Memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and possessions a faithful account of many wonderful and surprising things that have befallen several bewitched and possesed person in New-England, particularly a narrative of the marvellous trouble and releef experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits : whereunto is added a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston on the occasion of that illustrious providence : as also a discourse delivered unto the same congregation on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town : with an appendix in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania / written by Cotton Mather ... and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston.

Witchcrafts and Possessions.

The First EXEMPLE.

Section I. THere dwell at his time, in the south part of Boston, a sober & pious man, whose Name is Iohn Goodwin, whose Trade is that of a Mason, and whose Wife (to which a Good Report gives a share with him in all the Characters of Vertue) has made him the Father of six (now living) Chil∣dren. Of these Children, all but the Eldest, who works with his Father at his Calling, and the Youngest, who lives yet upon the Breast of its mother, have laboured under the direful eff∣ects of a (no less palpable than) stupendous WITCHCRAFT. Indeed that exempted Son had also, as was thought, some lighter touch∣es of it, in unaccountable stabbs and pains now & then upon him; as indeed every person in the Family at some time or other had, except the godly Father, and the sucking Infant, who never felt any impressions of it. But these Four Chil∣dren mentioned, were handled in so sad & strange a manner, as has given matter of Discourse and Wonder to all the Countrey, and of History not unworthy to be considered by more than all the serious of the curious Readers in this New-English World.

SECT. II. The four Children (whereof the Eldest was about Thirteen, and the youngest was perhaps about a third part so many years of age) had enjoy'd a Religious Education, and answered it with a very towardly Ingenuity. They had an observable Affection unto Divine and Sacred things; and those of them that were capable of it, seem'd to have such a Resentment of their eternal Concernments as is not altoge∣ther usual. Their Parents also kept them to a continual Employment, which did more than de∣liver them from the Temptations of Idleness, and as young as they were, they took a delight in it; It may be as much as they should have done. In a word, Such was the whole Temper and Car∣rings of the Children, that there cannot easily be any thing more unreasonable, than to i∣magine that a Design to Dissemble could cause them to fall into any of their odd Fits; though there should not have happened, as there did, & thousand Things, wherein it was perfectly im∣possible for any Dissimulation of theirs to produce what scores of spectators were amazed at.

SECT. III. About Midsummer, in the year 1688. the Eldest of these Children, who is a Daughter, saw cause to examine their Washer∣woman, upon their missing of some Linnen, which twas fear'd she had stollen from them; and of what use this Linnen might bee to serve the Witch∣craft intended, the Theef's Tempter knows. This

Laundress was the Daughter of an ignorant and a scandalous old Woman in the Neighbourhood; whose miserable Husband before he died, had sometimes complained of her, that she was un∣doubtedly a Witch, and that whenever his Head was laid, she would quickly arrive unto the pu∣nishments due to such an one. This Woman in her daughters Defence bestow'd very had Lan∣guage upon the Girl that put her to the question; immediately upon which, the poor child became variously indisposed in her health, and visited with strange Fits, beyond those that attend an Epilepsy, or a Catalepsy, or those that they call The Diseases of Astonishment.

SECT. IV. It was not long before one of her Sisters, and two of her Brothers, were seiz∣ed, in Order one after another, with Affects like those that molested her. Within a few weeks, they were all four tortured every where in a man∣ner so very grievous, that it would have broke an heart of stone to have seen their Agonies. Skilful Physicians were consulted for their Help, and particularly our worthy and prudent Friend Dr. Thomas Oakes, who found himself fo af∣fronted by the Distempers of the children, that he concluded nothing but an hellish Witchcraft could be the Original of these Maladies. And that which yet more confirmed such Apprehensi∣on was, That for one good while, the children were tormented just in the same part of their bo∣dies

all at the same time together; and the they saw and heard not one anothers complaints, tho likewise their pains and sprains were swift like Lightening, yet when (suppose) the Neck, or the hand, or the Back of one was Rack't, so it was at that instant with t'other too.

SECT. V. The variety of their tortures increased continually; and tho about Nine or Ten at Night they alwaies had a Release from their miseries, and ate & slept all night for the most part indifferently well, yet in the day time they were handled with so many sorts of Ails, that it would require of us almost as much time to Relate them all, as it did of them to En∣dure them. Sometimes they would be Deaf, sometimes Dumb, and sometimes Blind, and of∣ten, all this at once. One while their Tongues would be drawn down their Throats; another∣while they would be pull'd out upon their Chins, to a prodigious length. They would have their Mouths opened unto such a Wideness, that their Iaws went out of joint; and anon they would clap together again with a Force like that of a strong Spring-Lock. The same would happen to their Shoulder-Blades, and their Elbows, and Hand-wrists, and several of their joints. They would at times Iy in a benummed condition; and be drawn together as those that are ty'd Neck & Heels; and presently be stretched out, yea, drawn Backwards, to such a degree that it was fear'd the

very skin of their Bellies would have crack'd. They would make most pitteous out-cries, that they were cut with Knives, and struck with Blows that they could not bear. Their Necks would be broken, so that their Neck-bone would seem dissolved unto them that felt after it; and yet on the sudden, it would become again so stiff that there was no stirring of their Heads; yea, their Heads would be twisted almost round; and if main Force at any time obstructed a dangerous motion which they seem'd to be upon, they would roar exceedingly. Thus they lay some weeks most pittiful Spectacles; and this while as a further Demonstration of Witchcraft in these horrid Effects, when I went to Prayer by one of them, that was very desireous to hear what I said, the Child utterly lost her Hearing till our Prayer was over.

SECT. VI. It was a Religious Family that these Afflictions happened unto; and none but a Religious Contrivance to obtain Releef, would have been welcome to them. Many superstitious proposals were made unto them, by persons that were I know not who, nor what, with Ar∣guments fetch't from I know not how much Ne∣cessity and Experience; but the distressed Parents rejected all such counsils, with a gracious Reso∣lution, to oppose Devils with no other weapons but Prayers and Tears, unto HIM that has the Chaining of them; and to try first whether Gra∣ces

were not the best things to encounter Witch∣crafts with. Accordingly they requested the fo•••• Ministers of Boston, with the Minister of Charls¦town to keep a Day of Prayer at their thus haun∣ted house; which they did in the Company of some devout people there. Immediately upon this Day, the youngest of the four children was delivered, and never felt any trouble as asore. But there was yet a greater Effect of these our Applications unto our GOD!

SECT. VII. The Report of the Calami∣ties of the Family for which we were thy con∣cerned, arrived now unto the ears of the Ma∣gistrates, who presently and prudently apply'd themselves, with a just vigour, to enquire into the story. The Father of the Children com∣plained of his Neighbour, the suspected ill wo∣man, whose name was Glover; and she being sent for by the Justices, gave such a wretched Account of her self, that they saw cause to com∣mit her unto the Gaolers Custody. Goodwin had no proof that could have done her any Hurt but the Hag had not power to deny her in∣terest in the Enchantment of the Children; and when she was asked, Whether she believed there was a God? her Answer was too blasphemous and horrible for any Pen of mine to mention An Experiment was made, Whether she could re∣cite the Lords Prayer; and it was found, that tho clause after clause was most carefully repeat∣ed

unto her, yet when she said it after them that prompted her, she could not possibly avoid making Nonsense of it, with some ridiculous De∣pravations. This Experiment I had the curio∣sity since to see made upon two more, and it had the fame Event. Upon the Commitment of this extraordinary Woman, all the Children had some present ease; until one (related unto her) ac∣cidentally meeting one or two of them, enter∣tain'd them with her Blessing, that is, Railing; upon which Three of them fell il again, as they were before.

SECT. VIII. It was not long before the Witch thus in the Trap, was brought upon her Tryal; at which, thro' the Efficacy of a Charm, I suppose, used upon her, by one or some of her Crue, the Court could receive Answers from her in none but the Irish, which was her Native Language; altho she understood the English ve∣ry well, and had accustomed her whole Family to none but that Language in her former Conversa∣tion; and therefore the Communication be∣tween the Bench and the Bar, was now cheefly convey'd by two honest and faithful men that were Interpreters. It was long before she could with any direct Answers plead unto her Indict∣ment; and when she did plead, it was with Con∣fession, rather than Denial of her Guilt. Order was given to search the old womans house, from whence there were brought into the Court, se∣veral

small Images, or Puppets, or Babies, made of Raggs, and stuff't with Goats hair, and other such Ingredients. When these were produced, the vile Woman acknowledged, that her way to torment the Objects of her malice, was by wes∣ting of her Finger with her Spittle, and stroaking of those little Images. The abused Children were then present, and the Woman still kept stooping and shrinking as one that was almost prest to Death with a mighty Weight upon her. But one of the Images being brought unto her, immediately she started up after an odd manner, and took it into her hand; but she had no sooner taken it, than one of the Children fell into sad Fits before the whole Assembly. This the Judges had their just Apprehensions at; and careful∣ly causing the Repetition of the Experiment, found again the same event of it. They asked her, Whether she had any to stand by her: She re∣plied She had; and looking very pertly in the Air, she added, No, He's gone. And she then confessed, that she had One, who was her Prince, with whom she maintain'd, I know not what Communion. For which cause, the night after, she was heard expostulating with a Devil, for his thus deserting her; telling him that Because hee had served her so basely and falsly, she had confess∣ed all. However to make all clear, The Court appointed five or six Physicians, one evening to examine her very strictly, whether she were not

craz'd in her Intellectuals, and had not procured to her self by Folly and Madness the Reputation of a Witch. Diverse hours did they spend with her; and in all that while no Discourse came from her, but what was pertinent & agreeable: particularly, when they asked her, What she thought would become of her soul? she reply'd You ask me a very solemn Question, and I cannot well tell what to say to it. She own'd her self a Ro∣man Catholick; and could recite her Pater Noster in Latin very readily; but there was one Clause or two alwaies too hard for her where∣of she said, She could not repeat it, if she might have all the world. In the up-shot, the Doctors returned her Compos Mentis; and Sentence of Death was pass'd upon her.

