[76] This was printed at the Time (1692) in a Separate Tract.
[77] Whoever has the Inclination to turn over the Pages of the
Martyrology may perhaps find who this "Renowned Person" was.
[78] To this elaborate Definition of the Devil and his Attributes
it will hardly be necessary to add or diminish. But taking what
Tillotson says of God, not quite so much need be said of the Devil. The
Archbishop says, in his happy Manner: "We attribute nothing to God that
hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it." It naturally follows then,
that all else comes from the Devil.
The famous Isaac Ambros says, "The first Period wherein Satan first
begins to Assault the Elect, it is from their quickening in the
Womb."--_War with Devils_, P. 29, 2d Ed. 1738. "So may we say of every
Child, as soon as it is quickened in the Womb, that the Great Red
Dragon, the Devil, stands ready to devour it."--_Ibid._ Our Author was
not alone in remarkable Ideas.
[79] It does not appear how the Devil-in-chief came by his Appointment;
whether his Office was by Election, or in what Manner he attained his
high Station. It is not very material however.
[80] A very different Decision will be found elsewhere in our Pages.
[81] "The Devil of Mascon" was one of the Productions following the
"Glorious Restoration," as Carlyle ironically calls it. Full Title in
Bohn's Lowndes, ART. DEVIL.
[82] AMEN will doubtless be the Response of every one; but do not
flatter yourself, Reader, that you are thus soon delivered from the
Devil.
[83] Perhaps it may not be irrational to conclude that the Abode of the
Devil, in those _supernal_ Parts is at least as far from the Earth as
the fixed Stars; the nearest of these, our Author informs us, in his
_Christian Philosopher_, Page 18, is 2,404,520,928,000 Miles from the
Earth. Now, allowing Lucifer to be able to fly with the Velocity of
Sound, he could not reach this Planet short of 50,000 Years! Hence he
must have set out on his Journey thousands of Years before the World
was created. But the Arabians believe that Mahomet performed that
Journey several Times in the space of a few Years. That Mahomet should
beat the Devil is not extraordinary.
[84] The Author doubtless viewed the Stories in the _Arabian Nights_ as
Realities and actual Occurrences.
[85] "Nay, though wee make Profession to seeke GOD alone in our
Troubles; yet when it comes to the Pinch, doe wee not runne vnto the
Deuill?"--Cooper, _Mystery of Witchcraft_, 18-19.
[86] If Spectacles were invented as far back as 1269, "a little while
ago" would hardly have applied to the Fact; but the Author probably had
Reference to Z. Jansen, a Maker of Spectacles, living in Middleburgh,
in 1590. The Inventor was a Monk of Pisa, named Spina.
[87] A great Plague in London was not then (1692) a very remote Event.
That which raged in 1665 carried off 68,000 People, according to the
best Estimate which could be made at the Time.
[88] This fabulous Monster was considered a Reality among a large
Portion of the human Family. A satisfactory Account of what a Dragon is
or is not, may be seen in that useful little Work entitled The _Home
Cyclopedia_, compiled by Messrs. George Ripley and Bayard Taylor.
[89] A very considerable Part of the learned John Scheffer's _History
of Lapland_ is taken up in Details of Witchcraft, as observed in that
Country. He was a Native of Germany, born 1621, resided some Time in
Sweden, died 1679. For later Transactions of the same Kind, and in the
same Country, the Reader may consult Dr. Horneck's _Account_, before
referred to, "Done from the High-Dutch."
[90] This will all be found verified (if the Reader can command
sufficient Credulity) in a curious little Work entitled _England's
Warning Pieces_, printed in 1642, and fully illustrated by Engravings.
Among _Prodigies_ related, the Writer says: "I remember our Brethren
in New England, not long since, made use of another most prodigious
and mishapen and monstrous Birth, brought foorth by a Gentlewoman of
that New Plantation, who had beene a maine Fautrix, if not originall
Broacher of very many most wicked, dangerous and damnable Opinions
in their Church." Page 27. For further Particulars see Savage's
_Winthrop's Journal_, i, 261-3.
