Further Account of the Trials of New England Witches, Text

Further Account of the Trials of New England Witches · Text

p. 1CASES of CONSCIENCE CONCERNING Witchcrafts.

THE Firſt Caſe that I am deſired to expreſs my Judgment in, is this, Whether it is not Poſſible for the Devil to impoſe on the imaginations of Perſons Bewitched, and to cauſe them to Believe that an Innocent, yea that a Pious perſon does torment them, when the Devil himſelf doth it; or whether Satan may not appear in the Shape of an Innocent and Pious, as well as of a Nocent and Wicked Perſon, to Afflict ſuch as ſuffer by Diabolical Moleſtations?

The Anſwer to the Queſtion muſt be Affirmative; Let the following Arguments be duely weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary.

Argu. 1. There are ſeveral Scriptures from which we may infer the Poſſibility of what is Affirmed.

1. We find that the Devil by the Inſtigation of the Witch at Endor appeared in the Likeneſs of the Prophet Samuel. I am not ignorant that ſome have aſſerted that, which, if it were proved, would evert this Argument, viz. that it was the true and not a deluſive Samuel which the Witch brought to converſe with Saul. Of this Opinion are ſome of the Jewiſh Rabbies aaR. Saactias. R Eleazer Athias. Lyranus, Sic & Joſephus.and ſome Chriſtian Doctors bbAmbroſe, Hierom Baſil, Nazianzenand many late Popiſh Authors ccThomas, Toſtatus, S…arez. c…j ta…. (…) In Eccleſi…ſt. Chap. 46. 22, 23.amongſt whom Cornel. a Lapide is moſt elaborate. But that it was a Daemon repreſenting Samuel has been evinced by learned and Orthodox Writers: eſpecially eeIn Locum.Peter Martyr, ffIn 2 Cor. 11. 14. Pag 555.2 Cor 11:14Balduinus ††De Spectr…. Cap 7.Lavater, and our incomparable John Rainolde. I ſhall not here inſiſt on the clearing of that, eſpecially conſidering, that elſewhere I have done it: only let me add, that the Witch ſaid to Saul, I ſee Elohim, i. e. A God; (for the whole Context ſhows, that a ſingle Perſon is intended) Aſcending out of the Earth. 1 Sam. 28. 13. The Devil would p. 2be Worſhipped as a God, and Saul now, that he was become a Necr…mancer, muſt bow himſelf to him. Moreover, had it been the true Samuel from Heaven reprehending Saul, there is great Reaſon to believe, that he would not only have reproved him for his ſin, in not executing Judgment on the Amalekites; as in Ver. 18. But for his Wickedneſs in conſulting with Familiar Spirits: For which Sin it was in ſpecial that he died, 2 Chron. 10. 13. But in as much as there is not one word to teſtify againſt that Abominaon, we may conclude that it was not real Samuel that appeared to Saul: and if it were the Devil in his likeneſs, the Argument ſeems very ſtrong, that if the Devil may appear in the form of a Saint in Glory, much more is it poſſible for him to put on the likeneſs of the moſt Pious and Innocent Saint on Earth. There are, who acknowledge that a Daemon may appear in the ſhape of a Godly Perſon, But not as doing Evil. Whereas the Devil in Samuel's likeneſs told a pernicious Lye, when he ſaid, Thou haſt diſquieted me. It was not in the Power of Saul, nor of all the Devils in Hell, to diſquiet a Soul in Heaven, where Samuel had been for Two years before this Apparition. Nor did the Spectre ſpeak true, when he ſaid, Thou and thy Sons ſhall be with me: Tho' Saul himſelf at his Death went to be with the Devil, his Son Jonathan did not ſo. Beſides, (which ſuits with the matter in hand) the Devil in Samuels ſhape confirmed Necromancy and Curſed Witchery. He that can in the likeneſs of Saints encourage Witches to Familiarity with Hell, may poſſibly in the likeneſs of a Saint afflict a Bewitched Perſon. But this we ſee from Scripture, Satan may be permitted to do.

And whereas it is objected, that the Devil may appear indeed in the form of Dead Perſons, but that he cannot repreſent ſuch as are living; The contrary is manifeſt. No Queſtion had Saul ſaid to the Witch, bring me David who was then living, ſhe could as eaſily have ſhown living David as dead Samuel, as eaſily as that great Conjurer, of whom **De Praeſtig… Daemonum. Lib. 1. Cap. 16.Wierus ſpeaks, brought the appearance of Hector and Achilles, and after that of David before the Emperour Maximilian.

And that evil Angels have ſometimes appeared in the likeneſs of living abſent perſons, is a thing abundantly confirmed by Hiſtory.

††D… C. D. L 18.Auſtin tells us of one that went for reſolution in ſome intricate Queſtions to a Philoſopher, of whom he could get no Anſwer; but in the Night the Philoſopher comes to him, and reſolves all his Doubts. Not long after, he demanded the reaſon p. 3why he could not anſwer him in the Day as well as in the Night; The Philoſopher profeſſed he was not with him in the Night, only acknowledged that he dreamed of his having ſuch converſation of his Friend, but he was all the time at home, and aſleep. Paulus and Palladius did both of them profeſs to Auſtin, that one in his ſhape, had divers times, and in divers places appeared to them ††De Appar. Spirituum Lib. 2. Cap. 7.: Thyreus mentions ſeveral Apparitions of abſent living perſons, which happened in his time, and which he had the certain knowledge of. A Man that is in one place cannot (Autoproſopos) at the ſame time be in another. It remains then that ſuch Spectres are Prodigious and Supernatural, and not without Diabolical Operation. It has been Controverted among Learned Men, whether innocent Perſons may not by the malice and deluding Power of the Devil be repreſented as preſent amongſt Witches at their dark Aſſemblies. The mentioned Thyreus ſays, that the Devil may, and often does repreſent the forms of Innocent Perſons out of thoſe Conventions, and that there is no Queſtion to be made of it, but as to his natural Power and Art he is able to make their ſhapes appear amongſt his own Servants, but he ſuppoſeth the Providence of God will not ſuffer ſuch an Injury to be done to an Innocent Perſon. With him bbMiſq. Magicar. Lib. 2. C. 12.Delrio, and Spineus concur. But Cumanus in his Lucerna Inquiſitorum (a Book which I have not yet ſeen) defends the Affirmative in this Queſtion. Bins Fieldius in his Treatiſe, concerning the Confeſſion of Witches, inclines to the Negative, only ccDe confeſ. ſag. pag. 191.he acknowledges Dei extraordinaria Permiſſione poſſe Innocentes ſic repreſentari. And he that ſhall aſſert, that Great and Holy God never did nor ever will permit the Devil thus far to abuſe an Innocent Perſon, affirms more than he is able to prove. The ſtory of Germanus his diſcovering a Diabolical illuſion of this nature, concerning a great number of Perſons that ſeemed to be at a Feaſt when they were really at home and aſleep, is mentioned by many Authors. But the particulars inſiſted on, do ſufficiently evince the Truth of what we aſſert, viz. That the Devil may by Divine Permiſſion appear in the ſhape of Innocent and Pious Perſons. Nevertheleſs, It is evident from another Scripture, viz. that in 2 Cor. 11. 14. For Satan himſelf is transformed into an Angel of Light. He ſeems to be what he is not, and makes others ſeem to be what they they are not. He repreſents evil men as good, and good men as evil. The Angels of Heaven (who are the Angels of Light) love Truth and Righteouſneſs, the Devil will ſeem to do ſo to; and does therefore ſometimes lay before men excellent p. 4good Principles and exhort them (as he did Theodore Maillit) to practiſe many things, which by the Law of Righteouſneſs they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive. Is it not ſtrange, that he has ſometimes intimated to his moſt devoted ſervants, that if they would have familiar Converſation with him, they muſt be careful to keep themſelves from enormous Sins, and pray conſtantly for Divine Protection? But ſo has he tranſformed himſelf into an Angel of Light, as aaDeſecre… mag. p. 31. ſee alſo Lavat…r de Spect. Lib. 2. Cap. 18.Boiſſardus ſheweth. He has frequently appeared to Men pretending to be a good Angel, ſo to Anatolius of old; and the late inſtances of bbDr. Caſa…bon: of Spirits.D…. Dee and Kellet are famouſly known. How many deluded Enthuſiaſts both in former and latter times have been impoſed on by Satans appearing viſibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel. And moreover, he may be ſaid to transform himſelf into an Angel of Light, becauſe of his appearing in the Form of Holy Men, who are the Children of Light, yea in the ſhape and habit of Eminent Miniſters of God. So did he appear to Mr. Earl of Colcheſter in the likeneſs of Mr. Liddal an Holy Man of God, and to the Turkiſh Chaous Baptized at London, Anno 1658. pretending to be Mr. Dury an Excellent Miniſter of Chriſt. And how often has he pretended to be the Apoſtle Paul or Peter or ſome other celebrated Saint? Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtories abound with Inſtances of this nature. Yea, ſometimes he has transfigured himſelf into the Form of Chriſt. It is reported that he appeared to ccSulpitius ſeverus in vita martini.St. Martin Gloriouſly arrayed, as if he had been Chriſt. So likewiſe to ddG…accius co…ſend. malefi…. p. 342.Secundellus, and to another Saint, who ſuſpecting it was Satan, transforming himſelf into an Angel of Light had this expreſſion, If I may ſee Chriſt in Heaven it is enough, I deſire not to ſee him in this World; whereupon the Spectre vaniſhed. It has been related of Luther, that after he had been Faſting and Praying in his Study, the Devil come pretending to be Chriſt, but Luther ſaying, away thou confounded Devil, I acknowledge no Chriſt but what is in my Bible, nothing more was ſeen. Thus then the Devil is able (by Divine Permiſſion) to Change himſelf into what form or figure he pleaſeth,

Omnia transformat ſeſe in miracula rerum.

A Third Scripture to our purpoſe is that, in Rev. 12. 10. where the Devil is called the Accuſer of the Brethren. Such is the malice and impudence of the Devil, as that he does accuſe good Men, p. 5and that before God, and that not only of ſuch Faults as they really are guilty of, he accuſed Joſhua with his filthy Garments, when through his Indulgence ſome of his Family had tranſgreſſed by unlawful Marriages, Zach. 3. 23. with Ezra 10. 18. but alſo with ſuch Crimes, as they are altogether free from. He repreſented the Primitive Chriſtians as the vileſt of men, and as if at their Meetings they did commit the moſt nefandous Villanies that ever were known; and that not only Innocent, but Eminently Pious Perſons ſhould thro' the Malice of the Devil be accuſed with the Crime of Witchcraft, is no new thing. Such an Affliction did the Lord ſee meet to exerciſe the great Athanaſius with ttBinsfeild de Confeſs. Sag. p. 187.only the Divine Providence did wonderfully vindicate him from that as well as from ſome other ſoul Aſperſions. The Waldenſes (altho' the Scriptures call them Saints, Rev. 13. 7.) have been traduccd by Satan and by the World as horrible Witches; ſo have others in other places, only becauſe they have done extraordinary things by their Prayers: It is by many Authors related, that a City in France was moleſted with a Diabolical Spectre, which the People were wont to call Hugon; near that place a number of Proteſtants were wont to meet to ſerve God, whence the Profeſſors of the true reformed Religion were nic▪named Hugonots, by the Papiſts, who deſigned to render them before the World, as the Servants and Worſhippers of that Daemon, that went under the name of Hugon. And how often have I read in Books written by Jeſuits, that Luther was a Wizard, and that he did himſelf confeſs that he had familiarity with Satan! Moſt impudent Untruths! nor are theſe things to be wondered at, ſince the Holy Son of God himſelf was reputed a Magician, and one that had Familiarity with the greateſt of Devils. The Blaſpheming Phariſees ſaid, he caſts out the Devils thro' the Prince of Devils, Matth. 9. 34. There is then not the beſt Saint on Earth (Man or Woman) that can aſſure themſelves that the Devil ſhall not caſt ſuch an Imputation upon them. It is enough for the Diſciple that he be as his Maſter, and the Servant as his Lord: If they have called the Maſter of the Houſe Reelzebub, how much more them of his Houſhold, Matth. 10. 25. It is not for men to determine how far the holy God may permit the wicked one to proceed in his Accuſations. The ſacred ſtory of Job giveth us to underſtand, that the Lord whoſe ways art paſt finding out, does for wiſe and holy Ends ſuffer Satan by immediate Operation, (and conſequently by Witchcraft) greatly to afflict innocent Perſons, as in their Bodies and Eſtates, ſo in their Reputations. I ſhall mention but one Scripture p. 6more to confirm the Truth in hand: It is that in Eccleſ. 9. 2, 3. where it is ſaid, All things come alike to all, there is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, as is the Good, ſo is the Sinner, this is an evil amongſt all things under the Sun, that there is one Event happeneth to all. And in Eccleſ. 7. 15. 'tis ſaid, There is a juſt man that periſheth in his Righteouſneſs.

