[35] The only known Work of "Learned Scribonius" is that entitled _De
Compositione Medicamentorum_ Liber," the best Edition of which is
said to be that of Padua, 1655, in 4to, with Notes by Rhodius. He was
of Rome in the Time of Claudius. His Book is a Sort of Repository of
Prescriptions, which Prescriptions were of about as much value, in a
medical Point of View, as later ones were for determining what Persons
were Witches. _Nouveau Dict. Hist. a Lyon_, 1804.
[36] This Self Complacency is somewhat surprising, considering this
Record was made while above an hundred poor Wretches were lying in the
Jails of Boston and Salem!
[37] The Author doubtless has Reference to the _Dæmonology_ of James I.
See _Introduction_.
[38] It is said that the learned Joseph Glanvil was made a "Fellow
of the Royal Society" for an elaborate Treatise which he wrote on
"The Vanity of _Dogmatizing_." If that entitled the said Joseph to be
thus distinguished, no one ought any longer to question our Author's
Claim to the same Distinction. Glanvil was as earnest a Defender of
Witchcraft in his Time as Doctor Mather was a few Years later; and his
Books, like this of the Doctor's, are entirely neglected except by the
curious Investigators of the Progress of Society.
[39] Thus speaking of New England was strictly correct then, though it
reminds us of what our English Brethren used to say at a much later
Period in Reference to Boston,--speaking of it as "the Colony of
Boston," "the Colony of New England," &c.
[vii] REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,
_YOU very much gratify'd me, as well as put a kind Respect upon
me, when you put into my hands, your elaborate and most seasonable
Discourse, entituled,_ The Wonders of the Invisible World. _And having
now perused so fruitful and happy a Composure, upon such a Subject,
at this Juncture of Time; and considering the place that I hold in
the Court of_ Oyer _and_ Terminer, _still labouring and proceeding in
the Trial of the Persons accused and convicted for Witchcraft, I find
that I am more nearly and highly concerned than as a meer ordinary
Reader, to express my Obligation and Thankfulness to you for so great
Pains; and cannot but hold myself many ways bound, even to the utmost
of what is proper for me, in my present publick Capacity, to declare
my_ singular Approbation _thereof. Such is your Design, most plainly
expressed throughout the whole; such your Zeal for God, your Enmity
to Satan and his Kingdom, your Faithfulness and Compassion to this
poor People; such the Vigour, but yet great Temper of your Spirit;
such your Instruction and Counsel, your_ Care of Truth, _your Wisdom
and Dexterity in allaying and moderating that among us, which needs
it; such your clear discerning of Divine Providences and Periods,
now running on apace towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and
finally, such your good News of_ The Shortness of the Devil's Time,[40]
_that all Good Men must needs desire, the making of this your Discourse
publick to the World; and will greatly rejoyce, that the_ Spirit of the
Lord _has thus enabled you to_ lift up a Standard _against the Infernal
Enemy, that hath been_ coming in like a Flood upon us. _I do therefore
make it my particular and earnest Request unto you, that as soon as may
be, you will commit the same unto the_ PRESS _accordingly. I am,_
Your assured Friend,
WILLIAM STOUGHTON.[41]