A50139:108
Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and…
Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and surprising things that have befallen several bewitched and possessed person in New-England, particularly a narrative of the marvellous trouble and relief experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits : whereunto is added a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston on the occasion of that illustrious providence : as also a discourse delivered unto the same congregation on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town : with an appendix in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania / written by Cotton Mather ... and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston.Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and surprising things that have befallen several bewitched and possesed person in New-England, particularly a narrative of the marvellous trouble and releef experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits : whereunto is added a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston on the occasion of that illustrious providence : as also a discourse delivered unto the same congregation on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town : with an appendix in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania / written by Cotton Mather ... and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston.
Boston: printed by R.P., 1689
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The man of whom we have been Writing, is not the only good Christian whom evil Witchcraft has given Annoyance to. We shall add a Second Instance, wherein I shall Relate Something that I do not Approve; and that is, The Urinary Experiment. I suppose the Urine must be bottled with Nails and Pins, and such Instruments in it as carry a Show of Torture with them, if it attain its End. For I have been told, That the bare Bottling of Urine with Filings of Steel in it, which can be better (tho scarce well) ⟨p. 60⟩accounted for, has bin sound insignificant. Now to use a Charm against a Charm, or to use a Devils Shield against a Devils Sword, Who can with a good conscience try? All Communion with Hell is dangerous; all Relief and Succour coming by means whose whole Force is founded in the Laws of the Kingdom of darkness, will be ready to leave a sting on the Conscience of him that obtains it so.
THe man of whom we have been Writing, is not the only good Christian whom evile Witchcraft has given Annoyance to. We shall add a Second Instance, wherein I shall Relate Something that I do not Approve; and that is, The Vrinary Experiment. I suppose the Vrine must be bottled with Nails and Pinns, and such Instruments in it as carry a Shew of Torture with them, if it attain its End. For I have been told, That the bare Bottleing of Vrine with Filings of Steel in it, which can be better (tho scarce well) ⟨p. 60⟩accounted for, has bin sound insignificant. Now to use a Charm against a Charm, or to use a Devils Shield against a Devils Sword, Who can with a good conscience try? All Communion with Hell is dangerous; all Relief and Succor coming by means whose whole Force is founded in the Laws of the Kingdom of darkness, will be ready to leave a sting on the Conscience of him that obtains it so.
SECT. I. There was one Mr. St—n of North-hampton, who upon Complaint of an abused Servant unto him, had in plain and close Terms rebuked the Master of the Lad, for his too great Severity. He was a man of good Repute, and as good Courage; but within as little a while as the man whom he had reproved could return to inform his Wife, who was a person under Suspicion for Witchcraft; he was taken with many Ails and pains that increased on him to great Extremity.