An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

That which was perpetrated by this woeful Generation of Quakers, no longer since than this last Summer in Plymouth Colony, is horrid to be related. Yet inasmuch as the publication of it, will make appear unto all Mankind, that Quakers are under the strong delusions of Satan; I think my self bound to acquaint the World, that not many Months ago, a Man passing under the name of Jonathan ⟨p. 346⟩Dunen (alias Singleterry) a Singing Quaker, drew away the Wife of one of Marshfield to follow him; Also one Mary Ross falling into their company, was quickly possessed with the Devil, playing such Frantic and Diabolical tricks, as the like hath seldom been known or heard of. For she made her self naked, burning all her Clothes; and with infinite Blasphemy said that she was Christ, and gave names to her Apostles, calling Dunen by the name of Peter, another by the name of Thomas, declaring that she would be dead for three days, and then rise again; and accordingly seemed to die; and while she was pretendedly dead, her Apostle Dunen gave out, that they should see glorious things after her Resurrection. But that which she then did, was, she commanded Dunen to Sacrifice a Dog. The Man and the two Women Quakers Danced naked together, having nothing but their shirts on. The Constable brought them before the Magistrates in Plymouth, where Ross uttered such prodigious Blasphemy as is not fit to be mentioned, Dunen fell down like a dead Man upon the floor, and so lay for about an hour, and then came to himself. The Magistrates demanding the reason of his strange actings, his Answer was, that Mary Ross bid him, and he ⟨p. 347⟩had no power to resist. Thus when Men will not receive the Truth in the love of it, the righteous Judgement of God sends upon them the efficacy of Error, that they shall believe a lie. That the Quakers are some of them undoubtedly possessed with Evil and Infernal Spirits, and acted in a more than ordinary manner by the inmates of Hell, is evident, not only from the related Instances, but by other awful Examples which might be mentioned. They are indeed to be pitied, in that they themselves know not that an Evil Spirit doth possess and act them. Yet others should from that consideration dread to come among such Creatures, lest haply the Righteous God suffer Satan to take possession of them also. Memorable and marvellous is that Relation published the last year, by Dr.