[91] This has Reference to the then late Persecution of the Huguenots
in France. They had been protected by the Edict of Henry the Fourth
(Nantes, 1598), which was revoked in 1685 by Louis XIV; by which
Revocation about 50,000 Protestants were forced to fly the Kingdom.
Some fled to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, England, and some even
took Refuge in New England, where their Posterity are yet well known,
respected and honored.
[92] If, according to our Author, there is anything good or bad,
that the Devil does not do, and is not the Author of, one might not
unreasonably inquire what it is? Certainly in his Charges against the
Devil every Accusation imaginable is exhausted, not one left even to
father upon a Witch. Erratic Brains thus overdo themselves.
[93] Rome was built on seven Hills. It is to that he alludes.
[94] Ray refers to the Subject of the Earth having been once nearer the
Sun than at present. See _Physico-Theological Discourses_, P. 381; also
Dr. John Woodward's _Natural History of the Earth_, 245, Edition 1695,
8vo. Other Authors might be referred to.
[95] So far as the Annotator's Reading goes he has not found the Devil
charged with making Earthquakes previous to our Author's Time. He
certainly was in Advance of all Philosophers, ancient and modern, as
respects that Discovery.
[96] Claudius Nero Tiberius died A. D. 37, aged 78.
[97] On the 7th of June, 1692, Jamaica was partly destroyd. Some
1500 People perished. Why Jamaica or its Capitol is compared to the
ancient _Tyros_ or _Tyrus_ it is not easy to understand, as it might
be difficult to find two Places differing wider in most Respects. See
Ray's _Discourses_, 258, where may be seen a particular Account of this
Earthquake.
[98] The Annotator is very greatly out in his Reckoning if the Reader
does not decide that the Author was of all Men the most "bedeviled" of
any ever heard or read of by him. This is the Editor's _Corollary_.
[99] This is related by one Mr. Balsom. See Clarke's _Martyrology_,
ii, 179. The Devil had Possession of the Body of the Man, and uttered
the Language italicized in the Text, making Use of the Man's Organs of
Speech.
[100] It may not be easy for the Reader to discern how the whole Earth
and the infinite Realms of Space about it can be much of a _Gaol_,
especially with such a liberal Yard. The Doctor's Imagination is
singularly at random sometimes.
[101] A noted Puritan of the Time of Cromwell. In such of his Books as
have come under my Notice, his Name is uniformly _Burroughs_. His _Rare
Jewell_, 410, 1648, was formerly very popular, and there is a handsome
Edition of it as late as 1845.
[102] One has indeed a very "_easie Time_ of it" in prophecying, and
it is quite as easy to be laughed at for such Folly by those who come
after such shallow-pated Soothsayers. The Author felt very sure that
by the Year 1697, only five Years from the Time he was writing, that
the Devil would have "his Wings so singed that he should no more set
the Affairs of this World on Fire." That is to say--the Millenium would
then begin!
[103] The Turks had not received their greatest Check until after our
Author wrote. Mahomet IV commenced with renewed Vigor the War against
Germany in 1663. It was continued with alternate Success and Disaster,
until 1683, when John Sobieski, King of Poland, raised the Siege of
Vienna; but it was not till 1699 that the Turks were driven out of
Transylvania.
[104] The reported Utterance of Queen Mary (Consort of William the
Third) at an Interview between her and the Author's Father, at
Whitehall, April 9th, 1691. See _Parentator_, p. 130.
[105] This refers to the coming in of the Prince of Orange, and the
Overthrow of James the Second's Government.
[106] On the 15th of March, 1691, Louis the XIV captured Nice in
Piedmont, defended by the Duke of Savoy. But in the following Year the
French lost the Supremacy of the Sea in the terrible Battle off La
Hogue. That Supremacy they have never yet obtained.
