_Since making the foregoing Collections of Letters, to the Reverend
Mr._ Cotton Mather, _and others, &c. (which as yet remain
unanswered) a Book is come to hand Intituled_,
THE _Life of Sir_ William Phips, _printed in_ London, 1697. Which Book,
tho it bears not the Authors name, yet the Stile, manner and matter
is such, that were there no other demonstration or token to know him
by, it were no Witchcraft to determine that the said Mr. _C. M._ is
the Author of it. But that he that has _encountred Enchantments_, and
gone through the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, and _discovered
the Devil_, that he should step aside into a Remote Country to put on
Invisibility! Tho the reason of this be not so manifest, yet it may be
thought to be to gratifie some peculiar fancies; and why may not this
be one, that he might with the better grace extol the Actions of Mr.
_Mather_, as Agent in England, or as President of _Harvard_ College,
not forgetting his own.[137]
As to Sir _William_, it will be generally _acknowledged_ that
notwithstanding the meanness of his Parentage and Education, he
attain'd to be Master of a Ship, and that he had the good hap to find
a _Spanish_ Wreck, not only sufficient to repair his Fortunes, but
to raise him to a considerable Figure; which King _James_ did so far
accommodate as to make _him a Knight_.
[146] And that after this, in the Reign of his Present Majesty, _he
took up with those of the Agents, that were for accepting the New
Charter, whereby himself became Governour_.[138]
It is not doubted, but that he aimed at the good of the People, and
great Pitty it is that his Government was so sullied (for want of
better Information and Advice, from those whose duty it was to have
given it) by that Hobgoblin Monster, Witchcraft, whereby this Countrey
was Night-Mar'd, and harrast, at such a rate, as is not easily
imagined.[139]
After which some complaints going to _England_ about
Male-Administration, in the least matters comparatively; yet were such,
that he was call'd home to give account thereof, where he soon after
expired, so finishing his Life and Government together.[140]
Death having thus drawn the Curtain, forbidding any further Scene, it
might have been prudence, to let his dust remain without disturbance.
But the said Book endeavouring to raise a Statue to him (_i. e._) to
ascribe to him such Achievements as either were never performed by him,
or else unduly aggravated, this has opened the Mouth, both of Friends
and Enemies to recount the mistakes in the said Book; as also those
miscarriages, wherewith Sir _William_ was chargeable; such as, had it
not been for this Book, had been buried with him.[141]
In P. 3, search is made over the World, to whom to compare him in his
Advancement; and most unhappily _Pizarro_ is pitched upon as a match
for him, who was a Bastard, dropt in a Church-Porch, put to Suck of a
Sow, and being grown, ran away, and Shipt himself for _America_; there
so prospered, as to Command an Army; and therewith did mighty things,
particularly took _Attaballipa_, one of the Kings of _Peru_ Prisoner,
and having received for his Ransom, in Gold and Silver to the value of
Ten Millions, perfidiously put him to Death; and was the Death of no
Man knows how many Thousands of Innocents, and is certainly one of the
worst that could have been pitched upon for such comparison.[142]
Tho this together with the Rhetorical flourishes, and affected
strains therein, are instances of the Author's variety of Learning;
for which he is recommended by these Three _Venerable_ Person[143]
in the entrance to the said Book. Yet the _Integrity_, _Prudence_,
and _Veracity_ thereof, is not so manifestly to be seen. Passing over
a multitude of Misrepresentations that are therein relating to the
Acts of Sir _William_, as not designing to rake in the Grave of the
Dead, Who is it can see the Veracity of those words? P. 40. [He lay
within _Pistol-Shot_ of the Enemies Cannon, and beat them from thence,
and much batter'd the town, having his Ship shot thro in an hundred
places, with _Four and twenty Pounders_,] When in the Judgment of those
present, they were not nearer to the Enemy, than about _half or three
quarters of a Mile_; that there might be in all about _Seven Shot_ that
[147] struck the Hull of the Vessel, none of them known to be bigger
than 18 Pounders, the Enemy having but one Gun that could carry so big
as an 18 pound Ball.[144]
It were a fondness after such assertions, to take any notice of this
bedeck'd Statue, when there was so much the less need of erecting
one (as is asserted P. 108) having already been done so well, that
even this Author himself despairs of doing it better;[145] and that
by one, a Man of such diffused and Embalm'd a Reputation, _as that
his Commendations_ are asserted to be enough to _Immortalize_ the
Reputation of Sir _William_, or whomsoever else _he should_ please to
bestow them upon, _viz._ That Reverend person _who was_ the President
of the only University then in the _English America_, P. 109. Which
by the way is a much fairer Statue, in honour of the President of the
University, than that erected for Sir _William_.
