sort of _Overseer_, or _Officer_, to whose

Conduct was owing very much of what good order was maintained among

those Proselited _Savages_. This Man returning home from the Funeral of

his Son, was complemented by an _Englishman_, expressing _Sorrow for

his Loss_; now, tho' the _Indians_ use upon the Death of Relations,

to be the most Passionate and Outragious Creatures in the World, yet

this Converted _Indian_ Handsomly and Chearfully replid, _Truly I am

sorry, and I am not sorry; I am sorry that I have Buried a dear Son;

but I am not sorry that the will of God is done. I know that without

the will of God my son could not have died, and I know that the will_

[2] _of God is always just and good, and so I am satisfied._ Immediately

upon this, even within a few hours, he fell himself Sick of a Disease

that quickly kill'd him; in the time of which Disease he called his

Folks about him, earnestly perswading them to be Sincere in their

_Praying unto God_, and beware of the _Drunkenness_, the _Idleness_,

the _Lying_, whereby so many of that Nation disgrac'd their Profession

of Christianity; adding, that he was ashamed, when he thought how

little Service he had hitherto done for God; and that if God would

prolong his Life he would Labour to do better Service, but that he was

fully sure he was now going to the Lord _Jesus Christ_, who had bought

him with his own Precious _Blood_; and for his part, he long'd to Die

that he might be with his Glorious Lord; and in the mid'st of such

passages he gave up the Ghost, but in such repute, that the _English_

People of good Fashion did not think much of Travelling a great way to

his _Interment_. Lest my Reader do now wonder why I have related this

piece of a Story, I will now hasten to abate that Wonder, by telling

that whereto this was intended, but for an _Introduction_: know then,

that this remarkable _Indian_ being a little before he Died at work in

the Wood making of Tarr, there appeared unto him a _Black Man_, of a

Terrible aspect, and more than humane Dimensions, threatning bittterly

to kill him if he would not promise to leave off _Preaching_ as he did

to his Countrey-Men, and promise particularly, _that if he preached any

more, he would say nothing of Jesus Christ unto them?_ The _Indian_

amaz'd, yet had the courage to answer, _I will in spite of you go on

to preach_ Christ _more than ever I did, and the God whom I serve will

keep me that you shall never hurt me._ Hereupon the Apparition abating

somewhat of his fierceness, offered to the _Indian_ a _Book_ of a

considerable thickness and a _Pen and Ink_, and said, that if he would

now set his hand unto that _Book_, he would require nothing further of

him; but the Man refused the motion with indignation, and fell down

upon his knees into a Fervent and Pious Prayer unto God, for help

against the _Tempter_, whereupon the _Demon_ Vanish't.

This is a Story which I would never have tendered unto my Reader, if I

had not Receiv'd it from an honest and useful _English Man_,[21] who

is at this time a Preacher of the Gospel to the _Indians_; nor would

the probable Truth of it have encouraged me to have tendered it, if

this also had not been a fit introduction unto yet a further Narrative.

_Sect._ 2. 'Twas not much above a year or two, after this Accident (of

which no manner of Noise has been made) that there was a Prodigious

descent of _Devils_ upon divers places near the Centre of this

Province; wherein some scores of _Miserable People_ were Troubled by

horrible appearances of a _Black-Man_, accompanied with _Spectres_,

wearing these and those Humane Shapes, who offer'd them a _Book_ to be

by them sign'd, in token of their being Listed for the Service of the

_Devil_, and upon their [3] denying to do it, they were _dragoon'd_

with a thousand Preternatural Torments, which gave no little terror

to the beholders of these unhappy _Energuments_. There was one in

the _North_ part of _Boston_ seized by the _Evil Angels_ many Months

after the General Storm of the late _Inchantments_ was over, and when

the Countrey had long lain pretty quiet, both as to Molestations and

Accusations from the INVISIBLE WORLD, her Name was _Margaret Rule_,

a Young Woman, She was born of sober and honest Parents, yet Living,

but what her own Character was before her Visitation, I can speak with

the less confidence of exactness, because I observe that wherever the

_Devils_ have been let loose to worry any Poor Creature amongst us, a

great part of the Neighbourhood presently set themselves to inquire and

relate all the little Vanities of their Childhood, with such unequal

exaggerations, as to make them appear greater Sinners than any whom

the Pilate of _Hell_ has not yet Preyed upon: But it is affirm'd,

that for about half a year before her Visitation, she was observably

improved in the hopeful symptoms of a new Creature; She was become

furiously concern'd for the everlasting _Salvation_ of her Soul, and

careful to avoid the snares of _Evil Company_. This Young Woman had

never seen the affliction of _Mercy Short_,[22] whereof a Narrative has

been already given, and yet about half a year after the glorious and

signal deliverance of that poor Damsel, this _Margaret_ fell into an

affliction, marvellous, resembling hers in almost all the circumstances

of it, indeed the Afflictions were so much alike, that the relation I

have given of the one, would almost serve as the full History of the

other, this was to that, _little more than the second part to the same

Tune_; indeed _Margarets_ case was in several points less remarkable

than _Mercies_, and in some other things the Entertainment did a little

vary.

_Sect._ 3. 'twas upon the _Lords Day_ the 10th of _September_, in

the Year 1693. that _Margaret Rule_, after some hours of previous

disturbance in the Publick Assembly, fell into odd _Fits_, which

caused her Friends to carry her home, where her _Fits_ in a few

hours grew into a Figure that satisfied the Spectators of their

being preternatural; some of the Neighbours were forward enough to

suspect the rise of this Mischief in an House hard-by, where lived a

Miserable Woman, who had been formerly Imprisoned on the suspicion

of _Witchcraft_, and who had frequently Cured very painfull Hurts

by muttering over them certain _Charms_, which I shall not indanger

the Poysoning of my Reader by repeating. This Woman had the Evening

before _Margaret_ fell into her Calamities, very bitterly treated her,

and threatn'd her; but the hazard of hurting a poor Woman that might

be innocent, notwithstanding _Surmizes_ that might have been more

strongly grounded than those, caus'd the pious People in the Vicinity

to try rather whether incessant _Supplication_ to God [4] _alone_,

might not procure a quicker and safer Ease to the _Afflicted_, than

hasty Prosecution of any suppos'd Criminal, and accordingly that

_unexceptionable course_ was all that was ever followed; yea, which I

look'd on as a token for good, the Afflicted Family was as averse as

any of us all to entertain thoughts of any other course.

_Sect._ 4. The Young Woman was assaulted by Eight cruel _spectres_,

whereof she imagin'd that she knew _three_ or _four_, but the rest

came still with their _Faces cover'd_, so that she could never have

a distinguishing view of the countenance of those whom she thought

she knew; she was very careful of my reitterated charges _to forbear

blazing the names_, lest any good Person should come to suffer any

blast of Reputation thro' the cunning Malice of the great Accuser;

nevertheless having since privately named _them_ to myself, I will

venture to say _this_ of them, that they are a sort of _Wretches_,

who for these many years have gone under as Violent _Presumptions_ of

_Witchcraft_, as perhaps any creatures yet living upon earth; altho'

I am farr from thinking that the Visions of this Young Woman were

Evidence enough to prove them so. These cursed _Spectres_ now brought

unto her a _Book_ about a _Cubet_ long, a _Book Red_ and _thick_,

but not very broad, and they demanded of her that she would set _her

Hand_ to that _Book_, or touch it at least with her _Hand_, as a Sign

of her becoming a Servant of the _Devil_, upon her peremptory refusal

_to do_ what they asked, they did not after renew the profers of the

_Book_ unto her, but instead thereof, they fell to Tormenting of her in

a manner too Hellish to be sufficiently described, in those Torments

confining her to her _Bed_, for just _Six weeks_ together.

_Sect._ 5. Sometimes, but not always together with the _Spectres_,

there looke't in upon the Young Woman (according to her account) _a

short and a Black Man_, whom they call'd their Master--a Wight exactly

of the same Dimensions and Complexion and voice, with the _Divel_ that

has exhibited himself unto other infested People, not only in other

parts of this Country but also in other Countrys, even of the _European

World_, as the relation of the Enchantments there inform us, they all

profest themselves Vassals of this _Devil_, and in obedience unto him

they address themselves unto various ways of Torturing her; accordingly

she was cruelly _pinch'd with Invisible hands_, very often in a Day,

and the black and blew marks of the pinches became immediately visible

unto the standers by. Besides this, when her attendants had left her

without so much as one pin about her, that so they might prevent some

fear'd inconveniencies; yet she would ever now and then be miserably

hurt with Pins which were found stuck into her Neck, Back and Arms,

however the Wounds made by the Pins would in a few minutes ordinarily

be cured; she would also be strangely distorted in her Joynts, and

thrown into such exorbitant _Convulsions_ as [5] were astonishing unto

the Spectators in General; They that could behold the doleful condition

of the poor Family without sensible compassions, might have Intrals

indeed, but I am sure they could have no true _Bowels_ in them.

_Sect._ 6. It were a most Unchristian and uncivil, yea a most

unreasonable thing to imagine that the Fitt's of the Young Woman

were but meer _Impostures_: And I believe scarce any, but People

of a particular _Dirtiness_, will harbour such an Uncharitable

Censure,[23] however, because I know not how far the _Devil_ may drive

the Imagination of poor Creatures when he has possession of them, that

at another time when they are _themselves_ would scorn to _Dissemble_

any thing. I shall now confine my Narrative unto passages, wherein

there could be no room left for any Dissimulation. Of these the first

that I'll mention shall be this; From the time that _Margaret Rule_

first found herself to be formally besieged by the _Spectres_ untill

the Ninth Day following, namely from the Tenth of _September_ to

the Eighteenth, she kept an entire Fast, and yet she was unto all

appearance as Fresh, as Lively, as Hearty, at the Nine Days End, as

before they began; in all this time, tho' she had a very eager _Hunger_

upon her Stomach, yet if any refreshment were brought unto her, her

Teeth would be set, and she would be thrown into many Miseries, Indeed

_once or twice or so_ in all this time, her Tormentors permitted her

to swallow a Mouthful of somewhat that might increase her Miseries,

whereof a Spoonful of _Rum_ was the most considerable; but otherwise,

as I said, her _Fast_ unto the _Ninth day_ was very extream and rigid:

However, afterwards there scarce passed a day wherein she had not

liberty to take something or other for her _Susttentation_, And I

must add this further, that this business of her _Fast_ was carried

so, that it was impossible to be dissembled without a _Combination_

of Multitudes of People unacquainted with one another to support the

_Juggle_, but he that can imagine such a thing of a Neighbourhood, so

fill'd with Vertuous People is a _base man_, I cannot call him any

other.

_Sect._ 7. But if the Sufferings of this Young Woman were not

_Imposture_, yet might they not be pure Distemper? I will not here

inquire of our _Saducees_ what sort of Distemper 'tis shall stick the

Body full of _Pins_, without any Hand that could be seen to stick them;

or whether all the _Pin-makers_ in the World would be willing to be

Evaporated into certain ill habits of Body producing a _Distemper_,

but of the _Distemper_ my Reader shall be Judge when I have told him

something further of those unusual Sufferings. I do believe that the

_Evil Angels_ do often take Advantage from _Natural Distempers_ in the

Children of Men to annoy them with such further Mischiefs as we call

_preternatural_. The Malignant _Vapours_ and _Humours_ of our Diseased

Bodies may be used by _Devils_ thereinto insinu[6]ating as engine

of the Execution of their Malice upon those Bodies; and perhaps for

this reason one Sex may suffer more Troubles of some kinds from the

_Invisible World_ than the _other_, as well as for _that reason_ for

which the Old _Serpent_ made where he did his _first Adddress_. But I

Pray what will you say to this, _Margaret Rule_ would sometimes have

her Jaws forcibly pulled open; whereupon something _Invisible_ would

be poured down her throat; we all saw her swallow, and yet we saw her

try all she could by Spitting, Coughing and Shriking, that she might

not swalow, but one time the standers by plainly saw something of

that odd _Liquor_ itself on the outside of her _Neck_; She cried out

of it as of _Scalding Brimstone_ poured into her, and the whole House

would Immediately scent so hot of _Brimstone_ that we were scarce able

to endure it, whereof there are scores of Witnesses; but the Young

Woman herself would be so monstrously _Inflam'd_ that it would have

broke a Heart of Stone to have seen her Agonies, _this_ was a thing

that several times happen'd and several times when her Mouth was thus

pull'd open, the standers by clapping their Hands close thereupon the

distresses that otherwise followed would be diverted. Moreover there

was a _whitish powder_ to us _Invisible_ somtimes cast upon the _Eyes_

of this Young Woman, whereby her _Eyes_ would be extreamly incommoded,

but one time some of this _Powder_ was fallen actually _Visible_ upon

her Cheek, from whence the People in the Room wiped it with their

Handkerchiefs, and somtimes the Young Woman would also be so bitterly

scorched with the unseen Sulphur thrown upon her, that very sensible

_Blisters_ would be raised upon her Skin, whereto her Friends found it

necessary to apply the _Oyl's_ proper for common _Burning_, but the

most of these Hurts would be cured in two or three days at farthest: I

think I may _without Vanity_ pretend to have read not a few of the best

System's of _Physick_[24] that have been yet seen in these _American_

Regions, but I must confess that I have never yet learned the Name of

the Natural Distemper, whereto these odd symptoms do belong: However

I might suggest perhaps many a _Natural Medicine_, which would be of

singular use against many of them.

