The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
_Davids_, unto a wrong Step, in a matter of such Consequence, as is now
before them! Our Disingenuous, Uncharitable, Unchristian Reproaching of
such _Faithful Men_, after all, _The Prayers and Supplications, with
strong Crying and Tears_, with which we are daily plying the Throne of
Grace, that they may be kept, from what _They Fear_, is none of the
way for our preventing of what We _Fear_. Nor all this while, ought
our _Pity_ to forget such _Accused_ ones, as call for indeed our most
Compassionate _Pity_, till there be fuller Evidences that they are
less worthy of it.[141] If _Satan_ have any where maliciously brought
upon the _Stage_, those that have hitherto had a just and good stock
of Reputation for their just and good Living, among us; If the _Evil
One_ have obtained a permission to _Appear_, in the Figure of such
as we have cause to think, have hitherto _Abstained_, even from the
_Appearance of Evil:_ It is in Truth, such an Invasion upon _Mankind_,
as may well Raise an Horror in us all: But, O what Compassions are
due to such as may come under such Misrepresentations, of the _Great
Accuser!_ Who of us can say, what may be shewn in the _Glasses_ of the
Great _Lying Spirit?_ Altho' the _Usual Providence_ of God [we praise
Him!] keeps us from such a Mishap; yet where have we an _Absolute
Promise_, that we shall every one always be kept from it? As long as
_Charity_ is bound to Think _no Evil_, it will not Hurt us that are
_Private Persons_, to forbear the _Judgment_ which belongs not unto
us. Let it rather be our Wish, May the Lord help them to Learn the
_Lessons_, for which they are now put unto so hard a School.
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