SECT. IX. Diverse dayes were passed between her being Arraigned and Condemned. In this time one of her Neighbours had been giv∣ing in her Testimony of what another of her Neighbours had upon her Death related concer∣ning her. It seems one Howen about Six years before, had been cruelly bewitched to Death; but before she dies, she called one Hughes unto her, Telling her that she laid her Death to the charge of Glover; That she had seen Glover sometimes come down her Chimey; That she should remember this, for within this Six years she might have Occasion to declare it. This Hughes now preparing her Testimony, imme∣diately

one of her children, a fine boy, well grown towards Youth, was taken ill, just in the same woful and surprising manner that Goodmins chil∣dren were. One night particularly, The Boy said he saw a Black thing with a Blue Cap in the Room, Tormenting of him; and he complain∣ed most bitterly of a Hand put into the Bed; to pull out his Bowels. The next day the mother of the boy went unto Glover, in the Prison, and asked her, Why she tortured her poor lad at such a wicked rate? This Witch replied, that she did it because of wrong done to her self & her daugh∣ter. Hughes denied (as well she might) that she had done her any wrong. Well then, sayes Glo∣ver, Let me see your child and he shall be well again. Glover went on, and told her of her own accord, I was at your house last night. Sayes Hughes, In what shape? Sayes Glover, As a black thing with a blue Cap. Sayes Hughes, What did you do there? Sayes Glover, with my hand in the Bed I tryed to pull out the boyes Bowels, but I could not. They par∣ted; but the next day Hughes appearing at Court, had her Boy with her; and Glover passing by the Boy, expressed her good wishes for him; tho I suppose, his Parent had no design of any mighty Respect unto the Hag, by having him with her there. But the Boy had no more Indispositions after the Condemnation of the Woman.

SECT. X. While the miserable old Wo∣man was under Condemnation, I did my self

twice give a visit unto her. She never denyed the guilt of the Wittchcraft charg'd upon her; but she confessed very little about the Circum∣stances of her Confederacies with the Devils only, she said, That she us'd to be at meetings, which her Prince and Four more were present at. As for those Four, She told who they were; and for her Prince, her account plainly was, that he was the Devil. She entertained me with no∣thing but Irish, which Language I had not Lear∣ning enough to understand without an Interpre∣ter; only one time, when I was representing unto her That and How her Prince had cheated her, as her self would quickly find; she reply'd, I think i〈…〉〈…〉 English, and with passion too, If it be so, I am 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for that! I offer'd many Questions unto her, unto which, after long silence, she told me, She would fain give me a full Answer, but they would not give her leave. It was demanded, They•• Who is that THEY? and she return'd, that They were her Spirits, or her Saints. [for they say, the same Word in Irish signifies both.] And at another time, she included her two Mis∣tresses, as she call'd them in that [they,] but when it was enquired, Who those two were, she fell into a Rage, and would be no more urg∣ed.

I Sett before her, the Necessity and Equity of her breaking her Covenant with Hell, and giving her self to the Lord Jesus Christ, by an everlast∣ing

Covenant; To which her Answer was, that I spoke a very Reasonable thing, but she could not do it. I asked her whether she would consent or de∣sire to be pray'd for; To that she said, If Prayer would do her any good, shee could pray for her self. And when it was again propounded, she said, She could not unless her spirits [or angels] would give her leave. However, against her will I pray'd with her, which if it were a Fault it was in ex∣cess of Pitty. When I had done, shee thank'd me with many good Words; but I was no sooner out of her sight, than she took a stone, a long and slender stone, and with her Finger and Spittle fell to tormenting it; though whom or what she meant, I had the mercy never to understand.

SECT. XI. When this Wi〈…〉〈…〉s going to her Execution, she said, the Children should not be relieved by her Death, for others had a hand in it as well as she; and she named one a∣mong the rest, whom it might have been thought Natural Affection would have advised the Con∣cealing of. It came to pass accordingly, That the Three children continued in their Furnance as before, and it grew rather Seven times hotter than it was. All their former Ails pursued them still, with an addition of (tis not easy to tell how many) more, but such as gave more sensible Demonstrations of an Enchantment growing very far towards a POSSESSION by Evil spirits.

SECT. XII. The Children in their Fits

would still cry out upon, [They] and [Them] as the Authors of all their Harm; but who that [They] and [Them were, they were not able to declare. At last, the Boy obtain'd at some times, a sight of some shapes in the room. There were Three or Four of 'em, the Names of which the child would pretend at certain seasons to tell; only the Name of One, who was counted a Sager Hag than the rest, he still so stam∣mered at, that he was put upon some Peri∣phrasis in describing her. A Blow at the place where the Boy beheld the Spectre was alwaies felt by the Boy himself in the part of his Body that answered what might be stricken at; and this tho his Back were turn'd; which was once and again so exactly tried, that there could be no Collusion in the Business. But as a Blovv at the Apparition alvvaies hurt him, so it alvvaies help't him too; for after the Agonies, vvhich a Push or Stab of That had put him to, vvere over, (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a minute or 2 they vvould be) the Boy vvould have a respite from his Fits a considerable vvhile, and the Hobgoblins disappear. It is very credibly reported that a wound was this way given to an Obnoxious woman in the town; whose name I vvill not expose: for vve should be tender in such Relations, lest vve wrong the Reputation of the Innocent, by stories not enough enquired into.

SECT. XIII. The Fits of the Children yet more arriv'd unto such Motions as vvere beyond the Efficacy of any natural Distemper in the vvorld.

They would bark at one another like Dogs, and again purr like so many Cats. They would sometimes complain, that they were in a Red-hot Oven, sweating and panting at the same time un∣reasonably: Anon they would say, Cold water was thrown upon them, at which they would shi∣ver very much. They would cry out of dismal Blowes with great Cudgels laid upon them; and tho we saw no cudgels nor blowes, yet we could see the Marks left by them in Red Streaks upon their bodies afterward. And one of them would be roasted on an invisible Spit, run into his Mouth, and out at his Foot, he lying, and rol∣ling, and groaning as if it had been so in the most sensible manner in the world; and then he would shriek, that Knives were cutting of him. Sometimes also he would have his head so forci∣bly, tho not visibly, nail'd unto the Floor, that it was as much as a strong man could do to pull it up. One while they would all be so Limber, that it was judg'd every Bone of them could be bent. Another while they would be so stiff, that not a joint of them could be stir'd: They would sometimes be as though they were mad, and then they would climb over high Fences, be∣yond the Imagination of them that look'd after them. Yea, They would fly like Geese; and be carried with an incredible Swiftness thro the air, having, but just their Toes now and then upon the ground, and their Arms waved like the Wings

of a Bird. One of them, in the House of a kind Neighbour and Gentleman (Mr. Willis) flow the length of the Room, about 20 foot, and flew iust into an Infants high armed Chair; (as tis affir∣med) none seeing her feet all the way touch the the floor.

SECT. XIV. Many wayes did the Devils take to make the children do mischief both to themselves and others; but thro the singular Provindence of God, they always fail'd in the at∣tempts. For they could never essay the doing of any harm, unless there were some body at hand that might prevent it; and seldome with∣out first shrieking out, They say, I must do such a thing! Diverse times they went to strike furi∣ous Blowes at their tenderest and dearest friends, or to sling them dovvnstaires vvhen they had them at the Top, but the warnings from the mouths of the children themselves, would still anticipate vvhat the Devils did intend. They diverse times vvere very near Burning or Drown∣ing of themselves, but the Children themselves by their ovvn pittiful and seasonable cries for Help, still procured their Deliverance: Which made me to Consider, Whether the Little ones had not their Angels, in the plain sense of Our Saviours Intimation. Sometimes, When they vvere tying their ovvn Nock-clothes, their compelled hands miserably strangled themselves, till perhaps, the standers-by gave some Relief

unto them. But if any small Mischief happen'd to be done where they were; as the Tearing or Dirtying of a Garment; the Falling of a Cup, the breaking of a Glass, or the like; they would re∣joice extremely, & fall into a pleasure & Laugh∣ter very extraordinary. All which things com∣par'd with the Temper of the Children, when they are themselves, may suggest some very peculiar Thoughts unto us.

SECT. XV. They were not in a constant Torture for some Weeks, but wore a little qui∣et, unless upon some incidental provocations; upon which the Devils would handle them like Tigres, and wound them in a manner very hor∣rible. Particularly, Upon the least Reproof of their Parents for any unfit thing they said or did, most grievous woful Heart-breaking Agonies would they fall into. If any useful thing were to be done to them, of by them, they would have all sorts of Troubles fall upon them. It would sometimes cost one of them an Hour or Two to be undrest in the evening, or drest in the morn∣ing. For if any one went to unty a string, or undo a Button about them, or the contrary; they would be twisted into such postures as made the thing impossible. And at Whiles, they would he so managed in their Beds that no Bed-clothes could for an hour or two be laid upon them; nor could they go to wash their Hands, without

having them clasp't so odly together, there was no doing of it. But when their Friends were near tired with Waiting, anon they might do what they would unto them. Whatever Work they were bid to do, they would be so snap't in the member which was to do it, that they with grief still desisted from it. If one ordered them to Rub a clean Table, they were able to do it without any disturbance; if to rub a dirty Table, presently they would with many Torments be made uncapable. And sometimes, tho but sel∣dome, they were kept from eating their meals, by having their Teeth sett when they carried a∣ny thing unto their Mouthès.

SECT. XV. But nothing in the World would so discompose them as a Religious Exer∣cise. If there were any Discourse of God, or Christ, or any of the things which are not seen & are eternal, they would be cast into intolerable Anguishes. Once, those two Worthy Minist∣ers Mr. Fisk and Mr. Thatcher, bestowing some gracious Counsils on the Boy, whom they then found at a Neighbours house, he immediately lost his Hearing, so that he heard not one word, but just the last word of all they said. Much more, All Praying to God, & Reading of His word, would occasion a very terrible Vexation to them: they would then stop their own Ears with their own Hands; and roar, and shriek; and holla, to drown the Voice of the Devotion. Yea, if any one

in the Room took up a Bible to look into it, the the Children could see nothing of it, as being in a croud of Spectators, or having their Faces another way, yet would they be in wonderful Mi∣series, till the Bible were laid aside. In short, No good thing must then be endured near those Children, Which (while they are themselves) do love every good thing in a measure that pro∣claims in them the Fear of God.

SECT. XVII. My Employments were such, that I could not visit this afflicted Family so often as I would; Wherefore that I might show them what kindness I could, as also that I might have a full opportunity to observe the ex∣traordinary Circumstances of the Children, and that I might be furnished with Evidence and Ar∣gument as a Critical Eye-Witness to confute the Saducism of this debauched Age; I took the El∣dest of them home to my House. The young Woman continued well at our house, for diverse dayes, and apply'd her self to such Acti∣ons not only of Industry, but of Piety, as she had been no stranger to. But on the Twentieth of No∣vember in the Fore-noon, she cry'd out, An [They] have found me out! I thought it would be so! and immediately she fell into her fits again. I shall now confine my Story cheefly to Her, from whose Case the Reader may shape some Conjecture at the Accidents of the Rest.

