[40] This has Reference to what is intimated in that Part of the
present Volume, entitled--"The Devil Discovered."
[41] The Writer of the above Letter (Judge Stoughton) was 61 Years
old at the Time; and it may reasonably be supposed was in the full
Enjoyment of his intellectual Faculties. And as he was one of the
ablest Men of his Day, such an Indorsement of the Author's Work was
no mean Fortification from behind which to defend even a very bad
Cause. Stoughton lived several Years after he had ceased trying
Witches,--dying in 1701, at the Age of 70. He was Son of Mr. Israel
Stoughton of Dorchester, a Captain in the Pequot War, and Colonel
afterwards in the Parliamentary Army in England.
[viii][42] I LIVE by _Neighbours_ that force me to produce these
undeserved Lines. But now, as when Mr. Wilson[43] beholding a great
Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then present, said unto him,
_Sir, I'll tell you a great Thing: Here is a mighty Body of People;
and there is not_ Seven _of them all, but what loves_ Mr. Wilson. That
gracious Man presently and pleasantly reply'd: _Sir, I'll tell you as
good a thing as that; here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not
so much as_ One _among them all, but Mr._ Wilson _loves him._ Somewhat
so: 'Tis possible, that among this Body of People, there may be few
that love the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to boast so far,
there is not one among all this Body of People, whom this _Mather_
would not study to serve, as well as to love. With such a _Spirit of
Love_, is the Book now before us written: I appeal to all _this World;_
and if _this_ World will deny me the Right of acknowledging so much,
I appeal to the other, that it is _not written with an Evil Spirit:_
for which cause I shall not wonder, if _Evil Spirits_ be exasperated
by what is written, as the _Sadduces_ doubtless were with what was
discoursed in the Days of our Saviour. I only demand the _Justice_,
that others _read_ it, with the same Spirit wherewith I _writ_ it.