From hence we infer, that there is no outward Affliction whatſoever but may befal a good Man; now to be repreſented by Satan as a Tormentor of Bewitched or Poſſeſſed Perſons, is a ſore Affliction to a good Man. To be tormented by Satan is a ſore Affliction, yet nothing but what befel Job, and a Daughter of Abraham, whom we read of in the Goſpel: To be repreſented by Satan as tormenting others, is an Affliction like the former; the Lord may bring ſuch extraordinary Temptations on his own Children, to afflict and humble them, for ſome Sin they have been guilty of before him. A moſt wicked Perſon in St. Ives, got a Knife, and went with it to a Miniſters Houſe, deſigning to ſtab him, but was diſappointed; afterwards Conſcience being awakened, the Devil appears to this Perſon in the Shape of that Miniſter, with a Knife in his hand exhorting to Self-murder: Was not here a Puniſhment ſuitable to the Sin which that Perſon had been guilty of? Perhaps ſome of thoſe whom Satan has repreſented as committing Witchcrafts, have been tampering with ſome fooliſh and wicked Sorceries, tho' not to that degree, which is Criminal and Capital by the Laws both of God and Men; for this Satan may be permitted ſo to ſcourge them; or it may be, they have miſrepreſented and abuſed others, for which cauſe the Holy God may juſtly give Satan leave falſely to repreſent them.

Have we not known ſome that have bitterly cenſured all that have been complained of by bewitched Perſons, ſaying it was impoſſible they ſhould not be guilty; ſoon upon which themſelves or ſome near Relations of theirs, have been to the laſting Infamy of their Families, been accuſed after the ſame manner, and Perſonated by the Devil! Such tremendous Rebukes on a few, ſhould make all men to be careful how they joyn with Satan in Condemning the Innocent.

Arg. 2. Becauſe it is poſſible for the Devil in the Shape of an innocent Perſon to do other miſchiefs. As for thoſe who acknowledge that Satan may perſonate a pious Perſon, but not to do miſchief, their Opinion has been confuted by more than a few unhappy Inſtances. p. 7Mr. Clark uuExamples Vol. 1. p. 510.ſpeaks of a Man that had been an Atheiſt, or a Sadduce, not believing that there are any Devils or any (to us) inviſible World; this Man was converted, but as a Puniſhment of his Infidelity, evil Angels did often appear to him in the Shape of his moſt intimate Friends, and would ſometimes ſeduce him into great Inconveniences. It has been elſewhere, and but now noted, that a Daemon in the ſhape of excellent Mr. Dury appeared to the Turkiſh Chaos, Anno. 1658. to diſſwade him from proſecuting his deſires of Baptiſm into the Name of Chriſt: Alſo to Mr. Earle in the likeneſs of his Friends, to diſcourage him from doing things lawful and good. A multitude of Jews were once deluded by a Perſon pretending to be Moſes from Heaven, and that if they would follow him they ſhould paſs ſafe through the Sea (as did their Fathers of old through the Red▪Sea) whereby great numbers of them were deceived and periſhed in the Waters. wwSocrat… 's Hiſt. p. 7. C. 38. …Learned and judicious Men have concluded that this Moſes Creenſis was a Daemon, transforming himſelf into Moſes: And that the Devil has frequently appeared xxLege Villalpond de Magia, &c. L. …. Cap. 27.in the ſhape of famous Perſons to the end that he might ſeduce Men into Idolatry, a Sin equal to that of Witchcraft) no Man that has made it his Concern to enquire into things of this nature can be ignorant. Many Examples of this kind are collected by Mr. Bromball in his Treatiſe of Spectres, and the cunning Devil, to ſtrengthen Men in their worſhipping of Saints departed: And by Mr. Bovet in his Pandemonium. It is credibly reported that the Devil in the likeneſs of a faithful Miniſter (as St. Ives before mentioned, near Boſton in Lincolnſhire) came to one that was in trouble of Mind, telling her the longer ſhe lived, the worſe it would be for her; and therefore adviſing her to Self-murder: An eminent Perſon ſtill living had the account of this Matter from Mr. Cotton (the famous Teacher of both Boſtons.) He was well acquainted with that Miniſter, who related to him the whole Story, with all the Circumſtances of it: For Mr. Cotton was ſo affected with the Report, as to take a Journey on purpoſe to the Town where this happened, that ſo he might obtain a ſatiſfactory account about it, which he did. Some Authors ſay, that a Daemón appeared in the form of Sylvanus (Hierom's Friend) attempting a diſhoneſt thing, the Devil thereby deſigning to blaſt the Reputation of a famous Biſhop. I have in another Book mentioned that celebrated Inſtance concerning an honeſt Citizen in Zurick (the Metropolis of Helvetia) in whoſe ſhape the Devil appeared, committing an abominable Fact (not fit to be named) p. 8very early in the Morning, ſeen by the Prefect of the City, and his Servant; they were amazed to behold a Man of good Eſteem for his Converſation, perpetrating a thing ſo vile and abominable; but going from the Spectre in the Field, to the Citizen's Houſe in the Town, they found him at home, and in his Bed, nor had he been abroad that Morning, which convinced them, that what they ſaw was an Illuſion of the Devil: This Paſſage is mentioned as a thing known and certain by Lavater in his Treatiſe of Spectres, zzPart 1. Chap. 19. Pag. 86.who was a moſt learned and judicious Preacher in that City. Our Juel ſaith of him, that he muſt ingeniouſly confeſs, that he never underſtood Solomon's Proverbs, until Lavater expounded them to him: That Book of his De Spectris hath been publiſhed in Latin, High and Low Dutch, French, Italian. The learned Zanchy ††Epiſtol. 2.ſpeaks highly of it, profeſſing that he had read it both with Pleaſure and Profit. Voetius aaIn Diſput. de Magia. p. 575.takes notice of that paſſage which we have quoted out of Levater as a thing memorable.

Some Popiſh Authors argue, That that Devil cannot perſonate an innocent Man as doing an act of Witchcraft, becauſe then he might as well repreſent them as committing Theft, Murder, &c. And if ſo, there would be no living in the World: But I turn the Argument againſt them, he may (as the mentioned Inſtances prove) perſonate honeſt Men as doing other Evils; and no ſolid Reaſon can be given why he may not as well perſonate them under the Notion of Witches, as under the Notion of Thieves, Murders, and Idolaters: As for the Objection, that then there would be no living in the World, we ſhall conſider it under the next Argument.

Arg. 3. If Satan may not repreſent one that is not a Covenant Servant of his, as afflicting thoſe that are bewitched or poſſeſſed, then it is either becauſe he wants Will, or Power to do this, or becauſe God will never permit him thus to do. No Man but a Sadduce doubts of the ill will of Devils; nothing is more pleaſing to the Malice of thoſe wicked Spirits than to ſee Innocency wronged: And the Power of the Enemy is ſuch, as that having once obtained a Divine Conceſſion to uſe his Art, he can do this and much more than this amounts unto: We know by Scripture-Revelation, that the Sorcerers of Egypt cauſed many untrue and deluſive ††In Mr. Coupe… 's Myſtery of Witchcraft, Pag. 174, 175.Repreſentations before Pharaoh and his Servants. Exod. 7. 11, 22. & 8. 7. And we read of the working of Satan in all Power and Signs, p. 9and lying Wonders. 2 Theſſ. 2. 9. His Heart is beyond what the wiſeſt of Men may pretend unto: He has perfect skill in Opticks, and can therefore cauſe that to be viſible to one, which is not ſo to another, and things alſo to appear far otherwiſe then they are: He has likewiſe the Art of Limning in the Perfection of it, and knows what may be done by Colours. It is an odd paſſage bb6. Acta Eruditorum Anno. 1690. Pag. 113▪which I find in the Acta Eruditorum, printed at Lipſick, that about Thirty two Years ago an indigent Merchant in France was inſtructed by a Daemon, that with Water of Borax he might colour Taffities, ſo as to cauſe them to gliſter and look very gay: He ſearcheth into the Nature, Cauſes, and Reaſons of things, whereby he is able to produce wonderful effects: So that if he does not form the Shape of an innocent Perſon as afflicting others, it is not from want of either will or power. They that affirm, that God never did, nor ever will permit him thus to do, alledge that it is inconſiſtant with the Righteouſneſs and Providence of God, in governing Humane Affairs thus to ſuffer Men to be impoſed on: It muſt be acknowledged ccIn Mr. Glanvil's Philoſophical Conſiderations.that the Divine Providence has taken care, that the greateſt part of Mankind ſhall not be left to unavoidable Deception, ſo as to be always abuſed by the miſchievous Agents of Hell, in the Objects of plain Sence: But yet it is not for ſinful and ſilly Mortals to preſcribe Rules to the moſt High in his Government of the World, or to direct him how far he may permit Satan to uſe his power: I am apt to think that there are ſome amongſt us, who if they had lived in Job's days, and ſeen the Devil tormenting of him, and heard him complaining of being ſcared with Dreams, and terrified with Night-viſions, they would have joined with his uncharitable Friends in cenſuring him as a moſt guilty Perſon: But we ſhould conſider, that the moſt high God doth ſometimes deal with Men in a way of abſolute Sovereignty, performing the thing which is appointed for them, and many ſuch things are with him: If he does deſtroy the perfect with the wicked, and laugh at the tryal of the innocent, (Job. 9. 22, 23.) Who ſhall enter into his Councils! who has given him a Charge over the Earth! or who has diſpoſed the whole World! Men are not able to give an account of his ordinary Works, much leſs of his ſecret Counſels, and the dark Diſpenſations of his Providence: They do but darken Counſel by Words without Knowledge when they undertake it: If we are not able to ſee how this or that can ſtand with the Righteouſneſs of him that governs the World, ſhall we ſay that the Almighty will pervert p. 10Judgment? or that he that governs the Earth hateth Right? Shall we condemn him that is moſt juſt? But whereas 'tis objected, where is Providence? And how ſhall Men live on the Earth, if the Devil may be permitted to uſe ſuch Power? I demand, where was Providence, when Satan had Power to cauſe Sons of Belial to lye and ſwear away the Life of innocent Naboth, laying ſuch Crimes to his charge as he was never guilty of? And what an Hour of Darkneſs was it? How far was the Power of Hell permitted to prevail, when Chriſt the Son of God was accuſed, condemned, and hanged for a Crime that he never was guilty of? That was the ſtrangeſt Providence that has happened ſince the World began, and yet in the Iſſue the moſt glorious: We muſt therefore diſtinguiſh between what does ordinarily come to paſs by the Providence of God, and things which are extraordinary: It is not an uſual thing for a Naboth to have his Life taken from him by falſe Accuſations, or for an Athanaſius or a Suſanna to be charged, and perhaps brought before Courts of Judicature for Crimes of which they were altogether innocent.

