Some philosophical considerations touching the being of witches and witchcraft written in a letter to the much honour'd Robert Hunt, Esq. / by J.G., a member of the Royal Society.
         Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680.
      
       
         
           1667
        
      
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             Some philosophical considerations touching the being of witches and witchcraft written in a letter to the much honour'd Robert Hunt, Esq. / by J.G., a member of the Royal Society.
             Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680.
             Hunt, Robert, Esq.
          
           [2], 62, [1] p.
           
             Printed by E.C. for James Collins ...,
             London :
             1667.
          
           
             Advertisement on p. [1] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           Some
           Philosophical
           CONSIDERATIONS
           Touching
           the
           Being
           of
           WITCHES
           AND
           WITCHCRAFT
           .
           WRITTEN
           In
           a
           LETTER
           to
           the
           much
           Honour'd
           
             ROBERT
             HUNT
             
               Esq
            
          
        
         
           By
           
             I.
             G.
          
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           Royal
           Society
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           by
           
             E.
             C.
          
           for
           
             Iames
             Collins
          
           at
           the
           Kings-head
           in
           Westminster-Hall
           ,
           1667.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           Some
           CONSIDERATIONS
           About
           WITCHCRAFT
           ,
           In
           A
           Letter
           to
           Robert
           Hunt
           Esquire
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           frequent
           and
           late
           dealings
           you
           have
           had
           in
           the
           Examination
           of
           Witches
           ,
           and
           the
           Regards
           of
           one
           that
           hath
           a
           very
           particular
           Honour
           for
           you
           ,
           have
           brought
           you
           the
           trouble
           of
           some
           Considerations
           on
           the
           subject
           ,
           which
           though
           they
           are
           the
           careless
           and
           hasty
           products
           of
           a
           sitting
           or
           two
           ,
           may
           yet
           ,
           I
           hope
           afford
           you
           some
           not
           unreasonable
           accounts
           of
           the
           odd
           phaenomena
           of
           Witchcraft
           and
           Fascination
           ,
           and
           contribute
           to
           the
           Defence
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           certainly
           of
           Matters
           which
           you
           
           know
           by
           Experiments
           that
           could
           not
           deceive
           ,
           in
           spite
           of
           the
           
             little
             exceptions
          
           of
           those
           that
           are
           resolved
           to
           believe
           nothing
           in
           affairs
           of
           this
           nature
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           any
           thing
           were
           to
           be
           much
           admired
           in
           an
           Age
           of
           Wonders
           ,
           not
           onely
           of
           Nature
           (
           which
           is
           a
           
             constant
             Prodigy
          
           )
           by
           of
           Men
           and
           Manners
           ;
           it
           would
           be
           to
           me
           matter
           of
           Astonishment
           ,
           that
           Men
           ,
           otherwise
           witty
           and
           ingenious
           ,
           are
           fall'n
           into
           the
           conceit
           that
           there
           's
           
             no
             such
             thing
          
           as
           a
           Witch
           or
           Apparition
           ,
           but
           that
           these
           are
           the
           creatures
           of
           Melancholy
           and
           Superstition
           ,
           foster'd
           by
           ignorance
           and
           design
           ;
           which
           ,
           comparing
           the
           confidence
           of
           their
           disbelief
           with
           the
           evidence
           of
           the
           
             things
             denied
          
           ,
           and
           the
           weakness
           of
           their
           grounds
           ,
           would
           almost
           suggest
           ,
           that
           themselves
           are
           argument
           of
           what
           they
           deny
           :
           and
           that
           so
           confident
           an
           Opinion
           could
           not
           be
           held
           upon
           such
           inducements
           ,
           but
           by
           some
           kind
           of
           Witchcraft
           and
           Fascination
           in
           the
           Fancy
           .
           And
           perhaps
           that
           
             evil
             Spirit
          
           ,
           whose
           influences
           they
           will
           not
           allow
           in
           Actions
           ascribed
           to
           such
           Causes
           ,
           hath
           a
           greater
           hand
           and
           interest
           in
           their
           Proposition
           that
           they
           are
           aware
           of
           .
           For
           that
           subtil
           Enemy
           of
           Mankind
           (
           since
           providence
           will
           not
           permit
           him
           to
           mischief
           us
           without
           our
           own
           concurrence
           )
           attempts
           that
           by
           stratagem
           and
           artifice
           ,
           which
           he
           could
           never
           
           effect
           by
           open
           ways
           of
           acting
           ;
           and
           the
           success
           of
           all
           wiles
           depending
           upon
           their
           secrecy
           and
           concealment
           ,
           his
           influence
           is
           never
           more
           dangerous
           than
           when
           his
           agency
           is
           least
           suspected
           .
           In
           order
           therefore
           to
           the
           carrying
           on
           the
           dark
           and
           
             hidden
             designs
          
           he
           manageth
           against
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           our
           Souls
           ,
           he
           cannot
           expect
           to
           advantage
           himself
           more
           ,
           than
           by
           insinuating
           a
           belief
           ,
           
             That
             there
             is
             no
             such
             thing
             as
             himself
             ,
          
           but
           that
           fear
           and
           fancy
           make
           Devils
           now
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           Gods
           of
           old
           .
           Nor
           can
           he
           ever
           draw
           the
           assent
           of
           men
           to
           so
           dangerous
           an
           assertion
           ,
           while
           the
           
             standing
             sensible
          
           evidences
           of
           his
           existence
           in
           his
           practices
           by
           and
           upon
           his
           Instruments
           are
           not
           discredited
           and
           removed
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           doubtless
           therefore
           the
           interest
           of
           this
           Agent
           of
           darkness
           to
           have
           the
           world
           believe
           ,
           that
           the
           notion
           they
           have
           of
           him
           is
           but
           a
           phantome
           and
           conceit
           ;
           and
           in
           order
           thereunto
           ,
           That
           the
           stories
           of
           
             Witches
             ,
             Apparitions
          
           ,
           and
           indeed
           every
           thing
           that
           brings
           tidings
           of
           another
           world
           ,
           are
           but
           
             melancholick
             Dreams
          
           and
           
             pious
             Romances
          
           ,
           And
           when
           men
           are
           arriv'd
           thus
           far
           ,
           to
           think
           there
           are
           no
           
             diabolical
             contracts
          
           or
           apparitions
           ,
           their
           belief
           that
           there
           are
           such
           Spirits
           ,
           rests
           onely
           upon
           their
           Faith
           and
           Reverence
           to
           the
           
             Divine
             Oracles
          
           ,
           which
           
           we
           have
           little
           reason
           to
           apprehend
           so
           great
           in
           such
           assertors
           ,
           as
           to
           command
           much
           from
           their
           assent
           ,
           especially
           in
           such
           things
           in
           which
           they
           have
           
             corrupt
             interests
          
           against
           their
           evidence
           .
           So
           that
           he
           that
           thinks
           there
           is
           no
           Witch
           ,
           believes
           a
           
             Devil
             gratis
          
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           upon
           such
           inducements
           which
           he
           is
           like
           to
           find
           himself
           disposed
           to
           deny
           when
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           And
           when
           men
           are
           arrived
           to
           this
           degree
           of
           diffidence
           and
           infidelity
           ,
           we
           are
           beholden
           to
           them
           if
           they
           believe
           either
           Angel
           or
           
             Spirit
             ,
             Resurrection
          
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           or
           Immortality
           of
           Souls
           .
           These
           things
           hang
           together
           in
           a
           Chain
           of
           connexion
           ,
           at
           least
           in
           these
           mens
           Hypothesis
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           but
           an
           happy
           chance
           if
           he
           that
           hath
           lost
           
             one
             link
          
           hold
           another
           .
           So
           that
           the
           vitals
           of
           Religion
           being
           so
           much
           interressed
           in
           this
           subject
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           impertinent
           particularly
           to
           discourse
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           order
           to
           the
           proof
           that
           there
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           
             unlawfull
             confederacies
          
           with
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           which
           the
           
             hellish
             accomplices
          
           perform
           things
           above
           their
           natural
           powers
           ;
           I
           must
           premise
           ,
           that
           this
           being
           matter
           of
           Fact
           ,
           is
           only
           capable
           of
           the
           evidence
           of
           authority
           and
           sense
           :
           And
           by
           both
           these
           ,
           the
           being
           of
           Witches
           and
           
             diabolical
             contracts
          
           ,
           is
           most
           abundantly
           confirm'd
           .
           All
           Histories
           are
           
           full
           of
           the
           exploits
           of
           those
           Instruments
           of
           darkness
           ,
           and
           the
           tesimony
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           not
           onely
           of
           the
           rude
           and
           barbarous
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           most
           civiliz'd
           and
           polish'd
           world
           ,
           brings
           tidings
           of
           their
           strange
           performances
           .
           We
           have
           the
           attestation
           of
           thousands
           of
           eye
           and
           ear-witnesses
           ,
           and
           those
           not
           of
           the
           easily
           deceivable
           vulgar
           onely
           ,
           but
           of
           wise
           and
           grave
           discerners
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           no
           interest
           could
           oblige
           them
           to
           agree
           together
           in
           a
           common
           Lie
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           light
           of
           all
           these
           circumstances
           to
           confirm
           us
           in
           the
           belief
           of
           things
           done
           by
           persons
           of
           despicable
           power
           and
           knowledge
           ,
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           Art
           and
           
             ordinary
             Nature
          
           ;
           standing
           publick
           Records
           have
           been
           kept
           of
           these
           well
           attested
           Relations
           ,
           and
           Epocha's
           made
           of
           those
           unwonted
           events
           .
           Laws
           in
           many
           Nations
           have
           been
           enacted
           against
           those
           vile
           practises
           ;
           those
           among
           the
           Iews
           and
           our
           own
           are
           notorious
           ;
           such
           cases
           have
           been
           often
           determined
           near
           us
           ,
           by
           wise
           and
           
             reverend
             Iudges
          
           ,
           upon
           clear
           and
           convictive
           evidence
           :
           and
           thousands
           in
           our
           own
           Nation
           have
           suffered
           death
           for
           their
           
             vile
             compacts
          
           with
           
             apostate
             spirits
          
           .
           All
           these
           I
           might
           largely
           prove
           in
           their
           particular
           instances
           ,
           but
           that
           't
           is
           not
           needful
           ,
           since
           those
           that
           deny
           the
           being
           of
           Witches
           ,
           do
           it
           not
           out
           of
           ignorance
           of
           these
           
           Heads
           of
           Argument
           ,
           of
           which
           probably
           they
           have
           heard
           a
           thousand
           times
           ,
           but
           from
           an
           apprehension
           that
           such
           a
           
             belief
             is
             absurd
          
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           impossible
           .
           And
           upon
           these
           presumptions
           they
           contemn
           all
           demonstrations
           of
           this
           nature
           ,
           and
           are
           hardned
           against
           conviction
           .
           And
           I
           think
           ,
           those
           that
           can
           believe
           all
           Histories
           are
           Romances
           that
           all
           the
           wiser
           world
           have
           agreed
           together
           to
           juggle
           mankind
           into
           a
           common
           belief
           of
           
             ungrounded
             fables
          
           ,
           that
           the
           
             sound
             senses
          
           of
           multitudes
           together
           may
           deceive
           them
           ,
           and
           Laws
           are
           built
           upon
           Chymera's
           ;
           that
           the
           gravest
           and
           
             wisest
             Iudges
          
           have
           been
           Murderers
           ,
           and
           the
           sagest
           persons
           Fools
           ,
           or
           
             designing
             Impostors
          
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           those
           that
           can
           believe
           this
           heap
           of
           absurdities
           ,
           are
           either
           more
           credulous
           than
           those
           whose
           credulity
           they
           reprehend
           ,
           or
           else
           have
           some
           
             extraordinary
             evidence
          
           of
           their
           perswasion
           ,
           
             viz.
             That
             't
             is
             absurd
             and
             impossible
             there
             should
             be
             a
             Witch
             or
             Apparition
             .
          
