Chapter V: Part 5

Where (besides the acquitting Mr. _John Aldin_ by Proclamation) the most remarkable was, what related to _Mary Watkins_, who had been a Servant, and lived about Seven Miles from _Boston_, having formerly Accused her Mistress of Witchcraft, and was supposed to be distracted, she was threatned if she persisted in such Accusations to be punished, this with the necessary care to recover her Health, had that good effect, that she not only had her Health restored, but also wholly acquitted her Mistress of any such Crimes, and continued in Health till the return of the Year, and then again falling into Melancholy humours she was found strangling herself; her Life being hereby prolonged, she immediately accused herself of being a Witch; was carried before a Magistrate and committed. At this Court a Bill of Indictment was brought to the Grand Jury against her, and her confession upon her Examination given in as Evidence, but these not wholly satisfied herewith, sent for her, who gave such account of herself, that they (after they had returned into the Court to ask some Questions) Twelve of them agreed to find Ignoramus, but the Court was pleased to send them out again, who again at coming in returned it as before.

She was continued for some time in Prison, _&c._ and at length was sold to _Virginia_. About this time the Prisoners in all the Prisons were released.

To omit here the mentioning of several Wenches in _Boston, &c._ who pretended to be Afflicted, and accused several, the Ministers often visiting them, and praying with them, concerning whose Affliction Narratives are in being. In Manuscript not only these, but the generality of those Accusers may have since convinced the Ministers by their vicious courses that they might err in extending too much Charity to them.

The conclusion of the whole in the _Massachusetts_ Colony was Sir _William Phips_, Governour, being call'd home, before he went he pardon'd such as had been condemned, for which they gave about 30 Shillings each to the Kings Attorney.[131]

[_Case of_ Mrs. Benom.]

In _August_ 1697. The Superior Court sat at _Hartford_, in the Colony of _Connecticut_, where one Mistress _Benom_ was tried for Witchcraft, she [143] had been accused by some Children that pretented to the Spectral sight; they searched her several times for Tets; they tried the Experiment of casting her into the Water, and after this she was Excommunicated by the Minister of _Wallinsford_. Upon her Tryal nothing material appeared against her, save Spectre Evidence, she was acquitted, as also her Daughter, a Girl of Twelve or Thirteen Years old, who had been likewise Accused; but upon renewed Complaints against them, they both flew into _New-York_ Government.[132]

FOOTNOTES:

[127] _Q. D. of no Account whatever._ I do not find that the Expounders of Proverbs have fallen upon this.

[128] One of the Original _Billa veras_ is now before me, and runs thus: "The Deposition of Mercy Lewis Aged [19.] This Deponent testifieth and saith that last Night Philip English and his Wife came to mee, also Goodwife Dasten, Eliza Johnson, and Old Pharoh of Linn: sd. Mrs. English vrged mee to set my Hand to a Booke, and told mee she would afflict me dreadfully and kill me if I did not: Said also if I would but touch the Booke I should bee well, or else I should never. Mrs. English said she might bring the Book now she thought everie one of them would bee cleared, and now at this present Time before the Grandiury sd Philip English, his Wife, and old Pharoh, come into the Roome, or their Shape and stroke mee on the Brest, and almost choaked mee, and said they would strangle me if they could. _Owned before the Grandiury upon the Oath she had taken, Janr_ 12_th,_ 169⅔. _Attests_ Robert Payne, _Foreman._" All in the Autograph of Mr. Saml. Parris, except the Signature of Payne. See APPENDIX, NUMBER III.

[129] The "Chief Judge," it will be remembered, was Lieut. Gov. Stoughton.

[130] The Complainants were "Mr. Thomas Putnam, and Mr. John Putnam, Jr., of Salem Village." She is styled single Woman, "of Redding," and her Name is spelt Dusting, Dastin, and Dasting, in the Records. It would be interesting to know if she was a Relative of the noted Heroine, Hannah Dustin, of Haverhill, who slew her Indian Captors, and escaped out of Captivity in 1697. Mr. Chase, the able Historian of Haverhill, does not seem to have consulted the Records at Salem, as we find nothing of this Case in his History.

[131] If this was supposed to be dealing justly by the Accused, the Government Officers of that Day must have had a very _angular_ Idea of Justice, as understood by upright Men of the present Day. Such a Course reminds one of "Lidford Law," and of those sentenced "to be hanged and to pay 40 shillings."

[132] "One that many Years since was Executed at Hartford, in Connecticut Colony, on the Account of Witchcraft, confessed, that she had employed Evil Spirits to be revenged on several; but that when she would have had them do the Like to Mr. Stone (the Eminent Teacher of the Church there) they told her, they had not leave to do it: Nor is this to be Evaded by saying some Persons (as of late in New England) have falsely accused themselves, for this Person was upon Rational Grounds, thought to be a true Penitent, before her Death. We cannot argue, that because some have failed in their cursed Attempts, that therefore never any Succeeded. But the known Success of many was that which emboldened others to Endeavour the Like.".--I. Mather, in _Angelographia, To the Reader_. See, also, _Remarkable Providences_ (by the same), Chap. V.

[_A Fast Proclaimed._]

Before this the Government Issued forth the following Proclamation.

