Chapter VI: Part 6

V. _Bernard Peache_ testifi'd, That being in Bed, on the Lord's-day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then saw _Susanna Martin_ come in, and jump down upon the Floor. She took hold of this Deponent's Feet, and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she lay upon him near Two Hours; in all which time he could neither speak nor stir. At length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her Hand, and pulling it up to his Mouth, he bit three of her Fingers, as he judged, unto the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, down the Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the People of the House, to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow her. The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand of the Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; and several more drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad: There was likewise the print of her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; but no more sign of any Footing further off.

At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto an Husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, _If he did not come, it were better that he did!_ He went not; but the Night following, _Susanna Martin_, as he judged, and another came towards him. One of them said, _Here he is!_ but he having a Quarter-staff, made a Blow at them. The Roof of the Barn, broke his Blow; but following them to the Window, he made another Blow at them, and struck them down; yet they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them.

About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that _Martin_ had a Broken Head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that.

The said _Peache_ also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death, upon Martin's Discontents.

VI. _Robert Downer_ testified, That this Prisoner being some Years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, _He believed she was a Witch._ Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, _That some She-Devil would shortly fetch him away!_ Which words were heard by others, as well as himself. The Night following, as he lay in his Bed, there came in at the Window, the likeness of a _Cat_, which flew upon him, took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and almost killed him. At length he remembred what _Susanna Martin_ had threatned the Day before; and with much striving he cried out, _Avoid, thou She-Devil! In the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Avoid!_ Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and flew out at the Window.

And there also came in several Testimonies, that before ever _Downer_ spoke a word of this Accident, _Susanna Martin_ and her Family had related, _How this +Downer+ had been handled_!

VII. _John Kembal_ testified, that _Susanna Martin_, upon a Causeless Disgust, had threatned him, about a certain Cow of his, _That she should never do him any more Good:_ and it came to pass accordingly. For soon after the Cow was found stark dead on the dry Ground, without any Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he was followed with a strange Death upon more of his Cattle, whereof he lost in one Spring to the Value of Thirty Pounds. But the said _John Kembal_ had a further Testimony to give in against the Prisoner which was truly admirable.

Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy one of this _Martin_, who had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she not letting him have his choice, he said, he would supply himself then at one _Blezdels_. Having mark'd a Puppy, which he lik'd at _Blezdels_, he met _George Martin_, the Husband of the Prisoner, going by, who asked him, _Whether he would not have one of his Wife's Puppies?_ and he answered, _No._ The same Day, one _Edmond Eliot_, being at _Martin's_ House, heard _George Martin_ relate, where this _Kembal_ had been, and what he had said. Whereupon _Susanna Martin_ replied, _If I live, I'll give him Puppies enough!_ Within a few days after, this _Kembal_, coming out of the Woods, there arose a little Black Cloud in the N. W. and _Kembal_ immediately felt a force upon him, which made him not able to avoid running upon the stumps of Trees, that were before him, albeit he had a broad, plain Cart-way, before him; but tho' he had his Ax also on his Shoulder to endanger him in his Falls, he could not forbear going out of his way to tumble over them. When he came below the Meeting House, there appeared unto him, a little thing like a _Puppy_, of a Darkish Colour; and it shot backwards and forwards between his Legs. He had the Courage to use all possible Endeavours of Cutting it with his Ax; but he could not Hit it: the Puppy gave a jump from him, and went, as to him it seem'd into the Ground. Going a little further, there appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat bigger than the first, but as Black as a Cole. Its Motions were quicker than those of his Ax; it flew at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat; so, over his Shoulder one way, and then over his Shoulder another way. His Heart now began to fail him, and he thought the Dog would have tore his Throat out. But he recovered himself, and called upon God in his Distress; and naming the Name of JESUS CHRIST, it vanished away at once. The Deponent spoke not one Word of these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his Wife. But the next Morning, _Edmond Eliot_, going into _Martin's_ House, this Woman asked him where Kembal was? He replied, _At home, a Bed, for ought he knew._ She returned, _They say, he was frighted last Night._ Eliot asked, _With what?_ She answered, _With Puppies._ _Eliot_ asked, _Where she heard of it, for he had heard nothing of it?_ She rejoined, _About the Town._ Altho' _Kembal_ had mentioned the Matter to no Creature living.

VIII. _William Brown_ testifi'd, That Heaven having blessed him with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day met with _Susanna Martin_; but when she approach'd just unto her, _Martin_ vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted. After which time, the said _Martin_ often appear'd unto her, giving her no little trouble; and when she did come, she was visited with Birds, that sorely peck'd and prick'd her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a Pullet's Egg, would rise in her Throat, ready to choak her, till she cry'd out, _Witch, you shan't choak me!_ While this good Woman was in this extremity, the Church appointed a Day of Prayer, on her behalf; whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; she saw not _Martin_ as formerly; and the Church, instead of their Fast, gave Thanks for her Deliverance. But a considerable while after, she being Summoned to give in some Evidence at the Court, against this _Martin_, quickly thereupon, this _Martin_ came behind her, while she was milking her Cow, and said unto her, _For thy defaming her at Court, I'll make thee the miserablest Creature in the World._ Soon after which, she fell into a strange kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, and uncapable of any reasonable Action; the Physicians declaring, that her Distemper was preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and in that condition she now remained.

IX. _Sarah Atkinson_ testify'd, That _Susanna Martin_ came from _Amesbury_ to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season, when it was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she said, unto _Atkinson_) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and shew'd how dry she was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her Shoes were wet. _Atkinson_ was amazed at it; and professed, that she should her self have been wet up to the knees, if she had then came so far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorn'd to be Drabbled!_ It was noted, that this Testimony upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular Confusion.

