N00531:94
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.
Indeed, if Persons are Distracted or under the Power of Phrenetick Melancholy that alters the case. But the Jurors that examine them, and their Neighbours that know them may easily determine that case. Or if Confession be (m)extorted, the Evidence is not so clear and Convictive. But if any Persons out of Remorse of Conscience, or from a Touch of God on their Spirits, confess and show their Deeds, as the Converted Magicians in Ephesus did Act. 19. 18, 19. Nothing can be more clear. Suppose a man to be suspected for Murder, or for Committing a Rape, or the like Nefandous Wickedness, if he does freely confess the Accusation that's ground enough to condemn him. The Scripture approveth of Judging the wicked Servant out of his own Mouth. Luk. 19. 22. It is by some objected that persons in Discontent may falsely accuse themselves. I say, if they do so, and it cannot be proved, that they are false Accusers of themselves, they ought to dye for their Wickedness, and their Blood will be upon their own Heads. The Jury, the Judges, and the Land is clear. I have read a very sad and amazing and yet a true story to this purpose
Indeed, if Persons are Distracted or under the Power of Phrenetick Melancholy that alters the case. But the Jurors that examine them, and their Neighbours that know them may easily determine that case. Or if Confession be (m)extorted, the Evidence is not so clear and Convictive. But if any Persons out of Remorse of Conscience, or from a Touch of God on their Spirits, confess and shew their Deeds, as the Converted Magicians in Ephesus did Act. 19. 18, 19. Nothing can be more clear. Suppose a man to be suspected for Murder, or for Committing a Rape, or the like Nefandous Wickedness, if he does freely confess the Accusation that's ground enough to condemn him. The Scripture approveth of Judging the wicked Servant out of his own Mouth. Luk. 19. 22. It is by some objected that persons in Discontent may falsely accuse themselves. I say, if they do so, and it cannot be proved, that they are false Accusers of themselves, they ought to dye for their Wickedness, and their Blood will be upon their own Heads. The Jury, the Judges, and the Land is clear. I have read a very sad and amazing and yet a true story to this purpose