_By the Honourable the Lieutenant Governour, Council and Assembly
of his Majesties[133] Province of the_ Massachusetts Bay, _in
General Court Assembled._

Whereas the Anger of God is not yet turned away, but his Hand is still stretched out against his People in manifold Judgments, particularly in drawing out to such a length the troubles of _Europe_,[134] by a perplexing War; and more especially, respecting ourselves in this Province, in that God is pleased still to go on in diminishing our Substance, cutting short our Harvest, blasting our most promissing undertakings more ways than one, unsettling of us, and by his more Immediate hand, snatching away many out of our Embraces, by sudden and violent Deaths, even at this time when the Sword is devouring so many both at home and abroad, and that after many days of publick and Solemn addressing of him. And altho considering the many Sins prevailing in the midst of us, we cannot but wonder at the Patience and Mercy moderating these Rebukes; yet we cannot but also fear that there is something still wanting to accompany our Supplications. And doubtless there are some particular Sins, which God is Angry with our _Israel_ for, that have not been duly seen and resented by us, about which God expects to be sought if ever he turn again our Captivity.

Wherefore it is Commanded and Appointed, that _Thursday_ the Fourteenth of _January_ next, be observed as a Day of Prayer, with Fasting throughout this Province, strictly forbidding all Servile labour thereon; that so all Gods People may offer up fervent Supplications unto him, for the Preservation, and Prosperity of his Majesty's Royal Person and Government, and Success to attend his Affairs both at home and abroad; that all iniquity may be put away which hath stirred God's Holy jealousie against this Land; that he would shew us what we know not, and help us wherein we have done amiss to do so no more; and especially that whatever mistakes on either hand have been fallen into, either by the body of this People, or any orders of men, referring to the late Tragedy, raised among us by Satan and his Instruments, thro the awful Judgment of God, he [144] would humble us therefor and pardon all the Errors of his Servants and People, that desire to love his Name and be attoned to his Land; that he would remove the Rod of the wicked from off the Lot of the Righteous, that he would bring the _American_ Heathen, and cause them to hear and obey his Voice.

_Given at_ Boston, Decemb 17, 1696, _in the_ 8_th Year of his Majesties Reign_.

Isaac Addington, _Secretary_.

Upon the Day of the Fast in the full Assembly at the South Meeting-House in _Boston_ one of the Honourable Judges,[135] who had sat in Judicature in _Salem_, delivered in a Paper, and while it was in reading stood up, But the Copy being not to be obtained at present, It can only be reported by Memory to this effect, _viz._ _It was to desire the Prayers of God's People for him and his, and that God having visited his Family,_ &c. _he was apprehensive that he might have fallen into some Errors in the Matters at_ Salem, _and pray that the Guilt of such Miscarriages may not be imputed either to the Country in general, or to him or his family in particular_.

[_Jury-men's Acknowledgement._]

Some that had been of several Jewries, have given forth a Paper,
Sign'd with their own hands in these words.

W_E whose names are under written, being in the Year_ 1692, _called to serve as Jurors in Court at_ Salem _on Tryal of many; who where by some suspected Guilty of doing Acts of Witchcraft upon the Bodies of sundry Persons:_

_We confess that we ourselves were not capable to understand, nor able to withstand the mysterious delusions of the Powers of Darkness, and Prince of the Air; but were for want of Knowledge in ourselves, and better Information from others, prevailed with to take up with such Evidence against the Accused, as on further consideration, and better Information, we justly fear was insufficient for the touching the Lives of any, Deut._ xvii. 6. _whereby we fear we have been instrumental with others, tho Ignorently and unwittingly, to bring upon ourselves, and this People of the Lord, the Guilt of Innocent Blood; which Sin the Lord saith in Scripture, he would not pardon,_ 2 Kings xxiv. 4. _that is we suppose in regard of his temporal Judgments. We do therefore hereby signifie to all in general (and to the surviving Sufferers in especial) our deep sense of, and sorrow for our Errors, in acting on such Evidence to the condemning of any person._

_And do hereby declare that we justly fear that we were sadly deluded and mistaken, for which we are much disquieted and distressed in our minds; and do therefore humbly beg forgiveness, first of God for Christ's sake for this our Error; And pray that God would not impute the guilt of it to ourselves, nor_ [145] _others; and we also pray that we may be considered candidly, and aright by the living Sufferers as being then under the power of a strong and general Delusion, utterly unacquainted with, and not experienced in matters of that Nature._

_We do heartily ask forgiveness of you all, whom we have justly offended, and do declare according to our present minds, we would none of us do such things again on such grounds for the whole World; praying you to accept of this in way of Satisfaction for our Offence; and that you would bless the Inheritance of the Lord, that he may be entreated for the Land._

_Foreman, Thomas Fisk_,
_William Fisk_,
_John Bacheler_,
_Thomas Fisk, Junior_
_John Dane_,
_Joseph Evelith_,
_Thomas Perly, Senior_
_John Pebody_,
_Thomas Perkins_,
_Samuel Sayer_,
_Andrew Elliott_,
_Henry Herrick, Senior_,[136]

FOOTNOTES:

[133] William III, Mary being dead. She died on the 28th Dec, 1694. Was Dau. of James II, by A. Hyde.

[134] The "perplexing war" of this Period is sketched with a Master's Hand by Macaulay in his _History of England_.

[135] The Honorable Samuel Sewall. He worshipped at the _Old_ South Church. His Name will be found inscribed upon the Plan of the House in Mr. Wisner's _History_, Page 102, denoting the Pew which he occupied. Its internal Arrangement is much the same now.

[136] Both Mather and Calef have avoided giving Lists of the Trial Jurors, doubtless to avoid increasing the number of their Pages. The Records (that remain) are very imperfect in this, as well as in many other Respects, already noticed. On this Period much remains to be done.

[_Postscript._]

POSTSCRIPT.