X. _John Pressy_ testify'd, That being one Evening very unaccountably Bewildred, near a Field of _Martins_, and several times, as one under an Enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at length he saw a marvellous Light, about the bigness of an Half-bushel, near two Rod, out of the way. He went, and struck at it with a Stick, and laid it on with all his might. He gave it near forty blows; and felt it a palpable substance. But going from it, his Heels were struck up, and he was laid with his Back on the Ground, sliding, as he thought, into a Pit; from whence he recover'd by taking hold on the Bush; altho' afterwards he could find no such Pit in the place. Having, after his Recovery, gone five or six Rod, he saw _Susanna Martin_ standing on his Left-hand, as the Light had done before; but they changed no words with one another. He could scarce find his House in his Return; but at length he got home extreamly affrighted. The next day, it was upon Enquiry understood, that _Martin_ was in a miserable condition by pains and hurts that were upon her.

It was further testify'd by this Deponent, That after he had given in some Evidence against _Susanna Martin_, many years ago, she gave him foul words about it; and said, _He should never prosper more;_ particularly, _That he should never have more than two Cows; that tho' he was never so likely to have more, yet he should never have them._ And that from that very day to this, namely for twenty years together, he could never exceed that number; but some strange thing or other still prevented his having any more.

XI. _Jervis Ring_ testify'd, That about seven years ago, he was oftentimes and grievously oppressed in the Night, but saw not who troubled him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, plainly saw _Susanna Martin_ approach him. She came to him, and forceably bit him by the Finger; so that the Print of the bite is now, so long after, to be seen upon him.

XII. But besides all of these Evidences, there was a most wonderful Account of one _Joseph Ring_, produced on this occasion.

This Man has been strangely carried about by _Daemons_, from one _Witch-meeting_ to another, for near two years together; and for one quarter of this time, they have made him, and keep him Dumb, tho' he is now again able to speak. There was one _T. H._ who having, as 'tis judged, a design of engaging this _Joseph Ring_ in a snare of Devillism, contrived a while, to bring this _Ring_ two Shillings in Debt unto him.

Afterwards, this poor Man would be visited with unknown shapes, and this _T. H._ sometimes among them; which would force him away with them, unto unknown Places, where he saw Meetings, Feastings, Dancings; and after his return, wherein they hurried him along through the Air, he gave Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that he had indeed been so transported. When he was brought unto these hellish Meetings, one of the first Things they still did unto him, was to give him a knock on the Back, whereupon he was ever as if bound with Chains, uncapable of stirring out of the place, till they should release him. He related, that there often came to him a Man, who presented him a _Book_, whereto he would have him set his Hand; promising to him, that he should then have even what he would; and presenting him with all the delectable Things, Persons, and Places, that he could imagin. But he refusing to subscribe, the business would end with dreadful Shapes, Noises and Screeches, which almost scared him out of his Wits. Once with the Book, there was a Pen offered him, and an Ink-horn with Liquor in it, that seemed like Blood: But he never toucht it.

This Man did now affirm, That he saw the Prisoner at several of those hellish Randezvouzes.

Note, this Woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked Creatures in the World; and she did now throughout her whole Tryal, discover her self to be such an one. Yet when she was asked, what she had to say for her self? Her chief Plea was, _That she had lead a most virtuous and holy Life._

IV.

THE TRYAL OF ELIZABETH HOW, AT THE

COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER, HELD BY ADJOURNMENT

AT SALEM, JUNE 30. 1692.

I.

_Elizabeth How_ pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of Witchcrafts, then charged upon her; the Court, according to the usual Proceedings of the Courts in _England_, in such Cases, began with hearing the Depositions of several afflicted People, who were grievously tortured by sensible and evident _Witchcrafts_, and all complained of the Prisoner, as the cause of their Trouble. It was also found that the Sufferers were not able to bear her _Look_, as likewise, that in their greatest Swoons, they distinguished her _Touch_ from other Peoples, being thereby raised out of them.

And there was other Testimony of People to whom the shape of this _How_, gave trouble nine or ten years ago.

II. It has been a most usual thing for the bewitched Persons, at the same time that the _Spectres_, representing the _Witches_, troubled them, to be visited with Apparitions of _Ghosts_, pretending to have been Murdered by the _Witches_ then represented. And sometimes the Confessions of the Witches afterwards acknowledged those very Murders, which these _Apparitions_ charged upon them; altho' they had never heard what Informations had been given by the Sufferers.

There were such Apparitions of Ghosts testified by some of the present Sufferers; and the Ghosts affirmed, that this _How_ had Murdered them: Which things were _fear'd_ but not _prov'd_.

III. This _How_ had made some Attempts of joyning to the Church at _Ipswich_, several years ago; but she was denyed an admission into that Holy Society, partly through a suspicion of Witchcraft, then urged against her. And there now came in Testimony, of preternatural Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been Instrumental to debar her from the Communion whereupon she was intruding.

