Memorable Providences, To the reader – Introduction
To the Reader.
THe old Heresy of the sensual Sadducees, denying the Being of Angels either good or evil, died not with them; nor will it, whiles men (abandoning both Faith & Reason) count it their wisdom to credit nothing but what they see & feel. How much this fond opinion has gotten ground in this debauched Age is awfully observable; and what a dangerous stroak it gives to settle men in Atheism, is not hard to discern. God is therefore pleased (besides the witness born to the Truth in Sacred Writ) to fuffer Devils sometimes to do such things in the world as shall stop the mouth of gain sayers, and extort a Confession from them.
It has also been made a doubt by some, whether there are any such things as Witches, i. e. Such as by Contract or Explicit Covenant with the Devil, improve, or rather are improved by him to the doing of things strange in themselves, and besides their natural Course. But (besides that the Word of God assures us that there have been such, and given order about them) no Age passes without some apparent Demonstration of it. For, Though it be Folly to impute every dubious Accident, or unwonted Effect of Providence, to Witchcraft; yet there are some things which cannot be excepted against, but must be ascribed hither.
Angels & Men not being made for civil Converse together in this world; and all Communion with Devils being interdicted us; their Nature also being spiritual, and the Word of God having said so little in that particular concerning their way of Acting; hence it is that we can disclose but a little of those Mysteries of Darkness; all reports that are from themselves, or their Instruments, being to be esteemed as Illusions, or at least covered with Deceit, filled with the Impostures of the Father of Lies; and the effects which come under our consideration being Mysterious, rather Posing than Informing us.
The Secrets also of God's Providence, in permitting Satan and his Instruments to molest His children, not in their Estates only, but in their Persons and their Posterity too, are part of His Judgments that are unsearchable, and His Wayes that are past finding out; only this we have good Assurance for, that they are among the All things that work together for their good. Their Graces are hereby tried, their Vnprightness is made known, their Faith and Patience have their perfect work.
Among the many Instances that have been of this kind, That which is Recorded in this Narrative, is worthy to be commended to the Notice of Mankind, it being a thing in it self full of Memorable passages, and faithfully recorded, acording to the Truth in Matrer of Fact, scarce any Instance being asserted in it, but what hath the Evidence of many credible Witnesses, did need require. Among others who had frequent Occasions to observe these things, the Reverend Author of this short History, was spirited to be more than ordinarily engaged in attending, and making particular Remarks upon the several passages occurring therein; and hath accordingly written, very little besides what Himself was an eye-witness of, together with others; and the rest was gathered up with much Accuracy and Caution.
Its needless for us to insist upon the Commendation either of the Author or the Work; the former is known in the Churches; the latter will speak sufficiently for it self. All that we shall offer to stay the Reader from passing over to satisfy himself in that which follows, is only thus much, Viz. That the following Account will afford to him that shall read with Observation, a further clear Confirmation, That, There is both a GOD, and a Devil, and Witchcraft: That, There is no out-ward Affliction, but what God may (and sometimes doth) permit Satan to trouble His people withal: That, The Malice of Satan and his Instruments, is very great against the Children of God: That, The clearest Gospel-Light shining in a place, will not keep some from entring hellish Contracts with infernal Spirits: That, Prayer is a powerful and effectual Remedy against the malicious practises of Devils and those in Covenant with them: That, They who will obtain such Mercies of God, must pray unto Perseverance: That, God often gives to His people some apparent Encouragements to their Faith in Prayer, tho He does not presently perfect the Deliverance sought for: That, God Grace is able to support His Children, and preserve their Grace firm, under forest and Continuing Troubles: That, Those who refuse the Temptation to use doubtful and Diabolical Courses, to get the Assaults of the Devil and his Agents removed; Choosing to Recommend all to God, and rather to endure Affliction, than to have it Removed to His Dishonour, and the wounding of their own Consciences, never had cause to repent of it in the end.
And if these Observations, together with the solemn Improvement made of this stupend Providence, in the pertinent and Iudicious Sermons annexed, may but obtain such an Impression on the hearts of such as shall peruse them, whether young or old; as therein will be their profit, so shall their Labour turn to the Praise of God, fully satisfie the Author for all his Care and Industry, and answer his sincere Aims: for which good Success we Commend it to the Blessing of God, to be followed with the importunate Prayers of us, who have been Eye- and Ear-witnesses of many of the most considerable things Related in the ensuing Narrative.
Charles Morton.
James Allen.
Joshua Moodey.
Samuel Willard.
The Introduction.
IT was once the Mistake of one gone to the Congregation of the Dead, concerning the Survivers, If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. The blessed God hath made some to come from the Damned, for the Conviction (may it also be for the Conversion) of us that are yet alive. The Devils themselves are by Compulsion come to consute the Atheism and Sadducism, and to reprove the Madness of ungodly men. Those condemned prisoners of our Atmosphaere, have not really sent Letters of Thanks from Hell, to those that are on Earth, promoting of their Interest; yet they have been forced, as of old, To confess that Iesus was the Holy one of God, so of late, to declare that Sin & Vice are the things which they are delighted in. But should one of those hideous Wights appear visibly with fiery chains upon him, & utter audibly his roarings & his warnings in one of our Congregations it would not produce new Hearts in those whom the Scriptures handled in our Ministry do not affect. However it becomes the Embassadors of the L. Iesus to leave no stroke untouch't that may conduce to bring men from the power of Satan unto God; and for this cause it is, that I have permitted the ensuing Histories to be published. They contain Things of undoubted Certainly, and they suggest Things of Importance unconceivable. Indeed they are only one Head of Collections which in my little time of Obserservation I have made of Memorable Providences, with Reflections thereupon, to be reserved among other effects of my Diversion from my more stated & more weary Studies. But I can with a Contentment beyond meer Patience, give these rescinded Sheets unto the Stationer, when I see what pains Mr. Baxter, Mr. Glanvil, Dr. More, and several other Great Names have taken to publish Histories of Witchcrafts & Possessions unto the world. I said Let me also run after them; and this with the more Alacrity because, I have tidings ready. Go then, my little book, as a Lackey to the more elaborate Essayes of those learned men. Go tell Mankind, that there are Devils & Witches; & that tho those night-birds least appear where the Day-light of the Gospel comes, yet New-Engl. has had Exemples of their Existence & Operation; and that not only the Wigwams of Indians, where the pagan Powaws often raise their masters, in the shapes of Bears & Snakes & Fires, but the Houses of Christians, where our God has had His constant Worship, have undergone the Annoyance of Evil spirits. Go tell the world, What Prayers can do beyond all Devils & Witches, and What it is that these Monsters love to do; and though the Daemons in the Audience of several standers by threatned much Disgrace to thy Author, if he let thee come abroad, yet venture That, and in this way seek a just Revenge on Them for the Disturbance they have given to such as have called on the Name of GOD.