Truth Held Forth and Maintained, Part 1 · Chapter 29

Truth Held Forth and Maintained · Part 1 · Chapter 29

p. 179CHAP. XXIX. Concerning the great Judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of New-England by Witch-craft.

WItch-craft is altogether wrought, through the Spirit and Power of the Devil, which rules in the Children of Diſobedience, who ramain in the Works of the fleſh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 3. and 5 20 for which cauſe the juſt Judgments of God, are the Reward of all Wicked and …godly men, but to all that repent, their Sins and Blaſphemies, wherewithſoever they ſhall blaſpheme, ſhall be forgiven, but he that blaſphemeth againſt the holy Ghoſt, ſhall not be forgiven in this World, nor the world to come, Joh. 5.6, 17. Mat. 21.10. Now as to divers Authors, their apprehenſions are various, in differing one from the other about Witches and Witch-craft, which to prevent error, p. 180that Truth and Righteouſneſs may take place I have taken in hand, to ſet forth, in order, a Declaration, which is according to the holy ſcriptures, which do hold forth the nature and cauſe of People having familarity with the Devil, who is the Father of all Unrighteou…neſs, through which Unrighteouſneſs he begets the heart and mind to ſerve him, in which ſtate more or leſs are moſt men, through which Life of Diſobedience, the Underſtanding of man is darkened, that it cannot ſee what is for God, according to his will, neither do they comprehend divers works which are againſt him, which is alſo as a Judgment from God for Diſobedience, which indeed is of the nature of Rebellion, which is as the ſin of Witch craft; then where men are in the like ſtate, they are blind, as to the knowledge or God, concerning ſuch whom he commanded to be deſtroyed in the time of the Law, Deut. … 11.12. Exod. 22 18. for they that are not come to … Law and the Prophets, do not know the will and Mind of God, relating to the new Law of Light, Life and Grace by Jeſus Chriſt; for they that ſerve ſin, are ſervants to ſin, and of him they are, whoſe works they do, Rom. 6.16. Iohn 8.44. Mat. ….24. Luke. 6.13. Then in what ſtate are they that are alwayes confeſſing, but never forſaking? for if through Obedience they did forſake ſin, then there would be no ſuch need of confeſſing that which they have forſaken, becauſe where men forſake their ſins, and live in all good order of Gods holy Truth, as they are command…d to do then the Lord will remember their Tranſgreſſions no more, Iſa. 45 7. and 44.25. for where men keep Judgment, and do Righteouſneſs at all times, they are not in a ſtate of alwayes confeſſing, and of not forſaking, p. 181Pſal. 106.3 for where men confeſs and not forſake, their works manifeſt a dead Faith, James 2.26. in which ſtate of …obedience they draw near with their Lip and Mo…th, to honour the Lord, when it is manifeſt by Works, that the heart is far from him, and their fear is taught by the precepts of men; therefore doth the Lord do amarvelous work, and a wonder; for the Wiſdom of then Wiſe Men ſhall periſh, and the Ʋnderſtanding of their Prudent men ſhall be h…d, Iſa. 29.13. Mat. 15.8. Mark, 7.6. which ſcriptures are fulfilled, as a Judgment of God for innocent Blood ſhed in New-England, whoſe Prieſts and Rulers, with the conſenting Inhabitants have been bewitched, that that ſhould not obey the Truth of God, made manifeſt by Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe Servants they have put to Death at Boſton, for which cauſe (as a Judgment) they are deliverd up through Unbelief) to hardneſs of heart, to commit other ſins, which with the ſin of Blood, hath furder ſtored up the Lords Wrath, to add to their Troubles, through the increaſe of his Judgments againſt them, for rebelling againſt his holy Truth, for which cauſe, as Judgment increaſeth againſt ſin, ſo ſin in New-England increaſeth againſt Judgment, until the Light of ſin at this time is of that hight and nature, that there is no leſs of the Prieſts and their Church Members, with others of their hearers, then five hundred accuſed of Witch craft; but ſome of them called Witches, with ſome of the afflicted Evidences as the ſay) do give an account …f ſeven hundred, all being by them accuſed for Witch…s, of which Number there is now this preſent year 1692. …ne hundred and twenty, which are apprehended for Witch-craft, of which there are 20 put to Death, and about twenty more condemned to dye; but by reaſon that the p. 182Spertre or apparition hath accuſed ſome Prieſt, and others accounted eminent, the Rulers have aba…ed in their ſpeedy work; and as at firſt they with ſpeed, did condemn and put to death, ſo now with as much ſpeed they have cleared many …rom their Priſon, though as giulty of Witch-craft, by the accuſation of the Spe…er, as they alredy put to Death, all which left this life in denial of what was laid to their charge though they had before confeſſed, yet when they come to dye, before the multitude, they ſaid, that their confeſſion was by reaſon of divers fair pretences, That if they did confeſs, they ſhould find marcy with God and Man, and one the other ſide, if not confeſs, as they ſaid divers did threaten what would b… done unto them; So what with the Prie…ts on the one fi…e, and Relations on the other ſide, any indefferent man may judge of the work▪ But as to the Work of the Devil to the afflicted Evidences, it is ſufficient, in ſhort, to ſay, that I never heard nor read of the like work from any Author; and not to omit Lynn Prieſt, who was one of the forwardeſt to have all that by the Specter were accuſed, to be put to Death, which in ſome ſhor… time, was alſo by the Specter (or Devil) accuſed him ſelf; by which People may ſee and know, their eminent Teachers, (they ſo term) are no more freed from the Power of the Devil, then others ſo accuſed; to Geo. Burroughs, in denial of all laid to his charge …thoug… a learned Preacher of the Goſpel (as People called him and a Teacher for them called the Church of Chriſ… was one whom now is put to Death) the other prieſt… do now render him as odious as may or can be; b… let him be what he is, for my part, I know not to th… contrary, but that in his Doctrine they do not him exeee… p. 183and as to their Principles and Practice, let the faithful judge how far they fall ſhor… of bewitching People, that they ſhould not obey the Truth of God, made manifeſt by Jeſus Chriſt, who came to deſtroy all the Devils Power, which (to me) many Teachers in this Age ſeem to uphold, through their imperfect Preaching, That a Body of ſin remains with all men to the end of this Life; then where the Body of Sin remains, it muſt needs follow, that there remains the Devils Power, which doth bewitch People to commit ſin, becauſe all Unrighteouſneſs is of the Devil, and all ſin is of Unrighteouſneſs; then they that commit ſin are Servants to ſin, even as we daily ſee, to the grief & trouble of the upright in heart, to ſee ſuch a known Life of Diſobedience among the Inhabitants of New England, among whom the Devils Power rules in their body of ſin, and bewitches the Mind to obey him, in which ſtate People are inſtrumental, through