IV. There was a particular Deposition of _Joseph Stafford_, That his Wife had conceived an extream Aversion to this _How_, on the Reports of her Witchcrafts: But _How_ one day, taking her by the Hand, and saying, _I believe you are not ignorant of the great Scandal that I lye under, by an evil Report raised upon me._ She immediately, unreasonably and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Woman's part. _How_ being soon after propounded, as desiring an Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfy'd about her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters objected against her; and no Arguments in the World could hinder this Goodwife _Stafford_ from going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise, with much ado, that she would not go to the Church-meeting, yet she could not refrain going thither also. _How's_ Affairs there were so canvased, that she came off rather _Guilty_ than _Cleared_; nevertheless Goodwife _Stafford_ could not forbear taking her by the Hand, and saying, _Tho' you are Condemned before Men, you are Justify'd before God._ She was quickly taken in a very strange manner, Ranting, Raving, Raging and crying out, _Goody +How+ must come into the Church; she is a precious Saint; and tho' she be condemned before Men, she is Justify'd before God._ So she continued for the space of two or three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But coming to her self, she cry'd out, _Ha! I was mistaken;_ and afterwards again repeated, _Ha! I was mistaken!_ Being asked by a stander by, _Wherein?_ she replyed, _I thought Goody +How+ had been a precious Saint of God, but now I see she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my Child, and we shall never be well, till there be a Testimony for her, that she may be taken into the Church._ And _How_ said afterwards, that she was very sorry to see _Stafford_ at the Church-meeting mentioned. _Stafford_, after this, declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of _How_; and from that Shape she endured many Miseries.

V. _John How_, Brother to the Husband of the Prisoner testified, that he refusing to accompany the Prisoner unto her Examination, as was by her desired, immediately some of his Cattle were Bewitched to Death, leaping three or four foot high, turning about, speaking, falling, and dying at once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use, that might as well perhaps have been omitted, the Hand wherein he held his Knife was taken very numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, for several Days, being not well at this very Time. And he suspected the Prisoner for the Author of it.

VI. _Nehemiah Abbot_ testify'd, that unusual and mischievous Accidents would befal his Cattle, whenever he had any Difference with this Prisoner. Once, particularly, she wished his Ox choaked; and within a little while that Ox was choaked with a Turnep in his Throat. At another Time, refusing to lend his Horse, at the Request of her Daughter, the Horse was in a preternatural manner abused. And several other odd things of that kind were testified.

VII. There came in Testimony, that one Good-wife _Sherwin_, upon some Difference with _How_, was Bewitched; and that she dyed, charging this _How_ with having an Hand in her Death. And that other People had their Barrels of Drink unaccountably mischieved, spoil'd and spilt, upon their displeasing of her.

The things in themselves were trivial, but there being such a Course of them, it made them the more considered. Among others, _Martha Wood_, gave her Testimony, That a little after her Father had been employed in gathering an account of _How's_ Conversation, they once and again lost great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in such a manner, as they could ascribe to nothing but Witchcraft. As also, That _How_ giving her some Apples, when she had eaten of them, she was taken with a very strange kind of Amaze, insomuch that she knew not what she said or did.

VIII. There was likewise a Cluster of Depositions, That one _Isaac Cummings_ refusing to lend his Mare unto the Husband of this _How_, the Mare was within a Day or two taken in a strange condition: The Beast seemed much abused, being bruised as if she had been running over the Rocks, and marked where the Bridle went, as if burnt with a red hot Bridle. Moreover, one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the Cure of the Beast, a blue Flame issued out of her, took hold of her Hair, and not only spread and burnt on her, but it also flew upwards towards the Roof of the Barn, and had like to have set the Barn on Fire: And the Mare dyed very suddenly.

IX. _Timothy Pearley_ and his Wife, testifyd, Not only unaccountable Mischiefs befel their Cattle, upon their having of Differences with this Prisoner: but also that they had a Daughter destroyed by Witchcrafts; which Daughter still charged _How_ as the Cause of her Affliction. And it was noted, that she would be struck down whenever _How_ were spoken of. She was often endeavoured to be thrown into the Fire, and into the Water, in her strange Fits: Tho' her Father had corrected her for charging _How_ with bewitching her, yet (as was testified by others also) she said, She was sure of it, and must dye standing to it. Accordingly she charged _How_ to the very Death; and said, _Tho' How could afflict and torment her Body, yet she could not hurt her Soul:_ And, _That the Truth of this matter would appear, when she should be dead and gone._

X. _Francis Lane_ testified, That being hired by the Husband of this _How_ to get him a parcel of Posts and Rails, this _Lane_ hired _John Pearly_ to assist him. This Prisoner then told _Lane_, That she believed the Posts and Rails would not do, because _John Pearly_ helped him; but that if he had got them alone, without _John Pearly's_ help, they might have done well enough. When _James How_ came to receive his Posts and Rails of _Lane_, _How_ taking them up by the Ends, they, tho' good and sound, yet unaccountably broke off, so that _Lane_ was forced to get thirty or forty more. And this Prisoner being informed of it, she said, She told him so before, because _Pearly_ helped about them.

XI. Afterwards there came in the Confessions of several other (penitent) Witches, which affirmed this _How_ to be one of those, who with them had been baptized by the Devil in the River, at _Newbury_-Falls: before which he made them there kneel down by the Brink of the River and worshiped him.

V.

THE TRIAL OF MARTHA CARRIER, AT THE

COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER, HELD BY ADJOURNMENT

AT SALEM, AUGUST 2. 1692.

I.

