A50139:184
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.
There are particularly two sorts of devouring Temptations, which I would conclude this Discourse with some suitable Reflections on.
There are particularly two sorts of devouring Temptations, which I would conclude this Disourse with some surable Reflections on.
Temptations to Atheism and Blasphemy, perhaps do molest some among us; possibly, Terribilia ⟨p. 18⟩de DEO, and Horribilia de Fide: Diabolical Suggestions about our God & our Creed, may cast some of us into grievous Agonies: these things make many a good man to say, I am aweary of my life! What shall in this case be done?
My Advice is,
Do not so much dispute, as deny the Injections of the wicked one. Don't glue the devil so much honour as to argue & parley about his Jewd proposals. Refuse them presently, refuse them peremptorily; so you silence them. When once an Atheistic or Blasphemous Thought appears within your Minds, immediately hiss it away, as the Priests did Uzziah, when they first saw the Leprosy in his Forehead. Let such Thoughts, immediately occasion in you the savoury & gracious Thoughts that shall be just contrary thereunto. If the devil would have you think, There is no God, then without any more a do, spite the devil by such a Thought with an Ejaculation contradicting of it, Lord, I believe that thou art, and that thou art a Rewarder too. Don't object, What if there be no God? But suppose for once, That God is. Tis by far the safer Supposal of the two. And then try whether to Weary the devil be not the best way to Conquer him. Let every Fiery dart of Satan fetch an holy dart of Prayer & Grace from thee, and the devil will soon be weary of his Methods.