Part 6

III. Some Conjectures upon the great EVENTS, likely to befall, the WORLD in General, and NEW-ENGLAND in Particular; as also upon the Advances of the TIME, when we shall see BETTER DAYES.

IV. A short Narrative of a late Outrage committed by a knot of WITCHES in _Swedeland_, very much Resembling, and so far Explaining, _That_ under which our parts of _America_ have laboured!

V. THE DEVIL DISCOVERED: In a Brief Discourse upon those TEMPTATIONS, which are the more Ordinary _Devices_ of the Wicked One.

By Cotton Mather.

_Boston_ Printed, and Sold by _Benjamin Harris_, 1693.

PUblished by the Special Command of His EXCELLENCY, the Governour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.

_The Wonders of the Invisible World:_

Being an Account of the +TRYALS+ OF Several WWitches,

Lately Excuted in +NEW-ENGLAND+:

And of several remarkable Curiosities therein Occurring.

Together with,

I. Observations upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the Devils.

II. A short Narrative of a late outrage committed by a knot of Witches in _Swede-Land_, very much resembling, and so far explaining, that under which _New-England_ has laboured,

III. Some Councels directing a due Improvement of the Terrible things lately done by the unusual and amazing Range of _Evil-Spirits_ in _New-England_.

IV. A brief Discourse upon those _Temptations_ which are the more ordinary Devices of Satan.

By _COTTON MATHER_.

Published by the Special Command of his EXCELLENCY the Govenour of the Province of the _Massachusetts-Bay_ in _New-England_.

Printed first, at _Boston_ in _New-England_; and Reprinted at _London_, for _John Dunton_, at the _Raven_ in the _Poultry_. 1693.

Imprimatur. Decmb. 23. 1692.

EDMUND BOHUN.[34]

FOOTNOTES:

[34] Edmund Bohun was himself a Writer of considerable Note. The Work by which he is best known is probably that entitled _The Character of Queen Elizabeth_, a sizable Octavo, printed in 1693. His Writings are said to be Voluminous, yet but few of them are met with at this Day. One of the first Gazetteers was by him in a thick Octavo, 1688. He does not, however, call it a Gazetteer, but a Geographical Dictionary. His Descriptions compare singularly with those of the same Articles in Works of later Times: as for Example, he says Columbus discovered America in 1499. All the Notice Boston receives at his Hands is at the Close of an Article on Boston in Lincolnshire--"there is another Place in _New England_ of the same Name." Under the Head of New England he gives it a much larger Notice; calls New England _a Colony_, "and they have built seven great Towns, the Chief of which is Boston, which in 1670, had fifty Sail of Ships belonging to it." He was Author of a Life of Bishop Jewell, and was living in 1700.

[Decoration]

THE ==Author's Defence==.

T_IS_, as I remember, the Learned _Scribonius_,[35] who reports, that One of his Acquaintance, devoutly making his Prayers on the behalf of a Person molested by _Evil Spirits_, received from those _Evil Spirits_ an horrible Blow over the Face: And I may my self expect not few or small Buffetings from Evil Spirits, for the Endeavours wherewith I am now going to encounter them. I am far from Insensible that at this extraordinary Time of the _Devils coming down in great Wrath upon us_, there are too many Tongues and Hearts thereby _set on fire of Hell;_ that the various Opinions about the Witchcrafts which of later Time have troubled us, are maintained by some with so much cloudy Fury, as if they could never be sufficiently stated, unless written in the Liquor wherewith Witches use to write their Covenants; and that he who becomes an Author at such a time, had need be _fenced with Iron, and the Staff of a Spear_. The unaccountable Frowardness, Asperity, Untreatableness, and Inconsistency of many Persons, every Day gives a visible Exposition of that passage, _An evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul;_ and Illustration of that Story, _There met him two possessed with Devils, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way._ To send abroad a Book, among such Readers, were a very unadvised thing, if a Man had not such Reasons to give, as I can bring, for such an Undertaking. Briefly, I hope it cannot be said, _They are all so;_ No, I hope the Body of this People, are yet in such a Temper, as to be capable of applying their Thoughts, to make a _Right Use_ of the stupendous and prodigious Things that are happening among us: And because I was concern'd, when I saw that no abler Hand emitted any Essays to engage the Minds of this People, in such holy, pious, fruitful Improvements, as God would have to be made of his amazing Dispensations now upon us. THEREFORE it is, that One of the Least among the Children of _New-England_, has here done, what is done. None, but _the Father, who sees in secret_, knows the Heart-breaking Exercises, wherewith I have composed what is now [vi] going to be exposed, lest I should in any one thing miss of doing my designed Service for his Glory, and for his People; but I am now somewhat comfortably assured of his favourable acceptance; and, _I will not fear; what can a Satan do unto me!_[36]