the Devils Power, in bewitching one another, either to believe pernicious falſe Doctrines, or to ſwear, lye and be drunk, which is common with all other ſins, which attend them, that by falſe Perſwaſions men are ſeduced from the true Faith; ſo that in whomſever the Devils Power bears rule, they are Inſtruments for his Service to bewitch others into the ſame manner of Life, even as we daily ſee one Drunkard; Swearer & Lyar begets another into the ſame ſin, and of the like nature doth one evil minded Perſon beget another; for as the Righteous are Inſtruments in the hand of the Lord, to beget others into the Works of Righteouſneſs, ſo are the Wicked Inſtruments in the hand of the Devil to bewitch others into the Works of Unrighteouſneſs; and of this Nature is the bewitching of one another to ſerve the Devil in the Works of the Fleſh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 5.20. p. 184Then if they that deſpiſed Moſes's Law were to be cut off without mercy under two or three Witneſſes, how much greater Puniſhment, ſuppoſe ye, are they found worthy of, who live in Rebellion againſt the Lord of Life in this Goſpel day? are they not to be cut off without Mercy, by the juſt hand of Gods Judgments, under three Witneſſes, viz. the Father, Son and Spirit, Heb 10 28, 29. which if otherways, that the command in the Law remain, of not ſuffering a Witch to live in this Goſpel Day, then the falſe Worſhipper, the Adulterer and the Adultreſs, with the rebellious Son, are alſo, according to that Command, to be cut off from the Land of the Living, in which more than two thirds of the People are guilty of the one or the other; but Chriſt hath ſaid, Love your Enemies, bleſs them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which deſpightfully uſe you, and perſecute you, that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven; for he m…keth the S…n to riſe on the evil and on the good, and on the juſt and on the unjuſt; for if ye love them which love y…u, what Reward have you, do not even the Publicans the ſame? And if ye ſalute your Brethren only, what do you more than others, do not the Publicans ſo? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect, Mat 5.44, 45, 46, which if People, through Obedience to the Command o… God would fulfil his Will, according to his Command, it would ſoon put an end to all mens various Apprehenſions, and theſe buſling Noiſes about the Devil and Witches, and indeed the very Name of a Devil and a Witch is to be abhorred among men; alſo ſhall the Name of the Wicked periſh, which are no ſuch manner of Witches as theſe are accuſed for, though through Gods goodneſs I have no… Relation among them, neither am I any Advocate for the p. 185Devil, Witches, nor Wicked Men, but deſire that Truth and Righteouſneſs may take place in the Earth; for it were better that one hundred Witches ſhould live, than that one perſon be put to death for a Witch, which is not a …itch; but God Almighty beſt knows what the Prieſts and Rulers have done towards theſe People, who have not lived unto God as they ought to have done, for which cauſe theſe things are, (as a Judgment for …in and Tranſgre…ſion) fallen upon them. But with the Righteous it is not ſo, becauſe they abide in Obedience to the holy Commands of God, through whoſe Power they witneſs a ſure d…e…ing place, having their ſettlement upon that ſure R…ck of an everlaſting Foundation, againſt which there is …o Inchantment nor Divination for the Gates of Hell againſt it ſhall never prevail; for the Love of God in Chriſt Jeſus …s to the faithful, and through him are they kept in perfect peace, out of which ſtate the World remains unſtable, having the mind toſſed to and fro in the buſ…gs and clamourous Noiſes about the Devil and Witch craft, which …man need to fear, as he keeps faithful upon his watch, … Obedrence to Gods holy Truth made manifeſt by Jeſus Chriſt; for while Iſrael kept faithful, the Devil could not get entrance; for it is ſaid, Surely there is no Inchantment againſt Jacob, nor Divination against Iſrael, N…mb. 23.23. Which doth certainly prove, that if there were not firſt a falling from Obedience to the Command of the Lord, that …e would not depart from them; for God hath commanded all men to watch and pray, that they may witneſs deliverance in the hour of Temptation; and if this Command had been kept by the afflicted Evidences, they could not have been poſſeſſed or bewitched by the Devil, nor any of his Inſtruments; for the cauſe of their being poſſeſſed or p. 186bewitched, hath been through a Life of Diſobedience to God, who (as a Judgment for not obeying his Truth) hath ſuffered further affliction to come upon them, which is alſo as a warning to all others, that they may live (as they ought) to Gods Truth, which the Devils Power cannot touch; for though the Devils Power was permitted to touch the outward Man of Job, for a tryal of his inward Faith, but not to touch the inward Man; for whatſoever the Lord may ſuffer the Devil, for the outward tryal … his Peoples inward Faith, yet he never ſuffers the Devils Power to lauch in ſuch a manner, as in theſe bewitched or poſſeſſed Evidences, which is almoſt beyond the credi… of man to receive, what manner of ſtrange actions they had, which I do believe the true Prophets of God were never acted by any ſuch Spirit, which gives them (as they ſay) the true knowledge who are Witches, and who are not, th… divers of the Perſons they never knew, nor never heard of the… Names, before the Spectre (or Devil turned informer) ma… their Names known to them, and where they live; and the… have preſumed to affirm, That P. F. a Merchant of Salem murthered J. R's Son of Salem, by drowning him at th… Iſland of Barbadoes, with many more things of th… like nature, which are too tedious to relate of the afflicted Evidences; and I deſire of God to be preſerve from ſuch a Spirit of Sights. And yet ſome (who Names I ſhall not here mention) have ſaid, That the afflicted, bewitched or poſſeſſed Evidences, are the true Marty of Jeſus Chriſt, and that they are killed all the Day long, a… as his Sheep accounted for the Slaughter. From which Bel… the Lord deliver me; for the choſen of God, which w… read of (Pſal. 4….22. Rom. 8.35, 36, 37, 38, 39.) we not ſighted by any ſuch Spirit as theſe are ſighted with p. 189… they were Chriſts Sheep, and knew his Voice, who … he true Shepherd of Iſrael, which neither ſlumbereth … ſleepeth, but watcheth over his Flock by day and by …ght, and his Voice they know, but the Voice of a …ranger they will not follow, John 10.5. For they follow … Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World, Joh. ….29. for by his Blood are the Righteous made clean from … corrupt part, which is the cauſe in them who are affected and tormented, even as we ſee theſe Evidences be, …hoſe whooping and hollowing, with all their other …tick Actions, is far from ſinging the new Song, as they …d who were redeemed, not by the power of Man, but …y the Power of God, Rev. 5 9, 10, 11, 12. for by the …ower of God, without the help of Man, were they made …re than Conquerors, through him that loved them, Rom. … 37.

