The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
On the 27th of March, 1692, Mr. Parris called together his Church,
when he presented Testimony against the Error of sister Mary Sibley,
in giving direction to John Indian in an unwarrantable Way, to find
out Witches. Upon Mary Sibley's manifesting Sorrow and Grief for her
Conduct, the Brethren of the Church received Satisfaction. By the
diabolical Means thus used by Mary Sibley, Mr. Parris supposed the
Devil had been raised, and seeing the apparent distressed Condition
of his Family, and not knowing what Course to pursue, requested
some worthy Gentlemen of Salem, and some neighboring Ministers to
consult together at his House; who when they came, and had inquired
diligently into the Sufferings of the Afflicted, concluded they were
Preternatural, and feared the Hand of Satan was in them. The Advice
given to Parris by them was, that he should sit still and wait upon
the Providence of God, to see what Time might discover; and to be much
in Prayer for the Discovery of what was yet secret. They also examined
Tituba, who confessed the making a Cake, and said her Mistress in her
own Country was a Witch, and had taught her some Means to be used for
the Discovery of a Witch, and for the Prevention of being bewitched,
&c. But said she herself, was not a Witch. Soon after this, there were
two or three private Fasts at Parris's House, one of which was kept by
the neighboring Ministers, and another in Public at the Village. And
one general Fast, by Order of the General Court, observed throughout
the Colony, to seek the Lord, that he would rebuke Satan, and be a
Light unto his People in this Day of Darkness.
It is evident from the Account given by Rev. John Hale, who was an
Eye Witness to many of the Transactions at Salem Village, and one of
the Ministers called for Consultation, that Mr. Parris proceeded with
Caution at the Commencement of the Troubles, and was anxious to seek
Council and Advice. He likewise wished to inform himself on the Subject
of Witchcraft, and for that Purpose received as a Loan from Dea. Robert
Sanderson, of Boston, a Copy of Perkins' Works, which treated upon that
Subject.
We are among those who believe Mr. Parris was honest in his Belief
in Witchcraft, and that he was not moved in this Affair by personal
Malice, or the Desire to promote the Cause of Religion in his Parish,
as has been supposed by the Author of the History of Danvers. We have
not as yet, found a Particle of Evidence, that he entertained ill Will
against those who were accused and executed.
Mr. Parris, in common with his ministerial Brethren, appears to have
come, after the Confession of Tituba, to the full Conclusion, that
Witchcraft had broken out in his Parish, and that the Devil had
commenced his Operations in his own Family; and as a faithful Pastor,
he should not hesitate, for a Moment, to grapple with the Enemy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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