But if we therefore conclude, that ſuch a thing as this can never happen in the World, we ſhall offend againſt the Generation of the Juſt: It is not ordinary for Devils to be permitted to reveal the ſecret Sins of Men; yet this has been done more than once or twice: Nor is it ordinary for Daemons to ſteal Money out of Mens Pockets, and Purſes, or Wine and Cyder out of their Cellars. Yet ſome ſuch Inſtances have there been amongſt our ſelves. It is not uſual for Providence to permit the Devil to come from Hell and to throw Fire on the tops of Houſes, and to cauſe a whole Town to be burnt to Aſhes thereby; there would (it muſt be confeſſed) be no living in the World, if evil Angels ſhould be permitted to do thus when they had a mind to it; nevertheleſs, Authors worthy of Credit, tell us, that this has ſometimes happened. ddDe ſub…ilita…e. Lib. 19.Both Eraſmus and Cardanus▪ write that the Town of Schiltach in Germany, was in the Month of April, 1533. ſet on fire by a Devil, and burnt to the ground in an Hour's ſpace: 'Tis alſo reported by Sigibert, Aventinus and others, that ſome Cottages and Barns in a Town called Bingus were fired by a wicked Genius; that ſpiteful Daemon ſaid it was for the Impieties of ſuch a Man whom he named, that he was ſent to moleſt them: The poor Man to ſatiſfie his Neighbours, who were ready to Stone him, carried an hot Iron in his Hand, but receiving no hurt thereby, he was judged to be innocent. It is not ordinary for a Devil upon the dying p. 11Curſe of a Servant, to have a Commiſſion from Heaven to tear and torment a bloody cruel Maſter; yet ſuch a thing may poſſibly come to paſs. There is a fearful Story to this purpoſe, in the account of the Bucuneers of America, eeP. 75, 76.wherein my Author relates that a Servant, who was Spirited or Kidnapt (as they call it) into America, falling into the Hands of a Tyrannical Maſter, he ran away from him, but being taken and brought back, the hardhearted Tyrant laſhed him on his naked Back, until his Body ran in an entire ſtream of Blood; to make the Torment of this miſerable Creature intolerable, he anointed his Wounds with Juice of Lemon mingled with Salt and Pepper, being ground ſmall together, with which torture the miſerable Wretch gave up the Ghoſt, with theſe dying Words, I beſeech the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, that he permit a wicked Spirit, to make thee feel as many Torments before thy Death, as thou haſt cauſed me to feel before mine: Scarce four days were paſt after this horrible Fact, when the Almighty Judge gave Permiſſion to the Father of Wickedneſs to poſſeſs the Body of that cruel Maſter, and to make him lacerate his own Fleſh until he died, belike ſurrendring his Ghoſt into the Hands of the infernal Spirit, who had tormented his Body: But of this Tragical Story enough.

To proceed, Is it not uſual for Perſons after their Death to appear unto the Living: But it does not therefore follow, that the great God will not ſuffer this to be: For both in former and latter Ages, Examples thereof have not been wanting: No longer ſince than the laſt Winter, there was much diſcourſe in London concerning a Gentlewoman, unto whom her dead Son (and another whom ſhe knew not) had appeared: Being then in London, I was willing to ſatisfie my ſelf, by enquiring into the Truth of what was reported; and on Febr. 23. 1691. my Brother (who is now a Paſtor to a Congregation in that City) and I diſcourſed the Gentlewoman ſpoken of; ſhe told us, that a Son of hers, who had been a very civil young Man, but more airy in his Temper than was pleaſing to his ſerious Mother, being dead, ſhe was much concerned in her Thoughts about his Condition in the other World; but a Fortnight after his Death he appeared to her, ſaying, Mother you are ſolicitous about my Spiritual Welfare; trouble your ſelf no more, for I am happy, and ſo vaniſhed; ſhould there be a continual Intercourſe between the Viſible and Inviſible World, it would breed Confuſion. But from thence to infer, that the great Ruler of the Univerſe will never permit any thing of this p. 12nature to be, is an inconſequent Concluſion; it is not uſual for Devils to be permitted to come and violently carry away perſons through the Air, ſeveral miles from their Habitations: Nevertheleſs, this was done in Sweedland about twenty Years ago, by means of a curſed Knot of Witches there. And a learned Phyſician now living, giveth an account of ſeveral Children, who by Diabolical Frauds were ſtollen from their Parents, and others left in their room: And of two, that in the night-time a Line was by inviſible Hands put about their Necks, with which they had been ſtrangled, but that ſome near them happily prevented it. V. Germ. Ephem. Anno 1689. pag. 51. 516.

Let me further add here; It has very ſeldom been known, that Satan has Perſonated innocent Men doing an ill thing, but Providence has found out ſome way for their Vindication; either they have been able to prove that they were in another place when that Fact was done, or the like. So that perhaps there never was an Inſtance of any innocent Perſon Condemned in any Court of Judicature on Earth, only through Satans deluding and impoſing on the Imaginations of Men, when nevertheleſs, the Witneſſes, Juries, and Judges, were all to be excuſed from blame.

Arg. 4. It is certain both from Scripture and Hiſtory, that Magicians by their Inchantments and Helliſh Conjurations, may cauſe a falſe Repreſentation of Perſons and Things. An inchanted eye ſhall ſee ſuch things as others cannot diſcern; it is a thing too well known to be denied, that ſome by rubbing their eyes with a bewitched Water, have immediately thereupon ſeen that which others could not diſcern; and there are Perſons in the World, who have a ſtrange Spectral ſight. Mr. Glanvil ffIn his Sadduciſm Triumph. Collection, p. …01.ſpeaks of a Dutch-man that could ſee Ghoſts which others could perceive nothing of. There are in Spain a ſort of men whom they call Zahurs, theſe can ſee into the Bowels of the Earth; they are able to diſcover Minerals and hidden Treaſures; nevertheleſs, they have their extraordinary ſight only on Tueſdays and Fridays, and not on the other days of the Week. Delrio ſaith, that when he was at Madrid, Anno Dom. 1575. he ſaw ſome of theſe ſtrange ſighted Creatures. Mr. George Sinclare, in his Book Entituled, Satans Inviſible World diſcovered, hhp. 215. (Diſa. Magic.) l. 1. c. …. p. 22.has theſe Words, I am undoubtedly informed, that men and women in the High-lands can diſcern Fatality approaching others, by ſeeing them in the Waters or with Winding Sheets about p. 13them. And that others can lecture in a Sheeps ſhoulder-bone a Death within the Pariſh ſeven or eight Days before it come. It is not improbable but that ſuch Preternatural Knowledge comes firſt by a Compact with the Devil, and is derived downward by Succeſſion to their Poſterity: Many ſuch I ſuppoſe are Innocent, and have this ſight againſt their Will and Inclination. Thus Mr. Sinclare, I concur with his ſuppoſal, that ſuch Knowledge is originally from Satan, and perhaps the Effect of ſome old Inchantment. There are ſome at this day in the World, that if they come into a Houſe where one of the Family will die within a Fortnight, the ſmell of a dead Corpſe offends them to ſuch a degree, as that they cannot ſtay in that Houſe. It is reported that near unto the Abby of St. Maurice in Burgundy iiV… de Faſcino Lib. 2▪there is a Fiſhpond in which are Fiſhes put according to the number of the Monks of that place; if any one of them happen to be ſick, there is a Fiſh ſeen to Float and Swim above Water half dead, and if the Monk ſhall die, the Fiſh a few days before dieth. In ſome parts in Wales Death-lights or Corps Candles (as they call them) are ſeen in the night time going from the Houſe where ſomebody will ſhortly die, and paſſing in to the Church-yard. Of this, my Honoured and never to be forgotten Friend Mr. Richard Baxter, kkp. 131.has given an Account in his Book about Witchcrafts lately Publiſhed: what to make of ſuch things, except they be the effects of ſome old Inchantment, I know not; nor what Natural Reaſon to aſſign for that which I find amongſt the Obſervations of the Imperial Academy for the Year 1687, viz. That in an Orchard where are choice Damaſcen Plumbs, the Maſter of the Family being ſick of a Quartan Ague, whilſt he continued very ill, four of his Plumb-trees inſtead of Damaſcens brought forth a vile ſort of yellow Plumbs: but recovering Health, the next Year the Tree did (as formerly) bear Damaſcens again; but when after that he fell into a fatal Dropſie, on thoſe Trees were ſeen not Damaſcens, but another ſort of Fruit. The ſame Author llV. Germ. Ephemer. Anno 16. …. 379.gives Inſtances of which he had the certain knowledge, concerning Apple-trees and Pear-trees, that the Fruit of them would on a ſudden wither as if they had been baked in an Oven, when the owners of them were mortally ſick. It is no leſs ſtrange that in the Illuſtrious Electoral mmHenkelius de obſeſſis pag. 86.Houſe of Brandenburg before the Death of ſome one of the Family Feminine Spectres appeared: nnCame…a…. cent. 1. c. 73. Cardan de re…um varie…a…e Lib. 16. cap. 93.and often in the Houſes of Great men, Voices and Viſions from the Inviſible World have been the Harbingers of Death. When any Heir in the Worſhipful Family of p. 14the Breertons in Cheſhire is near his Death, there are ſeen in a Pool adjoyning, Bodies of Trees ſwimming for certain days together, on which Learned Cambden ooIn his Bri…nni… p. 609.has this Note, Theſe and ſuch like things are done either by the Holy Tutelar Angels of Men, or elſe by the Devils, who by Gods Permiſſion mightily ſhew their Power in this Inferiour World. As for Mr. Sinclare's Notion that ſome Perſons may have a ſecond Sight, (as 'tis termed) and yet be themſelves Innocent, I am ſatisfied that he judgeth right; for this is common amongſt the Laplanders, who are horribly addicted to Magical Incantations: They bequeath their Daemons to their Children as a Legacy, by whom they are often aſſiſted (like Bewitched Perſons as they are) to ſee and do things beyond the Power of Nature. An Hiſtorian who deſerves Credit, relates, ppSee the Hiſt. of Lapland, and Mr. Burton's Hiſt. of Daemons.that a certain Laplander gave him a true and particular Account of what had happened to him in his Journey to Lapland; and further complained to him with Tears, that things at great diſtance were repreſented to him, and how much he deſired to be Delivered from that Diabolical Sight, but could not; this doubtleſs was cauſed by ſome Inchantment. But to proceed to what I intend; the Eyes of Perſons by reaſon of Inchanting Charms, may not only ſee what others do not, but be under ſuch power of Faſcination, as that things which are not, ſhall appear to them as real: The Apoſtle ſpeaks of Bewitched Eyes, Gal. 3. 1. and we know from Scripture, that the Imaginations of men have by Inchantments been impoſed upon; and Hiſtories abound with very ſtrange Inſtances of this Nature: The old Witch Circe by an Inchanted Cup cauſed Ulyſſes his Companions to imagine themſelves to be turned into Swine; and how many Witches have been themſelves ſo bewitched by the Devil, as really to believe that they were transformed into Wolves, or Dogs, or Cats. It is reported of Simon Magus, qqSchotten Phyſic. cur…os. lib. 1. c. 16.that by his Sorceries he would ſo impoſe on the Imaginations of People, as that they thought he had really changed himſelf into another ſort of Creature. Opollonius of Tyana could out do Simon with his Magick: The great Bohemian Conjurer Zyto rrSee Wan… of the Wonders of the World. p. 215.by his Inchantments, cauſed certain Perſons whom he had a mind to try his Art upon, to imagine that their Hands were turned into the Feet of an Ox, or into the Hoofs of a Horſe, ſo that they could not reach to the Diſhes before them to take any thing thence; he ſold Wiſps of Straw to a Butcher who bought them for Swine, that many ſuch preſtigious Pranks were played; by the unhappy Fauſtus, is atteſted by Camerarius, Wyerus, Voetius, Lavater, and Lonicer.