SECT XVIII. Variety of Tortures now

siez'd upon the Girl; in which besides the fore∣mentioned Ails returning upon her, she often would cough up a Ball as big as a small Egg into the side of her Wind-pipe, that would near choak her, till by Stroking and by Drinking it was carried down again. At the beginning of her Fits, usually she kept odly Looking up the Chimney, but could not say what she saw. When I had her Cry to the Lord Jesus for Help her Teeth were instantly sett; upon which I adued. Yet, child, Look into Him, and then her E••es were presently pulled into her head, so farr that one might have fear'd she should never have us'd them more. When I prayed in the Room, fi••st, her Arms were with a strong, tho not seen Force clap't upon her ears; and when her hands were with violence pull'd away, she cryed out, [They] make such a noise, I cannot hear a word! She likewise complain'd, that Good'y Glover's, Chain was upon her Leg, and when she essay'd to go, her postures were exactly such as the chain∣ed Witch had before she died. But the manner still was, that her Tortures in a small while would pass over, and Frolicks succeed; in which she would continue many hours, nay, whole days, tal∣king perhaps never wickedly, but alwaies, 〈…〉〈…〉ly beyond her self; and at certain provocations, her Tortures would renew upon her, till we had left off to give them. But she frequently told us, that if she might but steal, or be drunk,

she should be well immediately.

SECT. XIX. In her ludicrous Fits, one while she would be for Flying; and she would be carried hither and thither, tho not long from the ground, yet so long as to exceed the ordinary pow∣er of Nature, in our Opinion of it: another-while she would be for Diving, and use the Actions of it towards the Floor, on which, if we had not held her, she would have thrown her self. Being at this exercise she told us, That They said, she must go down to the Bottom of our Well, for there was Plate there, and They said, They would bring her safely up again. This did she tell us, tho she had never heard of any Plate there! and we ourselves who had newly bought the house, hardly knew of any; but the former Owner of the House just then coming in, told us there had been Plate for ma∣ny years at the Bottom of the Well.

She had once a great mind to have eaten a roast∣ed Apple, but whenever she attempted to eat it, her Teeth would be felt, and sometimes, if she went to take it up, her Arm would be made so stiff, that she could not possibly bring her hand to her Mouth: at last she said, Now They say, I shall eat it, if I eat it quickly; and she nimbly eat it all up. Moreover,

There was one very singular passion that fre∣quently attended her. An Invisible Chain would be clapt about her, and shee, in much pain and Fear, cry out, When [They] began to

put it on. Once I did with my own hand knock it off, as it began to be fastned about her. But ordinarily, When it was on, shee'd be pull'd out of her seat with such violence towards the Fire, that it has been as much as one or two of us could do to keep her out. Her Eyes were not brought to be perpendicular to her feet, when she rose out of her Seat, as the Mechanism of a Humane Body requires in them that rise, but she was one dragg'd wholly by other Hands: and once, When I gave a stamp on the Hearth, just between her and the Fire, she scream'd out, (tho I think she saw me not) that I Iarr'd the Chain, and hurt her Back.

SECT. XX. While she was in her Frolicks I was willing to try, Whether she could read or no; and I found, not only That If she went to read the Bible her Eyes would be strangely twisted & blinded, and her Neck presently broken, but also that if any one else did read the Bible in the Room, tho it were wholly out of her sight, and without the least voice or noise of it, she would be cast into very terrible Agonies. Yet once, Falling into her her Maladies a little time after she had read the 59th Psalm, I said unto the standers-by, Poor child! she can't now read the Psalm she readd a lit∣tle while ago, she listened her self unto something that none of us could hear, and made us be silent for some few Seconds of a minute. Whereupon she said, But I can read it, they say I shall!

So I show'd her the Psalm, and she readd it all o∣ver to us Then said I, Chil••, say Amen to it: but tha•• she could not do. I added, Read the next: but no where else in the Bible could she read a word I brought her a Qulikers Book; and That she could quic••ly read whole pages of; only the Name of GOD and CHRIST she still skipt over, being unable to pronounce it, ex∣cept sometimes with stammering a minute or two or more upon it. When we urged her to tell what the word was that she missed, shee'd say, I must not speak it; They say I must not, you know 〈…〉〈…〉 G and O and D; so shee'd spell the Name unto us. I brought her again, one that I thought was a Good Book; and pre∣sently she was handled with intolerable Torments. But when I show'd her a Iest-Book, as, The Ox∣ford Iests, or the Cambridge Iests, she could read them ••••••hout any Disturbance, & have witty Des∣cants upon them too. I entertain'd her with a Book that pretends to prove, That there are no Witches▪ and that she could read very well, only the Name Devils, and Witches could not be ut∣tered by her without extraordinary Difficulty. I produced a Book to her that proves, That there are Witches, and that she had not power to read. When I readd in the Room, the Story of Ann Caile in my Fathers Remarkable Providences, and came to the Exclamation which the Narrative saies the Daemons made upon her, [Ah she runs to

the Book!] it cast her into inexpressible Ago∣nies; and shee'd fall into them whenever I had the Expression of, Running to the Rock, afterwards. A popish Book also she could endure very well; but it would kill her to look into any Book, that (in my Opinion) it might have bin profitable & edifying for her to be reading of. These Expe∣riments were often enough repeated, and still with the same Success, bofore Witnesses not a few. The good Books that were found so mortal to her were cheefly such as lay ever at hand in the Room. One was the Guid to Heaven from the Word, which I had given her. Another of them was Mr. Williard's little (but precious) Treatise of Iustifi∣cation. Diverse Books published by my Father I also tried upon her; particularly, his Myste∣ry of Christ; and another small Book of his about Faith and Repentance, and the day of Iudgement.

Once being very merrily talking by a Table that had this last Book upon it, she just opened the Book, and was immediately struck backwards as dead upon the floor. I hope I have not spoil'd the credit of the Books, By telling how much the Devils hated them. I shall therefore add, That my Grandfather Cottons Catechism called Milk for Babes, and The Assemblies Catechism, would bring hideous Convulsions on the Child if she look't into them; tho she had once learn't them with all the love that could be.

SECT. XXI. I was not unsensible that this

Girls Capacity or incapacity to read, was no Test for Truth to be determin'd by, and there∣fore I did not proceed much further in this fan∣ciful Business, not knowing What snares the Devils might lay for us in the Tryals. A few further Tryals, I confess, I did make; but what the event of 'em was, I shall not relate, be∣cause I would not offend. But that which most made me to wonder was, That one bringing to her a certain Prayer Book, she not only could Read it very well, but also did read a large part of it over; and calling it Her Bible, she took in in a delight and put on it a Respect more than Ordinary. If she were going into her tortures, at the offer of this Book, she would come out of her sits, and read; and her Attendents were almost under a Temptation to use it as a Charm, to make and keep her quiet. Only, When she came to the Lords Prayer, (now and then oc∣curing in this Book) she would have her eyes put out, so that she must turn over a new leaf, and then she could read again. Whereas also there are Scriptures in that Book, she could read them there, but if I show'd her the very same Scriptures in the Bible, she should soon∣er Dy than read them. And she was likewise made unable to read the Psalms in an apel∣ent meeter, which this prayer book had in the same volumne with it. There were, I think I may say; no less than Multitudes of Wit∣nesses,

to this odd thing; and I should not have been a faithful and honest Historian, if I had withheld from the World this part of my Hi∣story: But I make no Reflections on it. Those inconsiderable men that are provoked at it (if any shall be of so little Sense as to be pro∣voked) must be angry at the Devils, and not at me; their Malice, and not my Writing, de∣serves the Blame of any Aspersion which a true History, may seem to cast on a Book that some have enough manifested their Concern∣ment for.

SECT. XXII. There was another most unaccountable Circumstance which now attend∣ed her; and until she came to our House, I think, she never had Experience of it. Ever now and then, an Invisible Horse would be brought unto her, by those whom she only called, them, and, Her Company: upon the Approach of Which, her eyes would be still closed up; for (said she) They say, I am a Tell-Tale, and therefore they will not let me see them. Upon this would she give a Spring as one mounting an Horse, and Settling her self in a Riding-Posture, she would in her Chair be agitated as one sometimes Amble∣ing, sometimes Trotting, and sometimes Gal∣loping very furiously. In these motions we co•••••• not perceive that she was stirred

by the stress of her feet, upon the ground; for often she touch't it not; but she mostly con∣tinued in her Chair, though sometimes in her hard Trott we doubted she would have been toss∣ed over the Back of it. Once being angry at his Dulness, When she said, she would cut off his head if she had a knife, I gave her my Sheath, (where∣with she suddenly gave her self a stroke on the Neck, but complain'd, it would not cut. When she had rode a minute or two or three, shee'd pretend to be at a Rendezvous with Them, that were Her Company; there shee'd maintain a Discourse with them, and asking many Questions concerning her self, (for we gave her none of ours) shee'd Listen much, and Received An∣swers from them that indeed none but her self perceived. Then would she return and inform us, how [They] did intend to handle her for a day or two afterwards, besides some other things that she enquired of them. Her Horse would some∣times throw her, with much Violence; but she would mount again; and one of the Standers-by once imagining [them] that were Her Compa∣ny, to be before her (for she call'd unto them to say for her) he struck with his Cane in the Air where he thought they were, and tho her eyes were wholly shutt, yet she cry'd out, that he struck her. Her Fantastic Iourneyes were mostly per∣formed in her Chair without removing from it: but sometimes would she ride from her Chair,

and be carried odly on the Floor, from one part of the Room to another, in the postures of a Riding Woman. If any of us asked her, Who her Company were? She generally replyed, I don't know. But if we were instant in our Demand, she would with some witty Flout or other turn it off. Once I said, Child, if you can't tell their Names, pray tell me what Clothes they have on; and the Words were no sooner out of my mouth, but she was laid for dead upon the Floor.

