Decorative T'The First Case that I am desired to express my Judgment in, is this,Whether it is not Possible for the Devil to impose on the imaginations of Persons Bewitched, and to cause them to Believe that an Innocent, yea that a Pious person does torment them, when the Devil himself doth it; or whether Satan may not appear in the Shape of an Innocent and Pious, as well as of a Nocent and Wicked Person, to Afflict such as suffer by Diabolical Molestations?
The Answer to the Question must be Affirmative; Let the following Arguments be duely weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary.
Argu. 1.There are several Scriptures from which we may infer the Possibility of what is Affirmed.
1. We find that theDevil by the Instigation of the Witch at Endor appeared in the Likeness of the Prophet Samuel. I am not ignorant that some have asserted that, which, if it were proved, would evert this Argument,viz.that it was the true and not a delusiveSamuelwhich the Witch brought to converse withSaul. Of this Opinionare some of the Jewish Rabbies[1]and some Christian Doctors[2]and many late Popish Authors[3]amongst whomCornel. a Lapideis most elaborate. But that it was aDæmonrepresentingSamuelhas been evinced by learned and Orthodox Writers: especially[4]Peter Martyr,[5]Balduinus[6]Lavater, and our incomparableJohn Rainolde. I shall not here insist on the clearing of that, especially considering, that elsewhere I have done it: only let me add, that the Witch said toSaul,I see Elohim, i. e.A God; (for the whole Context shows, that a single Person is intended)Ascending out of the Earth.1 Sam. 28.13.The Devil would be Worshipped as a God, andSaulnow, that he was become aNecromancer, must bow himself to him. Moreover, had it been the trueSamuelfrom Heaven reprehendingSaul, there is great Reason to believe, that he would not only have reproved him for his sin, in not executing Judgment on theAmalekites; as in Ver. 18. But for his Wickedness in consulting with Familiar Spirits: For which Sin it was in special that he died.2 Chron. 10.13.But in as much as there is not one word to testify against that Abomination, we may conclude that it was not realSamuelthat appeared toSaul: and if it were the Devil in his likeness, the Argument seems very strong, that if the Devil may appear in the form of a Saint in Glory, much more is it possible for him to put on the likeness of the most Pious and Innocent Saint on Earth. Thereare, who acknowledge that aDæmonmay appear in the shape of a Godly Person,But not as doing Evil. Whereas the Devil inSamuel'slikeness told a pernicious Lye, when he said,Thou hath disquieted me.It was not in the Power ofSaul, nor of all the Devils in Hell, to disquiet a Soul in Heaven, whereSamuelhad been for Two years before this Apparition. Nor did theSpectrespeak true, when he said,Thou and thy Sons shall be with me:Tho'Saulhimself at his Death went to be with the Devil, his SonJonathandid not so. Besides, (which suits with the matter in hand) the Devil inSamuelsshape confirmedNecromancyandCursed Witchery. He that can in the likeness of Saints encourage Witches to Familiarity with Hell, may possibly in the likeness of a Saint afflict a Bewitched Person. But this we see from Scripture, Satan may be permitted to do.
And whereas it is objected, that the Devil may appear indeed in the form of Dead Persons, but that he cannot represent such as are living; The contrary is manifest. No Question hadSaulsaid to the Witch, bring meDavidwho was then living, she could as easily have shown livingDavidas deadSamuel, as easily as that great Conjurer of whom[7]Wierusspeaks, brought the appearance ofHectorandAchilles, and after that ofDavidbefore the EmperourMaximilian.
And that evil Angels have sometimes appeared in the likeness of living absent persons, is a thing abundantly confirmed by History.
[8]Austintells us of one that went for resolution in some intricate Questions to a Philosopher, of whom he could getno Answer; but in the Night the Philosopher comes to him, and resolves all his Doubts. Not long after, he demanded the reason why he could not answer him in the Day as well as in the Night; The Philosopher professed he was not with him in the Night, only acknowledged that he dreamed of his having such conversation of his Friend, but he was all the time at home, and asleep.PaulusandPalladiusdid both of them profess toAustin, that one in his shape, had divers times, and in divers places appeared to them:[9]Thyreusmentions several Apparitions of absent living persons, which happened in his time, and which he had the certain knowledge of. A Man that is in one place cannot (Autoprosopos) at the same time be in another. It remains then that suchSpectresare Prodigious and Supernatural, and not without Diabolical Operation. It has been Controverted among Learned Men, whether innocent Persons may not by the malice and deluding Power of the Devil be represented as present amongst Witches at their dark Assemblies. The mentionedThyreussays, that the Devil may, and often does represent the forms of Innocent Persons out of those Conventions, and that there is no Question to be made of it, but as to his natural Power and Art he is able to make their shapes appear amongst his own Servants, but he supposeth the Providence of God will not suffer such an Injury to be done to an Innocent Person. With him[10]Delrio, andSpineusconcur. ButCumanusin hisLucerna Inquisitorum(a Book which I have not yet seen) defends the Affirmative in this Question.BinsFieldiusin his Treatise, concerning the Confession of Witches, inclines to the Negative, only[11]he acknowledgesDei extraordinaria Permissione posse Innocentes sic representari.And he that shall assert, that Great and Holy God never did nor ever will permit the Devil thus far to abuse an Innocent Person, affirms more than he is able to prove. The story ofGermanushis discovering a Diabolical illusion of this nature, concerning a great number of Persons that seemed to be at a Feast when they were really at home and asleep, is mentioned by many Authors. But the particulars insisted on, do sufficiently evince the Truth of what we assert,viz.That the Devil may by Divine Permission appear in the shape of Innocent and Pious Persons. Nevertheless, It is evident from another Scripture,viz.that in2 Cor. 11.14.For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light.He seems to be what he is not, and makes others seem to be what they are not. He represents evil men as good, and good men as evil. The Angels of Heaven, (who are the Angels of Light) love Truth and Righteousness, the Devil will seem to do so too; and does therefore sometimes lay before men excellent good Principles and exhort them (as he didTheodore Maillit) to practise many things, which by the Law of Righteousness they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive. Is it not strange, that he has sometimes intimated to his most devoted servants, that if they would have familiar Conversation with him, they must be careful to keep themselves from enormous Sins, and pray constantly for Divine Protection? But so has hetransformed himself into an Angel of Light, as[12]Boissardussheweth. He has frequently appeared to Men pretending to be a good Angel, so toAnatoliusof old; and the late instances of[13]Dr.DeeandKelletare famously known. How many deludedEnthusiastsboth in former and latter times have been imposed on by Satans appearing visibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel. And moreover, he may be said to transform himself into anAngel of Light, because of his appearing in the Form ofHoly Men, who are theChildren of Light, yea in the shape and habit of Eminent Ministers of God. So did he appear to Mr.EarlofColchesterin the likeness of Mr.Liddalan Holy Man of God, and to theTurkish ChaousBaptized atLondon,Anno 1658.pretending to be Mr.Duryan Excellent Minister of Christ. And how often has he pretended to be the ApostlePaulorPeteror some other celebrated Saint? Ecclesiastical Histories abound with Instances of this nature. Yea, sometimes he has transfigured himself into the Form of Christ. It is reported that he appeared to[14]St.MartinGloriously arrayed, as if he had been Christ. So likewise to[15]Secundellus, and to another Saint, who suspecting it was Satan, transforming himself into anAngel of Lighthad this expression,If I may see Christ in Heaven it is enough, I desire not to see him in this World; whereupon theSpectrevanished. It has been related ofLuther, that after he had been Fasting and Praying in his Study, the Devil come pretending to be Christ, butLuthersaying,away thou confounded Devil, I acknowledge no Christ but what is in my Bible, nothing more was seen. Thus then the Devil is able (by Divine Permission) to Change himself into what form or figure he pleaseth,
Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum.
Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum.
A Third Scripture to our purpose is that, inRev. 12.10.where the Devil is called theAccuser of the Brethren. Such is the malice and impudence of the Devil, as that he does accuse good Men, and that before God, and that not only of such Faults as they really are guilty of, he accusedJoshuawith his filthy Garments, when through his Indulgence some of his Family had transgressed by unlawful Marriages,Zach. 3.23.withEzra. 10.18.but also with such Crimes, as they are altogether free from. He represented the Primitive Christians as the vilest of men, and as if at their Meetings they did commit the most nefandous Villanies that ever were known; and that not only Innocent, but Eminently Pious Persons should thro' the malice of the Devil be accused with the Crime of Witchcraft, is no new thing. Such an Affliction did the Lord see meet to exercise the greatAthanasiuswith[16]only the Divine Providence did wonderfully vindicate him from that as well as from some other foul Aspersions. TheWaldenses(altho' the Scriptures call themSaints,Rev. 13.7.) have been traduced by Satan and by the World as horrible Witches; so have others in other places, only because they have done extraordinary things by their Prayers: It is by many Authorsrelated, that a City inFrancewas molested with a DiabolicalSpectre, which the People were wont to callHugon; near that place a number of Protestants were wont to meet to serve God, whence the Professors of the true reformed Religion were nic-namedHugonots, by the Papists, who designed to render them before the World, as the Servants and Worshippers of thatDæmon, that went under the name ofHugon. And how often have I read in Books written by Jesuits, thatLutherwas a Wizard, and that he did himself confess that he had familiarity with Satan! Most impudent Untruths! nor are these things to be wondered at, since the Holy Son of God himself was reputed aMagician, and one that had Familiarity with the greatest of Devils. The Blaspheming Pharisees said,he casts out the Devils thro' the Prince of Devils,Matth. 9.34.There is then not the best Saint on Earth (Man or Woman) that can assure themselves that the Devil shall not cast such an Imputation upon them.It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master, and the Servant as his Lord: If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub, how much more them of his Household,Matth. 10.25.It is not for men to determine how far the Holy God may permit the wicked one to proceed in his Accusations. The sacred story ofJobgiveth us to understand, that the Lord whose ways are past finding out, does for wise and holy Ends suffer Satan by immediate Operation, (and consequently by Witchcraft) greatly to afflict innocent Persons, as in their Bodies and Estates, so in their Reputations. I shall mention but one Scripture more to confirm the Truth in hand: It is that inEccles. 9.2, 3.where it is said,All things comealike to all, there is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, as is the Good, so is the Sinner, this is an evil amongst all things under the Sun, that there is one Event happeneth to all.And inEccles. 7.15.'tis said,There is a just man that perisheth in his Righteousness.
From hence we infer, that there is no outward Affliction whatsoever but may befal a good Man; now to be represented by Satan as a Tormentor of Bewitched or Possessed Persons, is a sore Affliction to a good man. To be tormented by Satan is a sore Affliction, yet nothing but what befelJob, and a Daughter ofAbraham, whom we read of in the Gospel: To be represented by Satan as tormenting others, is an Affliction like the former; the Lord may bring such extraordinary Temptations on his own Children, to afflict and humble them, for some Sin they have been guilty of before him. A most wicked Person in St.Ives, got a Knife, and went with it to a Ministers House, designing to stab him, but was disappointed; afterwards Conscience being awakened, the Devil appears to this Person in the Shape of that Minister, with a Knife in his hand exhorting to Self-murder: Was not here a Punishment suitable to the Sin which that Person had been guilty of? Perhaps some of those whom Satan has represented as committing Witchcrafts, have been tampering with some foolish and wicked Sorceries, tho' not to that degree, which is Criminal and Capital by the Laws both of God and Men; for this Satan may be permitted so to scourge them; or it may be, they have misrepresented and abused others, for which cause the Holy God may justly give Satan leave falsely to represent them.
Have we not known some that have bitterly censured all that have been complained of by bewitched Persons, saying it was impossible they should not be guilty; soon upon which themselves or some near Relations of theirs, have been to the lasting Infamy of their Families, accused after the same manner, and Personated by the Devil! Such tremendous Rebukes on a few, should make all men to be careful how they joyn with Satan in Condemning the Innocent.