For notwithstanding all this noise of Erecting Statues, and the great
danger in plucking them down, _&c._ yet in P. 89, 'tis said that
even Sir _William_ shewed Choler enough, leaving it open for others,
thereby to understand, that he was wholly given over to Passion and
Choler.[146] And in P. 92, 'tis said he did not affect any mighty
shew of Devotion; these expressions with others may prevail with the
unbiased Reader to think that these builders of Statues, had some
further design in it, than to blazen the Achievements of Sir _William
Phips, viz._ To set forth Mr. _J. Mathers_ Negociation in _England_,
his procuring the New-Charter for Sir _William_ to be Governour,
and himself Establish'd President of the College, are the things
principally driven at in the Book.[147]
Another principal thing is to set forth the supposed Witchcrafts in
_New-England_, and how well Mr. _Mather_ the Younger therein acquitted
himself.[148]
As to the New Charter for the right understanding that Affair, it will
be needful to say, that the People that afterwards settled in _New
England_, being about to leave their Native soil, and to seek (as the
Providence of God should direct them) a settlement in remote Regions,
wherein they might best secure their Civil and Religious Interests,
before they enter'd upon this, considering it might be needful on
many accounts for their future well being, they obtain'd a Charter to
be in the nature of a prime agreement, setting forth the Soveraigns
Prerogative, and the People's Priviledges; in the enjoyment whereof
they long continued, after having purchas'd the Title to their Lands,
of the Natives of the Country, and settled themselves therein, without
any charge to the Crown.
That Clause in their Charter for this Country, _viz._ (Provided
that no other Christian Prince be prepossest of it) being a tacit
acknowledgment, that before settlement no one Christian Prince had any
right thereto more than another. During this time of _New-England's_
Prosperity, the Government here were very sparing of Granting
Freedoms, except to such as [148] were so and so qualfied. Whereby
the number of _Non_-Freemen[149] being much increas'd, they were
very uneasie, by their being shut out from having any share in the
Government, or having any Votes for their Representatives, _&c._ it
rendred many of them ready to join with such as were undermining the
Government, not duly considering that it had been far more safe to have
endeavoured to prevail with the Legislators for an enlargement.
So that it will not be wonder'd at that in the latter end of the Reign
of King _Charles_ the II. and of King _James_, (when most of the
Charters in _England_ were vacated) that this was _quo warranto'd_ and
finally Judgment entered up against it, and the Country was put into
such a form of Government as was most agreeable to those times, _viz._
A Legislative pow'r was lodg'd in the Governour (or President) and
some few appointed to be of his Counsel, without any regard therein,
either to the Laws of _England_, or those formerly of this Colony:
Thus rendering the Circumstances of this Country beyond comparison
worse than those of any Corporation in _England_. The People of those
Corporations being acknowledged still to have a right to _Magna
Charta_, when their particular Charters were made void. But here when
_Magna Charta_ has been pleaded, the People have been answered, that
they must not expect that _Magna Charta_ would follow them to the end
of the World: not only their Estates, but their Lives being thereby
rendered wholly precarious. And Judge _Palmer_[150] has set forth in
Print, that the King has power to grant such a Commission over this
People.
It is not hard to imagine that under such a Commission, not only the
People were liable to be opprest by Taxes, but also by Confiscations,
and Siezing of Lands, unless Patents were purchased at Excessive
prizes, with many other Exorbitant Innovations.