So that the Love of God ſavingly, is to them that …ar and obey, and not to the diſobedient ſtate, through …hich Unbelief and hardneſs of heart, brings People …o trouble of Spirit; and it may be, that ſome of …eſe People called Witches have been in trouble, which …ith other Circumſtances, may have occaſioned them to …clare that againſt themſelves, which (it may be they …e not giulty of; for to them that are in trouble of …nd, by reaſon of unfaithfull living to God, the Devil …ay be permitted to work the frame of their Spirits into …th Deluſions, that thereby the whole natural ſences the underſtanding, may be drawn to believe a thing, …hich is but only in ſhew, and not in ſubſtance, as for …an to believe that the Devil hath aviſible Book of natu… Paper, and with the natural Blood of mens natural Bo…, they ſubſcribe to this natural Book, and that the Devil p. 188taketh their natural Bodies of natural men and women, and baptizeth them with natural Water, and that he ſetteth them upon a natural pole, and carrieth them for above the higheſt Trees, to a natural Houſe, where the Prieſts and the Devil give them natural Bread, and natural Wine, which they ſay they eat and drink, and he promiſes them to pull down the Kingdom of Chriſt, and himſelf to ſit upon the Throne of Chriſt; with much more of the like nature, which ſome of there called Witches have confeſſed but moſt of them that have ſo confeſſed I think are at liberty, and thoſe that have not confeſſed put to Death, for what they have confeſſed of the like nature moſt of them (… not all have denyed again, which as to their deny at, I do believe would not have been of much benefit, had not the Devil been ſo haſty to inform againſt ſuch whom ſome may think impoſſible to be Witches, but as to that, God and their own Conſciences know beſt; but the faithful may Judge, according to mens fruit, even as the Apoſtle did, when he ſaid, O fooliſh Galations! who hath bewitched you, that you ſhould not obey the Truth, before whoſe Eyes Jeſus Chriſt hath been evidently ſet forth, crucifi… among you, Gal. 3.1. So that Witch-craft is maintained through the Devils Power in divers manners, which to be ſure, one part of Witch-craft properly belongeth to them that bewitch People, that they ſhould not obey the Truth of Gods holy commands by Jeſus Chriſt; for which cauſe of Diſobedience (as before related) is it tha… ſome (as a Judgment upon them) are given up through unbelief, to hardneſs of heart, in which ſtate ſome liv… in ſuch horror of Conſcience, that their Lives are of ſuc… burden, that they willfully murder themſelves, othe… in the ſame ſtate, are as willing to dye as the othe… p. 178but deſiring to dye, and not being permitted to deſtroy themſelves, becauſe Death (as an addition to Judgment) ſlee…h away, Rev. ….6. then in that ſtate of horror, may they not accuſe themſelves of ſuch ſins which they have not commited, for this very end, to be deſtroyed by others? for a wounded Spirit, who can bare? Prov. 14.1…. and how common is it in Barbadoes for black People to deſtroy themſelves, meerly upon a falſe belief, of their being at more eaſe when out of this body, than in the body; then what changeth the nature between black People, and white People? the colour of the skin doth not change the Nature. But ſome may ſay, The Negroes in Barbadoes do not go to Church. Indeed is it ſo, and what better are many for going to Church in New-England, where they that have been neareſt related to the Church, have manifeſted themſelves to be the furden from God, as witneſs their puting four of the Lords Servants to death at Boſton, which Church they then accounted the pureſt Church in the World; and if the ſheding of innocent Blood be the mark of a pure Church, the Church of Rome is more pure then the church of Boſton, of which I may hereafter more relate; ſo that it is not the going to Church in New-England, that cauſeth white People to differ in nature, from black people, which go not to Church in Barbadoes. And therefore Judges had need to conſider all things aright, becauſe they are expreſly commanded, To do no Ʋnrighteouſneſs in Judgment, Lev. 19.15. Now ſome of theſe People have ſaid to me, that they were in trouble of mind, and then hearing of themſelves accuſed by the Specter, (or Devil turned Informer) that it made them even as it were beſides themſelves, or out of their natural p. 190Underſtanding; and then hearing that all, without confeſſion were ſuddainly put to Death, and large promiſes of mercy from God and Man, and with the Prieſt and his Fallowers on the one ſide, and their neareſt and deareſt Relations on the other ſide, all urging to a Confeſſion, which is ſo (as I beleive it was) let all rational men judge what ſtate and condition theſe confeſſors were in; for we read, That over much Oppreſſion will make a wiſe Man mad; and its eaſie to conceive that leſſer Oppreſſion will make them mad who are not in their right Underſtandings, by reaſon of ſome trouble in mind.

But the thing then is, how or which way, or by what means ſhall men come to know one that is a Witch, from one that is not a Witch?

To which I ſay, it muſt be by that Wiſdom by which the Damſel, E…mus and Simon came to be known, Acts 10.16. & 13.8, 9, 10. & 8.23. and notwithſtanding they were known to be Witches, the Apoſtle did not direct to the command in the Law, of not ſuffering a Witch to live, but directed or exhorted him to repent, and pray; which ought to be noted, that firſt to repent, then pray, which may afford this uſe, that Prayer before Repentance is not accepted of the Lord, neither is Repentance, without the Fruits of Repentance, and without Fruits the Faith of Man is dead, even as the Body is dead without the Spirit, James 2.26.

