N00392:195
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
A Discourse on the Power and Malice of the DEVILS › Application 2: USE. II. EXHORTATION.
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.
Do not so much dispute, as deny the Injections of the wicked one. Don't give the devil so much honour as to argue & parley about his sewd proposals. Refuse them presently, refuse them peremptorily; so you silence them. When once an Atheistic or Blasphemous Thought appears within your Minds, immediately hiss it away, as the Priests did Uzziah, when they first saw the Leprosy in his Forehead. Let such Thoughts, immediately occasion in you the savoury & gracious Thoughts that shall be just contrary thereunto. If the devil would have you think, There is no God, then without any more a do, spite the devil by such a Thought with an Ejaculation contradicting of it, Lord, I believe that thou art, and that thou art a Rewarder too. Don't object, What if there be no God? But suppose for once, That God is. Tis by far the safer Supposal of the two. And then try whether to Weary the devil be not the best way to Conquer him. Let every Fiery dart of Satan fetch an holy dart of Prayer & Grace from thee, and the devil will soon be weary of his Methods.
Do not so much dispute, as deny the Injections of the wicked one. Don't give the devil so much honour as to argue & parley about his sewd proposals. Refuse them presently, refuse them peremptorily; so you silence them. When once an Atheistic or Blasphemous Thought appears within your Minds, immediately hiss it away, as the Priests did Uzziah, when they first saw the Leprosie in his Forehead. Let such Thoughts, immediately occasion in you the savory & gracious Thoughts that shall be just contrary thereunto. If the devil would have you think, There is no God, then without any more a do, spite the devil by such a Thought with an Ejaculation contradicting of it, Lord, I beleeve that thou art, and that thou art a Rewarder too. Don't object, What if there be no God? But suppose for once, That God is. Tis by far the safer Supposal of the two. And then try whether to Weary the devil be not the best way to Corquer him. Let every Fiery dart of Satan fetch an holy dart of Prayer & Grace from thee, and the devil will soon be weary of his Methods.
Temptations to Self-Murder, may likewise be fierce upon some unhappy people here. Tis almost unaccountable, that at some times in some places here, melancholy distempered Ragings toward Self-Murder, have been in a manner Epidemical. And it would make ones hair stand, to see or hear what manifest Assistance the Devils have given to these unnatural Self-executions when once they have been begun. Tis too evident, that persons are commonly bewitched or possessed into these unreasonable Frenzies. But What shall these hurried people do? My Advice is,