Arg. 2.Because it is possible for the Devil in the Shape of an innocent Person to do other mischiefs.As for those who acknowledge that Satan may personate a pious Person, but not to do mischief, their Opinion has been confuted by more than a few unhappy Instances. Mr.Clark[17]speaks of a Man that had been an Atheist, or a Sadduce, not believing that there are any Devils or any (to us) invisible World; this Man was converted, but as a Punishment of his Infidelity, evil Angels did often appear to him in the Shape of his most intimate Friends, and would sometimes seduce him into great Inconveniences. It has been elsewhere, and but now noted, that aDæmonin the shape of excellent Mr.Duryappeared to theTurkish Chaos,Anno. 1658.to disswade him from prosecuting his desires of Baptism into the Name of Christ: Also to Mr.Earlein the likeness of his Friends, to discourage him from doing things lawful and good. A multitude ofJewswere once deluded by a Person pretending to beMosesfrom Heaven, and that if they would follow him they should pass safe through the Sea(as did their Fathers of old through the Red Sea) whereby great numbers of them were deceived and perished in the Waters.[18]Learned and judicious Men have concluded that thisMoses Creensiswas aDæmon, transforming himself intoMoses: And that the Devil has frequently appeared[19]in the shape of famous Persons to the end that he might seduce Men into Idolatry, (a Sin equal to that of Witchcraft) no Man that has made it his Concern to enquire into things of this nature can be ignorant. Many Examples of this kind are collected by Mr.Bromhallin hisTreatise of Spectres, and the cunning Devil, to strengthen Men in their worshipping of Saints departed:And by Mr.Bovetin hisPandemonium. It is credibly reported that the Devil in the likeness of a faithful Minister (as St.Ivesbefore mentioned, nearBostoninLincolnshire) came to one that was in trouble of Mind, telling her the longer she lived, the worse it would be for her; and therefore advising her to Self-murder: An eminent Person still living had the account of this Matter from Mr.Cotton(the famous Teacher of bothBostons.) He was well acquainted with that Minister, who related to him the whole Story, with all the Circumstances of it: For Mr.Cottenwas so affected with the Report, as to take a Journey on purpose to the Town where this happened, that so he might obtain a satisfactory account about it, which he did. Some Authors say, that aDæmonappeared in the form ofSylvanus(Hierom'sFriend) attempting a dishonest thing, the Devil thereby designing to blast the Reputation of a famous Bishop. Ihave in another Book mentioned that celebrated Instance concerning an honest Citizen inZurick(the Metropolis ofHelvetia) in whose shape the Devil appeared, committing an abominable Fact (not fit to be named) very early in the Morning, seen by the Prefect of the City, and his Servant; they were amazed to behold a Man of good Esteem for his Conversation, perpetrating a thing so vile and abominable; but going from theSpectrein the Field, to the Citizen's House in the Town, they found him at home, and in his Bed, nor had he been abroad that Morning, which convinced them, that what they saw was an Illusion of the Devil: This Passage is mentioned as a thing known and certain byLavaterin his Treatise ofSpectres,[20]who was a most learned and judicious Preacher in that City. OurJuelsaith of him, that he must ingeniously confess, that he never understoodSolomon's ProverbsuntilLavaterexpounded them to him: That Book of hisDe Spectrishath been published inLatin, High and LowDutch,French,Italian. The learnedZanchy[21]speaks highly of it, professing that he had read it both with Pleasure and Profit.Voetius[22]takes notice of that passage which we have quoted out ofLavateras a thing memorable.
Some Popish Authors argue, That the Devil cannot personate an innocent Man as doing an act of Witchcraft, because then he might as well represent them as committing Theft, Murder,&c.And if so, there would be no living in the World: But I turn the Argument against them, he may (as the mentioned Instances prove) personatehonest Men as doing other Evils; and no solid Reason can be given why he may not as well personate them under the Notion of Witches, as under the Notion of Thieves, Murderers, and Idolaters: As for the Objection, that then there would be no living in the World, we shall consider it under the next Argument.
Arg. 3.If Satan may not represent one that is not a Covenant Servant of his, as afflicting those that are bewitched or possessed, then it is either because he wants Will, or Power to do this, or because God will never permit him thus to do.No man but a Sadduce doubts of the ill will of Devils; nothing is more pleasing to the Malice of those wicked Spirits than to see Innocency wronged: And the Power of the Enemy is such, as that having once obtained a Divine Concession to use his Art, he can do this and much more than this amounts unto: We know by Scripture-Revelation, that the Sorcerers ofEgyptcaused many untrue and delusive[23]Representations beforePharaohand his Servants.Exod. 7.11, 22.and8.7.And we read of the working of Satan in all Power and Signs, and lying Wonders.2 Thess. 2.9.His Heart is beyond what the wisest of Men may pretend unto: He has perfect skill in Opticks, and can therefore cause that to be visible to one, which is not so to another, and things also to appear far otherwise then they are: He has likewise the Art of Limning in the Perfection of it, and knows what may be done by Colours. It is an odd passage[24]which I find in theActa Eruditorum, printed byLipsick, that about Thirty-two Years ago an indigent Merchant inFrancewas instructed by aDæmon, that with Water ofBoraxhe might colour Taffities, so as to cause them to glister and look very gay: He searcheth into the Nature, Causes, and Reasons of things, whereby he is able to produce wonderful effects. So that if he does not form the Shape of an innocent Person as afflicting others, it is not from want of either will or power. They that affirm, that God never did, nor ever will permit him thus to do, alledge that it is inconsistent with the Righteousness and Providence of God, in governing Humane Affairs thus to suffer Men to be imposed on: It must be acknowledged[25]that the Divine Providence has taken care, that the greatest part of Mankind shall not be left to unavoidable Deception, so as to be always abused by the mischievous Agents of Hell, in the Objects of plain Sence: But yet it is not for sinful and silly Mortals to prescribe Rules to the most High in his Government of the World, or to direct him how far he may permit Satan to use his power: I am apt to think that there are some amongst us, who if they had lived inJob'sdays, and seen the Devil tormenting of him, and heard him complaining of being scared with Dreams, and terrified with Night-visions, they would have joined with his uncharitable Friends in censuring him as a most guilty Person: But we should consider, that the most high God doth sometimes deal with Men in a way of absolute Sovereignty, performing the thing which is appointed for them, and many such things are with him: If he does destroy theperfect with the wicked, andlaugh at the tryal of the innocent, (Job 9.22, 23.) Who shall enter into his Councils! who has given him a Charge over the Earth! or who has disposed the whole World! Men are not able to give an account of his ordinary Works, much less of his secret Counsels, and the dark Dispensations of his Providence: They do but darken Counsel by Words without Knowledge when they undertake it: If we are not able to see how this or that can stand with the Righteousness of him that governs the World, shall we say that the Almighty will pervert Judgment? or that he that governs the Earth hateth Right? Shall we condemn him that is most just? But whereas 'tis objected; where is Providence? And how shall Men live on the Earth, if the Devil may be permitted to use such Power? I demand, where was Providence, when Satan had Power to cause Sons ofBelialto lye and swear away the Life of innocentNaboth, laying such Crimes to his charge as he was never guilty of? And what an Hour of Darkness was it? How far was the Power of Hell permitted to prevail, when Christ the Son of God was accused, condemned, and hanged for a Crime that he never was guilty of? That was the strangest Providence that has happened since the World began, and yet in the Issue the most glorious: We must therefore distinguish between what does ordinarily come to pass by the Providence of God, and things which are extraordinary: It is not an usual thing for aNabothto have his Life taken from him by false Accusations, or for anAthanasiusor aSusannato be charged, and perhaps brought before Courts of Judicature for Crimes of which they were altogether innocent.