           And
           I
           am
           confident
           ,
           were
           those
           
             little
             appearances
          
           remov'd
           ,
           which
           men
           have
           form'd
           in
           their
           fancies
           against
           the
           belief
           of
           such
           things
           ,
           their
           evidence
           would
           make
           its
           way
           to
           their
           assent
           ,
           without
           any
           more
           arguments
           than
           what
           they
           know
           already
           to
           enforce
           it
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           then
           necessary
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           establishing
           the
           belief
           I
           would
           
           reconcile
           to
           men's
           minds
           ,
           but
           to
           endeavour
           the
           removal
           of
           those
           prejudices
           they
           have
           received
           against
           it
           ,
           the
           chief
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           particularly
           deal
           with
           ;
           and
           I
           begin
           with
           that
           
             bold
             Assertion
          
           ,
           That
        
         
           (
           1
           )
           The
           notion
           of
           a
           Spirit
           is
           impossible
           and
           contradictious
           ,
           and
           consequently
           so
           is
           that
           of
           Witches
           ,
           the
           belief
           of
           which
           is
           founded
           on
           that
           Doctrine
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           Objection
           I
           answer
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           If
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Spirit
           be
           so
           absurd
           as
           is
           pretended
           ,
           that
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           
             Soul
             ,
             distinct
          
           from
           matter
           and
           immortal
           ,
           is
           likewise
           an
           absurdity
           .
           And
           then
           that
           the
           world
           was
           jumbled
           into
           this
           elegant
           and
           
             orderly
             Fabrick
          
           by
           chance
           ;
           and
           that
           our
           Souls
           are
           onely
           parts
           of
           Matter
           ,
           that
           came
           together
           we
           know
           not
           whence
           ,
           nor
           how
           ;
           and
           shall
           again
           shortly
           be
           dissolv'd
           into
           those
           
             loose
             Atoms
          
           that
           compound
           them
           ;
           That
           all
           our
           conceptions
           are
           but
           the
           thrusting
           of
           one
           part
           of
           matter
           against
           another
           ;
           and
           the
           Idea's
           of
           our
           minds
           meer
           blind
           and
           
             casual
             motions
          
           ;
           These
           and
           a
           thousand
           more
           the
           grossest
           impossibilities
           and
           absurdities
           ,
           consequents
           of
           this
           
             Proposition
             ,
             That
             the
             notion
             of
             a
          
           Spirit
           
             is
             absurd
          
           ,
           will
           be
           
             sad
             certainties
          
           and
           demonstrations
           .
           And
           with
           
           such
           Assertors
           I
           would
           cease
           to
           discourse
           about
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           and
           address
           my self
           to
           obtain
           their
           assent
           to
           truths
           infinitely
           more
           Sacred
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           (
           2
           )
           though
           it
           should
           be
           granted
           them
           ,
           that
           a
           
             substance
             immaterial
          
           is
           as
           much
           a
           contradiction
           as
           they
           can
           fancy
           ;
           yet
           the
           Air
           and
           all
           the
           Regions
           above
           us
           may
           have
           their
           
             invisible
             intellectual
             Agents
          
           ,
           of
           nature
           like
           unto
           our
           Souls
           ,
           be
           that
           what
           it
           will
           ;
           and
           some
           of
           them
           at
           least
           as
           much
           degenerate
           as
           the
           vilest
           and
           most
           mischievous
           among
           Men.
           This
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           may
           reasonably
           enough
           be
           supposed
           ,
           though
           ,
           as
           I
           intimated
           above
           ,
           the
           Atheist
           hath
           another
           chain
           of
           consequences
           .
           And
           this
           Hypothesis
           will
           be
           enough
           to
           secure
           the
           possibility
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           :
           and
           that
           all
           the
           
             upper
             Stories
          
           of
           the
           Universe
           are
           furnish'd
           with
           Inhabitants
           ,
           't
           is
           infinitely
           reasonable
           to
           conclude
           from
           the
           analogy
           of
           Nature
           :
           Since
           we
           see
           there
           is
           nothing
           so
           contemptible
           and
           vile
           in
           the
           world
           we
           reside
           in
           ,
           but
           hath
           its
           living
           creatures
           that
           dwell
           upon
           it
           ;
           the
           Earth
           ,
           the
           Water
           ,
           the
           
             inferiour
             Air
          
           ;
           the
           Bodies
           of
           Animals
           ,
           the
           flesh
           ,
           the
           skin
           ,
           the
           entrails
           ;
           the
           leaves
           ,
           the
           roots
           ,
           the
           stalks
           of
           Vegetables
           ;
           yea
           and
           all
           kind
           of
           Minerals
           in
           the
           
             subterraneous
             Regions
          
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           all
           these
           have
           their
           
             proper
             Inhabitants
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           I
           
           suppose
           this
           Rule
           may
           hold
           in
           all
           distinct
           kinds
           of
           bodies
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           That
           they
           have
           their
           
             peculiar
             Animals
          
           .
           The
           certainty
           of
           which
           I
           believe
           the
           improvement
           of
           
             microscopical
             observation
          
           will
           discover
           .
           From
           whence
           I
           infer
           ,
           That
           since
           this
           little
           spot
           is
           so
           
             thickly
             peopled
          
           in
           every
           Atom
           of
           it
           ,
           't
           is
           weakness
           to
           think
           that
           all
           the
           
             vast
             spaces
          
           above
           ,
           and
           hollows
           under
           ground
           ,
           are
           desert
           and
           uninhabited
           .
           And
           if
           both
           the
           superiour
           and
           
             lower
             Continents
          
           of
           the
           Universe
           have
           their
           inhabitants
           also
           ,
           't
           is
           exceedingly
           improbable
           ,
           arguing
           from
           the
           same
           analogy
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           all
           of
           the
           meer
           
             sensible
             nature
          
           ,
           but
           that
           there
           are
           at
           least
           some
           of
           the
           Rational
           and
           Intellectual
           Orders
           .
           Which
           supposed
           ,
           there
           is
           good
           foundation
           for
           the
           belief
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           though
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           Spirit
           should
           prove
           absurd
           and
           unphilosophical
           .
           And
           so
           this
           first
           Objection
           comes
           to
           nothing
           .
           I
           descend
           then
           to
           the
           second
           Prejudice
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           thus
           formed
           in
           behalf
           of
           the
           Objectors
           .
        
         
           (
           2
           )
           There
           are
           Actions
           in
           most
           of
           those
           Relations
           ascribed
           to
           Witches
           ,
           which
           are
           ridiculous
           and
           impossible
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           things
           ;
           such
           are
           (
           1
           )
           their
           flying
           out
           of
           windows
           ,
           after
           they
           have
           annointed
           themselves
           ,
           to
           remote
           places
           .
           (
           2
           )
           Their
           transformation
           into
           Cats
           ,
           Hares
           ,
           and
           other
           Creatures
           .
           (
           3
           )
           Their
           feeling
           all
           the
           hurts
           in
           their
           own
           
           bodies
           which
           they
           have
           received
           in
           these
           .
           (
           4
           )
           Their
           
             rasing
             Tempests
          
           ,
           by
           muttering
           some
           nonsensical
           words
           ,
           or
           performing
           some
           little
           ridiculous
           ceremonies
           .
           And
           (
           5
           )
           their
           being
           suck'd
           in
           a
           certain
           private
           place
           of
           their
           bodies
           by
           a
           Familiar
           .
           These
           are
           presumed
           to
           be
           actions
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           nature
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           above
           the
           powers
           of
           those
           poor
           and
           miserable
           Agents
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Objection
           supposeth
           them
           performed
           only
           by
           the
           fancy
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           whole
           mystery
           of
           Witchcraft
           is
           but
           an
           illusion
           of
           
             crasie
             imagination
          
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           this
           Objection
           I
           return
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           The
           more
           absurd
           and
           unaccountable
           these
           actions
           seem
           ,
           the
           greater
           confirmations
           are
           they
           to
           me
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           those
           Relations
           ,
           and
           the
           reality
           of
           what
           the
           Objectors
           would
           destroy
           .
           For
           these
           circumstances
           being
           exceeding
           unlikely
           ,
           judging
           by
           the
           measures
           of
           common
           belief
           ,
           't
           is
           the
           greater
           probability
           they
           are
           not
           fictitious
           ;
           For
           the
           contrivers
           of
           Fictions
           use
           to
           form
           them
           as
           near
           as
           they
           can
           conformably
           to
           the
           most
           
             unsuspected
             realities
          
           ,
           endeavouring
           to
           make
           them
           look
           as
           
             like
             truth
          
           as
           is
           possible
           in
           the
           main
           supposals
           ,
           though
           withal
           they
           make
           them
           strange
           in
           the
           circumstance
           .
           None
           but
           a
           fool
           or
           mad-man
           would
           relate
           with
           a
           purpose
           of
           having
           it
           believed
           ,
           that
           he
           saw
           in
           
             Ireland
             ,
             Men
          
           with
           hoofs
           on
           their
           heads
           ,
           and
           eyes
           in
           their
           posteriors
           ;
           
           or
           ,
           if
           any
           should
           be
           so
           ridiculously
           vain
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           serious
           in
           such
           an
           
             incredible
             Romance
          
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           that
           all
           Travellers
           that
           come
           into
           those
           parts
           after
           him
           should
           tell
           the
           same
           story
           .
           There
           is
           large
           field
           in
           fiction
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           those
           Relations
           were
           
             arbitrary
             compositions
          
           ,
           doubtless
           the
           first
           Romancers
           would
           have
           framed
           them
           more
           agreeable
           to
           the
           common
           doctrine
           of
           Spirits
           ;
           at
           least
           ,
           after
           these
           
             supposed
             absurdities
          
           had
           been
           a
           thousand
           times
           laugh'd
           at
           ,
           people
           by
           this
           time
           would
           have
           learn'd
           to
           correct
           those
           
             obnoxious
             extravagancies
          
           ;
           and
           though
           they
           have
           not
           yet
           more
           veracity
           than
           the
           Ages
           of
           Ignorance
           and
           Superstition
           ,
           yet
           one
           would
           expect
           they
           should
           have
           got
           more
           cunning
           .
           This
           suppos'd
           impossibility
           then
           of
           these
           performances
           ,
           seems
           to
           me
           a
           
             probable
             argument
          
           that
           they
           are
           not
           wilful
           and
           designed
           forgeries
           .
           And
           if
           they
           are
           Phancyes
           ,
           't
           is
           somewhat
           strange
           that
           Imagination
           which
           is
           the
           most
           
             various
             thing
          
           in
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           should
           infinitely
           repeat
           he
           same
           conceit
           in
           all
           times
           and
           places
           .
        
         
           But
           again
           (
           2
           )
           the
           
             strange
             Actions
          
           related
           of
           Witches
           ,
           and
           presumed
           impossible
           ,
           are
           not
           ascribed
           to
           their
           own
           powers
           ;
           but
           to
           the
           Agency
           of
           those
           
             wicked
             Confederates
          
           they
           imploy
           :
           And
           to
           affirm
           that
           those
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           cannot
           do
           that
           which
           we
           conceit
           impossible
           ,
           is
           boldly
           to
           stint
           
           the
           powers
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           whose
           natures
           and
           faculties
           we
           know
           not
           ,
           and
           to
           measure
           the
           world
           of
           spirits
           by
           the
           narrow
           rules
           of
           our
           own
           
             impotent
             beings
          
           .
           Wee
           see
           among
           our selves
           the
           performances
           of
           some
           out-go
           the
           conceits
           and
           possibilities
           of
           others
           ;
           and
           we
           know
           many
           things
           may
           be
           done
           by
           the
           Mathematicks
           ,
           and
           
             Mechanick
             Artifice
          
           ,
           which
           common
           heads
           think
           impossible
           to
           be
           effected
           by
           the
           honest
           ways
           of
           Art
           and
           Nature
           .
           And
           doubtless
           the
           subtilties
           and
           powers
           of
           those
           
             mischievous
             Fiends
          
           are
           as
           much
           beyond
           the
           reach
           and
           activities
           of
           the
           most
           
             knowing
             Agents
          
           among
           us
           ,
           as
           theirs
           are
           beyond
           the
           wit
           and
           ability
           of
           the
           most
           rustick
           and
           illiterate
           ;
           So
           that
           the
           utmost
           that
           any
           man's
           reason
           in
           the
           world
           can
           amount
           to
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           is
           onely
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           cannot
           conceive
           how
           such
           things
           can
           be
           performed
           ;
           which
           onely
           argues
           the
           weakness
           and
           imperfection
           of
           our
           knowledge
           and
           apprehensions
           ,
           not
           the
           impossibility
           of
           those
           performances
           ;
           and
           we
           can
           no
           more
           from
           hence
           form
           an
           Argument
           against
           them
           ,
           then
           against
           the
           most
           
             ordinary
             effects
          
           in
           Nature
           .
           We
           cannot
           conceive
           how
           the
           Faetus
           is
           form'd
           in
           the
           womb
           ,
           nor
           as
           much
           as
           how
           a
           Plant
           springs
           from
           the
           Earth
           we
           tread
           on
           ;
           we
           know
           not
           how
           our
           Souls
           move
           the
           Body
           ,
           nor
           how
           these
           distant
           and
           
