N00392:16
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 persons in New-England. Particularly, a narrative of the marvellous trouble and relief [sic] 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 that 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 [sic]. / Written by Cotton Mather, Minister of the Gospel. ; 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 possessed persons in New-England. Particularly, a narrative of the marvellous trouble and releef [sic] 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 that 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 [sic]. / Written by Cotton Mather, Minister of the Gospel. ; And recommended by the Ministers of Boston and Charleston.
Boston: printed by R.P. i.e, 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.
To the Reader.
The old Heresy of the sensual Sadducees, denying the Being of Angels either good or evil died not with them, nor will it, whiles men (abandoning both Faith & Reason) count it their wisdom to credit nothing but what they see & feel. How much this fond opinion has gotten ground in this debauched Age is awfully observable; and what a dangerous streak it gives to settle men in Atheism, is not hard to discern. God is therefore pleased (besides the witness born to the Truth in Sacred Writ) to suffer Devils sometimes to do such things in the world as shall stop the mouth of gain sayers, and extort a Confession from them.
THe old Heresy of the sensual Sadducees, denying the Being of Angels either good or evil died not with them, nor will it, whiles men (abandoning both Faith & Reason) count it their wisdom to credit nothing but what they see & feel. How much this fond opinion has gotten ground in this debauched Age is awfully observable; and what a dangerous streak it gives to settle men in Atheism, is not hard to discern. God is therefore pleased (besides the witness born to the Truth in Sacred Writ) to suffer Devils sometimes to do such things in the world as shall stop the mouth of gain sayers, and extor• a Confession from them.