A50139:248
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.
DIRECTION I.
Avoid those Ill Frames which are a Step to Witchcraft. There are especially Two ill Frames which do lead people on to the worst Witchcraft in the world. Shun a Frame of Discontent. When persons are discontented with their own state; When persons through discontent at their Poverty, or at their Misery, shall be always murmuring and repining at the Providence of God, the Devils do then invite them to an Agreement with, and a Reliance on them for Help. Down right Witchcraft is the up-shot of it. We find in Luc. 4. 2. our Lord, hungered, and then the Devil came in an audible or a visible manner to Him, tho he had been more spiritually long before assaulting of Him. They are needy persons whom Devils make the most likely attempts upon. And some persons are not only Hungry, but Angry too; but then every Fret, every Fume is as it were a Call to the Devils; it calls to them, Come and help me. Shun also a Frame of Ill-Wishing. There is a Witchcraft begun in the ⟨p. 24⟩Imprecations of wicked people. Many profane persons will wish the Devil to take this & that, or, the Devil to do this & that; and when they call, at last he comes, or at least the Devil do's what they wish Observe this, We are by our Sins worthy to have Mischiefs befalling us every day; and the Devils are always ready to inflict what we deserve. I am also apt to think that the Devils are seldom able to hurt us in any of our exterior Concerns without a Commission from some of our fellow-worms. It is intimated in Gen. 4. 9. That every man is his Brother's Keeper: We are by our good Wishes to keep our Brethren from the Inroads of Ill spirits. But when foul-mouthed men shall wish harm unto their Neighbours, they give a Commission unto the Devils to perform what they desire; and if God should not mercifully prevent it, they would go thorough with it. Hear this, you that in wild passions will give every thing to the Devil: Hear it, you that will bespeak a Rot, a Pox, and a Plague upon all that shall provoke you I here Indict you as guilty of hellish Witchcraft in the sight of God. 'Tis the little Wapping of smell dogs that stirs up the cruel Mastiffs to fall upon the Sheep in the Field.