_Since making the foregoing Collections of Letters, to the Reverend
Mr._ Cotton Mather, _and others, &c. (which as yet remain
unanswered) a Book is come to hand Intituled_,

THE _Life of Sir_ William Phips, _printed in_ London, 1697. Which Book, tho it bears not the Authors name, yet the Stile, manner and matter is such, that were there no other demonstration or token to know him by, it were no Witchcraft to determine that the said Mr. _C. M._ is the Author of it. But that he that has _encountred Enchantments_, and gone through the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, and _discovered the Devil_, that he should step aside into a Remote Country to put on Invisibility! Tho the reason of this be not so manifest, yet it may be thought to be to gratifie some peculiar fancies; and why may not this be one, that he might with the better grace extol the Actions of Mr. _Mather_, as Agent in England, or as President of _Harvard_ College, not forgetting his own.[137]

As to Sir _William_, it will be generally _acknowledged_ that notwithstanding the meanness of his Parentage and Education, he attain'd to be Master of a Ship, and that he had the good hap to find a _Spanish_ Wreck, not only sufficient to repair his Fortunes, but to raise him to a considerable Figure; which King _James_ did so far accommodate as to make _him a Knight_.

[146] And that after this, in the Reign of his Present Majesty, _he took up with those of the Agents, that were for accepting the New Charter, whereby himself became Governour_.[138]

It is not doubted, but that he aimed at the good of the People, and great Pitty it is that his Government was so sullied (for want of better Information and Advice, from those whose duty it was to have given it) by that Hobgoblin Monster, Witchcraft, whereby this Countrey was Night-Mar'd, and harrast, at such a rate, as is not easily imagined.[139]

After which some complaints going to _England_ about Male-Administration, in the least matters comparatively; yet were such, that he was call'd home to give account thereof, where he soon after expired, so finishing his Life and Government together.[140]

Death having thus drawn the Curtain, forbidding any further Scene, it might have been prudence, to let his dust remain without disturbance.

But the said Book endeavouring to raise a Statue to him (_i. e._) to ascribe to him such Achievements as either were never performed by him, or else unduly aggravated, this has opened the Mouth, both of Friends and Enemies to recount the mistakes in the said Book; as also those miscarriages, wherewith Sir _William_ was chargeable; such as, had it not been for this Book, had been buried with him.[141]

In P. 3, search is made over the World, to whom to compare him in his Advancement; and most unhappily _Pizarro_ is pitched upon as a match for him, who was a Bastard, dropt in a Church-Porch, put to Suck of a Sow, and being grown, ran away, and Shipt himself for _America_; there so prospered, as to Command an Army; and therewith did mighty things, particularly took _Attaballipa_, one of the Kings of _Peru_ Prisoner, and having received for his Ransom, in Gold and Silver to the value of Ten Millions, perfidiously put him to Death; and was the Death of no Man knows how many Thousands of Innocents, and is certainly one of the worst that could have been pitched upon for such comparison.[142]

Tho this together with the Rhetorical flourishes, and affected strains therein, are instances of the Author's variety of Learning; for which he is recommended by these Three _Venerable_ Person[143] in the entrance to the said Book. Yet the _Integrity_, _Prudence_, and _Veracity_ thereof, is not so manifestly to be seen. Passing over a multitude of Misrepresentations that are therein relating to the Acts of Sir _William_, as not designing to rake in the Grave of the Dead, Who is it can see the Veracity of those words? P. 40. [He lay within _Pistol-Shot_ of the Enemies Cannon, and beat them from thence, and much batter'd the town, having his Ship shot thro in an hundred places, with _Four and twenty Pounders_,] When in the Judgment of those present, they were not nearer to the Enemy, than about _half or three quarters of a Mile_; that there might be in all about _Seven Shot_ that [147] struck the Hull of the Vessel, none of them known to be bigger than 18 Pounders, the Enemy having but one Gun that could carry so big as an 18 pound Ball.[144]

It were a fondness after such assertions, to take any notice of this bedeck'd Statue, when there was so much the less need of erecting one (as is asserted P. 108) having already been done so well, that even this Author himself despairs of doing it better;[145] and that by one, a Man of such diffused and Embalm'd a Reputation, _as that his Commendations_ are asserted to be enough to _Immortalize_ the Reputation of Sir _William_, or whomsoever else _he should_ please to bestow them upon, _viz._ That Reverend person _who was_ the President of the only University then in the _English America_, P. 109. Which by the way is a much fairer Statue, in honour of the President of the University, than that erected for Sir _William_.

For notwithstanding all this noise of Erecting Statues, and the great danger in plucking them down, _&c._ yet in P. 89, 'tis said that even Sir _William_ shewed Choler enough, leaving it open for others, thereby to understand, that he was wholly given over to Passion and Choler.[146] And in P. 92, 'tis said he did not affect any mighty shew of Devotion; these expressions with others may prevail with the unbiased Reader to think that these builders of Statues, had some further design in it, than to blazen the Achievements of Sir _William Phips, viz._ To set forth Mr. _J. Mathers_ Negociation in _England_, his procuring the New-Charter for Sir _William_ to be Governour, and himself Establish'd President of the College, are the things principally driven at in the Book.[147]

Another principal thing is to set forth the supposed Witchcrafts in _New-England_, and how well Mr. _Mather_ the Younger therein acquitted himself.[148]

As to the New Charter for the right understanding that Affair, it will be needful to say, that the People that afterwards settled in _New England_, being about to leave their Native soil, and to seek (as the Providence of God should direct them) a settlement in remote Regions, wherein they might best secure their Civil and Religious Interests, before they enter'd upon this, considering it might be needful on many accounts for their future well being, they obtain'd a Charter to be in the nature of a prime agreement, setting forth the Soveraigns Prerogative, and the People's Priviledges; in the enjoyment whereof they long continued, after having purchas'd the Title to their Lands, of the Natives of the Country, and settled themselves therein, without any charge to the Crown.