But if we therefore conclude, that such a thing as this can never happen in the World, we shall offend against the Generation of the Just: It is not ordinary for Devils to be permitted to reveal the secret Sins of Men; yet this has been done more than once or twice: Nor is it ordinary forDæmonsto steal Money out of Mens Pockets, and Purses, or Wine and Cyder out of their Cellars. Yet some such Instances have there been amongst our selves. It is not usual for Providence to permit the Devil to come from Hell and to throw Fire on the tops of Houses, and to cause a whole Town to be burnt to Ashes thereby; there would (it must be confessed) be no living in the World, if evil Angels should be permitted to do thus when they had a mind to it; nevertheless, Authors worthy of Credit, tell us, that this has sometimes happened. BothErasmus[26]andCardanuswrite that the Town ofSchiltachinGermany, was in the Month ofApril, 1533. set on fire by a Devil, and burnt to the ground in an Hour's space: 'Tis also reported bySigibert,Aventinusand others, that some Cottages and Barns in a Town calledBinguswere fired by a wickedGenius; that spitefulDæmonsaid it was for the Impieties of such a Man whom he named, that he was sent to molest them: The poor Man to satisfie his Neighbours, who were ready to Stone him, carried an hot Iron in his Hand, but receiving no hurt thereby, he was judged to be innocent. It is not ordinary for a Devil upon the dying Curse of a Servant, to have a Commission from Heaven to tear and torment a bloody cruel Master; yet such a thing may possibly come to pass. There is a fearful Story to thispurpose, in the account of theBucuneersofAmerica,[27]wherein my Author relates that a Servant, who wasSpiritedorKidnapt(as they call it) intoAmerica, falling into the Hands of a Tyrannical Master, he ran away from him, but being taken and brought back, the hard-hearted Tyrant lashed him on his naked Back, until his Body ran in an entire stream of Blood; to make the Torment of this miserable Creature intolerable, he anointed his Wounds with Juice of Lemon mingled with Salt and Pepper, being ground small together, with which torture the miserable Wretch gave up the Ghost, with these dying Words,I beseech the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, that he permit a wicked Spirit, to make thee feel as many Torments before thy Death, as thou hast caused me to feel before mine:Scarce four days were past after this horrible Fact, when the Almighty Judge gave Permission to the Father of Wickedness to possess the Body of that cruel Master, and to make him lacerate his own Flesh until he died, belike surrendring his Ghost into the Hands of the infernal Spirit, who had tormented his Body: But of this Tragical Story enough.
To proceed, Is it not usual for Persons after their Death to appear unto the Living: But it does not therefore follow, that the great God will not suffer this to be: For both in former and latter Ages, Examples thereof have not been wanting: No longer since than the last Winter, there was much discourse inLondonconcerning a Gentlewoman, unto whom her dead Son (and another whom she knew not)had appeared: Being then inLondon, I was willing to satisfie my self, by enquiring into the Truth of what was reported; and onFebr. 23. 1691.my Brother (who is now a Pastor to a Congregation in that City) and I discoursed the Gentlewoman spoken of; she told us, that a Son of hers, who had been a very civil young Man, but more airy in his Temper than was pleasing to his serious Mother, being dead, she was much concerned in her Thoughts about his Condition in the other World; but a Fortnight after his Death he appeared to her, saying,Mother you are solicitous about my Spiritual Welfare; trouble your self no more, for I am happy, and so vanished; should there be a continual Intercourse between the Visible and Invisible World, it would breed Confusion. But from thence to infer, that the great Ruler of the Universe will never permit any thing of this nature to be, is an inconsequent Conclusion; it is not usual for Devils to be permitted to come and violently carry away persons through the Air, several miles from their Habitations: Nevertheless, this was done inSweedlandabout twenty Years ago, by means of a cursed Knot of Witches there. And a learned Physician now living, giveth an account of several Children, who by Diabolical Frauds were stollen from their Parents, and others left in their room: And of two, that in the night-time a Line was by invisible Hands put about their Necks, with which they had been strangled, but that some near them happily prevented it.V. Germ. Ephem. Anno 1689.pag. 51. 516.
Let me further add here; It has very seldom been known, that Satan has Personated innocent Men doing an illthing, but Providence has found out some way for their Vindication; either they have been able to prove that they were in another place when that Fact was done, or the like. So that perhaps there never was an Instance of any innocent Person Condemned in any Court of Judicature on Earth, only through Satans deluding and imposing on the Imaginations of Men, when nevertheless, the Witnesses, Juries, and Judges, were all to be excused from blame.