_Sect._ 8. But there fell out some _other matters_ far beyond the reach

of _Natural Distemper_: This _Margaret Rule_ once in the middle of the

Night Lamented sadly that the _Spectres_ threat'ned the Drowning of a

Young Man in the Neighbourhood, whom she named unto the Company: well

it was afterwards found that at that very time this Young Man, having

been prest on Board _a Man of War_ then in the Harbour, was out of some

dissatisfaction attempting to swim ashoar, and he had been _Drowned_

in the attempt, if a Boat had not seasonably taken him up; it was by

computation a minute or two after the Young Womans discourse of the

_Drowning_, that the Young Man took the Water; At another time she told

us that [7] the _Spectres_ bragg'd and laughed in her hearing about an

exploit they had lately done, by stealing from a Gentleman his _Will_

soon after he had written it; and within a few hours after she had

spoken this there came to me a Gentleman with a private complaint, that

having written his _Will_, it was unaccountably gone out of the way,

_how_ or _where_ he could not Imagine; and besides all this, there were

wonderful _Noises_ every now and then made about the Room, which our

People could Ascribe to no other Authors but the _Spectres_, yea, the

Watchers affirm that they heard those fiends clapping of their hands

together with an _Audibleness_, wherein they could not be Imposed upon:

And once her Tormentors pull'd her up to the _Cieling_ of the Chamber,

and held her there before a very Numerous Company of _Spectators_,

who found it as much as they could _all do_ to pull her down

again.[25] There was also another very surprising circumstance about

her, agreeable to what we have not only _read_ in several Histories

concerning the _Imps_ that have been Imployed in _Witchcraft_; but

also known in some of our own afflicted: _We once thought we perceived

something stir upon her pillow at a little distance from her, whereupon

one present laying his hand there, he to his horror_ apprehended that

_he felt,_ tho' none could see it, _a living Creature,_ not _altogether

unlike a Rat, which nimbly escap'd from him:_ and there were diverse

other Persons who were thrown into a great consternation by feeling, as

they Judg'd, at other times the same _Invisible Animal_.

_Sect._ 9. As it has been with a Thousand other _Inchanted_ People, so

it was with _Margaret Rule_ in this particular, that there were several

words which her _Tormentors_ would not let her hear, especially the

words Pray or Prayer, and yet she could so hear the letters of those

words distinctly mentioned as to know what they ment. The standers by

were forced sometimes thus in discourse to spell a word to her, but

because there were some so ridiculous as to count it a sort of _Spell_

or a _Charm_ for any thus to accommodate themselves to the capacity of

the Sufferer, little of this kind was done. But that which was more

singular in this matter, was that she could not use these _words_ in

those penetrating discourses, wherewith she would sometimes address

the _Spectres_ that were about her. She would sometimes for a long

while together apply herself to the _Spectres_, whom she supposed the

_Witches_, with such _Exortations to Repentance_ as would have melted

an Heart of _Adamant_ to have heard them; her strains of Expression

and Argument were truly Extraordinary; A person perhaps of the best

Education and Experience and of _Attainments_ much beyond hers could

not have exceeded them: nevertheless when she came to these Words

_God_, _Lord_, _Christ_, _Good_, _Repent_, and some other such, her

Mouth could not utter them, whereupon she would sometimes in an Angry

_Parenthesis_ complain of their Wickedness in stopping that _Word_, but

she would then go [8] on with some other _Terms_ that would serve to

tell what she ment. And I believe that if the most suspicious Person

in the world had beheld all the Circumstances of this matter, he would

have said it could not have been dissembled.

_Sect._ 10. Not only in the _Swedish_, but also in the _Salem_

Witchcraft the Inchanted People have talked much of a _White Spirit_

from whence they received marvellous Assistances in their Miseries;

what lately befel _Mercy Short_[26] from the Communications of such a

_Spirit_, hath been the just Wonder of us all, but by such a _Spirit_

was _Margaret Rule_ now also visited. She says that she could never see

his _Face_; but that she had a frequent view of his bright, Shining and

glorious Garments; he stood by her _Bed-side_ continually heartning

and comforting of her and counselling her to maintain her Faith and

hope in God, and never comply with the temptations of her Adversaries;

she says he told her, that _God had permitted her afflictions to

befall her for the everlasting and unspeakable good of her own soul,

and for the good of many others, and for his own Immortal Glory, and

that she should therefore be of good Chear, and be assured of a speedy

deliverance_; and the wonderful resolution of mind wherewith she

encountered her Afflictions were but agreeable to such expectations.

Moreover a Minister having one Day with some Importunity Prayed for

the deliverance of this Young Woman, and pleaded that she belong'd

to his Flock and charge; he had so far a right unto her as that he

was to do the part of a Minister of our Lord for the bringing of her

home unto God; only now the _Devil_ hindred him in _doing_ that which

he had a _right_ thus to do, and whereas He had a _better Title_ unto

her to bring her home to _God_ than the _Divel_ could have unto her to

carry her away from the _Lord_, _he_ therefore humbly applied himself

unto _God_, who alone could right this matter, with a suit that she

might be rescued out of _Satans Hands_; Immediately upon this, tho'

she heard nothing of this transaction she began to call that Minister

her _Father_, and that was the Name whereby she every day before all

sorts of People distinguished him: the occasion of it she says was

_this_, the _white Spirit_ presently upon this transaction did after

this manner speak to her, _Margaret, you now are to take notice that_

(such a Man) _is your Father, God has given you to him, do you from

this time look upon him as your Father, obey him, regard him as your

Father, follow his Counsels and you shall do well_; And tho' there

was one passage more, which I do as little know what to make of as

any of the rest, I am now going to relate it; more than three times

have I seen it fulfilled in the Deliverance of Inchanted and Possest

Persons, whom the Providence of God has cast into my way, that their

Deliverance could not be obtained before the _third Fast_ kept for

them, and the third day still obtain'd the Deliverance, altho' I

have thought of _beseeching of the Lord thrice, when buffered by

Sa[9]tan_, yet I must earnestly Intreat all my Readers to beware of

any superstitious conceits upon the Number _Three_, if our God will

hear us upon once Praying and Fasting before him 'tis well, and if he

will not vouchsafe his _Mercy_ upon our _thrice_ doing so, yet we must

not be so discouraged as to throw by our Devotion but if the Soveraign

_Grace_ of our God will in any particular Instances count our Patience

enough tryed when we have Solemnly waited upon him for any determinate

Number of times, who shall say to him, what doest thou, and if there

shall be any Number of Instances, wherein this Grace of our God has

exactly holden the same course, it may have a room in our humble

_Observations_, I hope, without any Superstition; I say then that

after _Margaret Rule_ had been more than five weeks in her Miseries,

this _White Spirit_ said unto her, _Well this day such a Man_ (whom he

named) _has kept a third day for your deliverance, now be of good cheer

you shall speedily be delivered_. I inquired whether what had been said

of that Man were true, and I gained exact and certain information that

it was precisely so, but I doubt lest in relating this Passage that I

have used more openness than a Friend should be treated with, and for

that cause I have concealed several of the most _memorable things_ that

have occurred not only in this but in some former Histories, altho

indeed I am not so well satisfied about the true nature of this _white

Spirit_, as to count that I can do a Friend much Honour by reporting

what notice this _white Spirit_ may have thus taken of him.

_Sect._ 11. On the last day of the Week her Tormentors as she thought

and said, approaching towards her, would be forced still to recoil

and retire as unaccountably unable to meddle with her, and they would

retire to the Fire side with their Poppets; but going to stick Pins

into those Poppets, they could not (according to their visions) make

the Pins to enter, she insulted over them with a very Proper derision,

daring them now to do their worst, whilst she had the satisfaction to

see their _Black Master_ strike them and kick them, like an _Overseer_

of so many _Negro's_, to make them to do their work, and renew the

marks of his vengeance on them, when they failed of doing of it.[27] At

last being as it were tired with their ineffectual Attempts to mortifie

her they furiously said, _Well you shant be the last_. And after a

pause they added, _Go, and the Devil go with you, we can do no more_;

whereupon they flew out of the Room, and she returning perfectly to

herself most affectionately gave thanks to God for her deliverance;

her Tormentors left her extream _weak and faint_, and overwhelmed with

_Vapours_, which would not only cause her sometimes to Swoon away, but

also now and then for a little while discompose the reasonableness

of her Thoughts; Nevertheless her former troubles returned not, but

we are now waiting to see the good effects of those troubles upon the

Souls of all concern'd, And now I suppose that some of our Learned

_wit[10]lings_ of the _Coffee-House_, for fear lest these proofs of an

_Invisible-world_ should spoil some of their sport, will endeavour to

turn them all into sport, for which _Buffoonary_ their only pretence

will be, _they cant understand how such things as these could be done_

whereas indeed he that is but Philosopher enough to have read but one

_Little Treatise_, Published in the Year 1656, by no other Man than

the Chyrurgion of an _Army_, or but one Chap. of _Helmont_,[28] which

I will not quote at this time too particularly, may give a far more

intelligible account of these _Appearances_ than most of these _Blades_

can give _why_ and how their _Tobacco_ makes 'em Spit; or which way the

flame of their Candle becomes illuminating, as for that _cavil, the

world would be undone if the Devils could have such power as they seem

to have in several of our stories_,[29] it may be Answered that as to

many things the _Lying Devils_ have only known them to be done, and

then pretended unto the doing of those things, but the true and best

Answer is, that by these things we only see what the _Devils_ could

have _powers_ to do, if the great God should give them those powers,

whereas now our Histories affords a _Glorious Evidence for the being

of a God_, the World would indeed be _undone_, and horribly _undone_,

if these Devils, who now and then get liberty to play some very

mischievous pranks, were not under a daily restraint of some _Almighty

Superior_ from doing more of such Mischiefs. Wherefore instead of all

Apish _flouts_ and _jeers_ at Histories, which have such undoubted

confirmation, as that no Man that has breeding enough to regard the

Common Laws of _Humane Society_, will offer to doubt of 'em, it becomes

us rather to adore the goodness of God, who does not permit such things

every day to befall us _all_, as he sometimes did permit to befall some

few of our miserable Neighbours.

_Sect._ 12. And what after all my unwearied Cares and Pains, to rescue

the _Miserable_ from the Lions and Bears of _Hell_, which had siezed

them, and after all my Studies to disappoint the Devils in their

designs to confound my Neighbourhood, must I be driven to the necessity

of an _Apology_? Truly the hard _representations_ wherewith _some Ill

Men have reviled my conduct_, and the Countenance which other Men have

given to these representations, oblige me to give Mankind some account

of my Behaviour; No Christian can, I say none but evil workers can

criminate my visiting such of my poor flock as have at any time fallen

under the terrible and sensible molestations of _Evil Angels_; let

their Afflictions have been what they will, I could not have answered

it unto my Glorious _Lord_, if I had withheld my just _Counsels_ and

_Comforts_ from them; and if I have also with some exactness observ'd

the methods of the _Invisible World_, when they have thus become

observable, I have been but a Servant of Mankind in doing so; yea no

less a Person than the _Venerable Baxter_, has more than once or twice

in the most Publick manner invited Mankind to thank [11] me for that

_Service_. I have not been insensible of a greater danger attending

me in this fulfilment of my Ministry, than if I had been to take Ten

Thousand steps over a Rocky Mountain fill'd with _Rattle-Snakes_;

but I have consider'd, he that is wise will observe things, and the

_Surprising Explication_ and confirmation of the _biggest part_ of the

_Bible_, which I _have seen_ given in these things, has _abundantly

paid me_ for observing them. Now in my visiting of the Miserable, I

was always of this opinion, that we were Ignorant of what _Powers_

the _Devils_ might have to do their mischiefs in the shapes of some

that had never been explicitly engaged in _Diabolical Confederacies_,

and that therefore tho' many _Witchcrafts_ had been fairly detected

_on Enquiries_ provoked and begun by _Specteral Exhibitions_, yet we

could not easily be too jealous of the _Snares_ laid for us in the

_devices of Satan_; the World knows how many _Pages_ I have Composed

and Published, and particular gentlement in the Government know how

many _Letters_ I have written to prevent the excessive Credit of

_Specteral Accusations_, wherefore I have still charged the _Afflicted_

that they should _Cry_ out of no body for Afflicting of 'em. But that

if this might be any Advantage they might _privately_ tell their minds

to some one Person of _discretion_ enough to make no _ill use_ of their

communications, accordingly there has been this effect of it, that the

Name of _No one_ good Person in the World ever came under any blemish

by means of any _Afflicted_, Person that fell under _my_ particular

cognizance, yea no one Man, Woman or Child ever came into any troube

for the sake of any that were _Afflicted_ after I _had once begun_ to

look after 'em; how often have I had this thrown into my dish, that

many years ago I had an opportunity to have brought forth such People

as have in the late storm of _Witchcraft_ been complain'd of, but

that I smother'd all, and after that storm was rais'd at _Salem_, I

did myself offer to provide Meat, Drink and Lodging for no less than

Six of the Afflicted, that so an Experiment might be made, whether

_Prayer_ with _Fasting_ upon the removal of the distressed might not

put a Period to the trouble then rising, without giving the _Civil

Authority_ the trouble of prosecuting those things which nothing but a

Conscientious regard unto the cries of Miserable Families, could have

overcome the Reluctancies of the Honourable Judges to meddle with;[30]

In short I do humbly but freely affirm it, there is not that Man living

in this World who has been more desirous than the poor Man I _to

shelter_ my Neighbours from the Inconveniences of _Specteral Outcries_,

yea I am very jealous I have done so much _that way as to Sin_ in what

I have done, such have been the Cowardize and Fearfulness whereunto my

regard unto the dissatisfactions of other People has precipitated me.

