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
As to the Prosecution for Libel, Mr. Calef says he was taken to the
Court of Sessions, and after waiting a while for his Accusers, none
appeared. He was therefore dismissed. He had had a Promise from Dr.
Mather to meet him to compare Notes, but it does not appear that any
Time was stated; and after several Months had elapsed Mr. Calef wrote,
requesting him to fix upon a Time and Place of Meeting. A Meeting
however never occurred, of the Kind desired; but, as the only Means of
getting the Doctor's Views of what he had written, he sent him a Copy
of his Notes on Margaret Rule's Exhibitions, two of which he seems
to have witnessed. On the 15th of January, 1693-4, the Doctor wrote
him a long Letter, in which he says: "I have this to say, as I have
often already said, that do I scarcely find any one Thing in the whole
Paper, whether respecting my Father or self, either fairly or truly
represented." The _Fairness_ on both Sides may be judged of, as both
Papers will be found in the ensuing Work, Pages 13-22.
The Doctor sent the Author, accompanying his Letter, Copies of three
Depositions, or Statements from several Persons, to the Effect that
what he had stated regarding the strange Conduct of Margaret Rule
was true; especially as to the Fact, that she was by invisible Hands
raised from her Bed up to the Garret Floor, and that strong Men, the
Bystanders, could not hold her down. The Height of the Room is not
mentioned; but one Witness, Samuel Aves, says it was "a great Way;"
that she was lifted "towards the Top of the Room." Three others said,
this was "in Substance true." Also, Thomas Thornton, a Paver, said she
was lifted up, "so as to touch the Garret Floor;" to which William
Hudson assented in "Substance." All of which Testimonies, Mr. Calef
ventured to insinuate was about as true, as a Report would be that
Iron would swim on Water; that if that Rising in the Air without Hands
actually took place, it was a Miracle, and if a Miracle it was wrought
by the Devil. And yet it seems that Mr. Calef believed none but God
himself could work Miracles.
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