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
II. It was testifi'd, That at the Examination of the Prisoner before
the Magistrates, the Bewitched were extreamly tortured. If she did
but cast her Eyes on them, they were presently struck down; and this
in such a manner as there could be no Collusion in the Business. But
upon the Touch of her Hand upon them, when they lay in their Swoons,
they would immediately Revive; and not upon the Touch of any ones else.
Moreover, Upon some Special Actions of her Body, as the shaking of her
Head, or the turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell
into the like postures. And many of the like Accidents now fell out,
while she was at the Bar. One at the same time testifying, That she
said, _She could not be troubled to see the afflicted thus tormented_.
III. There was Testimony likewise brought in, that a Man striking
once at the place, where a bewitched person said, the _Shape_ of this
_Bishop_ stood, the bewitched cried out, _That he had tore her Coat_,
in the place then particularly specifi'd; and the Woman's Coat was
found to be Torn in that very place.
IV. One _Deliverance Hobbs_,[155] who had confessed her being a Witch,
was now tormented by the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now
testifi'd, That this _Bishop_ tempted her to Sign the _Book_ again,
and to deny what she had confess'd. She affirm'd, That it was the
Shape of this Prisoner, which whipped her with Iron Rods, to compel
her thereunto. And she affirmed, that this _Bishop_ was at a General
Meeting of the Witches, in a Field at _Salem_-Village, and there
partook of a Diabolical Sacrament in Bread and Wine then administred.
[67] V. To render it further unquestionable, that the Prisoner at the
Bar, was the Person truly charged in this _Witchcraft_, there were
produced many Evidences of OTHER _Witchcrafts_, by her perpetrated. For
Instance, _John Cook_ testifi'd, That about five or six Years ago, one
Morning, about Sun-Rise, he was in his Chamber assaulted by the _Shape_
of this Prisoner: which look'd on him, grinn'd at him, and very much
hurt him with a Blow on the side of the Head: and that on the same day,
about Noon, the same _Shape_ walked in the Room where he was, and an
Apple strangely flew out of his Hand, into the Lap of his Mother, six
or eight Foot from him.
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