I know a Man in the World, who has thought he has been able to Convict

some such _Witches_ as ought to Dye, but his respect unto the Publick

_Peace_ has caused him rather to try whether _He_ [12] _could not renew

them by repentance_: and as I have been Studious to defeat the _Devils_

of their expectations to set people together by the Ears, thus, I have

also checked and quell'd those forbidden curiosities, which would have

given the _Devil_ an invitation to have tarried amongst us, when I have

seen wonderful _Snares_ laid for _Curious_ People, by the secret and

future things discovered from the _Mouths of Damsels possest with a

Spirit of divination_; Indeed I can recollect but one thing wherein

there could be given so much as a Shadow of Reason for _Exceptions_,

and that is my allowing of so many to come and see those that were

_Afflicted_,[31] now for that I have this to say, that I have almost _a

Thousand times_ intreated the Friends of the Miserable, that they would

not permit the Intrusion of any Company, but such as _by Prayers_ or

other ways might be helpful to them; Nevertheless I have not absolutely

forbid all Company from coming to your Haunted Chambers, partly because

the Calamities of the Families were such as required the Assistance of

_many friends_; partly because I have been willing that there should

be _disinterested Witnesses_ of all sorts, to confute the Calumnies

of such as would say _all was but Imposture_; and partly because I

saw God had Sanctified the Spectacle of the Miseries on the Afflicted

unto the Souls of many that were Spectators, and it is a very Glorious

thing that I have now to mention--The Devils have with most horrendous

operations broke in upon our Neighbourhood, and God has at such a

rate over-ruled all the Fury and Malice of those Devils, that all the

Afflicted have not only been _Delivered_, but I hope also savingly

brought home unto God, and the Reputation of _no one_ good Person in

the World, has been damaged, but instead thereof the Souls of many,

especially of the rising Generation, have been thereby awaken'd unto

some acquaintance with _Religion_, our young People who belonged unto

the _Praying Meetings_ of both Sexes, a part would ordinarily spend

whole _Nights_ by whole Weeks together in _Prayers_ and Psalms upon

these occasions, in which Devotions the Devils could get nothing but

like _Fools a Scourge for their own Backs_, and some scores of other

young People who were strangers to real Piety, were now struck with

the lively demonstrations of _Hell_ evidently set forth before their

Eyes, when they saw Persons cruelly Frighted, wounded and Starved by

Devils and Scalded with burning _Brimstone_, and yet so preserved in

this tortured estate as that at the end of one Months wretchedness

they were as able still to undergo another, so that of these also it

might now be said, Behold they Pray in the whole--the Devil got just

nothing; but God got praises, Christ got Subjects, the Holy Spirit

got _Temples_, the Church got _Addition_, and the Souls of Men got

everlasting _Benefits_; I am not so vain as to say that any _Wisdome_

or _Vertue_ of mine did contribute unto this good order of things: But

I am so just, as to say I did not hinder this Good.[13] When therefore

there have been those that pickt up little incoherent scraps and bits

of my _Discourses_ in this fruitful discharge of my Ministry, and so

traversted 'em in their abusive _Pamphlets_, as to perswade the Town

that I was their _common Enemy_ in those very points, wherein, if

in any one thing whatsoever I have sensibly approved myself as true

a Servant unto 'em as possibly I could, tho my Life and Soul had

been at Stake for it. Yea to do like _Satan_ himself, by sly, base,

unpretending _Insinuations_, as if I wore not the Modesty and Gravity

which became a Minister of the Gospel, I could not but think myself

unkindly dealt withal, and the neglects of _others_ to do me _justice_

in this affair has caused me to conclude this Narrative with complaints

in _another hearing_ of such Monstrous Injuries.[32]

FOOTNOTES:

[20] There were two noted Christian Indians on Martha's Vineyard a

little previous to the Time the Above was written; viz., _Hiacoomes_

and _John Tokinosh_. It is to one of these, probably, that the Writer

refers. See _Book of the Indians_, B. ii, 118; or p. 182, Edition 1851.

See also Appendix to _Elect. Serm._ of 1698, p. 90, _et seq._

[21] Perhaps Capt. Thomas Tupper. See _Noyes's Election Sermon_, 1698,

p. 95. There were also _Eldad_ and Samuel T.--Sewall's _MSS._

[22] Nothing is learned of this Person beyond what is to be found in

this Work. There were Persons early at Newbury of the same Name.

[23] If the learned Author were living at this Day he would doubtless

gladly blot out many Pages of his own Matter, as being a more _dirty_

Work than any he then complained of.

[24] It would be curious, if not admirable, at this Day could we know

what medical Books the Doctor did possess at that Time. Doubtless Galen

and Paracelsus were conspicuous on his Shelves.

[25] Mr. Calef has not commented so severely on this Part of the Story

as it merited, and as he might have done with propriety.

[26] Mr. Savage has found quite a Number of _Short_ Families, but gives

us no _Mercy_ with them. See his _Genealogical Dictionary_.

[27] This Relation is pretty nearly equal to anything told of the

Swedish Witches by Dr. Horneck. This Author will be further noticed.

[28] Jean-Baptiste Van-Helmont, a Resident of Brussels, born in 1577.

He was so noted a Physician and Naturalist, that he was reputed a

Magician, for which he was thrown into Prison. He made his Escape and

fled into Holland, where he died in 1644.

[29] The Writer nowhere informs us how much Power the Devil has. By

some of his Assertions it seems that it is unlimited. Indeed he (Dr.

Mather) has told us that this Continent in reality belonged to the

Devil. If that was actually the Case, it certainly was an infringement

on his Rights for Europeans to intrude themselves here at all.

[30] This will be found remarked upon hereafter. The Author makes a

large Handle of Mr. Baxter's Commendations of his Story of the Goodwin

Children; which Story he afterwards printed in the _Magnalia_, Book

vi, 71, &c.; and adds: "When it was reprinted at London, the famous

Mr. Baxter prefixed a Preface unto it, wherein he says, '_This great

Instance comes with such convincing Evidence, that he must be a very

obdurate Sadducee, that wilt not believe it._'"--_Ibid.,_ 75.

[31] It was besides hinted that there were Times when the Numbers

admitted to the Afflicted were not above the _singular_ Number.

But this was doubtless a mischievous Attempt of the _Sadducees_ to

implicate some one who might be rather zealous to detect _Witchcraft_

when alone with the Afflicted. The Doctor was very indignant at this,

as will appear.

[32] It would have been highly gratifying had the Author informed his

Readers what he meant by "the neglect of others." The "another hearing"

will be found explained by and by.

PART II.

_A Letter to Mr. C. M._

_Boston_, Jan. 11_th_, 1693.

Mr. _Cotton Mather_,

_REverend Sir_, I finding it needful on many accounts, I here present

you with the Copy of that Paper, which has been so much Misrepresented,

to the End that what shall be found defective or not fairly

Represented, if any such shall appear, they may be set right, which

Runs thus.

September _the_ 13_th_, 1693.

_IN the Evening when the Sun was withdrawn, giving place to Darkness to

succeed, I with some others were drawn by curiosity to see_ Margaret

Rule, _and so much the rather because it was reported_ Mr. M---- _would

be there that Night: Being come to her Fathers House[33] into the

Chamber wherein she was in Bed, found her of a healthy countenance of

about seventeen Years Old, lying very still, and speaking very little,

what she did say seem'd as if she were Light-headed. Then Mr._ M----

_Father and Son[34] came up and others with them, in the whole were

about 30 or 40 Persons, they being sat, the Father on a Stool, and the

Son upon the Bedside by her, the Son began to question her_, Margaret

Rule, _how do you do_? then a pause without any answer. Question. _What

do there a great many Witches sit upon you? Answer._ Yes. Q. _Do you

not know that there is a hard Master?_ Then she was in a Fit; _He laid

his hand upon her Face and Nose, but, as he said, without perceiving

Breath; then he brush'd her on the Face with his Glove, and rubb'd her

Stomach (her breast not covered with the Bedcloaths) and bid others

do so too, and said_ [14] _it eased her, then she revived._ Q. _Don't

you know there is a hard Master?_ A. _Yes._ Reply; _Don't serve that

hard Master, you know who._ Q. _Do you believe? Then again she was in

a Fit, and he again rub'd her Breast_, &c. (_about this time_ Margaret

Perd[35] _an attendant assisted him in rubbing of her. The Afflicted

spake angerely to her saying don't you meddle with me, and hastily put

away her hand_) _he wrought his Fingers before her Eyes and asked her

if she saw the Witches_? A. _No._ Q. _Do you believe?_ A. _Yes._ Q.

_Do you believe in you know who?_ A. _Yes._ Q. _Would you have other

people do so too, to believe in you know who?_ A. _Yes._ Q. _Who is

it that Afflicts you?_ A. _I know not, there is a great many of them_

(_about this time the Father question'd if she knew the Spectres? An

attendant said, if she did she would not tell; The Son proceeded._)

Q. _You have seen the Black-man, hant you?_ A. _No._ Reply, _I hope

you never shall._ Q. _You have had a Book offered you, hant you?_ A.

_No._ Q. _The brushing of you gives you ease, don't it?_ A. _Yes. She

turn'd herselfe and a little Groan'd._ Q. _Now the Witches Scratch you

and Pinch you, and Bite you, don't they?_ A. _Yes, then he put his

hand upon her Breast and Belly_, viz. _on the Cloaths over her, and

felt a Living thing, as he said, which moved the Father also to feel,

and some others_. Q. _Don't you feel the Live thing in the Bed?_ A.

_No._ Reply, _that is only Fancie_. Q. _the great company of People

increase your Torment, don't they?_ A. _Yes. The People about were

desired to withdraw. One Woman said, I am sure I am no Witch, I will

not go; so others, so none withdrew._ Q. _Shall we go to Prayers, Then

she lay in a Fit as before. But this time to revive her, they waved

a Hat and brushed her Head and Pillow therewith._ Q. _Shall we go to

PRAY_, &c. _Spelling the Word._ A. _Yes. The Father went to Prayer

for perhaps half an Hour,[36] chiefly against the Power of the Devil

and Witchcraft, and that God would bring out the Afflicters: during

Prayer-time, the Son stood by, and when they thought she was in a Fit,

rub'd her and brush'd her as before, and beckned to others to do the

like, after Prayer he proceeded_; Q. _You did not hear when we were

at Prayer, did you?_ A. _Yes. You dont hear always, you dont hear

sometimes past a Word or two, do you?_ A. _No. Then turning him about

said, this is just another_ Mercy Short: Margaret Perd _reply'd, she

was not like her in her Fits_. Q. _What does she eat or drink?_ A.

Not eat at all; but drink Rum. _Then he admonished the young People

to take warning_, &c. _Saying it was a sad thing to be so Tormented

by the Devil and his Instruments_: A _Young-man present in the habit

of a Seaman, reply'd this is the Devil all over, Than the Ministers

withdrew. Soon after they were gone the Afflicted desired the Women

to be gone, saying, that the Company of the Men was not offensive to

her, and having hold of the hand of a Young-man, said to have been her

Sweetheart formerly, who was withdrawing; she pull'd him again into his

Seat, saying he should not go to Night._

[15] September _the_ 19_th_, 1693.

_THIS Night I renew'd my Visit, and found her rather of a fresher

Countenance than before, about eight Persons present with her, she was

in a Fit Screeming and making a Noise: Three or four Persons rub'd

and brush'd her with their hands, they said that the brushing did put

them away, if they brush'd or rub'd in the right place; therefore they

brushed and rubbed in several places, and said that when they did it in

the right place she could fetch her Breath, and by that they knew. She

being come to herself was soon in a merry talking Fit. A Young-man came

in and ask'd her how she did? She answered very bad, but at present a

little better; he soon told her he must be gone and bid her good Night,

at which she seem'd troubled, saying that she liked his Company; and

said she would not have him go till she was well; adding, for I shall

Die when you are gone. Then she complained they did not put her on a

clean Cap, but let her ly so like a Beast, saying she should lose her

Fellows. She said she wondered any People should be so Wicked as to

think she was not Afflicted, but to think she Dissembled, A Young-woman

answered Yes, If they were to see you in this merry Fit, they would

say you Dissembled indeed; She reply'd, Mr._ M---- _said this was her

laughing time, she must laugh now: She said Mr._ M---- _had been there

this Evening, and she enquired, how long he had been gon? She said he

stay'd alone with her in the room half an Hour, and said that he told

her there were some that came for Spies, and to report about Town that

she was not Afflicted. That during the said time she had no Fit, that

he asked her if she knew how many times he had Prayed for her to day?

And that she answered that she could not tell; and that he reply'd he

had Prayed for her Nine times to Day; the Attendants said that she

was sometimes in a Fit that none could open her Joints[37] and that

there came an Old Iron-jaw'd Woman and try'd, but could not do it;

they likewise said, that her Head could not be moved from the Pillow;

I try'd to move her head, and found no more difficulty than another

Bodies (and so did others) but was not willing to offend by lifting it

up, one being reproved for endeavouring it, they saying Angrily you

will break her Neck. The Attendants said Mr._ M---- _would not go to

Prayer with her when People were in the Room, as they did one Night

that Night he felt the Live-Creature._ Margaret Perd _and another, said

they smelt brimstone;[38] I and others said we did not smell any; then

they said they did not know what it was: This_ Margaret _said, she

wish'd she had been here when Mr._ M---- _was here, another Attendant

said, if you had been here you might not have been permitted in, for

her own Mother was not suffered to be present._

Sir, after the sorest Affliction and greatest blemish to Religion

that ever befel this Countrey, and after most Men began to Fear that

some undue steps had been taken, and after His Excellency (with their

Majestyes Approbation as is said) had put a stop to Executions, and Men

began [16] to hope there would never be a return of the like; finding

these Accounts to contain in them something extraordinary, I writ them

down the same Nights in order to attain the certainty of them, and soon

found them so confirmed that I have (besides other Demonstrations)

the whole, under the Hands of two Persons are ready to attest the

Truth of it, but not satisfied herewith; I shewed them to some of

your particular Friends, that so I might have the greater certainty:

But was much surprised with the Message you sent me, that I should be

Arrested for Slander, and at your calling me one of the worst of Lyars,

making it Pulpit-news with the Name of _Pernicious Libels_, &c. This

occasion'd my first Letter.

September _the_ 29_th_, 1693.

Reverend SIR,

I _Having written from the Mouths of several Persons, who affirm they

were present with_ Margaret Rule, _the_ 13th _Instant, her Answers and

Behaviour,_ &c. _And having shewed it to several of my Friends, as also

yours, and understanding you are offended at it; This is to acquaint

you that if you and any one particular Friend, will please to meet me

and some other Indifferent Person with me, at Mr._ Wilkinss, _or at_

Ben Harriss,[39] _you intimating the time, I shall be ready there to

read it to you, as also a further Account of proceedings the_ 19th

_Instant, which may be needful to prevent Groundless prejudices, and

let deserved blame be cast where it ought_; _From_,

_Sir, yours in what I may_, R. C.