That Clause in their Charter for this Country, _viz._ (Provided that no other Christian Prince be prepossest of it) being a tacit acknowledgment, that before settlement no one Christian Prince had any right thereto more than another. During this time of _New-England's_ Prosperity, the Government here were very sparing of Granting Freedoms, except to such as [148] were so and so qualfied. Whereby the number of _Non_-Freemen[149] being much increas'd, they were very uneasie, by their being shut out from having any share in the Government, or having any Votes for their Representatives, _&c._ it rendred many of them ready to join with such as were undermining the Government, not duly considering that it had been far more safe to have endeavoured to prevail with the Legislators for an enlargement.

So that it will not be wonder'd at that in the latter end of the Reign of King _Charles_ the II. and of King _James_, (when most of the Charters in _England_ were vacated) that this was _quo warranto'd_ and finally Judgment entered up against it, and the Country was put into such a form of Government as was most agreeable to those times, _viz._ A Legislative pow'r was lodg'd in the Governour (or President) and some few appointed to be of his Counsel, without any regard therein, either to the Laws of _England_, or those formerly of this Colony: Thus rendering the Circumstances of this Country beyond comparison worse than those of any Corporation in _England_. The People of those Corporations being acknowledged still to have a right to _Magna Charta_, when their particular Charters were made void. But here when _Magna Charta_ has been pleaded, the People have been answered, that they must not expect that _Magna Charta_ would follow them to the end of the World: not only their Estates, but their Lives being thereby rendered wholly precarious. And Judge _Palmer_[150] has set forth in Print, that the King has power to grant such a Commission over this People.

It is not hard to imagine that under such a Commission, not only the People were liable to be opprest by Taxes, but also by Confiscations, and Siezing of Lands, unless Patents were purchased at Excessive prizes, with many other Exorbitant Innovations.

The first that accepted this Commission was Mr. _Dudley_, a Gentleman born in this Country, who did but prepare the way for Sir _Edm. Andros_. In whose time things being grown to such Extremities, not only here, but in _England_, as render'd the succeeding Revolution absolutely necessary; the Revolution here being no other than an acting according to the Precedent given by _England_.

During the time of Sir _Edmonds'_ Government, Mr. _Increase Mather_, Teacher of the North Church in _Boston_, having undergone some trouble by Fobb-Actions[151] laid upon him, _&c._ (tho with some difficulty) he made his Escape, and got passage for _England_, being therein assisted by some particular Friends; where being arrived, he applied himself to King _James_ for redress of those Evils the Country then groaned under; and meeting with a seeming kind reception, and some promises, it was as much as might at that time be reasonably expected.[152]

[149] Upon the Day of the Revolution here, tho the greatest part of the People were for reassuming their Ancient Government, pursuant to his Royal Highness' Proclamation; yet matters were so clog'd, that the People were dissmist without it, who did not in the least mistrust but that those who were put out of the Government by Mr. _Dudley_, would reassume: Mr. _Broadstreet_, who had been then Governour, being heard to say that Evening, when returned home, _That had not he thought they would have reassum'd, he would not have stirr'd out of his House that Day_.[153] But after this, some that were driving at other matters, had opportunities by Threats and other ways not only to prevail with that good Old Gentleman, but with the rest of the Government wholly to decline it; which some few observing, they took the opportunity to call themselves a Committee of Safety, and so undertook to Govern such as would be govern'd by them.[154]

It has been an Observation of long continuance _that matters of State seldom prosper, when managed by the Clergy_. Among the opposers of the reassuming few were so strenuous as some of the Ministers, and among the Ministers none more vehement than Mr. _Cotton Mather_, Pastor of the _North_ Church in _Boston_, who has charged them as they would answer it another day to reassume. Among his Arguments against it, one was that it would be to put a slight upon his Father, who, he said, was in _England_, labouring for a compleat Restoration of Charter Privileges, not doubting, but they would be speedily obtain'd. Any Man that knows _New England_ cannot but be sensible, that such Discourses from such Men, have always been very prevalent. And hence it was that even those that would think themselves wronged, if they were not numbred among the best Friends to _New-England_, and to its Charter, would not so much as stoop to take it up, when there was really nothing to hinder them from the Enjoyment thereof.[155]

After the Committee of Safety had continued about seven Weeks, or rather after Anarchy had been so long Triumphant, an Assembly having been call'd came to this resolve and laid it before those Gentlemen that had been of the Government, that if they would not act upon the Foundation of the Charter, that persuant to it, the Assembly would appoint some others in that Station. The Answer to which was, that they would accept, _&c._ And when a Declaration signifying such a reassuming, was prepared with the good liking of the Deputies, in order to be published, some that were opposers, so terrified those Gentlemen, that before publishing it was underwritten [that they would not have it understood that they did reassume Charter-Government] to the no small amazement of the People, and disappointment of the Deputies, who if these had not promised so to act, had taken other care, and put in those that would.[156]

[150] The next principal thing done was, they chose two of their Members, _viz._ one of the upper House, the other of the lower, both of them Gentlemen of known Integrity, as well as ability to go to _England_, in order to obtain their Resettlement;[157] and in regard Mr. _I. Mather_ was already there, they joined him, as also a certain Gentleman in _London_[158] with these other two: Those from hence being arrived in _London_, they all united for the common Interest of the Countrey, though without the desired effect. They were in doubt, whether it were best to Improve their Utmost for a reversal of the Judgment in a Course of Law, or to obtain it in a Parliamentary way, or to Petition his Majesty for a New Grant of former Priviledges; And considering that the two first might prove Dilatory and Expensive, as well as for other reasons, they resolved upon the latter, and Petition'd his Majesty for the Countries Resettlement, with former Privileges, and what further additionals his Majesty in his Princely Wisdom should think fit. Accordingly it pleased his Majesty to declare in Counsel his Determination, _viz._ That there should be a Charter granted to _New-England_. But the Minutes then taken thereof, and a Draught of the _New-Charter_ being seen, it was the Opinion of the two Gentlemen sent from hence, that it were best to tarry his Majesties return from _Flanders_; in hopes then to obtain ease in such things as might be any ways deemed to be grievous. And this was the result of the Advice of such as were best able to give it, that they could meet with, and accordingly they wholly desisted taking it out of the Offices.[159]