But then ſay the Profeſſors of this Age, Is there no other way and means to know Witches, but as the Apoſtle did in his day? Then there is no knowing a Witch in this day, becauſe (ſay they) all ſuch means by the Spirit of God is ceaſed; for one working of Miracles is paſt.

Anſw. Paſt indeed to them that know no other ſtate, p. 191but to bear a Body of Sin all their days; but to them who are redeemed from ſin, they know, in meaſure, as the Apoſtle did in his day; for if one Spirit cannot diſcern another, then Chriſt is not in his People; but the faithful witneſs Chriſt is ſpiritually in them, and in whom he is not, are they not Reprobates? 2 Cor. 13.5. and to them is no Propheſie, no Revelation, no Miracle, for they are ſpiritually dead, deaf, dumb and blind, as to all the ſpiritual things of God by Jeſus Chriſt, and to ſuch the Truth of God (by any of his Servants) is as Pearl before Swine; and if a faithful man ſhould ſay, That he hath an infallible aſſurance that ſome of theſe twenty People put to Death in N. E. for Witches, were not ſuch Witches, as accuſed, condemned and put to Death for; then what follows, but the proſecution of Law, becauſe he hath but one Evidence, and that's in himſelf by the Spirit of God; ſo though all are lawful, yet all things are not expedient, without the call of God thereunto. But Witches there be of divers ſorts, as before related, and if any be convicted of Murder, they ought to dye; but if men once maintain it lawful to put all to Death for Witches, in whoſe likeneſs the …evil may appear, and work the like Wickedneſs, as is laid to the charge of theſe put to Death, they may, (I believe) put to Death for Witches, the greateſt part of People now in the World, becauſe its but a few in compariſon that ſhall be ſaved; which greateſt Number that periſh, when the Spirit of God leaves ſtriving, and the day of Grace is over, then their Houſe becomes deſolate, and they become the Children of him whoſe Work they have done, and he takes more full poſſeſſion of his own Houſe and Goods, which is the heart, mind and Spirit of them that are wholly departed from the Lord, and the Lord from them, (Gen. p. 1926.3. Mat. 12.43, 44, 45. Luke 11.24.25) And thou hath not the Devil full Power over his own, that is, without their conſent, to act and do, ſo far as he is permitted, any manner of Wickedneſs in their likeneſs, or in the form and ſhape of their Bodies? But to act and do ſuch Wickedneſs in the form, ſhape and likeneſs of Gods faithful Children, is that which I cannot believe, therefore I leave it, waiting the Lords time for the further manifeſting of that, with other Myſteries unto me, and doubt no…, but as I remain faithful, the Lord will manifeſt unto me, in his own due time, what he ſees convenient for me. And his I am well ſatisfied in, that if men maintain that command of not ſuffering a Witch to live, as in the time of the Law, that they are not Miniſters in all things according to the Law, except they put to Death as the Law in that day did require, that is, the Witch and the Wizard, the falſe Worſhipper, the rebellious Child, the Adulterer and Adultreſs, all which were under one ſentence of Death in the time of the Law; then why only a Witch, not guilty of Murder, to be put to Death in this Goſpel Day, when Chriſt hath ſaid Let the Tares and Wheat grow till the Harveſt, and to let the blind alone, for if one lead the other, both ſhall fall into the Ditch. And though the holy man of God deſtroyed twice fifty, with their Captains, by fire from Heaven, and forty more by curſing them in the Name of the Lord, theſe things, according to Chriſts own words, are not lawful to be done in this Goſpel Day, 1 King. 1.10. Theſ 2.24. Luke 9.5. Mat 15.14. Luke 6.39. Mat. 13.30. Mat. 5. Then as to the Command in the Law relating to falſe Worſhippers, as they were accurſed, ſo was their whole Subſtance accurſed alſo; therefore if theſe put to Death be Witches, it muſt needs follow, that they are p. 193falſe Worſhippers, then why they put to Death, according to that Command in the Law, and their Subſtance taken away to defray publick Charge, contrary to the expreſs Command of God in the time of the Law, Exod. 22 18. Deut. 28.16 & 13.1…, 1…. But when men come …o burn their Books of curious Arts, then the oldneſs of the Law will dye, and newneſs in Spirit will appear, through the growth of Gods Word, which in that day ſhall prevail, Acts 19.17, 18, 19, 20. until which time, let Chriſts ſaying to the Rebellious Jews be ſufficient, that is, when they brought the Woman taken in the act o… Adultry, ſaying, Moſes in the Law commanded that ſuch ſhould b… ſtoned to Death, Chriſt bids, Let him that is without ſin caſt the firſt ſtone; but no man among them being without ſin, the woman eſcaped, even ſo may Witches, not guilty of Murder, eſcape in this day; for he that …s wholly clear of every degree of Witch-craft, may caſt a ſtone at Witches, that is, when as evidently proved as the Womans act was in Adultry, John 8.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. for where the nature of Witchtraft remaineth, it evidently appears by Peoples Threats one to the other, and their living in Malice, Hatred and Envy one againſt the other, watching and waiting for the opportunity of advantage one againſt the other, and if no advantage preſent of damnifying one the other, yet the ſin of Witch-craft in one degree, is as deeply rooted in them, as the ſin of Adultry is rooted in him that looketh on a Woman, to lust after her, hath committed Adultry with her already in his heart, Mat. 5 28. for the intent of Wickedneſs is of greater abomination in the ſight of God, than the act of ſin is in the ſight of ſinful men.