Arg. 4.It is certain both from Scripture and History, that Magicians by their Inchantments and Hellish Conjurations, may cause a false Representation of Persons and Things.An inchanted eye shall see such things as others cannot discern; it is a thing too well known to be denied, that some by rubbing their eyes with a bewitched Water, have immediately thereupon seen that which others could not discern; and there are Persons in the World, who have a strangeSpectral sight. Mr.Glanvil[28]speaks of a Dutchman that could see Ghosts which others could perceive nothing of. There are inSpaina sort of men whom they callZahurs, these can see into the Bowels of the Earth; they are able to discover Minerals and hidden Treasures; nevertheless, they have their extraordinary sight only onTuesdaysandFridays, and not on the other days of the Week.Delriosaith, that when he was atMadrid,Anno Dom. 1575.he saw some of these strange sighted Creatures. Mr.George Sinclare, in his Book Entituled,Satans Invisible World discovered,[29]has these Words, 'I am undoubtedly informed, that men and women in the High-lands can discern Fatality approaching others, by seeing them in the Waters or with Winding Sheets about them. And that others can lecture in a Sheeps shoulder-bone a Death within the Parish seven or eight Days before it come. It is not improbable but that such Preternatural Knowledge comes first by a Compact with the Devil, and is derived downward by Succession to their Posterity: Many such I suppose are Innocent, and have this sight against their Will and Inclination.' Thus Mr.Sinclare, I concur with his supposal, that such Knowledge is originally from Satan, and perhaps the Effect of some old Inchantment. There are some at this day in the World, that if they come into a House where one of the Family will die within a Fortnight, the smell of a dead Corpse offends them to such a degree, as that they cannot stay in that House. It is reported that near unto the Abby of St.MauriceinBurgundy[30]there is a Fishpond in which are Fishes put according to the number of the Monks of that place; if any one of them happened to be sick, there is a Fish seen to Float and Swim above Water half dead, and if the Monk shall die, the Fish a few days before dieth. In some parts inWalesDeath-lights or Corps Candles (as they call them) are seen in the night time going from the House where some body will shortly die, and passing in to the Church-yard. Of this, my Honoured and never to be forgotten Friend Mr.Richard Baxter,[31]has given an Account in his Book about Witchcrafts lately Published: what to make ofsuch things, except they be the effects of some old Inchantment, I know not; nor what Natural Reason to assign for that which I find amongst the Observations of theImperial Academyfor the Year 1687,viz.That in an Orchard where are choiceDamascenPlumbs, the Master of the Family being sick of aQuartan Ague, whilst he continued very ill, four of his Plumb-trees instead of Damascens brought forth a vile sort of yellow Plumbs: but recovering Health, the next Year the Tree did (as formerly) bear Damascens again; but when after that he fell into a fatal Dropsie, on those Trees were seen not Damascens, but another sort of Fruit. The same Author[32]gives Instances of which he had the certain knowledge, concerning Apple-trees and Pear-trees, that the Fruit of them would on a sudden wither as if they had been baked in an Oven, when the owners of them were mortally sick. It is no less strange that in the Illustrious Electoral[33]House ofBrandenburgbefore the Death of some one of the Family Feminine Spectres appeared:[34]and often in the Houses of Great men, Voices and Visions from the Invisible World have been the Harbingers of Death. When any Heir in the Worshipful Family of theBreertonsinCheshireis near his Death, there are seen in a Pool adjoyning, Bodies of Trees swimming for certain days together, on which LearnedCambden[35]has this note,These and such like things are done either bythe Holy Tutelar Angels of Men, or else by the Devils, who by Gods Permission mightily shew their Power in this Inferiour World.As for Mr.Sinclare'sNotion that some Persons may have asecond Sight, (as 'tis termed) and yet be themselves Innocent, I am satisfied that he judgeth right; for this is common amongst theLaplanders, who are horribly addicted to Magical Incantations: They bequeath theirDæmonsto their Children as a Legacy, by whom they are often assisted (like Bewitched Persons as they are) to see and do things beyond the Power of Nature. An Historian who deserves Credit, relates,[36]that a certainLaplandergave him a true and particular Account of what had happened to him in his Journey toLapland; and further complained to him with Tears, that things at great distance were represented to him, and how much he desired to be Delivered from that Diabolical Sight, but could not; this doubtless was caused by some Inchantment. But to proceed to what I intend; the Eyes of Persons by reason of Inchanting Charms, may not only see what others do not, but be under such power of Fascination, as that things which are not, shall appear to them as real: The Apostle speaks ofBewitched Eyes,Gal. 3.1.and we know from Scripture, that the Imaginations of men have by Inchantments been imposed upon; and Histories abound with very strange Instances of this Nature: The old WitchCirceby an Inchanted Cup causedUlysseshis Companions to imagine themselves to be turned into Swine; and how many Witches have been themselves so bewitched by the Devil,as really to believe that they were transformed into Wolves, or Dogs, or Cats. It is reported ofSimon Magus,[37]that by his Sorceries he would so impose on the Imaginations of People, as that they thought he had really changed himself into another sort of Creature.OpolloniusofTyanacould out doSimonwith his Magick: The greatBohemianConjurerZyto[38]by his Inchantments, caused certain Persons whom he had a mind to try his Art upon, to imagine that their Hands were turned into the Feet of an Ox, or into the Hoofs of a Horse, so that they could not reach to the Dishes before them to take any thing thence; he sold Wisps of Straw to a Butcher who bought them for Swine; that many such prestigious Pranks were played, by the unhappyFaustus, is attested byCamerarius,Wyerus,Voetius,Lavater, andLonicer.
There is newly Published a Book (mentioned in theActa Eruditorum) wherein the Author[39](Wiechard Valvassor) relates, that aVenetianJew instructed him (only he would not attend his Instructions) how to make a Magical Glass which should represent any Person or thing according as he should desire. If a Magician by an Inchanted Glass can do this, he may as well by the help of a Dæmon cause falseIdæasof Persons and Things to be impressed on the Imaginations of bewitched Persons; the Blood and Spirits of a Man, that is bitten with a Mad-Dog, are so envenomed, as that strange Impressions are thereby made on his Imagination: let him be brought into a Room where there is aLooking-Glass, and he will (if put upon it) not only say but swear that he sees a Dog, tho' in truth there is no Dog it may be within 20 Miles of him; and is it not then possible for the Dogs of Hell to poyson the Imaginations of miserable Creatures, so as that they shall believe and swear that such Persons hurt them as never did so? I have heard of an Inchanted Pin, that has caused the Condemnation and Death of many scores of innocent Persons. There was a notoriousWitchfinderinScotland, that undertook by a Pin, to make an infallible Discovery of suspected Persons, whether they were Witches or not, if when the Pin was run an Inch or two into the Body of the accused Party no Blood appeared, nor any sense of Pain, then he declared them to be Witches; by means hereof my Author tells me no less then 300 persons were Condemned for Witches in that Kingdom. This Bloody Jugler after he had done enough inScotland, came to the Town ofBerwickuponTweed; an honest Man now living inNew-Englandassureth me, that he saw the Man thrust a great Brass Pin two Inches into the Body of one, that some would in that way try whether there was Witchcraft in the Case or no: the accused Party was not in the least sensible of what was done, and therefore in danger of receiving the Punishment justly due for Witchcraft; only it so happened, that CollonelFenwick(that worthy Gentleman, who many years since lived inNew-England) was then the Military Governour in that Town; he sent for the Mayor and Magistrates advising them to be careful and cautious in their proceedings; for he told them, it might be an Inchanted Pin, which the Witchfinder made use of: Whereupon the Magistrates ofthe place ordered that he should make his Experiment with some other Pin as they should appoint: But that he would by no means be induced unto, which was a sufficient Discovery of the Knavery and Witchery of the Witchfinder. There is a strange Diabolical Energy goeth along withIncantations. IfBalakhad not known that he would not have sent forBalaam, to see whether he could inchant the Children ofIsrael. The Scripture intimates that Inchantments will keep a Serpent from biting,Eccles. 10.11.A Witch inSweedlandconfessed, that the Devil gave her a wooden Knife; and that if she did but touch any living thing with that Knife, it would die immediately: And that there is a wonderful Power of the Devil attending things inchanted, we have confirmed by a prodigious Instance in MajorWeir, aScotchMan: That wretched Man was a perfect Prodigy; a Man of great Parts; esteemed a Saint, yet lived in secret Uncleanness with his own Sister for thirty four Years together: After his wickedness was discovered, he did not seem to be troubled at any of his Crimes, excepting that he had caused a poor Woman to be publickly whipped, because she reported that she had seen him committing Bestiality; which thing was true, only the Woman could not prove it. This horrid Creature, if he had hisInchanted Staffin his Hand could pray to admiration, and do extraordinary things, as is more amply related in the Postscript to Mr.Sinclareshis Book before mentioned: But if he had not his Inchanted Rod to lean upon, he could not transform himself into an Angel of Light: But by all these things we may conclude, that it is not impossible, but that a guilty Conjurer, that so he may render himself the lesssuspected, may by his Magical Art and Inchantment, cause innocent Persons to be represented as afflicting those whom the Devil and himself are the Tormentors of.