_Martha Carrier_ was Indicted for the bewitching certain Persons, according to the Form usual in such Cases, pleading _Not Guilty_, to her Indictment; there were first brought in a considerable number of the bewitched Persons; who not only made the Court sensible of an horrid Witchcraft committed upon them, but also deposed, That it was _Martha Carrier_, or her Shape, that grievously tormented them, by Biting, Pricking, Pinching and Choaking of them. It was further deposed, That while this _Carrier_ was on her Examination, before the Magistrates, the Poor People were so tortured that every one expected their Death upon the very spot, but that upon the binding of _Carrier_ they were eased. Moreover the Look of _Carrier_ then laid the Afflicted People for dead; and her Touch, if her Eye at the same time were off them, raised them again: Which Things were also now seen upon her Tryal. And it was testified, That upon the mention of some having their Necks twisted almost round, by the Shape of this _Carrier_, she replyed, _Its no matter though their Necks had been twisted quite off._

II. Before the Trial of this Prisoner, several of her own Children had frankly and fully confessed, not only that they were Witches themselves, but that this their Mother had made them so. This Confession they made with great Shews of Repentance, and with much Demonstration of Truth. They related Place, Time, Occasion; they gave an account of Journeys, Meetings and Mischiefs by them performed, and were very credible in what they said. Nevertheless, this Evidence was not produced against the Prisoner at the Bar, inasmuch as there was other Evidence enough to proceed upon.

III. _Benjamin Abbot_ gave his Testimony, That last March was a twelvemonth, this _Carrier_ was very angry with him, upon laying out some Land, near her Husband's: Her Expressions in this Anger, were, _That she would stick as close to +Abbot+ as the Bark stuck to the Tree; and that he should repent of it afore seven Years came to an End, so as Doctor +Prescot+ should never cure him._ These Words were heard by others besides _Abbot_ himself; who also heard her say, _She would hold his Nose as close to the Grindstone as ever it was held since his Name was +Abbot+._ Presently after this, he was taken with a Swelling in his Foot, and then with a Pain in his Side, and exceedingly tormented. It bred into a Sore, which was launced by Doctor _Prescot_, and several Gallons of Corruption ran out of it. For six Weeks it continued very bad, and then another Sore bred in the Groin, which was also lanced by Doctor _Prescot_. Another Sore then bred in his Groin, which was likewise cut, and put him to very great Misery: He was brought unto Death's Door, and so remained until _Carrier_ was taken, and carried away by the Constable, from which very Day he began to mend, and so grew better every Day, and is well ever since.

_Sarah Abbot_ also, his Wife, testified, That her Husband was not only all this while Afflicted in his Body, but also that strange extraordinary and unaccountable Calamities befel his Cattel; their Death being such as they could guess at no Natural Reason for.

IV. _Allin Toothaker_ testify'd, That _Richard_, the son of _Martha Carrier_, having some difference with him, pull'd him down by the Hair of the Head. When he Rose again, he was going to strike at _Richard Carrier_; but fell down flat on his Back to the ground, and had not power to stir hand or foot, until he told _Carrier_ he yielded; and then he saw the shape of _Martha Carrier_, go off his breast.

This _Toothaker_, had Received a wound in the _Wars_; and he now testify'd, that _Martha Carrier_ told him, _He should never be Cured._ Just afore the Apprehending of _Carrier_, he could thrust a knitting Needle into his wound, four inches deep; but presently after her being siezed, he was throughly healed.

He further testify'd, that when _Carrier_ and he sometimes were at variance, she would clap her hands at him, and say, _He should get nothing by it;_ whereupon he several times lost his Cattle, by strange Deaths, whereof no natural causes could be given.

V. _John Rogger_ also testifyed, That upon the threatning words of this malicious _Carrier_, his Cattle would be strangely bewitched; as was more particularly then described.

VI. _Samuel Preston_ testify'd, that about two years ago, having some difference with _Martha Carrier_, he lost a _Cow_ in a strange Preternatural unusual manner; and about a month after this, the said _Carrier_, having again some difference with him, she told him; _He had lately lost a Cow, and it should not be long before he lost another;_ which accordingly came to pass; for he had a thriving and well-kept _Cow_, which without any known cause quickly fell down and dy'd.

VII. _Phebe Chandler_ testify'd, that about a Fortnight before the apprehension of _Martha Carrier_, on a Lords-day, while the Psalm was singing in the _Church_, this _Carrier_ then took her by the shoulder and shaking her, asked her, _where she lived_: she made her no Answer, although as _Carrier_, who lived next door to her Fathers House, could not in reason but know who she was. Quickly after this, as she was at several times crossing the Fields, she heard a voice, that she took to be _Martha Carriers_, and it seem'd as if it was over her head. The voice told her, _she should within two or three days be poisoned._ Accordingly, within such a little time, one half of her right hand, became greatly swollen, and very painful; as also part of her Face; whereof she can give no account how it came. It continued very bad for some dayes; and several times since, she has had a great pain in her breast; and been so siezed on her leggs, that she has hardly been able to go. She added, that lately, going well to the House of God, _Richard_, the son of _Martha Carrier_, look'd very earnestly upon her, and immediately her hand, which had formerly been poisoned, as is abovesaid, began to pain her greatly, and she had a strange Burning at her stomach; but was then struck deaf, so that she could not hear any of the prayer, or singing, till the two or three last words of the Psalm.

VIII. One _Foster_, who confessed her own share in the Witchcraft for which the Prisoner stood indicted, affirm'd, that she had seen the prisoner at some of their _Witch-meetings_, and that it was this _Carrier_, who perswaded her to be a Witch. She confessed, that the Devil carry'd them on a pole, to a Witch-meeting; but the pole broke, and she hanging about _Carriers_ neck, they both fell down, and she then received an hurt by the Fall, whereof she was not at this very time recovered.

IX. One _Lacy_, who likewise confessed her share in this Witchcraft, now testify'd, that she and the prisoner were once Bodily present at a _Witch-meeting_ in _Salem Village_; and that she knew the prisoner to be a Witch, and to have been at a Diabolical sacrament, and that the prisoner was the undoing of her, and her Children, by enticing them into the snare of the Devil.