The effects of which, Sir, (not to mention that long Letter only once

read to me) was, you sent me word you would meet me at Mr. _Wilkins's_

but before that Answer, at yours and your Fathers complaint, I was

brought before their Majesties Justice, by Warrant, as for Scandalous

_Libels_ against yourself, and was bound over to Answer at Sessions;

I do not remember you then objected against the Truth of what I had

wrote, but asserted it was wronged by omissions, which if it were so

was past any Power of mine to remedy, having given a faithful account

of all that came to my knowledge; And Sir, that you might not be

without some Cognizance of the reasons why I took so much pains in it,

as also for my own Information, if it might have been, I wrote to you

my second Letter to this effect.

November _the_ 24_th_, 1693.

Reverend SIR,

_HAVING expected some Weeks, your meeting me at Mr._ Wilkins _according

to what you intimated to me_, J. M---- _and the time drawing near for

our meeting elsewhere, I thought it not amiss to give you a Summary of

my thoughts in the great concern, which as you say has been agitated

with so much [17] heat. That there are Witches is not the doubt, the

Scriptures else were in vain, which assign their Punishment to be by

death; But what this Witchcraft is, or wherein it does consist, seems

to be the whole difficulty: And as it may be easily demonstrated,

that all that bear that Name cannot be justly so accounted, so that

some things and Actions not so esteemed by the most, yet upon due

examination will be found to merit no better Character_.

_In your late Book you lay down a brief Synopsis of what has been

written on that Subject, by a_ Triumvirate _of as Eminent Men as ever

handled it_[40] (_as you are pleas'd to call them_) viz. _Mr._ Perkins,

Gaule, _and_ Bernard _consisting of about 30 Tokens to know them by,

many of them distinct from, if not thwarting each other: Among all of

which I can find but one decisive_, Viz. _That of Mr._ Gaule, _Head_

IV. _and runs thus; Among the most unhappy Circumstances to convict

a Witch, one is a maligning and oppugning the Word, Work, or Worship

of God, and by any extraordinary Sign seeking to seduce any from it,

see_ Deu. 13. 1, 2. Mat. 24. 24. Acts. 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._

_This Head as here laid down and inserted by you, either is a Truth

or not, if not, why is it here inserted from one of the_ Triumvirate

_if it be a Truth. as the Scriptures quoted will abundantly testifie,

whence is it that it is so little regarded, tho it be the only Head

well proved by Scripture, or that the rest of the_ Triumvirate _should

so far forget their Work as not to mention it. It were to be unjust

to the Memory of those otherwise Wise Men, to suppose them to have

any Sinister design; But perhaps the force of a prevailing opinion,

together with an Education thereto Suited, might overshadow their

Judgments, as being wont to be but too prevalent in many other cases.

But if the above be Truth, then the Scripture is full and plain, What

is Witchcraft? And if so, what need of his next Head of Hanging of

People without as full and clear Evidence as in other Cases? Or what

need of the rest of the Receipts of the_ Triumvirate? _what need of

Praying that the Afflicted may be able to discover who 'tis that

Afflicts them? or what need of Searching for Tet's for the Devil to

Suck in his Old Age, or the Experiment of saying the Lord's Prayer_,

&c. _Which a multitude more practised in some places Superstitiously

inclin'd. Other Actions have been practised for easing the Afflicted,

less justifiable, if not strongly savouring of Witchcraft itself_,

viz. _Fondly Imagining by the Hand, &c. to drive off Spectres, or to

knock off Invisible Chains, or by striking in the Air to Wound either

the Afflicted or others_, &c. _I write not this to accuse any, but that

all may beware believing, That the Devil's bounds are set, which he

cannot pass, That the Devils are so full of Malice, That it cannot be

added to by Mankind, That where he hath Power he neither can nor will

omit Executing it, That 'tis only the Almighty that sets [18] bounds to

his rage, and that only can Commissionate him to hurt or destroy any_.

_These last, Sir, are such Foundations of Truth, in my esteem, that

I cannot but own it to be my duty to ascert them, when call'd, tho'

with the hazard of my All.[41] And consequently to detect such as

these, That a Witch can Commissionate Devils to Afflict Mortals, That

he can at his or the Witches pleasure Assume any Shape, That Hanging

or Drawing of Witches can lessen his Power of Afflicting, or restore

those that were at a distance Tormented, with many others depending on

these; all tending, in my esteem, highly to the Dishonour of God, and

the Indangering the well-being of a People, and do further add, that

as the Scriptures are full that there is Witchcraft_, (ut sup.) _so

'tis as plain that there are Possessions, and that the Bodies of the

Possest have hence been not only Afflicted, but strangely agitated, if

not their tongues improved to foretell futurities, &c. and why not to

accuse the Innocent, as bewitching them; having pretence to Divination

to gain credence. This being reasonable to be expected, from him who

is the Father of Lies, to the end he may thereby involve a Countrey in

Blood, Mallice, and Evil, surmising which he greedily seeks after, and

so finally lead them from their fear and dependance upon God to fear

him, and a supposed Witch thereby attaining his end upon Mankind; and

not only so, but Natural Distemper, as has been frequently observed by

the Judicious, have so operated as to deceive, more than the Vulgar,

as is testified by many Famous Physicians, and others. And as for that

proof of Multitudes of Confessions, this Countrey may be by this time

thought Competent Judges, what credence we ought to give them, having

had such numerous Instances, as also how obtain'd_.

_And now Sir, if herein be any thing in your esteem valuable, let me

intreat you, not to account it the worse for coming from so mean a

hand; which however you may have receiv'd Prejudices_, &c. _Am ready

to serve you to my Power; but if you Judge otherwise hereof, you may

take your own Methods for my better Information. Who am, Sir, yours to

command, in what I may_,

_P. C._[42]

In Answer to this last, Sir, you replyed to the Gentleman that

presented it, that you had nothing to Prosecute against me; and said

as to your Sentiments in your Books, you did not bind any to believe

them, and then again renew'd your promise of meeting me, as before,

tho' not yet performed. Accordingly, tho' I waited at Sessions, there

was none to object ought against me, upon which I was dismissed. This

gave me some reason to believe that you intended all should have been

forgotten; But instead of that, I find the Coals are fresh blown up, I

being supposed to be represented, in a late Manuscript, _More Wonders

of the, &c._ as traversing your Discourse in your Faithful discharge

of your Duty, _&c._ And such as see not with the Authors Eyes, rendred

_Saducees_ and _Witlins_,[43] _&c._ and the Arguments that square not

with the Sentiments [19] therein contain'd, Buffoonary; rarely no

doubt, agreeing with the Spirit of Christ, and his dealings with an

unbelieving _Thomas_, yet whose infidelity was without compare less

excusable, but the Author having resolved long since, to have no more

than one single Grain of Patience, with them that deny, _&c._ the

Wonder is the less. It must needs be that offences come, but wo to

him by whom they come. To vindicate myself therefore from such false

Imputations, of _Satan-like_ insinuations, and misrepresenting your

Actions, _&c._ and to vindicate yourself, Sir, as much as is in my

power from those suggestions, said to be insinuated, as if you wore

not the Modesty, and Gravity, that becomes a Minister of the _Gospel_;

which it seems, some that never saw the said Narratives, report them

to contain; I say, Sir, for these reasons, I here present you with the

first Coppy that ever was taken, _&c._ And purpose for a Weeks time to

be ready, if you shall intimate your pleasure to wait upon you, either

at the place formerly appointed, or any other that is indifferent to

the End; that if there shall appear any defects in that Narrative, they

may be amended.

Thus, Sir, I have given you a genuine account of my Sentiments and

Actions in this Affair; and do request and pray, that if I err, I may

be shewed it from _Scripture_, or sound _Reason_, and not by quotations

out of _Virgil_, nor _Spanish Rhetorick_.[44] For I find the _Witlings_

mentioned, are so far from answering your profound questions, that they

cannot so much as pretend to shew a distinction between Witchcraft in

the Common notion of it, and Possession; Nor so much as to demonstrate

that ever the _Jews_ or primitive _Christians_ did believe, that a

Witch could send a Devil to Afflict her Neighbours; but to all these,

Sir, (ye being the Salt of the Earth, _&c._) I have reason to hope for

a Satisfactory Answer to him, who is one that reverences your Person

and Office; And am, Sir, yours to Command in what I may,

R. C.

[_A letter of Mr. C. M.]

_Boston, January the_ 15_th_, 169¾.

_Mr._ R. C.

WHEREAS you intimate your desires, that what's not fairly (I take it

for granted you mean truly also,) represented in a Paper you lately

sent me, containing a pretended Narrative of a Visit by my Father and

self to an Afflicted Young woman, whom we apprehended to be under a

_Diabolical Possession_, might be rectified: I have this to say, as

I have often already said, that do I scarcely find any one thing in

the whole Paper, whether respecting my Father or self, either fairly

or truly represented. Nor can I think that any that know my Parents

Circumstances, but must think him deserving a better Character by far,

than this Narrative can be thought to give him. When the main design we

managed in [20] Visiting the poor Afflicted Creature, was to prevent

the Accusations of the Neighbourhood; can it be fairly represented

that our design was to draw out such Accusations, which is the

representation of the Paper. We have Testimonies of the best Witnesses

and in Number not a few, That when we asked _Rule_ whether she thought

she knew who Tormented her? the Question was but an Introduction to

the Solemn charges which we then largely gave, that she should rather

Dye than tell the Names of any whom she might Imagine that she knew.

Your Informers have reported the Question, and report nothing of what

follows, as essential to the giving of that Question: And can this be

termed a piece of fairness? Fair it cannot be, that when Ministers

Faithfully and Carefully discharge their Duty to the Miserable in their

Flock, little bits, scraps and shreds of their Discourses, should be

tackt together to make them contemtible, when there shall be no notice

of all the Necessary, Seasonable, and Profitable things that occurr'd,

in those Discourses; And without which, the occasion of the lesser

Passages cannot be understood; and yet I am furnished with abundant

Evidences, ready to be Sworn, that will possitively prove this part of

unfairness, by the above mention'd Narrative, to be done both to my

Father and self. Again, it seems not fair or reasonable that I should

be expos'd, for which your self (not to say some others) might have

expos'd me for, if I had not done, _viz._ for discouraging so much

Company from flocking about the Possest Maid, and yet, as I perswade

myself, you cannot but think it to be good advice, to keep much Company

from such haunted Chambers; besides the unfairness doth more appear, in

that I find nothing repeated of what I said about the advantage, which

the Devil takes from too much Observation and Curiosity.[45]

In that several of the Questions in the Paper are so Worded, as to

carry in them a presupposal of the things inquired after, to say

the best of it is very unfair: But this is not all, the Narrative

contains a number of Mistakes and Falshoods; which were they wilful and

design'd, might justly be termed gross Lies. The representations are

far from true, when 'tis affirm'd my Father and self being come into

the Room, I began the Discourse; I hope I understand breeding a little

better than so: For proof of this, did occasion serve, sundry can

depose the contrary.

'Tis no less untrue, that either my Father or self put the Question,

how many Witches sit upon you? We always cautiously avoided that

expression; It being contrary to our inward belief: All the standers

by will (I believe) swear they did not hear us use it (your Witnesses

excepted) and I tremble to think how hardy those woful Creatures must

be, to call the Almighty by an Oath, to so false a thing. As false a

representation 'tis, that I rub'd _Rule's_ Stomach, her Breast not

being covered. The Oath of the nearest Spectators, giving a true

account of that matter [21] will prove this to be little less than a

gross (if not a doubled) Lie; and to be somewhat plainer, it carries

the Face of a Lie contrived on purpose (by them at least, to whom you

are beholden for the Narrative) Wickedly and Basely to expose me. For

you cannot but know how much this representation hath contributed, to

make People believe a Smutty thing of me; I am far from thinking, but

that in your own Conscience you believe, that no indecent Action of

that Nature could then be done by me before such observers, had I been

so Wicked as to have been inclin'd to what is Base. It looks next to

impossible that a reparation shoud be made me for the wrong done to, I

hope, as to any Scandal an unblemish'd, tho' weak and small Servant of

the Church of God. Nor is what follows a less untruth, that 'twas an

Attendant and not myself who said, if _Rule_ knows who Afflicts her,

yet she wont tell. I therefore spoke it that I might encourage her to

continue in that concealment of all Names whatsoever; to this I am able

to furnish myself with the Attestation of Sufficient Oaths. 'Tis as far

from true, that my apprehension of the Imp, about _Rule_, was on her

Belly, for the Oaths of the Spectators, and even of those that thought

they felt it, can testify that 'twas upon the Pillow, at a distance

from her Body. As untrue a Representation is that which follows, _Viz._

That it was said unto her, that her not Apprehending of that odd

palpable tho' not visible, Mover was from her Fancy, for I endeavoured

to perswade her that it might be but Fancy in others, that there was

any such thing at all. Witnesses every way sufficient can be produced

for this also. 'tis falsely represented that my Father felt on the

Young-woman after the appearance mentioned, for his hand was never near

her; Oath can sufficiently vindicate him. 'Tis very untrue, that my

Father Prayed for perhaps half an Hour, against the power of the Devil

and Witchcraft, and that God would bring out the Afflictors. Witnesses

of the best Credit, can depose, that his Prayer was not a quarter of

an Hour, and that there was no more than about one clause towards the

close of the Prayer, which was of this import; and this clause also

was guarded with a singular wariness and modesty, _viz._ If there were

any evil Instruments in this matter God would please to discover them:

