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
Upon the Day of the Fast in the full Assembly at the South
Meeting-House in _Boston_ one of the Honourable Judges,[135] who had
sat in Judicature in _Salem_, delivered in a Paper, and while it was
in reading stood up, But the Copy being not to be obtained at present,
It can only be reported by Memory to this effect, _viz._ _It was to
desire the Prayers of God's People for him and his, and that God having
visited his Family,_ &c. _he was apprehensive that he might have fallen
into some Errors in the Matters at_ Salem, _and pray that the Guilt of
such Miscarriages may not be imputed either to the Country in general,
or to him or his family in particular_.
[_Jury-men's Acknowledgement._]
Some that had been of several Jewries, have given forth a Paper,
Sign'd with their own hands in these words.
W_E whose names are under written, being in the Year_ 1692, _called to
serve as Jurors in Court at_ Salem _on Tryal of many; who where by some
suspected Guilty of doing Acts of Witchcraft upon the Bodies of sundry
Persons:_
_We confess that we ourselves were not capable to understand, nor able
to withstand the mysterious delusions of the Powers of Darkness, and
Prince of the Air; but were for want of Knowledge in ourselves, and
better Information from others, prevailed with to take up with such
Evidence against the Accused, as on further consideration, and better
Information, we justly fear was insufficient for the touching the Lives
of any, Deut._ xvii. 6. _whereby we fear we have been instrumental with
others, tho Ignorently and unwittingly, to bring upon ourselves, and
this People of the Lord, the Guilt of Innocent Blood; which Sin the
Lord saith in Scripture, he would not pardon,_ 2 Kings xxiv. 4. _that
is we suppose in regard of his temporal Judgments. We do therefore
hereby signifie to all in general (and to the surviving Sufferers in
especial) our deep sense of, and sorrow for our Errors, in acting on
such Evidence to the condemning of any person._
_And do hereby declare that we justly fear that we were sadly deluded
and mistaken, for which we are much disquieted and distressed in our
minds; and do therefore humbly beg forgiveness, first of God for
Christ's sake for this our Error; And pray that God would not impute
the guilt of it to ourselves, nor_ [145] _others; and we also pray that
we may be considered candidly, and aright by the living Sufferers as
being then under the power of a strong and general Delusion, utterly
unacquainted with, and not experienced in matters of that Nature._
_We do heartily ask forgiveness of you all, whom we have justly
offended, and do declare according to our present minds, we would none
of us do such things again on such grounds for the whole World; praying
you to accept of this in way of Satisfaction for our Offence; and that
you would bless the Inheritance of the Lord, that he may be entreated
for the Land._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account