N00392:84
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.
The consideration of this was most dreadful: I thought of what David said, 2 Sam. 24. 14. if he feared so to fall into the hands of Men, ⟨p. 47⟩oh! then to think of the Horror of our condition, to be in the Hands of Devils and Witches! This our doleful condition moved us to call to our Friends to have pity on us, for Gods Hand […] touched us. I was ready to say, that no ones affliction was like mine; That my little House that should be a little Bethel for God to dwell him, should be made a Den for Devils; that those little Bodies, that should be Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in, should be thus harassed and abused by the Devil and his cursed Brood. But now this twice doubled affliction is doubled again. Two more of my Children are smitten down, oh! the Cries, the Shrieks, the Tortures of these poor Children! Doctors cannot help, Parents weep and lament over them, but cannot ease them. Now I considering my affliction to be more than ordinary, it did certainly call for more than ordinary Prayer. I acquainted Mr. Allen, Mr. Moodey, Mr. Willard, and Mr. C. Mather, the four Ministers of the Town with it, and Mr.Morton of Charlestown; earnestly desiring them, that they, with some other praying people of God, would meet at my house, and there be earnest with God, on the behalf of us and our Children; which they (I thank them for it) readily •• tended with great fervency of Spirit; but at for my part, my heart was ready to sink to […] and see those doleful Sights. Now I thought that I had greatly neglected my duty to my Children, ⟨p. 48⟩in not admonishing and instructing of them and that God was hereby calling my sins to mind, to slay my Children, Then I pondered of that place in Numb. 23. 23. Surely there is no Enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any Divination against Israel. And now I thought I had broke Covenant with God, not only in one respect but in many, but it pleased the Lord to bring that to mind in Heb. 8. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their Sins & Iniquities will I remember no more. The Consideration how the Lord did deal with Job, and his Patience and the End the Lord made with him was some support to me. I thought also, on what David said, that He had sinned, but what have these poor Lambs done? But yet in the midst of my tumultuous Thoughts within me, it was Gods Comforts that did delight my soul.