And that there was more than common reason for that petition I can

satisfie any one that will please to Inquire of me. And strange it is,

that a Gentleman that from 18 to 54 hath been an Exemplary Minister

of the Gospel; and that besides a station in the Church of God, as

considerable as any that his own Country can afford, hath for divers

years come off with honour, in his Application to three Crown'd Heads,

and the chiefest Nobility of three Kingdoms, knows not yet how to make

one short Prayer of a quarter of an hour, but in _New-England_ he must

be Libell'd for it. There are divers other down-right mistakes, which

you [22] have permitted yourself, I would hope, not knowingly, and with

a Malicious design, to be receiver or Compiler of, which I shall now

forbear to Animadvert upon. As for the Appendix of the Narrative I do

find myself therein Injuriously treated, for the utmost of your proof

for what you say of me, amounts to little more than, _viz._ Some People

told you, that others told them, that such and such things did pass,

but you may assure yourself, that I am not unfurnish'd with Witnesses,

that can convict the same. Whereas you would give me to believe the

bottom of these your Methods, to be some dissatisfaction about the

commonly receiv'd Power of _Devils_ and _Witches_; I do not only with

all freedom offer you the use of any part of my Library, which you may

see cause to peruse on that Subject, but also if you and any else, whom

you please, will visit me at my Study, yea, or meet me at any other

place, less inconvenient than those by you propos'd; I will with all

the fairness and calmness in the World dispute the point. I beg of God

that he would bestow as many Blessings on you, as ever on myself, and

out of a sincere wish, that you may be made yet more capable of these

Blessings, I take this occasion to lay before you the faults (not few

nor small ones neither) which the Paper contained, you lately sent

me, in order to be Examined by me. In case you want a true and full

Narrative of my Visit, whereof such an indecent Traversty (to say the

best) hath been made, I am not unwilling to communicate it, in mean

time must take liberty to say, 'Tis scarcely consistent with Common

Civility, much less Christian Charity, to offer the Narrative, now

with you, for a true one, till you have a truer, or for a full one,

till you have a fuller. Your Sincere (tho' Injur'd) Friend and Servant,

C. _MATHER_.

_The Copy of a Paper Receiv'd with the above Letter._

I DO Testifie that I have seen _Margaret Rule_ in her Afflictions from

the Invisible World, lifted up from her Bed, wholly by an Invisible

force, a great way towards the top of the Room where she lay; in her

being so lifted, she had no Assistance from any use of her own Arms or

Hands, or any other part of her Body, not so much as her Heels touching

her Bed, or resting on any support whatsoever. And I have seen her thus

lifted, when not only a strong Person hath thrown his whole weight a

cross her to pull her down; but several other Persons have endeavoured,

with all their might, to hinder her from being so raised up, which

I suppose that several others will testifie as well as myself, when

call'd unto it. Witness my Hand,

_SAMUEL AVES._[46]

WE can also Testifie to the substance of what is above Written, and have

several times seen [23] _Margaret Rule_ so lifted up from her Bed, as

that she had no use of her own Lims to help her up, but it was the

declared apprehension of us, as well as others that saw it, impossible

for any hands, but some of the Invisible World to lift her.

_ROBERT EARLE._[47]

_Copia_ _JOHN WILKINS._

_DAN. WILLIAMS._

WE, whose Names are under-writted do testifie, That one Evening when

we were in the Chamber where _Margaret Rule_ then lay, in her late

Affliction, we observed her to be, by an Invisible Force, lifted up

from the Bed whereon she lay, so as to touch the Garret Floor, while

yet neither her Feet, nor any other part of her Body rested either on

the Bed, or any other support, but were also by the same force, lifted

up from all that was under her, and all this for a considerable while,

we judg'd it several Minutes; and it was as much as several of us could

do, with all our strength to pull her down. All which happened when

there was not only we two in the Chamber, but we suppose ten or a

dozen more, whose Names we have forgotten,

_Copia_ _THOMAS THORNTON_.[48]

William Hudson[49] _Testifies to the substance of_ Thorntons

_Testimony, to which he also hath set his Hand_.

[_A Letter to Mr._ C. M.]

_Boston, January_ 18, 1693.

Mr. _Cotton Mather_,

_Reverend SIR_,

YOURS of the 15_th_ Instant, I receiv'd yesterday; and soon found I

had promised myself too much by it, _viz_, Either concurrence with,

or a denial of those Fundamentals mentioned in mine, of _Novemb._

the 24_th._ finding this waved by an Invitation to your Library,

_&c._ I thank God I have the Bible, and do Judge that sufficient to

demonstrate that cited Head of Mr. _Gaule_, to be a Truth, as also

those other Heads mentioned, as the Foundations of Religion. And in my

apprehension, if it be asked any Christian, whether God governs the

World, and whether it be he only can Commissionate Devils, and such

other Fundamentals, He ought to be as ready as in the Question, who

made him? (a little Writing certainly might be of more use, to clear

up the controverted points, than either looking over many Books in a

well furnish'd Library, or than a dispute, if I were qualified for it;

the Inconveniencies of Passion being this way best avoided) And am not

without hopes that you will yet oblige me so far, as to consider that

Letter, and if I Err, to let me see it by Scripture, _&c._

Yours, almost the whole of it, is concerning the Narrative I sent

to you, and you seem to intimate as if I were giving Characters,

Reflecti[24]ons, and Libell's, _&c._ concerning yourself and Relations;

all which were as far from my thoughts, as ever they were in writing

after either yourself, or any other Minister. In the front you declare

your apprehension to be, that the Afflicted was under a Diabolical

Possession, and if so, I see not how it should be occasion'd by any

Witchcraft (unless we ascribe that Power to a Witch, which is only

the Prerogative of the Almighty, of Sending or Commissionating the

Devils to Afflict her.) But to your particular Objections against

the Narrative; and to the first my intelligence not giving me any

further, I could not insert that I knew not. And it seems improbable

that a Question should be put, whether she knew (or rather who they

were) and at the same time to charge her, and that upon her Life,

not to tell, and if you had done so, I see but little good you could

promise yourself or others by it, she being Possest, as also having it

inculcated so much to her of Witchcraft. And as to the next Objection

about company flocking, _&c._ I do profess my Ignorance, not knowing

what you mean by it. And Sir, that most of the Questions did carry with

them a presupposing the things inquired after, is evident, if there

were such as those relating to the _Black-man_ and a Book, and about

her hearing the Prayer, _&c._ (related in the said Narrative, which

I find no Objection against.) As to that which is said of mentioning

yourself first discoursings and your hopes that your breeding was

better (I doubt it not) nor do I doubt your Father might first apply

himself to others; but my intelligence is, that you first spake to the

Afflicted or Possessed, for which you had the advantage of a nearer

approach. The next two Objections are founded upon mistakes: I find

not in the Narrative any such Question, as how many Witches sit upon

you? and that her Breast was not covered, in which those material

words, (with the Bed-Cloaths) are wholly omitted; I am not willing to

retort here your own Language upon you; but can tell you, that your

own discourse of it publickly, at Sir _W. P_'s Table, has much more

contributed to, _&c._ As to the Reply, if she could she would not tell,

whether either or both spake it it matters not much. Neither does the

Narrative say you felt the live thing on her Belly; tho I omit now to

say what further demonstrations there are of it. As to that Reply, that

is only her fancy, I find the word (her) added. And as to your Fathers

feeling for the live Creature after you had felt it, if it were on the

Bed it was not so very far from her. And for the length of his Prayer,

possibly your Witnesses might keep a more exact account of the time

than those others, and I stand not for a few Minutes. For the rest of

the Objections I suppose them of less moment, if less can be (however

shall be ready to receive them, those matters of greatest concern I

find no Objections against) these being all that yet appear, it may be

thought that if the Narrative be not [25] fully exact, it was as near

as Memory could bear away; but should be glad to see one more perfect

(which yet is not to be expected, seeing none writ at the time.) You

mention the appendix, by which I understand the Second Visit, and if

you be by the possessed belyed (as being half an hour with her alone

(excluding her own Mother) and as telling her you had Prayed for her

Nine times that day, and that now was her Laughing time, she must Laugh

now) I can see no Wonder in it; what can be expected less from the

Father of Lies, by whom, you Judge, she was possest.

And besides the above Letter, you were pleased to send me another

Paper containing several Testimonies of the Possessed being lifted up,

and held a space of several Minutes to the Garret floor, _&c._ but

they omit giving the account, whether after she was down they bound

her down: or kept holding her: And relate not how many were to pull

her down, which hinders the knowledge what number they must be to be

stronger than an Invisible Force. Upon the whole, I suppose you expect

I should believe it; and if so, the only advantage gain'd, is that

which has been so long controverted between Protestants and Papists,

whether miracles are ceast, will hereby seem to be decided for the

latter; it being, for ought I can see, if so, as true a Miracle as for

Iron to swim, and that the Devil can work such Miracles.

But Sir, leaving these little disputable things, I do again pray that

you would let me have the happiness of your approbation or confutation

of that Letter before referred to.

And now, Sir, that the God of all Grace may enable us Zealously

to own his Truths, and to follow those things that tend to Peace,

and that yourself may be as an useful Instrument in his hand,

effectually to ruin the remainders of Heathenish and Popish

Superstitions, is the earnest desire and prayer of yours to

command, in what I may. R. C.

_Postscript_--Sir, I here send you the Coppy of a paper that lately

came to my Hands, which tho' it contains no Wonders, yet is remarkable,

and Runs thus.

An account of what an _Indian_ told Captain _Hill_,[50] at _Saco-Fort_.

THE Indian _told him that the_ French _Ministers were better than the

English, for before the_ French _came among them there were a great

many Witches among the_ Indians, _but now there were none, and there

were much Witches among the_ English _Ministers, as_ Burroughs, _who

was Hang'd for it_.

Were I disposed to make reflections upon it, I suppose you will Judge

the Field large, enough, but I forbear, as above. R. C.

[26] _Boston Feb. the_ 19_th_, 1693.

Mr. _Cotton Mather_,

Reverend Sir, Having received as yet no Answer to mine of _Novemb._

the 24th. except an offer to peruse Books, _&c._ relating to the

Doctrinals therein contain'd: Nor to my last of _January_ the

18th. In which I did again pray that if I err'd I might be shewed it

by Scripture, _Viz._ in believing that the Devils bounds are sett,

which he cannot pass; that the Devils are so full of Malice that it

cant be added to by Mankind: That where he hath power he neither can

nor will omit Executing it; That it's only the Almighty that sets

bounds to his rage, and that only can commissionate him to hurt or

destroy any; And consequently to detest as erroneous and dangerous,

the belief that a Witch can Commissionate Devils to Afflict Mortals;

That he can at his or the Witches pleasure assume any shape: That

Hanging or Chaining of Witches can lessen his Power of Afflicting, and

restore those that were, at a distance, Tormented by him. And whether

Witchcraft ought to be understood now in this Age, to be the same that

it was when the Divine Oracles were given forth, particularly, those

quoted by Mr. _Gaule_ in that cited Head (_Wonders of the Invisible

World_;[51] Mr. _Gaules_ IV. Head, to discover Witches) which do so

plainly shew a Witch, in Scripture-sense to be one that maligne, _&c._

And that pretend to give a Sign in order to seduce, _&c._ For I have

never understood in my time, any such have Suffered as Witches, tho'

sufficiently known; But the only Witch now inquired after, is one

that is said to become so by making an Explicit Covenant with the

Devil, _i. e._ the Devil appearing to them, and making a compact

mutually, promising each to other, testified by their signing his Book,

a material Book, which he is said to keep and that thereby they are

Intituled to a power, not only to Afflict others, but such as is truly

exorbitant, if not highly intrenching upon the prerogative of him, who

is the Soveraign being; For who is he that saith, and it cometh to

pass, when the Lord commandeth it not.

Such explicit Covenant being as is said in this Age reckoned essential

to compleat a Witch: Yet I finding nothing of such covenant (or power

thereby obtain'd) in Scripture, and yet a Witch therein so fully

describ'd, do pray that if there be any such Scriptures I may be

directed to them, for as to the many Legends in this case I make no

account of them; I Read indeed of a Covenant with Death and with Hell,

but suppose that to be in the Heart (or _Mental_) only, and see not

what use such explicit one can be of between Spirits, any further than

as 'tis a Copy of that _Mental_ which is in the Heart. The dire effects

and consequences of such notion may be found written in indelible

_Roman_ Characters of Blood in all Countryes where they have prevail'd,

and what can less be [27] expected when Men are Indicted for that,

which, as 'tis impossible to prove so, for any to clear himself of,

_Viz,_ Such explicit Covenant with the Devil, and then for want of

better Evidence, must take up with such as the Nature of such secret

Covenant can bear, as Mr. _Gaule_ hath it, _i. e._ Distracted Stories,

and strange and Foreign Events, _&c._ Thereby endeavouring to find it,

though by it's but supposed effects; By the same Rules that one is put

to purge himself of such Compact, by the same may all Mankind.[52]

This then being so Important a case, it concerns all to know what

Foundations in Scripture is laid for such a Structure; For if they

are deficient of that Warrant, the more Eminent the Architects are

the more dangerous are they thereby rendered, _&c._ These are such

considerations as I think will vindicate me in the esteem of all Lovers

of Humanity, in my endeavours to get them cleared. And to that End,

do once more pray, that you would so farr oblige me as to give your

Approbation or Confutation of the above Doctrinals; But if you think

silence a Vertue in this case, I shall (I suppose) so far comply with

it as not to loose you any more time to look over my papers. And if

any others will so far oblige me, I shall not be ungrateful to them;

Praying God to guide and prosper you, I am, Sir, yours to my power,

R. C.

(_He that doth Truth, cometh to the Light._)

Boston April _the_ 16_th_, 1694.

Mr. _Cotton Mather_.

Reverend Sir,

HAVING as yet Received no Answer to my last, touching the Doctrinals

therein referred to, tho' at the delivery of it, you were pleased to

promise the Gentleman that presented it, that I should have it, and

after that you acqainted the same Gentleman that you were about it. The

length of time since those promises, makes me suppose you are preparing

something for the Press (for I would not question your veracity) do

think it may not be amiss, when you do any thing of that Nature for the

publick view, that you also explain some passages of some late Books of

yours and your Relations, which are hard to be understood, to Instance

in a few of many Wonders of the _Invisible World_, pag. 17. [Plagues

_are some of these woes with which the Devil causes our Trouble_, pag.

