Cases of conscience concerning evil spirits personating men, witchcrafts, infallible proofs of guilt in…

and truly in my Opinion like a Wise and Orthodox Divine, what he says, reacheth both this and the former Case. Doctor Cotta (a Learned Physician) in his Book about The Trial of Witchcraft, showing the true and right Method of the Discovery with a Confutation of Erroneous Ways (which Book he Dedicates ⟨p. 37⟩to the Right Honourable Sir Edward Cook Lord Chief Justice of England) ^(f)He Discourses concerning the Exploration of Witches by the Touch of the Witch •uring the Touched Bewitched, and showeth the Fallibility and Vanity of that way of Trial, tho' he had often seen persons Bewitched in that way immediately delivered from the present Fit or Agony which was upon them. But he taketh it to be be a Diabolical Miracle. He argueth thus, ^(g)No man can doubt but that the virtue wherewith this Touch was endued, is supernatural. If it be so, how can man, to whom nothing is simply possible that is not natural, be justly reputed an Agent therein? If he cannot be esteemed in himself any possible or true Agent, then it remaineth that he can only be interested therein as an Accessary in Consent, or as a Servant unto a Superior Power. If that Superior Power be the Devil, the least reasonable doubt remaining, whether the Devil alone or with the Consent or Contract of the suspected person has produced that wonderful effect; with what Religion or Reason can any man incline rather to Credit the Devils mouth in the Bewitched, than to pity the Accused,& believe them against the subtlety of a deceitful Devil. If the Devil by Divine Permission ⟨p. 38⟩may cause supernatural Concomitances and Consequences to attend the natural Actions of men without their Allowance, as is manifest in Possessed Per•ons, how is it reasonable and just that the Impositions of the Devil should be imputed unto any man. And (saith he) God forbid that the Devils Signs and Wonders, nay his Truths should become any legal Allegations or Evidences in Law. We may therefore conclude it unjust that the forenamed Miraculous Effect by the Devil wrought and imputed by the Bewitched, should be esteemed an infallible Mark against any man, as therefore convinced for that the Devil and the Bewitched have so deciphered him? Thus that Learned Man. But to the case in hand, I have several things to offer.