N00505:156
Some miscellany observations on our present debates respecting witchcrafts, in a dialogue between S.…
Some miscellany observations on our present debates respecting witchcrafts, in a dialogue between S. & B. / By P.E. and J.A.
printed by William Bradford for Hezekiah Usher, 1692
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
B. I think not: and my reason is, because there must be at least […] Fact proved against the person, for which he ought to die: and that is it which his Guilt is to be found upon; and it is enough: but if there be no one such thing, all the Suspicious Circumstances will not make it up, because the thing is not made certain by them. Besides, […] us, that never so many mere Presumptions will not do it.
B. I think not: and my reason is, because there must be at least 〈…〉 Fact proved against the person, for which he ought to dy: and that is it which his Guilt is to be found upon; and it is enough: but if there be no one such thing, all the Suspicious Circumstances will not make it up, because the thing is not made certain by them. Besides, 〈…〉 us, that never so many meer Presumptions will not do it.
S. But suppose the person accused cannot prove himself in another place at the time, will not the Accusation then suffice.
B. No, not in case of Witchcraft, when only the Afflicted […] By-standers can neither see nor feel any thing: for that sight […] and that is preternatural, and so not convictive; because, as I before told you, witness to matter of Fact, must be of things that come under our Senses, at they are Humane: this therefore proves nothing distinctly, or individually, but only disjunctively, viz. that it is either by Witchcraft, or more immediately from the Devil.
B. No, not in case of Witchcraft, when only the Afflicted 〈…〉 By-standers can neither see nor feel any thing: for that sight 〈…〉 and that is preternatural, and so not convictive; because, as I before told you, witness to matter of Fact, must be of things that come under our Senses, at they are Humane: this therefore proves nothing distinctly, or individually, but only disjunctively, viz. that it is either by Witchcraft, or more immediately from the Devil.