The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
_These last, Sir, are such Foundations of Truth, in my esteem, that
I cannot but own it to be my duty to ascert them, when call'd, tho'
with the hazard of my All.[41] And consequently to detect such as
these, That a Witch can Commissionate Devils to Afflict Mortals, That
he can at his or the Witches pleasure Assume any Shape, That Hanging
or Drawing of Witches can lessen his Power of Afflicting, or restore
those that were at a distance Tormented, with many others depending on
these; all tending, in my esteem, highly to the Dishonour of God, and
the Indangering the well-being of a People, and do further add, that
as the Scriptures are full that there is Witchcraft_, (ut sup.) _so
'tis as plain that there are Possessions, and that the Bodies of the
Possest have hence been not only Afflicted, but strangely agitated, if
not their tongues improved to foretell futurities, &c. and why not to
accuse the Innocent, as bewitching them; having pretence to Divination
to gain credence. This being reasonable to be expected, from him who
is the Father of Lies, to the end he may thereby involve a Countrey in
Blood, Mallice, and Evil, surmising which he greedily seeks after, and
so finally lead them from their fear and dependance upon God to fear
him, and a supposed Witch thereby attaining his end upon Mankind; and
not only so, but Natural Distemper, as has been frequently observed by
the Judicious, have so operated as to deceive, more than the Vulgar,
as is testified by many Famous Physicians, and others. And as for that
proof of Multitudes of Confessions, this Countrey may be by this time
thought Competent Judges, what credence we ought to give them, having
had such numerous Instances, as also how obtain'd_.
_And now Sir, if herein be any thing in your esteem valuable, let me
intreat you, not to account it the worse for coming from so mean a
hand; which however you may have receiv'd Prejudices_, &c. _Am ready
to serve you to my Power; but if you Judge otherwise hereof, you may
take your own Methods for my better Information. Who am, Sir, yours to
command, in what I may_,
_P. C._[42]
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