18. _Hence come such Plagues as that besom of destruction which within

our Memory swept away such a throng of People from one_ English city,

_in one Visitation. Wars are some of those woes with which the Devil

causes our Trouble_, pag. 16. _Hence 'tis that the Devil like a Dragon

keeping a Guard upon such Fruits as would refresh a Languishing World,

has hindered Mankind for many Ages from hitting upon those usefull

Inventions. The benighted World must Jogg on for thousands of Years,

without the knowledge of the Load-stone, Printing and Spectacles_,

pag. 10, _It is_ [28] _not likely that every Devil does know every

Language. 'Tis possible the Experience, or if I may call it so, the

Education of all Devils is not alike; Cases of conscience_, page 63.

_The Devil has inflicted on many the Disease call'd_ Lycanthropia.[53]

Memor. provid. Relat. to Witch. Disc. on Wit. pag. 24. _I am also

apt to think that the Devils are seldom able to hurt us in any of

our exteriour concerns, without a Commission from some of our fellow

Worms. When foul Mouth'd Men shall wish harm to their Neighbours,

they give a Commission to the Devil to perform what they desire, and

if God should not Mercifully prevent, they would go thro' with it;

Hear this you that in wilde Passion will give every thing to the

Devil; Hear it you that bespeak a Rot, a Pox, or a Plague, on all that

shall provoke you; I here Indict you as Guilty of Hellish Witchcraft

in the Sight of God._ More Wonders of the Invisible World, _pag._

49. _They each of them have their Spectres or Devils Commissioned by

them and representing of them_, pag. 14. _But such a permission from

God for the Devil to come down and break in upon Mankind must often

times be accompanied with a Commission from some of Mankind itself_,

Inchantments Encountered. _These Witches have driven a Trade of

Commissionating their confederate Spirits, to do all sorts of Mischiefs

to their Neighbours_, pag. 50. _They have bewitched some even so

farr, as to make them Self-destroyers, pag._ 144. _As I am abundantly

satisfied, that many of the Self-murders committed here, have been the

effects of a cruel and Bloody Witchcraft, letting fly_ Dæmons _upon

the Miserable Seneca's, pag._ 51. _We have seen some of their Children

so Dedicated to the Devil, that in their Infancy the Imps have sucked

them_. Cases of conscience, _pag._ 24. _They bequeath their_ Dæmons _to

their Children as a Legacy, by whom they are often assisted to see and

do things beyond the Power of Nature, pag._ 21. _There are in Spain a

sort of People call'd_ Zahurs,[54] _that can see into the Bowels of

the Earth_. [_On_ Tuesdays _and_ Fridays,] (and to add) that in pag.

49. The words are [_For the Law of God allows of no Revelation from

any other Spirit but himself, Isa._ viii. 19. _It is a Sin against God

to make use of the Devils help, to know that which cannot be otherways

known; and I testify against it as a great transgression, which may

Justly provoke the Holy one of_ Israel, _to let loose Devils on the

whole Land_.] Altho the Devils Accusation may be so far regarded, as

to cause an inquiry into the Truth of things, _Job._ i. 11, 12, and

ii, 5, 6. _Yet not so as to be an Evidence or Ground of Conviction,

for the Devils Testimony ought not to be taken in WHOLE Nor In PART._]

It is a known Truth, that some unwary expressions of the primative

Fathers, were afterwards improved for the Introducing and establishing

of Error, as their calling the Virgin _Mary_, the Mother of God, _&c._

Hence occasion and Advantage was taken to propagate the Idolizing of

her (the like might be said of the _Eucha[29]rist_, these assertions,

above rehearsed, being apparently liable to a like Male Construction,

and no less dangerous, are therefore as I said highly needful to be

explain'd, and that in a most publick manner. For were they to be

understood Litterally and as they are spoken, it must seem as if the

Authors were Introducing among Christians very dangerous Doctrines,

such, as were they asserted by the best of Men, yet ought to be

rejected by all, _&c. Viz._ That 'tis the Devil that brings the most of

Evils upon Mankind, by way of Infliction, that do befall them; And that

the Witch can commissionate him to the performance of these, with many

others as dangerous Doctrines, and such as seem in their tendency to

look favourably upon the Antient _Pagan_ Doctrine of this countrey, who

did believe that God did hurt to none, but Good to all, but that the

Devil must be pleas'd by Worshipping, _&c._ From whom came all their

Miseries, as they believed. For what were all this but to Rob God of

his Glory in the highest manner, and giving it to a Devil and a Witch;

Is it not he that has said shall there be Evil in a City and the Lord

hath not done it? But if any are fond of their own notions because

some Eminent Men have before now asserted them; they may do well to

compare them with that excellent saying, _Wonders of the Invisible

World_, pag. 7. [_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 to us; according to which if we do not speak

on so dark a Subject, but according to our own uncertain and perhaps

Humoursom Conjectures, there is no Light in us._ Or that other, pag.

75. _At every other Weapon the Devil will be too hard for us._] For

'tis most certain that other Notions, Weapons and Practices have been

taken up with; And that the event has been answerable, the Devil has

been too hard for such as have so done. I shall forbear to instance

from the Dogmatical part, and shall mention some practices that as much

need explaining. _Mem. provid. Relat. to Witch. pag._ 29, 30, 31.[55]

Where account is given that it was Pray'd for that the afflicted might

be able to declare, whom she apprehended herself Afflicted by, together

with the Immediate answer of such Prayer. To this you once Reply'd when

it was mentioned to you, that you did not then understand the wiles of

_Satan_.

To which I have nothing to object, but it might be a good

Acknowledgment; But considering that the Book is gone forth into all

the World, cannot but think the Salve ought to be proportion'd to the

Sore, and the notice of the Devils wiles as Universal, as the means

recommending them. Another Practice is _pag._ 20, 21. [_There was one

singular passion that frequently attended her, an Invisible Chain would

be clapt about her, and she in much pain and fear cry out when they

began to put it on, once I did with my own hand knock it off as it

began to be fastened about her._] [30] If this were done by the power

or Vertue of any ord'nance of Divine Institution, it is well, but would

have been much better if the Institution had been demonstrated, or was

there any Physical Vertue in that particular Hand. But supposing that

neither of these will be asserted by the Author, I do think it very

requisite, that the World may be acquainted with the Operation, and

to what Art or Craft to refer their Power of Knocking off _Invisible

Chains_.

And thus, Sir, I have Faithfully discharged (what in this I took to be

my Duty) and am so far from doing it to gain applause, or from a Spirit

of Contradiction, that I expect to procure me many Enemies thereby,

(but as in case of a Fire) where the Glory of God, and the Good and

Wellfare of Mankind are so nearly concern'd, I thought it my duty to be

no longer an Idle Spectator; And can, and do say, to the Glory of God,

in this whole Affair, I have endeavoured a Conscience voide of offence,

both towards God and towards Man; And therein at the least have the

advantage of such as are very Jealous they have done so much herein,

as to Sin in what they have done, _viz._ In sheltring the Accused,

such have been the Cowardice and Fearfulness, whereunto the regard to

the Dissatisfaction of other People have precipitated them; Which by

the way must needs acquaint all, that for the future other measures

are resolved upon (by such) which how Bloody they may prove when

opportunity shall offer, is with him who orders all things, according

to the counsel of his own Will: And now that the Song of Angels may be

the Emulation of Men, is the earnest Desire, and Prayer, of Sir, Yours

to Command in what I may,

R. C.

_Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace and good Will towards

Men._

[_A Letter to Mr._ B.]

_Boston, March the_ 1_st._ 1694.

Mr. B.[56] _Worthy Sir_,

AFTER more than a Years waiting for the performance of a reiterated

promise from one under singular obligations, and a multitude of

advantages to have done it sooner, The utmost compliance I have mett

with, is (by your Hands) the sight of four Sheets of recinded Papers,

but I must first be obliged to return them in a Fortnight, and not

Copied, which I have now complied with: And having read them am not at

all Surprized at the Authors Caution in it, not to admit of such crude

matter and impertinent absurdities, as are to be found in it to spread.

He seems concern'd that I take no notice of his several Books, wherein,

as he saith, he has unanswerably proved things to which I might reply,

that I have sent him letters of quotations out of those Books, to know

how much of them he will abide by, for I thought it hard to affix

their [31] Natural consequences till he had opportunity to explain

them. And saith that he had sent me (Mr. Baxters _World of Spirits_)

an ungainsayable Book, _&c._ (tho I know no ungainsayable Book, but

the Bible) which Book I think no Man that has read it, will give such

a Title to but the Author, he speaks of my reproaching his publick

Sermons, of which I am not conscious to myself, unless it be about his

interpretation of a _Thunder Storm_ (that broke into his House) which

favoured so much of Enthusiasm.[57]

As to those papers, I have (as I read them) noted in the Margin where,

in a hasty reading, I thought it needful, of which it were unreasonable

for him to complain; seeing I might not take a Copy, thereby to have

been inabled, more at leasure to digest what were needfull to be said

on so many Heads; and as I have not flatter'd him, so for telling what

was so needful, with the hazard of making so many Enemies by it, I have

approved myself one of his best Friends: And besides his own sense

of the weakness of his Answer, testified by the prohibition above,

he has wholly declined answering to most of those things that I had

his promise for, and what he pretends to speak to, after mentioning,

without the needful Answer or Proof drops it.

His first main Work is after his definition of a Witch, which he never

proves (without saying any thing to Mr. _Gauls_ Scriptural description,

tho' so often urged to it, and tho' himself has in his Book recommended

and quoted it) is to magnifie the Devils Power, and that as I think

beyond and against the Scripture, this takes him up about 11 _Pages_,

and yet in _Page_ 22 again returns to it, and as I understand it, takes

part with the _Pharisees_ against our Saviour in the Argument, for they

charge him that he cast out Devils thro' _Beelzebub_, Our Saviours

Answer is, _Mat._ xii. 25. _Every Kingdom divided against itself is

brought to desolation; and every City or House divided against itself,

shall not stand, and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against

himself, how shall then his Kingdom stand_: And yet notwithstanding

this Answer together with what follows, for further Illustration, our

Author is it seems resolved to assert that our Saviour did not in this

Answer deny that many did so, (_viz._) cast out Devils by _Beelzebub_,

and _Page_ 23 grants that the Devils have a Miraculous Power, but

yet must not be call'd miracles, and yet can be distinguished, as he

intimates, only by the Conscience or Light within, to the no small

scandal of the Christian Religion.

Tho' our Saviour and his Apostles accounts this the chief or principal

proof of his Godhead, _John_ xx. 30, 31. _John_ x. 37, 38. _John_ v.

30. _Mark_ xvi. 17, 18. _Acts_ ii. 22. and iv. 30. with many others

and that Miracles belong only to God, who also Governs the World,

_Psal._ cxxxvi. 4. _Jer._ xiv. 22. _Isa._ xxxviii. 8. _Psal._ lxii.

11. _Lam._ iii. 37. _Amos_ iii. 6. [32] But to forbear quoting that

which the Scripture is most full in, do only say that he that dares

assert the Devil to have such a Miraculous Power had need have other

Scriptures than ever I have seen. In _Page_ 12. our Author proceeds

and states a question to this effect, If the Devil has such Powers,

and cant exert them without permission from God, what can the Witch

contribute thereunto? Instead of an Answer, to this weighty objection,

our Author first concedes that the Devil's do ordinarily exert their

Powers, without the Witches contributing to it, but yet that to the end

to increase their guilt he may cheat a Witch, by making her believe

herself the Author of them.[58] His next is, if Witchcraft be, as I

suppose it is, the skill of applying the Plastic Spirit of the World,

_&c._ then the consent of the Witch doth naturally contribute to

that mischiefs that the Devil does. And his last answer runs to this

effect, Is it not the Ordination of God, that where the Devil can get

the consent of a Witch for the hurting of others, the hurt shall as

certainly be as if they had set Mastiff Dogs upon them, or had given

them Poyson into their Bowels; and Gods Providence must be as great in

delivering from one as from the other, and this it seems is not only

his Belief, but the most Orthodox and most learned answer that our

Author could pitch upon. If Witchcraft be as I suppose it is, _&c._

and is it not the Ordination of God, that, _&c._ What is all this but

precarious, and begging the question, and a plain dropping the Argument

he cannot manage; however, to amuse the Ignorant, and to confound

the Learned, he hooks in a cramp word, if not a nonentity, (_viz._)

_Plastic_ Spirit of the World, for who is it either knows that there is

a _Plastic Spirit_, or what it is, or how this can any way serve his

purpose.[59]

He then proceeds to _Scripture_ Instances of Witches, _&c._ and where

I thought it needful, I have, as I said, shewed my dissent from his

Judgment: He accounts it unreasonable to be held to the proof of his

definition of a Witch, which he makes to consist in a Covenant with the

Devil, and chuses rather a tedious process about a Pistol to defend

him from it, which indeed is one particular way whereby Murder has

been Committed, and so the Dore becomes Culpable; But his definition

of a _Witch_, which as I said, still remains to be proved, is to this

effect, That a _Witch_ is one that Covenants with, and Commissions

_Devils_ to do mischiefs, that she is one in Covenant, or that by

Vertue of such Covenant she can Commissionate him to Kill. The not

bringing Scripture to prove these two, is a sufficient demonstration

there is none; and so that our Author leaves off just where he began,

_viz._ in a bare Assertion, together with his own Biggoted experiences,

hinting also at multitudes of Histories to confirm him in the belief of

his definition. Here being all that I take notice of to be considerable.

[33] And now, Sir, if you think fit to improve your Friendship with

the Author for the Glory of God, the Sovereign Being, the good and

welfare of _Mankind_, and for his real and true Interest, as you see

it convenient, put him in mind, That the Glory of God is the end

why _Mankind_ was made, and why _He_ hath so many Advantages to it.

That the Flames we have seen threatning the utter extirpation of the

Country, must own their Original to these dangerous Errors (if not

heresies) which if they remain Unextinguished, may and most likely will

be acted over again.