Having performed something of what God required, in labouring to suit his Words unto his Works, at this Day among us, and therewithal handled a Theme that has been sometimes counted not unworthy the Pen, even of a King,[37] it will easily be perceived, that some subordinate Ends have been considered in these Endeavours.

I have indeed set myself to countermine the whole PLOT of the Devil, against _New-England_, in every Branch of it, as far as one of my _darkness_, can comprehend such a _Work of Darkness_. I may add, that I have herein also aimed at the Information and Satisfaction of Good Men in another Country, a thousand Leagues off, where I have, it may be, more, or however, more considerable Friends, than in _My Own;_ And I do what I can to have that Country, now, as well as always, in the best Terms with _My Own_. But while I am doing these things, I have been driven a little to do something likewise for myself; I mean, by taking off the false Reports, and hard Censures about my Opinion in these Matters, the _Parters Portion_ which my _pursuit of Peace_ has procured me among the _Keen_. My hitherto _unvaried Thoughts_ are here published; and I believe, they will be owned by most of the Ministers of God in these Colonies; nor can amends be well made me, for the wrong done me, by other sorts of _Representations_.

In fine; For the _Dogmatical_[38] part of my Discourse, I want no Defence; for the _Historical_ part of it, I have a very Great One; the Lievtenant-Governour of _New-England_[39] having perused it, has done me the Honour of giving me a _Shield_, under the Umbrage whereof I now dare to walk Abroad.

FOOTNOTES:

[35] The only known Work of "Learned Scribonius" is that entitled _De Compositione Medicamentorum_ Liber," the best Edition of which is said to be that of Padua, 1655, in 4to, with Notes by Rhodius. He was of Rome in the Time of Claudius. His Book is a Sort of Repository of Prescriptions, which Prescriptions were of about as much value, in a medical Point of View, as later ones were for determining what Persons were Witches. _Nouveau Dict. Hist. a Lyon_, 1804.

[36] This Self Complacency is somewhat surprising, considering this Record was made while above an hundred poor Wretches were lying in the Jails of Boston and Salem!

[37] The Author doubtless has Reference to the _Dæmonology_ of James I. See _Introduction_.

[38] It is said that the learned Joseph Glanvil was made a "Fellow of the Royal Society" for an elaborate Treatise which he wrote on "The Vanity of _Dogmatizing_." If that entitled the said Joseph to be thus distinguished, no one ought any longer to question our Author's Claim to the same Distinction. Glanvil was as earnest a Defender of Witchcraft in his Time as Doctor Mather was a few Years later; and his Books, like this of the Doctor's, are entirely neglected except by the curious Investigators of the Progress of Society.

[39] Thus speaking of New England was strictly correct then, though it reminds us of what our English Brethren used to say at a much later Period in Reference to Boston,--speaking of it as "the Colony of Boston," "the Colony of New England," &c.

[vii] REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,

_YOU very much gratify'd me, as well as put a kind Respect upon me, when you put into my hands, your elaborate and most seasonable Discourse, entituled,_ The Wonders of the Invisible World. _And having now perused so fruitful and happy a Composure, upon such a Subject, at this Juncture of Time; and considering the place that I hold in the Court of_ Oyer _and_ Terminer, _still labouring and proceeding in the Trial of the Persons accused and convicted for Witchcraft, I find that I am more nearly and highly concerned than as a meer ordinary Reader, to express my Obligation and Thankfulness to you for so great Pains; and cannot but hold myself many ways bound, even to the utmost of what is proper for me, in my present publick Capacity, to declare my_ singular Approbation _thereof. Such is your Design, most plainly expressed throughout the whole; such your Zeal for God, your Enmity to Satan and his Kingdom, your Faithfulness and Compassion to this poor People; such the Vigour, but yet great Temper of your Spirit; such your Instruction and Counsel, your_ Care of Truth, _your Wisdom and Dexterity in allaying and moderating that among us, which needs it; such your clear discerning of Divine Providences and Periods, now running on apace towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and finally, such your good News of_ The Shortness of the Devil's Time,[40] _that all Good Men must needs desire, the making of this your Discourse publick to the World; and will greatly rejoyce, that the_ Spirit of the Lord _has thus enabled you to_ lift up a Standard _against the Infernal Enemy, that hath been_ coming in like a Flood upon us. _I do therefore make it my particular and earnest Request unto you, that as soon as may be, you will commit the same unto the_ PRESS _accordingly. I am,_