The first that accepted this Commission was Mr. _Dudley_, a Gentleman
born in this Country, who did but prepare the way for Sir _Edm.
Andros_. In whose time things being grown to such Extremities, not
only here, but in _England_, as render'd the succeeding Revolution
absolutely necessary; the Revolution here being no other than an acting
according to the Precedent given by _England_.
During the time of Sir _Edmonds'_ Government, Mr. _Increase Mather_,
Teacher of the North Church in _Boston_, having undergone some trouble
by Fobb-Actions[151] laid upon him, _&c._ (tho with some difficulty) he
made his Escape, and got passage for _England_, being therein assisted
by some particular Friends; where being arrived, he applied himself to
King _James_ for redress of those Evils the Country then groaned under;
and meeting with a seeming kind reception, and some promises, it was as
much as might at that time be reasonably expected.[152]
[149] Upon the Day of the Revolution here, tho the greatest part of
the People were for reassuming their Ancient Government, pursuant to
his Royal Highness' Proclamation; yet matters were so clog'd, that the
People were dissmist without it, who did not in the least mistrust but
that those who were put out of the Government by Mr. _Dudley_, would
reassume: Mr. _Broadstreet_, who had been then Governour, being heard
to say that Evening, when returned home, _That had not he thought they
would have reassum'd, he would not have stirr'd out of his House that
Day_.[153] But after this, some that were driving at other matters,
had opportunities by Threats and other ways not only to prevail with
that good Old Gentleman, but with the rest of the Government wholly to
decline it; which some few observing, they took the opportunity to call
themselves a Committee of Safety, and so undertook to Govern such as
would be govern'd by them.[154]
It has been an Observation of long continuance _that matters of State
seldom prosper, when managed by the Clergy_. Among the opposers of the
reassuming few were so strenuous as some of the Ministers, and among
the Ministers none more vehement than Mr. _Cotton Mather_, Pastor of
the _North_ Church in _Boston_, who has charged them as they would
answer it another day to reassume. Among his Arguments against it, one
was that it would be to put a slight upon his Father, who, he said,
was in _England_, labouring for a compleat Restoration of Charter
Privileges, not doubting, but they would be speedily obtain'd. Any Man
that knows _New England_ cannot but be sensible, that such Discourses
from such Men, have always been very prevalent. And hence it was that
even those that would think themselves wronged, if they were not
numbred among the best Friends to _New-England_, and to its Charter,
would not so much as stoop to take it up, when there was really nothing
to hinder them from the Enjoyment thereof.[155]
After the Committee of Safety had continued about seven Weeks, or
rather after Anarchy had been so long Triumphant, an Assembly having
been call'd came to this resolve and laid it before those Gentlemen
that had been of the Government, that if they would not act upon the
Foundation of the Charter, that persuant to it, the Assembly would
appoint some others in that Station. The Answer to which was, that
they would accept, _&c._ And when a Declaration signifying such a
reassuming, was prepared with the good liking of the Deputies, in order
to be published, some that were opposers, so terrified those Gentlemen,
that before publishing it was underwritten [that they would not have
it understood that they did reassume Charter-Government] to the no
small amazement of the People, and disappointment of the Deputies, who
if these had not promised so to act, had taken other care, and put in
those that would.[156]
[150] The next principal thing done was, they chose two of their
Members, _viz._ one of the upper House, the other of the lower, both
of them Gentlemen of known Integrity, as well as ability to go to
_England_, in order to obtain their Resettlement;[157] and in regard
Mr. _I. Mather_ was already there, they joined him, as also a certain
Gentleman in _London_[158] with these other two: Those from hence
being arrived in _London_, they all united for the common Interest of
the Countrey, though without the desired effect. They were in doubt,
whether it were best to Improve their Utmost for a reversal of the
Judgment in a Course of Law, or to obtain it in a Parliamentary way,
or to Petition his Majesty for a New Grant of former Priviledges; And
considering that the two first might prove Dilatory and Expensive,
as well as for other reasons, they resolved upon the latter, and
