A50139:45
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.
SECT. XII. The Children in their Fits ⟨p. 13⟩would still cry out upon, [They] and [Them] as the Authors of all their Harm; but who that [They] and [Them were, they were not able to declare. At last, the Boy obtained at some times, a sight of some shapes in the room. There were Three or Four of 'em, the Names of which the child would pretend at certain seasons to tell; only the Name of One, who was counted a Sager Hag than the rest, he still so stammered at, that he was put upon some Periphrasis in describing her. A Blow at the place where the Boy beheld the Spectre was always felt by the Boy himself in the part of his Body that answered what might be stricken at; and this tho his Back were turned; which was once and again so exactly tried, that there could be no Collusion in the Business. But as a Blow at the Apparition always hurt him, so it always helped him too; for after the Agonies, which a Push or Stab of That had put him to, were over, (as […] a minute or 2 they would be) the Boy would have a respite from his Fits a considerable while, and the Hobgoblins disappear. It is very credibly reported that a wound was this way given to an Obnoxious woman in the town; whose name I vvill not expose: for we should be tender in such Relations, lest we wrong the Reputation of the Innocent, by stories not enough enquired into.
SECT. XII. The Children in their Fits ⟨p. 13⟩would still cry out upon, [They] and [Them] as the Authors of all their Harm; but who that [They] and [Them were, they were not able to declare. At last, the Boy obtain'd at some times, a sight of some shapes in the room. There were Three or Four of 'em, the Names of which the child would pretend at certain seasons to tell; only the Name of One, who was counted a Sager Hag than the rest, he still so stammered at, that he was put upon some Periphrasis in describing her. A Blow at the place where the Boy beheld the Spectre was alwaies felt by the Boy himself in the part of his Body that answered what might be stricken at; and this tho his Back were turn'd; which was once and again so exactly tried, that there could be no Collusion in the Business. But as a Blovv at the Apparition alvvaies hurt him, so it alvvaies help't him too; for after the Agonies, vvhich a Push or Stab of That had put him to, vvere over, (as 〈…〉 a minute or 2 they vvould be) the Boy vvould have a respite from his Fits a considerable vvhile, and the Hobgoblins disappear. It is very credibly reported that a wound was this way given to an Obnoxious woman in the town; whose name I vvill not expose: for vve should be tender in such Relations, lest vve wrong the Reputation of the Innocent, by stories not enough enquired into.