N00392:87
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.
Here was now a double mercy, and how sweet was it, knowing it came in Answer of Prayer! Now we see and know ⟨p. 52⟩it is not a vain thing to call on the name of the Lord For He is a present help in the time of trouble; am we may boldly say the Lord has been our helpe• I had sunk, but Jesus put forth His hand & bo•• me up. My Faith was ready to fail, but this was a support to me that Christ said to Peter, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And man other Promises were as Cordials to my drooping soul. And the Consideration of all those that ever came to Christ Jesus for Healing, that He healed their bodies, pardoned their Sins, and healed their Souls too; which I hope in God may be the fruit of this present Affliction. In God be pleased to make the Fruit of this Affliction to be to take away our sin, and cleanse us from iniquity, and to put us on with greater diligence to make our Calling & election sure, then, happy Affliction! The Lord said that I had need of this to awake me. I have found a prosperous Condition a dangerous Condition. I have taken notice and considered more of God's Goodness in these few weeks of Affliction, than in many years of Prosperity. I may speak it with shame, so wicked and deceitful, and ungrateful is my heart that the more God hath been doing for me, the less I have been doing for Him. My Returns have not been according to my Receivings. The Lord help me now to praise Him in heart, lip, & life. The Lord help us to see by this Visitation, what […] we have to get shelter under the wing of ⟨p. 53⟩Christ, to hast to the Rock, where we may be safe. We see how ready the Devils are to catch us, and torment our Bodies, and he is as diligent to ensnare our Souls, and that many wayest •ut let us put on all our spiritual Armour, and follow Christ the Captain of our Salvation; and tho we meet with the Cross, let us bear it patiently and cheerfully, for if Jesus Christ be at the one end, we need not fear the Hea•t of it: if we have Christ we have enough; He can make His Rod as well as His Staff to be a comfort to no; and we shall not want if we be the sheep of Christ. If we want Afflictions we shall have them, and Sanctified Afflictions are choice mercies.