N00392:240
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.
2. Since there are Witches and Devils, we may conclude that there are also Immortal Souls. Devils would never contract with Witches for their Souls if there were no such things to be come a prey unto them. One of the Popes when he lay dying, said, I shall now quickly know whether I have an Immortal Soul or no. Within less than a hundred years, you & I shall be convinced of it, if we are not so before. We may truly ⟨p. 17⟩say, Devils & Witches bear a witness against them that have any scruple of it. There are some dreaming Heretics, that hold Man wholly mortal: I am sure the Apostle Paul was not of their beastly Opinion, when he said in Phil. 1. 21. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Nor was the Martyr Stephen of their Opinion, when he expired, saying, in Act. 7. 59. Lord Jesus Receive my spirit. Nor was our Lord Jesus Himself of that opinion, when He said unto the Thief on the Cross in Luc. 23. 43. This day thou shalt the with Me in Paradise. Tis an Opinion unworthy of a man that is owner of a Soul. The mistaken Indians, when first they saw a man on Horse-back, did conceit the Man and the Horse to be one Creature: it is as soul an Error to conceit that it is but one thing which man consisteth of. No, 'Tis a right Anatomy of man, in Gen. 2. 7. The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living SOUL Remember, Thou hast in thee a living soul; or a Spirit, able to know, and will, and argue so as nothing else in the visible Creation can. This living soul is the Candle of the Lord within thee, and no Wind, no Death can ever extinguish it. O make much of this living SOUL. Save it, and don't sell it: It is a Jewel too precious to be thrown away. Do not sell thy soul for a […] Take heed that the Devils make it not their […] by any sollies of thine.
2. Since there are Witches and Devils, we may conclude that there are also Immortal Souls. Devils would never contract with Witches for their Souls if there were no such things to be come a prey unto them. One of the Popes when he lay dying, said, I shall now quickly know whether I have an Immortal Soul or no. Within less than a hundred years, you & I shall be convinced of it, if we are not so before. We may truly