p. 15There is newly Publiſhed a Book (mentioned in the Acta Eruditorum) wherein the Author ssUbi Supra.(Wiechard Valvaſſor) relates, that a Venetian Jew inſtructed him (only he would not attend his Inſtructions) how to make a Magical Glaſs which ſhould repreſent any Perſon or thing according as he ſhould deſire. If a Magician by an Inchanted Glaſs can do this, he may as well by the help of a Daemon cauſe falſe Idaeas of Perſons and Things to be impreſſed on the Imaginations of bewitched Perſons; the Blood and Spirits of a Man, that is bitten with a Mad-Dog, are ſo envenomed, as that ſtrange Impreſſions are thereby made on his Imagination: let him be brought into a Room where there is a Looking-Glaſs, and he will (if put upon it) not only ſay but ſwear that he ſees a Dog, tho' in truth there is no Dog it may be within 20 Miles of him; and is it not then poſſible for the Dogs of Hell to poyſon the Imaginations of miſerable Creatures, ſo as that they ſhall believe and ſwear that ſuch Perſons hurt them as never did ſo? I have heard of an Inchanted Pin, that has cauſed the Condemnation and Death of many ſcores of innocent Perſons. There was a notorious Witchfinder in Scotland, that undertook by a Pin, to make an infallible Diſcovery of ſuſpected Perſons, whether they were Witches or not, if when the Pin was run an Inch or two into the Body of the accuſed Party no Blood appeared, nor any ſenſe of Pain, then he declared them to be Witches; by means hereof my Author tells me no leſs then 300 perſons were Condemned for Witches in that Kingdom. This Bloody Jugler after he had done enough in Scotland, came to the Town of Berwick upon Tweed; an honeſt Man now living in New-England aſſureth me, that he ſaw the Man thruſt a great Braſs Pin two Inches into the Body of one, that ſome would in that way try whether there was Witchcraft in the Caſe or no: the accuſed Party was not in the leaſt ſenſible of what was done, and therefore in danger of receiving the Puniſhment juſtly due for Witchcraft; only it ſo happened, that Collonel F…nwick (that worthy Gentleman, who many years ſince lived in New-England) was then the Military Governour in that Town; he ſent for the Mayor and Magiſtrates adviſing them to be careful and cautious in their proceedings; for he told them, it might be an Inchanted Pin, which the Witchfinder made uſe of: Whereupon the Magiſtrates of the place ordered that he ſhould make his Experiment with ſome other Pin as they ſhould appoint: But that he would by no means be induced unto, which was a ſufficient p. 16Diſcovery of the Knavery and Witchery of the Witch-finder. There is a ſtrange Diabolical Energy goeth along with Incantations. If Balak had not known, that he would not have ſent for Balaam, to ſee whether he could inchant the Children of Iſrael. The Scripture intimates that Inchantments will keep a Serpent from biting, Eccleſ. 10. 11. A Witch in Sweedland confeſſed, that the Devil gave her a wooden Knife; and that if ſhe did but touch any living thing with that Knife, it would die immediately: And that there is a wonderful Power of the Devil attending things inchanted, we have confirmed by a prodigious Inſtance in Major Wein, a Scotch Man: That wretched Man was a perfect Prodigy; a Man of great Parts; eſteemed a Saint, yet lived in ſecret Uncleanneſs with his own Siſter for thirty four Years together: After his wickedneſs was diſcovered, he did not ſeem to be troubled at any of his Crimes, excepting that he had cauſed a poor Woman to be publickly whipped, becauſe ſhe reported that ſhe had ſeen him committing Beſtiality; which thing was true, only the Woman could not prove it. This horrid Creature, if he had his Inchanted Staff in his Hand could pray to admiration, and do extraordinary things, as is more amply related in the Poſtſcript to Mr. Sinclares his Book before mentioned: But if he had not his Inchanted Rod to lean upon, he could not transform himſelf into an Angel of Light: But by all theſe things we may conclude, that it is not impoſſible, but that a guilty Conjurer, that ſo he may render himſelf the leſs ſuſpected, may by his Magical Art and Inchantment, cauſe innocent Perſons to be repreſented as afflicting thoſe whom the Devil and himſelf are the Tormentors of.

Arg. 5. The Truth we affirm is ſo evident, as that many Learned and Judicious Men have freely ſubſcribed unto it.

The memorable Relation of the Devils aſſuming the ſhape of an innocent Citizen in Zurick, is in the Judgment of that great Divine Lud Levater, of weighty Conſideration: And he declares, that he does therefore mention it, that ſo Judges might be cautelous in their Proceedings in Caſes of this nature, inaſmuch as the Devil does often in that way intangle innocent Perſons, and bring them into great Troubles. His Words are, ssDe Spectri…, p. 86, 87.Hanc Hiſtoriam ideo recito, ut Judices, in hujuſmodi, Caſibus cauti ſint: Diabolus enim hac via ſape innocentibus inſidiatur. He confirms what he ſaith by reciting a Paſſage out of Alertus Granzius, who writes that the Devil p. 17was ſeen in the ſhape of a Nobleman to come out of the Empreſs's Chamber: But to clear her Innocency, ſhe (according to the ſuperſtitious Ordeals then in faſhion) walked blinfold over a great many of glowing hot Irons without touching any of them. Voetius in his uuDſput Selce…. Vol. 1. pag. 1008.Diſputation of Spectres propoſeth that Queſtion, whether the Devil may not untruly perſonate a Godly Man, and anſwers in the Affirmative: And withal adds, that it is a ſufficient Argument (ad hominem) to anſwer the Papiſts with their own Hiſtories, which give Inſtances of Satan's appearing in the Figure of Saints, nay of Chriſt himſelf. And in his Diſcourſe concerning the Operations of Daemons wwP. 944.he has the like Problem, whether the Devil may not poſſibly put on the ſhape of a true Believer, a real Saint, not only of ſuch as are dead, but ſtill living, and anſwers, Quidni? Why not? It is true Popiſh Caſuiſts xxThyraeu… de Appari… onibus, Lib. 2. Cap. 14.do generally incline to the Negative in this Queſtion: Nevertheleſs, the Inſtance of Germanus, who ſaw a Company of honeſt People repreſented by the Devil, as if they had been feaſting together, when they were really aſleep in their Beds, does a little puzzle them, ſo as that they are neceſſitated to take up with this Concluſion, yyBin… field de confeſſionibu… ſagarum, p. 183. 191.That by an extraordinary Permiſſion of God, innocent Perſons may be repreſented by Satan in the Noctural Conventicles of Witches: And if ſo, much more as afflicting bewitched Perſons. Delrio giveth an account of an innocent Monk, whoſe Reputation was indangered by a Daemon's appearing in his ſhape. He writes more like a Divine than Jeſuits uſe to do, when he ſaith that, zzDiſquiſ. Magic. Lib. 2. Q. 12. p. 143.It is not abſolutely to be denied, but that the Devils may exhibite the Forms of innocent Perſons, if God permit it, who when he does permit it, uſually by ſome Providence diſcovers the Fraud of the Devils, that ſo the Innocent may be vindicated, or if not, it is to bring them to repentance for ſome Sin, or to try their Patience. It is rare to ſee ſuch Words dropping from the Pen of a Jeſuit: As for Proteſtant Writers, I cannot call to mind one of any Note, that does deny the Poſſibility of the Affirmative, in the Queſtion before us. Dr. Henkelius has lately aaPrinted at Frankford, Anno. 1689.publiſhed a learned and elaborate Diſcourſe concerning the right Method of curing ſuch as are obſeſſed with Cacodaemons, in which he aſſerts, that Satan may poſſibly aſſume the Form of innocent and pious Perſons, that ſo he might thereby deſtroy their Reputations, and expoſe them to undue Puniſhments. As for our Engliſh Divines, there are not many greater Caſuiſts than Mr. Perkins; nor do I know any one that has written on the Caſe of Witchcraft with more Judgment and Clearneſs of Underſtanding: p. 18He has theſe Words, bbDiſcourſe of Witchcraft, Ch. 7. Sect. 2. p. 644.If a Man being dangerouſly ſick and like to die upon ſuſpicion, will take it on his death, that ſuch an one has betwitched him, it is an allegation which may move the Judge to examine the Party, but it is of no moment for Conviction. The like is aſſerted by ccIn his Witchcraft diſcovered, p. 277.Mr. Cooper, Mr. Bernard, (once a famous Miniſter at Batcomb in Somerſet) his Book called, A Guide to Grand Jury-men in Caſes of Witchcraft, is a ſolid and wiſe Treatiſe. What his Judgment was in the Caſe now under debate, we may ſee, pag. 209, 210. where his Words are theſe; An Apparition of the Party ſuſpected, whom the Afflicted in their Fits ſeem to ſee, is a great ſuſpicion; yet this is but a Preſumption, tho' a ſtrong one, becauſe theſe Apparitions are wrought by the Devil, who can repreſent to the Phanſie ſuch as the Parties uſe to fear, in which his Repreſentation he may well lye as in his other Witneſs: For if the Devil can repreſent to as the Witch ſeeming Samuel, ſaying, I ſee God's aſcending out of the Earth, to beguile Saul, may we not think he can repreſent a common ordinary Perſon, Man or Woman unregenerate, tho' no Witch to the Phanſie of vain Perſons, to deceive them and others that will give Credit to the Devil. Thus Mr. Bernard.

As for the Judgment of the Elders in New-England, ſo far as I can learn, they do generally concur with Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Bernard. This I know, that at a Meeting of Miniſters at Cambridge, Auguſt 1. 1692. where were preſent ſeven Elders beſides the Preſident of the Colledge, the Queſtion then diſcourſed on, was, Whether the Devil may not ſometimes have a Permiſſion to repreſent an innocent Perſon as tormenting ſuch as are under Diabolical Moleſtations? The Anſwer which they all concurred in, was in theſe words, viz. That the Devil may ſometimes have a Permiſſion to repreſent an innocent Perſon as tormenting ſuch as are under Diabolical Moleſtations; but that ſuch things are rare and extraordinary, eſpecially when ſuch Matters come before Civil Judicatures: And that ſome of the moſt eminent Miniſters in the Land, who were not at that Meeting are of the ſame Judgment, I am aſſured: And I am alſo ſure, that in Caſes of this nature the Prieſt's Lips ſhould keep Knowledge, and they ſhould ſeek the Law at his Mouth, Mal. 2. 7.

Arg. 6. Our own Experience has confirmed the Truth of what we affirm.

p. 19I have in another Book given an account concerning Elizabeth Knap of Groton, who complained that a Woman as eminent for Piety as any in that Town, did appear to her, and afflict her: But afterwards ſhe was ſatisfied that that Perſon never did her any harm, but that the Devil abuſed them both. About two Years ago, a bewitched Perſon in Chelmsford in her Fits, complained that a worthy good Man, a near Relation of hers did afflict her: So did ſhe likewiſe complain of another Perſon in that Town of known Integrity and Piety.

I have my ſelf known ſeveral of whom I ought to think that they are now in Heaven, conſidering that they were of good Converſation, and reputed Pious by thoſe that had the greateſt Intimacy with them, of whom nevertheleſs, ſome complained that their Shapes appeared to them, and threatned them: Nor is this anſwered by ſaying, we do not know but thoſe Perſons might be Witches: We are bound by the Rule of Charity to think otherwiſe: And they that cenſure any, meerly becauſe ſuch a ſad Affliction as their being falſly repreſented by Satan has befallen them, do not do as they would be done by. I bleſs the Lord, it was never the Portion allotted to me, nor to any Relation of mine to be thus abuſed: But no Man knoweth what may happen to him, ſince there be juſt Men unto whom it happeneth according to the Work of the Wicked, Eccleſ. 8. 14. But what needs more to be ſaid, ſince there is one amongſt our ſelves whom no Man that knows him, can think him to be a Wizzard, whom yet ſome bewitched Perſons complained of, that they are in his Shape tormented: And the Devils have of late accuſed ſome eminent Perſons.