SECT. XXIII. One of the Spectators once ask'd her, Whether she could nor ride up stairs; unto which her Answer was, That she believe'd she could, for her Horse could do very not able things. Accordingly, when her Horse came to her again, to our Admiration she Ends (that is, was tossed as one that rode up the stairs: there then stood open the Stuay of one belonging to the Family, into which entring, she stood immediately upon her Feet, and cry'd out, They are gone; they are gone! They say, that they cannot,—God won't let 'em come here! She also added a Reason for it, which the Owner of the Study thought more kind than true. And she presently and perfectly came to her self, so that her whole Discourse & Carriage was altered unto the greatest measure of Sobriety, and she satt Reading of the Bible and Good Books, for a good part of the Afternoon. Her Affairs calling her anon to go down again, the Daemons were in a quarter of a minute as bad

upon her as before, and her Horse was Waiting for her. I understanding of it, immediately would have her up to the study of the young man where she had been at ease before; meerly to try Whether there had not been a Fallacy in what had newly happened: but she was now so twist∣ted, and iprithen, that it gave me much trouble to get her into my Arms, and much more to drag her up the stairs. She was pulled out of my hands, and when I recovered my Hold, she was thrust so hard upon me, that I had almost fallen backwards, and her own breast was sore afterwards, by their Compressions to detain her; she seem'd heavier indeed that three of her self. With incredible Forcing (tho she kept Scream∣ing, They say I must not go in!) at length we pull'd her in; where she was no sooner come, but she could stand on her Feet, and with an altered tone, could thank me, saying, now I am well. At first shee'd be somewhat faint, and say, She felt some∣thing go out of her; but in a minute or two, she could attend any Devotion, or Business as well as e∣ver in her Life; and both spoke and did as be∣came a person of good Discretion.

I was loth to make a Charm of the Room; yet some strangers that came to visit us, the Week after, desiring to see the Exporiment made, I per∣mitted more than two or three Repetitions of it; and it still succeded as I have declared. Once when I was assisting 'em in carrying of her u, she

was torn out of all our hands; & to my self, she cry'd out, Mr. M,— One of them is going to push you down the stairs, have a care. I remember not that I felt any Thrust or Blow; but I think I was unaccountably made to step down backward two or three stairs, and within a few hours she told me by whom it was.

SECT. XXIV. One of those that had bin concerned for her Welfare, had newly implored the great GOD that the young woman might be a∣able to declare whom she apprehended her self troubled by. Presently upon this her Horse re∣turned, only it pestered her with such ugly paces, that she fell out with her Company, & threatned now to tell all, for their so abusing her. I was going abroad, and she said unto them that were about her, Mr. M.— is gone abroad my horse won't come back, till he come home; and then I belieue (said she softly,) I shall tell him all. I staid abroad an hour or two, and then Returning, When I was just come to my Gate, before I had given the least Sign or Noise of my being there, she said, My Horse is come! and intima∣ted, that I was at the Door. When I came in, I found her mounted after her fashion, upon her Aerial Steed; which carried her Fancy to the Journeys end. There (or rather then) she maintained a considerable Discourse with Her Company, Listening very attentively when she had propounded any Question, and receiving the

Answers with impressions made upon her mind. She said; Well what do you say? How many Fits more am I to have?—pray, can ye tell how long it shall be before you are hang'd for what you have done?—You are filtlhy Wit∣ches to my knowledge, I shall see some of you go after your sister; You would have killd me; but you can't, I don't fear you—You would have thrown Mrs Ma∣ther down stairs, but you could not.—Well! How shall I be* 1.1 Tomorrow? Pray, What do you think of Tomorrow?— Fare ye well.—You have brought me such an ugly Horse, I am angry at you; I could find in my heart to tell all. So she began her home∣ward paces; but when she had gone a little way, (that is a little worse) she said, O I have forgot one Question; I must go back again; and back she rides. She had that day been diverse times warning us, that they had been contriving to do some harm to my Wife, by a Fall or a Blow, or the like; and when she came out of her mysteri∣ous Journeys, she would still be careful concer∣ning Her. Accordingly she now calls to her Company again, Hark you, One thing more before we part! What hurt is it you will do to Mrs. Mather? will you do her any hurt? Here she listened some time; and then clapping her hands cry'd out, O, I am glad on't, they can do Mrs. Mather no

hurt: they try, but they say they can't. So she returns and at once, Dismissing her Horse, and opening her eyes, she call'd me to her, Now Sir, (said she) I'll tell you all. I have learn'd who they are that are the cause of my trouble, there's three of them, (and she named who) if they were out of the way, I should be well. They say, they can tell now how long I shall be troubled, But they won't. Only they seem to think, their power will be broke this Week, They seem also to say, that I shall be very ill Tomorrow, but they are them∣selves terribly afraid of tomorrow; They fear, that to morrow we shall be delivered. They say too, that they can't hurt Mrs. Mather, which I am glad of. But they said, they would kill me tonight, if I went to bed before ten a clock, if I told a word. And other things did she say; not now to be recited.

SECT. XXV. The Day following, which was, I think about the twenty seventh of Novem∣ber, Mr. Morton of Charlestown, and Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard, and my self, of Boston, with some devout Neighbours, kept another Day of Prayer, at Iohn Goodwin's house; and we had all the Children present with us there. The children were miserably tortured, while we laboured in our Prayers; but our good God was high unto us, in what we call'd upon Him for. From this day the power of the Enemy was broken; and the children, though Assaults after this were made upon them, yet were not

so cruelly handled as before. The Liberty of the Children encreased daily more and more, and their Vexation abated by degrees; till with∣in a little while they arrived to Perfect Ease, which for some weeks or months they cheerfully en∣joyed. Thus Good it is for us to draw near to God.

SECT. XXVI. Within a day or two after the East, the young Woman had two remarka∣ble Attempts made upon her, by her invisible Adversaries. Once, they were Dragging her in∣to the Oven that was then heating, while there was none in the Room to help her. She clap't her hands on the Mantle-tree to save her self; but they were beaten off; and she had been burned, if at her Out-cryes one had not come in from a∣broad for her Relief. Another time, they putt an unseen Rope with a cruel Noose about her Neck, Whereby she was choaked, until she was black in the Face; and though it was taken off before it had kill'd her, yet there were the red Marks of it, and of a Finger & a Thumb near it, remaining to be seen for a while afterwards.

SECT. XXVII. This was the last Molest∣ation that they gave her for a While; and she dwelt at my house the rest of the Winter, hav∣ing by an obliging and vertuous Conversation, made her self enough Welcome to the Family. But within about a Fortnight, she was visited with two dayes of as Extraordinary Obsessions as any we had been the Spectators of. I thought it

convenient for me to entertain my Congregati∣on with a Sermon upon the memorable Providences which these Children had been concerned in. When I had begun to study my Sermon, her Tor∣mentors again seiz'd upon her; and all Fryday & Saturday, did they manage her with a special De∣sign, as was plain, to disturb me in what I was about. In the worst of her extravagancies for∣merly, she was more dutiful to my self than I had reason to Expect, but now her whole carriage to me, was with a Sauciness that I had not been us'd to be treated with. She would knock at my Study Door, affirming, That some below would be glad to see me; when there was none that ask't for me. She would call to me with multiply∣ed Impertinencies, and throw small things at me wherewith she could not give me any hurt. Shee'd Hector me at a strange rate for the work I was at, and threaten me with I know not what mischief for it. She got a History that I had Written of this Witchcraft, and tho she had be∣fore this, readd it over and over, yet now she could not read (I believe) one entire Sen∣tence of it; but she made of it the most ridicu∣lous Travesty in the World, with such a Patness and excess of Fancy, to supply the sense that she put upon it, as I was amazed at. And she par∣ticularly told me, That I should quickly come to dis∣grace by that History.

SECT. XXVIII. But there were many other Wonders beheld by us before these two dayes were out. Few tortures attended her, but such as were provoked; her Frolicks being the things that had most possession of her. I was in Latin telling some young Gentlemen of the Col∣ledge, That if I should bid her Look to God, her Eyes would be put out, upon which her eyes were presently served so. I was in some surprize, When I saw that her Troublers understood La∣tin, and it made me willing to try a little more of their Capacity. We continually found, that if an English Bible were in any part of the Room seriously look'd into, though she saw and heard nothing of it, she would immediately be in very dismal Agonies. We now made a Tryal more than once or twice, of the Greek New-Testament, and the Hebrew Old Testament; and We still found, That if one should go to read in it never so secretly and silently, it would procure her that Anguish, Which there was no enduring of. But, I thought, (at length,) I fell upon one infi∣rior Language which the Damons did not seem, so well to understand.

SECT. XXIX. Devotion was now, as for∣merly the terriblest of all the provocations that could be given her. I could by no means bring her to own, That she desired the mercies of God and the prayers of good men. I would have ob∣tained a Sign of such a Desire, by her Listing

up of her hand; but she stirr'd it not: I then listed up her hand my self, and though the stan∣ders by thought a more insignificant thing could not be propounded, I said, Child, If you desire those things, let your hand fall, when I take mine a∣way: I took my hand away, and hers continu∣ed strangely and stifly stretched out, so that for some time, she could not take it down. During these two dayes we had Prayers oftener in our Family than at other times; and this was her usual Behaviour at them. The man that prayed, usually began with Reading the Word of God; which once as he was going to do, she call'd to him, Read of Mary Magdalen, out of whom the Lord cast seven Devils, During the time of Rea∣ding, she would be laid as one fast asleep; but when Prayer was begun, the Devils would still throw her on the Floor, at the feet of him, that prayed. There would she lye and Whistle and sing and roar, to drown the voice of the Prayer; but that being a little too audible for Them, they would shutt close her Mouth and her ears, and yet make such odd noises in her Throat as that she her self could not hear our Cries to God for her. Shee'd also fetch very terrible Blowes with her Fist, and Kicks with her Foot at the man that prayed; but still (for he had bid that none should hinder her) her Fist and Foot, would alwaies recoil, when they came within a few hairs breadths of him just as if Rebounding

against a Wall; so that she touch'd him not, but then would beg hard of other people to strike him, and particularly she entreated them to take the Tongs and smite him; Which not being done, she cryed out of him, He has wounded me in the Head. But before Prayer was out, she would be laid for Dead, wholly sensless and (unless to a severe Trial) Breathless; with her Belly swel∣led like a Drum, and sometimes with croaking Noises in it; thus would she ly, most exactly with the stiffness and posture of one that had been two Days laid out for Dead. Once lying thus, as he that was praying, was alluding to the words of the Canaanitess, and saying, Lord, have mercy on a Daughter vexed with a Devil; there came a big, but low voice from her, say∣ing, There's Two or Three of them (or us!) and the standers-by, were under that Apprehension, as that they cannot relate whether her mouth mov'd in speaking of it. When Prayer was end∣ed, she would Revive in a minute or two, and continue as Frolicksome as before. She thus con∣tinued until Saturday towards the Evening; when, after this man had been at Prayer, I char∣ged all my Family to admit of no Diversion by her Frolicks, from such exercises as it was pro∣per to begin the Sabbath with. They took the Coun〈…〉〈…〉; and tho she essayed, with as witty and and as nimble and as various an Application to each of them successively as ever I saw, to make

them laugh, yet they kept close to their good Books which then called for their Atten∣tion. When she saw that, immediately she fell asleep; and in two or three hours, she waked perfectly her self; weeping bitterly to remember (for as one come out of a dream she could re∣member) what had befallen her.