Petition'd his Majesty for the Countries Resettlement, with former
Privileges, and what further additionals his Majesty in his Princely
Wisdom should think fit. Accordingly it pleased his Majesty to declare
in Counsel his Determination, _viz._ That there should be a Charter
granted to _New-England_. But the Minutes then taken thereof, and a
Draught of the _New-Charter_ being seen, it was the Opinion of the two
Gentlemen sent from hence, that it were best to tarry his Majesties
return from _Flanders_; in hopes then to obtain ease in such things as
might be any ways deemed to be grievous. And this was the result of the
Advice of such as were best able to give it, that they could meet with,
and accordingly they wholly desisted taking it out of the Offices.[159]
But Mr. _Mather_ and that other Gentleman had, as it is said, other
advice given them, which they strenuously pursued, and his Majesty
having left it as is asserted in this of the Life of Sir _William_,
P. 57, to them to nominate a Governour, they pitcht upon Sir _William
Phips_, who was then in _England_, [As the most likely and able to
serve the King's Interests among the People there; under the changes in
some things unacceptable now brought upon them, P. 62.] and without
tarrying for the concurrence of those other Agents, the Charter was
taken out, _&c._[160]
But Mr. _Mather_ perhaps fearing he should have but small thanks
here, for his having so far an hand in bringing upon them those
unacceptable Changes, wrote, and caused to be Printed, an Account
of his Negotiation, but surely by some Error in the Conception, it
proved only an _Embrio_, and was stifled as soon as born. One indeed,
designed to be as it were a _Posthumous_ was left with Mr. _Bailey_,
formerly of _Boston_, and a Member of the _North-Church_, with a charge
not to suffer it to be seen till he were gone to _New-England_; yet
it seems some other person got a sight of it, which was the occasion
of Mr. _Mather_'s sending him that Minatory Epistle, by some call'd
a Bull. But besides this, for fear of the worst, Mr. _Mather_ got
several _Non-con_ Ministers to give him a Testimonial, or Letters of
Commendations for his great Service herein.[161]
[151] In the mean time Mr. _Cotton Mather_, being in some doubt of the
same thing, handed about a Paper of Fables; wherein his Father under
the Name of _Mercurius_, and himself under the Name of _Orpheus_, are
extoll'd, and the great Actions of _Mercurius_ magnified; the present
Charter exalted, by trampling on the former, as being very defective,
and all those call'd unreasonable that did not readily agree with the
New one: And indeed the whole Country are compared to no better than
Beasts, except _Mercurius_ and _Orpheus_, the Governour himself must
not Escape being termed an Elephant, tho as good as he was great, and
the Inferiours told by _Orpheus_ that for the quiet Enjoyment of their
Lands, _&c._ they were beholding to _Mercurius_. Tho this Paper was
judged not convenient to be Printed, yet some Copies were taken, the
Author having shown variety of _Heathen_ Learning in it.[162]
This is in short that eminent Service for which the said Mr. _I. M._ is
in the present Book so highly extol'd. In so many Pages, that to repeat
them were to transcribe a considerable part of the said Book.
And no doubt he deserves as much thanks as Dr. _Sharp_[163] did,
when he was sent by the Presbytery of _Scotland_, to procure the
settlement of their Kirk by King _Charles_ II. at his Restauration.
Not but that the present Charter of _New-England_ is indeed truly
valuable, as containing in it peculiar Priviledges, which abundantly
Engages this People to pay the tribute of thankfulness to his
Majesty,[164] and all due subjection to whom it shall please him to
substitute as Governour over us; and to pray that the King of Kings
would pour out of his richest blessings upon him, giving him a long and
prosperous Reign over the Nations, under the benign Influences whereof,
Oppression and Tyranny may flee away.
And if his Majesty hath put this People into the present form of
Government, to the end they might be in the better condition of
Defence in a time of War; or that they might the better understand
the Priviledge of choosing their own Governour by the want of it, and
should be graciously pleased (the War being over) to restore to these,
as has been already granted to the rest of his Majesties Subjects,
the full employment of their Ancient Priviledges, it would be such
an obligation upon them to thankfulness and Duty as could never be
forgotten, nor sufficiently exprest, and would rather abate than
increase charge to the Crown.