Of which number I am now concerned to give an account of New England's firſt Inhabitants, and of them p. 194which yet remain without Power, but in the very nature of their fore Fathers, juſtifying the Laws by which the Lords Servants were perſecuted to Death at Boſton, for which Judgment after Judgment hath fallen upon this place even ſince, and the Lords juſt Judgments were to bring them to a ſight of that ſin of Blood, but inſtead of re…enting, their hearts have waxed harder and harder againſt the Truth of God, delivered by his Servants, in that day, in which Day of Gods Truth to them, their requital was by deſtroying the Lives of the Lords People, with whole innocent Blood, New-England remains defiled; for the very firſt ſtept of the firſt Inhabitants towards this land, in may be queſtioned whether or not they fled beyond the command of the Lord; for finding the Biſhops Yoke uneaſie, under which if they had remained faithful, the Yoke of the Lord would have been eaſie, and his Burden light, but inſtead of manifeſting the Lords cauſe in the other City, they fled this Land, which fleeing was it not beyond what the Lord hath commanded when perſecuted in one City, to flee to the other, that each place or each People may hear the Truth, which all that are called of God, are to deliver, according to their meaſure, which if any ſay that it was ſufficient warrant from God, for them to flee the Land, and as Paul did, preach the Goſpel where Chriſt was not named, then why followed they not Paul, as for example he followed Chriſt, who came not to deſtroy mens lives, but to ſave, and …, by turning People from Darkneſs to Light, and … Power of Satan to the Power of God; but how … they turned the Native Indians, where Chriſt … named, did they not in their firſt ſettlement, … them in to the Grave, where there is no Repentance? p. 195a ſtrang turning in feed, by a People that pretended ſo much to Gods Truth, as they did, and not come ſo far as the Law and the Prophets, but to do unto the poor Natives, otherwayes then they themſelves would be done unto, well might ſuch a work not be expected, to promote a People for the Service of God, & Honour of his Name, who hath well rewarded the Inhabitants of New-England, for their unrighteous dealings towards the Native Indians, whom now the Lord hath ſuffered to reward the Inhabitants with a double meaſure of Blood, by Fire and Sword, which had they followed the command of the Lord, to have prayed for their Enemies, and done to others, even as themſelves would have been done unto, the …nhabitants might have been free from theſe great and terrible Judgments of God, which for ſin and evil, is their Reward in this Day. So its evident that through their unfaithfulneſs to God, in their firſt ſettlement of this Land, and ſince hath been the leading cauſe of their being further left to do theſe unrighteous things, which have increaſed the Lords Wrath againſt them, and their following Generation, who remain guilty, for not repenting of ſin and evil againſt God, for whoſe Truth they ought to have born a faithful Teſtimony in their publick …ſſemblies, againſt all the unrighteous Ways of their fore-Fatcers, which have been againſt the Lord and his People, of which I may relate ſomething, that others thereby may receive warning, not to follow Unrighteouſneſs, but to remain faithful to their meaſure, leſt the Lord deliver them up, through Unbelief, to hardneſs of heart, and they do as New-England's Prieſts and Rulers have done, which hath cauſed the hand of the Lord to be againſt them, and all that actually, or by ſilence, p. 196have conſented to their unrighteous ways, which have been maintained by the Sword of the Magiſtrate, which the Prieſts, in the day of their Power, whitted ſharp through their falſe pernicious Doctrines, which did encourage the Rulers of that day to deſhoy all the Lords Servants that were found within their Government, under the Name Quaker, to whom they allotted the Valley of Achor for a door of Hope, Joſh. 7 24.25. perverting the Truth of God, through their preaching up things in the Law, which Chriſtians are not to do in the time of the Goſpel, Deut. 13. 1 King. 1.10. & 2.24. Luke 9.54. which notwithſtanding they would preach and pray, That all were accurſed that did their Work negligently againſt the Quakers, whoſe living among the People the Prieſts did impute to be the cauſe of Gods Judgments, which they ſaid, was the Peoples just Reward, for ſuffering any one Quaker to live among them; whereupon the Rulers, with the ſilent conſent of the greateſt part of the Inhabitants, did make ſharp and bloody Laws againſt the Quakers, whereby they were long impriſoned, under many Hardſhips, as in reſpect of the hard cold Clymate, without fire, and for days together without food having their Friends denyed of viſiting them in any kind, but as the Lord was daily with them, their ſtrength in love did increaſe towards him, who did uphold and ſupport them in their great Sufferings, which were of that Nature, that one would even wonder that a People of ſo much preaching and praying, ſhould be ſo blind, and of ſo unbelieving hard hearts, to work in ſuch a hight of Wickedneſs againſt the Lord and his People whom they have impriſoned, whipt, ſtockt, out the… Ears, undering them to be ſold for Bonds Men and Bond Women, baniſhing them upon pain of Death, if ever they p. 197return, to be offered up at their bloody Altar; and to the value of twenty hundred Pounds taken from them for Fines; and made a Law, that every Maſter of a Veſſel that landed any one Quaker within their Power of Government, ſhould pay one hundred Pounds, and five pounds for any one that gave entertainment to any one of their Books, with much more of the like nature, acted and done by them to the aforeſaid honeſt harmeleſs People, whom in their Law they have ſtiled with the Name of Rogues and Vagabonds, Blaſphemous Hereticks, and Seducers of the People from the Faith; but if they have called the Maſter a Devil, they of the ſame Spirit have called his People after the like manner, and after the ſame nature have they perſeented his Servants to Death at Boſton, which Wickedneſs they would cover with a Lye, even as their fore Fathers did, by giving large Money to the ignorant, to ſay his Diſciples ſtole him away by Night; which large Money will not hide their Lying, no more will the twenty hundred Pounds taken from the Quakers, hide the Lyes of them in this day, who ſay, The Quakers hanged themſelves; for the Law by which they were put to Death, was made after that they had been a time in the Country, which after their Return, according to that Law of Baniſhment, were they in a moſt barbarous inhumane way put to Death, being drove to their bloody Altar with Drums, Guns and Swords, and out down, even to the breaking of their skulls, and in a barbarous manner dragged their naked Bodies in a Roap, with the gnaſhing of Teeth; in which inhumane manner they threw their naked Bodies into a ſtinking Pit near to their Bloody Altar, not ſuffering their Friends to ſecure the place with Fence, by which their Bodies might be preſerved from Swine, and other ravenous Creatures. By p. 198which it is evident they hanged not themſelves, but as they were perſecuted in one place, they kept the Command of the Lord by fleeing to the other, until they delivered up their Lives, as for …xample the Lords Servants in days paſt have done, for the Truth of God and Teſtimony of Jeſus, whom they have followed, even as the Diſciples and Apoſtles of Chriſt have done. Then ſeeing that it is high Rebellion againſt God and the King, to put his People to Death without any warrant, precept, command or example from either, of how much lower nature is the Work of Witch-craft if really it ſo be) in and about the Town of Sal…m? for the Lords People are to him as the apple of his Eye, and he that toucheth them, toacheth the Apple of his Eye, Z…ch 2.8. Deut 32 10. Pſal. 17.8. for whoſoever offendeth one of them, b…tter were it for him that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea, Mat 18 6. Mark 9.42. Luke 17.1, 2. Therefore People ought well to conſider whom they eſtabliſh to rule for their outward Peace among themſelves; for where men of Perſecuting Principles are appointed by the People to rule, where they once gain Power by the conſent of the People, to perſecute, their unrighteous Work draws the judgments of God upon the Inhabitants of the whole place where they rule; for had the Body of the Jews withſtood their unrighteous Prie…s and Rulers, by bearing a faithful Teſtimony for Gods holy Truth, they had been freed from that Judgment which now remains upon their Generation; even ſo is it with t…e Inhabitants of New-England, though many of them had no actual hand in ſhedding of innocent Blood, which hath defiled the Land, becauſe they did not bear a faithful Teſtimony againſt the unrighteouſneſs of their Prieſts and Rulers of that Day, for which cauſe every Judgment p. 199upon this place, reaches the whole Body of People in the general Cal…ty; for Chriſt charges the Spirit of Perſecution with all the righteous Blood that hath ever been ſhed, Mat. 23.35.