SECT. XXX. After this, we had no more such entertainments. The Demons it may be would once or twice in a Week, trouble her for a few minutes with perhaps a twisting & a twinke of her eyes, or a certain Cough, which did seem to be more than ordinary. Moreover, Both she at my house, and her Sister at home, at the time which they call Christmas, were by the Dae∣mons made very drunk, though they had no strong Drink (as we are fully sure) to make them so. When she began to feel her selfe thus drunk, she complain'd, O they say they will have me to keep Christmas with them! They will disgrace me when they can do nothing else! And immediately the Ridiculous Behaviours of one drunk, were with a wonderful exactness represented in her Speaking, and Reeling, and Spewing, and anon Sleeping, till she was well again. But the Vexations of the Children otherwise abated coutinually.

They first came to be alwaies Quiet, unless up∣on Provocations. Then they got Liberty to work, but not to read: then further on, to read, but not aloud. at last they were wholly delivered; and for many Weeks remained s••••••.

SECT. XXXI. I was not unsensible, that it might be an easie thing to be too bold, and go too far, in making of Experiments. Nor was I so unphilosophical as not to discern many oppor∣tunityes of Giving and Solving many Problemes which the pneumatic Discipline is concerned in I confess I have Learn'd much more than I fought, and I have bin informed of some things relating to the invisible World, which as I did not think it lawful to ask, so I do not think it proper to tell; yet I will give a Touch upon one Problem commonly Discoursed of; that is,

Whether the Devils know our Thoughts, or no?

I will not give the Reader my Opinion of it, but only my Experiment. That they do not, was conjectured from this: We could cheat them when we spoke one thing, and mean't another. This was found when the Children were to be undressed. The Devils would still in waves beyond the Force of any Imposture, won∣derfully twist the part that was to be undress'd, so that there was no comming at it. But, if we said, untye his neckcloth, and the parties bidden, at the same time, understood our intent to be, unty his Shooe! The Neckcloth, and not the shooe, has

been made strangely inaccessible. But on the other side; That they do, may be conjectured from This. I called the young Woman at my House by her Name, intending to mention unto her some Religious Expedient whereby she might, as I thought much relieve her self; presently her Neck was broke, and I continued watching my Opportunity to say what I designed. I could not get her to come out of her Fit, until I had laid aside my purpose of speaking what I thought, and then she reviv'd immediately. Moreover a young Gentleman visiting of me at my Study to ask my advice about curing the Atheism & Blas∣phemy which he complained, his Thoughts were more than ordinarily then infested with; after some Discourse I carried him down to see this Girl who was then molested with her unseen Fiends; but when he came, she treated him very coursly and rudely, asking him What she came to the house for? and seemed very angry at his be∣ing there, urging him to be gone with a very impetuous Importunity. Perhaps all Devils are not alike sagacious.

SECT. XXXII. The Last Fit that the young Woman had, was very peculiar. The Damons having once again seiz'd her, they made her pretend to be Dying; and Dying truly we fear'd at last she was: She lay, she tossed, she pull'd just like one Dying, and urged hard for some one to dy with her, seeming loth to dy a∣lone.

She argued concerning Death, in straine that quite amazed us; and concluded, That though she was luth to dy, yet if God said she must, she must; adding something about the state of the Countrey, which we wondred at Anon, the Fit went over; and as I guessed it would be, it was the last Fit she had at our House. But all my Library never afforded me any Commentary on those Paragraphs of the Gospels, which speak of Demoniacs, equal to that which the passions of this Child have giv∣en me.

SECT. XXXIII. This is the Story of Goodwins Children, a Story all made up of Won∣ders! I have related nothing but what I judge to be true. I was my self an Eye-witness to a large part of what I tell; and I hope my neigh∣bours have long thought, That I have otherwise learned Christ, than to ly unto the World. Yea, there is, I believe scarce any one particular, in this Narrative, which more than one credible Witness will not be ready to make Oath un∣to. The things of most Concernment in it, were before many Critical Observers; and the Whole happened in the Metropolis of the English America, unto a religious and industrious Fa∣mily which was visited by all sorts of Persons, that had a mind to satisfy themselves. I do now likewise publish the History, While the thing is yet fresh and New; and I challenge all men

to detect so much as one designed Falshood, yea, or so much as one important Mistake, from the Egg to the Apple of it, I have Writ as plainly as becomes an Historian, as truly as becomes a Christian, tho perhaps not so profitably as be∣came a Divine. But I am resolv'd after this, never to use but just one grain of patience with any man that shall go to impose upon me, a De∣nial of Devils, or of Witches. I shall count that man Ignorant who shall suspect, but I shall count him down-right Impudent if he Assert the Non-Existence of things which we have had such palpable Convictions of. I am sure he cannot be a Civil, (and some will question whether he can be an honest man) that shall go to deride the Being of things which a whole Countrey has now be∣held an house of pious people suffering not a few Vexations by. But if the Sadducee, or the A∣theist, have no right Impressions by these Memo∣rable Providences made upon his mind; yet I hope, those that know what it is to be sober, will not repent any pains that they may have taken in perusing what Records of these Witchcrafts & Possessions, I thus leave unto Posterity.

POSTSCRIPT.

YOU have seen the Trouble and the Relief of Iohn Goodwins Children, After which the Daemons were let loose to make a fresh At∣tacque upon them, tho not in a manner altoge∣ther so terrible & afflictive, as what they had be∣fore susteined. All the Three Children were vi∣sited with some Return of their Calamities; but the Boy was the Child which endured most in this New Assault. He had been for some While kind∣ly entertained, with Mr. Baily at Watertown where he had enjoyed a long time of ease; the Devils having given him but little Disburbance, except what was for a short while after his first coming there. He no sooner came Home, but he began to be ill again, with diverse pecu∣liar Circumstances attending of him. There was this particularly remarkable: That the Boy dream't he had a Bone within his skin growing cross his Ribs; and when he awaked, he felt and found a thing there which was esteem'd a Bone, by them that handled it; only every one wondered how it should be lodged there. An expert Chirurgeon, Dr. Iohn Clark, being advis'd with about it, very dexterously took it out; and it prov'd not the imagined Bone, but a considerable Pin; a brass Pin, which could not possibly have come to ly there as it

did, withont the Prestigious Conveyance of a Misterious Witchcraft. Another time, on a Lord's Day his Father would have taken him to Meeting with him; and when his Father spoke of going to some of the Assemblies in the Town (particularly both the North and the South) the Boy would be cast into such Tor∣tures and Postures, that he would sooner Dy than go out of doors; but if his Father spoke of going to others of the Assemblies in the Town, particularly the Quakers, the boy in a moment would be as well as could be. The tryal of this was more than five times repeated, and were it fully related, would be more than ten times Admired.

Our Prayers for the Children were justly re∣newed, and I hope not altogether unanswered. Upon one Prayer over two of them, they had a∣bout a Fortnights ease; and their Ails again re∣turning, Prayer was again awakened; with some Circumstances not proper to be exposed unto the World. God gave a present Abatement here∣upon to the Maladies of the Children, and caused their Invaders to retire; so that by de∣grees they were fully and quickly Delivered. Two days of Prayer obtained the Deliverance of two. The Third, namely the Boy, Remaining under some Annoyance by the evil spirits, a third Day was employ'd for him and he soon found the blessed effects of it in his Deliverance

There were several very memorable things atten∣ding this Deliverance of the Children, and the Vowes, and the Pleas, used in the Prayers which were thereby answerd, but they were all Private, yea, in a sort, Secret; Non est Religio ubi omnia patent; and I understand, (for I have some Ac∣quaintance with him) That the Friend of the Children, whom God gave to be thus concern∣ed and successful for them, desires me not to let Reports of those things go out of the Walls of a Study, but to leave them rather for the Notice of the other World. I think it will not be im∣proper to tell the World, that one thing in the Childrens Deliverance was the strange. Death of an horrible old Woman, who was presum'd to have a great hand in their Affliction. Before her Death & at it, the Alms-House where she lived was terrified with fearful noises, and she seem'd to have her Death hastened by dismal Blowes reveived from the invisible World. But having mentioned this: all that I have now to publish is That Prayer and Faith, was the thing which drove the Divels from the Children; and I am to bear this Testimony unto the world, That the Lord is nigh to all them, who call upon him in truth, and, That blessed are all they that wait for Him.

Finished, Iune 7th, 1689.

MANTISSA.

TO the foregoing Narrative, we have ad∣ded an account given us, by the Godly Father of these Haunted Children; who upon his Reading over so much of our History, as was written of their Exercise before their full deli∣verance, was willing to express his Attestation to the Truth of it; with this further Declaration of the Sense, which he had of the unusual Miseries, that then lay upon his Family. 'Tis in his own Style; but I suppose a Pen hath not commonly been managed with more cleanly Discourse by an Hand used only to the Trowel; and his Conditi∣on hath been such, that he may fairly have Leave to speak.

IN the year 1688. about Midsummer, it pleased the Lord to visit one of my child∣ren with a sore Visitation; and she was not only tormented in her Body, but was in great distress of Mind, Crying out, That she was in the dark concerning her Souls estate, and that she had mispent her precious time; She and we thinking her time was near at an end Hearing those Shrieks and Groans which did not only pierce the ears, but Hearts of her poor Parents; now was a time for me to Consider with my self, and to look into my own heart and and life, and see how matters did there stand between God and my own soul, and see Where∣fore the Lord was thus contending with me. And upon Enquiry I found cause to judge my self, & to justify the Lord. This Affliction continuing some time, the Lord saw good then to double the affliction in smiting down another Child, and that which was most heart breaking of all, and did double this double affliction was, it was apparent and judged by all that saw them, that the Devil and his Instruments, had a hand in it.

