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
V. A famous Divine recites this among the Convictions of a Witch; _The
Testimony of the party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together
with the joint Oaths of sufficient Persons that have seen certain
Prodigious Pranks or Feats wrought by the Party Accused_. Now, God had
been pleased so to leave this _G. B._ that he had ensnared himself
by several Instances, which he had formerly given of a Preternatural
Strength, and which were now produced against him. He was a very Puny
Man, yet he had often done things beyond the strength of a Giant. A
Gun of about seven foot Barrel, and so heavy that strong Men could not
steadily hold it out with both hands; there were several Testimonies,
given in by Persons of Credit and Honor, that he made nothing of taking
up such a Gun behind the Lock, with but one hand, and holding it out
like a Pistol, at Arms-end. _G. B._ in his Vindication, was so foolish
as to say, That _an_ Indian _was there, and held it out at the same
time:_ Whereas none of the Spectators ever saw any such _Indian;_
but they supposed the _Black Man_, (as the Witches call the Devil;
and they generally say he resembles an _Indian_) might [64] give him
that Assistance. There was Evidence likewise brought in, that he made
nothing of taking up whole Barrels fill'd with _Malasses_ or _Cider_,
in very disadvantageous Postures, and Carrying of them through the
difficultest Places out of a Canoo to the Shore.
[Yea, there were two Testimonies that _G. B._ with only putting the
Fore Finger of his Right hand into the Muzzle of an heavy Gun, a
Fowling-piece of about six or seven foot Barrel, did lift up the Gun,
and hold it out at Arms-end; a Gun which the Deponents though strong
Men could not with both hands lift up, and hold out at the But-end,
as is usual. Indeed, one of these Witnesses was over-perswaded by
some Persons to be out of the way upon _G. B's_ Tryal; but he came
afterwards with Sorrow for his withdraw, and gave in his Testimony: Nor
were either of these Witnesses made use of as Evidences in the Trial.]
VI. There came in several Testimonies relating to the Domestick Affairs
of _G. B._ which had a very hard Aspect upon him; and not only prov'd
him a very ill Man; but also confirmed the belief of the Character,
which had been already fastned on him.
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