Arg. 5.The Truth we affirm is so evident, as that many Learned and Judicious Men have freely subscribed unto it.
The memorable Relation of the Devils assuming the shape of an innocent Citizen inZurick, is in the Judgment of that great DivineLud Lavater, of weighty Consideration: And he declares, that he does therefore mention it, that so Judges might be cautelous in their Proceedings in Cases of this nature, inasmuch as the Devil does often in that way intangle innocent Persons, and bring them into great Troubles. His Words are,[40]Hanc Historiam ideo recito, ut Judices, in hujusmodi, Casibus cauti sint: Diabolus enim hac via sæpe innocentibus insidiatur.He confirms what he saith by reciting a Passage out ofAlertus Granzius, who writes that the Devil was seen in the shape of a Nobleman to come out of the Empress's Chamber: But to clear her Innocency, she (according to the superstitiousOrdealsthen in fashion) walked blindfold over a great many of glowing hot Irons without touching any of them.Voetiusin his[41]Disputation ofSpectresproposeth that Question, whether the Devil may not untruly personate a Godly Man, and answers in the Affirmative: And withal adds, that it is a sufficient Argument (ad hominem) to answer the Papists with their own Histories, which give Instancesof Satan's appearing in the Figure of Saints, nay of Christ himself. And in his Discourse concerning theOperations of Dæmons[42]he has the likeProblem, whether the Devil may not possibly put on the shape of a true Believer, a real Saint, not only of such as are dead, but still living, and answers,Quidni?Why not? It is true PopishCasuists[43]do generally incline to the Negative in this Question: Nevertheless, the Instance ofGermanus, who saw a Company of honest People represented by the Devil, as if they had been feasting together, when they were really asleep in their Beds, does a little puzzle them, so as that they are necessitated to take up with this Conclusion,[44]That by an extraordinary Permission of God, innocent Persons may be represented by Satan in the Nocturnal Conventicles of Witches:And if so, much more as afflicting bewitched Persons.Delriogiveth an account of an innocent Monk, whose Reputation was indangered by aDæmon'sappearing in his shape. He writes more like a Divine than Jesuits use to do, when he saith that,[45]It is not absolutely to be denied, but that the Devils may exhibite the Forms of innocent Persons, if God permit it, who when he does permit it, usually by some Providence discovers the Fraud of the Devils, that so the Innocent may be vindicated, or if not, it is to bring them to repentance for some Sin, or to try their Patience.It is rare to see such Words dropping from the Pen of a Jesuit: As for Protestant Writers, Icannot call to mind one of any Note, that does deny the Possibility of the Affirmative, in the Question before us. Dr.Henkeliushas lately[46]published a learned and elaborate Discourse concerning the right Method of curing such as are obsessed withCacodæmons, in which he asserts, thatSatan may possibly assume the Form of innocent and pious Persons, that so he might thereby destroy their Reputations, and expose them to undue Punishments.As for ourEnglishDivines, there are not many greaterCasuiststhan Mr.Perkins; nor do I know any one that has written on the Case of Witchcraft with more Judgment and Clearness of Understanding: He has these Words,[47]"If a Man being dangerously sick and like to die upon suspicion, will take it on his death, that such an one has bewitched him, it is an allegation which may move the Judge to examine the Party, but it is of no moment for Conviction." The like is asserted by[48]Mr.Cooper, Mr.Bernard, (once a famous Minister atBatcombinSomerset) his Book calledA Guide to Grand Jury-men in Cases of Witchcraft, is a solid and wise Treatise. What his Judgment was in the Case now under debate, we may see,pag.209, 210. where his Words are these; "An Apparation of the Party suspected, whom the Afflicted in their Fits seem to see, is a great suspicion; yet this is but a presumption, tho' a strong one, because these Apparitions are wrought by the Devil, who can represent to the Phansie such as the Parties use to fear, in which his representation he may well lye as in his otherWitness: For if the Devil can represent to the Witch a seemingSamuel, saying, I see Gods ascending out of the Earth, to beguileSaul, may we not think he can represent a common ordinary Person, Man or Woman unregenerate, tho' no Witch to the Phansie of vain Persons, to deceive them and others that will give Credit to the Devil." Thus Mr.Bernard.
As for the Judgment of the Elders inNew-England, so far as I can learn, they do generally concur with Mr.Perkins, and Mr.Bernard. This I know, that at a Meeting of Ministers atCambridge, August 1. 1692.where were present seven elders besides the President of theColledge, the Question then discoursed on, was,Whether the Devil may not sometimes have a Permission to represent an innocent Person as tormenting such as are under Diabolical Molestations?The Answer which they all concurred in, was in these words,viz.That the Devil may sometimes have a Permission to represent an innocent Person as tormenting such as are under Diabolical Molestations; but that such things are rare and extraordinary, especially when such Matters come before Civil Judicatures:And that some of the most eminent Ministers in the Land, who were not at that Meeting are of the same Judgment, I am assured: And I am also sure, that in Cases of this nature thePriest's Lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his Mouth,Mal. 2.7.
Arg. 6.Our own Experience has confirmed the Truth of what we affirm.
I have in another Book given an account concerningElizabeth KnapofGroton, who complained that a Woman as eminent for Piety as any in that Town, did appear to her, and afflict her: But afterwards she was satisfied that that Person never did her any harm, but that the Devil abused them both. About two Years ago, a bewitched Person inChelmsfordin her Fits, complained that a worthy good Man, a near Relation of hers did afflict her: So did she likewise complain of another Person in that town of known integrity and Piety.