Then ſeeing that this Spirit of Perſecution is charged with more Unrighteouſneſs towards God and his People, then all them of that nature which they call witches who have not that influence upon People to bewitch them, that they ſhould not obey the Truth, even as the perſecuting Prieſts and Rulers have done, which proves Perſecutors to be the greateſt Witches in the World, becauſe the one, as the Devil was only permitted to touch the outward Body, for the inward tryal of Faith, but the other are permittnd to bewitch People to perſecute one the other to Death, and through the Power of the Devil, cauſe People to believe, that they are deing good Service for God, when they are perſecuting his People to Death, Acts. 26.10, 11. and 8.5. and 9.1, 2. which time hath been, and yet remains, where the Prieſts bear rule, Joh. 16.2.3. for as Troopes of Robbers have waited for a man, ſo have the company of Prieſts murdered in the way, by conſent, Hoſ. 6.9. So that theſe things are in all places, where the perſecuting Prieſts are rule among the People, who are like their Prieſts, Hoſ. 4.6, 7, 8, .10. & it is by the conſent of the People, that perſecuting Magiſtrates rule, and by conſent of their …urighteous Laws, do the perſecuting Prieſts deſtroy he outward Lives and Liberties of the Lords People, … which cauſe the Lords Wrath and Indignation is gainſt the whole People, ſo far as they are either accally (or by ſilence) conſenting to theſe things, through which the righteous ſuffer for the cauſe of Gods holy p. 200Truth, who are not to give their Bread to Dogs, nor to caſt their Pearls before Swine, neither are they to forgive further then men turn, and ſay, they repent, Mat. 6.10. Luke. 17.4 for nofurther then men repent of their Evil Deeds, will the Lord forgive; ſo that his will may be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven, men are not to ſeek to unbind that on Earth which as not unbound in Heaven, neither to …ek to bind that on Earth which is not bound in Hrave…, but to pray that the ſin of Murder may not be laid … charge of them that know not what they do, Mat. 5.44. Acts 7.00. for in this Day of great Trouble upon them that have not done even as they would be done unto, the Lord is daily adding unto their Afflictions becauſe they Kopent not of their evil Deeds towards him and his People, whom Pharaoh-like they have oppreſt, but the Lord hath in a great meaſure with-held the roaring of the Lyon, and the fierce Lyon, and the Teeth of the young Lyon the Lord hath broken, and the ſtrength of their power againſt Gods Heritage, is become of no force; for their ſtriving againſt the holy One of Iſrael is brought to nought; for he is a conſuming fire, to burn up and lay waſte the Works of the Wicked, whoſe unrighteous ways have been in Diſobedience againſt hi… holy Truth, in which the Righteous are preſerved; for the Lord is the Hope of his People, againſt whom there is no Inchantment, neither againſt them can any Divination take place; for the Lord exalteth Judgment for the Oppreſſed, and giveth food to the hungry, the Lord is his Name, by whoſe Power Miracles are wrought, and Aonders done; for the Lord openeth the Eyes of the blind, and unſtoppeth the Ears of the deaf, and cauſeth the Lame to walk in pleaſant places, the Lord raiſeth them p. 201that are bowed down, and preſerveth the ſtrangers, he is God, and Lord over all, he relieveth the Fatherleſs, and pleadeth the Widdows Cauſe, but he turneth the way of Wicked upſide down, which they that are not deaf, dumb and blind, may hear, ſee and underſtand, …o the praiſe of God and honour of his Name, who preſerves the Righteous from falling into the many Snares of the Worlds Ways and Cuſtoms, who are accuſtomed to ſerve in thoſe things which the Lords ſoul abhors, in which ſtate the blind lead the blind to Death, Hell and Deſtruction; wherefore the Day of Gods Wrath increaſeth againſt the Wickedneſs of men, who, without Repentance, ſhall certainly periſh; for the …ay of Gods Vengeance hath overtaken many, and is haſtening towards all that preach for hire, and all that divine for Money, and to all them that pervert the Truth, and turn the cauſe of the Fatherleſs and Widdow, and he that purteth the Cup to his Neighbours mouth for outward gain, by which exceſs is made in the uſe of the Creature; and to him that oppreſſeth in time of Sickneſs, and wrongeth the weak and feeble in time of Trouble; and the Thief, with the Swearer, Lyar and Drunkard, and the Adulterer, with the Adultreſs, and he that oppreſſeth the Poor, and he that is oppreſt in buying, which ſeeks his loſs by Oppreſſion in ſelling, which cauſeth Oppreſſion among the poor, even like a ſweeping rain; and he that ſpends of the Creation beyond what is meet for his preſent ſtate, and of all others, of what nature ſoever, as the Charmer, or Obſerver of Times, or Inchanter, or Witch, or Conſulter with familiar Spirits, or a Wizard, or a Nicromancer, for all theſe are an Abomination unto the Lord, which with theſe ſins, and the deſtroying of the Lords Servants, let the Prieſts, Rulers, and reſt of the Inhabitants p. 202conſider what Work there is for them to do, before the Lord will with-draw his Wrath, which burneth againſt New-England, for their rebellious ſtiff-neckedneſs in Unbelief and hardneſs of Heart againſt the Lord of Life, who hath given a meaſure of the ſame Light, Life and Grace to the faithful in this day, as to the Righteous in days paſt, through which they receive Wiſdom from above, which leads them not to ſpend their whole time to ſtudy out of other mens Lines, made ready to their hands, but receive the mind of God in Chriſt, through the gift of that Wiſdom which gave the Lords Servants to know the ſta…e of Annanias and Saphira, and the Damſel, Simon and Elymus, Acts 8.23, 2…. cap. 5.9. & 14.9, 10, 11. & 16, 17, 18. But to them that live in known Diſobedience againſt the known Commands of the Lord, they deny all infallible means by the Spirit of God, for which cauſe of Diſobedience, the Light of the Lord is their Condemnation for evil Deeds, John 3.19, 20, 21. for the Lord doth call to remembrance the Diſobedience of them that are bewitched that they ſhould not obey his Truth, and againſt them will the Lord draw up Judgment after Judgment, until he hath deſtroyed the Diſobedient, even as he hath done to the Rebellious in days paſt; for he will out off the Wicked, even as we ſee, in the midſt of their days, in which day the ſinner eſcapes not, though a hundred years old, Iſa. 56, 20. Deut. 18.6. Heb. 10.28. Pſal. 37.16, & 21.37, 38 Gen. 6.3.

