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
of Cyder. The Woman entertained him in a furious manner; and flew also
upon the Boy, scratching his face till the Blood came, and saying,
_Thou Rogue, what? dost thou bring this fellow here to plague me?_ Now
it seems the Man had said before he went, that he would fetch Blood
of her. Ever after the Boy was followed with grievous Fits, which the
Doctors themselves generally ascribed unto Witchcraft; and wherein he
would be thrown still into the Fire or Water, if he were not constantly
looked after; and it was verily believed that _Bishop_ was the cause of
it.[78]
10. _John Louder_ testified, that upon some little controversie with
_Bishop_ about her Fowls, going well to bed, he did awake in the Night
by Moonlight, and did clearly see the likeness of this Woman grievously
oppressing him. In which miserable condition she held him unable to
help himself, till near day. He told _Bishop_ of this; but she utterly
denied it, and threatned him very much. Quickly after this, being at
home on a Lord's Day, with the doors shut about him, he saw a black Pig
approach him; at which he going to kick, it vanished away. Immediately
after sitting down he saw a black thing jump in at the Window, and come
and stand before him. The body was like that of a Monkey, the feet
like a Cocks, but the face much like a Mans. He being so extremely
afrighted, that he could not speak; this Monster spoke to him and said,
_I am a Messenger_ [124] _sent unto you, for I understand that you are
in some trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me, you shall
want for nothing in this World._ Whereupon he endeavoured to clap his
hands upon it; but he could feel no substance, and it jumped out of
the Window again; but immediately came in by the Porch, though the
doors were shut, and said, _You had better take my counsel!_ He then
struck at it with a stick, but struck only the Groundsel, and broke the
stick. The Arm with which he struck was presently disenabled, and it
vanished away. He presently went out at the back door, and spied this
_Bishop_, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not power
to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon returning into the House,
he was immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before; which
Goblin was now going to fly at him: whereat he cried out, _The whole
Armour of God be between me and you!_ so it sprang back, and flew over
the Apple-tree; shaking many Apples off the Tree in its flying over.
At its leap, it flung dirt with its Feet, against the Stomach of the
Man; whereon he was then struck dumb, and so continued for three Days
together. Upon the producing of this Testimony, _Bishop_ denied that
she knew this Deponent. Yet their two Orchards joined, and they had
often had their little quarrels for some Years together.[79]
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