A50139:223
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.
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.
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 saies, Let the Devil rule; it sayes, Let the Devil be humour'd and gratify'd. 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 sayes 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.
Fourthly. In Rebellion, Men cast the Bond and the Good of their Baptism behind their Back. Among the Customs of Witches, this is one, They Renounce their Baptism in a manner very Diabolical. The same thing is done in the Rebellion of a wicked man. We are told in 1. Pet. 3. 21. that the thing which renders Baptism available is The answer of a good Conscience. But in Rebellion against God, men give the answer of an Evil Conscience, and so make a Nullity of their Sacred, Baptism. The Demand of God is Wilt thou Believe as Baptised persons do profess to do? The Rebel answers, No, I will continue shut up in my Unbelief. The Demand of God is, Wilt