A50139:222
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 3: PROP. III.
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.
Secondly. In Rebellion men Refuse the Salvation of Christ. The Witch contemns all the Offers of the Gospel, and prizes the dirty proffers that Satan makes before them all. This is the plain English of Rebellion; it says, What is tendered by the Devil, is better than what is tendered by the Saviour. The LORD said about Israel of old in Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of Me. Thus 'tis when men rebel against God. A Jesus may say, Those poor creatures will have none of Me, nor of My Blood. A Pardon may say, Those guilty creatures will have none of me. A Kingdom may say, Those undone creatures will have none of me. Where Sin is committed, there Christ is despised. This doleful Frenzy is in all Rebellion against the Lord.
Secondly. In Rebellion men Refuse the Salvation of Christ. The Witch contemns all the Offers of the Gospel, and prizes the dirty proffers that Satan makes before them all. This is the plain English of Rebellion; it sayes, What is tendred by the Devil, is better than what is tendred by the Saviour. The LORD said about Israel of old in Psal. 81. 11. Israel would none of Me. Thus 'tis when men rebel against God. A Iesus may say, Those poor creatures will have none of Me, nor of My Bloud. A Pardon may say, Those guilty creatures will have none of me. A Kingdom may say, Those undone creatures will have none of me. Where Sin is committed, there Christ is despised. This doleful Phrensy is in all Rebellion against the Lord.
Thirdly. In Rebellion men choose and serve the the Devil as their Lord. The Witch makes an horrible Agreement with Devils, to be theirs alone. This is the intent of all Rebellion too. It in short says, Let the Devil rule; it says, Let the Devil be humoured and gratified. As that cowardly King said unto the Syrian, 1. King. 20. 4. My Lord, O King, I am thine and all that I have. Thus the ungodly man says unto the Devil; Thou art my Lord and my King. All Rebellion against God, is in Obedience to the Devil. When men rebel, they lay their Wit, their Love, their Strength, and all the Instruments of that Rebellion before the Devil, and they say. This is thine, O Satan, and all that they have. They do even sell themselves to the Devil! as we read of one, He sold himself to work wickedness.