X. Another _Lacy_, who also confessed her share in this Witchcraft, now testify'd, that the prisoner was at the _Witch-meeting_, in _Salem Village_, where they had Bread and Wine Administred unto them.

XI. In the time of this prisoners Trial, one _Susanna Sheldon_, in open Court had her hands Unaccountably ty'd together with a Wheel-band, so fast that without cutting, it could not be loosed: It was done by a _Spectre_; and the Sufferer affirm'd, it was the _Prisoners_.

* * * * *

_Memorandum._ This Rampant Hag, _Martha Carrier_, was the person, of whom the Confessions of the Witches, and of her own Children among the rest, agreed, That the Devil had promised her, she should be _Queen of Heb_.

Having thus far done the Service imposed upon me; I will further pursue it, by relating a few of those Matchless CURIOSITIES, with which the _Witchcraft_ now upon us, has entertained us. And I shall Report nothing but with Good Authority, and what I would invite all my Readers to examine, while 'tis yet Fresh and New, that if there be found any mistake, it may be as willingly _Retracted_, as it was unwillingly _Committed_.

THE FIRST CURIOSITIE.

I. 'Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious and Impudent _imitation_ of Divine Things, is Apishly affected by the Devil, in several of those matters, whereof the Confessions of our _Witches_, and the Afflictions of our _Sufferers_ have informed us.

That Reverend and Excellent Person, Mr. _John Higginson_, in my Conversation with him, Once invited me to this Reflection; that the Indians which came from far to settle about _Mexico_, were in their Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct of the _Devil_, very strangely Emulating what the Blessed God gave to _Israel_ in the Wilderness.

_Acosta_, is our Author for it, that the Devil in their Idol _Vitzlipultzli_, governed that mighty Nation. 'He commanded them to leave their Country, promising to make them _Lords_ over all the Provinces possessed by _Six_ other Nations of Indians, and give them a Land abounding with all precious things. They went forth, carrying their Idol with them, in a Coffer of _Reeds_, supported by Four of their Principal _Priests_; with whom he still _Discoursed_ in secret, Revealing to them the Successes, and Accidents of their way. He advised them, when to _March_, and where to _Stay_, and without his Commandment they moved not. The first thing they did, where-ever they came, was to Erect a _Tabernacle_, for their false god; which they set always in the midst of their Camp, and they placed the _Ark_ upon an _Alter_. When they, Tired with pains, talked of, _proceeding no further_ in their Journey, than a certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, this Devil in one Night, horribly kill'd them that had started this Talk, by pulling out their Hearts. And so they passed on till they came to _Mexico_.'

The Devil which _then_ thus imitated what was in the Church of the _Old Testament_, now among _Us_ would Imitate the Affairs of the Church in the _New_. The _Witches_ do say, that they form themselves much after the manner of _Congregational Churches_; and that they have a _Baptism_ and a _Supper_, and _Officers_ among them, abominably Resembling those of our Lord.

But there are many more of these Bloody _Imitations_, if the Confessions of the _Witches_ are to be Received; which I confess, ought to be but with very much Caution.

What is their stricking down with a fierce _Look_? What is their making of the Afflicted _Rise_, with a touch of their _Hand_? What is their Transportation thro' the _Air_? What is their Travelling _in Spirit_, while their Body is cast into a Trance? What is their causing of _Cattle_ to run mad and perish? What is their Entring their Names in a _Book_? What is their coming together from all parts, at the Sound of a _Trumpet_? What is their Appearing sometimes Cloathed with _Light_ or _Fire_ upon them? What is their Covering of themselves and their Instruments with _Invisibility_? But a Blasphemous Imitation of certain Things recorded about our Saviour or His Prophets, or the Saints in the Kingdom of God.

A SECOND CURIOSITIE.

II. In all the _Witchcraft_ which now Grievously Vexes us, I know not whether anything be more Unaccountable, than the Trick which the Witches have to render themselves, and their Tools _Invisible_. _Witchcraft_ seems to be the Skill of Applying the _Plastic Spirit_ of the World, unto some unlawful purposes, by means of a Confederacy with _Evil Spirits_. Yet one would wonder how the _Evil Spirits_ themselves can do some things; especially at _Invisibilizing_ of the Grossest Bodies. I can tell the Name of an Ancient Author, who pretends to show the _way_, how a man may come to walk about _Invisible_, and I can tell the Name of another Ancient Author, who pretends to Explode that way. But I will not speak too plainly Lest I should unawares Poison some of my _Readers_, as the pious _Hemingius_ did one of his _Pupils_, when he only by way of Diversion recited a _Spell_, which, they had said, would cure _Agues_. This much I will say; The notion of procuring _Invisibility_, by any _Natural Expedient_, yet known, is, I Believe, a meer PLINYISM; How far it may be obtained by a _Magical Sacrament_, is best known to the Dangerous Knaves that have try'd it. But our _Witches_ do seem to have got the knack: and this is one of the Things, that make me think, _Witchcraft_ will not be fully understood, until the day when there shall not be one Witch in the World.

There are certain people very _Dogmatical_ about these matters; but I'll give them only these three Bones to pick.

First, One of our bewitched people, was cruelly assaulted by a _Spectre_, that, she said, ran at her with a _spindle_: tho' no body else in the Room, could see either the _Spectre_ or the _spindle_. At last, in her miseries, giving a snatch at the _Spectre_, she pull'd the _spindle_ away, and it was no sooner got into her hand, but the other people then present, beheld, that it was indeed a Real, Proper, Iron _spindle_, belonging they knew to whom; which when they lock'd up very safe, it was nevertheless by _Demons_ unaccountably stole away, to do further mischief.

