N00531:115
Cases of conscience concerning evil spirits personating men, witchcrafts, infallible proofs of guilt in…
Cases of conscience concerning evil spirits personating men, witchcrafts, infallible proofs of guilt in such as are accused with that crime. All considered according to the Scriptures, history, experience, and the judgment of many learned men. / By Increase Mather, president of Harvard College, at Cambridge, and teacher of a church at Boston in New-England. ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston printed, : and sold by Benjamin Harris at the London Coffee-House., 1693
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.
The Return of several Ministers Consulted by His Excellency, and the Honourable Council, upon the present Witchcrafts in Salem-Village. Boston, June 15. 1692.
The Return of several Ministers Consulted by His Excellency, and the Honourable Council, upon the pres•nt Witchcra•ts in Salem-Village. Boston, June 15. 1692.
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 ?⟩