A50139:213
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 WITCHCRAFT. › Proposition 2: PROP. II.
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.
PROP. II.
WITCHCRAFT is a most Monstrous and Horrid Evil. Indeed there is a vast Heap of bloody roaring Impieties contained in the Bowels of it. Witchcraft, is a Renouncing of GOD, and Advancing of a filthy Devil into the Throne of the Most High; 'tis the most nefandous High-Treason against the MAJESTY on High. Witchcraft, is a Renouncing of Christ, and Preferring the Communion of a loathsome lying Devil before all the Salvation of the Lord Redeemer; 'tis a Trampling under foot that Blood which is more precious than Hills of Silver, or whole Mountains of Gold. There is in Witchcraft, a most explicit Renouncing of all that is Holy and Just and Good. The Law given by God, the Prayer taught by Christ, the Creed left by the Apostles, is become Abominable where Witchcraft is embraced: The very Reciting of those blessed Things is commonly burdensome where Witchcraft is. All the sure Mercies of the ⟨p. 10⟩New Covenant, and all the just Duties of it, are utterly abdicated by that cursed Covenant which Witchcraft is Constituted with. Witchcraft, is a Siding with Hell against Heaven & Earth; and therefore a Witch is not to be endured in either of them. 'Tis a Capital Crime; and it is to be prosecuted as a piece of Devilism that would not only deprive God and Christ of all His Honour, but also plunder Man of all his Comfort. Witchcraft, it's an impotent, but an impudent Essay to make an Hell of the Universe, and to allow Nothing but a Tophet in the World. Witchcraft,—What shall I say of it! It is the furthest Effort of our Original Sin; and all that can make any Practice or Person odious, is here in the Exaltation of it.
WITCHCRAFT is a most Monstrous and Horrid Evil. Indeed there is a vast Heap of bloody roaring Impieties contained in the Bowels of it. Witchcraft, is a Renouncing of GOD, and Advancing of a filthy Devil into the Throne of the Most High; 'tis the most nefandous High-Treason against the MAJESTY on High. Witchcraft, is a Renouncing of Christ, and Preferring the Communion of a loathsome lying Devil before all the Salvation of the Lord Redeemer; 'tis a Trampling under foot that Blood which is more precious than Hills of Silver, or whole Mountains of Gold. There is in Witchraft, a most explicit Renouncing of all that is Holy and Iust and Good. The Law given by God, the Prayer taught by Christ, the Creed left by the Apostles, is become Abominable where Witchcraft is embraced: The very Reciting of those blessed Things is commonly burdensome where Witchcraft is. All the sure Mercies of the