An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

That the things which have been related in the Chapter immediately preceding, came not to pass without the operation of Daemons is so manifest, as that I shall not spend many words concerning it. Though whether the afflicted persons were only possessed, or bewitched, or both, may be disputed. As for the Maid at Groton, she was then thought to be under bodily possession: Her uttering many things (some of which were Diabolical Railings) without using the Organs of speech, and being able sometimes to act above humane strength, argued an extraordinary & Satanical operation. Concerning the Woman ⟨p. 197⟩in Berwick. Evil Spirits without being set on work by Instruments, have sometimes caused the like Molestation; but commonly such things are occasioned by Witchcraft. Dr. Balthasar Han (who was chief Physician to the Prince Elector of Saxony) relates concerning one of his Patients: that in November 1634. She was to the amazement of all Spectators, pricked and miserably beaten by an invisible hand; so as that her body from head to foot was wounded, as if she had been whipped with Thorns. Sometimes a perfect sign of the Cross was imprinted on her skin; Sometimes the usual configurations whereby Astronomers denote the Celestial Bodies, such as [Greek or Hebrew] and their Conjunctions, and oppositions by [Greek or Hebrew] and the Characters used by Chemists [Greek or Hebrew] &c. (in which Sciences, though that be not usual for those of her Sex, she was versed) These Characters would remain for several Weeks after the invisible hand had violently impressed them on her body; also a Needle was thrust into her foot, which caused it to bleed. Once she took the Needle & put it into the fire; & then an Old Woman to whom she had given some of her wearing Linen, appeared to her with a staff in her hand, striking her with a cruel blow, & saying Give me my Needle. At last the miserable ⟨p. 198⟩Patient by constant attendance to prayer and other Religious Exercises was delivered from her affliction. Many Instances of an alike nature to this, are to be seen in the Writings of those that Treat upon Subjects of this kind. Sometimes (as Voetius and others observe) bodily possessions by evil Spirits are an effect of Witch-craft. Examples confirming this, are mentioned by Hierom, in the life of Hilarion; Theodoret in his History of the Fathers, and by Anastasius.

That the things which have been related in the Chapter immediately praeceding, came not to pass without the operation of Daemons is so manifest, as that I shall not spend many words concerning it. Though whether the afflicted persons were only possessed, or bewitched, or both, may be disputed. As for the Maid at Groton, she was then thought to be under bodily possession: Her uttering many things (some of which were Diabolical Railings) without using the Organs of speech, and being able sometimes to act above humane strength, argued an extraordinary & Satanical operation. Concerning the Woman