As to the supposed Witchcrafts in _New-England_, having already said so
much thereof, there is the less remains to be added.
In the times of Sir _Ed. Andros_ his Government, Goody _Glover_, a
despised, crazy, ill-conditioned old Woman, an _Irish Roman_ Catholick,
was tried for Afflicting _Goodwins_ Children; by the Account of which
Tryal, taken in Short-hand, for the use of the Jury, it may appear that
the ge[152]nerality of her Answers, were Nonsense, and her behaviour
like that of one distracted. Yet the Drs. finding her as she had been
for many Years, brought her in _Compos Mentis_; and setting aside her
crazy Answers to some insnaring questions, the proof against her was
wholly deficient: The Jury brought her Guilty.[165]
Mr. _Cotton Mather_ was the most active and forward of any Minister
in the Country in those matters, taking home one of the Children, and
managing such intreagues with that Child, and after printing such an
Account of the whole, in his Memorable Providences, as conduced much to
the kindling those Flames, that in Sir _Williams_ time threatned the
devouring this Country.[166]
King _Saul_ in his destroying the Witches out of _Israel_, is
thought by many to have exceeded, and in his Zeal to have slain the
_Gibeonites_ wrongfully under that notion: Yet went after this to a
Witch to know his Fortune. For his wrongful destroying the _Gibeonites_
(besides the Judgments of God upon the Land) his Sons were hanged;
and for his going to the Witch, himself was cut off. Our sir _William
Phips_ did not do this, but as appears by this Book had first his
Fortune told him, (by such as the Author counts no better) and though
he put it off (to his Pastor, who he new approved not thereof) as if
it were brought to him in writing, without his seeking, _&c._ Yet by
his bringing it so far, and safe keeping it so many Years, it appears
he made some Account of it; for which he gave the Writer, after he
had found the Wreck, as a reward, more than Two hundred pounds. His
telling his Wife (P. 6.) that he should be a Commander, should have a
Brick-House in _Greenlane_,[167] _&c._ might be in confidence of some
such Prediction, and that he could foretel to him (P. 90.) that he
should be Governour of _New-England_, was probably such an one, (the
Scriptures not having revealed it.) Such Predictions would have been
counted at _Salem_, pregnant proofs of Witchcraft, and much better than
what were against several that suffered there. But Sir _William_, when
the Witchcrafts at _Salem_ began (in his Esteem) to look formidable,
that he might Act safely in this Affair, he asked the Advice of the
Ministers in and near _Boston_; the whole of their Advice and Answer
is Printed in _Cases of Conscience_, the last Pages. But lest the
World should be Ignorant who it was that drew the said Advice, in this
Book of the Life of Sir _William Phips_, P. 77. are these words, _the
Ministers made unto his Excellency and the Counsel a return, drawn up
at their desire, by Mr. Mather the Younger, as I have been informed_.