Your assured Friend, WILLIAM STOUGHTON.[41]

FOOTNOTES:

[40] This has Reference to what is intimated in that Part of the present Volume, entitled--"The Devil Discovered."

[41] The Writer of the above Letter (Judge Stoughton) was 61 Years old at the Time; and it may reasonably be supposed was in the full Enjoyment of his intellectual Faculties. And as he was one of the ablest Men of his Day, such an Indorsement of the Author's Work was no mean Fortification from behind which to defend even a very bad Cause. Stoughton lived several Years after he had ceased trying Witches,--dying in 1701, at the Age of 70. He was Son of Mr. Israel Stoughton of Dorchester, a Captain in the Pequot War, and Colonel afterwards in the Parliamentary Army in England.

[viii][42] I LIVE by _Neighbours_ that force me to produce these undeserved Lines. But now, as when Mr. Wilson[43] beholding a great Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then present, said unto him, _Sir, I'll tell you a great Thing: Here is a mighty Body of People; and there is not_ Seven _of them all, but what loves_ Mr. Wilson. That gracious Man presently and pleasantly reply'd: _Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that; here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not so much as_ One _among them all, but Mr._ Wilson _loves him._ Somewhat so: 'Tis possible, that among this Body of People, there may be few that love the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to boast so far, there is not one among all this Body of People, whom this _Mather_ would not study to serve, as well as to love. With such a _Spirit of Love_, is the Book now before us written: I appeal to all _this World;_ and if _this_ World will deny me the Right of acknowledging so much, I appeal to the other, that it is _not written with an Evil Spirit:_ for which cause I shall not wonder, if _Evil Spirits_ be exasperated by what is written, as the _Sadduces_ doubtless were with what was discoursed in the Days of our Saviour. I only demand the _Justice_, that others _read_ it, with the same Spirit wherewith I _writ_ it.

FOOTNOTES:

[42] No Paging thus far in the Original.

[43] John Wilson, the first Minister of Boston. He died August 7th 1667, aged 78. See the _Biographical Dictionaries_, Eliot and Allen.

[Decoration]

[5] ENCHANTMENTS ENCOUNTER'D.