[107] See _Morton's Memorial_, P. 38, Edition 16º. Edition 1721.
Mather's _Relation_, 110, Ed. 4º, 1864. Johnson's _Wonderworking
Providence_, 51.
[108] Having Reference, probably, to the Antinomians, as the more
liberal Christians were called.
[109] The Difficulties with the Episcopalians.
[110] The absurd Notion that the Devil's _Time was very short_ in
1693, was generally entertained by Christians. This Matter has already
been referred to. When the World and its Affairs can go on without
antagonistic Forces it is pretty certain the Devil's _Time_ will be
about out.
[111] Although the Affairs of the French King had begun to decline when
the Author wrote the above, his Opponents were not without great Fear
from him, as he achieved several considerable Victories on the Land
after the signal Defeat of his Fleet mentioned in a previous Note.
[112] This Paragraph, though bracketed, is in the original Edition,
_Page_ 47.
AN HORTATORY AND NECESSARY ADDRESS, TO A COUNTRY NOW EXTRAORDINARILY
ALARUM'D BY THE WRATH OF THE DEVIL. _TIS THIS_,
LET us now make a good and a right use of the prodigious _descent_
which the _Devil_ in _Great Wrath_ is at this day making upon our Land.
Upon the Death of a Great Man once, an Orator call'd the Town together,
crying out, _Concurrite Cives, Dilapsa sunt vestra Mœnia!_ that is,
_Come together, Neighbours, your Town-Walls are fallen down!_ But such
is the descent of the Devil at this day upon our selves, that I may
truly tell you, _The Walls of the whole World are broken down!_ The
usual _Walls_ of defence about mankind have such a Gap made in them,
that the very _Devils_ are broke in upon us, to seduce the _Souls_,
torment the _Bodies_, sully the _Credits_, and consume the _Estates_ of
our Neighbours, [41] with Impressions both as _real_ and as _furious_,
as if the _Invisible_ World were becoming _Incarnate_, on purpose for
the vexing of us. And what use ought now to be made of so tremendous a
dispensation? We are engaged in a _Fast_ this day;[113] but shall we
try to fetch _Meat out of the Eater_, and make the _Lion_ to afford
some _Hony_ for our _Souls?_
That the Devil is _come down unto us with great Wrath_, we find, we
feel, we now deplore.[114] In many ways, for many years hath the
Devil been assaying to Extirpate the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus here.
_New-England_ may complain of the Devil, as in Psal. 129. 1, 2. _Many
a time have they afflicted me, from my Youth, may_ New-England _now
say; many a time have they afflicted me from my Youth; yet they have
not prevailed against me._ But now there is a more than ordinary
_affliction_, with which the _Devil_ is Galling of us: and such an
one as is indeed Unparallelable. The things confessed by _Witches_,
and the things endured by _Others_, laid together, amount unto this
account of our Affliction. The _Devil_, Exhibiting himself ordinarily
as a small _Black man_, has decoy'd a fearful knot of proud, froward,
ignorant, envious and malicious creatures, to lift themselves in his
horrid Service, by entring their Names in a _Book_ by him tendred unto
them.[115] These _Witches_, whereof above a Score have now _Confessed
and shown their Deeds_, and some are now tormented by the Devils,
for _Confessing_, have met in Hellish _Randezvouzes_, wherein the
Confessors do say, they have had their diabolical Sacraments, imitating
the _Baptism_ and the _Supper_ of our Lord. In these hellish meetings,
these Monsters have associated themselves to do no less a thing than,
_To destroy the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in these parts of
the World;_ and in order hereunto, First they each of them have their
_Spectres_, or Devils, commission'd by them, & representing of them, to
be the Engines of their Malice. By these wicked _Spectres_, they seize
poor people about the Country, with various & bloudy _Torments;_ and of
those evidently Preternatural torments there are some have dy'd. They
have bewitched some, even so far as to make _Self-destroyers:_[116]
and others are in many Towns here and there languishing under their
_Evil hands_. The people thus afflicted, are miserably scratched and
bitten, so that the Marks are most visible to all the World, but
the causes utterly invisible; and the same Invisible Furies do most
visibly stick Pins into the bodies of the afflicted, and _scald_ them,
and hideously distort, and disjoint all their members, besides a
