1. The Afflicted State of our poor Neighbours, that are now Suffering by Mole•tations from the Invisible World, we apprehend so deplorable, that we think their Condition calls for the utmost Help of all persons in their several Capacities▪ II. We cannot but with all Thankfulness Acknowledge, the Success which the Merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and Assiduous Endeavours of our Honourable Rulers, to detect the Abominable Witchcrafts which have been Committed in the Country; Humbly praying that the Discovery of th•se Mysterious and Mischievous Wickedness•s, may be perfected. III. We judge that in the prosecution of th•se, and all such Witchcrafts, there is need of a very critical and Exquisite Ca•tion, le•t by too much Credulity for Things, received only upon the Devils Authority, there be a Door opened for a long Train of miserable Consequences; and Satan get an Advantage over us, for we should not be Ignorant of his Devices. IV. As in Complaints upon Witchcrafts, there may be matters of ••quiry, which do not amount unto Matters of Presumption, […] •••re may be matters of Presumption which yet may not ⟨image ?⟩be reckoned […] of Conviction, so 'tis necessary that all Proceedings there […], be […] with an exceeding Tenderness towards those that may be complained of; especially if they have been persons formerly of an unblemished Reputation. V. When the first Enquiry is made into the Circumstances of such as may lie under any just Suspicion of Witchcrafts, we could wish that there may be admitted as little as is possible, of such Noise, Company, and Openness, as may too hastily expose them that are Examined: and that there may nothing be used as a Test, for the Trial of the Suspected, the Lawfulness whereof may be doubted among the People of God; but that the Di•ections given by such Judicious Writers, as Perkins and Bernard, be consulted in such a Case. VI. Presumptions whereupon persons may be Committed, and much more, Convictions where upon persons may be Condemned as Guilty of Witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more consid•• […], than barely the Accused Persons being Represented by a Spectre unto the Afflicted; inasmuch as 'tis an undoubted and a Notorious Thing, That a Demon may, by Gods Permission, appear even to Ill purposes, in the Shape of an Innocent, yea, and a virtuous man.
1. THe Afflicted State of our poor Neighbours, that are now Suffering by Mole•tations from the Invisible World, we apprehend so deplorable, that we think their Condition calls for the utmost Help of all persons in their several Capacities▪ II. We cannot but with all Thankfulness Acknowledge, the Success which the Merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and Assiduous Endeavours of our Honourable Rulers, to detect the Abominable Witch•rafts which have been Committed in the Country; Humbly praying that the Discovery of th•se Mysterious and Mischievous Wickedness•s, may be perfected. III. We judge that in the prosecution of th•se, and all such Witchcrafts, there is need of a very critical and Exquisite Ca•tion, le•t by too much Credulity for Things, received only upon the Devils Authority, there be a Door opened for a long Train of miserable Consequences; and Satan get an Advantage over us, for we should not be Ignorant of his Devices. IV. As in Complaints upon Witchcrafts, there may be matters of ••quiry, which do not amount unto Matters of Praesumptio•, 〈…〉 •••re may be matters of Praesumption which yet may not ⟨image ?⟩be reckoned 〈…〉 of Conviction, so 'tis necessary that all Proceedings there 〈…〉, be 〈…〉 with an exceeding Tenderness towards those that may be complained of; especially if they have been persons formerly of an unblemished Reputation. V. When the first Enquiry is made into the Circumstances of such as may ly under any just Suspicion of Witchcrafts, we could wish that there may be admitted as little as is possible, of such Noise, Company, and Openness, as may too hastily expose them that are Examined: and that there may nothing be used as a Test, for the Trial of the Suspected, the Lawfulness whereof may be doubted among the People of God; but that the Di•ections given by such Judicious Writers, as Perkins and Bernard, be consulted in such a Case. VI. Presumptions whereupon persons may be Committed, and much more, Convictions where upon persons may be Condemned as Guilty of Witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more consid , than barely the Accused Persons being Represented by a Spctre unto the Afflicted; inasmuch as 'tis an undoubted and a Notorious Thing, That a Doemon may, by Gods Permission, appear even to Ill purposes, in the Shape of an Innocent, yea, and a vertuous man.
