2. Though the gross, absurd, impious and Popish opinions of the too much magnified powers of Demons and Witches, in this Nation, were pretty well quashed and silenced by the writings of _Wierus_, _Tandler_, Mr. _Scot_, Mr. _Ady_, Mr. _Wagstaff_ and others; and by the grave proceedings of many learned Judges, and other judicious Magistrates: yet finding that of late two persons of great learning and note, who are both (as I am informed) beneficed Ministers in the Church, to wit Dr. _Casaubon_, and Mr. _Glanvil_ have afresh espoused so bad a cause, and taken the quarrel upon them; And to that purpose have newly furbished up the old Weapons, and raked up the old arguments, forth of the Popish Sink and Dunghills, and put them into a new dress, that they might appear with the greater luster, and so do with Tooth and Nail labour to maintain the old rotten assertions, the one in his Book called, A Treatise proving Spirits and Witches _&c._ the other in a Treatise called, A blow at modern _Sadducism_ &c. Finding these (I say) as two new Champions giving defiance to all that are of a contrary judgment, I was stirred up to answer their supposed strong arguments, and invincible instances, which I have done (I confess) without fear, or any great regard to their Titles, Places, or Worldly Dignities, but only considering the strength or weakness of their arguments, proofs, and reason. For in this particular that I have to deal, it is not with the men, but their opinions and the grounds they would lay their foundations upon. And if I be censured for dealing too sharply and harshly with them, they must excuse me, for I profess I have no evil will at all against their persons, no more than against a _non_-Entity, but was justly zealous for the truth, and bitter against such opinions as they have vented, which to me seem dangerous, and in some respect impious, as (I suppose) I have fully proved. And this was another reason of my writing about this subject. 3. Another reason that made me undertake this subject, was the horrid absurdities the tenent of the common Witchmongers brings along with it, as not only tending to advance superstition and Popery, but also to be much derogatory to the Wisdom, Justice, and Providence of the Almighty, and to cry up the power of the Kingdom of darkness, to question the verity of the principal Article of the Christian Faith, concerning the Resurrection of Christ in his true numerical Body, and generally to tend to the obstruction of the practice of Godliness and Piety. These after I had seriously weighed and considered them, did move me to labour as far as the light of God’s word, the grounds of true Theology, and the clear strength of reason would guide, and direct me, to undertake the confutation of them as far as I was able, and if I have failed I humbly desire those that are more able to handle the matter more fully if possible.