That 'tis more Honour to own an Error in time, than tenaciously after

full Conviction to retain it. But if our Author will again Vindicate

such matters, please to acquaint him, that I shall not any more receive

his Papers, if I may not Copy and use them; and that when he does,

instead of such abstruse matters, I still pray his determination in

those things I have his promise for. And thus begging Pardon for thus

long detaining of you, I am, Sir, your to Command,

R. C.

Boston, March 18, 1694.

_To the Ministers, whether_ English, French, _or_ Dutch,

I Having had not only occasion, but renewed provocation to take a view

of the Mysterious Doctrines, which have of late been so much contested

among us, could not meet with any that had spoken more, or more plainly

the sense of those Doctrines (relating to the _Witchcraft_) than the

Reverend Mr. _C. M._ but how clearly and consistent, either with

himself or the truth, I medle not now to say, but cannot but suppose

his strenuous and Zealous asserting his opinions, has been one cause of

the dismal Convulsions we have here lately fallen into; Supposing that

his Books of _Memorable Providences_, relating to Witchcraft, as also

his _Wonders of the Invisible World_, did contain in them things not

warrantable, and very dangerous, I sent to him a Letter of Quotations

out of those Books, _&c._

That so, if it might have been, I might understand what tollerable

Sense he would put upon his own words, which I took to be a better way

of Proceeding, than to have affixed what I thought to be their natural

consequences, and lest I might be Judged a Sceptic I gave him a full

and free account of my belief relating to those Doctrines, together

with the grounds thereof; And prayed him that if I err'd I might be

shewed it by Scripture, and this I had his reiterated promise for. But

after more than a Years waiting for the performance thereof, all that

is done in compliance therewith, is that in _Feb._ last, he sent me

four sheets of his writing as his belief, but before I might receive

it I must engage to deliver it back in a Fortnight and not Copy'd.[60]

A Summary account [34] of which I shall give you, when I have first

acquainted you what the Doctrines were which I sent to him for his

concurrence with, or confutation of, and to which I had his promise, as

above.

These by way of Question, (_Viz._) whether that fourth Head cited and

recommended by himself (In _Wonders of the Invisible World_, of Mr.

_Gauls_) ought to be believed as a truth, which runs thus; Among the

most unhappy circumstances to Convict a Witch, one is a Maligning

and Oppugning the Word, Work, and Worship of God, and seeking by any

Extraordinary sign to seduce any from it, _Deut._ xiii. 1, 2. _Mat._

xxiv. 24. _Acts_ xiii. 8, 10. 2 _Tim._ iii. 8. do but mark well the

places, and for this very property of thus oppugning and perverting,

they are all there concluded arrant and absolute Witches.

And if in Witchcraft the Devil by means of a Witch does the Mischief,

how 'tis possible to distinguish it from Possession, both being said to

be performed by the Devil, and yet without an Infallible distinction

there can be no certainty in Judgment. And whether it can be proved

that the _Jewish_ Church in any Age before, or in our Saviours time,

even in the time of their greatest Apostacy did believe that a Witch

had power to Commissionate Devils to do Mischief.

So much to the Questions. These were sent as my belief: That the devils

bounds are sett, that he cant pass; That the devils are so full of

Malice, that it cant be added to by Mankind; That where he hath power

he neither can nor will omit executing it; That 'tis only the Almighty

that sets bounds to his rage, and that only can Commissionate him to

hurt or destroy. And now I shall give you the Summary account of his

four sheets above mentioned, as near as memory could recollect, in Ten

Particulars.

1. That the Devils have in their Natures a power to work Wonders and

Miracles; particularly that the _Pharisees_ were not mistaken in

asserting that the Devils might be cast out by _Beelzebub_; and that

our Saviours Answer does not oppose that assertion; and that he hath

the Power of Death, that he can make the most Solid things Invisible;

and can Invisibly bring poyson and force it down Peoples Throats.[61]

2. That to assert this Natural, wonderful Power of the Devil, makes

most for the Glory of God, in preserving Man from its effects,

3. Yet this Power is restrained by the Almighty, as pleaseth him.

4. That a Witch is one that makes a Covenant with the Devil.

5. That by vertue of such a Covenant, she arrives at a Power to

Commissionate him.

6. That God has ordain'd, that when the Devil is call'd upon by the

Witch, tho' he were before restrained by the Almighty, the desired

mischiefs ordinarily shall as certainly be performed, as if the Witch

had [35] lodged poyson in the Bowels of her Neighbour, or had set

Mastiff Dogs on them.

7. That the Witche's Art of applying the _Plastic Spirit of the World_

to unlawful purposes, does Naturally contribute to the mischiefs done

by the Devil.

8. That that God which restrain'd an _Abimelich_ and a _Laban_ from

hurting, does also restrain the Witch from Calling upon or Improving

the Devil, when he will not have his Power so exerted.

9. That to have a Familiar Spirit, is to be able to cause a Devil to

take bodily shapes, whereby either to give responses, or to receive

orders for doing mischief.

10. That this is the Judgment of most of the Divines in the Countrey,

whether _English_, _Dutch or French_.[62]

This as I said, I took to be most material in the four sheets sent to

me as his belief, and is also all the performance he has yet made of

his several promises; which ten Articles being done only by memory,

lest thro' mistake or want of the Original, I might have committed

any errors, I sent them to him that, if there were any, they might be

rectified: But instead of such an Answer, as might be expected from a

Minister and a learn'd Gentleman, one Mr. _W----_ shewed me a Letter

writ by Mr. _C. M----_ to himself, which I might read, but neither

borrow nor Copy, and so, if I were minded, could give but a short

account of it.

And passing over his hard Language, which, as I am conscious to myself;

I never deserv'd, (relating to my writing in the margin of the four

sheets; and to these ten Articles) so I hope I understand my Duty,

better than to imitate him in retorting the like. Among his many words

in his said Letters, I meet with two small Objections; one is against

the word (_Miracle_) in the first Article, the word, I say, not the

matter, for the works he attributes to the Devil are the same in their

being above or against the Course of Nature and all Natural causes,

yet he will not admit of these to be call'd Miracles. And hence he

reckon's it the greatest difficulty he meets with in this whole affair,

to distinguish the works of the Devil from Miracles. And hence also

he concedes to the Devil the Power to make the most Solid things

Invisible, and Invisibly to bring Poyson and force it down Peoples

Throats, _&c._ Which I look upon to be as true Miracles as that. 2

_Kings_ vi. 18. and this is the sense I understand the word in, and

in this sense, he himself in the four sheets admits it; for he has

an objection to this effect, _Viz._ [If the Devils have such power,

_&c._ then miracles are not ceas'd; and where are we then? (his Answer

is) Where! even just where we were before, say I] so that it seems

the only offence here is at my using his words. His second objection

(for weight) is against the whole ninth Article, and wonders [36] how

'tis possible for one Man so much to misunderstand another; Yet as I

remember, he speaking of the Witch of _Endor_ in the said four sheets

says, she had a familiar Spirit, and that [a Spirit belonging to the

Invisible World, upon her calling appear'd to _Saul_] _&c._ and if so

'tis certain he gave responses, he also tells of _Balaam_, that it was

known that he could set Devils on People to destroy them, and therefore

how this objection should bear any Force I see not; The rest of the

objections are of so small weight that once reading may be sufficient

to clear them up, and if this be not so, he can, when he pleases,

by making it Publick together with the Margins I writ, Convince all

People of the truth of what he asserts; But here 'tis to be noted, that

the 2_d._ 3_rd._ 4_th._ and 5_th_ Articles he concedes to, as having

nothing to object against them, but that they are his belief; and that

the 6_th._ and 7_th._ he puts for Answer to an objection which he thus

frames, _Viz._ If the Devil have such powers but cannot exert them but

by permission from God, what can the Witch contribute thereto. And thus

I have faithfully performed what I undertook, and do solemnly declare,

I have not intentionally in the least wronged the Gentleman concern'd,

nor design'd the least blemish to his Reputation; but if it stands in

competition with the Glory of God, the only Almighty Being, his truths

and his Peoples welfare, I suppose these too valuable to be trampled on

for his sake, tho' in other things I am ready to my power (tho' with

denying some part of my own interest) to serve him. Had this Gentleman

declin'd or detracted his four sheets, I see not but he might have done

it, and which I think there was cause enough for him to have done, but

to own the four sheets, and at the same time to disown the Doctrine

contain'd in them, and this knowing that I have no Copy, renders the

whole of the worse aspect.

And now I shall give you a further account of my Belief, when I have

first premised, that 'tis a prevailing Belief in this Countrey, and

elsewhere, that the Scriptures are not full in the Description of, and

in the way and means how to detect a Witch, tho' positive in their

Punishment to be by Death; and that hence they have thought themselves

under a necessity of taking up with the Sentiments of such Men or

Places that are thought worthy to give rules to detect them by: And

have accordingly practised, _viz._ In searching for Tets for the Devil

to suck; Trying whether the suspected can say the Lords Prayer; And

whether the Afflicted falls at the sight, and rises at the touch of the

supposed Witch; As also by the Afflicted or Possessed giving account

who is the Witch.

Touching these my belief is, that 'tis highly Derogatory to the wisdom

of the Wise Lawgiver, to ascert, That he has given a Law by _Moses_,

the Penalty whereof is Death; and yet no direction to his People,

whereby to know and detect the culpable, till our _Triumvirate_ Mr.

[37] _Perkins_, _Gaul_ and _Bernard_, had given us their receits,

and that that fourth Head of Mr. _Gauls_, being so well prov'd by

Scripture is a truth, and contains a full and clear Testimony, who

are Witches culpable of Death, and that plainly and from Scripture,

yet not excluding any other branch, when as well proved by that

infallible rule. And that the going to the Afflicted or Possessed, to

have them Divine who are Witches by their Specteral sight, is a great

wickedness, even the Sin of _Saul_ (for which he also Died) but with

this difference, the one did it for Augury, or to know future Events,

the other in order to take away Life; and that the searching for Tets,

the experiment of their saying the Lords Prayer; the falling at the

sight and rising at the touch of the supposed Criminal, being all of

them foreign from Scripture, as well as reason, are abominations to

be abhor'd and repented of. And that our _Salem_ Witchcraft, either

respecting the Judges and Juries, their tenderness of Life, or the

Multitude and pertinency of witnesses, both Afflicted and Confessors,

or the Integrity of the Historians, are as Authentic, and made as

certain as any ever of that kind in the World; and yet who is it that

now sees not through it, and that these were the Sentiments that have

procured the sorest Affliction, and most lasting infamy that ever befel

this Country, and most like so to do again, if the same notions be

still entertain'd and finally that these are those last times, of which

the Spirit speaks expressly, _Tim._ iv. 1. _And now ye that are Fathers

in the Churches, Guides to the People, and the Salt of the Earth_.

I beseech you consider these things; and if you find the Glory of God

diminisht by ascribing such power to Witches and Devils; His truths

oppos'd by these notions; and his People aspersed in their Doctrines

and Reputations, and indangered in their Lives; I dare not dictate to

you, you know your duty as Watchmen, and the Lord be with you.

But if you find my belief contrary to sound Doctrine, I intreat you to

shew it me by the Scripture; And in the mean time blame me not if I

cannot believe that there are several Almighties; for to do all sorts

of wonders, beyond and above the Course of Nature, is certainly the

work of _Omnipotency_. So also, he that shall Commissionate or Impower

to these, must also be Almighty; and I think it not a sufficient

_salvo_, to say they may be restrain'd by the most High; and hope

you will not put any hard Construction on these my Endeavours to get

information (all other ways failing) in things so needful to be known;

praying the Almightys Guidance and protection, I am

Yours to the utmost of my Power,

R. C.

[_A Letter to Mr._ S. W.]

[38] Boston, _Sept. the_ 20_th_, 1695.

Mr. _Samuel Willard_.

_Reverend Sir_,

MY former of _March_ the 18th. directed to the Ministers (and which was

lodg'd with yourself) containing several Articles, which I sent as my

belief, praying them if I erred to shew it me by Scripture, I have as

yet had no Answer to, either by word or writing, which makes me gather

that they are approved of as _Orthodox_, or at least that they have

such Foundations, as that none are willing to manifest any opposition

to them: And therefore with submission, _&c_. I think that that late

seasonable and well-design'd Dialogue intituled, _Some miscellany

Observations,[63] &c._ of which yourself is the suppos'd Author (and

which was so serviceable in the time of it) is yet liable to a male

construction, even to the endangering to revive what it most opposes,

and to bring those practices again on Foot, which in the day thereof

were so terrible to this whole Countrey: The words which I suppose so

liable to Misconstruction, are _pag._ 14. B. _Who informed them?_ S.

_the Spectre_. B. _very good, and that's the Devil turned Informer. How

are good Men like to fare against whom he hath particular Malice_!

_It is but a Presumption, and Wise Men will weigh Presumptions against

Presumptions. There is to be no Examination without grounds of

Suspicion. Some Persons Credit ought to be accounted too good to be

undermined so far as to be suspected on so flight a ground: and it is

an Injury done them to bring them upon Examination, which renders them

openly Suspected. I will not deny but for Persons already suspected

and of Ill fame, it may occasion their being examin'd_. In which

these words ('tis but a presumption, _&c._) (and some Persons credit,

_&c._) (and I will not deny but for Persons already suspected, _&c._)

this I take to be waving to discuss those points, the speaking to

which might at that time have hindered the usefulness and success of

that Book, rather than any declaring the Sentiments of the Author. But

notwithstanding many Persons will be ready to understand this, as if

the Author did wholly leave it with the Justice, to Judge who are Ill

Persons, such as the Devils Accusations may fasten upon; And that the

Devils Accusation of a Person, is a Presumption against them of their

guilt; and that upon such presumptions, they may be had to Examination,

if the Justice counts them Persons of ill fame (for the Author I

suppose knows that the bear Examination will leave such a stain upon

them, and well if their Posterity escape it!) as the length of a Holy

and unblameable Life will be found too short to Extirpate. And if the

Justice may go thus far with the Devils Evidence, then the addition

of a story or two of some Cart overset, or person taken Sick after a

quarrel, might as well be thought sufficient for their Commitment, in

order to [39] their Tryal as 'tis call'd (tho' this too often has been

more like a Stage Play, or a _Tragicomical Scene_) and so that other

ways useful Book, may prove the greatest Snare to revive the same

practices again.

