A50139:63
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. XXIV. One of those that had bin concerned for her Welfare, had newly implored the great GOD that the young woman might be able to declare whom she apprehended her self troubled by. Presently upon this her Horse returned, only it pestered her with such ugly paces, that she fell out with her Company, & threatened now to tell all, for their so abusing her. I was going abroad, and she said unto them that were about her, Mr. M.— is gone abroad my horse won't come back, till he come home; and then I believe (said she softly,) I shall tell him all. I staid abroad an hour or two, and then Returning, When I was just come to my Gate, before I had given the least Sign or Noise of my being there, she said, My Horse is come! and intimated, that I was at the Door. When I came in, I found her mounted after her fashion, upon her Aerial Steed; which carried her Fancy to the Journeys end. There (or rather then) she maintained a considerable Discourse with Her Company, Listening very attentively when she had propounded any Question, and receiving the ⟨p. 30⟩Answers with impressions made upon her mind. She said; Well what do you say? How many Fits more am I to have?—pray, can ye tell how long it shall be before you are hanged for what you have done?—You are filthy Witches to my knowledge, I shall see some of you go after your sister; You would have killed me; but you can't, I don't fear you—You would have thrown Mrs Mather down stairs, but you could not.—Well! How shall I be *Tomorrow? Pray, What do you think of Tomorrow?— Fare ye well.—You have brought me such an ugly Horse, I am angry at you; I could find in my heart to tell all. So she began her homeward paces; but when she had gone a little way, (that is a little worse) she said, O I have forgot one Question; I must go back again; and back she rides. She had that day been diverse times warning us, that they had been contriving to do some harm to my Wife, by a Fall or a Blow, or the like; and when she came out of her mysterious Journeys, she would still be careful concerning Her. Accordingly she now calls to her Company again, Hark you, One thing more before we part! What hurt is it you will do to Mrs. Mather? will you do her any hurt? Here she listened some time; and then clapping her hands cried out, O, I am glad on't, they can do Mrs. Mather no ⟨p. 31⟩hurt: they try, but they say they can't.