           
             extreme
             natures
          
           and
           united
           ;
           And
           if
           we
           are
           ignorant
           of
           the
           most
           obvious
           things
           about
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           
             considerable
             within
          
           our selves
           ,
           't
           is
           then
           no
           wonder
           that
           we
           know
           not
           the
           constitution
           and
           powers
           of
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           to
           whom
           we
           are
           such
           strangers
           .
           Briefly
           then
           ,
           matters
           of
           fact
           well
           proved
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           denied
           ,
           because
           we
           cannot
           conceive
           how
           they
           can
           be
           perform'd
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           a
           reasonable
           method
           of
           inference
           ,
           first
           to
           presume
           the
           thing
           impossible
           ,
           and
           thence
           to
           conclude
           that
           the
           fact
           cannot
           be
           proved
           .
           On
           the
           contrary
           ,
           we
           should
           judge
           of
           the
           action
           hy
           the
           evidence
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           evidence
           by
           the
           measures
           of
           our
           fancies
           about
           the
           action
           .
           This
           is
           proudly
           to
           exalt
           our
           own
           opinions
           above
           the
           
             clearest
             testimonies
          
           ,
           and
           most
           
             sensible
             demonstrations
          
           of
           fact
           :
           and
           so
           to
           give
           the
           Lie
           to
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           rather
           then
           distrust
           the
           little
           conceits
           of
           our
           
             bold
             imaginations
          
           .
           But
           yet
           further
           ,
        
         
           (
           3.
           )
           I
           think
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           the
           instances
           mention'd
           ,
           but
           what
           may
           as
           well
           be
           accounted
           for
           the
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           and
           Philosophy
           as
           the
           ordinary
           affairs
           of
           Nature
           .
           For
           in
           resolving
           
             natural
             Phaenomena
          
           ,
           we
           can
           only
           assign
           the
           
             probable
             causes
          
           ,
           shewing
           how
           things
           
             may
             be
          
           ,
           not
           presuming
           how
           they
           are
           .
           And
           in
           the
           particulars
           under
           our
           Examen
           ,
           we
           may
           
           give
           an
           account
           how
           't
           is
           possible
           ,
           and
           not
           unlikely
           ,
           that
           such
           things
           (
           though
           somewhat
           varying
           from
           the
           common
           rode
           of
           Nature
           )
           may
           be
           acted
           .
           And
           if
           our
           narrow
           and
           contracted
           minds
           can
           furnish
           us
           with
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           way
           and
           manner
           of
           such
           performances
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           not
           the
           true
           ones
           ,
           't
           is
           an
           argument
           that
           such
           things
           may
           be
           effected
           by
           creatures
           ,
           whose
           powers
           and
           knowledge
           are
           so
           vastly
           exceeding
           ours
           .
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           therefore
           briefly
           to
           suggest
           some
           things
           that
           may
           render
           the
           possibility
           of
           these
           performances
           conceivable
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           removal
           of
           this
           Objection
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           contradictions
           and
           impossible
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           First
           then
           ,
           That
           the
           
             confederate
             Spirit
          
           should
           transport
           the
           Witch
           through
           the
           Air
           to
           the
           place
           of
           general
           Rendezvous
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           difficulty
           in
           conceiving
           ;
           and
           if
           that
           be
           true
           which
           great
           Philosophers
           affirm
           concerning
           the
           real
           separability
           of
           the
           Soul
           from
           the
           Body
           without
           death
           ,
           there
           is
           yet
           less
           ;
           for
           then
           't
           is
           easie
           to
           apprehend
           ,
           that
           the
           Soul
           ,
           having
           left
           its
           gross
           and
           
             sluggish
             Body
          
           behind
           it
           ,
           and
           being
           cloath'd
           only
           with
           its
           
             immediate
             vehicle
          
           of
           Air
           ,
           or
           more
           
             subtile
             matter
          
           ,
           may
           be
           quickly
           conducted
           to
           any
           place
           it
           would
           be
           at
           ,
           by
           those
           
             officious
             Spirits
          
           that
           attend
           it
           .
           
           And
           though
           I
           adventure
           to
           affirm
           nothing
           concerning
           the
           truth
           and
           certainty
           of
           this
           supposition
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           needs
           say
           ,
           it
           doth
           not
           seem
           to
           me
           unreasonable
           .
           And
           our
           experience
           of
           
             Apoplexies
             ,
             Epilepsies
             ,
             Extasies
          
           ,
           and
           the
           strange
           things
           men
           report
           to
           have
           seen
           during
           those
           deliquiums
           ,
           look
           favourably
           upon
           this
           conjecture
           ;
           which
           seems
           to
           me
           to
           contradict
           no
           principle
           of
           Reason
           or
           Philosophy
           ,
           since
           Death
           consists
           not
           so
           much
           in
           the
           
             actual
             separation
          
           of
           Soul
           and
           Body
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           indisposition
           and
           unfitness
           of
           the
           Body
           for
           
             vital
             union
          
           ,
           as
           an
           excellent
           Philosopher
           hath
           made
           good
           .
           On
           which
           Hypothesis
           ,
           the
           
             Witches
             annointing
          
           her self
           before
           she
           takes
           her
           flight
           ,
           may
           perhaps
           serve
           to
           keep
           the
           Body
           tenantable
           &
           in
           fit
           disposition
           to
           receive
           the
           Spirit
           at
           its
           return
           .
           These
           things
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           may
           conceive
           ,
           though
           I
           affirm
           nothing
           about
           them
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           such
           conceptions
           but
           what
           hath
           been
           affirm'd
           by
           men
           of
           worth
           and
           name
           ,
           and
           may
           seem
           fair
           and
           accountable
           enough
           to
           those
           who
           judge
           nor
           altogether
           by
           the
           measures
           of
           the
           popular
           and
           
             customary
             opinion
          
           .
           And
           there
           's
           a
           saying
           of
           a
           great
           Apostle
           that
           seems
           to
           countenance
           this
           
             Platonick
             opinion
          
           ;
           what
           is
           the
           meaning
           else
           of
           that
           expression
           ,
           [
           
             Whether
             in
             the
             body
             or
             out
             of
             the
             body
             I
             cannot
             tell
          
           ]
           except
           the
           Soul
           may
           be
           separated
           from
           the
           
           Body
           without
           death
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           be
           granted
           possible
           ,
           't
           is
           sufficient
           for
           my
           purpose
           .
           And
        
         
           (
           2
           )
           The
           Transformations
           of
           Witches
           into
           the
           shapes
           of
           other
           Animals
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           supposal
           is
           very
           conceivable
           ,
           since
           then
           't
           is
           easie
           enough
           to
           imagin
           ,
           that
           the
           power
           of
           imagination
           may
           form
           those
           passive
           and
           
             pliable
             vehicles
          
           into
           those
           shapes
           ,
           with
           more
           ease
           then
           the
           fancie
           of
           the
           Mother
           can
           the
           stubborn
           matter
           of
           the
           Foetus
           in
           the
           womb
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           it
           frequently
           doth
           in
           the
           instances
           that
           occur
           of
           Signatures
           and
           
             monstrous
             Singularities
          
           ;
           And
           perhaps
           sometimes
           the
           
             confederate
             Spirit
          
           puts
           tricks
           upon
           the
           senses
           of
           the
           spectators
           ,
           and
           those
           shapes
           are
           onely
           illusions
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           (
           3
           )
           when
           they
           feel
           the
           hurts
           in
           their
           gross
           bodies
           ,
           that
           they
           receive
           in
           their
           
             aëry
             vehicles
          
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           been
           really
           present
           ,
           at
           least
           in
           these
           latter
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           no
           more
           difficult
           to
           apprehend
           how
           the
           hurts
           of
           those
           should
           be
           translated
           upon
           their
           
             other
             bodies
          
           ,
           then
           how
           diseases
           should
           be
           inflicted
           by
           the
           imagination
           ,
           or
           how
           the
           fancy
           of
           the
           Mother
           should
           wound
           the
           Foetus
           ,
           as
           several
           credible
           relations
           do
           attest
           .
        
         
           And
           (
           4
           )
           for
           their
           
             raising
             storms
          
           and
           tempests
           ,
           they
           do
           it
           not
           ,
           be
           sure
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           the
           Air
           ,
           their
           friend
           and
           
           allie
           ;
           and
           the
           Ceremonies
           that
           are
           injoin'd
           them
           ,
           are
           doubtless
           nothing
           else
           but
           entertainments
           for
           their
           imaginations
           ,
           and
           are
           likely
           design'd
           to
           persuade
           them
           ,
           that
           
             they
             do
          
           these
           strange
           things
           themselves
           .
        
         
           And
           (
           lastly
           )
           for
           their
           being
           suck'd
           by
           the
           Familiar
           ,
           I
           say
           (
           1
           )
           we
           know
           so
           little
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           Daemons
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           we
           cannot
           certainly
           divine
           the
           reason
           of
           so
           strange
           an
           action
           .
           And
           yet
           (
           2
           )
           we
           may
           conjecture
           at
           some
           things
           that
           may
           render
           it
           less
           imporbable
           .
           For
           some
           have
           thought
           that
           the
           Genii
           (
           whom
           both
           the
           Platonical
           and
           
             Christian
             Antiquity
          
           thought
           embodied
           )
           are
           recreated
           by
           the
           reeks
           and
           vapours
           of
           
             humane
             bloud
          
           and
           the
           spirits
           that
           derive
           from
           them
           .
           Which
           supposal
           (
           if
           we
           grant
           them
           bodies
           )
           is
           not
           unlikely
           ,
           every
           thing
           being
           refresh'd
           and
           nourish'd
           by
           its
           like
           .
           And
           that
           they
           are
           not
           perfectly
           abstract
           from
           all
           body
           and
           matter
           ,
           besides
           the
           reverence
           we
           owe
           to
           the
           wisest
           antiquity
           ,
           there
           are
           several
           considerable
           arguments
           I
           could
           alledge
           to
           render
           it
           exceeding
           probable
           .
           Which
           things
           supposed
           ,
           the
           
             Devil
             's
             sucking
          
           the
           Sorceress
           is
           no
           great
           wonder
           ,
           nor
           difficult
           to
           be
           accounted
           for
           .
           Or
           perhaps
           (
           3
           )
           this
           may
           be
           onely
           a
           
             diabolical
             Sacrament
          
           and
           Ceremony
           to
           confirm
           the
           
             hellish
             covenant
          
           .
           To
           which
           I
           adde
           ,
           (
           4
           )
           That
           
           which
           to
           me
           seems
           most
           
             probable
             ,
             viz.
          
           Tha
           the
           Familiar
           doth
           not
           onely
           suck
           the
           Witch
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           action
           infuseth
           some
           
             poisonous
             ferment
          
           into
           her
           ,
           which
           gives
           her
           imagination
           and
           spirits
           a
           
             magical
             tincture
          
           ,
           whereby
           they
           become
           
             mischievously
             influential
          
           :
           and
           the
           word
           venefica
           intimates
           some
           such
           matter
           .
           Now
           that
           the
           imagination
           hath
           a
           mighty
           power
           in
           operation
           ,
           is
           seen
           in
           the
           just
           now
           mention'd
           Signatures
           and
           Diseases
           that
           it
           causeth
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           fancy
           is
           modified
           by
           the
           qualities
           of
           th
           bloud
           and
           spirits
           ,
           is
           too
           evident
           to
           need
           proof
           :
           which
           things
           supposed
           ,
           't
           is
           plain
           to
           conceive
           that
           the
           
             evil
             spirit
          
           having
           breath'd
           some
           
             vile
             vapour
          
           into
           the
           body
           of
           the
           Witch
           ,
           it
           may
           taint
           her
           bloud
           and
           spirits
           with
           a
           
             noxious
             quality
          
           ,
           by
           which
           her
           
             infected
             imagination
          
           ,
           heightned
           by
           melancholy
           ,
           and
           this
           
             worse
             cause
          
           ,
           may
           do
           much
           hurt
           upon
           bodies
           that
           are
           impressive
           by
           such
           influences
           .
           And
           't
           is
           very
           likely
           that
           this
           ferment
           disposeth
           the
           imagination
           of
           the
           Sorceress
           to
           cause
           the
           mentioned
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           or
           separation
           of
           the
           soul
           from
           the
           body
           ,
           and
           may
           perhaps
           keep
           the
           body
           in
           fit
           temper
           for
           
             its
             re-entry
          
           ;
           as
           also
           it
           may
           facilitate
           transformation
           ,
           which
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           effected
           by
           ordinary
           and
           
             unassisted
             imagination
          
           .
        