But Mr. _Mather_ and that other Gentleman had, as it is said, other advice given them, which they strenuously pursued, and his Majesty having left it as is asserted in this of the Life of Sir _William_, P. 57, to them to nominate a Governour, they pitcht upon Sir _William Phips_, who was then in _England_, [As the most likely and able to serve the King's Interests among the People there; under the changes in some things unacceptable now brought upon them, P. 62.] and without tarrying for the concurrence of those other Agents, the Charter was taken out, _&c._[160]

But Mr. _Mather_ perhaps fearing he should have but small thanks here, for his having so far an hand in bringing upon them those unacceptable Changes, wrote, and caused to be Printed, an Account of his Negotiation, but surely by some Error in the Conception, it proved only an _Embrio_, and was stifled as soon as born. One indeed, designed to be as it were a _Posthumous_ was left with Mr. _Bailey_, formerly of _Boston_, and a Member of the _North-Church_, with a charge not to suffer it to be seen till he were gone to _New-England_; yet it seems some other person got a sight of it, which was the occasion of Mr. _Mather_'s sending him that Minatory Epistle, by some call'd a Bull. But besides this, for fear of the worst, Mr. _Mather_ got several _Non-con_ Ministers to give him a Testimonial, or Letters of Commendations for his great Service herein.[161]

[151] In the mean time Mr. _Cotton Mather_, being in some doubt of the same thing, handed about a Paper of Fables; wherein his Father under the Name of _Mercurius_, and himself under the Name of _Orpheus_, are extoll'd, and the great Actions of _Mercurius_ magnified; the present Charter exalted, by trampling on the former, as being very defective, and all those call'd unreasonable that did not readily agree with the New one: And indeed the whole Country are compared to no better than Beasts, except _Mercurius_ and _Orpheus_, the Governour himself must not Escape being termed an Elephant, tho as good as he was great, and the Inferiours told by _Orpheus_ that for the quiet Enjoyment of their Lands, _&c._ they were beholding to _Mercurius_. Tho this Paper was judged not convenient to be Printed, yet some Copies were taken, the Author having shown variety of _Heathen_ Learning in it.[162]

This is in short that eminent Service for which the said Mr. _I. M._ is in the present Book so highly extol'd. In so many Pages, that to repeat them were to transcribe a considerable part of the said Book.

And no doubt he deserves as much thanks as Dr. _Sharp_[163] did, when he was sent by the Presbytery of _Scotland_, to procure the settlement of their Kirk by King _Charles_ II. at his Restauration.

Not but that the present Charter of _New-England_ is indeed truly valuable, as containing in it peculiar Priviledges, which abundantly Engages this People to pay the tribute of thankfulness to his Majesty,[164] and all due subjection to whom it shall please him to substitute as Governour over us; and to pray that the King of Kings would pour out of his richest blessings upon him, giving him a long and prosperous Reign over the Nations, under the benign Influences whereof, Oppression and Tyranny may flee away.

And if his Majesty hath put this People into the present form of Government, to the end they might be in the better condition of Defence in a time of War; or that they might the better understand the Priviledge of choosing their own Governour by the want of it, and should be graciously pleased (the War being over) to restore to these, as has been already granted to the rest of his Majesties Subjects, the full employment of their Ancient Priviledges, it would be such an obligation upon them to thankfulness and Duty as could never be forgotten, nor sufficiently exprest, and would rather abate than increase charge to the Crown.

As to the supposed Witchcrafts in _New-England_, having already said so much thereof, there is the less remains to be added.

In the times of Sir _Ed. Andros_ his Government, Goody _Glover_, a despised, crazy, ill-conditioned old Woman, an _Irish Roman_ Catholick, was tried for Afflicting _Goodwins_ Children; by the Account of which Tryal, taken in Short-hand, for the use of the Jury, it may appear that the ge[152]nerality of her Answers, were Nonsense, and her behaviour like that of one distracted. Yet the Drs. finding her as she had been for many Years, brought her in _Compos Mentis_; and setting aside her crazy Answers to some insnaring questions, the proof against her was wholly deficient: The Jury brought her Guilty.[165]

Mr. _Cotton Mather_ was the most active and forward of any Minister in the Country in those matters, taking home one of the Children, and managing such intreagues with that Child, and after printing such an Account of the whole, in his Memorable Providences, as conduced much to the kindling those Flames, that in Sir _Williams_ time threatned the devouring this Country.[166]

