A50139:278
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 › USE of the Third Proposition.
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.
Watch, Thirdly, against the Inverting Method of the Devil. One while the Devil will endeavour to carry us on from Lesser sins to Greater sins. He will go to make our miscarriages like Elijah's cloud; at first as an Hands-breadth, but anon so as to hide the whole Heaven from us. So Solomon multiplies first Horses, & afterward worse things against the command of God. Another while, the Devil will decoy us from lawful things to unlawful things. Thus from a Good-husband, a man shall grow a mere Muck-worm. Now and then also, the Devil will try to spoil Good works with Ill ends: Thus the Pride of Jehu shall be swelled by the Zeal of Jebu. He will try to make our Duties Interfere; the general Calling shall be regarded in the season of the particular, and the particular calling shall be attended in the season of the general. He will try to lead us from one Extreme to another; We shall be excessively merry, and ere long excessively melancholy, if we hearken to him. O keep up your Watch. Well did the Apostle say, in 1. Pet. 5. 8. Be vigilant, for the Devil as a roaring lion, seeketh whom he may devour.
Watch, Thirdly, against the Inverting Method of the Devil. One while the Devil will endeavour to carry us on from Lesser sins to Greater sins. He will go to make our miscarriages like Elijah's cloud; at first as an Hands-breadth, but anon so as to hide the whole Heaven from us. So Solomon multiplies first Horses, & afterward worse things against the command of God. Another while, the Devil will decoy us from lawful things to unlawful things. Thus from a Good-husband, a man shall grow a meer Muck-worm. Now and then also, the Devil will try to spoil Good works with Ill ends: Thus the Pride of Iebu shall be swell'd by the Zeal of Iebu. He will try to make our Duties Interfere; the general Calling shall be regarded in the season of the particular, and the particular calling shall be attended in the season of the general. He will try to lead us from one Extreme to another; We shall be excessively merry, and ere long excessively melancholly, if we hearken to him. O keep up your Watch. Well did the Apostle say, in 1. Pet. 5. 8. Be vigilant, for the Devil as a roaring lion, seeketh whom he may devour.