         
           Thus
           we
           see
           't
           is
           not
           so
           desperate
           to
           form
           an
           
           apprehension
           of
           the
           manner
           of
           these
           odde
           performances
           ;
           and
           though
           they
           are
           not
           done
           the
           way
           I
           have
           describ'd
           ,
           yet
           what
           I
           have
           said
           may
           help
           us
           to
           a
           conceit
           of
           the
           possibility
           ,
           which
           sufficeth
           for
           my
           purpose
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Hypothesis
           I
           have
           gone
           upon
           will
           seem
           as
           unlikely
           to
           some
           ,
           as
           the
           things
           they
           attempt
           to
           explain
           are
           to
           others
           ,
           yet
           I
           must
           desire
           their
           leave
           to
           suggest
           ,
           that
           most
           things
           seem
           unlikely
           (
           especially
           to
           the
           conceited
           and
           opinionative
           )
           at
           first
           proposal
           ;
           and
           many
           great
           truths
           are
           strange
           and
           improbable
           ,
           till
           custom
           and
           acquaintance
           have
           reconciled
           them
           to
           our
           fancies
           .
           And
           I
           'le
           presume
           to
           adde
           on
           this
           occasion
           ,
           (
           though
           I
           love
           not
           to
           be
           confident
           in
           affirming
           )
           that
           there
           is
           none
           of
           the
           
             Platonical
             supposals
          
           I
           have
           used
           ,
           but
           what
           I
           could
           make
           appear
           to
           be
           fair
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           to
           the
           capable
           and
           unprejudic'd
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           come
           (
           3
           )
           to
           another
           prejudice
           against
           the
           being
           of
           Witches
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           That
           't
           is
           very
           improbable
           that
           the
           Devil
           who
           is
           a
           wise
           and
           
             mighty
             spirit
          
           ,
           should
           be
           at
           the
           beck
           of
           a
           poor
           Hag
           ,
           and
           have
           so
           little
           to
           do
           as
           to
           attend
           the
           errands
           of
           the
           
             impotent
             lusts
          
           of
           a
           
             silly
             old
             woman
          
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           I
           might
           answer
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           That
           't
           is
           much
           more
           improbable
           that
           all
           the
           world
           should
           be
           deceiv'd
           in
           matters
           of
           fact
           ,
           and
           circumstances
           
           of
           the
           clearest
           evidence
           and
           conviction
           ,
           than
           that
           the
           Devil
           ,
           who
           is
           wicked
           ,
           should
           be
           also
           unwise
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           that
           persuades
           all
           his
           subjects
           and
           accomplices
           out
           of
           their
           wits
           ,
           should
           himself
           act
           like
           his
           own
           temptations
           and
           persuasions
           .
           In
           brief
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           strange
           in
           this
           objection
           ,
           than
           that
           wickedness
           is
           baseness
           and
           servility
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Devil
           is
           at
           leisure
           to
           serve
           those
           he
           is
           at
           leisure
           to
           tempt
           ,
           and
           industrious
           to
           ruin
           .
           And
           again
           ,
           (
           2
           )
           I
           see
           no
           necessity
           to
           believe
           that
           the
           Devil
           is
           always
           the
           
             Witch's
             confederate
          
           ;
           but
           perhaps
           it
           may
           fitly
           be
           consider'd
           ,
           whether
           the
           Familiar
           be
           not
           some
           
             departed
             humane
             spirit
          
           ,
           forsaken
           of
           God
           and
           goodness
           ,
           and
           swallowed
           up
           by
           the
           unsatiable
           desire
           of
           mischief
           and
           revenge
           ,
           which
           possibly
           by
           the
           laws
           and
           capacity
           of
           its
           state
           it
           cannot
           execute
           immediately
           .
           And
           why
           we
           should
           presume
           that
           the
           Devil
           should
           have
           the
           liberty
           of
           wandering
           up
           and
           down
           the
           Earth
           and
           Air
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           said
           to
           be
           held
           in
           the
           chains
           of
           darkness
           ;
           and
           yet
           that
           the
           
             separated
             souls
          
           of
           the
           wicked
           ,
           of
           whom
           no
           such
           thing
           is
           affirm'd
           in
           any
           
             Sacred
             Record
          
           ,
           should
           be
           thought
           so
           imprison'd
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           possibly
           wag
           from
           the
           place
           of
           their
           confinement
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           shadow
           of
           conjecture
           .
           This
           conceit
           I
           'm
           confident
           hath
           prejudic'd
           many
           against
           
           the
           belief
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           they
           not
           being
           able
           to
           conceive
           that
           the
           Devil
           should
           be
           so
           ludricous
           as
           
             appearing
             spirits
          
           are
           sometimes
           reported
           to
           be
           in
           their
           frolicks
           ;
           and
           they
           presume
           ,
           that
           
             souls
             departed
          
           never
           re-visit
           the
           free
           and
           
             open
             Regions
          
           ;
           which
           confidence
           I
           know
           nothing
           to
           justifie
           :
           For
           since
           good
           men
           in
           their
           state
           of
           separation
           are
           said
           to
           be
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           why
           the
           wicked
           may
           not
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           in
           the
           worst
           sense
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           I
           know
           nothing
           to
           help
           me
           to
           imagine
           .
           And
           if
           it
           be
           supposed
           that
           the
           Imps
           of
           Witches
           are
           sometimes
           wicked
           spirits
           of
           our
           
             own
             kind
          
           and
           nature
           ,
           and
           possibly
           the
           same
           that
           have
           been
           Sorcerers
           and
           Witches
           in
           this
           life
           :
           This
           supposal
           may
           give
           a
           fairer
           and
           more
           probable
           account
           of
           many
           of
           the
           actions
           of
           Sorcery
           and
           Witchcraft
           ,
           than
           the
           other
           Hypothesis
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           always
           Devils
           .
           And
           to
           this
           conjecture
           I
           'l
           adventure
           to
           subjoyn
           another
           ,
           which
           also
           hath
           its
           
             probability
             ,
             viz.
          
           (
           3
           )
           That
           't
           is
           not
           impossible
           but
           that
           the
           Familiars
           of
           Witches
           are
           a
           servile
           kind
           of
           spirits
           ,
           of
           a
           very
           inferiour
           constitution
           and
           nature
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           those
           that
           were
           once
           of
           the
           highest
           Hierarchy
           ,
           now
           degenerated
           into
           the
           spirits
           we
           call
           Devils
           .
           And
           for
           my
           part
           I
           must
           confess
           ,
           that
           I
           think
           the
           common
           division
           of
           spirits
           much
           too
           general
           ,
           conceiving
           it
           likely
           
           there
           may
           be
           as
           great
           a
           variety
           of
           Intellectual
           creatures
           in
           the
           invisible
           world
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           of
           Animals
           in
           the
           visible
           :
           and
           that
           all
           the
           superiour
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           inferiour
           Regions
           ,
           have
           their
           several
           kinds
           of
           spirits
           ,
           differing
           in
           their
           
             natural
             perfections
          
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           the
           kinds
           and
           degrees
           of
           their
           depravities
           ;
           which
           being
           supposed
           ,
           't
           is
           very
           probable
           that
           those
           of
           the
           basest
           and
           meanest
           Orders
           are
           they
           ,
           who
           submit
           to
           the
           mention'd
           servilities
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           sagess
           and
           grandeur
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           darkness
           need
           not
           be
           brought
           into
           question
           .
        
         
           But
           (
           4
           )
           the
           opinion
           of
           Witches
           seems
           to
           some
           to
           accuse
           Providence
           ,
           and
           to
           suggest
           that
           it
           hath
           exposed
           Innocents
           to
           the
           fury
           and
           malice
           of
           
             revengeful
             Fiends
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           supposeth
           those
           most
           obnoxious
           ,
           for
           whom
           we
           might
           most
           reasonably
           expect
           a
           more
           special
           tutelary
           care
           and
           protection
           ,
           most
           of
           the
           cruel
           practices
           of
           those
           presum'd
           Instruments
           of
           Hell
           being
           upon
           Children
           ,
           who
           as
           they
           least
           deserve
           to
           be
           deserted
           by
           that
           Providence
           that
           superintends
           all
           things
           ,
           so
           they
           most
           need
           its
           
             guardian
             influence
          
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           so
           specious
           an
           Objection
           I
           have
           these
           things
           to
           answer
           .
           (
           1
           )
           Providence
           is
           a
           
             Deep
             unfathomable
          
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           should
           not
           believe
           the
           
           Phoenomena
           of
           our
           senses
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           reconcile
           them
           to
           our
           notions
           of
           Providence
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           groffer
           Scepticks
           than
           ever
           yet
           was
           extant
           .
           The
           miseries
           of
           the
           
             present
             life
          
           ,
           the
           
             unequal
             distributions
          
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           the
           ignorance
           and
           barbarity
           of
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           mankind
           ,
           the
           
             fatal
             disadvantages
          
           we
           are
           all
           under
           ,
           and
           the
           hazard
           we
           run
           of
           being
           eternally
           miserable
           and
           undone
           ;
           these
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           are
           things
           that
           can
           hardly
           be
           made
           consistent
           with
           that
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           that
           we
           are
           sure
           hath
           made
           ,
           and
           mingled
           it self
           with
           all
           things
           .
           And
           yet
           we
           believe
           there
           is
           a
           beauty
           and
           harmony
           ,
           and
           goodness
           in
           that
           Providence
           ,
           though
           we
           cannot
           unriddle
           it
           in
           
             particular
             instances
          
           ;
           nor
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           our
           ignorance
           and
           imperfection
           ,
           clear
           it
           from
           
             contradicting
             appearances
          
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           deny
           the
           being
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           because
           they
           will
           create
           us
           some
           difficulties
           in
           our
           notions
           of
           Providence
           .
           But
           to
           come
           more
           close
           ,
           (
           2
           )
           Those
           that
           believe
           that
           Infants
           are
           Heirs
           of
           Hell
           &
           Children
           of
           the
           Devil
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           are
           disclosed
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           cannot
           certainly
           offer
           such
           an
           objection
           ;
           for
           what
           is
           a
           little
           
             trifling
             pain
          
           of
           a
           moment
           ,
           to
           those
           
             eternal
             tortures
          
           ,
           to
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           
             die
             as
             soon
          
           as
           they
           are
           born
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           tenour
           of
           this
           Doctrin
           ,
           they
           are
           
             everlastingly
             exposed
          
           ?
           But
           however
           the
           
           case
           stands
           as
           to
           that
           ,
           't
           is
           certain
           ,
           (
           3
           )
           That
           Providence
           hath
           not
           secur'd
           them
           from
           other
           violences
           they
           are
           obnoxious
           to
           from
           cruelty
           and
           accident
           ;
           and
           yet
           we
           accuse
           It
           not
           when
           a
           whole
           Townful
           of
           Innocents
           fall
           a
           Victim
           to
           the
           rage
           and
           ferity
           of
           
             barbarous
             executioners
          
           in
           wars
           and
           Massacres
           .
           To
           which
           I
           adde
           ,
           (
           4
           )
           That
           't
           is
           likely
           the
           mischief
           is
           not
           so
           often
           done
           by
           the
           
             evil
             spirit
             immediately
          
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           malignant
           influence
           of
           the
           Sorceress
           ,
           whose
           power
           of
           hurting
           consists
           in
           the
           fore-mention'd
           ferment
           ,
           which
           is
           infused
           into
           her
           by
           the
           Familiar
           .
           So
           that
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           there
           may
           be
           a
           power
           of
           
             real
             fascination
          
           in
           the
           
             Witch's
             eyes
          
           and
           imagination
           ,
           by
           which
           for
           the
           most
           part
           she
           acts
           upon
           tender
           bodies
           .
           