These things being so liable, as I said, to such male-construction, it

were needful that Men might be undeceiv'd, and the matter more fully

demonstrated, (_Viz._) That the Devils Accusation is not so much as

any presumption against the Life or Reputation of any person, for how

are good Men like to fare, if his malicious accusations may be taken

as a presumption of their Guilt; and that his accusations as they are

no presumption against persons of unspotted Fame, so neither are to be

heard, or any ways regarded against persons tho' otherways of ill Life,

much less for their having long since had their Names abused by his

outcries, or by the Malice of Ill Neighbours; and that Justice knows

no difference of Persons; that if this Evidence be sufficient to bring

one person 'tis so to bring any other to Examination, and consequently

to the utmost extent of odium, which such Examination will certainly

expose them to, for who can know any other, but that as the one may

be Maliciously accused by Devils and a Devilish report gone before

it; so that another who has not been so much as accused before, being

more Cunning or more seeming Religious, might yet be more guilty; the

whole depending upon Invisible Evidence, of which Invisible stuff, tho'

we have had more than sufficient, yet I find (among other Reverend

Persons) your Names to a certain Printed Paper, which runs thus.

Certain Proposals[64] _made by the President and Fellows of_ Harvard

College, _to the Reverend Ministers of the Gospel, in the several

Churches of_ New-England.

_First. To observe and record the more Illustrious Discoveries of the

Divine Providence in the Government of the World, is a design so holy,

so useful, so justly approved, that the too general neglect of it in

the Churches of God, is as justly to be Lamented._

2. _For the redress of that neglect, altho' all Christians have a Duty

incumbent on them, yet it is in a peculiar manner to be recommended

unto the Ministers of the_ Gospel, _to improve the special advantages

which are in their Hands, to obtain and preserve the knowledge of such

notable occurrences as are sought out by all that have pleasure in the

great Works of the Lord._

3. _The things to be esteemed Memorable, are specially all unusual

accidents in the Heaven, or Earth, or Water, All wonderful

Deliverances of the Distressed, Mercies to the Godly, Judgments on

the Wicked, and more Glorious fulfilments of either the Promises or

Threatnings in the Scriptures of Truth, with Apparitions, Possessions,

Enchantments, and all extraordinary things, wherein the Existence and

Agency of the Invisible World is more sensibly demonstrated._

[40] 4. _It is therefore Proposed, That the Ministers throughout this

Land, would manifest their regards unto the Works of the Lord, and

the Opperation of his hands, by reviving their cares to take Written

Accounts of such_ Remarkables: _But still well Attested with credibled

and sufficient Witness._

5. _It is desired that the Accounts, thus taken of these Remarkables,

may be sent in unto the_ President,[65] _or the Fellows of the

Colledge, by whome they shall be carefully reserved for such a use to

be made of them, as may by some fit Assembly of Ministers be Judged

most conducing to the Glory of God, and the Service of his People._

6. _Tho' we doubt not, that love to the Name of God will be motive

enough unto all good Men, to Contribute what Assistance they can unto

this Undertaking; yet for further Incouragement, some singular Marks of

Respects shall be studied for such good Men, as will actually assist

it, by taking pains to Communicate any Important Passages proper to be

inserted in this Collection._

_Increase Mather_, President.

_James Allen_, }

_Char. Morton_, }

_Sam. Willard_, }

_Cotton Mather_, } Fellows.

_John Leverett_, }

_Will. Brattle_, }

_Neh. Walter_, }

Cambr. March 5, 169¾

Here being an Encouragement to all good Men, to send in such

remarkables as are therein expressed, I have sent the following, not

that I think them a more sensible demonstration of the being of a

future State (with Rewards and Punishments) or of Angels good and

bad, _&c._ than the Scriptures of truth hold forth, _&c._ Or than

any of those other demonstrations God hath given us; for this were

Treacherously and Perfidiously to quit the Post to the Enemy, the

_Sadducee, Deist,_ and _Atheist_ would hereby be put in a condition so

Triumphantly to deny the Existence and Agency thereof. As that a few

Stories told (which at best must be owned to be fallible and liable

to misrepresentations) could not be thought Infallibly sufficient to

demonstrate the truth against them. I have heard that in Logick a

false Argument is reckon'd much worse than none: Yet supposing that

a Collection of Instances may be many ways useful, not only to the

present but succeeding Ages, I have sent you the following remarkables,

which have lately occurred, the certainty of which, if any scruple it,

will be found no hard matter to get satisfaction therein: But here, not

to insist on those less occurrents, as the sudden Death of one of our

late Justices,[66] and a like Mortallity that fell upon the two Sons of

another of them, with the Fall of a Man that was making provision to

raise the New Northern Bell, which, when it was up, the first person,

whose death it was to signifie, was said to be a Child of him, who

by Printing and speaking, had had as great hand in procur[41]ing the

late Actions as any, if not the greatest; and the Splitting the Gun at

_Salem_, where that furious Marshal, and his Father, _&c._ was rent to

pieces,[67] _&c._ As to all these it must be owned, that no man knows

love or hatred by all that is before him, much less can they be more

sensible demonstrations of the Existence or Agency of the _Invisible

World_, than the scriptures of Truth afford, _&c._ tho' the Rich Man

in the Parable might think otherwise, _&c._ who was seeking to send

some more sensible Demonstrations thereof to his Brethren, _&c._ In

that Tremendous Judgment of God upon this Countrey, by the late amazing

Prosecution of the People here, under the Notion of Witches; whereby

20 Suffered as Evil doers (besides those that died in Prison) about

ten more Condemned, and a hundred Imprisoned, and about two hundred

more Accused, and the Countrey generally in fears, when it would come

to their turn to be Accused; and the Prosecution and manner of Tryal

such, that most would have chosen to have fallen into the hands of

the Barbarous Enemy, rather than (under that notion) into the hands

of their Brethren in Church Fellowship; and in short, was such an

Affliction as far exceeded all that ever this Countrey hath laboured

under.

Yet in this Mount, God is seen; when it was thus bad with this

distressed People, a full and a sudden stop is put, not only without,

but against the Inclination of many, for out of the Eater came forth

Meat: Those very Accusers which had been improved as Witnesses against

so many, by the Providence of the most High, and perhaps blinded with

Malice, are left to accuse those in most High esteem, both Magistrates

and Ministers, as guilty of Witchcraft, which shewed our Rulers, that

necessity lay upon them, to confound that which had so long confounded

the Countrey, as being unwilling themselves to run the same Risque,

this that was in the Event of it to this Countrey, as Life from the

Dead, is most easie with him, in whose Hands are the Hearts of all

Men, and was a very signal deliverance to this whole Countrey. No less

Observable was it, that tho' at the time when the Devils Testimony, by

the Afflicted, was first laid aside, there were great Numbers of (real

or pretended) Afflicted: Yet when this was once not Judged of Validity

enough to be any longer brought into the Court against the Accused as

Evidence, the Affliction generally ceased, and only some remainders of

it in such places, where more Encouragement was given to the Actors,

God seeming thereby plainly to Decipher that Sin of going to the Devil,

_&c._ as the rise and foundation of those Punishments.

And thus, Reverend Sir, I have, as I understand it, performed my Duty

herein, for the Glory of God, and the well-being of Men. And for my

Freedome used in this, and former Writings, relating to the Actors

in this Tragedy, I shall not Apologize, but give you the words of

one to[42] whom some can afford the title of Venerable (when he is

arguing for that which they have undertaken to ascert, tho' at other

times, more Diminutive Epithete, must serve) it is the Reverend Mr.

R. _Baxter_ in his Book, _the Cure of Church Divisions_, p. 257, 258.

_But_ (I pray you mark it) _the way of God is to shame the Sinner,

how good soever in other respects, That the sin may have the greater

shame, and Religion may not be shamed, as if it allowed men to sin;

Nor God the Author of Religion be Dishonoured; Nor others be without

the Warning; But the way of the Devil is, to hide or justifie the sin,

as if it were for fear of Disparaging the goodness of the Persons that

committed it; that so he may hereby Dishonour Religion and Godliness

itself, and make men believe it is but a Cover for any Wickedness, and

as consistent with it, as a looser Life is, and that he may keep the

Sinner from Repenting, and blot out the Memory of that warning, which

should have preserved After-Ages from the like falls. Scripture shameth

the Professors_, (_tho' a_ David, _a_ Solomon, Peter, Noah, _or_ Lot)

_that the Religion profest may not be shamed but vindicated: Satan

would preserve the Honour of Professors, that the Religion professed

may bear the shame; and so it may fall on God himself_.

And now that all that have had a hand in any horrid and bloody

practices may be brought to give glory to God, and take the due shame

to themselves; and that our Watchmen may no longer seek to palliate

(much less give thanks for) such, _&c._ (thereby making them their

own) and that the people may no longer perish for want of knowledge in

the midst of such means of light; Nor God be any longer dishonoured by

false sentiments in these matters, is the earnest desire and prayer of,

Sir, yours to my power.

R. C.

[_A Letter to Mr._ C. M.]

_Mr. Cotton Mather._

_Reverend Sir_,

HAVING long since sent you some doctrinals as to my belief, together

with my request to you, that if I erred you would be pleased to shew

it me by scripture, _viz._ That the Devils bounds are set which he

cannot pass; That the Devils are so full of malice that it cannot be

added to by mankind; That where he hath power he neither can nor will

omit executing it; That 'tis only the Almighty that sets bounds to his

rage, and that only can commissionate him to hurt and destroy, _&c._

But instead of such an Answer as was promised, and justly expected, you

were pleased to send me a Book, which you since call'd an ungainsayable

one; which Book till lately I have not had opportunity so fully to

consider. And to the end you may see I have now done it, I have sent to

you some of the remarkables contained in the said Book, Intituled,

[43]_The Certainty of the World of Spirits, written by Mr._ R. B.[68]

London, _Printed_. 1691.

IT _is therein conceded_ (Preface) That to see Devils and Spirits

ordinarily would not be enough to convince Atheists. Page 88. Atheists

are not to be convinced by stories, their own senses are not enough

to convince them any more than sense will convince a Papist from

Transubstantiation. (_D. Laderd._) P. 4. No Spirit can do any thing

but by God's will and permission. (_Preface_) 'Tis the free will of

Man that gives the Devils their hurting power: And without our own

consent they cannot hurt us. (_It is asserted._ P. 222, 223,) That

it is a perverse opposition of Popery which causes many Protestants

not to regard the benefits we receive by Angels. And Ministers are

faulty, that do not pray and give thanks to God for their Ministry;

and that neglect to teach Believers, what love and what thanks they

owe to Angels. P. 225. Most good people look so much to God and to

Ministers, that they take little notice of Angels, which are God's

great Ministers. P. 234. The Author dares not, as some have done, judge

the Catholick Church to become Anti-Christian Idolaters, as soon as

they gave too much Worship to Saints and Angels. P. 7. The Blessed

Souls shall be like the Angels, therefore may appear here, P. 3, 4.

'Tis hard to know whether it be a Devil or a human Soul that appears,

or whether the Soul of a good or a bad person. P. 61. or the Soul of

some dead friend that suffers, and yet retains love, _&c._ P. 222. No

doubt the Souls of the wicked carry with them their former inclinations

of Covetousness, Revenge, _&c._ P. 7. When Revengeful things are done,

as on Murderers, Defrauders, _&c._ it seems to be from the revengeful

wrath of some bad Soul, if it be about Money or Lands, then from a

Worldly minded one; some significations of God's mercy to wicked Souls

after this Life. P. 4. 'Tis a doubt whether besides the Angels (good

and bad) and the Souls of men, there is not a third sort, call'd Faries

and Goblins. It is unsearchable to us how far God leaves Spirits to

freewill in small things, suspending his predetermining motion.

P. 246. The Devils have a Marvellous power, if but a silly wretched

Witch consent. P. 10. 202. The stories of Witches and Spirits are

many ways useful, particularly to convince Atheists, and confirm

Believers, and to prove the Operation of Spirits. P. 232. To help men

to understand that Devils make no small number of Laws, and Rulers in

the World, and are Authors of most of the Wars, and of many Sermons,

and of Books that adorn the Liberaries of learned men. P. 6. 102.

The Devil's lying with the Witch is not to be denied, and is more to

Exercise the Lust of the Witch than of the Devil, who can also bring

in another Witch with[44]out opening the door, and so perform it by

one Witch with another. P. 105. Witches can raise Storms, sell Winds,

_&c._ as is commonly affirmed. P. 107. In _America_ 'tis a common thing

to see Spirits day and night. P. 95, 96, 97, 110. Stories of a Child

that could not be cured of Witchcraft, because the _Ember_[69]-weeks

were past, Vomited a Knife a span long, Cart Nails, _&c._ neither eat

nor drank fifteen days and nights together; a long piece of Wood, four

Knives, and two sharp pieces of Iron, ev'ry one above a span long,

taken out of the Stomach, _&c._ Hair, Stones, Bones, Vomited, _&c._

1000 l. of Blood lost by one person in a years time.

P. 250. A story that makes the Author think it possible that such great

things (as he mentions) should be gotten down and up Peoples Throats.

P. 164. Partial credibility spoils many a good story.

P. 125. The Devil's substance enters into the possessed.

P. 174. Distracted are possessed.

P. 149. A sick Woman while she lay in bed went to see her Children.

P. 153. A Dog appeared like a Fly or a Flea.

P. 165. Some knowing Agents directs Thunder storms, tho' the Author

knows not who, and that they so often fall on Churches he knows not why.

P. 2, 80. Mr. _J. M._ and Mr. _C. M._ Recommended together with

_Bodin_, _&tc_.