The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England WitchesMather, Cotton
History
The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England -- Early works to 1800
such a time as this ought _Ministers_ to do something _extraordinary_ in
pulling the Souls of men out of the _Snares_ of the Devil, not only by
publick Preaching, but by personal Visits and Counsels, _from house to
house_. At such a time as this ought _Churches_ to do something
_extraordinary_, in _renewing_ of their Covenants, and in _remembring_,
and _reviving_ the Obligations of what they have renewed. Some admirable
Designs about the _Reformation_ of Manners, have lately been on foot in
the English Nation, in pursuance of the most excellent Admonitions which
have been given for it, by the Letters of Their Majesties. Besides the
vigorous Agreements of the _Justices_ here and there in the Kingdom,
assisted by godly Gentlemen and Informers, to Execute the _Laws_ upon
prophane Offenders; there has been started a _Proposal_ for the
well-affected people in every Parish, to enter into orderly _Societies_,
whereof every Member shall bind himself, not only to _avoid_
Prophaneness in himself, but also according unto to their Place, to do
their utmost in first _Reproving_; and, if it must be so, then
_Exposing_, and so _Punishing_, as the Law directs, for others that
shall be guilty. It has been observed, that the English Nation has had
some of its greatest Successes, upon some special and signal _Actions_
this way; and a discouragement given under Legal Proceedings of this
kind, must needs be very exercising to the _Wise that observe these
things_. But, O why should not _New-England_ be the most forward part of
the English Nation in such _Reformations_? Methinks I hear the Lord from
Heaven saying over us, _O that my People had hearkened unto me; then I
should soon have subdued the Devils, as well as their other Enemies!_
There have been some feeble Essays towards _Reformation_ of late in our
_Churches_; but, I pray what comes of them? Do we stay till the _Storm_
of his _Wrath_ be over? Nay, let us be doing what we can, as fast as we
can, to divert the _Storm_. The Devils having broke in upon our World,
there is great asking, _Who is it that has brought them in?_ And many
do by _Spectral_ Exhibitions come to be _cry'd out_ upon. I hope in Gods
time it will be found, that among those that are thus _cry'd out_ upon,
there are persons yet _Clear from the great Transgression_; but indeed,
all the _Unreformed_ among us, may justly be _cry'd out_ upon, as having
too much of an hand in letting of the Devils into our Borders; 'tis
_our_ Worldliness, _our_ Formality, _our_ Sensuality, and _our_ Iniquity
that has help'd this letting of the Devils in. O let us then at last,
_consider our ways_. 'Tis a strange passage recorded by Mr. _Clark_ in
the Life of his Father, That the People of his Parish, refusing to be
Reclaimed from their _Sabbath breaking_, by all the zealous Testimonies
which that good Man bore against it; at last, on a night after the
people had retired home from a Revelling Prophanation of the _Lords
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account