The consideration of this was most dreadful: I thought of what David said, 2 Sam. 24. 14. if he feared so to fall into the hands of Men,

oh! then to think of the Horror of our condi∣tion, to be in the Hands of Devils and Witches! This our doleful condition moved us to call to our Friends to have pity on us, for Gods Hand had touched us. I was ready to say, that no ones affliction was like mine; That my little House that should be a little Bethel for God to dwell in, should be made a Den for Devils; that those little Bodies, that should be Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in, should be thus harrassed and abused by the Devil and his cursed Brood. But how this twice doubled affliction is doubled again. Two more of my Children are smitten down, oh! the Cries, the Shrieks, the Tortures of these poor Children! Doctors cannot help, Parents weep and lament over them, but cannot ease them. Now I considering my affliction to be more than ordinary, it did certainly call for more than ordinary Prayer. I acquainted Mr. Allen, Mr. Moodey, Mr. Willard, and Mr. C. Mather, the four Ministers of the Town with it, and Mr. Morton of Charlstown; earnestly desiring them, that they, with some other praying people of God, would meet at my house, and there be earnest with God, on the behalf of us and our Children; which they (I thank them for it) readily at∣tended with great servency of Spirit; but as for my part, my heart was ready to sink to hear and see those doleful-Sights. Now I thought that I had greatly neglected my duty to my Children,

in not admonishing and instructing of them; and that God was hereby calling my sins to mind, to slay my Children, Then I pondered of that place in Numb. 23. 23. Surely there is no Inchanment against Iacob, neither is there any De∣vination against Israel. And now I thought I had broke Covenant with God, not only in one respect but in many, but it pleased the Lord to bring that to mind in Heb. 8. 12. For I will be mer∣ciful to their unrighteousness, and their Sins & In∣quities will I remember no more. The Considerati∣on how the Lord did deal with Iob, and his Pa∣tience and the End the Lord made with him was some support to me. I thought also, on what David said, that He had sinned, but what have these poor Lambs done? But yet in the midds't of my tumultous Thoughts within me, it was Gods Comforts that did delight my soul. That in the 18 of Luke, and the Beginning, Where Christ spake the Parable for that end, that men ought alwaies to pray and not faint. This, with many other places bore up my spirit. I thought with Ionah that I would yet again Look towards God's holy Tem∣ple; the Lord Iesus Christ. And I did greatly desire to find the Son of God with me in this Fur∣nace of Affliction, knowing thereby that no harm shall befall me. But now this solemn day of Prayer and Fasting being at an End, there was an Eminent Answer of it: for one of my Children was delivered, and one of the wicked instruments

of the Devil discovered, and her own mouth con∣demned her, and so accordingly Executed. Here was Food for Faith, and great encouragement still to hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord; the Ministers still counselling and encou∣raging me to labour to be found in Gods way, committing my case to him, and not to use any way not allowed in Gods Word. It was a thing not a little comfortable to us, to see that the people of God was so much concerned about our lamentable condition, remembring us at all times in their prayers, which I did look at as a token for good; but you must think it was a time of sore Temptation with us, for many did say; (yea, and some good people too) were it their case, that they would try some Tricks, that should give ease to their Children: But I thought for us to forsake the counsel of good old men, and to take the counsel of the young ones, it might ensnare our Souls, though for the present it might offer some relief to our Bodies; which was a thing I greatly feared; and my Children were not at any time free for doing any such thing. It was a time of sore affliction, but it was mixed with abundance of mercy, for my heart was ma∣ny a time made glad in the house of Prayer. The Neighbourhood pitied us; and were very helpful to us: Moreover, though my Children were thus in every Limb and Joynt tormented by those Children of the Devil, they also using their

tongues at their pleasure, sometimes one way, sometimes another; yet the Lord did herein pre∣vent them, that they could not make them speak wicked words, though they did many times hinder them from speaking good ones; had they in these Fits blasphemed the Name of the Holy God, this you may think would have been an heart-break∣ing thing to us the poor Parents; but God in his mercy prevented them, a thing worth taking notice of. Likewise they slept well a nights: And the Ministers did often visit us, and pray with us, and for us; and their love and pity was so great, their Prayers so earnest and con∣stant, that I could not but admire at it. Mr. Mather particularly; now his bowels so yearned towards us in this sad condition, that he not only pray's with us, and for us, but he taketh one of my Children home to his own house; which indeed was but a troublesome guest, for such an one that had so much work lying upon his hands and heart: He took much pains in this great Service, to pull this Child, and her Brother and Sister out of the hand of the Devil. Let us now admire and adore that Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ, from whence those streams come. The Lord himself will requite his labour of love. Our case is yet very sad, and doth call for more Prayer; and the good Ministers of this Town, and Charlstown readily came, with some other good praying people to my house, to keep ano∣ther

Day of solemn Fasting and Prayer; which our Lord saith this kind goeth out by. My Child∣ren being all at home, the two biggest lying on the bed, one of them would fain have Kicked the good men while they were wrestling with God for them, had not I held him with all my power and might; and sometimes he would stop his own ears. This you must needs think was a cut∣ting thing to the poor parents. Now our hearts were ready to sink, had not God put under his everlasting arms of Mercy and helped us still to hope in his mercy, and to be quiet, knowing that He is God, and that it was not for the potsheards of the earth to strive with their Maker. Well might David say, that had not the Law of his God been his delight, he had perished in his Affliction. Now the Promises of God are sweet; God having promised, to hear the prayer of the destitute, and not to despise their prayer; and He will not fail the Expectation of those that wait on Him; but He heareth the cry of the poor and needy. These Ia∣cobs came and wrestled with God for a Blessing on this poor Family, which indeed I hope they ob∣tained, and may be now worthy of the Name Is∣rael, who prevailed with God, and would not let Him go till He had blessed us. For soon after this, there were two more of my children delivered out of this horrible pit. Here was now a double mercy, and how sweet was it, knowing it came in An∣swer of Prayer! Now we see and know,

it is not a vain thing to call on the name of the Lord. For He is a present help in the time of trouble; and we may boldly say the Lord has been our helper, I had sunk, but Jesus put forth His hand & bore me up. My Faith was ready to fail, but this was a support to me that Christ said to Peter, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And many other Promises were as Cordials to my dropping soul. And the Consideration of all those that ever came to Christ Jesus for Healing, that He healed their bodies, pardoned their Sins, and healed their Souls too; which I hope in God may be the fruit of this present Affliction. If God be pleased to make the Fruit of this Afflicti∣on to be to take away our sin, and cleanse us from iniquity, and to put us on with greater diligence to make our Calling & election sure, then, happy Af∣fliction! The Lord said that I had need of this to awake me. I have found a prosperous Conditi∣on a dangerous Condition. I have taken notice and considered more of God's Goodness in these few weeks of Affliction, than in many years of Prosperity. I may speak it with shame, so wic∣ked and deceitful, and ungrateful is my heart that the more God hath been doing for me, the less I have been doing for Him. My Returns have not been according to my Receivings. The Lord help me now to praise Him in heart, lip, & life. The Lord help us to see by this Visitation, what need we have to get shelter under the wing of

Christ, to hast to the Rock, where we may be safe. We see how ready the Devils are to catch us, and torment our Bodies, and he is as dili∣gent to ensnare our Souls, and that many waies; but let us put on all our spiritual Armour, and follow Christ the Captain of our Salvation; and tho we meet with the Cross, let us bear it pati∣ently and cheerfully, for if Jesus Christ be at the one end, we need not fear the Heaft of it: if we have Christ we have enough; He can make His Rod as well as His Staffe to be a comfort to us; and we shall not want if we be the Sheep of Christ. If we want Afflictions we shall have them, and sanctified Afflictions are choice mercies.

Now I earnestly desire the Prayer of all good people; That the Lord would be pleased to perfect that Work He hath begun, and make it to appear that Prayer is stronger than Witchcraft.

Iohn Goodwin.

Decemb. 12. 1688.

This is our First Example; and it is This which has occasioned the Publication of the Rest.

EXEMPLE. II.

AMong those Iudgments of God, which are a great Deep, I suppose few are more unfa∣thomable than this, That pious and holy men suffer sometimes by the Force of horrid Witchcrafts, and hellish Witches are permitted to break thorough the Hedge which our Heavenly Father has made about them that seek Him. I suppose the Instances of this direful thing are Seldome; but that they are not Never we can produce very dismal Testimony. One, and that no less Recent than Awful, I shall now offer: and the Reader of it will thereby learn, I hope, to work out his own Salvation with Fear and Tremb∣ling.

SECT. I. Mr. Philip Smith, aged about Fifty years, a Son of eminently vertuous Parents, a Deacon of the Church at Hadley, a Member of our General Court, an Associate in their County Court, a Select-man for the affairs of the Town, a Lieutenant in the Troop, and, which crowns all, a man for Devotion and Gravity, and all that was Honest, exceeding exemplary; Such a man in the Winter of the Year, 1684. was mur∣dered with an hideous Witchcraft, which filled all those parts with a just astonishment. This was the manner of the Murder.

SECT. II. He was concerned about Re∣lieving

the Indigencies of a wretched woman in the Town; who being dissatisfied at some of his just cares about her, expressed her self unto him in such a manner, that he declared himself ap∣prehensive of receiving mischief at her hands; he said, he doubted she would attempt his Hurt.

SECT. III. About the beginning of Ia∣nuary he began to be very Valetudinarious, labour¦ing under those that seemed Ischiadick pains. As his Illness increased on him, so his Goodness in∣creased in him; the standers-by could in him see one ripening apace for another world; and one filled not only with Grace to an high de∣gree, but also with Exceeding Ioy. Such Weanedness from, and Weariness of the World, he shew'd, that he knew not (he said) whether he might pray for his continuance here. Such As∣surance had he of the Divine Love unto him, that in Raptures he would cry out, Lord, stay thy hand, it is enough, it is more than thy frail ser∣vant can bear! But in the midst of these things, he uttered still an hard suspicion, That the ill Woman who had threatned him, had made im∣pressions on him.

SECT. IV. While he remained yet of a sound mind, he very sedately, but very solemnly charged his Brother to look well after him. Tho' he said he now understood himself, yet he knew not how he might be; but be sure (said he) to ha•••• a care of me for you shall see strange things,

There shal be a wonder in Hadley! I shall not be dead when it is thought I am! This Charge he pressed over and over; and afterwards became Delirious.

SECT. V. Being become Delirious, he had a Speech Incessant and Voluble beyond all imagina∣tion and this in divers Tones and sundry voices, and (as was thought) in various languages.

SECT. VI. He cryed out not only of sore pain, but also of sharp Pins, pricking of him sometimes in his Toe, sometimes in his Arms, as if there had been hundreds of them. But the people upon search never found any more than One.

SECT. VII. In his Distresses he exclaimed very much upon the Woman afore-mentioned, naming her, and some others, and saying, Do you not see them; There, There, There they stand.

SECT. VIII. There was a strong smell of something like Musk, which was divers times in the Room where he was, and in the other Rooms, and without the House; of which no cause could be rendred. The sick-man as well, as others, complained of it; and once particu∣larly, it so siez'd an Apple Roasting at the Fire that they were forced to throw it away.

SECT. IX. Some that were about him being almost at their wits end, by beholding the greatness and the strangeness of his Calamities did three or four times in one Night, go and

give Disturbance to the Woman that we have spoken of: all the while they were doing of it, the good man was at ease, and slept as a weary man; and these were all the times they percei∣ved him to take any sleep at all.

SECT. X. A small Galley-Pot of Alkermes, that was near full, and carefully look't after, yet unto the surprize of the people, was quite emp∣tied, so that the sick man could not have the Be∣nefit of it.

SECT. XI. Several persons that sat by him, heard a Scratching, that seem'd to be on the Ticking near his feet, while his Feet lay wholly still; nay, were held in the hands of others, and his hands were far of another way.

SECT. XII. Sometimes Fire was seen on the Bed, or the Covering, and when the Behol∣ders began to discourse of it, it would vanish a∣way.

SECT. XIII. Diverse people felt some∣thing often stir in the Bed, at some distance from his Body. To appearance, the thing that stirr'd was as big as a Cat: some try'd to lay hold on it with their hands, but under the Covering nothing could be found. A discreet and sober Woman, resting on the Beds Feet, felt as it were a Hand, the Thumb and the Finger of it, taking her by the side, and giving her a Pinch; but turning to see What it might be, nothing was to be seen.

SECT. XIV The Doctor standing by the sick man, and seeing him ly still, he did himself try to lean on the Beds-head; but he found the Bed to shake so, that his head was often knock∣ed against the Post, though he strove to hold it still; and others upon Tryal found the same. Also, the sick man lying too near the side of the Bed, a very strong and stout man, try'd to life him a little further into the Bed; but with all his might he could not; tho' trying by 'nd by, he could lift a Bed-stead, with a Bed, and man ly∣ing on it, all, without any strain to himself at all.

SECT. XV. Mr Smith dyes. The Iury that viewed the Corpse found a Swelling on one Breast, which rendered it like a Womans. His Privities were wounded or burned. On his back, besides Bruises, there were several pricks, or holes, as if done with Awls or Pins.

SECT. XVI. After the Opinion of all had pronounc'd him dead, his Countenance con∣tinued as Lively as if he had been Alive; his Eyes closed as in a slumber; and his neither Iaw, not falling down. Thus he remained from Sat∣tureday morning about Sun-rise, till Sabbath-Day in the After-noon. When those that took him out of the Bed found him still Warm; though the the Season was as Cold as had almost been known in an Age. On the Night after the Sabbath, his Countenance was yet as fresh as before; but on Monday Morning, they found the face extremely

tumified and discoloured; 'twas black and blue, & fresh blood seem'd to run down his Cheek in the Hairs.

SECT. XVII. The night after he died, a very credible person, watching of the Corpse, perceived the Bed to move and stir, more than once; but by no means could find out the cause of it.

SECT. XVIII. The second night, some that were preparing for the Funeral, do say, That they heard diverse Noises in the Room, where the Corpse lay; as though there had been a great Removing and Clattering of stools & chairs.

Upon the whole, it appeared unquestionable that Witchcraft had brought a period unto the life of so good a man.

EXEMPLE. III.

THe man of whom we have been Writing, is not the only good Christian whom evile Witchcraft has given Annoyance to. We shall add a Second Instance, wherein I shall Relate Something that I do not Approve; and that is, The Vrinary Experiment. I suppose the Vrine must be bottled with Nails and Pinns, and such Instruments in it as carry a Shew of Torture with them, if it attain its End. For I have been told, That the bare Bottleing of Vrine with Filings of Steel in it, which can be better (tho scarce well)

accounted for, has bin sound insignificant. Now to use a Charm against a Charm, or to use a De∣vils Shield against a Devils Sword, Who can with a good conscience try? All Communion with Hell is dangerous; all Relief and Succor coming by means whose whole Force is founded in the Laws of the Kingdom of darkness, will be ready to leave a sting on the Conscience of him that obtains it so.

SECT. I. There was one Mr. St—n of North-hampton, who upon Complaint of an a∣bused Servant unto him, had in plain and close Terms rebuked the Master of the Lad, for his too great Severity. He was a man of good Re∣pute, and as good Courage; but within as little a while as the man whom he had reproved could return to inform his Wife, who was a person under Suspicion for Witchcraft; he was taken with many Ails and pains that increased on him to great Extremity.

SECT. II. He languishes, decayes, and dies: but before it came to That, strange sights were in the house. A black Cat appeared in the night, with very affrighting Circumstances; and then a Pigeon; both of which they pursued in vain, tho both of them were in the house.

SECT. III. They went to the Traditi∣onall Experiment of Botteling Vrine; but they could get no Vrine from him, a strange Hole through the Vrinary Passage, shedding the water

before they could receive it into the Vessel.

SECT. IV. The Corpse was view'd by the jury; an Hole was found quite thro his Yard, which hindered their Saving of any Vrine, and and gave a Terrible Torture to him. About the small of his back, there was a multitude of small spots, the callous out side of which, being taken a∣way underneath were Holes, as tho made by small Shott. Upon which all concluded with good Reason, the Occasion of his Death to be something preternatural.

EXEMPLE. IV.

SO Horrid and Hellish is the Crime of Witch∣craft, that were Gods Thoughts as our thoughts, or Gods Wayes as our wayes, it could be no other but Vnpardonable. But that the Grace of God may be admired, and that the worst of Sin∣ners may be encouraged, Behold, Witchcraft al∣so has found a Pardon. Let no man Despair of his own Forgiveness, but let no man also Delay a∣bout his own Repentance, how aggravated soever his Transgressions are. From the Hell of Witch∣craft our merciful Jesus can fetch a guilty Crea∣ture to the Glory of Heaven. Our LORD hath sometimes Recovered those who have in the most horrid manner given themselves away to the De∣stroyer of their souls.

SECT. I. There was one Mary Iohnson tryed at Hartford, in this Countrey, upon an Indictment of Familiarity with the Devil. She was found Guilty of the same, cheefly upon her own Confession, and condemned.

SECT. II. Many years are past since her Execution; and the Records of the Court are but short; yet there are several Memorables that are found credibly Related and Attested concerning her.

SECT. III. She said, That a Devil was wont to do her many services. Her Master once blam'd her for not carrying out the Ashes, and a Devil did clear the Hearth for her afterwards. Her Master sending her into the Field, to drive out the Hogs that us'd to break into it, a De∣vil would scowre them out, and make her laugh to see how he feaz'd 'em about.

SECT. IV. Her first Familiarity with the Devils came by Discontent; and Wishing the De∣vil to take That and other Thing; and, The de∣vil to do This and That; Whereupon a Devil appeared unto her, tendring her the best service he could do for her.

SECT. V. She confessed that she was guil∣ty of the Murder of a Child, and that she had been guilty of Vncleanness with Men and Devils.

SECT. VI. In the time of her Imprison∣ment, the famous Mr, Samuel Stone was at great pains to promote her Conversion unto God, and

represent unto her both her Misery and Remedy; the Success of Which, was very desirable, and considerable.

SECT. VII. She was by most Observers judged very Penitent, both before and at her Ex∣ecution; and she went out of the World with many Hopes of Mercy through the Merit of Jesus Christ. Being asked, what she built her hopes upon; She answered; on those Words, Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest; and those, There is a Fountain open for Sin and for Vncleanness. And she died in a Frame extremely to the Satisfaction of them that were Spectators of it.

Our GOD is a great Forgiver.

EXEMPLE. V.

THe near Affinity between Witchcraft & Pos∣session, invites me to add unto the Fore∣going Histories. One that the Reader, I believe, will count worthy to be Related. It is but a Fragment of what should have been a fuller Story; but I cannot without some Trouble or delay in∣consistent with my present Designs put my self in a way to perfect it: and I was of the Opinion that, Let nothing be lost, was a Rule which I might very properly extend unto it. The thing happened many (perhaps Thirty) years ago, and was then much discoursed of. I don't Re∣member,

that I have heard what became of the Boy concerned in the Narrative, but what I now publish, I find among the Papers of my Grand-father, of Whom the World has had such a Character, that they cannot but judge, no Ro∣mance or Folly, nothing but what should be seri∣rious and weighty could be worthy of his Hands; and it is in his own Hand that I have the Manu∣script, from whence I have caused it to be Tran∣scribed. It runs in such Terms as these.

A Confession of a Boy at Tocutt; in the time of the Intermission of his Fits: and other Passages, which many were Eye-witnesses of.

THe Boy was for his natural Parts, more than ordinary at seven years old. He, with many others went to see a Conjurer play Tricks in Holland. There it was strongly suggested to him, He should be as good an Artist as he. From thence to eleven year old, he used the Trade of inventing Lyes, and Stealing mony, Running away from his Father, spending of it at Dice, and with the vilest Company and this Trade he used in that space (he confessed) above Forty times at least, and many strange Instances he gives of it. His Father following him with constant In∣struction, and Correction, he was despertely harde∣ned under all, and his heart sett in a way of

Malice against the Word of God; & all his Father did to restrain him. When he was about ten or eleven years old, he ran away from Rotterdam, to Delph; and the Devil appeared to him there in the shape of a Boy, counselling him not to hearken to the Word of God, nor unto any of his Father••s Instructions, and propounding to him, to Enter into a Covenant with him. Being somewhat fearful at first, desired that he would not appear to him in a shape, but by a voice, and though his heart did inwardly consent, to what the Devil said, yet he was withheld that he could not then Enter into a Covenant with him. His Father not knowing this, but of his other Wic∣kedness, being a godly Minister, procured many Christians to join with him in a day of Humilia∣tion; confessed and bewailed his Sins, prayed for him, & sent him to New-E. and so commit∣ted him to God. From that time to this being now about Sixteen years old, the Devil hath constantly come to him by a voice; and he held a constant Discourse with him; and all about Entring into a Covenant with him: and still per∣swaded to have it written and sealed, making ma∣ny promises to allure him, and telling him ma∣ny Stories of Dr. Faultus, and other Witches how bravely they have lived, and how he should live deliciously, and have Ease, Comfort, and Money and sometimes threatning to tear him in pieces if he would not. But ordinarily his dis∣course