Secondly, Another of our bewitched people, was haunted with a most abusive _Spectre_, which came to her, she said, with a _sheet_ about her. After she had undergone a deal of Teaze, from the Annoyance of the _Spectre_, she gave a violent snatch at the sheet, that was upon it; wherefrom she tore a corner, which in her hand immediately became _Visible_ to a Roomful of Spectators; a palpable Corner of a Sheet. Her Father, who was now holding her, catch'd that he might keep what his Daughter had so strangely siezed, but the unseen _Spectre_ had like to have pull'd his hand off, by endeavouring to wrest it from him; however he still held it, and I suppose has it, still to show; it being but a few hours ago, namely about the beginning of this _October_, that this Accident happened; in the family of one _Pitman_, at _Manchester_.

Thirdly, A young man, delaying to procure Testimonials for his Parents, who being under confinement on suspicion of _Witchcraft_, required him to do that service for them, was quickly pursued with odd Inconveniences. But once above the Rest, an Officer going to put his _Brand_ on the Horns of some _Cows_, belonging to these people, which tho' he had siez'd for some of their debts, yet he was willing to leave in their possession, for the subsistance of the poor Family; this young man help'd in holding the Cows to be thus branded. The three first _Cows_ he held well enough; but when the hot Brand was clap'd upon the Fourth, he _winc'd_ and _shrunk_ at such a Rate, as that he could hold the Cow no longer. Being afterwards Examined about it, he confessed, that at that very instant when the _Brand_ entered the _Cow's Horn_, exactly the like burning _Brand_ was clap'd upon his own Thigh; where he has exposed the lasting marks of it, unto such as asked to see them.

Unriddle these Things,--_Et Eris mihi magnus Apollo._

A THIRD CURIOSITIE.

III. If a Drop of _Innocent Blood_ should be shed, in the Prosecution of the _Witchcrafts_ among us, how unhappy are we! For which cause, I cannot express my self in better terms, than those of a most Worthy Person, who lives near the present Center of these things. _The Mind of +God+ in these matters, is to be carefully lookt into, with due Circumspection, that Satan deceive us not with his Devices, who transforms himself into an Angel of Light, and may pretend justice and yet intend mischief._ But on the other side, if the storm of Justice do now fall only on the Heads of those guilty _Witches_ and _Wretches_ which have defiled our Land, _How Happy!_

The Execution of some that have lately Dyed, has been immediately attended, with a strange Deliverance of some, that had lain for many years, in a most sad Condition, under, they knew not whose _evil hands_. As I am abundantly satisfy'd, That many of the Self-Murders committed here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody _Witchcraft_, letting fly _Demons_ upon the miserable _Seneca's_; thus, it has been admirable unto me to see, how a Devilish _Witchcraft_, sending Devils upon them, has driven many poor people to _Despair_, and persecuted their minds, with such Buzzes of _Atheism_ and _Blasphemy_, as has made them even run _distracted with Terrors_: And some long _Bow'd down_ under such a _spirit of Infirmity_, have been marvelously Recovered upon the death of the Witches.

One _Whetford_ particularly ten years ago, challenging of _Bridget Bishop_ (whose Trial you have had) with steeling of a Spoon, _Bishop_ threatned her very direfully: presently after this, was _Whetford_ in the Night, and in her Bed, visited by _Bishop_, with one _Parker_, who making the Room light at their coming in, there discoursed of several mischiefs they would inflict upon her. At last they pull'd her out, and carried her unto the Sea-side, there to _drown_, her; but she calling upon God, they left her, tho' not without Expressions of their Fury. From that very time, this poor _Whetford_ was utterly spoilt, and grew a Tempted, Froward, Crazed sort of a Woman; a vexation to her self, and all about her; and many ways unreasonable. In this Distraction she lay, till those women were Apprehended, by the Authority; _then_ she began to mend; and upon their Execution, was presently and perfectly Recovered, from the ten years madness that had been upon her.

A FOURTH CURIOSITIE.

IV. 'Tis a thousand pitties, that we should permit our Eyes, to be so _Blood-shot_ with passions, as to loose the sight of many wonderful things, wherein the Wisdom and Justice of God, would be Glorify'd. Some of those things, are the frequent \Apparitions\ of Ghosts, whereby many Old \Murders\ among us, come to be considered. And, among many instances of this kind, I will single out one, which concerned a poor man, lately _Prest_ unto Death, because of his Refusing to _Plead_ for his Life. I shall make an Extract of a Letter, which was written to my Honourable Friend, _Samuel Sewal_, Esq.; by Mr. _Putman_, to this purpose;

'The Last Night my Daughter _Ann_, was grievously Tormented by Witches, Threatning that she should be _Pressed_ to Death, before _Giles Cory_. But thro' the Goodness of a Gracious God, she had at last a little Respite. Whereupon there appeared unto her (she said) a man in a Winding Sheet, who told her that _Giles Cory_ had Murdered him, by _Pressing_ him to Death with his Feet; but that the Devil there appeared unto him, and Covenanted with him, and promised him, _He should not be Hanged._ The Apparition said, God Hardned his heart; that he should not hearken to the Advice of the Court, and so Dy an easy Death; because as it said, _It must be done to him as he has done to me._ The Apparition also said, That _Giles Cory_, was carry'd to the Court for this, and that the Jury had found the Murder, and that her Father knew the man, and the thing was done before she was born. Now Sir, This is not a little strange to us; that no body should Remember these things, all the while that _Giles Cory_ was in Prison, and so often before the Court. For all people now Remember very well, (and the Records of the Court also mention it,) That about Seventeen Years ago, _Giles Cory_ kept a man in his House, that was almost a Natural Fool: which Man Dy'd suddenly. A Jury was impannel'd upon him, among whom was Dr. _Zorobbabel Endicot_; who found the man bruised to Death, and having clodders of Blood about his Heart. The Jury, whereof several are yet alive brought in the man Murdered; but as if some Enchantment had hindred the Prosecution of the Matter, the Court Proceeded not against _Giles Cory_, tho' it cost him a great deal of Mony to get off.' Thus the Story.