             Nescio
             quis
             teneros
             oculus
          
           —
           For
           the
           
             pestilential
             spirits
          
           being
           darted
           by
           a
           sprightful
           and
           
             vigorous
             imagination
          
           from
           the
           eye
           ,
           and
           meeting
           with
           those
           that
           are
           weak
           and
           passive
           in
           the
           bodies
           which
           they
           enter
           ,
           will
           not
           fail
           to
           infect
           them
           with
           a
           
             noxious
             quality
          
           ,
           that
           makes
           dangerous
           and
           
             strange
             alterations
          
           in
           the
           person
           invaded
           by
           this
           
             poysonous
             influence
          
           :
           which
           way
           of
           acting
           by
           subtil
           and
           
             invisible
             instruments
          
           is
           ordinary
           ,
           and
           familiar
           in
           all
           natural
           efficiencies
           .
           And
           't
           is
           now
           past
           question
           ,
           that
           nature
           for
           the
           most
           part
           acts
           by
           
             subtil
             streams
          
           and
           aporhaea's
           of
           
             minute
             particles
          
           ,
           which
           pass
           from
           one
           body
           to
           
           another
           .
           Or
           however
           that
           be
           ,
           this
           kind
           of
           agency
           is
           as
           conceivable
           as
           any
           of
           those
           
             qualities
             ignorance
          
           hath
           call'd
           sympathy
           and
           antipathy
           ,
           the
           reality
           of
           which
           we
           doubt
           not
           ,
           though
           the
           manner
           of
           action
           be
           unknown
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           thing
           I
           speak
           of
           is
           as
           easie
           to
           be
           apprehended
           ,
           as
           how
           infection
           should
           pass
           in
           certain
           
             tenuious
             streams
          
           through
           the
           air
           from
           one
           house
           to
           another
           ;
           or
           ,
           as
           how
           the
           biting
           of
           a
           
             mad
             Dog
          
           should
           fill
           all
           the
           bloud
           and
           spirits
           with
           a
           venomous
           and
           
             malign
             ferment
          
           ;
           the
           application
           of
           the
           vertue
           doing
           the
           same
           in
           our
           case
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           contract
           doth
           in
           this
           .
           Yea
           ,
           some
           kinds
           of
           fascination
           are
           perform'd
           in
           this
           grosser
           and
           more
           sensible
           way
           ,
           as
           by
           striking
           ,
           giving
           Apples
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           
             contagious
             quality
          
           may
           be
           transmitted
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           diseases
           often
           are
           by
           the
           touch
           .
           Now
           in
           this
           way
           of
           conjecture
           ,
           a
           good
           account
           may
           be
           given
           why
           Witches
           are
           most
           powerful
           upon
           Children
           &
           timorous
           persons
           ,
           viz.
           because
           their
           spirits
           and
           imaginations
           being
           weak
           and
           passive
           ,
           are
           not
           able
           to
           resist
           the
           
             fatal
             invasion
          
           ;
           whereas
           men
           of
           bold
           minds
           ,
           who
           have
           plenty
           of
           strong
           and
           
             vigorous
             spirits
          
           are
           secure
           from
           the
           contagion
           ,
           as
           in
           
             pestilential
             Airs
             clean
          
           bodies
           are
           not
           so
           liable
           to
           infection
           as
           are
           other
           tempers
           .
           Thus
           then
           we
           see
           't
           is
           likely
           enough
           that
           very
           often
           the
           Sorceress
           her self
           doth
           the
           mischief
           ;
           and
           we
           know
           ,
           
           
             de
             facto
          
           ,
           that
           Providence
           doth
           not
           always
           secure
           us
           from
           one
           another's
           injuries
           .
           And
           yet
           I
           must
           confess
           ,
           that
           many
           times
           also
           the
           evil
           spirit
           is
           the
           
             mischievous
             Agent
          
           ;
           though
           this
           confession
           draw
           on
           me
           another
           objection
           ,
           which
           I
           next
           propose
           .
        
         
           (
           5
           )
           Then
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           if
           
             wicked
             spirits
          
           can
           hurt
           us
           by
           the
           direction
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           desire
           of
           a
           Witch
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           they
           should
           have
           the
           same
           power
           to
           do
           us
           injury
           without
           instigation
           or
           compact
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           be
           granted
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           wonder
           that
           we
           are
           not
           always
           annoi'd
           and
           infested
           by
           them
           .
           To
           which
        
         
           I
           return
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           That
           the
           
             laws
             ,
             liberties
          
           and
           restraints
           of
           the
           inhabitants
           of
           the
           other
           world
           are
           to
           us
           utterly
           unknown
           ;
           and
           this
           way
           we
           can
           only
           argue
           our selves
           into
           confessions
           of
           our
           ignorance
           ,
           which
           every
           man
           must
           acknowledge
           that
           is
           not
           as
           immodest
           as
           ignorant
           .
           It
           must
           be
           granted
           by
           all
           that
           own
           the
           
             being
             ,
             power
          
           and
           malice
           of
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           ,
           that
           the
           security
           we
           enjoy
           is
           wonderful
           ,
           whether
           they
           act
           by
           Witches
           or
           not
           ;
           and
           by
           what
           Laws
           they
           are
           kept
           from
           making
           us
           a
           prey
           ,
           to
           speak
           like
           
             Philosophers
             ,
             we
             cannot
             tell
          
           :
           yea
           ,
           why
           they
           should
           be
           permitted
           to
           tempt
           and
           ruine
           us
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           restrain'd
           from
           touching
           or
           hurting
           us
           in
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           is
           a
           
           mystery
           not
           easily
           accountable
           .
           But
           yet
           (
           2
           )
           though
           we
           acknowledge
           their
           power
           to
           vex
           and
           torment
           us
           in
           our
           bodies
           also
           ,
           yet
           a
           reason
           may
           be
           given
           why
           they
           are
           less
           frequent
           in
           this
           kind
           of
           mischief
           ,
           viz.
           because
           their
           main
           designs
           are
           levell'd
           against
           the
           interest
           and
           happiness
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           which
           they
           can
           best
           promote
           ,
           when
           their
           actions
           are
           most
           sly
           and
           secret
           ;
           whereas
           did
           they
           ordinarily
           persecute
           men
           in
           their
           bodies
           ,
           their
           agency
           and
           
             wicked
             influence
          
           would
           be
           discover'd
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           mighty
           noise
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           whereby
           men
           would
           be
           awaken'd
           to
           a
           more
           suitable
           and
           vigorous
           opposition
           ,
           by
           the
           use
           of
           such
           means
           as
           would
           engage
           Providence
           to
           rescue
           them
           from
           their
           rage
           and
           cruelties
           ,
           &
           at
           last
           defeat
           them
           in
           their
           great
           purposes
           of
           undoing
           us
           eternally
           .
           Thus
           we
           may
           conceive
           that
           the
           security
           we
           enjoy
           may
           well
           enough
           consist
           with
           the
           power
           and
           malice
           of
           those
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           ;
           and
           upon
           this
           account
           we
           may
           suppose
           that
           Laws
           of
           their
           own
           may
           prohibit
           their
           
             unlicens'd
             injuries
          
           ,
           not
           from
           any
           goodness
           there
           is
           in
           their
           Constitutions
           ,
           but
           in
           order
           to
           the
           more
           successful
           carrying
           on
           the
           projects
           of
           the
           
             dark
             Kingdom
          
           ;
           as
           Generals
           forbid
           plunder
           ,
           not
           out
           of
           love
           to
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           but
           in
           order
           to
           their
           own
           success
           .
           And
           hence
           (
           3
           )
           we
           may
           suppose
           a
           Law
           of
           permission
           to
           hurt
           
           us
           at
           the
           instance
           of
           the
           Sorceress
           ,
           may
           well
           stand
           with
           the
           polity
           of
           Hell
           ,
           since
           by
           gratifying
           the
           wicked
           person
           they
           encourage
           her
           in
           malice
           and
           revenge
           ,
           and
           promote
           thereby
           the
           main
           ends
           of
           their
           
             black
             confederacy
          
           ,
           which
           are
           to
           propagate
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           to
           ruine
           us
           in
           our
           
             eternal
             interests
          
           .
           And
           yet
           (
           4
           )
           't
           is
           clear
           to
           those
           that
           believe
           the
           History
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           
             wicked
             spirits
          
           have
           vexed
           the
           bodies
           of
           men
           ,
           without
           any
           instigation
           that
           we
           read
           of
           ;
           and
           at
           this
           day
           't
           is
           very
           likely
           that
           many
           of
           the
           
             strange
             accidents
          
           and
           diseases
           that
           befall
           us
           ,
           may
           be
           the
           infliction
           of
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           ,
           prompted
           to
           hurt
           us
           only
           by
           the
           delight
           they
           take
           in
           mischief
           .
           So
           that
           we
           cannot
           argue
           the
           improbability
           of
           their
           hurting
           Children
           and
           others
           by
           Witches
           ,
           from
           our
           own
           security
           and
           freedom
           from
           the
           effects
           of
           their
           malice
           ,
           which
           perhaps
           we
           feel
           in
           more
           instances
           than
           we
           are
           aware
           of
           .
        
         
           But
           (
           6
           )
           another
           prejudice
           against
           the
           belief
           of
           Witches
           ,
           is
           ,
           a
           presumption
           upon
           the
           
             enormous
             forces
          
           of
           melancholy
           and
           imagination
           ,
           which
           without
           doubt
           can
           do
           wonderful
           things
           ,
           and
           beget
           strange
           persuasions
           ;
           and
           to
           these
           causes
           some
           ascribe
           the
           presum'd
           effects
           of
           Sorcery
           and
           Witchraft
           .
           To
           which
           I
           reply
           briefly
           ,
           and
           yet
           I
           hope
           sufficiently
           ;
        
         
         
           (
           1
           )
           That
           to
           resolve
           all
           the
           clear
           circumstances
           of
           fact
           ,
           which
           we
           find
           in
           well
           attested
           and
           confirm'd
           Relations
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           into
           the
           power
           of
           
             deceivable
             imagination
          
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           fancy
           the
           greater
           prodigy
           ,
           and
           to
           suppose
           ,
           that
           it
           can
           do
           
             stranger
             feats
          
           than
           are
           believed
           of
           any
           other
           kind
           of
           fascination
           .
           And
           to
           think
           that
           Pins
           and
           Nails
           ,
           for
           instance
           ,
           can
           ,
           by
           the
           power
           of
           imagination
           be
           convey'd
           within
           the
           skin
           ,
           or
           that
           imagination
           ,
           should
           deceive
           so
           many
           as
           have
           been
           witnesses
           in
           objects
           of
           sense
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           circumstances
           of
           discovery
           ;
           this
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           infinitely
           more
           credulous
           than
           the
           assertors
           of
           Sorcery
           and
           
             Demoniack
             contracts
          
           .
           And
           by
           the
           same
           reason
           it
           may
           be
           believ'd
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Battels
           and
           
             strange
             events
          
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           our selves
           have
           not
           seen
           ,
           are
           but
           dreams
           and
           fond
           imaginations
           ,
           and
           like
           those
           that
           are
           fought
           in
           the
           clouds
           ,
           when
           the
           brains
           of
           the
           
             deluded
             spectators
          
           are
           the
           onely
           Theatre
           of
           those
           
             fancied
             transactions
          
           .
           And
           (
           2
           )
           to
           deny
           evidence
           of
           fact
           ,
           because
           
             their
             imagination
             may
          
           deceive
           the
           Relators
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           think
           so
           but
           a
           bare
           presumption
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           is
           related
           ,
           is
           quite
           to
           destroy
           the
           credit
           of
           all
           
             humane
             testimony
          
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           
             all
             men
             liars
          
           in
           a
           larger
           sense
           than
           the
           Prophet
           concluded
           in
           his
           haste
           .
           For
           not
           onely
           the
           melancholick
           
           and
           the
           fanciful
           ,
           but
           the
           grave
           and
           the
           sober
           ,
           whose
           judgments
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           suspect
           to
           be
           tainted
           by
           their
           imaginations
           ,
           have
           from
           their
           own
           knowledge
           and
           experience
           made
           reports
           of
           this
           nature
           .
           But
           to
           this
           it
           will
           possibly
           be
           rejoyn'd
           ,
           the
           Reply
           will
           be
           another
           prejudice
           against
           the
           belief
           I
           contend
           for
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           (
           7
           )
           That
           't
           is
           a
           suspicious
           circumstance
           that
           Witchcraft
           is
           but
           a
           fancy
           ,
           since
           the
           persons
           that
           are
           accused
           are
           commonly
           poor
           and
           
             miserable
             old
             women
          
           ,
           who
           are
           overgrown
           with
           discontent
           and
           melancholy
           ,
           which
           are
           very
           imaginative
           ;
           and
           the
           persons
           said
           to
           be
           bewitch'd
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           Children
           ,
           or
           people
           very
           weak
           ,
           who
           are
           easily
           imposed
           upon
           ,
           and
           are
           apt
           to
           receive
           
             strong
             impressions
          
           from
           nothing
           :
           whereas
           were
           there
           any
           such
           thing
           really
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           likely
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           more
           cunning
           and
           
             subtil
             desperado's
          
           ,
           who
           might
           the
           more
           successfully
           carry
           on
           the
           
             mischievous
             designs
          
           of
           the
           
             dark
             Kingdom
          
           ,
           should
           be
           oftner
           engaged
           in
           those
           
             black
             confederacies
          
           ,
           and
           also
           one
           would
           expect
           effects
           of
           the
           
             hellish
             combination
          
           upon
           others
           than
           the
           innocent
           and
           the
           ignorant
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           Objection
           it
           might
           perhaps
           be
           enough
           to
           return
           (
           as
           hath
           been
           above
           suggested
           )
           that
           nothing
           can
           be
           concluded
           by
           this
           