was as loving & friendly as could be. He hath been strangely kept, by an hand of God, from making a Covenant to this day. For he still propounded many Difficulties to the Devil, which he could not satisfie his Reason in: and though, he saith, he was never well but when he was Discoursing with the devil, and his heart was strangely enclined to write and seal an Agree∣ment, yet such dreadfull horrour did seiz upon him, at the very time, from the Word of God, and such fears of his Eternal Perishing, that he could not do it then. He put off the Devil still, that he was not in a sit Frame, but desired him to come again that he might have more Dis∣course, and he would consider of it. The Devil appeared to him a second time at New-haven, in the shape of a Boy, and a third time at Tocutt in the shape of a Fox; at which time, at first, they had loving discourse, as formerly; but at last, the Devil was urgent upon him, and told him, he had baffled with him so long, now he must enter into an agreement, or he would tear him in pieces: he saying, How should I do it? would you have me write upon my hands? No, (saith the Devil) Look here, and with that, set Paper, and Pen, and Ink like Blood before him. The former hor∣rours, from the Word of God, and special passa∣ges, which he named, set in upon him so that he could not do it. Only before they parted, the Devil being so urgent upon him, telling him he

had baffled with him, he set a year and half time for Consideration. The last quarter of a year is yet to come. The Devil told him, if he let him alone so long, he would baffle with him still: he answered, if he did not yeild then, he would give him leave to torment him whilst he lived. Still the Devil would not away, nor could he get from him. Then out of Fear he cryed out, Lord, Iesus, rebuke the devil! at which, the Fox, Pen, Ink and Paper vanished. Yet he continued in his course of unheard-of Wickedness, and still his Will was bent to write & seal the Agreement, having his Discourse yet with Satan by Voice. His Brother with whom he lives at Tocut, hav∣ing Convulsion Fits, he laughed and mocked at him, and acted the Convulsion Fits. A while af∣ter God sent Convulsion Fits on himself; in which time, his former Terrours, the Wrath of God, Death, Hell, Iudgment, and Eternity were pre∣sented to him. He would fain then have confes∣sed his sins, but when he was about to do it, the Devil still held his mouth, that he could not. He entreated God, to release him, promising to con∣fess & forsake his Sins, and the Lord did so; but he being well, grew as bad, or worse than ever. About six weeks since, his Convulsion Fits came again three times most dreadfully, with some Intermissions, and his former Horrours & Fears. He would have confessed his Sins but could not. It pleased God to put it into the heart of one to

ask him, Whether he had any Familiarity with the Devil? he got out so much then as, Yes. He fetching Mr. Pierson, the Convulsion Fits left him, and he confessed all, how it had been with him. That very night the Devil came to him, and told him, Had he blabbed out such things? He would teach him to blabb! and if he would not then write and seal the Agreement, he would tear him in pieces, and he refusing, the Devil took a corporal Possession of him, and hath not ceased to torment him extremely ever since. If any thing be spoken to him, the Devil answereth (and many times he barks like a Fox, and hisseth like a Serpent) sometimes with horrible Blasphemies against the Name of Christ; and at some other times the Boy is sensible. When he hath the Libertie of his Voice, he tells what the Devil saith to him, urging him to seal the Covenant still, and that he will bring Paper, Pen and Ink in the night, when none shall see, pleading, that God hath oust him off, that Christ cannot save him. That When He was upon earth He could cast out devils, but now He is in Heaven He cannot. Some∣times he is ready to yeild to all in a desperate way. Sometimes he breaks out into Confession of his former sins, as they come into his mind; ex∣ceedingly judging himself, and justifying GOD in His for ever leaving of him in the hands of Sa∣tan. Once he was heard to Pray in such a man∣ner so sutable to his Condition, so Aggra∣vating

his Sin, and pleading with God for mercy, and in such a strange, high, enlarged manner, as judicious godly persons then present, affirm they never heard the like in their lives, that it drew a∣bundance of tears from the eyes of all present, being about twenty persons. But his torment increased upon him worse after such a time; or if any thing were spoken to him from the Word of God by others or they pray with him. The last week after he had confessed one strange Pas∣sage, namely that once in Discourse he told the Devil, that if he would make his Spittle to scald a dog, he would then go on in a way of Lying and Dissembling, and believe that he should do it, which he said, he did with all his heart, and so spit on the dog, and with that a deal of Scald∣ing Water did poure on the Dog. In pursu∣ance of his Promise, he went on in a way of Ly∣ing and Dissembling: That when he was urged about it, that he had done some mischief to the dog, then he fell down into a Swound as if he had been dead. As soon as he had confessed this, the Devil went out of him with an astonishing Noise, to the terrour of those then, present: and so he continued one day. The next day being much troubled in himself for one special passage in his Discourse with the Devil, when he ap∣peared to him as a Fox; saith he to he Devil, I have formerly sought to God, an•• H•• ••••th been near unto me: With that the Devil enraged,

said unto him then, What, are you got hither and fell to Threatning of him. He said to him again, But I find no such Thoughts now, but do & will believe you now more than the Word of God which saith in Isa. 55, Seek the Lord &c. and said further, What comfort you shall afford me, I shall rely upon you for it. Remembring this Passage the Devil appeared to him, ready to enter into him again. Thereby much astonished, having the Bible in his hand, he opened it, &, as it were of it self, at that place of Isai. 55: his Eye was fixed upon it, and his Conscience accusing him for abusing the Word a year ago, his heart failing him, and the Devil entred into him again a Se∣cond time, railing upon him, & calling him, Blab-tongue, and Rogue! he had promis'd to keep things secret, he would teach him to blabb, he would tear him in peices. Since, he hath kept his Body in continual Motion, speaking in him, and by him, with a formidable Voice: sometimes singing of Verses wicked and witty, that formerly he had made against his Father's Ministry, and the Word of God &c. When the Boy is come to himself, they tell him of them, and he owns them, that indeed such he did make. Mr. Eaton being his Uncle, sent a Letter to him, which he told of be∣fore it came saying also, it would be goodly stuff! Jeering at him. By and by the Letter came in, and none of the people knew of it before. He speaks of men coming to him before they come

in Sight: and once two being with him, their Backs turned, the Devil carried him away, they knew not how, & after search they found him in a Cellar, as dead, but after a little space he came to Life again. And another time, threw him up into a Chamber, stopped him up into a Hole, where they after found him. Another time he carried him about a Bow-Shot and threw him in∣to a Hog-Stye amongst Swine, which ran away with a terrible noise.

Here is as much to be seen of the Venome of Sin, the Wrath of God against Sin, the Malice of the Devil, and yet his limited Power, and the Reasonings of Satan in an ocular Demonstration, as hath fallen out in any Age. Also the strange & High Expressions of a distressed Soul, in a way of Judging himself and pleading for Mercy, such as may be wondered at by all that hear of it; and more very observable passages could not be written for want of Time, which will after appear.

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OF what did after appear, I have no Account; but what did then appear, is so undoubt∣ted and so wonderful, that it will sufficiently a∣tone for my Publication of it.

EXEMPLE VI. and VII.

HAd there been Diligence enough used by them that have heard and seen amazing Instances of Witchcraft, our Number of Memorable Providences under this Head, had reached beyond the Perfect. However, before I have done Writing, I will insert an Example or two, communicated unto me by a Gentleman of sufficient Fidelity to make a Story of his Relating Credible. The Things were such as happened in the Town whereof himself is Minister; and they are but some of more which he favoured me with the Communication of. But, it seems, I must be obliged, to conceal the Names of the par∣ties concerned, lest some should be Offended, tho None could be Injured by the mention of them.

¶In a Town which is none of the yóungest in this Countrey, there dwelt a very Godly and honest Man, who upon some Provocation, re∣ceived very Angry and Threatning Expressions, from two women in the Neighbourhood; soon upon this, diverse of his Cattel in a strange man∣ner dyed; and the man himself sometimes was haunted with sights of the women as he thought, encountring of him. He grew indisposed in his Body very unaccountably; and one day repaired unto a Church Meeting then held in the place, with a Resolution there to declare what he had

met withal. The man was one of such Figure and Respect among them, that the Pastor singled out him for to pray in the Assembly before their breaking up. He pray'd with a more than usu∣al measure of both Devotion and Discretion, but just as he was coming to that part of his Prayer, wherein he intended to petition Heaven for the Discovery of Witchcrafts which had been among them, he sank down Speechless and Sense∣less; and was by his Friends carried away to a Bed; where he lay for two or three hours in horrible Distress, fearfully starting, and sta∣ring and crying out Lord, I am stab'd! and now looking whistly to and fro, he said, O here are wicked persons among us, even among VS; and he complained, I came hither with a full purpose to tell what I knew, but now (said he) I ly like a Fool! Thus he continued until the Meeting was over, and then his Fits left him; only he re∣mained very sore. One or two more such Fits he had after that; but afterwards a more pri∣vate sort of Torture was employ'd upon him. He was advised by a worthy man to apply him∣self unto a Magistrate; and warned, That he would shortly be murdered, if he did not. He took not the Counsil; but languished for some Weeks; yet able to Walk and Work; but Then, he had his Breath and Life suddenly taken taken away from him, in a manner of which no full Account could be given.

The man had a Son invaded with the like First but God gave deliverance to him in answer to the Prayers of His people for him.

¶In the same Town, there yet lives a very pious Woman, that from another Woman of ill Fame, received a small gift, which was eaten by her. Upon the Eating of it, she became strangely altered and afflicted; and hindred from Sleeping at Night, by the Pulls of some in∣visible Hand for a long while together. A Shape or two of, I know not who, likewise haunted her, and gave her no little Trouble. At last, a Fit extraordinary Violent come upon her; wherein she pointed her Hand, and fixed her Eye, much upon the Chimney, and spake at a rate that asto∣nished all about her. Anon, she broke forth in∣to Prayer, and yet could bring out scarce more than a Syllable at a time. In her short Prayer she grew up to an high Act of Faith, and said, (by Syllables, and with Stammerings) Lord, Thou hast been my Hope, and in Thee will I put my Trust; Thou hast been my Salvation here, and wilt be so for ever and ever! Upon which her Fit left her; and she afterwads grew very well; still remaining so.

¶There were diverse other strange Things, which from the same Hand, I can both Relate & Believe, As, Of a Child bewitched into Lame∣ness,

and recovered immediately, by a Terrour given to the vile Authoress of the Mischief; but the exact Print, Image and Colour of an Orange made on the Childs Leg, presently upon the sen∣ding of an Orange to the Witch by the Mother of the Child, who yet had no evil design in making of the Present. And of other Children, which a palpable VVitchcraft made its Impressions on; but Manum de Tabula.

I entreat every Reader, to make such an Use of these things, as may promote his own well-fare, and advance the Glory of God; and so answer the Intent of the Writer, who,

Haec scribens studuit, bene de Pietate mereri.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Note, on Tomor∣row, the Ministers of the Town were to keep a day of Pray∣er at her FathersHouse