Mr. _C. M._ therein intending to beguile the World, and make them think
that another, and not himself had taken that notice of his (supposed)
good Service done therein, which otherwise would have been ascribed
to those Ministers in General, though indeed the Advice then given,
looks most like a thing of his Composing, as carrying both Fire [153]
to increase, and Water to quench the Conflagration.[168] Particularly
after the Devils Testimony, by the supposed Afflicted had so prevailed,
as to take away the Life of one, and the Liberty of an Hundred, and
the whole Country set into a most dreadful consternation, then this
Advice is given, ushered in with thanks for what was already done,
and in conclusion, putting the Government upon a speedy and vigorous
prosecution according to the Laws of God, and the wholesome Statutes
of the _English_ Nation, so adding Oil, rather than Water to the
Flame; for who so little acquainted with proceedings of _England_, as
not to know that they have taken some methods, with those here used
to discover who were Witches. The rest of the Advice, consisting
of cautions and directions, are inserted in this of the Life of Sir
_William_. So that if Sir _William_, looking upon the thanks for what
was past, and Exhortation to proceed, went on to take away the Lives of
Nineteen more, this is according to the Advice said to be given him by
the Ministers, and if the Devil after those Executions be affronted,
by disbelieving his testimony, and by clearing and Pardoning all the
rest of the Accused; yet this also is according to that Advice, but
to cast the Scale; the same that drew this Advice, saith, in _Wonders
of the Invisible World, Enchantments Encountered_; [that to have a
hand in any thing that may stifle or obstruct a regular detection of
that Witchcraft, is what we may well with a Holy fear avoid: Their
Majesties good Subjects must not every day be torn to pieces by horrid
Witchcraft, and those bloody Felons be wholly left unprosecuted; The
Witchcraft is a business that will not be shamm'd.][169] The Pastor
of that Church, of which Sir _William_ was a Member, being of this
Principle, and thus declaring it, after the former advice; no wonder
tho it cast the Scale against those Cautions. It is rather a Wonder
that no more Blood was shed, for if that Advice of his Pastors could
still have prevail'd with the Governour, Witchcraft had not been
so shammed off as it was. Yet now in this Book of the Life of Sir
_William_, the pardoning the Prisoners when Condemn'd, and clearing
the Goals, is call'd (P. 82) a Vanquishing the Devil, adding this
Conquest to the rest of the Noble Atchievements of Sir _William_, tho
Performed not only without, but directly against his Pastors Advice.
But this is not all, tho this Book pretends to raise a Statue in Honour
of Sir _William_, yet it appears it was the least part of the design
of the Author to Honour him, but it was rather to Honour himself,
and the Ministers; It being so unjust to Sir _William_, as to give a
full Account of the cautions given him, but designedly hiding from
the Reader the Incouragements and Exhortations to proceed, that were
laid before him (under the name of the Ministers Advice) in effect,
telling the World that those Executions at _Salem_, were without,
and against the Advice of the Ministers, exprest in those Cautions,
purposely hiding their giving thanks for what was already done, and
exhorting to proceed; thereby rendering Sir _William_ of so sanguin a
Complexion, that the Ministers had such cause to fear his going on with
the Tragedy, tho against their Advice; that they desired the President
to write his _Cases of Conscience, &c._ To plead misinformation
will not salve here, however it may seem to palliate other things,
but is a manifest, designed traversty, or misrepresentation of the
Ministers Advice to Sir _William_, a hiding the truth, and a wronging
the dead, whom the Author so much pretends to honour; for which the
Acknowledgments ought to be as Universal as the offence. But tho
the Ministers Advice, or rather Mr. C. _Mather's_ was perfectly
Ambidexter, giving as great or greater Encouragement to proceed in
those dark methods, than cautions against [154] them; yet many Eminent
persons being accused, there was a necessity of a stop to be put to
it. If it be true what was said at the Counsel-board in answer to the
commendations of Sir _William_, for his stopping the proceedings about
Witchcraft, _viz._ That it was high time for him to stop it, his own
Lady being accused; if that Assertion were a truth, then _New-England_
may seem to be more beholden to the accusers for accusing of her, and
thereby necessitating a stop, than to Sir _William_, or to the Advice
that was given him by his Pastor.[170]
Mr. _C. M._ having been very forward to write Books of Witchcraft, has
not been so forward either to explain or defend the Doctrinal part
thereof, and his belief (which he had a Years time to compose) he
durst not venture so as to be copied.[171] Yet in this of the Life of
Sir _William_ he sufficiently testifies his retaining that Heterodox