§ I. IT was as long ago, as the Year 1637, that a Faithful Minister of the Church of _England_, whose Name was Mr. _Edward Symons_,[44] did in a Sermon afterwards Printed, thus express himself; 'At _New-England_ now the Sun of Comfort begins to appear, and the glorious Day-Star to show it self;--_Sed Venient Annis Sæculæ Seris_, there will come Times in after Ages, when the _Clouds will overshadow and darken the Sky there_. Many now promise to themselves nothing but successive Happiness there, which for a time through God's Mercy they may enjoy; and I pray God, they may a long time; but in this World there is no Happiness perpetual.' An _Observation_, or I had almost said, an _Inspiration_, very dismally now verify'd upon us! It has been affirm'd by some who best knew _New-England_, That the World will do _New-England_ a great piece of Injustice, if it acknowledge not a measure of Religion, Loyalty, Honesty, and Industry, in the People there, beyond what is to be found with any other People for the Number of them.[45] When I did a few years ago, publish a Book, which mentioned a few memorable Witchcrafts, committed in this country; the excellent _Baxter_, graced the Second Edition of that Book, with a kind Preface, wherein he sees cause to say, _If any are Scandalized, that_ New-England, _a place of as serious Piety, as any I can hear of, under Heaven, should be troubled so much with Witches; I think, 'tis no wonder: Where will the Devil show most Malice, but where he is hated, and hateth most:_ And I hope, the Country will still deserve and answer the Charity so expressed by that Reverend Man of God.[46] Whosoever travels over this Wilderness, will see it richly bespangled with Evangelical Churches, whose Pastors are holy, able, and painful Overseers of their Flocks, lively Preachers, and vertuous Livers; and such as in their several Neighbourly Associations, have had their Meetings whereat Ecclesiastical Matters of common Concernment are considered: _Churches_, whose Communicants have been seriously examined about their Experiences of Regeneration, as well as about their Knowledge, and Belief, and blameless Conversation, before their Admission to the Sacred Communion; although others of less but hopeful Attainments in Christianity are not ordinarily deny'd Baptism for themselves and theirs; Churches, which are shye of using any thing in the Worship of God, for which they cannot see a Warrant of God; but with whom yet the Names of _Congregational_, _Presbyterian_, _Episcopalian_, or _Antipædobaptist_, are swallowed up in that of _Christian;_ Persons of all those Perswasions being taken into our [6] Fellowship, when visible Goodliness has recommended them:[47] Churches, which usually do within themselves manage their own Discipline, under the Conduct of their Elders; but yet call in the help of _Synods_ upon Emergencies, or Aggrievances; _Churches_, Lastly, wherein Multitudes are growing ripe for Heaven every day; and as fast as these are taken off, others are daily rising up. And by the Presence and Power of the Divine Institutions thus maintained in the Country. We are still so happy, that I suppose there is no Land in the Universe more free from the debauching, and the debasing Vices of Ungodliness. The Body of the People are hitherto so disposed, that _Swearing_, _Sabbath-breaking_, _Whoring_, _Drunkenness_, and the like, do not make a Gentleman, but a Monster, or a Goblin, in the vulgar Estimation.[48] All this notwithstanding, we must humbly confess to our God, that we are miserably degenerated from the first Love of our Predecessors; however we boast our selves a little, when Men would go to trample upon us, and we venture to say, _Wherein soever any is bold (we speak foolishly) we are bold also_.[49] The first Planters of these Colonies were a chosen Generation of Men, who were first so pure, as to disrelish many things which they thought wanted Reformation elsewhere; and yet withal so peaceable, that they embraced a voluntary Exile in a squalid, horrid, _American_ Desart,[50] rather than to live in Contentions with their Brethren. Those good Men imagined that they should leave their Posterity in a place, where they should never see the Inroads of Profanity, or Superstition: And a famous Person returning hence, could in a Sermon before the Parliament profess, _I have been seven Years in a Country, where I never saw one Man drunk, or heard one Oath sworn, or beheld one Beggar in the Streets all the while_.[51] Such great Persons as _Budæus_, and others, who mistook Sir _Thomas Moor's_ UTOPIA, for a Country really existent, and stirr'd up some Divines charitably to undertake a Voyage thither, might now have certainly found a Truth in their Mistake; _New-England_ was a true _Utopia_. But, alas, the Children and Servants of those old Planters must needs afford many degenerate Plants, and there is now risen up a Number of People, otherwise inclined than our _Joshua's_, and the Elders that out-liv'd them. Those two things our holy Progenitors, and our happy Advantages make Omissions of Duty, and such Spiritual Disorders as the whole World abroad is overwhelmed with, to be as provoking in us, as the most flagitious Wickednesses committed in other places; and the Ministers of God are accordingly severe in their Testimonies: But in short, those Interests of the Gospel, which were the Errand of our Fathers into these Ends of the Earth, have been too much neglected and postponed, and the Attainments of an handsome Education, have been too much undervalued, by Multitudes that have not fallen into Exorbitances of Wickedness; and some, especially of our young Ones, when they have got abroad from under the Restraints here laid upon them, have become extravagantly and abominably Vicious. Hence 'tis, that the Happiness of _New-England_ has been but for a time, as it was foretold, and not for a long time, as has been desir'd for us. A Variety of Calamity has long follow'd this Plantation; and we have all the Reason imaginable to ascribe it unto the Rebuke of Heaven upon us for our manifold _Apostasies;_ we make no right use of our Disasters: If we do not, _Remember whence we are fallen, and repent, and do the first Works_. But yet our Afflictions may come under a further Consideration with us: There is a further Cause of our Afflictions, whose due must be given him.