thousand other sorts of Plagues beyond these of any natural diseases
which they give unto them. Yea, they sometimes drag the poor people
out of their chambers, and carry them over Trees and Hills, for
divers miles together. A large part of the persons tortured by these
Diabolical _Spectres_, are horribly tempted by them, sometimes with
fair [42] promises, and sometimes with hard threatnings, but always
with felt miseries, to sign the _Devils Laws_ in a Spectral Book
laid before them; which two or three of these poor Sufferers, being
by their tiresome sufferings overcome to do, they have immediately
been released from all their miseries and they appear'd in _Spectre_
then to Torture those that were before their Fellow-Sufferers. The
_Witches_ which by their covenant with the Devil, are become Owners
of _Spectres_, are oftentimes by their own _Spectres_ required and
compelled to give their consent, for the molestation of some, which
they had no mind otherwise to fall upon; and cruel Depredations are
then made upon the Vicinage. In the Prosecution of these Witchcrafts,
among a thousand other unaccountable things, the _Spectres_ have an odd
faculty of cloathing the most substantial and corporeal Instruments of
Torture, with Invisibility, while the wounds thereby given have been
the most palpable things in the World; so that the Sufferers assaulted
with Instruments of Iron, wholly unseen to the standers by, though,
to their cost, seen by themselves, have, upon snatching, wrested
the Instruments out of the _Spectres_ hands, and every one has then
immediately not only _beheld_, but _handled_, an Iron Instrument taken
by a Devil from a Neighbour. These wicked _Spectres_ have proceeded so
far, as to steal several quantities of Mony from divers people, part
of which Money, has, before sufficient Spectators, been dropt out of
the Air into the Hands of the Sufferers, while the _Spectres_ have been
urging them to subscribe their _Covenant with Death_.[117] In such
extravagant ways have these Wretches propounded, the _Dragooning_ of
as many as they can, in their own Combination, and the _Destroying_ of
others, with lingring, spreading, deadly diseases; till our Countrey
should at last become too hot for us. Among the Ghastly Instances of
the _success_ which those Bloody Witches have had, we have seen even
some of their own Children, so dedicated unto the Devil, that in their
Infancy, it is found, the _Imps_ have sucked them, and rendred them
Venemous to a Prodigy. We have also seen the Devils first batteries
upon the Town, where the first Church of our Lord in this Colony was
gathered, producing those distractions, which have almost ruin'd the
Town.[118] We have seen likewise the _Plague_ reaching afterwards into
other Towns far and near, where the Houses of good Men have the Devils
filling of them with terrible Vexations!
This is the Descent, which, it seems, the Devil has now made upon
us. But that which makes this Descent the more formidable, is; the
_multitude_ and _quality_ of Persons accused of an interest in this
_Witchcraft_, by the Efficacy of the _Spectres_ which take their Name
and shape upon them; causing very many good and wise Men to fear, [43]
That many _innocent_, yea, and some _vertuous_ persons, are by the
Devils in this matter, imposed upon; That the Devils have obtain'd
the power, to take on them the likeness of harmless people, and in
that likeness afflict other people, and be so abused by Præstigious
_Dæmons_, that upon their look or touch, the afflicted shall be oddly
affected. Arguments from the _Providence of God_, on the one side, and
from our _Charity_ towards _Man_ on the other side, have made this now
to become a most agitated Controversie among us. There is an _Agony_
produced in the Minds of Men, lest the Devil should sham us with
_Devices_, of perhaps a finer Thred, than was ever yet practised upon
the World. The whole business is become hereupon so _Snarled_, and the
determination of the Question one way or another, so _dismal_, that
our Honourable Judges have a Room for _Jehoshaphat's_ Exclamation, _We
know not what to do!_[119] They have used, as Judges have heretofore
done, the _Spectral Evidences_, to introduce their further Enquiries
into the _Lives_ of the persons accused; and they have thereupon, by
the wonderful Providence of God, been so strengthened with _other
evidences_, that some of the _Witch Gang_ have been fairly Executed.
