A50139:258
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.
Secondly. There are some that make Use of wicked Charms, for the Finding of Secrets. The Lord hath told us, in Deut. 29. 29. Secret things belong to God. But these impious people must needs have a Taste of them. They will ask the Devils to inform their minds, and resolve their doubts. This is the Witchcraft of them, that with a Sieve, or a Key will go to discover how their lost Goods are disposed of. This is the Witchcraft of them that with Glasses and Basins will go to discover how they shall be Related before they die. They are a sort of Witches that thus employ themselves. And this is the Witchcraft of the Judicial Astrologer. That Astrologer is a Cousin-German to a Conjurer. I think I know his Rules, and I am satisfied that his Judgment must at last be determined by his Impulse, or it is not worth an hundredth part of what the silly Enquirer pays him for it: and from whom, from what shall that Impulse come? Behold the Energy of Devils in it. It is likewise a sort of Sorcery, for persons to let their Bibles fall open, on purpose to determine what the state of their souls is, from the first word they light upon. And some among us, they say, are so extremely sinful, as to consult one whom they count a Conjurer, when they would understand what they know not otherwise. 'Tis horrible, that in this Land of Uprightness there should be any such Prank of wickedness. I do earnestly ⟨p. 28⟩testify unto you that these things are abominables the voice of our God is, O do them not, my soul hates them. I do warn and charge you, Shun these execrable things, lest you he left unto the furthest Witchcraft committed by the abhorted of the Lord.
Secondly. There are some that make Use of wicked Charms, for the Finding of Secrets. The Lord hath told us, in Deut. 29. 29. Secret things belong to God. But these impious people must needs have a Tast of them. They will ask the Devils to inform their minds, and resolve their doubts. This is the Witchcraft of them, that with a Sieve, or a Key will go to discover how their lost Goods are disposed of. This is the Witchcraft of them that with Glasses and Basons will go to discover how they shall be Related before they dy. They are a sort of Witches that thus employ themselves. And this is the Witchcraft of the Iudicial Astrologer. That Astrologer is a Cousin-German to a Conjurer. I think I know his Rules, and I am satisfied that his Iudgment must at last be determined by his Impulse, or it is not worth an hundredth part of what the silly Enquirer payes him for it: and from whom, from what shall that Impulse come? Behold the Energy of Devils in it. It is likewise a sort of Sorcery, for persons to let their Bibles fall open, on purpose to determine what the state of their souls is, from the first word they light upon. And some among us, they say, are so extremely sinful, as to consult one whom they count a Conjurer, when they would understand what they know not otherwise. 'Tis horrible, that in this Land of Vprightness there should be any such Prank of wickedness. I do earnestly