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
from this Country, and setting up instead of it, perhaps a more gross
_Diabolism_, than ever the World saw before. And yet it will be a thing
little short of _Miracle_, if in so _spread_ a Business as this, the
Devil should not get in some of his Juggles, to confound the Discovery
of all the rest.[55]
§ III. Doubtless, the Thoughts of many will receive a great Scandal
against _New-England_, from the Number of Persons that have been
Accused, or Suspected, for _Witchcraft_, in this Country: But it were
easie to offer many things, that may Answer and Abate the Scandal. If
the Holy God should any where permit the Devils to hook two or three
wicked _Scholars_ into _Witchcraft_, and then by their Assistance to
Range with their _Poisonous Insinuations_ among Ignorant, Envious,
Discontented People, till they have cunningly decoy'd them into some
sudden _Act_, whereby the Toyls of Hell shall be perhaps inextricably
cast over them: what Country in the World would not afford _Witches_,
numerous to a Prodigy? Accordingly, The Kingdoms of _Sweden_,
_Denmark_, _Scotland_, yea and _England_ it self, as well as the
Province of _New-England_,[56] have had their Storms of _Witchcrafts_
breaking upon them, which have made most Lamentable Devastations: which
also I wish, may be _The Last_. And it is not uneasie to be imagined,
that God has not brought out all the _Witchcrafts_ in many other Lands
with such a speedy, dreadful, destroying _Jealousie_, as burns forth
upon such _High Treasons_, committed here in _A Land of Uprightness:_
Transgressors may more quickly here than elsewhere become a Prey to
the Vengeance of Him, _Who has Eyes like a Flame of Fire_, and, _who
walks in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks_. Moreover, There are
many parts of the World, who if they do upon this Occasion insult over
this People of God, need only to be told the Story of what happen'd
at _Loim_, in the Duchy of _Gulic_, where a Popish Curate having
ineffectually try'd many Charms to Eject the Devil out of a Damsel
there possessed, he passionately bid the Devil come out of her into
himself; but the Devil answered him, _Quid mihi Opus, est eum tentare,
quem Novissimo die, Jure Optimo, sum possessurus?_ That is, _What need
I meddle with one whom I am sure to have, and hold at the Last-day as
my own for ever!_
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