It is an awful thing which the Lord has done to convince ſome amongſt us of their Error: This then I declare and teſtifie, that to take away the Life of any one, meerly becauſe a Spectre or Devil, in a bewitched or poſſeſſed Perſon does accuſe them, will bring the Guilt of innocent Blood on the Land, where ſuch a thing ſhall be done: Mercy forbid that it ſhould, (and I truſt that as it has not it never will be ſo) in New-England. What does ſuch an Evidence amount unto more than this: Either ſuch an one did afflict ſuch an one, or the Devil in his likeneſs, or his Eyes were bewitched.

The things which have been mentioned make way for, and bring us unto the ſecond Caſe, which is to come under our Conſideration, viz.

p. 20If one bewitched is ſtruck down at the Look or caſt of the Eye of another, and after that recovered again by a Touch from the ſame Perſon, Is not this an infallible Proof, that the Perſon ſuſpected and complained of is in League with the Devil?

Anſwer; It muſt be owned that by ſuch things as theſe Witchcrafts and Witches have been diſcovered more than once or twice: And that an ill Fame, or other Circumſtances attending the ſuſpected Party, this may be a Ground for Examination; but this alone does not afford ſufficient Matter for Conviction: As Spectres or Devils appearing in the Shapes of Men that have been murdered, declaring that they were murdered by ſuch Perſons and in ſuch a place, may give juſt occaſion to the Magiſtrate for Enquiry into the Matter: One great Witch-Advocate ddWebſter's diſplaying of ſuppoſed Witchcraft, p. 298, 308.confeſſeth, that by this means Murders have been brought to light; yet that alone, if other Circumſtances did not concur, would not by the Law of God take away the Life of any Man. If my Reader pleaſeth, he ſhall hear what old Mr. Bernard of Batcomb ſaith to a Caſe not unlike to this, and the former: His Words are theſe, eeƲbi ſupra. p. 207, 208.The naming of the ſuſpected in their Fits, and alſo where they have been, and what they have done here or there, as Mr. Throgmorton's Children could do, and that often and ever found true; this is a great Preſumption: yet is this but a Preſumption, becauſe this is only the Devils Teſtimony, who can lie, and that more often than ſpeak Truth Chriſt would not allow his Witneſs of him in a point moſt true; nor St. Paul in the due Praiſes of him and Sylas; his Witneſs then may not be received as ſufficient in caſe of ones Life: He may accuſe an Innocent, as I ſhewed before in Mr. Edmund's giving over his Practice to find Stollen Goods; and Satan we read would accuſe Job to God himſelf to be an Hypocrite, and to be ready to be a Blaſphemer, and he is called the Accuſer of the Brethren. Albeit, I cannot deny but this has very often proved true, yet ſeeing the Devil is ſuch an one as you heard, Chriſtian Men ſhould not take his Witneſs, to give in Verdict upon Oath, and ſo ſwear that the Devil has therein ſpoken the Truth; be it far from good men to confirm any Word of the Devil by Oath, if it be not an evident Truth without the Devil's Teſtimony, who in ſpeaking the Truth, has a lying Intent, and ſpeaks ſome Truths of things done, which may be found to be ſo, that he may wrap with them ſome pernicious Lye, which cannot be tried to be true, but muſt reſt upon his own teſtimony to enſnare the Blood of the Innocent. p. 21Thus Mr. Bernard reſolved the Caſe above ſixty Years ago▪ and truly in my Opinion like a Wiſe and Orthodox Divine, what he ſays, reacheth both this and the former Caſe. Dr. Cotta (a Learned Phyſician) in his Book, about The Tryal of Witchcraft, ſhowing the true and right Method of the Diſcovery, with a Confutation Erroneous ways (which Book he dedicates to the Right Honourable Sir Edward Cook, Lord Chief Juſtice of England ffCh. 15. p. 1 4, &c.He diſcourſes concerning Exploration of Witches by the touch of the Witch curing the touched bewitched, and ſheweth the Fallibility and Vanity of that way of Tryal, tho' he had often ſeen Perſons bewitched in that way immediately delivered from the preſent Fit or Agony which was upon them: But he taketh it to be a Diabolical Miracle. He argueth thus, ggPag. 1… ▪ 122.No Man can doubt but that the Vertue wherewith this touch was indued, is ſupernatural: If it be ſo, How can Man to whom nothing is ſimply poſſible that is not natural be juſtly reputed an Agent therein? If he cannot be eſteemed in himſelf any poſſible or true Agent, then it remaineth that he can only be intereſſed therein as an Acceſſary in Conſent, or as a Servant unto a Superior Power: If that Superior Power be the Devil, the leaſt reaſonable doubt, whether the Devil alone, or with the Conſent or Contract of the ſuſpected Perſon has produced that wonderful effect; with what Religion or Reaſon can any Man incline rather to credit the Devil's mouth in the Bewitched, than to pity the Accuſed, and believe them againſt the ſubtilty of a deceitful Devil: If the Devil by Divine Permiſſion may cauſe ſupernatural Concomitances and Conſequences to attend the natural Actions of Men without their allowance, as is manifeſt in poſſeſſed Perſons, how is it reaſonable and juſt that the Impoſitions of the Devil ſhould be imputed unto any Man: And (ſaith he) God forbid that the Devil's Signs and Wonders, nay his Truths ſhould become any legal Allegations or Evidences in Law. We may therefore conclude it unjuſt, that the forenamed miraculous Effect by the Devil wrought and imputed by the Bewitched, ſhould be eſteemed an infallible mark againſt any Man, as therefore convinced for that the Devil and the Bewitched have ſo decyphered him? Thus that Learned Man. But to the Caſe in hand, I have ſeveral things to offer.

p. 221. It is poſſible that the Perſons in Queſtion may be poſſeſſed with Cacodaemons: That bewitched Perſons are many times really poſſeſſed with evil Spirits, is moſt certain. And as Mr. Perkins obſerves, no Man can prove but that Witchcraft might be the Cauſe of many of thoſe Poſſeſſions, which we read of in the Goſpel: And that Devils have been immitted into the Bodies of miſerable Creatures by Magicians and Witches, Hiſtories and Experience do abundantly teſtifie. Hierom hhIn vita H…ar…o….relates concerning a certain Virgin, that a young Man, whoſe Amours ſhe deſpiſed, prevailed with a Magician to ſend an evil Spirit into her, by means whereof ſhe was ſtrangely beſotted. 'Tis reported iiAnaſtaſ… Q…. 23.of Simon Magus, that after he had uſed an Helliſh Sacrifice, to be revenged of ſome that had called him a great Witch, he cauſed infernal Spirits to enter into them. Many confeſſing Witches have acknowledged, that they were the Cauſe of ſuch and ſuch Perſons being poſſeſſed by evil Angels, as kkIn Diſp…. de Daemoniaci…, part 1. chap. 16. p. 30Thyaeus and others have obſerved: Now no Credit ought to be given to what Daemons in ſuch as are by them obſeſſed ſhall ſay. Our Saviour by his own unerring Example has taught us not to receive the Devil's Teſtimony in any thing. The Papiſts are juſtly condemned for bringing Diabolical Teſtimony to confirm the Principles of their Religion. Peter Cotton the Jeſuite llThuan… lib. 130. p. 1136.enquired of the Devil in a poſſeſſed Perſon, what was the cleareſt Scripture to prove Purgatory. At the time when Luther died, all the poſſeſſed People in the Netherlands were quiet: The Devils in them, ſaid the Reaſon was, becauſe Luther mmThyaerus … ſupra, p. 16.had been a great Friend of theirs, and they owed him that reſpect as to go as far as Germany to attend his Funeral. Another time when there was a talk of ſome (Miniſters of the Reformed Religion, the Devils in the) Obſeſſed laughed and ſaid, they were not at all afraid of them, for the Calviniſts and they were very good Friends. The Jeſuits inſult with theſe Teſtimonies as if they were Divine Oracles: But the Father of Lyes is never to be believed: He will utter twenty great truths to make way for one lye: He will accuſe twenty Witches, if he can but thereby bring one innocent Perſon into trouble: He mixeth Truths with Lyes, that ſo thoſe truths giving credit unto lyes, Men may believe both, and ſo be deceived: And whereas ſome ſay, that the Perſons in queſtion are only bewitched and not poſſeſſed, let it be conſidered that poſſeſſed Perſons are called Energumens p. 23from EPLOMAI Agitor: They whoſe Bodies are prenaturally agitated, ſo as to be in danger of being thrown into the Fire, or into the Water, though they may be bewitched, are undoubtedly poſſeſſed with Daemons, Mark 9. 22, 25. Learned Men aaHenke… …ſupra, p. 47. 50.give it as a moſt certain ſign of Poſſeſſion, when the afflicted Party can ſee and hear that which no one elſe can diſcern any thing of, and when they can diſcover ††Brock… Theol. p 265.ſecret things, Acts 6. 16. paſt, or future, bbMel… thon Epiſt.as a poſſeſſed Perſon in Germany foretold the War which broke out in the Year, 1546. And when the Limbs of miſerable Creatures are bent and disjointed ſo as could not poſſible be without a Luxation of Joints, were it not done by a preternatural Hand, and yet no hurt raiſed thereby that argueth Poſſeſſion. Alſo, when Perſons are by the Devil caſt into Fits, in the which they ſpeak of things, that afterwards they have no remembrance of ccT…ſtat… in M… 8. Q. 114.or, if they are by cruel Devils tortured, ſo as to cauſe horrendous Clamours in the diſtreſſed Sufferers, that's another ſign of Obſeſſion by evil Spirits: If all theſe things concur in the Perſons concerning where the Queſtion is, we may conclude them to be Daemoniacks: And if ſo, no Juror can with a ſafe Conſcience look on the Teſtimony of ſuch, as ſufficient to take away the Life of any Man.

2. Falling down by the cast of an Eye proceeds not from a natural, (…) Baldwin Caſe of Conſ. l. 3. c. 3. p. 621.but an arbitrary Cauſe; not from any Poyſon in the Eye of the Witch, but from the Agency of ſome Daemon: The opinion of Faſcination by the Eye is an old Fable, and (ſaith Mr. Perkins) as fond as old. Pliny eeLib. 7. Cap. 2.ſpeaks of a People that killed folks by looking on them; and he adds, that they had two Apples in each Eye: and Tully writes of women who had two Apples in one Eye that always did miſchief with their meer Looks; ſo Ovid, Popula duplex fulminat. And Plutarch ff5 Sym…. cap. 7.writes, that ſome perſons have ſuch a Poyſon in their Eyes, as that their Friends and Familiars are Faſcinated thereby; nay he ſpeaks of one that Bewitched himſelf ſick by looking on his own Face in a Glaſs: Others write of Faſcination by a meer Prolation of Words; and for ought I know, there may be as much Witchery in the Tongue as there is in the Eye. Sennertus ggM…d. precl. lib. 6. pars 9 cap. 1.has diſcovered the Superſtition of theſe Fancies; Sight does not proceed from an Emiſſion of Rays from the Eye, but by a reception of the viſible Species; and if it be (as Philoſophers conclude) an innocent Action p. 24and not an Emiſſion optick Spirits, ſo that Sight as ſuch, does receive ſomething from the Object, and not act upon it, the Notion of Faſcination by the Eye is unphiloſophical: It is true, that ſore Eyes will affect thoſe that look upon them, Dum ſpectant O…uli Laeſos▪ Leduntur & ipſi, for which a natural Reaſon is eaſily to be aſſigned; but if the Witches Eyes are thus infected with a natural Contagion, Whence is it, that only Bewitched Perſons are hurt thereby? If the vulgar Error concerning the Baſ…sks killing with the Look of his Poyſonful Eye were a Truth, whatever perſon that Serpent caſt his Eye upon would be poyſoned. So if Witches had a phyſical Venom in their Eyes, others as well as Faſcinated Perſons would be ſenſible thereof; there is as much Truth in this fancy of Phyſical Venom in the Eye of a Witch, as there is in what Pliny ††Lib. 2. cap. 2. Wierus l. 6. c. 9. p. 683.and others relate concerning the Thibians, viz. that they have two Apples in one Eye, and the Effigies of an Horſe in the other Eye; and that they are a people that cannot be drowned.