I have my self known several of whom I ought to think that they are now in Heaven, considering that they were of good Conversation, and reputed Pious by those that had the greatest Intimacy with them, of whom nevertheless, some complained that their Shapes appeared to them, and threatned them: Nor is this answered by saying, we do not know but those Persons might be Witches: We are bound by the Rule of Charity to think otherwise: And they that censure any, meerly because such a sad Affliction as their being falsly represented by Satan has befallen them, do not do as they would be done by. I bless the Lord, it was never the portion allotted to me, nor to any Relation of mine to be thus abused: But no Man knoweth what may happen to him, sincethere be just Men unto whom it happeneth according to the Work of the Wicked,Eccles. 8.14.But what needs more to be said, since there is one amongst our selves whom no Man that knows him, can think him to be a Wizzard, whom yet some bewitched Persons complained of, that they are in his Shape tormented: And the Devils have of late accused some eminent Persons.
It is an awful thing which the Lord has done to convince some amongst us of their Error: This then I declare and testifie, that to take away the Life of any one, meerly because aSpectreor Devil, in a bewitched or possessed Person does accuse them, will bring the Guilt of innocent Blood on the Land, where such a thing shall be done: Mercy forbid that it should, (and I trust that as it has not it never will be so) inNew-England. What does such an Evidence amount unto more than this: Either such an one did afflict such an one, or the Devil in his likeness, or his Eyes were bewitched.
The things which have been mentioned make way for, and bring us unto the second Case, which is to come under our Consideration,viz.
If one bewitched is struck down at the Look or cast of the Eye of another, and after that recovered again by a Touch from the same Person, Is not this an infallible Proof, that the Person suspected and complained of is in League with the Devil?
Answer;It must be owned that by such things as these Witchcrafts and Witches have been discovered more than once or twice: And that an ill Fame, or other Circumstances attending the suspected Party, this may be a Ground for Examination; but this alone does not afford sufficient Matter for Conviction: AsSpectresorDevilsappearing in the Shapes of Men that have been murdered, declaring that they were murdered by such Persons and in such a place, may give just occasion to the Magistrate for Enquiry into the Matter: One great Witch-Advocate[49]confesseth, that by this means Murders have been brought to light; yet that alone, if other Circumstances did not concur, would not by the Law of God take away the Life of any Man. If my Reader pleaseth, he shall hear what old Mr.BernardofBatcombsaith to a Case not unlike to this, and the former: His Words are these,[50]'The naming of the suspected in their Fits, and also where they have been, and what they have done here or there, as Mr.Throgmorton'sChildren could do, and that often and ever found true; this is a great Presumption: yet is this but a Presumption, because this is only the Devils Testimony, who can lie, and that more often than speak Truth. Christ would not allow his Witness of him in a point most true; nor St.Paulin the due Praises of him andSylas; his Witness then may not be received as sufficient in case of ones Life: He may accuse an Innocent, as I shewed before in Mr.Edmund'sgiving over his Practice to find Stollen Goods; and Satan we read would accuseJobto God himself to be an Hypocrite, and to be ready to be a Blasphemer, and he is called the Accuser of the Brethren. Albeit, I cannot deny but this has very often proved true, yet seeing the Devil is such an one as you heard, Christian Men should not take his Witness, to give in Verdict upon Oath, and so swear that the Devil has therein spoken the Truth; be it far from good men to confirm any Word of the Devil by Oath, if it be not an evident Truth without the Devil's Testimony, who in speaking the Truth, has a lying Intent, and speaks some Truthsof things done, which may be found to be so, that he may wrap with them some pernicious Lye, which cannot be tried to be true, but must rest upon his own testimony to ensnare the Blood of the Innocent.' Thus Mr.Bernardresolved the Case above sixty Years ago; and truly in my Opinion like a Wise and Orthodox Divine, what he says, reacheth both this and the former Case. Dr.Cotta(a Learned Physician) in his Book, aboutThe Tryal of Witchcraft, shewing the true and right Method of the Discovery, with a Confutation of Erroneous ways(which Book he dedicates to the Right Honourable SirEdward Cook, Lord Chief Justice ofEngland,)[51]He discourses concerningExploration of Witches by the touch of the Witch curing the touched bewitched, and sheweth the Fallibility and Vanity of that way of Tryal, 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 a Diabolical Miracle. He argueth thus,[52]'No Man can doubt but that the Vertue wherewith this touch was indued, 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, whether the Devil alone, or with the Consent or Contract of the suspected Person has produced that wonderful effect; with what Religion or Reason canany Man incline rather to credit the Devil's mouth in the Bewitched, than to pity the Accused, and believe them against the subtility of a deceitful Devil: If the Devil by Divine Permission may cause supernatural Concomitances and Consequences to attend the natural Actions of Men without their allowance, as is manifest in possessed Persons, 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 Devil's 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 decyphered him!' Thus that Learned Man. But to the Case in hand, I have several things to offer.
1.It is possible that the Persons in Question may be possessed with Cacodæmons:That bewitched Persons are many times really possessed with evil Spirits, is most certain. And as Mr.Perkinsobserves, no Man can prove but that Witchcraft might be the Cause of many of those Possessions, which we read of in the Gospel: And that Devils have been immitted into the Bodies of miserable Creatures by Magicians and Witches, Histories and Experience do abundantly testifie.Hierom[53]relates concerning a certain Virgin, that a young Man, whose Amours she despised, prevailed with a Magician to send an evil Spirit into her, by means whereof she was strangely besotted.'Tis reported[54]ofSimon Magus, that after he had used an Hellish Sacrifice, to be revenged of some that had called him a great Witch, he caused infernal Spirits to enter into them. Many confessing Witches have acknowledged, that they were the Cause of such and such Persons being possessed of evil Angels, as[55]Thyræusand others have observed: Now no Credit ought to be given to whatDæmonsin such as are by them obsessed shall say. Our Saviour by his own unerring Example has taught us not to receive the Devil's Testimony in any thing. The Papists are justly condemned for bringing Diabolical Testimony to confirm the Principles of their Religion.Peter Cottonthe Jesuite[56]enquired of the Devil in a possessed Person, what was the clearest Scripture to prove Purgatory. At the time whenLutherdied, all the possessed People in theNetherlandswere quiet: The Devils in them, said the Reason was, becauseLuther[57]had been a great Friend of theirs, and they owed him that respect as to go as far asGermanyto attend his Funeral. Another time when there was a talk of some Ministers of the Reformed Religion, the Devils in the Obsessed laughed and said, they were not at all afraid of them, for theCalvinistsand they were very good Friends. The Jesuits insult with these Testimonies as if they were Divine Oracles: But the Father of Lyes is never to be believed: He will utter twenty great truths to make way for one lye: He will accuse twenty Witches, if he can but thereby bring one innocent Person into trouble: He mixeth Truths withLyes, that so those truths giving credit unto lyes, Men may believe both, and so be deceived: And whereas some say, that the Persons in question are only bewitched and not possessed, let it be considered that possessed Persons are calledEnergumensfromΕΡΓΟΜΑΙAgitor: They whose Bodies are preternaturally agitated, so as to be in danger of being thrown into the Fire, or into the Water, though they may be bewitched, are undoubtedly possessed withDæmons,Mark 9.22, 25.Learned Men[58]give it as a most certain sign of Possession, when the afflicted Party can see and hear that which no one else can discern any thing of, and when they can discover[59]secret things,Acts 6.16.past, or future,[60]as a possessed Person inGermanyforetold the War which broke out in the Year, 1546. And when the Limbs of miserable Creatures, are bent and disjointed so as could not possible be without a Luxation of Joints, were it not done by a preternatural Hand, and yet no hurt raised thereby that argueth Possession. Also, when Persons are by the Devil cast into Fits, in the which they speak of things, that afterwards they have no remembrance of,[61]or, if they are by cruel Devils tortured, so as to cause horrendous Clamours in the distressed Sufferers, that's another sign of Obsession by evil Spirits: If all these things concur in the Persons concerning where the Question is, we may conclude them to beDæmoniacks: And if so, noJurorcan with a safe Conscience look on the Testimony of such, as sufficient to take away the Life of any Man.