Therefore let not People be any longer deceived by ſuch idle Shepherds as we read of in days paſt, which live upon the Peoples Labour, and not profit their Souls, Iſa. 56.10.11. Ezek. 34. Mic. 21.2.3.4. Iſa. 5.2.9.10. Jer. 14.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16. Joh. 10.12.13. but p. 203inſteed of Peoples ſearching the holy Scriptures, which through faith in Chriſt Jeſus, are able to make wiſe to Salvation, they are roving in their minds after this and the other Teacher, as learned and brave Orthodox men, whom they eſteem to be Preachers of the Goſpel, not at all conſidering, that the Goſpel is the Power of God to Salvation, to them that beleive, and Condemnation to them that do not believe, which muſt needs follow, that ſuch ſavingly believe not in the Power of God, which gives Power to them that ſavingly believe in his Power, which redeems the mind of every true believer out of every dead form, and from all dead formal Teachers, whoſe Teachings is altogether from the Letter without the aſſiſting Power of divine Grace and Spirit, which in words they will ſeem to own, but in works they deny; for their preaching is where outward profit gives the greateſt encouragment, and if there be one place of more outward benefit then another, that is for the accuteſt Work…man, and the leſſer benefit for the weaker capacity in their way; but as Unrighteouſneſs is of mans Enemys, and they are they of his own Houſe, and unto them is their Obedience yeiled through which they are Servants unto him whom they obey, and Children unto him whoſe Work they do, Rom. 6.16. Ioh. 8.44. Mat. 6.24. Luke 16.13, 1 Joh 3.8. ſo that if they ſay, they have no ſin, they are Lyars, and deceive themſelves, for they remain in the Degeneration, having their minds alienated from God, and from ſerving him in the true and living way, Rom. 3.11.12 13. Pſal. 59. & 140.7. Prov. 1.16. Iſa 59.7.8. But that nature which maketh atrue believer is by Faith in God, through Jeſus Chriſt, and they that are true Believers believe in p. 204him, of whoſe nature they be, which ſinneth not, 1 Joh. 3.2. to 11. Iſa. 5.3.6. but they whoſe minds are exerciſed in the love of that which is below the love of God in Chriſt, are not worthy to receive him, Mat. 19.20. to 25. and 10.37.38.39. But through Diſobedience the wiſe are blind from receiving the Truth of theſe things, Mat. 11.25. Luke 10.21. but the faithful preſs forward, having the aſſurnace, through Grace, by faith in Chriſt, that the Lord will perfect his Work of Grace, according to his faithful Promiſe, even as he hath done to his faithful Children in dayes paſt, Gen. 17.1. Job 1.1. and 8.3. Pſal. 18, …2. Mat. 19.20.21. Epheſ. 4.12. Luke 6.40 Col. 1.28. for nothing leſs, then of what Obedience God required of man in the time of the Law, will be of God accepted in this Goſpel Day, Levit 22.21. Deut. 25.5 Therefore not any one man nor woman, but ſhall be left without excuſe in the Day of Account, becauſe all have in meaſure, received to profit withal, Joh. 3.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Mat 25. 1 Cor. 12.3. to 9. Epheſ. 5.13.14. So that if People would but give up in their minds to ſpend that time in reading the holy Scriptures, which they ſpend in that which only ſatisfies the Luſt of the natural Will, which begets from a furder and furder obedience of retaining God in their thoughts by which the mind is fitly framed, through Diſobedience, to veild it ſelf a ſervant to the Devils Power, through which they become Witches, and in one degree or another, are Inſtruments of bewitching others▪ in which ſtate of Diſobedience the World remains in Wickedneſs, bewitching one the other that they ſhould not obey the Truth of God made manifeſt by Jeſus Chriſt ſo that the greateſt ſort of Witch-craft by the Devil, is to make men Inſtruments for his ſervice, and to bewitch into p. 205that which is of the moſt ſervice to promote his Kingdom of Unrighteouſneſs, which cannot be higher promoted, by any that ſerve him, then when they are by him bewitcht, to bewitch others into the like ſtate, that when they are deſtroying the lives of the Lords Children, think it is of the greateſt Service for God, and benefit to their Souls, which is the greateſt ſort of Witch-craft that ever was, for People, of the Devil, ſo to believe.

