[15] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Vol. I, Chap. 3, Pp. 7-9. [16] Todd's _Spenser_, iv, 480-1. _Faerie Queene_, B. iii, Cant. 7, Stan. 6. [17] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Book i, Chap. 4, Pp. 9-11. [18] James's _Works_, by Winton, P. 116. [19] James's _Works_, by Winton, P. 117. [20] _Discoverie of Witchcraft_, Book iii, Chap. 1, 2, Pp. 40-2. [21] _Works, apud_ Winton, Pp. 112, 113. [22] King James's _Works, apud_ Winton, Pp. 111, 135-6. [23] Joseph Glanvill, in his _Blow at Modern Saducism_. [24] Spencer's _Discourse concerning Prodigies_, London, 1665. MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. COTTON MATHER was born in Boston, February 12th, 1662-3. In his Youth he was remarkable for his Progress in Knowledge, and soon became extensively known for his varied Acquirements. At the Age of Twelve he entered Harvard College, and graduated in due Course. He was thrice married: 1st, when in his twenty-fourth Year, to Abigail, Daughter of Col. John Phillips, of Charlestown; 2d, to Widow Elizabeth Hubbard, Daughter of Dr. John Clark; and 3d, to Lydia, Widow of Mr. John George, Daughter of the Rev. Samuel Lee, sometime of Bristol in Rhode Island. By the last Wife he had no Children, but by the others he had fifteen, nine of which were by the first. The Father of Mr. Mather was Dr. Increase Mather, Pastor of the North Church, of Boston, of whom the Biographer of the former remarks, that, "as President of Harvard College, by whose printed composures both Latin and English, and by whose Agency in the Courts of three Monarchs for his afflicted Country, have rendered him universally known." His Mother was Maria, Daughter of Mr. John Cotton of Boston, a Name as intimately associated with the History of New England as any other. And judging from the Portraits of the Grandsire and Grandson, there was a very strong Resemblance of the one to the other. Mr. Mather began to preach in 1680, and his first Sermon was delivered in Dorchester, on the 22d of August of that Year. In the following February he was invited to become an Assistant to his Father in the North Church in Boston, which Invitation he accepted. About two Years later he was unanimously chosen Pastor by the same Church, but was not ordained until May, 1684; his Ordination probably being deferred on Account of his Youth; being at the Time of his Ordination but twenty-one Years and three Months old. On that Occasion he received the Right Hand of Fellowship from the venerable Mr. John Eliot, of Roxbury. At an early Age he began to keep a Diary, and from the Passages we have from it we are convinced that its Entries were dictated by an honest Mind, and that Duplicity and evil Intentions could never find an abiding Place therein; that his sole Aim was Goodness, and a strong Desire to lead a life of Purity, is manifest throughout.