asserts this doctrine, is the famous Mr. Perkins, 9 he, as also Mr. Gaul and Mr. Bernard, et cetera, seem all of them to have undertaken one task. They, taking notice of the multiplicity of irregular ways to try them by, invented by heathens and papists, made it their business and main work herein to oppose such as they saw to be pernicious. And if they did not look more narrowly into it, but followed the first, namely, Mr. Perkins, whose education (as theirs also) had forestalled him into such belief, whom they readily followed, it cannot be wondered at. And that they were men liable to err and so not to be trusted to as perfect guides will manifestly appear to him that shall see their several receipts laid down to detect them by their presumptive and positive ones. And consider how few of either have any foundation in scripture or reason, and how vastly they differ from each other in both, each having his art by himself, which forty or a hundred more may as well imitate, and give theirs, ad infinitum, being without all manner of proof.
But though this be their main design, to take off people from those evil and bloody ways of trial which they speak so much against, yet this does not hinder to this day, but the same evil ways or as bad are still used to detect them by, and that even among Protestants. And is so far justified that a reverend person has said lately here, How else shall we detect witches? And another being urged to prove by scripture such a sort of witch as has power to send devils to kill men replied that he did as firmly believe it as any article of his faith. And that he (the inquirer) did not go to the scripture to learn the mysteries of his trade or art. What can be said more to establish there heathenish notions and to vilify the scriptures, our only rule, and that after we have seen such dire effects thereof, as has threatened the utter extirpation of this whole country.
And as to most of the actors in these tragedies, though they are so far from defending their actions that they will readily own that undue steps have been taken, et cetera. Yet it seems they choose that the same should be acted over again, enforced by their example, rather than that it should remain as a warning to posterity, wherein they have missed it. So far are they from giving glory to God and taking the due shame to themselves.
And now to sum up all in a few words, we have seen a bigoted zeal stirring up a blind and most bloody rage, not against enemies or irreligious profligate persons but (in judgment of charity, and to view) against as virtuous and religious as any they have left behind them in this country, which have suffered as evildoers with the utmost extent of rigor (not that so high a character is due to all that suffered) and this by the testimony of vile varlets as not only were known before but have been further apparent since by their manifest lives, whoredoms, incest, et cetera. The accusations of these, from their spectral sight, being the chief evidence against those that suffered. In which accusations they were upheld by both magistrates and ministers, so long as they apprehended themselves in no danger.
And then though they could defend neither the doctrine nor the practice, yet none of them have in such a public manner as the case requires testified against either, though at the same time they could not but be sensible what a stain and lasting infamy they have brought upon the whole country, to the endangering the future welfare not only of this but of other places, induced by their example; if not, to an entailing the guilt of all the righteous blood that has been by the same means shed by heathens or papists, et cetera, upon themselves, whose deeds they have so far justified, occasioning the great dishonor and blasphemy of the name of God, scandalizing the heathen, hardening of enemies; and as a natural effect thereof, to the great increase of atheism.
THE TRIAL OF GRACE SHERWOOD, PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY,
But though this be their main design, to take off people from those evil and bloody ways of trial which they speak so much against, yet this does not hinder to this day, but the same evil ways or as bad are still used to detect them by, and that even among Protestants. And is so far justified that a reverend person has said lately here, How else shall we detect witches? And another being urged to prove by scripture such a sort of witch as has power to send devils to kill men replied that he did as firmly believe it as any article of his faith. And that he (the inquirer) did not go to the scripture to learn the mysteries of his trade or art. What can be said more to establish there heathenish notions and to vilify the scriptures, our only rule, and that after we have seen such dire effects thereof, as has threatened the utter extirpation of this whole country.
And as to most of the actors in these tragedies, though they are so far from defending their actions that they will readily own that undue steps have been taken, et cetera. Yet it seems they choose that the same should be acted over again, enforced by their example, rather than that it should remain as a warning to posterity, wherein they have missed it. So far are they from giving glory to God and taking the due shame to themselves.
And now to sum up all in a few words, we have seen a bigoted zeal stirring up a blind and most bloody rage, not against enemies or irreligious profligate persons but (in judgment of charity, and to view) against as virtuous and religious as any they have left behind them in this country, which have suffered as evildoers with the utmost extent of rigor (not that so high a character is due to all that suffered) and this by the testimony of vile varlets as not only were known before but have been further apparent since by their manifest lives, whoredoms, incest, et cetera. The accusations of these, from their spectral sight, being the chief evidence against those that suffered. In which accusations they were upheld by both magistrates and ministers, so long as they apprehended themselves in no danger.
And then though they could defend neither the doctrine nor the practice, yet none of them have in such a public manner as the case requires testified against either, though at the same time they could not but be sensible what a stain and lasting infamy they have brought upon the whole country, to the endangering the future welfare not only of this but of other places, induced by their example; if not, to an entailing the guilt of all the righteous blood that has been by the same means shed by heathens or papists, et cetera, upon themselves, whose deeds they have so far justified, occasioning the great dishonor and blasphemy of the name of God, scandalizing the heathen, hardening of enemies; and as a natural effect thereof, to the great increase of atheism.
THE TRIAL OF GRACE SHERWOOD, PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY,
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