A50139:259
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.
2. Take heed that you do not wrongfully accuse any other person, of this horrid and monstrous evil. It is the Character of a Godly man, in Psal. 15. 3. He taketh not up a Reproach against his Neighbour. What more dirty Reproach than that of Witchcraft can there be? Yet it is most readily dast upon worthy persons, when their is hardly a shadow of any reason for it. An Ill-look, or a cross word will make a Witch with many people who may on more ground be counted so themselves. There has been a fearful deal of Injury done in this way in this Town, to the Good-name of the most credible persons in it. Persons of more Goodness and Esteem than any of their calumnious Abusers have been defamed for Witches about this Country, A Country full of lies. I beseech you, Let all Back-biting, and all Evil-surmising be put away from among you: do not, on small grounds Fly-blow the precious ointment of the good-name that thy Neighbour should have. On the least provocation, I will never believe but such an one is a witch —that is presently the Sentence of some that ⟨p. 29⟩might speak more warily than so. Alas, thou mightest with as much Honesty break open the House, or take away the purse of thy Neighbour: His Good Name is of more Account. They that indulge themselves in this course of Evil-Judging, are usually paid home for it before they die; the just God sue's them in an Action of Defamation, and makes their Names to be up too, before they leave world.
2. Take heed that you do not wrongfully accuse any other person, of this horrid and monstrous evil. It is the Character of a Godly man, in Psal. 15. 3. He taketh not up a Reproach against his Neighbour. What more dirty Reproach than that of Witchcraft can there be? Yet it is most readily dast upon worthy persons, when their is hardly a shadow of any reason for it. An Ill-look, or a cross word will make a Witch with many people who may on more ground be counted so themselves. There has been a fearful deal of Injury done in this way in this Town, to the Good-name of the most credible persons in it. Persons of more Goodness and Esteem than any of their calumnious Abusers have been defamed for Witches about this Countrey, A Countrey full of lyes. I beseech you, Let all Back-biting, and all Evil-surmising be put away from among you: do not, on small grounds Fly-blow the precious ointment of the good-name that thy Neighbour should have. On the least provocation, I will never beleeve but such an one is a witch —that is presently the Sentence of some that