3. As for that which concerns the Bewitched Perſons being recovered out of their Agonies by the Touch of the ſuſpected Party, it is various and fallible.

For ſometimes the afflicted Perſon is made ſick, (inſtead of being made whole) by the Touch of the Accuſed; ſometimes the Power of Imagination is ſuch, as that the Touch of a Perſon innocent and not accuſed ſhall have the ſame effect. It is related in the Account of the Tryals of Witches at Bury in Suffolk 1664, during the time rrSee the Tryal▪ p. 40. 43, 45.of the Tryal, there were ſome Experiments made with the Perſons afflicted, by bringing the accuſed to touch them, and it was obſerved that by the leaſt Touch of one of the ſuppoſed Witches, they that were in their Fits, to all mens Apprehenſion wholly deprived of all Senſe and Underſtandings, would ſuddenly ſhriek out and open their Hands.

Mr. Serjeant Keeling did not think that ſufficient to Convict the Priſoners, for admitting that the Children were in truth Bewitched, yet (ſaith he) it cannot be applyed to the Priſoners upon the Imagination only of the Parties afflicted; for if that might be allowed, no Perſon whatſoever can be in ſafety, for perhaps they might fancy another Perſon who might altogether be innocent in ſuch matters: To avoid this Scruple it was privately deſired by the Judge, that ſome Gentlemen there in Court would attend one of the diſtempered Perſons in the farther part of the Hall, whilſt ſhe p. 25was in her Fits, and then to ſend for one of the Witches to try what would happen, which they did accordingly. One of them was conveyed from the Bar, and brought to the Afflicted Maid. They put an Apron before her Eyes, and then another perſon (not the Witch) touched her, which produced the ſame effect, as the Touch of the Witch did in the Court. Whereupon the Gentlemen returned much unſatisfied. Bodin ssIn Daemono…ania. See Mr. Brom…al's Hiſtory of Appa…itions, p. 136.relates, that a Witch who was Tryed at Nants, was commanded by the Judges to touch a Bewitched perſon, a thing often practiſed by the Judges of Germany in the Imperial Chamber. The Witch was extreamly unwilling, but being Compelled by the Judges, ſhe cryed out, I am undone; and as ſoon as ever ſhe touched the Afflicted perſon, the Witch fell down dead, and the other recovered. That horrid Witch of Salisbury, An… Bodenham ttSee the Printed Relation, p. 30, 31.who had been Servant to the Notorious Conjurer Dr. Lamb, could not bear the ſight of one that was Bewitched by her. As ſoon as ever ſhe ſaw the Afflicted Perſon, ſhe ran about ſhrieking, and crying, and roaring after an hideous manner, that the Devil would tear her in pieces, if that perſon came near her. And whilſt the Witch was in ſuch Torment, the Bewitched was at eaſe. By theſe things we ſee, that the Laws and Cuſtoms of the Kingdom of darkneſs, are not always and in all places the ſame.

And it is good for men to concern themſelves with them as little as may be.

I think there is weight in Dr. Cotta's uuUbi ſupra, p. 121.Argument, viz.

That the Gift of healing the Sick and Poſſeſſed, was a ſpecial Grace and Favour of God, for the Confirmation of the Truth of the Goſpel, but that ſuch a Gift ſhould be annexed to the Touch of Wicked Witches, as an infallible ſign of their guilt, is not eaſie to be believed. It is a thing well known, that if a perſon poſſeſſed by an Evil Spirit, is (as oft it ſo happens) never ſo outragious whilſt a good man is Praying with and for the Afflicted, let him lay his hand on them, and the Evil Spirit is quiet. I hope this is no evidence of any Covenant, or voluntary Communion between the Good Man that is Praying and the Evil Spirit; no more does the Caſe before us evince any ſuch thing.

4. There are that Queſtion the Lawfulneſs of the Experiment. For if this healing power in the Witch is not a Divine but a Diabolical Gift, it may be dangerous to meddle too much with it. If the Witch may be ordered to touch afflicted Perſons in order to p. 26their healing or recovery out of a ſick Fit, why may not the Diſeaſed Perſon be as well ordered to touch the Witch for the ſame cauſe? And if to touch him, why not to ſcratch him and fetch Blood out of him, which is but an harder kind of touch? But as for this Mr. Perkins doubts not to call it a Practice of Witchcraft. It is not ſafe to meddle with any of the Devils Sacraments or Inſtitutions; For my own part, I ſhould be loath to ſay to a Man, that I knew or thought it was a Witch, do you look on ſuch a Perſon, and ſee if you can Witch them into a Fit, and there is ſuch an afflicted Perſon do you take them by the Hand, and ſee if you can Witch them well again. If it is by vertue of ſome Contract with the Devil that Witches have Power to do ſuch things, it is hard to conceive how they can be bid to do them, without being too much concerned in that Helliſh Covenant. I take it to be (as elſewhere wwRemarkable Providences, p. 267.I have expreſſed) a ſolid Principle, which the Learned S…nnertus inſiſts on, viz. That they who force another to do that which he cannot poſſibly do, but by vertue of a Compact with the Devil, have themſelves implicitely Communion with the Diabolical Covenant. The Devil is pleaſed and honoured when any of his Inſtitutions are made uſe of; this way of diſcovering Witches, is no better than that of putting the Urine of the afflicted Perſon into a Bottle, that ſo the Witch may be tormented and diſcovered: The Vanity and Superſtition of which practice I have formerly ſhewed, and teſtified againſt. There was a Conjurer his name was Edward Drake xxSee Mr. Burton's Hiſtory of D… mons, p. 136. and Mr. Robert'… Na…. of the Witches in Suffolk.who taught a Man to uſe that Experiment for the Relief of his afflicted Daughter, who found benefit thereby; But we ought not to practice Witchcrafts to diſcover Witches, nor may we make uſe of a White healing Witch (as they call them) to find out a Black and Bloody one. And how did men firſt come to know that Witches would be diſcovered in ſuch ways as theſe, which have been mentioned? If Satan himſelf were the firſt Diſcoverer (as there is reaſon to believe) the experiment muſt needs have deceit in it. See Dr. Willet on Exod. 7. Queſt. 9. And ſuch Experiments better become Pagans or Papiſts than Profeſſors in New England; whereas 'tis pleaded, that ſuch things are practiſed by the Judges of the Imperial Chamber, I reply, that thoſe Judges (as Bodia relates, Lib. 3. Daemon. Cap. 6.) have required ſuſpected Witches to pronounce over the afflicted perſons, theſe words, I bleſs thee in the Name of the Father, &c. upon which they have immediately recovered; but is the dark day come upon us, that ſuch Superſtitions as theſe ſhall be practiſed in p. 27New-England: The Lord Jeſus forbid it. See Baldwin's Teſtimony againſt the Practice of the Camera Imperialis, Caſ. Conſc. L. 3. c. 3. p. 634.

5. If the Teſtimony of a bewitched or poſſeſſed Perſon, is of Validity as to what they ſee done to themſelves, then it is ſo as to others, whom they ſee afflicted no leſs than themſelves: But what they affirm concerning others, is not to be taken for Evidence. Whence had they this Supernatural Sight? It muſt needs be either from Heaven or from Hell: If from Heaven, (as Eliſha's Servant, and Balaam's Aſs could diſcern Angels) let their Teſtimony be received: But if they had this Knowledge from Hell, tho' there may poſſibly be truth in what they affirm, they are not legal Witneſſes: For the Law of God allows of no Revelation from any other Spirit but himſelf, Iſa. 8. 19. It is a Sin againſt God to make uſe of the Devil's help to know that which cannot be otherwiſe known: And I teſtifie againſt it, as a great Tranſgreſſion, which may juſtly provoke the Holy One of Iſrael, to let looſe Devils on the whole Land, Luke 4. 35. See Mr. Bernard's Guide to Juries in Caſes of Witchcraft, p. 136, 137, 138. And Brochmand Theol. de Angelis, p. 227. Altho' the Devil's Accuſations may be ſo far regarded as to cauſe an enquiry into the truth of things, Job 1. 11, 12. & 2. 5, 6. yet not ſo as to be an Evidence or Ground of Conviction: The Perſons, concerning whom the Queſtion is, ſee things through Diabolical Mediums; on which account their Evidence is not meer humane Teſtimony; and if it be in any part Diabolical, it is not to be owned as Authentick; for the Devil's Teſtimony ought not to be received neither in whole nor in part. I am told by credible Perſons, who ſay it is certainly true, that a bewitched Perſon has complained that ſhe was caſt into Fits by the Look of a Dog; and that ſhe was no more able to bear the ſight of that Dog, than of the Perſon whom ſhe accuſed as bewitching her: And that thereupon the Dog was ſhot to death: This Dog was no Devil; for then they could not have killed him. I ſuppoſe no one will ſay that Dogs are Witches: It remains then that the caſting down with the Look is no infallible ſign of a Witch.

p. 288 It has always been ſaid, that it is a difficult thing to find out Witches: But if the Repreſentation of ſuch a Perſon as afflicting, or the Look or Touch be an infallible proof of the guilt of Witchcraft in the Perſons complained of, 'tis the eaſieſt thing in the World to diſcover them; for it is done to our hand, and there needs no enquiry into the Matter.

9. Let them ſay this is an infallible Proof, produce any Word out of the Law of God which does in the leaſt countenance that Aſſertion: The Word of God inſtructs Jurors and Judges to proceed upon clear humane Teſtimony, Deut. 35. 30. But the Word no where giveth us the leaſt Intimation, that every one is a Witch, at whoſe look the bewitched Perſon ſhall fall into Fits; nor yet that any other means ſhould be uſed for the diſcovery of Witches, than what may be uſed for the finding out of Murderers, Adulterers, and other Criminals.

10. Sometimes Antipathies in Nature have ſtrange and unaccountable Effects. I have read of a Man that at the ſight of his own Son, who was no Wizzard would fall into Fits. There are that find in their Natures an averſeneſs to ſome Perſons whom they never ſaw before, of which they can give no better an account than he in Martial, concerning Sabidius.

Non Amo te Sabidi, nec poſſum dicere quare.

That ſome Perſons at the ſight of Bruit-Creatures, Cats, Spiders, &c. Nay, at the ſight of Cheeſes, Milk, Apples, will fall into Fits, is too well known to be denied. Penſingius in his Learned Diſcourſe De Pulvere Sympathatico, p. 128. ſaith, there was one in the City of Groning that could not bear the ſight of a Swine's Head: And that he knew another who was not able to look on the Picture thereof. Amatus Luſitanus ſpeaks of one that at the ſight of a Roſe would ſwoon away: This proveth that the falling into a Fit at the ſight of another is not always a ſign of Witchcraft. It may proceed from Nature, and the Power of Imagination.

p. 29To conclude; Judicious Caſuiſts ††Ameſ. Caſ. Conſc. L. 4. C. 23.have determined, that to make uſe of thoſe Media to come to the Knowledge of any Matter, which have no ſuch power in them by Nature, nor by Divine Inſtitution is an Implicit going to the Devil to make a diſcovery: Now there is no natural Power in the Look or Touch of a Perſon to bewitch another; nor is this by Divine Inſtitution the means whereby Witchcraft is diſcovered: Therefore it is an unwarrantable Practice.

We proceed now to the third Caſe propoſed to Conſideration; If the things which have been mentioned are not infallible Proofs of Guilt in the accuſed Party, it is then Queried, Whether there are any Diſcoveries of this Crime, which Jurors and Judges may with a ſafe Conſcience proceed upon to the Conviction and Condemnation of the Perſons under Suſpicion?

