Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and…

SECT. XIV. Many ways did the Devils take to make the children do mischief both to themselves and others; but through the singular Providence of God, they always failed in the attempts. For they could never essay the doing of any harm, unless there were some body at hand that might prevent it; and seldom without first shrieking out, They say, I must do such a thing! Diverse times they went to strike furious Blows at their tenderest and dearest friends, or to sling them downstairs when they had them at the Top, but the warnings from the mouths of the children themselves, would still anticipate what the Devils did intend. They diverse times were very near Burning or Drowning of themselves, but the Children themselves by their own pitiful and seasonable cries for Help, still procured their Deliverance: Which made me to Consider, Whether the Little ones had not their Angels, in the plain sense of Our Saviours Intimation. Sometimes, When they were tying their own Neck-clothes, their compelled hands miserably strangled themselves, till perhaps, the standers-by gave some Relief ⟨p. 16⟩unto them. But if any small Mischief happened to be done where they were; as the Tearing or Dirtying of a Garment; the Falling of a Cup, the breaking of a Glass, or the like; they would rejoice extremely, & fall into a pleasure & Laughter very extraordinary. All which things compared with the Temper of the Children, when they are themselves, may suggest some very peculiar Thoughts unto us.

SECT. XIV. Many wayes did the Devils take to make the children do mischief both to themselves and others; but thro the singular Provindence of God, they always fail'd in the attempts. For they could never essay the doing of any harm, unless there were some body at hand that might prevent it; and seldome without first shrieking out, They say, I must do such a thing! Diverse times they went to strike furious Blowes at their tenderest and dearest friends, or to sling them dovvnstaires vvhen they had them at the Top, but the warnings from the mouths of the children themselves, would still anticipate vvhat the Devils did intend. They diverse times vvere very near Burning or Drowning of themselves, but the Children themselves by their ovvn pittiful and seasonable cries for Help, still procured their Deliverance: Which made me to Consider, Whether the Little ones had not their Angels, in the plain sense of Our Saviours Intimation. Sometimes, When they vvere tying their ovvn Nock-clothes, their compelled hands miserably strangled themselves, till perhaps, the standers-by gave some Relief