A50139:155
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.
There be three things that show the power of our Adversaries.
First, The power of our Adversaries the Devils, lies in the Nature of them. Tis said in Zph. 6. 12, We fight not against flesh & blood only, but against principalities, and Powers, and spiritual wickednesses. They are spiritual, and therefore powerful. The Spirituality of the Devils enables them to strike us when we can't see them; […] ⟨p. 8⟩makes 'em ready to attack us and surprise us at unspeakable Disadvantages. The Devils are Spirits, and hence they count Iron but straw, & brass as rotten wood; they are Spirits, and so they excel in strength; when they seem afraid of little Spells and Charms, it is only a stratagem by which they seek to decoy us into their dreadful Power more than before. One of them let loose, perhaps could slaughter an Army of an hundred thousand in a night.
First, The power of our Adversaries the Devils, lies in the Nature of them. Tis said in Zph. 6. 12, We fight not against flesh & blood only, but against principalities, and Powers, and spiritual wickednesses. They are spiritual, and therefore powerful. The Spirituality of the Devils enables them to strike us when we can't see them; 〈…〉 ⟨p. 8⟩makes 'em ready to attack us and surprise us at unspeakable Disadvantages. The Divels are Spirits, and hence they count Iron but straw, & brass as rotten wood; they are Spirits, and so they excel in strength; when they seem afraid of little Spels and Charms, it is only a stratagem by which they seek to decoy us into their dreadful Power more than before. One of them let loose, perhaps could slaughter an Army of an hundred thousand in a night.