_The Reverend and Worthy Author, having at the Direction of His EXCELLENCY the Governour, so far Obliged the Publick, as to give some Account of the Sufferings brought upon the Countrey by +Witchcraft+; and of the Tryals which have passed upon several Executed for the Same:_

_Upon Perusal thereof, We find the Matters of Fact and Evidence, Truly reported. And a Prospect given, of the +Methods of Conviction+, used in the Proceedings of the Court at +Salem+_

Boston Octob. 11. William Stoughton
1692. Samuel Sewall.

But is _New-England_, the only Christian Countrey, that hath undergone such Diabolical Molestations? No, there are other Good people, that have in this way been harassed; but none in circumstances more like to _Ours_, than the people of God, in _Sweedland_. The story is a very Famous one; and it comes to Speak English by the Acute Pen of the Excellent and Renowned Dr. _Horneck_. I shall only single out a few of the more Memorable passages therein Occurring; and where it agrees with what happened among ourselves, my Reader shall understand, by my inserting a Word of every such thing in \Black Letter\.

I. It was in the Year 1669. and 1670. That at _Mohra_ in _Sweedland_, the \Devils\ by the help of \Witches\, committed a most horrible outrage. Among other Instances of Hellish Tyranny there exercised. One was, that Hundreds of their Children, were usually in the Night fetcht from their Lodgings, to a Diabolical Rendezvouz, at a place they called, _Blockula_, where the Monsters that so Spirited them, \Tempted\ them all manner of Ways to \Associate\ with them. Yea, such was the perillous Growth of this _Witchcraft_, that Persons of Quality began to send their Children into other Countries to avoid it.

II. The Inhabitants had earnestly sought God by \Prayer\; and \Yet\ their Affliction \Continued\. Whereupon \Judges\ had a Special \Commission\ to find and root out the Hellish Crew; and the rather, because another County in the Kingdom, which had been so molested, was delivered upon the Execution of the _Witches_.

III. The \Examination\, was begun with a Day of \Humiliation\; appointed by Authority. Whereupon the Commissioners \Consulting\, how they might resist such a Dangerous Flood, the \Suffering Children\, were first Examined; and tho' they were Questioned \One\ by \One\ apart, yet their \Declarations All Agreed\. The \Witches\ Accus'd in these Declarations, were then Examined; and tho' at first they obstinately \Denied\, yet at length many of them ingeniously \Confessed\ the Truth of what the children had said; owning with Tears, that the \Devil\, whom they call'd _Locyta_, had \Stopt\ their \Mouths\; but he being now \Gone\ from them, they could \No Longer Conceal\ the Business. The things by them \Acknowledged\, most wonderfully \Agreed\ with what other Witches, in other places had confessed.

IV. They confessed, that they did use to \Call upon\ the \Devil\, who thereupon would \Carry\ them away, over the Tops of Houses, to a Green Meadow, where they gave themselves unto him. Only one of them said, That sometimes the _Devil_ only took away her \Strength\, leaving her \Body\ on the ground; but she went at other times in \Body\ too.

V. Their manner was to come into the \Chambers\ of people, and fetch away their children upon Beasts, of the Devils providing: promising \Fine Cloaths\ and other Fine Things unto them, to inveagle them. They said, they never had power to do thus, till of late; but now the Devil did \Plague\ and \Beat\ them, if they did not gratifie him, in this piece of Mischief. They said, they made use of all sorts of \Instruments\ in their Journeys! Of \Men\, of \Beasts\, of \Posts\; the _Men_ they commonly laid asleep at the place, whereto they rode them; and if the children mentioned the \Names\ of them that stole them away, they were miserably \Scurged\ for it, until some of them were killed. The \Judges\ found the marks of the Lashes on some of them; but the Witches said, \They would Quickly vanish\. Moreover the Children would be in \strange Fits\, after they were brought Home from these Transportations.

VI. The \First Thing\, they said, they were to do at _Blockula_, was to give themselves unto the Devil, and \Vow\ that they would serve him. Hereupon, they \cut their Fingers\, and with \Blood\ writ their \Names\ in his \Book\. And he also caused them to be \Baptised\ by such \Priests\, as he had, in this Horrid company. In \some\ of them, the \Mark\ of the \cut Finger\ was to be found; they said, that the Devil gave \Meat\ and \Drink\, as to _Them_, so to the Children they brought with them: that afterwards their Custom was to _Dance_ before him; and _swear_ and _curse_ most horribly; they said, that the Devil show'd them a great, Frightful, Cruel _Dragon_, telling them, \If they confessed any Thing\, he would let loose that Great Devil upon them; they added, that the Devil had a \Church\, and that when the \Judges\ were coming, he told them, \he would kill them all\; and that some of them had \Attempted to Murder the Judges\, but \could not\.