Now for all other ſort of Witches, they only touch the outward, but cannot touch the Spirit of one true Believer in Chriſt Jeſus, which, according to that command of God, for the deſtroying of Witches and falſe Worſhippers in the time of the Law, if it remain the ſame in this Goſpel Day, it reaches the Life of every Perſecutor, which doth bewitch that they ſhould not obey the Truth; in which ſtate, though they worſhip not a falſe God, as in the time of the Law, yet they worſhip the true God in a falſe way, which comes under the ſame Condemnation of not ſuffering a Witch and the falſe Worſhipper to live, in the time of the Law. So that Perſecutors are no more the true Worſhippers of God in this Goſpel Day, than Witches, and other falſe Worſhippers were in the time of the Law; for Publicans and Harlots ſhall enter the Kingdom of Heaven before them that are of that Perſecuting Spirit, by which ſo many Thouſands of People are bewitched, that they ſhould not obey the Truth, but remain in the works of the fleſh, with which Witch-craft is included, Gal. 5.20. for which cauſe the Devil is permitted to imitate the very form of the way and manner of their former proceedings againſt the People of God, at their general Court in Boſton; for ſome of the afflicted, bewitched or poſſeſſed Evidences ſay, That the black Man, (i. e. the p. 206Devil) in a high crowned Hat, with his Prieſts, have divers times called together about four or five hanared of their Number, at Sa…m they uſe to aſſembl… themſelves together, breaking R…ad and drinking Wine, which they call the Devils Sa…ament, which practiſe (as the Evidences, with ſome of the confeſſed, ſay) is before they ſet upon the hight of their intended Work, to a … and torment others, thereby to force them to conform to the ſame practice of the Devils way; and ſome have confeſſed, they have been freed from the Torment of their afflicted ſtate, upon conforming to the Devils Will, who then baptizeth them into Covenant, to do what he and the Prieſts with him command to be done. Which work of the Devils general Court, is as like in imitation to the work of the former Prieſts and Rulers againſt the People called Quakers, as the moving ſhadow of a wicked man, is like to the moving of … corrupted Body; for all that would not conform to the Faith of the Prieſts and Rulers, to do as they did in that day, were by them and their followers eſteemed no better than Dogs; for I never heard of any D…g but received more Mercy than that Servant of the Lord William Breand, received at the hands of the Prieſts, Rulers and their Followers in that day, who tyed the ſaid W. B. neck and heels ſixteen hours, and laid upon his naked back thirty ſtripes with a three cord knotted whip, and then from …e of their Church Members (with a pitcht Roap) received one hundred and ſeventeen ſtripes, only his Shirt to defend the ſame; having his body thus beaten into a Jelly of fleſh and blood, he fainted away; ſome thinking that he would not have recovered life again, and the Doctor ſaid, if he did recover it would be a Miracle; which through the goodneſs of God he did recover to … and ſtrength again, whoſe Teſtimony was of great p. 207courage, through the Power of God, for the ſervice of his Truth among them that did believe, and for the further Condemnation of them that did not believe; in which day the work of Unbelievers was of that nature againſt the ſaid People called Quakers, that to read the Hiſtory of all their Sufferings in that day, in and about Bo…on, may in Ages to come, make men to wonder, that ſuch a profeſſing People in New-England ſhould manifeſt themſelves ſo mad againſt an innocent people; nay, in that day did they not appoint their Women Church Members to ſearch the Bodies of the Lords Hand maids for Witches, whoſe Teſtimony will remain to the end on Record, That one of them ſo ſearched, in the bearing and bringing forth fire Children, did not undergo the like trouble, as the inhumane cruelty of theſe Church Women put her to in the ſearching of her Body for a Witch, which ſhe was clear of, but now among their own Church Members, they have, as is ſuppoſed, Witch-craft upon Wi…ch-craft, the which whether true or not, is a Judgment of God upon them, for their not repenting of their evil Deeds againſt the Lord and his People, who daily deſire of God that they may manifeſt Repentance by the fruits thereof, until which time of Reformation, that men may come to do, even as they would that all men ſhould do unto them, the Lords Anger againſt the Inhabitants of New-England will not be removed; for they may expect, that as they increaſe in Unrighteouſneſs againſt God, that as he draws off the leſſer Judgment, a greater, for ſin and evil againſt him, will upon the Unrighteous be poured forth; for God is not mocked, ſuch as men ſow, ſuch they ſhall alſo reap; and if the Inhabitants of New-England do not amend and repent, the Lord hath yet a Work to do by Peſtilence and Famine, which p. 208will be more terrible than all the Lords former Judgments have been, ever ſince they began to perſecute the honeſt People called Quakers.

Of which work, under Boſton Government, in that day, I have before mentioned, proving it to be the moving cauſe that the Lord hath, as with Iſrael of old, left the Inhabitants of New-England to further evils, which with the ſhedding of the Blood of the innocent, and their other ſins, theſe horrid Accuſations of Witch-craft have increaſed among the Inhabitants and Churches, ſo called, in New-England (but whether true or not, I do not affirm.) And to conclude, I ſhall give an account of the Quakers ſufterings in one ſmall Town in New-England, by which the whole may the better be comprehended, which is as followeth.

An Account of Goods taken from the People called Quakers in the Town of Sandwich in New-England.

The other part of their Sufferings, in this ſmall Town of Sandwich, was with whipping, and long Impriſonment, and though the ſufferings of the Inhabitant Quakers of Sandwich were great, yet under Boſton Government the ſufferings of this People, did abound in Cruelty above the other Collonies adjoyning to Boſton Government, from which the other united colonies adjoyning took their example, to perſecute the Quakers, as i… ſhort I have before related; but the Lord open the dark Underſtanding of their Mind, and give them a heart Suitable to Repent, that they may live to God, as they ought to do, which Repentance, muſt appear by the fruits of Repentance, otherwiſe there can be no Salvation to them that leave this Life without Repentance, becauſe that there is no repenting in the Grave, which if men did without Repentance, then they dye in their ſins, and cannot ſhare with the faithfull, in the things of Gods heavenly Riches, which are in ſtore for all them, that love the appearance of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.