N00505:169
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.
S. 'The Spectre.
B. Very good, and that's the Devil, turned informer: how are good men like to fare, against whom he hath a Particular malice.
S. For the most part they are known by them, at the least one or other of them.
B. It is but a Presumption; and wise men will weigh Presumptions against Presumptions. There is to be no […] without grounds of suspicion. Some persons Credit ought to be accounted too good to be undermined so far as to be suspected on so slight a ground; and it is an injury done them to bring them upon Examination, which renders them openly suspected. I will not deny but for persons already suspected, and of ill fame, it may occasion their being Examined; but if nothing else comes in, nor a Confession be made; the use of such a Presumption any further ceaseth: but if other things of moment appear, a further Legal proceeding may be made.
B. It is but a Presumption; and wise men will weigh Presumptions against Presumptions. There is to be no 〈…〉 without grounds of suspicion. Some persons Credit ought to be accounted too good to be undermined so far as to be suspected on so slight a ground; and it is an injury done them to bring them upon Examination, which renders them openly suspected. I will not deny but for persons already suspected, and of ill fame, it may occasion their being Examined; but if nothing else comes in, nor a Confession be made; the use of such a Presumption any further ceaseth: but if other things of moment appear, a further Legal proceeding may be made.