A50202:372
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.
CHAP. VII. Concerning Apparitions. That they are ⟨image 204⟩not so frequent in places where the Gospel prevaileth, as in the dark corners of the Earth. That good Angels do sometimes visibly appear. Confirmed by several Histories. That Cacodemons oftentimes pretend to be good Angels. That Satan may appear in the likeness of Holy men; proved by notable Instances. Concerning the appearance of persons deceased. The procuring cause thereof is usually some sin committed. Some late Remarkable Examples. Of Mens covenanting to appear after their Death. It is an heavy Judgment when places are infested with such doleful Spectres. Page 202.
CHAP. VII. Concerning Apparitions. That they are ⟨image 204⟩not so frequent in places where the Gospel prevaileth, as in the dark corners of the Earth. That good Angels do sometimes visibly appear. Confirmed by several Histories. That Cacodaemons oftentimes pretend to be good Angels. That Satan may appear in the likeness of Holy men; proved by notable Instances. Concerning the appearance of persons deceased. The procuring cause thereof is usually some sin committed. Some late Remarkable Examples. Of Mens covenanting to appear after their Death. It is an heavy Iudgment when places are infested with such doleful Spectres. Page 202.
CHAP. VIII. Several Cases of Conscience considered. That it is not lawful to make use of Herbs or Plants to drive away Evil Spirits. Nor of Words or Characters. An Objection answered. Whether it be lawful for Persons Bewitched to burn things, or to nail Horse-shoes before their ⟨image 205⟩doors or to stop Urine in Bottles, or the like' in order to the recovery of Health. The negative proved by several Arguments. Whether it be lawful to try Witches by casting them into the Water. Several reasons evincing the vanity of that way of probation. Some other Superstitions witnessed against. Page 248.