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
explain'd, and that in a most publick manner. For were they to be
understood Litterally and as they are spoken, it must seem as if the
Authors were Introducing among Christians very dangerous Doctrines,
such, as were they asserted by the best of Men, yet ought to be
rejected by all, _&c. Viz._ That 'tis the Devil that brings the most of
Evils upon Mankind, by way of Infliction, that do befall them; And that
the Witch can commissionate him to the performance of these, with many
others as dangerous Doctrines, and such as seem in their tendency to
look favourably upon the Antient _Pagan_ Doctrine of this countrey, who
did believe that God did hurt to none, but Good to all, but that the
Devil must be pleas'd by Worshipping, _&c._ From whom came all their
Miseries, as they believed. For what were all this but to Rob God of
his Glory in the highest manner, and giving it to a Devil and a Witch;
Is it not he that has said shall there be Evil in a City and the Lord
hath not done it? But if any are fond of their own notions because
some Eminent Men have before now asserted them; they may do well to
compare them with that excellent saying, _Wonders of the Invisible
World_, pag. 7. [_About this Devil there are many things, whereof we
may reasonably and profitably be inquisitive, such things I mean as are
in our Bibles reveal'd to us; according to which if we do not speak
on so dark a Subject, but according to our own uncertain and perhaps
Humoursom Conjectures, there is no Light in us._ Or that other, pag.
75. _At every other Weapon the Devil will be too hard for us._] For
'tis most certain that other Notions, Weapons and Practices have been
taken up with; And that the event has been answerable, the Devil has
been too hard for such as have so done. I shall forbear to instance
from the Dogmatical part, and shall mention some practices that as much
need explaining. _Mem. provid. Relat. to Witch. pag._ 29, 30, 31.[55]
Where account is given that it was Pray'd for that the afflicted might
be able to declare, whom she apprehended herself Afflicted by, together
with the Immediate answer of such Prayer. To this you once Reply'd when
it was mentioned to you, that you did not then understand the wiles of
_Satan_.
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