           and
           such
           like
           arguings
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           policy
           and
           menages
           of
           the
           instruments
           of
           darkness
           are
           to
           us
           altogether
           unknown
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           in
           the
           dark
           as
           their
           natures
           ,
           mankind
           being
           no
           more
           acquainted
           with
           the
           reasons
           and
           methods
           of
           action
           in
           the
           other
           world
           ,
           than
           poor
           Cottagers
           and
           Mechanicks
           are
           with
           the
           intriques
           of
           Government
           and
           reasons
           of
           State.
           Yea
           peradventure
           (
           2
           )
           't
           is
           one
           of
           the
           great
           designs
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           certainly
           the
           interest
           ,
           of
           those
           wicked
           Agents
           and
           Machinators
           ,
           industriously
           to
           hide
           from
           us
           their
           influences
           and
           ways
           of
           acting
           ,
           and
           to
           work
           ,
           as
           near
           as
           is
           
             possible
             ,
             incognito
          
           ;
           upon
           which
           supposal
           't
           is
           easie
           to
           conceive
           a
           reason
           ,
           why
           they
           most
           commonly
           work
           by
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           weak
           and
           the
           ignorant
           ,
           who
           can
           make
           no
           
             cunning
             observations
          
           ,
           or
           tell
           
             credible
             tales
          
           to
           detect
           their
           artifice
           .
           Besides
           (
           3
           )
           't
           is
           likely
           a
           
             strong
             imagination
          
           ,
           that
           cannot
           be
           weaken'd
           or
           disturb'd
           by
           a
           busie
           and
           
             subtil
             ratiocination
          
           ,
           is
           a
           necessary
           requisite
           to
           those
           wicked
           performances
           ;
           and
           without
           doubt
           an
           heightned
           and
           
             obstinate
             fancy
          
           hath
           a
           great
           influence
           upon
           
             impressive
             spirits
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           have
           conjectur'd
           before
           ,
           on
           the
           more
           passive
           and
           
             susceptible
             bodies
          
           .
           And
           I
           am
           very
           apt
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           as
           
             real
             communications
          
           and
           intercourses
           between
           our
           spirits
           ,
           as
           there
           are
           between
           
             material
             agents
          
           ;
           which
           
             secret
             influences
          
           ,
           
           though
           they
           are
           unknown
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           and
           
             ways
             of
             acting
          
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           sufficiently
           felt
           in
           their
           effects
           :
           for
           experience
           attests
           ,
           that
           some
           by
           the
           very
           majesty
           and
           greatness
           of
           their
           spirits
           ,
           discover'd
           by
           nothing
           but
           a
           certain
           
             noble
             air
          
           that
           accompanies
           them
           ,
           will
           
             bear
             down
          
           others
           
             less
             great
          
           and
           generous
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           sneak
           before
           them
           ;
           and
           some
           ,
           by
           I
           know
           not
           what
           
             stupifying
             vertue
          
           ,
           will
           tie
           up
           the
           tongue
           ,
           and
           confine
           the
           spirits
           of
           those
           who
           are
           otherwise
           brisk
           and
           voluble
           .
           Which
           thing
           supposed
           ,
           the
           influences
           of
           a
           spirit
           possess'd
           of
           an
           active
           and
           
             enormous
             imagination
          
           ,
           may
           be
           malign
           and
           fatal
           where
           they
           cannot
           be
           resisted
           ,
           especially
           when
           they
           are
           accompanied
           by
           those
           
             poisonous
             reaks
          
           that
           the
           
             evil
             spirit
          
           breaths
           into
           the
           Sorceress
           ,
           which
           likely
           are
           shot
           out
           ,
           and
           applied
           by
           a
           fancy
           heightned
           and
           prepared
           by
           melancholy
           and
           discontent
           .
           And
           thus
           we
           may
           conceive
           why
           the
           melancholick
           and
           envious
           are
           used
           upon
           such
           occasions
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           same
           reason
           the
           ignorant
           ,
           since
           knowledge
           checks
           and
           controls
           imagination
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           abound
           much
           in
           the
           
             imaginative
             faculties
          
           do
           not
           usually
           exceed
           in
           the
           rational
           .
           And
           perhaps
           (
           4
           )
           the
           Daemon
           himself
           useth
           the
           imagination
           of
           the
           Witch
           so
           qualified
           for
           his
           purpose
           ,
           even
           in
           those
           actions
           of
           mischief
           which
           are
           more
           properly
           his
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           most
           probable
           ,
           
           that
           spirits
           act
           not
           upon
           
             bodies
             immediately
          
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           
             naked
             essence
          
           ,
           but
           by
           
             means
             proportionate
          
           and
           suitable
           in
           instruments
           that
           they
           use
           ;
           upon
           which
           account
           likely
           't
           is
           so
           strictly
           required
           ,
           that
           the
           Sorceress
           should
           believe
           ,
           that
           so
           her
           imagination
           might
           be
           more
           at
           the
           devotion
           of
           the
           
             mischievous
             Agent
          
           .
           And
           for
           the
           same
           reason
           also
           Ceremonies
           are
           used
           in
           
             Inchantments
             ,
             viz.
          
           for
           the
           begetting
           this
           
             diabolical
             faith
          
           ,
           and
           heightning
           the
           fancy
           to
           a
           degree
           of
           strength
           and
           vigour
           sufficient
           to
           make
           it
           a
           fit
           instrument
           for
           the
           design'd
           performance
           .
           And
           these
           I
           think
           are
           reasons
           of
           likelihood
           and
           probability
           ,
           why
           the
           
             hellish
             confederates
          
           are
           mostly
           the
           ignorant
           and
           the
           melancholick
           .
           To
           pass
           then
           to
           another
           prejudice
           .
        
         
           (
           8
           )
           The
           frequent
           impostures
           that
           are
           met
           with
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           beget
           in
           some
           a
           belief
           ,
           that
           all
           such
           relations
           are
           forgeries
           and
           tales
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           urge
           the
           evidence
           of
           a
           story
           for
           the
           belief
           of
           Witches
           or
           Apparitions
           ,
           they
           will
           produce
           two
           as
           
             seemingly
             strong
          
           and
           plausible
           ,
           which
           shall
           conclude
           in
           mistake
           or
           design
           ;
           inferring
           thence
           ,
           that
           all
           others
           are
           of
           the
           same
           quality
           and
           credit
           .
           But
           such
           arguers
           may
           please
           to
           consider
           ,
        
         
           (
           1
           )
           That
           a
           
             single
             relation
          
           for
           an
           Affirmative
           ,
           sufficiently
           confirmed
           and
           attested
           ,
           is
           worth
           a
           
           thousand
           tales
           of
           forgery
           and
           imposture
           ,
           from
           whence
           cannot
           be
           concluded
           an
           
             universal
             negative
          
           .
           So
           that
           ,
           though
           all
           the
           
             Objectors
             stories
          
           be
           true
           ,
           and
           an
           hundred
           times
           as
           many
           more
           such
           deceptions
           ;
           yet
           one
           relation
           ,
           wherein
           no
           fallacy
           or
           fraud
           could
           be
           suspected
           for
           our
           Affirmative
           ,
           would
           spoil
           any
           Conclusion
           could
           be
           erected
           on
           them
           .
           And
        
         
           (
           2
           )
           It
           seems
           to
           me
           a
           belief
           sufficiently
           bold
           and
           precarious
           ,
           that
           all
           these
           relations
           of
           forgery
           and
           mistake
           should
           be
           certain
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           in
           millions
           of
           those
           which
           attest
           the
           
             affirmative
             reality
          
           ,
           with
           circumstances
           as
           good
           as
           could
           be
           expected
           ,
           or
           wish'd
           ,
           should
           be
           true
           ,
           but
           all
           fabulous
           and
           vain
           .
           And
           they
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           object
           credulity
           to
           the
           assertors
           of
           Sorcery
           and
           Witchcraft
           ,
           that
           can
           swallow
           so
           large
           a
           morsel
           .
           And
           I
           desire
           such
           Objectors
           to
           consider
           ,
        
         
           (
           3
           )
           Whether
           it
           be
           fair
           to
           infer
           ,
           that
           because
           there
           are
           some
           Cheats
           and
           Impostures
           ,
           that
           therefore
           there
           are
           no
           Realities
           .
           Indeed
           frequency
           of
           deceit
           and
           fallacy
           will
           warrant
           a
           greater
           care
           and
           caution
           in
           examining
           ,
           and
           scrupulosity
           and
           shiness
           of
           assent
           to
           things
           wherein
           fraud
           hath
           been
           practised
           ,
           or
           may
           in
           the
           least
           degree
           be
           suspected
           .
           But
           ,
           to
           conclude
           ,
           because
           that
           an
           old
           woman's
           fancy
           abused
           her
           ,
           or
           some
           knavish
           
           fellows
           put
           tricks
           upon
           the
           ignorant
           and
           the
           timorous
           ,
           that
           therefore
           whole
           Assises
           have
           been
           a
           thousand
           times
           deceived
           in
           judgments
           upon
           matters
           of
           fact
           ,
           and
           numbers
           of
           sober
           persons
           have
           been
           forsworn
           in
           things
           wherein
           perjury
           could
           not
           advantage
           them
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           such
           inferences
           are
           as
           void
           of
           reason
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           of
           charity
           and
           
             good
             manners
          
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           may
           be
           suggested
           further
           ,
           (
           9
           )
           That
           it
           cannot
           be
           imagin'd
           what
           design
           the
           Devil
           should
           have
           in
           making
           those
           
             solemn
             compacts
          
           ,
           since
           persons
           of
           such
           debauch'd
           and
           irreclaimable
           dispositions
           as
           those
           with
           whom
           he
           is
           supposed
           to
           confederate
           ,
           are
           pretty
           securely
           his
           ,
           antecedently
           to
           the
           bargain
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           more
           so
           by
           it
           ,
           since
           they
           cannot
           put
           their
           souls
           out
           of
           possibility
           of
           the
           
             Divine
             Grace
          
           but
           by
           the
           Sin
           that
           is
           unpardonable
           ;
           or
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           so
           dispose
           and
           give
           away
           themselves
           ,
           it
           will
           to
           some
           seem
           very
           unlikely
           ,
           that
           a
           great
           and
           mighty
           Spirit
           should
           oblige
           himself
           to
           such
           observances
           ,
           and
           keep
           such
           a-do
           to
           secure
           the
           soul
           of
           a
           silly
           body
           ,
           which
           't
           were
           odds
           but
           it
           would
           be
           His
           though
           He
           put
           himself
           to
           no
           further
           trouble
           than
           that
           of
           his
           
             ordinary
             temptations
          
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           suggestions
           't
           were
           enough
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           sufficient
           if
           the
           thing
           be
           well
           prov'd
           ,
           
           though
           the
           design
           be
           not
           known
           .
           And
           to
           argue
           
             negatively
             à
             fine
          
           ,
           is
           very
           unconclusive
           in
           such
           matters
           .
           The
           Laws
           and
           affairs
           of
           the
           other
           world
           (
           as
           hath
           been
           intimated
           )
           are
           vastly
           differing
           from
           those
           of
           our
           Regions
           ,
           and
           therefore
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           we
           cannot
           judge
           of
           their
           designs
           ,
           when
           we
           know
           nothing
           of
           their
           menages
           ,
           and
           so
           little
           of
           their
           natures
           .
           The
           ignorant
           looker-on
           can't
           imagine
           what
           the
           Limner
           means
           by
           those
           seemingly
           
             rude
             lines
          
           and
           scrawls
           which
           he
           intends
           for
           the
           rudiments
           of
           a
           Picture
           ;
           and
           the
           Figures
           of
           
             Mathematick
             Operation
          
           are
           non-sense
           ,
           and
           dashes
           at
           
             a
             venture
          
           to
           one
           uninstructed
           in
           Mechanicks
           .
           We
           are
           in
           the
           dark
           to
           
             one
             another's
          
           purposes
           &
           intendments
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           a
           thousand
           intrigues
           in
           our
           little
           matters
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           presently
           confess
           their
           design
           even
           to
           
             sagacious
             inquisitors
          
           .
           And
           therefore
           't
           is
           folly
           and
           incogitancy
           to
           argue
           any
           thing
           one
           way
           or
           other
           from
           the
           designs
           of
           a
           sort
           of
           Beings
           ,
           with
           whom
           we
           so
           little
           communicate
           ;
           and
           possibly
           we
           can
           take
           no
           more
           aim
           or
           guess
           at
           their
           projects
           and
           designments
           ,
           than
           the
           
             gazing
             Beasts
          
           can
           do
           at
           ours
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           the
           Traps
           and
           Gins
           that
           are
           laid
           for
           them
           ,
           but
           understand
           nothing
           what
           they
           mean.
           Thus
           in
           general
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           attempt
           something
           more
           particularly
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           which
           I
           must
           premise
           that
           the
           
           Devil
           is
           a
           name
           for
           a
           
             Body
             Politick
          
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           are
           very
           different
           Orders
           and
           Degrees
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           in
           as
           much
           variety
           of
           place
           and
           state
           ,
           as
           among
           our selves
           ;
           so
           that
           't
           is
           not
           one
           and
           the
           same
           person
           that
           makes
           all
           the
           compacts
           with
           those
           abused
           and
           seduced
           Souls
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           divers
           ,
           and
           those
           't
           is
           like
           of
           the
           meanest
           and
           basest
           quality
           in
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             darkness
          
           ;
           which
           being
           supposed
           ,
           I
           offer
           this
           account
           of
           the
           
             probable
             design
          
           of
           those
           
             wicked
             Agents
             ,
             viz.
          
