King _Saul_ in his destroying the Witches out of _Israel_, is thought by many to have exceeded, and in his Zeal to have slain the _Gibeonites_ wrongfully under that notion: Yet went after this to a Witch to know his Fortune. For his wrongful destroying the _Gibeonites_ (besides the Judgments of God upon the Land) his Sons were hanged; and for his going to the Witch, himself was cut off. Our sir _William Phips_ did not do this, but as appears by this Book had first his Fortune told him, (by such as the Author counts no better) and though he put it off (to his Pastor, who he new approved not thereof) as if it were brought to him in writing, without his seeking, _&c._ Yet by his bringing it so far, and safe keeping it so many Years, it appears he made some Account of it; for which he gave the Writer, after he had found the Wreck, as a reward, more than Two hundred pounds. His telling his Wife (P. 6.) that he should be a Commander, should have a Brick-House in _Greenlane_,[167] _&c._ might be in confidence of some such Prediction, and that he could foretel to him (P. 90.) that he should be Governour of _New-England_, was probably such an one, (the Scriptures not having revealed it.) Such Predictions would have been counted at _Salem_, pregnant proofs of Witchcraft, and much better than what were against several that suffered there. But Sir _William_, when the Witchcrafts at _Salem_ began (in his Esteem) to look formidable, that he might Act safely in this Affair, he asked the Advice of the Ministers in and near _Boston_; the whole of their Advice and Answer is Printed in _Cases of Conscience_, the last Pages. But lest the World should be Ignorant who it was that drew the said Advice, in this Book of the Life of Sir _William Phips_, P. 77. are these words, _the Ministers made unto his Excellency and the Counsel a return, drawn up at their desire, by Mr. Mather the Younger, as I have been informed_. Mr. _C. M._ therein intending to beguile the World, and make them think that another, and not himself had taken that notice of his (supposed) good Service done therein, which otherwise would have been ascribed to those Ministers in General, though indeed the Advice then given, looks most like a thing of his Composing, as carrying both Fire [153] to increase, and Water to quench the Conflagration.[168] Particularly after the Devils Testimony, by the supposed Afflicted had so prevailed, as to take away the Life of one, and the Liberty of an Hundred, and the whole Country set into a most dreadful consternation, then this Advice is given, ushered in with thanks for what was already done, and in conclusion, putting the Government upon a speedy and vigorous prosecution according to the Laws of God, and the wholesome Statutes of the _English_ Nation, so adding Oil, rather than Water to the Flame; for who so little acquainted with proceedings of _England_, as not to know that they have taken some methods, with those here used to discover who were Witches.