N00530:262
The wonders of the invisible world. Observations as well historical as theological, upon the…
The wonders of the invisible world. Observations as well historical as theological, upon the nature, the number, and the operations of the devils. : Accompanied with, I. Some accounts of the grievous molestations, by daemons and witchcrafts, which have lately annoyed the country; and the trials of some eminent malefactors executed upon occasion thereof: with several remarkable curiosities therein occurring. II. Some councils, directing a due improvement of the terrible things, lately done, by the unusual & amazing range of evil spirits, in our neighbourhood: & the methods to prevent the wrongs which those evil angels may intend against all sorts of people among us; especially in accusations of the innocent. III. Some conjectures upon the great events, likely to befall, the world in general, and New-England in particular; as also upon the advances of the time, when we shall see better days. IV. A short narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of witches in Swedeland, very much resembling, and so far explaining, that under which our parts of America have laboured! V. The Devil discovered: in a brief discourse upon those temptations, which are the more ordinary devices of the Wicked One. / By Cotton Mather.The wonders of the invisible world. Observations as well historical as theological, upon the nature, the number, and the operations of the devils. : Accompany'd with, I. Some accounts of the grievous molestations, by daemons and witchcrafts, which have lately annoy'd the countrey; and the trials of some eminent malefactors executed upon occasion thereof: with several remarkable curiosities therein occurring. II. Some councils, directing a due improvement of the terrible things, lately done, by the unusual & amazing range of evil spirits, in our neighbourhood: & the methods to prevent the wrongs which those evil angels may intend against all sorts of people among us; especially in accusations of the innocent. III. Some conjectures upon the great events, likely to befall, the world in general, and New-England in particular; as also upon the advances of the time, when we shall see better dayes. IV. A short narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of witches in Swedeland, very much resembling, and so far explaining, that under which our parts of America have laboured! V. The Devil discovered: in a brief discourse upon those temptations, which are the more ordinary devices of the Wicked One. / By Cotton Mather.
Boston : printed, and sold by Benjamin Harris, 1693 i.e., 1692
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.
IV. There was a particular Deposition of Joseph Safford, That his Wife had conceived an extreme Aversion, to this How, on the Reports of her Witchcrafts: but How, one day taking her by the hand, and saying, I believe you are not Ignorant of the great Scandal, that I lie under, by an evil Report Raised upon me. She immediately, unreasonably, and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Woman's part. How being soon after propounded, as desiring an Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfied about her. The Elders appointed, a Meeting to hear Matters objected against her; and no Arguments in the world could hinder this Goodwife Safford, from going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise with much ado▪ that she would not go to the Church-Meeting, yet she could not refrain going thither also. How's Affairs there were so Canvased, that she came off rather Guilty, than Cleared; nevertheless Goodwi•e Safford could not forbear taking her by the hand, and saying, Tho' you are Condemned before men, you are Justified before God. She was quickly taken i• a very strange manner; Frantic, Raring, Raging▪ ⟨p. 129⟩and Crying out, Goody How must come into the Church; she is a precious Saint, and tho' she be Condemned before Men, she is Justified before God. So she continued for the space of two or three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But coming to her self, she cried out, Ha! I was mistaken, and afterwards again repeated, […] I was mistaken! Being asked by a stander-b•, Wherein? She replied, I thought Goody How, had been a Precious Saint of God, but now I see she is a Witch. She has Bewitched me, and my Child, and we shall never be well, till there be Testimony for her, that she may be taken into the Church. And How said afterwards, that she was very Sorry to see Safford at the Church-Meeting mentioned. Safford after this, declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape, of How; and from that Shape she endured many Miseries.
IV. There was a particular Deposition of Joseph Safford, That his Wife had conceived an extream Aversion, to this How, on the Reports of her Witchcrafts: but How, one day taking her by the hand, and saying, I believe you are not Ignorant of the great Scandal, that I ly under, by an evil Report Raised upon me. She immediately, unreasonably, and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Womans part. How being soon after propounded, as desiring an Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfy'd about her. The Elders appointed, a Meeting to hear Matters objected against her; and no Arguments in the world could hinder this Goodwife Safford, from going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise with much ado that she would not go to the Church-Meeting, yet she could not refrain going thither also. How's Affayrs there were so Canvased, that she came off rather Guilty, than Cleared; nevertheless Goodwie Safford could not forbear taking her by the hand, and saying, Tho' you are Condemned before men, you are Justify'd before God. She was quickly taken i a very strange manner; Frantick, Raring, Raging