King _Saul_ in his destroying the Witches out of _Israel_, is thought by many to have exceeded, and in his Zeal to have slain the _Gibeonites_ wrongfully under that notion: Yet went after this to a Witch to know his Fortune. For his wrongful destroying the _Gibeonites_ (besides the Judgments of God upon the Land) his Sons were hanged; and for his going to the Witch, himself was cut off. Our sir _William Phips_ did not do this, but as appears by this Book had first his Fortune told him, (by such as the Author counts no better) and though he put it off (to his Pastor, who he new approved not thereof) as if it were brought to him in writing, without his seeking, _&c._ Yet by his bringing it so far, and safe keeping it so many Years, it appears he made some Account of it; for which he gave the Writer, after he had found the Wreck, as a reward, more than Two hundred pounds. His telling his Wife (P. 6.) that he should be a Commander, should have a Brick-House in _Greenlane_,[167] _&c._ might be in confidence of some such Prediction, and that he could foretel to him (P. 90.) that he should be Governour of _New-England_, was probably such an one, (the Scriptures not having revealed it.) Such Predictions would have been counted at _Salem_, pregnant proofs of Witchcraft, and much better than what were against several that suffered there. But Sir _William_, when the Witchcrafts at _Salem_ began (in his Esteem) to look formidable, that he might Act safely in this Affair, he asked the Advice of the Ministers in and near _Boston_; the whole of their Advice and Answer is Printed in _Cases of Conscience_, the last Pages. But lest the World should be Ignorant who it was that drew the said Advice, in this Book of the Life of Sir _William Phips_, P. 77. are these words, _the Ministers made unto his Excellency and the Counsel a return, drawn up at their desire, by Mr. Mather the Younger, as I have been informed_. Mr. _C. M._ therein intending to beguile the World, and make them think that another, and not himself had taken that notice of his (supposed) good Service done therein, which otherwise would have been ascribed to those Ministers in General, though indeed the Advice then given, looks most like a thing of his Composing, as carrying both Fire [153] to increase, and Water to quench the Conflagration.[168] Particularly after the Devils Testimony, by the supposed Afflicted had so prevailed, as to take away the Life of one, and the Liberty of an Hundred, and the whole Country set into a most dreadful consternation, then this Advice is given, ushered in with thanks for what was already done, and in conclusion, putting the Government upon a speedy and vigorous prosecution according to the Laws of God, and the wholesome Statutes of the _English_ Nation, so adding Oil, rather than Water to the Flame; for who so little acquainted with proceedings of _England_, as not to know that they have taken some methods, with those here used to discover who were Witches. The rest of the Advice, consisting of cautions and directions, are inserted in this of the Life of Sir _William_. So that if Sir _William_, looking upon the thanks for what was past, and Exhortation to proceed, went on to take away the Lives of Nineteen more, this is according to the Advice said to be given him by the Ministers, and if the Devil after those Executions be affronted, by disbelieving his testimony, and by clearing and Pardoning all the rest of the Accused; yet this also is according to that Advice, but to cast the Scale; the same that drew this Advice, saith, in _Wonders of the Invisible World, Enchantments Encountered_; [that to have a hand in any thing that may stifle or obstruct a regular detection of that Witchcraft, is what we may well with a Holy fear avoid: Their Majesties good Subjects must not every day be torn to pieces by horrid Witchcraft, and those bloody Felons be wholly left unprosecuted; The Witchcraft is a business that will not be shamm'd.][169] The Pastor of that Church, of which Sir _William_ was a Member, being of this Principle, and thus declaring it, after the former advice; no wonder tho it cast the Scale against those Cautions. It is rather a Wonder that no more Blood was shed, for if that Advice of his Pastors could still have prevail'd with the Governour, Witchcraft had not been so shammed off as it was. Yet now in this Book of the Life of Sir _William_, the pardoning the Prisoners when Condemn'd, and clearing the Goals, is call'd (P. 82) a Vanquishing the Devil, adding this Conquest to the rest of the Noble Atchievements of Sir _William_, tho Performed not only without, but directly against his Pastors Advice. But this is not all, tho this Book pretends to raise a Statue in Honour of Sir _William_, yet it appears it was the least part of the design of the Author to Honour him, but it was rather to Honour himself, and the Ministers; It being so unjust to Sir _William_, as to give a full Account of the cautions given him, but designedly hiding from the Reader the Incouragements and Exhortations to proceed, that were laid before him (under the name of the Ministers Advice) in effect, telling the World that those Executions at _Salem_, were without, and against the Advice of the Ministers, exprest in those Cautions, purposely hiding their giving thanks for what was already done, and exhorting to proceed; thereby rendering Sir _William_ of so sanguin a Complexion, that the Ministers had such cause to fear his going on with the Tragedy, tho against their Advice; that they desired the President to write his _Cases of Conscience, &c._ To plead misinformation will not salve here, however it may seem to palliate other things, but is a manifest, designed traversty, or misrepresentation of the Ministers Advice to Sir _William_, a hiding the truth, and a wronging the dead, whom the Author so much pretends to honour; for which the Acknowledgments ought to be as Universal as the offence. But tho the Ministers Advice, or rather Mr. C. _Mather's_ was perfectly Ambidexter, giving as great or greater Encouragement to proceed in those dark methods, than cautions against [154] them; yet many Eminent persons being accused, there was a necessity of a stop to be put to it. If it be true what was said at the Counsel-board in answer to the commendations of Sir _William_, for his stopping the proceedings about Witchcraft, _viz._ That it was high time for him to stop it, his own Lady being accused; if that Assertion were a truth, then _New-England_ may seem to be more beholden to the accusers for accusing of her, and thereby necessitating a stop, than to Sir _William_, or to the Advice that was given him by his Pastor.[170]

Mr. _C. M._ having been very forward to write Books of Witchcraft, has not been so forward either to explain or defend the Doctrinal part thereof, and his belief (which he had a Years time to compose) he durst not venture so as to be copied.[171] Yet in this of the Life of Sir _William_ he sufficiently testifies his retaining that Heterodox belief, seeking by frightfull stories of the sufferings of some, and the refined sight of others, _&c._ P. 69 to obtrude upon the World, and confirm it in such a belief, as hitherto he either cannot or will not defend, as if the Blood already shed thereby were not sufficient.[172]

