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
X. _John Louder_[161] testifi'd, That upon some little Controversy
with _Bishop_ about her Fowls, going well to Bed, he did awake in
the Night by Moon[69]light, and did see clearly the likeness of this
Woman grievously oppressing him; in which miserable condition she held
him, unable to help himself, till near Day. He told _Bishop_ of this;
but she deny'd it, and threatned him very much. Quickly after this,
being at home on a Lords day, with the doors shut about him, he saw a
black Pig approach him; at which, he going to kick, it vanished away.
Immediately after, sitting down, he saw a black Thing jump in at the
Window, and come and stand before him. The Body was like that of a
Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, but the Face much like a Mans. He being
so extreamly affrighted, that he could not speak; this Monster spoke
to him, and said, _I am a Messenger sent unto you, for I understand
that you are in some Trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me,
you shall want for nothing in this World_. Whereupon he endeavoured to
clap his Hands upon it; but he could feel no substance; and it jumped
out of the Window again; but immediately came in by the Porch, tho' the
Doors were shut, and said, _You had better take my Counsel!_ He then
struck at it with a Stick, but struck only the Ground-sel, and broke
the Stick: The Arm with which he struck was presently Disenabled, and
it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-door, and spied
this _Bishop_, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not
power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon, returning into the
House, he was immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before;
which Goblin was now going to fly at him; whereat he cry'd out, _The
whole Armour of God be between me and you!_ So it sprang back, and flew
over the Apple-tree; shaking many Apples off the Tree, in its flying
over. At its leap, it flung Dirt with its Feet against the Stomack of
the Man; whereon he was then struck Dumb, and so continued for three
Days together. Upon the producing of this Testimony, _Bishop_ deny'd
that she knew this Deponent: Yet their two Orchards joined; and they
had often had their little Quarrels for some years together.
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