2.Falling down by the cast of an Eye proceeds not froma natural, but an arbitrary Cause;[62]not from any Poyson in the Eye of the Witch, but from the Agency of someDæmon: The opinion of Fascination by the Eye is an old Fable, and (saith Mr.Perkins) as fond as old.Pliny[63]speaks of a People that killed folks by looking on them; and he adds, that they had two Apples in each Eye: andTullywrites of women who had two Apples in one Eye that always did mischief with their meer looks; soOvid,Pupula duplex fulminat.AndPlutarch[64]writes that some persons have such a Poyson in their Eyes, as that their Friends and Familiars are Fascinated thereby; nay he speaks of one that Bewitched himself sick by looking on his own Face in a Glass: Others write of Fascination by a meer Prolation of Words; and for ought I know, there may be as much Witchery in the Tongue as there is in the Eye.Sennertus[65]has discovered the Superstition of these Fancies; Sight does not proceed from an Emission of Rays from the Eye, but by a reception of the visible Species; and if it be (as Philosophers conclude) an innocent Action and not an Emission of optick Spirits, so that sight as such, does receive something from the Object, and not act upon it, the Notion of Fascination by the Eye is unphilosophical: It is true, that sore Eyes will affect those that look upon them,Dum spectant Oculi Læsos, Leduntur & ipsi, for which a natural Reason is easily to be assigned; but if the Witches Eyes are thus infected with a natural Contagion, Whence is it, that only Bewitched Persons are hurt thereby? If the vulgar Error concerning theBasiliskskilling withthe Look of his Poysonful Eye were a Truth, whatever person that Serpent cast his Eye upon would be poysoned. So if Witches had a physical Venom in their Eyes, others as well as Fascinated Persons would be sensible thereof; there is as much Truth in this fancy of Physical Venom in the Eye of a Witch, as there is in whatPliny[66]and others relate concerning theThibians,viz.that they have two Apples in one Eye, and the Effigies of an Horse in the other Eye; and that they are a people that cannot be drowned.
3.As for that which concerns the Bewitched Persons being recovered out of their Agonies by the Touch of the suspected Party, it is various and fallible.
For sometimes the afflicted Person is made sick, (instead of being made whole) by the Touch of the Accused; sometimes the Power of Imagination is such, as that the Touch of a Person innocent and not accused shall have the same effect. It is related in the Account of the Tryals of Witches atBuryinSuffolk1664, during the time[67]of the Tryal, there were some Experiments made with the Persons afflicted, by bringing the accused to touch them, and it was observed that by the least Touch of one of the supposed Witches, they that were in their Fits, to all mens Apprehension wholly deprived of all Sense and Understandings, would suddenly shriek out and open their Hands.
Mr. SerjeantKeelingdid not think that sufficient to Convict the Prisoners, for admitting that the Children were in truth Bewitched, yet (saith he) it cannot be applyed to the Prisoners upon the Imagination only of the Partiesafflicted; for if that might be allowed, no Person whatsoever can be in safety, for perhaps they might fancy another Person who might altogether be innocent in such matters: To avoid this Scruple it was privately desired by the Judge, that some Gentlemen there in Court would attend one of the distempered Persons in the farther part of the Hall, whilst she was in her Fits, and then to send for one of the Witches to try what would happen, which they did accordingly. One of them was conveyed from the Bar, and brought to the Afflicted Maid. They put an Apron before her Eyes, and then another person (not the Witch) touched her, which produced the same effect, as the Touch of the Witch did in the Court. Whereupon the Gentlemen returned much unsatisfied.Bodin[68]relates, that a Witch who was Tryed atNants, was commanded by the Judges to touch a Bewitched person, a thing often practised by the Judges ofGermanyin theImperial Chamber. The Witch was extreamly unwilling, but being Compelled by the Judges, she cryed out,I am undone;and as soon as ever she touched the Afflicted person, the Witch fell down dead, and the other recovered. That horrid Witch ofSalisbury,Ann Bodenham[69]who had been Servant to the Notorious Conjurer Dr.Lamb, could not bear the sight of one that was Bewitched by her. As soon as ever she saw the Afflicted Person, she ran about shrieking, and crying, and roaring after an hideous manner, that the Devil would tear her in pieces, if that person came near her. And whilst the Witch was in such Torment, the Bewitched was at ease.By these things we see, that the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom of darkness, are not always and in all places the same.
And it is good for men to concern themselves with them as little as may be.
I think there is weight in Dr.Cotta's[70]Argument,viz.
That the Gift of healing the Sick and Possessed, was a special Grace and Favour of God, for the Confirmation of the Truth of the Gospel, but that such a Gift should be annexed to the Touch of Wicked Witches, as an infallible sign of their guilt, is not easie to be believed.It is a thing well known, that if a person possessed by an Evil Spirit, is (as oft it so happens) never so outragious whilst a good man is Praying with and for the Afflicted, let him lay his hand on them, and the Evil Spirit is quiet. I hope this is no evidence of any Covenant, or voluntary Communion between the Good Man that is Praying and the Evil Spirit; no more does the Case before us evince any such thing.