N00392:79
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.
MANTISSA.
TO the foregoing Narrative, we have added an account given us, by the Godly Father of these Haunted Children; who upon his Reading over so much of our History, as was written of their Exercise before their full deliverance, was willing to express his Attestation to the Truth of it; with this further Declaration of the Sense, which he had of the unusual Miseries, that then lay upon his Family. 'Tis in his own Style; but I suppose a Pen hath not commonly been managed with more cleanly Discourse by an Hand used only to the Trowel; and his Condition hath been such, that he may fairly have Leave to speak.
IN the year 1688. about Midsummer, it pleased the Lord to visit one of my children with a sore Visitation; and she was not only tormented in her Body, but was in great distress of Mind, Crying out, That she was in the dark concerning her Souls estate, and that she had misspent her precious time; She and we thinking her time was near at an end Hearing those Shrieks and Groans which did not only pierce the ears but Hearts of her poor Parents; now was a time for me to Consider with my self, and to look into my own heart and and life, and see how matters did there stand between God and my own soul, and see Wherefore the Lord was thus contending with me. And upon Enquiry I found cause to judge my self, & to justify the Lord. This Affliction continuing some time, the Lord saw good then to double the affliction in smiting down another Child, and that which was most heart breaking of all, and did double this double affliction was, it was apparent and judged by all that saw them, that the Devil and his Instruments, had a hand in it.