Further Account of the Trials of New England Witches, Contents
The CONTENTS.
THE first Caſe propoſed, whether not may Satan 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 Moleſtation?
The Affirmitive proved from ſix Arguments.
1. From ſeveral Scriptures. Pag. 1.
2. Becauſe it is poſſible for the Devil in the Shape of Innocent Perſons to do other Miſchiefs, proved by many Inſtances. p. 6.
3. Becauſe if Satan may not repreſent an Innocent Perſon as afflicting others, it must be either becauſe he wants will or power to do this, or becauſe God will never permit him ſo to do it; either of which may be affirmed. p. 8.
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. p. 12.
5. From the concurring Judgment of many Learned and Judicous Men. p. 16.
6. Our own Experience has confirmed the Truth of what we affirm. p. 18.
The Second Caſe conſidered, viz. if one bewitched be cast down with the look or caſt of the Eye of another Perſon, and after that recovered again by a Touch from the ſame Perſon, is not this an infallible Proof that the party accuſed and complained of is in Covenant with the Devil? p. 23.
Anſw. This may be Ground of Suſpicion and Examination, but not of Conviction. p. 24.
The Judgment of Mr. Bernard and of Dr. Cotta produced. p. 25, 27.
Several things offered againſt the Infallibility of this Proof.
1. 'Tis poſſible that the perſons in queſtion may be poſſeſſed with Evil Spirits. Signs of ſuch. Pag. 22.
2. Falling down with the caſt of the Eye proceeds not from a natural but an arbitrary Cauſe. p. 23.
3. That of the bewitched Perſons being recovered with a Touch is various and fallible. p. 24.
4. There are that queſtion the Lawfulneſs of the Experiment. p. 25.
5. The Teſtimony of bewitched or poſſeſſed Perſons is no Evidence as to what they ſee concerning others, and therefore not as to themſelves. p. 27.
6. Bewitched Perſons have ſometimes been ſtruck down with the Look of Dogs, ibid.
7. If this were an infallible proof, there would be difficulty in diſcovering Witches.
8. Nothing can be produced out of the Word of God to ſhew, that this is any proof of Witchraft, p. 28.
9. Antipathies in nature have ſtrange and unaccountable effects.
The Third Caſe conſidered, whether here are any Diſcoveries of Witchcraft, which Jurors and Judges may with a ſafe Conſcience proceed upon to the Conviction and Condemnation of the perſons under Suſpicion, p. 51.
Two things premiſed,
1. That the Evidence in the Crime of Witchraft ought to be as clear as in any other Crimes of a Capital nature, p. 29.
2. That there have been ways of Trying Witches long uſed, which God never approved of. More particularly that of caſting the ſuſpected Party into the Water, to try whether they will Sink or Swim. The Vanity and great Sin which is in that way of Purgation evinced by ſix Reaſons, p. 29, to 30?
That there are proofs for the Conviction of Witches, which Jurors may with a ſafe Conſcience proceed upon, proved from Scripture, p. 33.
That a free and voluntary Confeſſion is a ſufficient ground of Conviction, p. 34.
That the Teſtimony of confeſſing Witches againſt others, is not ſo clear an Evidence as againſt themſelves, p. 35.
That if two Credible Perſons ſhall affirm upon Oath that they have ſeen the Perſon accuſed doing things, which none but ſuch as have familiarity with the Devil, ever did or can do, that's a ſufficient ground of Conviction: And that this has often happened, p. 38.
Mr. Perkins his Solemn Caution to Jurors, p. 39.