VII. Some of the \Children\, talked much of a \White Angel\, which did use to \Forbid\ them, what the Devil had bid them to do, and \Assure\ them that these doings would \Not last long\; but that what had been done was permitted for the wickedness of the People. This \White Angel\, would sometimes rescue the Children, from \Going in\, with the Witches.

VIII. The Witches confessed many mischiefs done by them, declaring with what kind of \Enchanted Tools\, they did their Mischiefs. They sought especially to \kill the Minister\ of _Elfdale_, but could not. But some of them said, that such as they wounded, would \Be recovered\, upon or before their Execution.

IX. The \Judges\ would fain have seen them show some of their \Tricks\; but they Unanimously declared, that, \Since they had confessed\, all, they found all their \Witchcraft\ gone; and the Devil then Appeared very Terrible unto them, threatning with an \Iron Fork\, to thrust them into a Burning Pit, if they persisted in their Confession.

X. There were discovered no less than _threescore and ten_ Witches in One Village, \three and twenty\ of which \freely confessing\ their Crimes, were condemned to dy. The rest, (\One\ pretending she was with Child) were sent to _Fahluna_, where most of them were afterwards executed. Fifteen Children, which confessed themselves engaged in this Witchery, dyed as the rest. Six and Thirty of them between _nine_ and _sixteen_ years of Age, who had been less guilty, were forced to run the Gantlet, and be lashed on their hands once a Week, for a year together; twenty more who had less inclination to these Infernal enterprises, were lashed with Rods upon their Hands for three Sundays together, at the Church door; the number of the seduced Children, was about three hundred. This course, together with \Prayers\, in all the Churches thro' the Kingdom, issued in the deliverance of the Country.

XI. The most Accomplished Dr. _Horneck_ inserts a most wise caution, in his preface to this Narrative, says he, _there is no Public Calamity, but some ill people, will serve themselves of the sad providence, and make use of it for their own ends; as +Thieves+ when an house or town is on fire, will steal what they can._ And he mentions a Remarkable Story of a young Woman, at _Stockholm_, in the year 1676, Who accused her own Mother of being a Witch; and swore positively, that she had carried her away in the Night; the poor Woman was burnt upon it: professing her innocency to the last. But tho' she had been an Ill Woman, yet it afterwards prov'd that she was not _such_ an one; for her Daughter came to the Judges, with hideous Lamentations, Confessing, That she had wronged her Mother, out of a wicked spite against her; whereupon the Judges gave order for her Execution too.

But, so much of these things; And, now, _Lord, make these Labours of thy Servant, Profitable to thy People._

MATTER OMITTED IN THE TRIALS.

Nineteen Witches have been Executed at _New-England_, one of them was a Minister, and two Ministers more are Accus'd. There is a hundred Witches more in Prison, which broke Prison, and about two Hundred more are Accus'd, some Men of great Estates in _Boston_, have been accus'd for _Witchcraft_. Those Hundred now in Prison accus'd for Witches, were Committed by fifty of themselves being _Witches_, some of _Boston_, but most about _Salem_, and the Towns Adjacent. Mr. _Increase Mather_ has Published a Book about _Witchcraft_, occasioned by the late Trials of Witches, which will be speedily printed in _London_ by _John Dunton_.

THE DEVIL DISCOVERED.

2 Cor. II. 11. _We are not Ignorant of His DEVICES._

Our Blessed Saviour has blessed us, with a counsil, as Wholsome and as Needful as any that can be given us, in _Math. 26.41._ _Watch and Pray, that yee Enter not into Temptation._ As there is a Tempting _Flesh_, and a Tempting _World_, which would seduce us from Our Obedience to the Laws of God, so there is a Busy _Devil_, who is by way of Eminency called, _The Tempter_; because by him, the Temptations of the _Flesh_ and the _World_ are managed.

It is not _One Devil_ alone, that has Cunning or Power enough to apply the Multitudes of _Temptations_, whereby Mankind is daily diverted from the Service of God; No, the _High Places_ of Our Air, are Swarming full of those _Wicked Spirits_, whose Temptations trouble us; they are so many, that it seems no less than a _Legion_, or more than twelve thousands may be spared, for the Vexation of one miserable man. But because those Apostate Angels, are all _United_, under one Infernal Monarch, in the Designs of Mischief, 'tis in the Singular Number, that they are spoken of. Now, the _Devil_, whose Malice and Envy, prompts him to do what he can, that we may be as unhappy as himself, do's ordinarily use more _Fraud_, than _Force_, in his assaulting of us; he that assail'd our First Parents, in a _Serpent_, will still _Act Like a Serpent_, rather than a _Lion_, in prosecuting of his wicked purposes upon us, and for us to guard against the _Wiles_ of the _Wicked One_, is one of the greatest cares, with which our God ha's charged us.

We are all of us liable to various _Temptations_ every day, whereby if we are carried aside from the strait _Paths of Righteousness_, we get all sorts of wounds unto our selves. Of _Temptations_, I may say, as the Wise Man said, of _Mortality_; _there is no discharge from that war._ The _Devils_ fell hard upon both _Adams_, nor may any among the Children of both, imagine to be excused. The _Son_ of God Himself, had this _Dog_ of Hell, barking at Him; and much more may the Children of _Men_, look to be thus Visited; indeed, there is hardly any _Temptation_, but what is, _Common to Man_. When I was considering, how to spend one Hour in Raising a most Effectual and Profitable _Breast-work_, against the inroads of this Enemy, I perceived it would be done, by a short answer to this.

CASE.

_What are those Usual +Methods+ of +Temptation+, with which the Powers of Darkness do assault the Children of Men?_