Let me here premiſe Two things,

1. The Evidence in this Crime ought to be as clear as in any other Crimes of a Capital nature. The Word of God does no where intimate, that a leſs clear Evidence, or that fewer or other Witneſſes may be taken as ſufficient to convict a Man of Sorcery, which would not be enough to convict him were he charged with another evil worthy of Death, Numb. 35. 30. if we may not take the Oath of a diſtracted Perſon, or of a poſſeſſed Perſon in a Caſe of Murder, Theft, Felony of any ſort, then neither may we do it in the Caſe of Witchcraft.

2. Let me premiſe this alſo, that there have been ways of trying Witches long uſed in many Nations, eſpecially in the dark times of Paganiſm and Popery, which the righteous God never approved of. But which as (judicious Mr. Perkins expreſſeth it in plain Engliſh) were invented by the Devil, that ſo innocent Perſons might be condemned, and ſome notorious Witches eſcape: Yea, many Superſtitious and Magical experiments have been uſed to try Witches by: Of this ſort is that of ſcratching the Witch, or ſeething the Urine of the bewitched Perſon, or making a Witch-cake with that Urine: And that tryal of putting their Hands into ſcalding Water, to ſee if it will not hurt them: And that of ſticking an Awl under the Seat of the ſuſpected Party, yea, and that way of diſcovering Witches by tying their p. 30Hands and Feet, and caſting them on the Water, to try whether they will ſink or ſwim: I did publickly bear my Teſtimony againſt this Superſtition in a Book printed at Boſton eight Years paſt.

I hear that of late ſome in a Neighbour Colony have been playing with this Diabolical invention: It is to be lamented, that in ſuch a Land of Uprightneſs as New-England once was, a Practice which Proteſtant Writers generally condemn as ſinful, and which the more ſober and learned Men amongſt Papiſts themſelves have not only judged unlawful, but (to expreſs it in their own terms) to be no leſs than a Mortal Sin, ſhould ever be heard of. Were it not that the coming of Chriſt to judge the Earth draweth near, I ſhould think that ſuch Practices are an unhappy Omen that the Devil and Pagans will get theſe dark Territories into their Poſſeſſion again: But that I may not be thought to have no reaſon for my calling the impleaded Experiment into Queſtion, I have theſe things further to alledge againſt it.

1. It has been rejected long agone, by Chriſtian Nations as a thing Superſtitious and Diabolical: In Italy and Spain it is wholly diſuſed; and aaD…io. Diſquiſs. Magi…. pag. 642.in the Low-Countries, and in France, where the Judges are Men of Learning. In ſome parts of Germany old Paganiſm Cuſtoms are obſerved more than in other Countries, nevertheleſs all the bbM…lderus de M… gia. cap 10. dub. 11.Academies throughout Germany have diſapproved of this way of Purgation.

2. The Devil is in it, all Superſtition is from him; and when Secret things, or latent Crimes, are diſcovered by ſuperſtitious Practices, ſome Compact and Communion with the Devil is the Cauſe of it, as Auſtin ccDe Doctr. Chriſtiana. Lib. 2. Cap. 20. 22.has truly intimated; and ſo it is here; for if a Witch cannot be drowned, this muſt proceed either from ſome natural Cauſe, which it doth not, for it is againſt Nature for Humane Bodies, when Hands and Feet are tied, not to ſink under the Water: Beſides, they that plead for this Superſtition, ſay that if Witches happen to be condemned for ſome other Crime and not for Witchcraft, they will not ſwim like a Cork above, Water, which Cauſe ſheweth that the Cauſe of this Natation is not Phyſical: And if not, then either it muſt proceed from a Divine Miracle to ſave a Witch from drowning; or laſtly, it muſt be a diabolical Wonder: This ſuperſtitious Experiment p. 31is commonly known by the Name of, The Vulgar Probation, becauſe it was never appointed by any lawful Authority, but from the Suggeſtion of the Devil taken up by the rude Rabble: And ſome ddD…ri. & mald …u….learned Men are of Opinion, that the firſt Explorator (being a white Witch) did explicitely covenant with the Devil, that he ſhould diſcover latent Crimes in this way: And that it is by Virtue of that firſt Contract that the Devil goeth to work to keep his Servants from ſinking, when this Ceremony of his ordaining is uſed. Moreover, we know that Diabolus eſt Dei Simia, the Devil ſeeks to imitate Divine Miracles. We read in Eccleſiaſtical Story, that ſome of the Martyrs when they were by Perſecutors ordered to be drowned, prov'd to be immerſible: This Miracle would the Devil imitate in cauſing Witches, who are his Martyrs not to ſink when they are caſt into the Waters.

3. This way of Purgation is of the ſame nature with the old Ordeals of the Pagans. If Men were accuſed with any Crime, to clear their innocency, they were to take an hot Iron into their Hands, or to ſuffer ſcalding Water to be poured down their Throats, and if they received no hurt thereby they were acquitted. This was the Devil's Invention, and many times (as the Devil would have it) they that ſubmitted to theſe Tryals ſuffered no inconvenience. Nevertheleſs, it is aſtoniſhing to think what innocent Blood has been ſhed in the World by means of this Satanical device. Witches have often (as eeIn mali…o malle…c… …um. p. 421.Sprenger obſerves) deſired that they might ſtand or fall by this Tryal by hot Iron, and ſometimes come off well: Indeed, this Ordeal was uſed in other Caſes, and not in Caſes of Witchcraft only it And ſo was the the Vulgar Probation by caſting into the Water practiced upon Perſons accuſed ffMenna de purgatione vulgari, cap. ult.with other Crimes as well as that of Witchcraft: How it came to be reſtrained to that of Witchcraft I cannot tell; it is as ſupernatural for a Body whoſe Hands and Fèet are tied to ſwim above the Water, as it is for their Hands not to feel a red hot Iron. If the one of theſe Ordeals is lawful to be uſed, than ſo is the other too: But as for the fiery Ordeal it is rejected and exploded out of the World; for the ſame Reaſon then the tryal by Water ſhould be ſo.

p. 324. It is a tempting of God when Men put the Innocency of their Fellow-Creatures upon ſuch tryals; to deſire the Almighty to ſhew a Miracle to clear the Innocent, or to convict the Guilty is a moſt preſumptuous tempting of him. Was it not a Miracle when Peter was kept from ſinking under the Water by the Omnipotency of Chriſt? As for Satan, we know that his Ambition is to make his Servants believe that his Power is equal to God's, and that therefore he can preſerve whom he pleaſeth. I have read ggCaeſari…, Lib. 9.of certain Magicians, who were ſeen walking on the Water: If then guilty Perſons ſhall float on the Waters, either it is the Devil that cauſeth them to do ſo, (as no doubt it is) and what have Men to do to ſet the Devil on work; or elſe it is a Divine Miracle, like that of Peter's not ſinking, or that of the Iron that ſwam at the Word of Eliſha. And ſhall Men try whether God will work a Miracle to make a diſcovery? If a Crime cannot be found out but by Miracle, it is not for any Judge on Earth to uſurp that Judgment which is reſerved for the Divine Throne.

5. This pretended Gift of Immerſibility attending Witches, is a a moſt fallible deceitful thing; for many a Witch has ſunk under the Water. Godelmannus hhDe Lamiis, L. 3. C. 4.giveth an account of ſix notorious and clearly convicted Witches, that when they were brought to their vulgar Probation, ſunk down under the Water like other Perſons; Althuſius affirms the like concerning others in the iiDubravius, Hiſt. Cohim. Lib. 8.Bohemian Hiſtory it is related, that Uratſlaus the King of Bohemia, extirpated Witches out of his Kingdom, ſome of which he delivered to the Ax, others of them to the Fire, and others of them he cauſed to be drowned: If Witches are immenſible, how came they to die by drowning in Bohemia? Beſides, it has ſometimes been known that Perſons who have floated on the Water when the Hangman has made the Experiment on them, have ſunk down like a Stone, when others have made the tryal.

6. The Reaſons commonly alledged for this Superſtition are of no moment: It is ſaid they hate the Water; whereas they have many times deſired that they might be caſt on the Water in order to their purgation: It is alledged, that Water is uſed in Baptiſm, therefore Witches ſwim: A weak Phanſie; all the Water in the p. 33World is not conſecrated Water. Cannot Witches eat Bread or drink Wine, notwithſtanding thoſe Elements are made uſe of in the Bleſſed Sacrament: But (ſay ſome) the Devils by ſucking of them make them ſo light that the Water bears them; whereas ſome Witches are twice as heavy as many an innocent Perſon: Well, but then they are poſſeſſed with the Devil: Suppoſe ſo; Is the Devil afraid if they ſhould ſink, that he ſhould be drowned with them? But why then were the Gadarens Hogs drowned when the Devil was in them?

Theſe things being premiſed, I anſwer the Queſtion affirmatively; There are Proofs for the Conviction of Witches which Jurors may with a ſafe Conſcience proceed upon, ſo as to bring them in guilty. The Scripture which ſaith, Thou ſhalt not ſuffer a Witch to live, clearly implies, that ſome in the World may be known and proved to be Witches: For until they be ſo, they may and muſt be ſuffered to live. Moreover we find in Scripture, that ſome have been convicted and executed for Witches: For Saul cut off thoſe that had familiar Spirits, and the Wizzards out of the Land, 1 Sam. 28. 9.

It may be wondred that Saul who did like him that ſaid, Flectere ſi nequeo Superos Acherenta Movebo, ſhould cauſe the Wizzards in the Land to be put to death. The Jewiſh Rabbies ſay, the reaſon was, becauſe thoſe Wizzards foretold that David ſhould be King. It is (as Mr. Gaul kkIn his Caſes about Witchcraft, p. 181.obſerves) the Opinion of ſome learned Proteſtants, that Saul in his Zeal did over do: And that under the Pretext llSo D…. Willet conjectures on 1 Sam. 21. 1.1 Sam 21:1of Witches he ſlew the Gibeonites, for which that Judgment followed, 2 Sam. 21. 1. Neither (ſaith Mr. Gaule) want we the ſtoried Examples of God's Judgments upon thoſe that defamed, proſecuted and executed them for Witches, that indeed were none. But we have in the Scripture the Example of a better Man than Saul to encourage us to make enquiry after Wizzards and Witches in order to their Conviction and Execution. This did the rareſt King that ever lived cauſe to be done, viz. Joſiah, 2 Kings 23. 24. The Workers with familiar Spirits and the Wizzards, that were ſpied in the Land of Judah, did Joſiah put away, that he might perform the Words of the Law. It ſeems there were ſome that ſought to hide thoſe Workers of Iniquity, but that incomparable King ſpied them out, and rid the Land and the World of them.

p. 34Q. But then the Enquiry is, What is ſufficient Proof?

A. This Caſe has been with great Judgment anſwered by ſeveral Divines of our own, particularly by Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Bernard; alſo Mr. John Gaul a worthy Miniſter at Staughton, in the County of Huntington, has publiſhed a very Judicious Diſcourſe, called, Select Caſes of Conſcience touching Witches and Witchcrafts, Printed at London A. D. 1646. wherein he does with great Prudence and Evidence of Scripture light handle this and other Caſes: Such Jurors as can obtain thoſe Books, I would adviſe them to read, and ſeriouſly as in the fear of God to conſider them, and ſo far as they keep to the Law and to the Teſtimony, and ſpeak according to that Word, receive the Light which is in them. But the Books being now rare to be had, let me expreſs my Concurrence with them in theſe two particulars.

1. That a free and voluntary Confeſſion of the Crime made by the Perſon ſuſpected and accuſed after Examination, is a ſufficient Ground of Conviction.