Mr. _I. Mather_, in his _Cases of Conscience_, P. 25, tells of a Bewitched Eye, and that such can see more than others. They were certainly bewitched Eyes that could see as well shut as open, and that could see what never was, that could see the Prisoners upon the Afflicted, harming of them, when those whose Eyes were not bewitched could have sworn that they did not stir from the Bar. The Accusers are said to have suffered much by biting, P. 73. And the prints of just such a set of Teeth, as those they Accused, had, but such as had not such bewitch'd Eyes have seen the Accusers bite themselves, and then complain of the Accused. It has also been seen when the Accused, instead of having just such a set of Teeth, has not had one in his head.[173] They were such bewitched Eyes that could see the Poisonous Powder (brought by Spectres P. 70.) And that could see in the Ashes the print of the Brand, there invisibly heate to torment the pretended Sufferers with, _&c._[174]

These with the rest of such Legends have this direct tendency, _viz._ To tell the World that the Devil is more ready to serve his Votaries, by his doing for them things above or against the course of Nature, shewing himself to them, and making explicit contract with them, _&c._ than the Divine Being is to his faithful Servants, and that as he is willing, so also able to perform their desires.[175] The way whereby these People are believed to arrive at a power to Afflict their Neighbours, is by a compact with the Devil, and that they have a power to _Commissionate_ him to those Evils, P. 72. However Irrational, or inscriptural such Assertions are, yet they seem a necessary part of the _Faith_ of such as maintain the belief of such a sort of _Witches_.

As the Scriptures know nothing of a covenanting or commissioning Witch, so Reason cannot conceive how Mortals should by their Wickedness arrive at a power to Commissionate Angels, Fallen Angels, against their Innocent Neighbours. But the Scriptures are full in it, and the Instances numerous, that the Almighty, Divine Being has this prerogative to make use of what Instrument he pleaseth, in Afflicting any, and consequently to commissionate Devils: And tho this word commissioning, in the Authors former Books, might be thought to be by inadvertency, yet now after he hath been caution'd of it, still to persist in it seems highly Criminal. And therefore in the name of God, I here charge such belief as guilty of Sacrilege in the highest Nature, and so much worse than stealing Church Plate, _&c._ As it is a higher Offence to steal any of the glorious Attributes of the Al[155]mighty, to bestow them upon Mortals, than it is to steal the Utensils appropriated to his Service. And whether to ascribe such power of commissioning Devils to the worst of Men, be not direct Blasphemy, I leave to others better able to determine. When the _Pharisees_ were so wicked as to ascribe to _Beelzebub_, the mighty works of Christ (whereby he did manifestly shew forth his Power and Godhead) than it was that our Saviour declar'd the Sin against the Holy Ghost to be unpardonable.

When the Righteous God is contending with Apostate Sinners, for their departures from him, by his Judgments, as Plagues, Earthquakes, Storms and Tempests, Sicknesses and Diseases, Wars, loss of Cattle, _&c._ Then not only to ascribe this to the Devil, but to charge one another with sending or commissionating those Devils to these things, is so abominable and so wicked, that it requires a better Judgment than mine to give it its just denomination.[176]

But that Christians so called should not only charge their fellow Christians therewith, but proceed to Trials and Executions; crediting that Enemy to all Goodness, and Accuser of the Brethren, rather than believe their Neighbours in their own Defence; this is so Diabolical a Wickedness as cannot proceed, but from a Doctrine of Devils; how far damnable it is let others discuss. Though such things were acting in this Country in Sir _Williams_ time, yet P. 65. There is a Discourse of a Guardian Angel, as then over-seeing it, which notion, however it may suit the Faith of _Ethnicks_, or the fancies of _Trithemius_; it is certain that the Omnipresent Being, stands not in need as Earthly Potentates do, of governing the World by Vicegerents. And if Sir _William_ had such an Invisible pattern to imitate, no wonder though some of his Actions were unaccountable, especially those relating to Witchcraft: For if there was in those Actions an Angel superintending, there is little reason to think it was _Gabriel_ or the Spirit of _Mercury_, nor _Hanael_ the Angel or Spirit of _Venus_, nor yet _Samuel_ the Angel or Spirit of _Mars_; Names feigned by the said _Trithemius_, _&c._ It may rather be thought to be _Apollyon_, or _Abaddon_.

_Obj._ But here it will be said, What are there no Witches? Do's not the Law of God command that they should be extirpated? Is the Command vain and Unintelligible? _Sol._ For any to say that a Witch is one that makes a compact with, and Commissions Devils, _&c._ is indeed to render the Law of God vain and Unintelligible, as having provided no way whereby they might be detected, and proved to be such; And how the _Jews_ waded thro this difficulty for so many Ages, without the Supplement of Mr. _Perkins_ and _Bernard_ thereto, would be very mysterious. But to him that can read the Scriptures without prejudice from Education, _&c._ it will manifestly appear that the Scripture is full and Intelligible, both as to the Crime and means to detect the culpable. He that shall hereafter see any person, who to confirm People in a false belief, about the power of Witches and Devils, pretending to a sign to confirm it; such as knocking off of invisible Chains with the hand, driving away Devils by brushing, striking with a Sword or Stick, to wound a person at a great distance, _&c._ may (according to that head of Mr. _Gauls_, quoted by Mr. _C. M._ and so often herein before recited, and so well proved by Scripture) conclude that he has _seen Witchcraft performed_.

[156] If _Baalam_ became a Sorcerer by Sacrifizing and Praying to the true God against his visible people; Then he that shall pray that the afflicted (by their _Spectral_ Sight) may accuse some other Person (whereby their reputations and lives may be indangered) such will justly deserve the Name of a _Sorcerer_. If any Person pretends to know more than can be known by humane means, and professeth at the same time that they have it from the _Black-Man, i. e. the Devil_, and shall from hence give Testimony against the Lives of others, they are manifestly such as have a familiar Spirit; and if any, knowing them to have their Information from the _Black-man_, shall be inquisitive of them for their Testimony against others, they therein are dealing with such as have a _Familiar-Spirit_.