           That
           having
           none
           to
           rule
           or
           tyrannize
           over
           within
           the
           Circle
           of
           their
           own
           nature
           and
           government
           ,
           they
           affect
           a
           
             proud
             Empire
          
           over
           us
           (
           the
           desire
           of
           Dominion
           and
           Authority
           being
           largely
           spread
           through
           the
           whole
           circumference
           of
           
             degenerated
             nature
          
           ,
           especially
           among
           those
           ,
           whose
           pride
           was
           their
           
             original
             transgression
          
           )
           every
           one
           of
           these
           then
           desires
           to
           get
           him
           Vassals
           to
           pay
           him
           homage
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           emploied
           like
           Slaves
           in
           the
           services
           of
           his
           lusts
           and
           appetites
           ;
           to
           gratifie
           which
           desire
           ,
           't
           is
           like
           enough
           to
           be
           provided
           and
           allowed
           by
           the
           constitution
           of
           their
           State
           and
           Government
           ,
           that
           every
           
             wicked
             spirit
          
           shall
           have
           those
           Souls
           as
           his
           property
           ,
           and
           
             particular
             servants
          
           and
           attendants
           ,
           whom
           he
           can
           catch
           in
           such
           compacts
           ,
           as
           those
           
             wild
             Beasts
          
           that
           we
           can
           take
           in
           hunting
           ,
           are
           by
           the
           allowance
           of
           the
           Law
           
           our
           own
           ;
           and
           those
           Slaves
           that
           a
           man
           hath
           purchas'd
           ,
           are
           his
           peculiar
           goods
           ,
           and
           the
           vassals
           of
           his
           will.
           Or
           rather
           those
           deluding
           Fiends
           are
           like
           the
           seducing
           fellows
           we
           call
           Spirits
           ,
           who
           inveigle
           Children
           by
           their
           false
           and
           flattering
           promises
           ,
           and
           carry
           them
           away
           to
           the
           Plantations
           of
           America
           ,
           to
           be
           servilly
           emploied
           there
           in
           the
           works
           of
           their
           own
           profit
           and
           advantage
           .
           And
           as
           those
           base
           Agents
           will
           humour
           and
           flatter
           the
           simple
           unwary
           Youth
           ,
           till
           they
           are
           on
           Ship-board
           ,
           and
           without
           the
           reach
           of
           those
           that
           might
           rescue
           them
           from
           their
           hands
           :
           In
           like
           manner
           the
           more
           
             mischievous
             Tempter
          
           studies
           to
           gratifie
           ,
           please
           ,
           and
           accommodate
           to
           those
           he
           deals
           with
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           till
           death
           hath
           lanch'd
           them
           into
           the
           Deep
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           past
           the
           danger
           of
           
             Prayers
             ,
             Repentance
          
           ,
           and
           Endeavours
           ;
           and
           then
           He
           useth
           them
           as
           pleaseth
           Him.
           This
           account
           I
           think
           is
           not
           unreasonable
           ,
           and
           't
           will
           fully
           answer
           the
           Objection
           .
           For
           though
           the
           matter
           be
           not
           as
           I
           have
           conjectur'd
           ,
           yet
           't
           will
           suggest
           a
           way
           how
           it
           may
           be
           conceiv'd
           ,
           which
           nulls
           the
           pretence
           ,
           That
           the
           Design
           is
           inconceiveable
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           we
           are
           still
           liable
           to
           be
           question'd
           ,
           (
           10
           )
           how
           it
           comes
           about
           ,
           that
           those
           proud
           and
           
             insolent
             Designers
          
           practise
           in
           this
           
           kind
           upon
           so
           few
           ,
           when
           one
           would
           expect
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           still
           trading
           this
           way
           ,
           and
           everywhere
           be
           driving
           on
           the
           project
           ,
           which
           the
           vileness
           of
           men
           makes
           so
           feisable
           ,
           and
           would
           so
           much
           serve
           the
           interest
           of
           their
           lusts
           .
        
         
           To
           which
           ,
           among
           other
           things
           that
           might
           be
           suggested
           ,
           I
           return
           ,
           (
           1
           )
           That
           we
           are
           never
           liable
           to
           be
           so
           betraied
           and
           abused
           ,
           till
           by
           our
           
             vile
             dispositions
          
           and
           tendencies
           we
           have
           forfeited
           the
           tutelary
           care
           and
           oversight
           of
           the
           better
           Spirits
           ;
           which
           ,
           though
           generally
           they
           are
           our
           guard
           and
           defence
           against
           the
           malice
           and
           violence
           of
           
             evil
             Angels
          
           ,
           yet
           it
           may
           well
           enough
           be
           thought
           that
           sometimes
           they
           may
           take
           their
           leave
           of
           such
           as
           are
           swallowed
           up
           by
           
             malice
             ,
             envy
          
           ,
           and
           desire
           of
           revenge
           ,
           qualities
           most
           contrary
           to
           their
           Life
           and
           Nature
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           exposed
           to
           the
           invasion
           and
           sollicitations
           of
           those
           
             wicked
             Spirits
          
           ,
           to
           whom
           such
           
             hateful
             Attributes
          
           make
           them
           very
           suitable
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           particular
           guardian
           Angels
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           not
           absurd
           to
           fancy
           ,
           it
           may
           then
           well
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           is
           obnoxious
           to
           those
           projects
           and
           attempts
           ,
           but
           onely
           such
           whose
           vile
           and
           
             mischievous
             natures
          
           have
           driven
           from
           them
           their
           
             protecting
             Genius
          
           .
           And
           against
           this
           
           dereliction
           to
           the
           power
           of
           
             evil
             spirits
          
           ,
           't
           is
           likely
           enough
           what
           some
           affirm
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Royal
             Psalmist
          
           directs
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           
             Psal.
             71.
             9
             ,
             10.
             
             Cast
             me
             not
             off
             in
             the
             time
             of
             old
             age
             ,
             forsake
             me
             not
             when
             my
             strength
             faileth
             .
          
           For
           —
           
             They
             that
             keep
             my
             soul
          
           [
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           as
           the
           LXX
           and
           the
           
             Vulgar
             Latin
             ,
             Qui
             custodiunt
             animam
             meam
             ]
             they
             take
             counsel
             together
             ,
             saying
             ,
             God
             hath
             forsaken
             him
             ,
             persecute
             him
             and
             take
             him
             ,
             for
             there
             is
             none
             to
             deliver
             him
             .
          
           But
           I
           adde
           ,
           (
           2
           )
           That
           't
           is
           very
           probable
           ,
           that
           the
           state
           wherein
           they
           are
           ,
           will
           not
           easily
           permit
           
             palpable
             intercourses
          
           between
           the
           
             bad
             Genii
          
           and
           
             our
             nature
          
           ,
           since
           't
           is
           like
           enough
           that
           their
           own
           Laws
           and
           Government
           do
           not
           allow
           their
           frequent
           excursions
           into
           this
           world
           .
           Or
           ,
           it
           may
           with
           as
           great
           probability
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           a
           very
           hard
           and
           painful
           thing
           for
           them
           ,
           to
           force
           their
           thin
           and
           tenuious
           bodies
           into
           a
           
             visible
             consistence
          
           ,
           and
           such
           shapes
           as
           are
           necessary
           for
           their
           designs
           in
           their
           correspondencies
           with
           Witches
           .
           For
           in
           this
           action
           their
           bodies
           must
           needs
           be
           exceedingly
           compress'd
           ,
           which
           cannot
           be
           well
           supposed
           without
           a
           painful
           sense
           .
           And
           this
           is
           perhaps
           a
           reason
           why
           there
           are
           so
           
             few
             Apparitions
          
           ,
           and
           why
           
             appearing
             spirits
          
           are
           commonly
           in
           such
           haste
           to
           be
           gone
           ,
           viz.
           that
           
           they
           may
           be
           deliver'd
           from
           the
           
             unnatural
             pressure
          
           of
           their
           
             tender
             Vehicles
          
           ,
           which
           I
           confess
           holds
           more
           in
           the
           apparitions
           of
           good
           than
           of
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           ,
           most
           Relations
           of
           this
           kind
           ,
           describing
           their
           discoveries
           of
           themselves
           ,
           as
           very
           transient
           ,
           (
           though
           for
           those
           the
           Holy
           Scripture
           records
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           peculiar
           Reasons
           why
           they
           are
           not
           so
           )
           whereas
           the
           
             wicked
             ones
          
           are
           not
           altogether
           so
           quick
           and
           hasty
           in
           their
           Visits
           :
           The
           reason
           of
           which
           probably
           is
           ,
           the
           great
           subtilty
           and
           tenuity
           of
           the
           bodies
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           which
           will
           require
           far
           greater
           degrees
           of
           compression
           ,
           and
           consequently
           of
           pain
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           visible
           ;
           whereas
           the
           latter
           ,
           are
           more
           foeculent
           and
           gross
           ,
           and
           so
           nearer
           allyed
           to
           
             palpable
             consistencies
          
           ,
           and
           more
           easily
           reduceable
           to
           appearance
           and
           visibility
           .
        
         
           At
           this
           turn
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           you
           may
           perceive
           that
           I
           have
           again
           made
           use
           of
           the
           
             Platonick
             Hypothesis
             ,
             That
             Spirits
             are
             Embodyed
             ,
          
           upon
           which
           indeed
           a
           great
           part
           of
           my
           Discourse
           is
           grounded
           :
           And
           therefore
           I
           hold
           my self
           obliged
           to
           a
           short
           account
           of
           that
           supposal
           .
           It
           seems
           then
           to
           me
           very
           probable
           from
           the
           Nature
           of
           Sense
           ,
           and
           Analogie
           of
           Nature
           For
           (
           1.
           )
           We
           perceive
           in
           our selves
           ,
           that
           all
           Sense
           is
           caus'd
           and
           excited
           by
           motion
           made
           in
           matter
           ;
           And
           when
           those
           motions
           which
           convey
           
             sensible
             impressions
          
           to
           the
           
           Brain
           ,
           the
           Seat
           of
           Sense
           ,
           are
           intercepted
           ,
           Sense
           is
           lost
           :
           So
           that
           ,
           if
           we
           suppose
           Spirits
           perfectly
           to
           be
           disjoyn'd
           from
           all
           matter
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           conceivable
           how
           they
           can
           have
           the
           sense
           of
           any
           thing
           :
           For
           how
           
             material
             Objects
          
           should
           any
           way
           be
           perceiv'd
           ,
           or
           felt
           without
           
             vital
             union
          
           with
           matter
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           possiblè
           to
           imagine
           .
           Nor
           doth
           it
           (
           2.
           )
           seem
           suitable
           to
           the
           Analogie
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           useth
           not
           to
           make
           
             precipitious
             leaps
          
           from
           one
           thing
           to
           another
           ,
           but
           usually
           proceeds
           by
           
             orderly
             steps
          
           and
           gradations
           :
           whereas
           were
           there
           no
           order
           of
           Beings
           between
           us
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           deeply
           plunged
           into
           the
           grossest
           matter
           ,
           and
           pure
           unbodied
           Spirits
           ,
           't
           were
           a
           mighty
           jump
           in
           Nature
           .
           Since
           then
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           World
           consists
           of
           the
           finer
           portions
           of
           matter
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           Souls
           are
           
             immediately
             united
          
           unto
           these
           ,
           't
           is
           infinitely
           probable
           to
           conjecture
           ,
           that
           the
           nearer
           orders
           of
           Spirits
           are
           
             vitally
             joyn'd
          
           to
           such
           Bodies
           .
           And
           so
           Nature
           by
           Degrees
           ascending
           still
           by
           the
           more
           refin'd
           and
           subtile
           matter
           ,
           gets
           at
           last
           to
           the
           pure
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           or
           
             immaterial
             minds
          
           ,
           which
           the
           Platonists
           made
           the
           
             highest
             Order
          
           of
           
             created
             Beings
          
           .
           But
           of
           this
           I
           have
           discoursed
           else-where
           ,
           and
           have
           said
           thus
           much
           of
           it
           at
           present
           ,
           because
           it
           will
           enable
           me
           to
           add
           another
           Reason
           of
           the
           unfrequency
           of
           Apparitions
           and
           
             Compacts
             ,
             viz.
          