Indeed, if Perſons are Diſtracted, or under the Power of P…renetick Melancholy, that alters the Caſe; but the Jurors that examine them, and their Neighbours that know them, may eaſily determine that Caſe; or if Confeſſion be mmV. B… din Daemonomania, L. 4.extorted, the Evidence is not ſo clear and convictive; but if any Perſons out of Remorſe of Conſcience, or from a Touch of God on their Spirits, confeſs and ſhew their Deeds, as the Converted Magicians in Epheſus did, Acts 19. 18, 19. nothing can be more clear. Suppoſe a Man to be ſuſpected for Murder, or for committing a Rape, or the like nefandous Wickedneſs, if he does freely confeſs the Accuſation, that's ground enough to Condemn him. The Scripture approveth of Judging the wicked Servant out of his own Mouth, Luke 19. 22. It is by ſome objected, that Perſons in Diſcontent may falſly accuſe themſelves. I ſay, if they do ſo, and it cannot be proved that they are falſe Accuſers of themſelves, they ought to dye for their Wickedneſs, and their Blood will be upon their own Heads; the Jury, the Judges, and the Land is clear: I have read a very ſad and amazing, and yet a true Story to this purpoſe.

p. 35There was in the Year 1649, in a Town called Lauder in Scotland, a certain woman accuſed and impriſoned on ſuſpicion of Witchcraft, when others in the ſame Priſon with her were Convicted, and their Execution ordered to be on the Monday following, ſhe deſired to ſpeak with a Miniſter, to whom ſhe declared freely that ſhe was guilty of Witchcraft, acknowledging alſo many other Crimes committed by her, deſiring that ſhe might die with the reſt: She ſaid particularly that ſhe had Covenanted with the Devil, and was become his Servant about twenty years before, and that he kiſſed her and gave her a Name, but that ſince he had never owned her. Several Miniſters who were jealous that ſhe accuſed herſelf untruly, charged it on her Conſcience, telling her that they doubted ſhe was under a Temptation of the Devil to deſtroy her own Body and Soul, and adjuring her in the Name of God to declare the Truth: Notwithſtanding all this, ſhe ſtifly adhered to what ſhe had ſaid, and was on Monday morning Condemned, and ordered to be Executed that day. When ſhe came to the place of Execution, ſhe was ſilent until the Prayers were ended, then going to the Stake where ſhe was to be Burnt, ſhe thus expreſſed herſelf, All you that ſee me this day! Know ye that I am to die as a Witch, by my own Confeſſion! and I free all Men, eſpecially the Miniſters and Magiſtrates, from the guilt of my Blood, I take it wholly on my ſelf, and as I must make anſwer to the God of Heaven, I declare I am as free from Witchcraft as any Child, but being accuſed by a Malicious Woman, and Impriſoned under the Name of a Witch, my Husband and Friends diſowned me, and ſeeing no hope of ever being in Credit again, through the Temptation of the Devil, I made that Confeſſion to deſtroy my own Life, being weary of it, and chuſing rather to Die than to Live. This her lamentable Speech did aſtoniſh all the Spectators, few of whom could refrain from Tears. The Truth of this Relation (ſaith my nnMr. Sinclare Inviſible World. p. 45. and Burton Hiſt of Daemon▪ p. 122.Author) is certainly atteſted by a worthy Divine now living, who was an Eye and an Ear-Witneſs of the whole matter; but thus did that miſerable Creature ſuffer Death, and this was a juſt Execution. When the Amalakite confeſſed that he killed Saul, whom he had no legal Authority to meddle with, although 'tis probable that he belyed himſelf, David gave order for hiis Execution, and ſaid to him, Thy Blood be upon thy Head, for thy Mouth hath Teſtified against thee, 2 Sam. 1. 16. But as for the Teſtimony of Confeſſing Witches againſt others, the caſe is not ſo clear as againſt themſelves, p. 36they are not ſuch credible Witneſſes, as in a Caſe of Life and Death is to be deſired: It is beyond diſpute, that the Devil makes his Witches to dream ſtrange things of themſelves and others which are not ſo. There was (as Authors beyond Exception relate) in appearance a ſumptuous Feaſt prepared, the Wine and Meat ſet forth in Veſſels of Gold; a certain Perſon whom an amorous young Man had fallen in Love with, was repreſented and ſuppoſed to be really there; but Apollonius Tyanaeus ooBoiſard invita Apollonii.diſcovered the Witchery of the Buſineſs, and in an inſtance all vaniſhed, and nothing but dirty Coals were to be ſeen: The like to this is mentioned in the Arauſican Council. There were certain Women that imagined they road upon Beaſts in the Night, and that they had Diana and Herodius in company with them, beſides a Troop of other Perſons; the Council giveth this Sentence on it; Satanas qui ſe transfigurat in Angelum Lucis, transformat ſe in diverſarum perſonarum ſpecies, & mentem quam captivam tenet, in ſomnis deludit. Satan transforms himſelf into the likeneſs of divers Perſons, and deludes the Souls that are his Captives with Dreams and Fancies; ſee Dr. Willet on 1 Sam. 28. p. 165. What Credit can be given to thoſe that ſay they can turn Men into Horſes? If ſo, they can as well turn Horſes into Men; but all the Witches on Earth in Conjunction with all the Devils in Hell, can never make or unmake a rational Soul, and then they cannot transform a Bruit into a Man, nor a Man into a Bruit; ſo that this Tranſmutation is fantaſtical. The Devil may and often does impoſe on the Imaginations of his Witches and Vaſſals, that they believe themſelves to be be Converted into Beaſts, and reverted into Men again; as Nebuchadnezzar whilſt under the Power of a Daemon really imagined himſelf to be an Ox, and would lye out of Doors and eat Graſs: The Devil has inflicted on many a Man the Diſeaſe called Lycanthropia, from whence they have made lamentable Complaints of their being Wolves: In a word, there is no more Reality in what many Witches confeſs of ſtrange things ſeen or done by them, whilſt Satan had them in his full Power, than there is in Lucian's ridiculous Fable of his being Bewitched into an Aſſe, and what ſtrange Feats he then played; ſo that what ſuch perſons relate concerning Perſons and Things at Witch-meetings, ought not to be received with too much Credulity.

p. 37I could mention diſmal Inſtances of Innocent Blood which has been ſhed by means of the Lies of ſome Confeſſing Witches; there is a very ſad Story mentioned in the Preface to the Relation of the Witchcrafts in Sweedland, how that in the Year 1676, at Stockholm, a young Woman accuſed her own Mother (who had indeed been a very bad Woman, but not guilty of Witchcraft,) and Swore that ſhe had carried her to the Nocturnal Meetings of Witches, upon which the Mother was burnt to Death. Soon after the Daughter came crying and howling before the Judges in open Court, declaring, that to be revenged on her Mother for an Offence received, ſhe had falſely accuſed her with a Crime which ſhe was not guilty of; for which ſhe alſo was juſtly Executed. A moſt wicked Man in France freely confeſſed himſelf to be a Magician, and accuſed many others, whoſe Lives were thereupon taken from them; and a whole Province had like to have been ruined thereby, but the Impoſtor was diſcovered: The Confeſſing pretended Wizzard was burnt at Paris in the year 1668. I ſhall only take notice further of an awful Example mentioned by A. B. Spotſwood in his Hiſtory of Scotland, p. 449. His words are theſe, This Summer (viz. Anno 1597.) there was a great buſineſs for the Tryal of Witches, amongſt others, one Margaret Atkin being apprehended on ſuſpicion, and threatned with Torture, did confeſs herſelf Guilty; being examined touching her Aſſociates in that Trade, ſhe named a few, and perceiving her Delations find Credit, made offer to detect all of that ſort, and to purge the Country of them; ſo ſhe might have her Life granted: For the reaſon of her Knowledge, ſhe ſaid, That they had a ſecret mark all of that ſort in their Eyes, whereby ſhe could ſurely tell, how ſoon ſhe looked upon any, whether they were Witches or not; and in this ſhe was ſo readily believed, that for the ſpace of 3 or 4 Months ſhe was carried from Town to Town to make Diſcoveries in that kind; many were brought in queſtion by her Delations, eſpecially at Glaſgow, where divers Innocent Women, through the Credulity of the Miniſter Mr. John Cowper, were condemned and put to Death; in the end ſhe was found to be a meer deceiver, and ſent back to Fife, where ſhe was firſt apprehended: At her Tryal ſhe affirmed all to be falſe that ſhe had confeſſed of herſelf or others, and perſiſted in this to her Death, which made many fore-think their too great forwardneſs that way, and moved the King to recal his Commiſſion given out againſt ſuch Perſons, diſcharging all Proceedings againſt them, p. 38except in caſe of a voluntary Confeſſion, till a ſolid Order ſhould be taken by the Eſtates touching the form that ſhould be kept in their Tryal. Thus that famous Hiſtorian.

2. If two credible Perſons ſhall affirm upon Oath that they have ſeen the party accuſed ſpeaking ſuch words, or doing things which none but ſuch as have Familiarity with the Devil ever did or can do, that's a ſufficient Ground for Conviction.

Some are ready to ſay, that Wizzards are not ſo unwiſe as to do ſuch things in the ſight or hearing of others, but it is certain that they have very often been known to do ſo: How often have they been ſeen by others uſing Inchantments? Conjuring to raiſe Storms? And have been heard calling upon their Familiar Spirits? And have been known to uſe Spells and Charms? And to ſhew in a Glaſs or in a Shew-ſtone perſons abſent? And to reveal Secrets which could not be diſcovered but by the Devil? And have not men been ſeen to do things which are above humane Strength, that no man living could do without Diabolical Aſſiſtances? Claudia was ſeen by Witneſſes enough, to draw a Ship which no humane Strength could move. Tuccia a Veſtal Virgin was ſeen to carry Water in a Sieve: The Devil never aſſiſts men to do ſupernatural things undeſired. When therefore ſuch like things ſhall be teſtified againſt the accuſed Party not by Spectres which are Devils in the Shape of Perſons either living or dead, but by real men or women who may be credited; it is proof enough that ſuch an one has that Converſation and Correſpondence with the Devil, as that he or ſhe, whoever they be, ought to be exterminated from amongſt men. This notwithſtanding I will add; It were better that ten ſuſpected Witches ſhould eſcape, than that one innocent Perſon ſhould be Condemned; that is an old ſaying, and true, Preſtat reum nocentem abſolvi, quam ex prohibitis Indiciis & illegitima probatione condemnari. It is better that a Guilty Perſon ſhould be Abſolved, than that he ſhould without ſufficient ground of Conviction be condemned. I had rather judge a Witch to be an honeſt woman, than judge an honeſt woman as a Witch. The word of God directs men not to proceed to the execution of the moſt capital offenders, until ſuch time as upon ſearching diligently, the matter is found to be a Truth, and the thing certain, Deut. 13. 14, 15.

An Acquaintance ppMr. M…rden in his Geogra. Phy. p. 577.of mine at London, in his deſcription of New-England declares, that as to their Religion, the people there are like Mr. Perkins; it is no diſhonour to us, if that be found true: I am ſorry that any amongſt us begin to ſlight ſo great a Man, whom p. 39the moſt qqVoetius Bib…ioth. l. 2. Lecus in Compend. Hiſto….Learned in Forreign Lands, ſpeak of with Admiration, on the account of his polite and acute Judgment: It is a grave and good Advice which he giveth in his Diſcourſe of Witchcrafts (Chap. 7. Sect. 2.) wherewith I conclude; I would therefore wiſh and adviſe all Jurors who give their Verdict upon Life and Death in the Court of Aſſizes, to take good heed, that as they be diligent in zeal of God's glory, and the good of his Church, in detecting of Witches, by all ſufficient and lawful means, ſo likewiſe they would be careful what they do, and not to condemn any party ſuſpected upon bare Preſumptions, without ſound and ſufficient Proofs that they be not guilty through their own Raſhneſs of ſhedding Innocent Blood.

Boſton, New-England, Octob. 3. 1692.