But what shall be done, as to those against whom the _evidence_ is
chiefly founded in the _dark world?_ Here they do solemnly demand our
Addresses to the _Father of Lights_, on their behalf. But in the mean
time, the Devil improves the _Darkness_ of this Affair, to push us into
a _Blind Mans Buffet_, and we are even ready to be _sinfully_, yea,
hotly, and madly, mauling one another in the _dark_.[120]
The consequence of these things, every _considerate_ Man trembles at;
and the more, because the frequent cheats of Passion, and Rumour,
do precipitate so many, that I wish I could say, The most were
_considerate_.
But that which carries on the formidableness of our Trials, unto
that which may be called, _A wrath unto the uttermost_, is this: It
is not without the _wrath_ of the Almighty _God_ himself, that the
_Devil_ is permitted thus to come down upon us in _wrath_. It was
said, in _Isa._ 9. 19. _Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts, the
Land is darkned._ Our Land is _darkned_ indeed; since the _Powers
of Darkness_ are turned in upon us: 'tis a _dark time_, yea a black
night indeed, now the _Ty-dogs_[121] of the Pit are abroad among us:
but, _It is through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts!_ Inasmuch as the
_Fire-brands of Hell_ it self are used for the scorching of us, with
cause enough may we cry out, _What means the heat of this Anger?_
Blessed Lord! Are all the other Instruments of thy Vengeance, too
good for the chastisement of such transgressors as we are? Must the
very _Devils_ be sent out of _Their own place_, to be our Troublers:
Must we be lash'd with _Scorpions_, fetch'd from the _Place of
[44] Torment?_ Must this _Wilderness_ be made a Receptacle for the
_Dragons of the Wilderness?_ If a _Lapland_ should nourish in it vast
numbers, the successors of the old _Biarmi_,[122] who can with looks
or words bewitch other people, or sell Winds to Mariners, and have
their _Familiar Spirits_ which they bequeath to their Children when
they die, and by their Enchanted Kettle-Drums can learn things done a
Thousand Leagues off; If a _Swedeland_ should afford a Village, where
some scores of Haggs, may not only have their Meetings with _Familiar
Spirits_, but also by their Enchantments drag many scores of poor
children out of their Bed-chambers, to be spoiled at those Meetings;
This, were not altogether a matter of so much wonder! But that
_New-England_ should this way be harrassed! They are not _Chaldeans_,
that _Bitter and Hasty Nation_, but they are, _Bitter and Burning
Devils;_ They are not _Swarthy Indians_, but they are _Sooty Devils;_
that are let loose upon us. Ah, Poor _New-England!_ Must the plague
of _Old Ægypt_ come upon thee? Whereof we read in _Psal._ 78. 49. _He
cast upon them the fierceness of his Anger, Wrath, and Indignation,
and Trouble, by sending Evil Angels among them_. What, O what must
next be looked for? Must that which is there next mentioned, be next
encountered? _He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life
over to the Pestilence._ For my part, when I consider what _Melancthon_
says, in one of his Epistles, _That these Diabolical Spectacles are
often Prodigies;_ and when I consider, how often people have been by
_Spectres_ called upon, just before their Deaths; I am verily afraid,
lest some wasting _Mortality_ be among the things, which this Plague is
the _Fore-runner_ of. I pray God prevent it!