A50139:144
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
Discourses › A Discourse on the Power and Malice of the DEVILS
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 Scriptures of Truth, allow us these Conclusions about the Devils of Hell.
We may first conclude, That the Devils are not under mere Motions, or Qualities, or Distempers, as has been by some absurdly enough conceived. The fond Sadducee derides the Doctrine of Devils, ⟨p. 3⟩which we all embrace. But I pray, What things were those that left their first estate, being now reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day? What things be those that besought our Lord of liberty to enter into the swine? But we have among our selves lately seen plain Demonstrations, That there are Spirits, which understand, and argue, and will; and which are the enemies of all that is holy, and just, & Good.
We may first conclude, That the Devils are not under meer Motions, or Qualities, or Distempers, as has been by some absurdly enough conceived. The fond Sadducee derides the Doctrine of Devils, ⟨p. 3⟩which we all embrace. But I pray, What things were those that left their first estate, being now reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day? What things be those that besought our Lord of liberty to enter into the swine? But we have among our selves lately seen plain Demonstrations, That there are Spirits, which understand, and argue, and will; and which are the enemies of all that is holy, and just, & Good.
We may, Secondly, Conclude, That these Devils are an Army in our Air. They are called in Eph. 2. 2. the power (or the Army) of the air. There are diverse Miles of Air encompassing of this Terraqueous Globe; to that space it is that the Devils are limited, since their High-Treason against the God that made them. Here it is that they have a Play-house, as well as a Prison; here they play all their devilish Pranks until the everlasting Fire shall begin to flame. Indeed, some Devils may keep more constantly to one country, and some to another. Hence we read of some in