A50202:267
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences
An essay for the recording of illustrious providences wherein an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events which have happened this last age, especially in New-England / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England.An essay for the recording of illustrious providences wherein an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events which have hapned this last age, especially in New-England / by Increase Mather, teacher of a church at Boston in New-England.
printed by Samuel Green for Joseph Browning, 1684
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.
It is too well known, that Popish Countries do still abound with such Superstitious Vanities as these mentioned. And as Voetius (in his Dissertation de Exorcismo) truly tells them, the Exorcizations of the Papists are as like those of the Heathen as Milk is like to Milk, or as one Egg is like to another. I know that some Popish Authors (who are more ingenious) write against attempting the cure of Diseases by Words or Charms. Fernelius, Benevenius and (as I remember) Valesius disapprove of it. But few (if any) of them are against Conjuring away Evil Spirits, by Words, and I know not what Formulae of their own, or rather of the Devils inventing. One of them (viz. Hieronymus Mengus) having Published a Book filled with Conjurations ⟨p. 260⟩Entitleth it, The Scourge of Devils. It adds to the abomination when Men shall not only break the first and second Commandment, but the third also, by making use of any of the sacred Names or Titles belonging to the Glor•••s God, or to his Son Jesus Christ, as Charms; […] which nothing is more frequent amongst Romanists. To conclude, God in his word doth with the highest severity condemn all such Practices, declaring not only that ••chanters and Charmers are not to be tolerated amongst his People; but that all who do such things are an abomination to him, Deut. 18. 10, 11, 12. The Jews are wont to be extremely charitable towards those of their own Nation, affirming, That every Israelite shall have a part in the World to come; only they except such as shall by Incantation heal Diseases. There are some that practise such things in their simplicity, not knowing that therein they gratify the Devil. Voetiu• in his Disputation, de Magia, P. 576. speak• of one that according to the vain conversation received by Tradition from fo•e Fathers would sometimes attempt things of this nature, but upon Voetius his instructing him concerning the sin and evil which was there• in, the Man durst never more do as formerly If this discourse fail into the hands of an• ⟨p. 261⟩