For as Reason knows nothing of an Afflicting, Covenanting Witch; so it seems as Forreign from Scripture in general, as it is from the Text then insisted on; which speaks of such wickednesses as are manifestly the works of the flesh: but such Communication with Spirits, the flesh doth manifestly dread even as death itself. Therefore the usual Salvation of the Holy Angels to the best of Men was, fear not; and experience shews, that the most wicked, are most afrighted at the apprehensions of the appearances of Devils; therefore such an explicit Covenanting cannot be a manfest work of the Flesh. [55] Yet this is manifest, that the belief of the Witches power to do the things above mentioned, is an ancient belief of the Heathen. And that from them it was received by the Papists, as a part of their Faith, who have since improved upon it, and brought in the notion of a Covenant. But it seems yet a further improvement lately made by Protestants, that such Witches can Commissionate Devils to do those mischiefs, thereby setting the Witch in the place of God; for tho few of the Papists are known to be thus absurd; yet when such Doctrines have been Preached, and Printed in _New England_, they have met with none to oppose; but many to incourage them.[78] Other considerable additions or new improvements have been made here; as the art to knock off invisible chains with the hand, to drive away Spectres (_i. e._ Devils) by brushing, spelling words to the Afflicted, _&c._ What has followed upon these notions, and upon such improvements, is needless here to repeat, it were unaccountable to recount the effusion of Blood that has been hereby occasioned, such remaining Scars, and such yet bleeding wounds as are to be found; which none can wholly pretend ignorance of. And if Blood shall be required of that Watchman that seeth the Sword a coming, and gives not the needful warning; how much more of such as join with the Enemy, to bring in the Sword to destroy them, over whom he was placed a Watchman. And if the law of God be perfect, and exceeding broad, as being given forth by the Omnicient Law-giver; it is exceeding high presumption and arrogance, and highly destructive to the lives of Innocents, for any to pretend to give another, and a pretended better description of a crime made thereby Capital, with new rules to try such offenders by. _Reverend Sir, the matter being of such high concern requires (and it is again prayed) that you would be pleased to consider, and give the grounds from Scripture, or Reason of such Definition, or else that you would explode it, as inconsistent with both. From, Reverend Sir, Yours to my utmost._ R. C. FOOTNOTES: