his Belief, but the most Orthodox and most learned answer that our Author could pitch upon. If Witchcraft be as I suppose it is, _&c._ and is it not the Ordination of God, that, _&c._ What is all this but precarious, and begging the question, and a plain dropping the Argument he cannot manage; however, to amuse the Ignorant, and to confound the Learned, he hooks in a cramp word, if not a nonentity, (_viz._) _Plastic_ Spirit of the World, for who is it either knows that there is a _Plastic Spirit_, or what it is, or how this can any way serve his purpose.[59] He then proceeds to _Scripture_ Instances of Witches, _&c._ and where I thought it needful, I have, as I said, shewed my dissent from his Judgment: He accounts it unreasonable to be held to the proof of his definition of a Witch, which he makes to consist in a Covenant with the Devil, and chuses rather a tedious process about a Pistol to defend him from it, which indeed is one particular way whereby Murder has been Committed, and so the Dore becomes Culpable; But his definition of a _Witch_, which as I said, still remains to be proved, is to this effect, That a _Witch_ is one that Covenants with, and Commissions _Devils_ to do mischiefs, that she is one in Covenant, or that by Vertue of such Covenant she can Commissionate him to Kill. The not bringing Scripture to prove these two, is a sufficient demonstration there is none; and so that our Author leaves off just where he began, _viz._ in a bare Assertion, together with his own Biggoted experiences, hinting also at multitudes of Histories to confirm him in the belief of his definition. Here being all that I take notice of to be considerable. [33] And now, Sir, if you think fit to improve your Friendship with the Author for the Glory of God, the Sovereign Being, the good and welfare of _Mankind_, and for his real and true Interest, as you see it convenient, put him in mind, That the Glory of God is the end why _Mankind_ was made, and why _He_ hath so many Advantages to it. That the Flames we have seen threatning the utter extirpation of the Country, must own their Original to these dangerous Errors (if not heresies) which if they remain Unextinguished, may and most likely will be acted over again. That 'tis more Honour to own an Error in time, than tenaciously after full Conviction to retain it. But if our Author will again Vindicate such matters, please to acquaint him, that I shall not any more receive his Papers, if I may not Copy and use them; and that when he does, instead of such abstruse matters, I still pray his determination in those things I have his promise for. And thus begging Pardon for thus long detaining of you, I am, Sir, your to Command, R. C. Boston, March 18, 1694. _To the Ministers, whether_ English, French, _or_ Dutch,