belief, seeking by frightfull stories of the sufferings of some, and
the refined sight of others, _&c._ P. 69 to obtrude upon the World, and
confirm it in such a belief, as hitherto he either cannot or will not
defend, as if the Blood already shed thereby were not sufficient.[172]
Mr. _I. Mather_, in his _Cases of Conscience_, P. 25, tells of a
Bewitched Eye, and that such can see more than others. They were
certainly bewitched Eyes that could see as well shut as open, and
that could see what never was, that could see the Prisoners upon the
Afflicted, harming of them, when those whose Eyes were not bewitched
could have sworn that they did not stir from the Bar. The Accusers
are said to have suffered much by biting, P. 73. And the prints of
just such a set of Teeth, as those they Accused, had, but such as had
not such bewitch'd Eyes have seen the Accusers bite themselves, and
then complain of the Accused. It has also been seen when the Accused,
instead of having just such a set of Teeth, has not had one in his
head.[173] They were such bewitched Eyes that could see the Poisonous
Powder (brought by Spectres P. 70.) And that could see in the Ashes
the print of the Brand, there invisibly heate to torment the pretended
Sufferers with, _&c._[174]
These with the rest of such Legends have this direct tendency, _viz._
To tell the World that the Devil is more ready to serve his Votaries,
by his doing for them things above or against the course of Nature,
shewing himself to them, and making explicit contract with them,
_&c._ than the Divine Being is to his faithful Servants, and that as
he is willing, so also able to perform their desires.[175] The way
whereby these People are believed to arrive at a power to Afflict their
Neighbours, is by a compact with the Devil, and that they have a power
to _Commissionate_ him to those Evils, P. 72. However Irrational, or
inscriptural such Assertions are, yet they seem a necessary part of the
_Faith_ of such as maintain the belief of such a sort of _Witches_.
As the Scriptures know nothing of a covenanting or commissioning Witch,
so Reason cannot conceive how Mortals should by their Wickedness
arrive at a power to Commissionate Angels, Fallen Angels, against
their Innocent Neighbours. But the Scriptures are full in it, and
the Instances numerous, that the Almighty, Divine Being has this
prerogative to make use of what Instrument he pleaseth, in Afflicting
any, and consequently to commissionate Devils: And tho this word
commissioning, in the Authors former Books, might be thought to be
by inadvertency, yet now after he hath been caution'd of it, still
to persist in it seems highly Criminal. And therefore in the name of
God, I here charge such belief as guilty of Sacrilege in the highest
Nature, and so much worse than stealing Church Plate, _&c._ As it
is a higher Offence to steal any of the glorious Attributes of the
Al[155]mighty, to bestow them upon Mortals, than it is to steal the
Utensils appropriated to his Service. And whether to ascribe such power
of commissioning Devils to the worst of Men, be not direct Blasphemy,
I leave to others better able to determine. When the _Pharisees_ were
so wicked as to ascribe to _Beelzebub_, the mighty works of Christ
(whereby he did manifestly shew forth his Power and Godhead) than it
was that our Saviour declar'd the Sin against the Holy Ghost to be
unpardonable.
When the Righteous God is contending with Apostate Sinners, for their
departures from him, by his Judgments, as Plagues, Earthquakes, Storms
and Tempests, Sicknesses and Diseases, Wars, loss of Cattle, _&c._
Then not only to ascribe this to the Devil, but to charge one another
with sending or commissionating those Devils to these things, is so
abominable and so wicked, that it requires a better Judgment than mine
to give it its just denomination.[176]
But that Christians so called should not only charge their fellow
Christians therewith, but proceed to Trials and Executions; crediting
that Enemy to all Goodness, and Accuser of the Brethren, rather than
believe their Neighbours in their own Defence; this is so Diabolical a
Wickedness as cannot proceed, but from a Doctrine of Devils; how far
damnable it is let others discuss. Though such things were acting in
this Country in Sir _Williams_ time, yet P. 65. There is a Discourse
of a Guardian Angel, as then over-seeing it, which notion, however it
may suit the Faith of _Ethnicks_, or the fancies of _Trithemius_; it
is certain that the Omnipresent Being, stands not in need as Earthly
Potentates do, of governing the World by Vicegerents. And if Sir
_William_ had such an Invisible pattern to imitate, no wonder though
some of his Actions were unaccountable, especially those relating to
Witchcraft: For if there was in those Actions an Angel superintending,
there is little reason to think it was _Gabriel_ or the Spirit of
_Mercury_, nor _Hanael_ the Angel or Spirit of _Venus_, nor yet
_Samuel_ the Angel or Spirit of _Mars_; Names feigned by the said
_Trithemius_, _&c._ It may rather be thought to be _Apollyon_, or
_Abaddon_.