And if these shall pretend to _see the dead_ by their _Spectral Sight_, and others shall be inquisitive of them, and receive their Answers what it is the _dead say_, and who it is they accuse, both the one and the other are by Scripture _Guilty of Necromancy_.

These are all of them crimes as easily proved as any whatsoever, and that by such proof as the Law of God requires, so that it is _no Unintelligible Law_.

But if the Iniquity of the times be such that these Criminals not only Escape Indemnified, but are Incouraged in their wickedness, and made use of to take away the Lives of others, this is worse than a making the Law of God _Vain_, it being a rendring of it _dangerous_, against the Lives of Innocents, and without all hopes of better, so long as these Bloody Principles remain.

As long as Christians do Esteem the _Law of God to be Imperfect_, as not describing that crime that it requires to be Punish'd by Death.

As long as men suffer themselves to be Poison'd in their Education, and be grounded in a _False-Belief by the Books of the Heathen_.

As long as the _Devil_ shall be believed to have _a Natural Power, to Act above and against a course of Nature_.

As long as the _Witches_ shall be believed to have a Power to _Commission him_.

As long as the _Devil's Testimony_, by the pretended afflicted, shall be received as _more valid to Condemn_, than their Plea of _Not Guilty_ to acquit.

As long as the _Accused_ shall have their _Lives and Liberties_ confirmed and restored to them, _upon their Confessing themselves Guilty_.

As long as the _Accused_ shall be forc't to _undergo Hardships and Torments_ for their not Confessing.

As long as _Tets_ for the _Devil to Suck_ are searched for upon the Bodies of the accused, as a token of guilt.

As long as the _Lord's Prayer_ shall be profaned, by being made a Test, who are culpable.

As long as _Witchcraft, Sorcery, Familiar Spirits, and Necromancy_, shall be improved to discover who are _Witches_, _&c._

_So long it may be expected that innocents will suffer as Witches_.

_So long God will be Daily dishonoured, And so long his Judgments, must be expected to be continued._[177]

_FINIS._

FOOTNOTES:

[137] This Insinuation is quite well sustained, as will appear by an Extract from Mr. Mather's Diary, printed in Quincy's _Hist. H. C._ i, 60. The Life of Phips is substantially included in the Magnalia. As originally published, it is of considerable rarity.

[138] See Vol. I, Page 25-6.

[139] This Judgment has been sustained by Posterity. Phips's Hands were tied. He could not have done differently, had he had the Knowledge and Disposition, without giving offence to President Mather, who had secured his Advancement.

[140] To this rather mild and inoffensive remark of the Author, Mr. Mather replies: "The last Effort of his [Calef's] Malice is a Postscript against the Life of Sir William Phips, against whose Memory, why any whose _Throats are an open Sepulchre_, should be so monstrously envious, that like Jackalls, they can't let him rest quietly in his Sepulchre, good Men can't imagine any Reason but the third Chapter of Genesis."--_Some Few Remarks_, &c. 47.

[141] "I have endured more than a little from some sort of Men, for my writing the Life of Sir William Phips, and speaking well of him, without either doing or speaking ill against any one good Man under the whole Heavens, in the whole Composure. It seems that I must now write an Apology, for that Book: for which I have no Confession to make, but, _That I don't wish one Line of it unwritten_."--_Ibid_, 47-8.

[142] It must be allowed that the Doctor was a little unfortunate in his Choice of a Hero by which to measure his own.

[143] The "three venerable Persons" were "Nath. Mather, John Howe and Matthew Mead." The first was the Uncle to Dr. Cotton Mather, then a Minister in Dublin, where he died a few Months later. Howe and Mead are too well known to require a notice here.

[144] To this Dr. Mather answers: "When mine Adversaries had, with a concocted Malice, done all they could, they thought at least they had found one Passage wherein they might impeach my Veracity. I had said, that before Quebeck, Sir William lay _within Pistol Shot of the Enemies Cannon_, and that his Ship was shot through, in _an hundred Places_, and that it was shot through with _Four and Twenty Pounders_. (Tis a gross Hardship for any to make my Meaning as if all the shot had been so.) And now they fall to Tragical Exclamattons; they think _Four and Twenty Pounders_ to be too small Dimensions for the Clamors they must batter me withal.... I wrote no more than the very Words which I find in a Journal of the Expedition to Qcebec.... _Calef_ himself has lately owned, that he verily believes I did so."--_Some Few Remarks_, &c. 51-2.

[145] After the Doctor had spoken of being "battered with Clamors," he triumphantly Exclaims--"But hold _Robin_, [Mr. Calef's Christian Name being Robert] I am not so soon _shot through_; and the _Statue_, as I told thee, has _knock'd out thy Brains_!"--_Ibid_, Page 52. His Life of Phips he calls a _Statue_.

[146] The harsh and ungovernable Temper of the Governor was a Matter of Notoriety in his Time. See _Life of Phips in the Magnalia_, B. ii, Page 72, &c.

[147] "It is not worth our while to take Notice of every thing this _Calf_ sayes, 'tis often so impertinent; however, we will lay open one thing more. He says that Mr. Mather procured a Charter for Sir William to be Governor, and _himself established President of the Colledge_. Can there be greater Nonsense mixed with Malice! How could that be, when Mr. Mather had been President of the Colledge _ten_ Years before Sir William came to be Governor?" This is a very shallow Attempt to impeach, by Hypercriticism, the Truth of Mr. Calef's Statement. Everybody knew the fact that Dr. I. Mather was President of the College. Mr. Calef's Meaning is plain enough, namely, that Mr. Mather's Solicitude was about _keeping_ his Office of President.