irregularly.
Truly, I take this to be just as the Devil would have it, so much to fear disobliging men, as not to endeavor to detect his wiles, that so he may the sooner, and with the greater advantages set the same on foot again (either here or elsewhere) so dragging us through the pond twice by the same cat. And if reports do not (herein) deceive us, much the same has been acting this present year in Scotland. And what kingdom or country is it that has not had their bloody fits and turns at it. And if this is such a catching disease, and so universal, I presume I need make no apology for my endeavors to prevent, as far as in my power, any more such bloody victims or sacrifices. Though indeed I had rather any other would have undertaken so offensive, though necessary, a task. Yet all things weighed, I had rather thus expose myself to censure, than that it should be wholly omitted. Were the notions in question innocent and harmless, respecting the glory of God, and well-being of men, I should not have engaged in them, but finding them in my esteem so intolerably destructive of both, this, together with my being by warrant called before the justices, in my own just vindication, I took it to be a call from God to my power, to vindicate his truths, against the pagan and popish assertions 5 which are so prevalent. For though Christians in general do own the scriptures to be their only rule of Faith and doctrine, yet these notions will tell us that the scriptures have not sufficiently, nor at all, described the crime of witchcraft, whereby the culpable might be detected, though it be positive in the command to punish it by death. Hence the world has been from time to time perplexed in the prosecution of the several diabolical mediums of heathenish and popish invention, to detect an imaginary crime (not but that there are witches, such as the law of God describes) which has produced a deluge of blood; hereby rendering the commands of God not only void but dangerous.
So also they own God’s providence and government of the world, and that tempests and storms, afflictions and diseases are of his sending. Yet these notions tell us that the Devil has the power of all these and can perform them when commissioned by a witch thereto, and that he has a power at the witch’s call to act and do, without and against the course of nature, and all natural causes, in afflicting and killing of innocents; and this is that so many have died for.
Also it is generally believed that if any man has strength, it is from God the almighty being. But these notions will tell us that the Devil can make one man as strong as many, which was one of the best proofs, as it was counted, against Mr. Burroughs the minister. Though his contemporaries in the schools during his minority could have testified that his strength was then as much superior to theirs as ever (setting aside incredible romances) it was discovered to be since. Thus rendering the power of God, and his providence of none effect. 6
These are some of the destructive notions of this age, and however the asserters of them seem sometimes to value themselves much upon sheltering their neighbors from spectral accusations, they may deserve as much thanks as that tyrant that having industriously obtained an unintelligible charge against his subjects in matters wherein it was impossible they should be guilty, having thereby their lives in his power, yet suffers them of his mere grace to live, and will be called gracious Lord.
It were too Icarian 7 a task for one unfurnished with necessary learning and library to give any just account from whence so great delusions have sprung and so long continued. Yet as an essay from those scraps of reading that I have had opportunity of, it will be no great venture to say that signs and lying wonders have been one principal cause.
It is written of Justin Martyr, who lived in the second century, that he was before his conversion a great philosopher; first in the
Truly, I take this to be just as the Devil would have it, so much to fear disobliging men, as not to endeavor to detect his wiles, that so he may the sooner, and with the greater advantages set the same on foot again (either here or elsewhere) so dragging us through the pond twice by the same cat. And if reports do not (herein) deceive us, much the same has been acting this present year in Scotland. And what kingdom or country is it that has not had their bloody fits and turns at it. And if this is such a catching disease, and so universal, I presume I need make no apology for my endeavors to prevent, as far as in my power, any more such bloody victims or sacrifices. Though indeed I had rather any other would have undertaken so offensive, though necessary, a task. Yet all things weighed, I had rather thus expose myself to censure, than that it should be wholly omitted. Were the notions in question innocent and harmless, respecting the glory of God, and well-being of men, I should not have engaged in them, but finding them in my esteem so intolerably destructive of both, this, together with my being by warrant called before the justices, in my own just vindication, I took it to be a call from God to my power, to vindicate his truths, against the pagan and popish assertions 5 which are so prevalent. For though Christians in general do own the scriptures to be their only rule of Faith and doctrine, yet these notions will tell us that the scriptures have not sufficiently, nor at all, described the crime of witchcraft, whereby the culpable might be detected, though it be positive in the command to punish it by death. Hence the world has been from time to time perplexed in the prosecution of the several diabolical mediums of heathenish and popish invention, to detect an imaginary crime (not but that there are witches, such as the law of God describes) which has produced a deluge of blood; hereby rendering the commands of God not only void but dangerous.
So also they own God’s providence and government of the world, and that tempests and storms, afflictions and diseases are of his sending. Yet these notions tell us that the Devil has the power of all these and can perform them when commissioned by a witch thereto, and that he has a power at the witch’s call to act and do, without and against the course of nature, and all natural causes, in afflicting and killing of innocents; and this is that so many have died for.
Also it is generally believed that if any man has strength, it is from God the almighty being. But these notions will tell us that the Devil can make one man as strong as many, which was one of the best proofs, as it was counted, against Mr. Burroughs the minister. Though his contemporaries in the schools during his minority could have testified that his strength was then as much superior to theirs as ever (setting aside incredible romances) it was discovered to be since. Thus rendering the power of God, and his providence of none effect. 6
These are some of the destructive notions of this age, and however the asserters of them seem sometimes to value themselves much upon sheltering their neighbors from spectral accusations, they may deserve as much thanks as that tyrant that having industriously obtained an unintelligible charge against his subjects in matters wherein it was impossible they should be guilty, having thereby their lives in his power, yet suffers them of his mere grace to live, and will be called gracious Lord.
It were too Icarian 7 a task for one unfurnished with necessary learning and library to give any just account from whence so great delusions have sprung and so long continued. Yet as an essay from those scraps of reading that I have had opportunity of, it will be no great venture to say that signs and lying wonders have been one principal cause.
It is written of Justin Martyr, who lived in the second century, that he was before his conversion a great philosopher; first in the
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