_Obj._ But here it will be said, What are there no Witches? Do's not
the Law of God command that they should be extirpated? Is the Command
vain and Unintelligible? _Sol._ For any to say that a Witch is one
that makes a compact with, and Commissions Devils, _&c._ is indeed to
render the Law of God vain and Unintelligible, as having provided
no way whereby they might be detected, and proved to be such; And
how the _Jews_ waded thro this difficulty for so many Ages, without
the Supplement of Mr. _Perkins_ and _Bernard_ thereto, would be very
mysterious. But to him that can read the Scriptures without prejudice
from Education, _&c._ it will manifestly appear that the Scripture is
full and Intelligible, both as to the Crime and means to detect the
culpable. He that shall hereafter see any person, who to confirm People
in a false belief, about the power of Witches and Devils, pretending to
a sign to confirm it; such as knocking off of invisible Chains with the
hand, driving away Devils by brushing, striking with a Sword or Stick,
to wound a person at a great distance, _&c._ may (according to that
head of Mr. _Gauls_, quoted by Mr. _C. M._ and so often herein before
recited, and so well proved by Scripture) conclude that he has _seen
Witchcraft performed_.
[156] If _Baalam_ became a Sorcerer by Sacrifizing and Praying to the
true God against his visible people; Then he that shall pray that the
afflicted (by their _Spectral_ Sight) may accuse some other Person
(whereby their reputations and lives may be indangered) such will
justly deserve the Name of a _Sorcerer_. If any Person pretends to know
more than can be known by humane means, and professeth at the same time
that they have it from the _Black-Man, i. e. the Devil_, and shall from
hence give Testimony against the Lives of others, they are manifestly
such as have a familiar Spirit; and if any, knowing them to have their
Information from the _Black-man_, shall be inquisitive of them for
their Testimony against others, they therein are dealing with such as
have a _Familiar-Spirit_.
And if these shall pretend to _see the dead_ by their _Spectral Sight_,
and others shall be inquisitive of them, and receive their Answers what
it is the _dead say_, and who it is they accuse, both the one and the
other are by Scripture _Guilty of Necromancy_.
These are all of them crimes as easily proved as any whatsoever, and
that by such proof as the Law of God requires, so that it is _no
Unintelligible Law_.
But if the Iniquity of the times be such that these Criminals not only
Escape Indemnified, but are Incouraged in their wickedness, and made
use of to take away the Lives of others, this is worse than a making
the Law of God _Vain_, it being a rendring of it _dangerous_, against
the Lives of Innocents, and without all hopes of better, so long as
these Bloody Principles remain.
As long as Christians do Esteem the _Law of God to be Imperfect_, as
not describing that crime that it requires to be Punish'd by Death.
As long as men suffer themselves to be Poison'd in their Education, and
be grounded in a _False-Belief by the Books of the Heathen_.
As long as the _Devil_ shall be believed to have _a Natural Power, to
Act above and against a course of Nature_.
As long as the _Witches_ shall be believed to have a Power to
_Commission him_.
As long as the _Devil's Testimony_, by the pretended afflicted, shall
be received as _more valid to Condemn_, than their Plea of _Not Guilty_
to acquit.
As long as the _Accused_ shall have their _Lives and Liberties_
confirmed and restored to them, _upon their Confessing themselves
Guilty_.
As long as the _Accused_ shall be forc't to _undergo Hardships and
Torments_ for their not Confessing.
As long as _Tets_ for the _Devil to Suck_ are searched for upon the
Bodies of the accused, as a token of guilt.
As long as the _Lord's Prayer_ shall be profaned, by being made a Test,
who are culpable.
As long as _Witchcraft, Sorcery, Familiar Spirits, and Necromancy_,
shall be improved to discover who are _Witches_, _&c._
_So long it may be expected that innocents will suffer as Witches_.
_So long God will be Daily dishonoured, And so long his Judgments, must
be expected to be continued._[177]
_FINIS._