           
        
         
         
           (
           3.
           )
           Because
           't
           is
           very
           likely
           ,
           that
           
             these
             Regions
          
           are
           very
           unsuitable
           ,
           and
           disproportion'd
           to
           the
           frame
           and
           temper
           of
           their
           Senses
           and
           Bodies
           ;
           so
           that
           perhaps
           ,
           the
           
             Courser
             Spirits
          
           can
           no
           more
           bear
           the
           Air
           of
           our
           World
           ,
           then
           Batts
           and
           Owls
           can
           the
           brightest
           beams
           of
           Day
           .
           Nor
           can
           the
           Purer
           and
           Better
           any
           more
           endure
           the
           
             noysom
             steams
          
           ,
           and
           
             poysonous
             reeks
          
           of
           this
           
             Dunghil
             Earth
          
           ,
           then
           the
           Delicate
           can
           bear
           a
           confinement
           in
           
             nasty
             Dungeons
          
           ,
           and
           the
           foul
           
             squallid
             Caverns
          
           of
           uncomfortable
           Darkness
           So
           that
           't
           is
           no
           more
           wonder
           ,
           that
           the
           better
           Spirits
           no
           oftner
           appear
           ,
           than
           that
           men
           are
           not
           more
           frequently
           in
           the
           
             Dark
             Hollows
          
           under
           ground
           .
           Nor
           is
           't
           any
           more
           strange
           that
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           so
           rarely
           visit
           us
           ,
           then
           that
           Fishes
           do
           not
           ordinarily
           fly
           in
           the
           Air
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           said
           one
           sort
           of
           them
           doth
           ;
           or
           that
           we
           see
           not
           the
           Batt
           daily
           fluttering
           in
           the
           beams
           of
           the
           Sun.
           And
           now
           by
           the
           help
           of
           what
           I
           have
           spoken
           under
           this
           Head
           ,
           I
           am
           provided
           with
           some
           things
           wherewith
           to
           disable
           another
           Objection
           ,
           which
           I
           thus
           propose
           :
        
         
           (
           XI
           .
           )
           If
           there
           be
           such
           an
           intercourse
           between
           
             Evil
             Spirits
          
           and
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           how
           comes
           it
           about
           that
           there
           is
           no
           correspondence
           between
           
             Good
             Spirits
          
           and
           the
           Vertuous
           ?
           since
           without
           doubt
           ,
           these
           are
           as
           desirous
           to
           propagate
           the
           Spirit
           and
           Designes
           of
           the
           upper
           and
           better
           World
           ,
           as
           those
           are
           
           to
           promote
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           .
        
         
           Which
           way
           of
           arguing
           is
           still
           from
           our
           Ignorance
           of
           the
           State
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           confest
           ,
           and
           may
           ,
           without
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Proposition
           I
           defend
           .
           But
           particularly
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           (
           1.
           )
           That
           we
           have
           ground
           enough
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           
             Good
             Spirits
          
           do
           interpose
           in
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           govern
           our
           Affairs
           .
           For
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Providence
           reaching
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           ,
           is
           generally
           acknowledg'd
           ;
           but
           that
           this
           supposeth
           all
           things
           to
           be
           order'd
           by
           the
           
             immediate
             influence
          
           ,
           and
           interposal
           of
           the
           
             Supreme
             Deity
          
           ,
           is
           not
           very
           Philosophical
           to
           suppose
           ;
           since
           if
           we
           judge
           by
           the
           Analogie
           of
           the
           
             Natural
             World
          
           ,
           all
           things
           we
           see
           are
           carried
           on
           by
           the
           Ministry
           of
           
             Second
             Causes
          
           ,
           and
           
             intermediate
             Agents
          
           .
           And
           it
           doth
           not
           seem
           so
           Magnificent
           and
           Becoming
           an
           apprehension
           of
           the
           
             Supreme
             Numen
          
           ,
           to
           phancy
           His
           
             immediate
             Hand
          
           in
           every
           trivial
           Management
           .
           But
           't
           is
           exceeding
           likely
           to
           conjecture
           ,
           that
           much
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           is
           committed
           to
           the
           
             better
             Spirits
          
           ,
           with
           a
           due
           subordination
           and
           subserviency
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           chief
           Rector
           of
           the
           Universe
           .
           And
           't
           is
           not
           absurd
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           Government
           runs
           from
           Highest
           to
           Lowest
           ,
           the
           better
           and
           more
           perfect
           orders
           of
           Being
           ,
           still
           ruling
           
           the
           inferiour
           and
           
             less
             perfect
          
           .
           So
           that
           some
           one
           would
           phancy
           that
           perhaps
           the
           Angels
           may
           manage
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           the
           Creatures
           that
           God
           and
           Nature
           have
           placed
           under
           our
           Empire
           and
           Dominion
           .
           But
           however
           that
           is
           ,
           That
           God
           rules
           the
           lower
           World
           by
           the
           Ministry
           of
           Angels
           ,
           is
           very
           consonant
           to
           the
           
             sacred
             Oracles
          
           .
           Thus
           ,
           Deut.
           XXXII
           .
           viii
           ,
           ix
           .
           
             When
             the
             Most
             High
             divided
             the
             Nations
             their
             inheritance
             ,
             when
             he
             separated
             the
             sons
             of
             Adam
             ,
             he
             set
             the
             bounds
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Angels
             of
             God
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Septuagint
           renders
           it
           ;
           the
           Authority
           of
           which
           Translation
           ,
           is
           abundantly
           credited
           and
           asserted
           ,
           by
           its
           being
           quoted
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           without
           notice
           of
           the
           Hebrew
           Text
           ,
           even
           there
           where
           it
           differs
           from
           it
           ,
           as
           learned
           men
           have
           observ'd
           .
           We
           know
           also
           ,
           that
           Angels
           were
           very
           familiar
           with
           the
           Patriarchs
           of
           old
           ;
           and
           
             Iacob's
             Ladder
          
           is
           a
           Mystery
           ,
           which
           imports
           their
           ministring
           in
           the
           affairs
           of
           the
           Lower
           World.
           Thus
           Origen
           and
           others
           understand
           ,
           that
           to
           be
           spoken
           by
           the
           
             Presidential
             Angels
          
           ,
           Jer.
           LI.
           ix
           .
           
             We
             would
             have
             healed
             BABYLON
             ,
             but
             she
             is
             not
             healed
             ,
             forsake
             her
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             go
             .
          
           Like
           the
           Voyce
           heard
           in
           the
           Temple
           before
           the
           taking
           of
           Ierusalem
           by
           Titus
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           And
           before
           Nebuchadnezzar
           was
           sent
           to
           learn
           Wisdome
           and
           Religion
           among
           the
           Beasts
           ,
           He
           
           sees
           a
           Watcher
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           70.
           an
           Angel
           ,
           and
           an
           
             holy
             One
             come
             down
             from
             heaven
             ,
          
           Dan.
           IV.
           xiii
           .
           who
           pronounceth
           the
           
             sad
             Decree
          
           against
           Him
           ,
           and
           calls
           it
           the
           Decree
           of
           the
           Watchers
           ,
           who
           very
           probably
           were
           the
           
             Guardian
             Genii
          
           of
           Himself
           and
           his
           Kingdome
           .
           And
           that
           there
           are
           particular
           Angels
           that
           have
           the
           special
           Rule
           and
           Government
           of
           particular
           
             Kingdomes
             ,
             Provinces
             ,
             Cities
          
           ,
           yea
           and
           of
           Persons
           ,
           I
           know
           nothing
           that
           can
           make
           improbable
           :
           The
           instance
           is
           notorious
           in
           Daniel
           ,
           of
           the
           Angels
           of
           Persia
           and
           Graecia
           ,
           that
           hindred
           the
           other
           that
           was
           engaged
           for
           the
           concerns
           of
           Iudaea
           ;
           yea
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           Himself
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             Children
             have
             their
             Angels
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Congregation
           of
           Disciples
           supposed
           that
           St.
           Peter
           had
           his
           .
           Which
           things
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           granted
           ,
           the
           good
           Spirits
           have
           not
           so
           little
           to
           do
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           matters
           ,
           as
           is
           generally
           believed
           .
           And
           perhaps
           it
           would
           not
           be
           absurd
           ,
           if
           we
           referr'd
           many
           of
           the
           
             strange
             thwarts
          
           ,
           and
           
             unexpected
             events
          
           ,
           the
           disappointments
           and
           
             lucky
             coincidences
          
           that
           befal
           us
           ,
           the
           
             unaccountable
             fortunes
          
           and
           successes
           that
           attend
           some
           lucky
           men
           ,
           and
           the
           
             unhappy
             fates
          
           that
           dog
           others
           that
           seem
           born
           to
           be
           miserable
           ;
           the
           Fame
           and
           Favour
           that
           still
           waits
           on
           some
           without
           any
           conceivable
           motive
           to
           allure
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           
             general
             neglect
          
           of
           others
           more
           deserving
           ,
           whose
           worth
           is
           not
           acknowledg'd
           ;
           
           I
           say
           ,
           these
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           odde
           things
           ,
           may
           with
           the
           greatest
           probability
           be
           resolv'd
           into
           the
           Conduct
           and
           Menages
           of
           those
           
             invisible
             Supervisors
          
           ,
           that
           preside
           over
           ,
           and
           govern
           our
           affairs
           .
        
         
           
             But
             if
             they
             so
             far
             concern
             themselves
             in
             our
             matters
             ,
             how
             is
             it
             that
             they
          
           appear
           
             not
             to
             maintain
             a
          
           visible
           and
           confest
           correspondence
           
             with
             some
             of
             the
          
           better
           Mortals
           ,
           
             who
             are
             most
             fitted
             for
             their
             Communications
             and
             their
             influence
             ?
          
           To
           which
           I
           have
           said
           some
           things
           already
           ,
           when
           I
           accounted
           for
           the
           unfrequency
           of
           Apparitions
           ;
           and
           I
           
             now
             add
          
           what
           I
           intend
           for
           another
           return
           to
           the
           main
           Objection
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           That
           the
           apparition
           of
           good
           Spirits
           is
           not
           needful
           for
           the
           Designes
           of
           the
           better
           World
           ,
           whatever
           such
           may
           be
           for
           the
           interest
           of
           the
           other
           .
           For
           we
           have
           had
           the
           Appearance
           and
           Cohabitation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           have
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           the
           continued
           influence
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           
             greatest
             Arguments
          
           to
           strengthen
           Faith
           ,
           the
           most
           
             powerful
             Motives
          
           to
           excite
           our
           Love
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Noblest
             Encouragements
          
           to
           quicken
           and
           raise
           our
           desires
           and
           hopes
           ,
           any
           of
           which
           are
           more
           than
           the
           apparition
           of
           an
           Angel
           ;
           which
           would
           indeed
           be
           a
           great
           gratification
           of
           the
           
             Animal
             Life
          
           ,
           but
           't
           would
           render
           our
           Faith
           less
           noble
           and
           less
           generous
           ,
           were
           it
           frequently
           so
           assisted
           :
           
             Blessed
             are
             they
             that
             believe
             ,
             and
             yet
             have
             
             not
             seen
             .
          
           Besides
           which
           ,
           the
           
             good
             Angels
          
           have
           no
           such
           ends
           to
           prosecute
           ,
           as
           the
           gaining
           any
           Vassals
           to
           serve
           them
           ,
           they
           being
           
             ministring
             Spirits
          
           for
           our
           good
           ,
           and
           no
           self-designers
           for
           a
           proud
           and
           
             insolent
             Dominion
          
           over
           us
           .
           And
           it
           may
           be
           perhaps
           not
           impertinently
           added
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           not
           always
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           that
           appear
           ,
           as
           is
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           well
           upon
           what
           grounds
           ,
           generally
           imagined
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           extraordinary
           detections
           of
           
             Murders
             ,
             latent
             Ireasures
             ,
             falsified
          
           and
           
             unfulfill'd
             Bequests
          
           ,
           which
           are
           sometimes
           made
           by
           Apparitions
           ,
           may
           be
           the
           courteous
           Discoveries
           of
           the
           better
           ,
           and
           more
           benign
           Genii
           .
           Yea
           ,
           't
           is
           not
           unlikely
           ,
           that
           those
           Warnings
           that
           the
           World
           sometimes
           hath
           of
           approaching
           Iudgments
           and
           Calamities
           by
           Prodigies
           ,
           and
           sundry
           
             odd
             Phaenomena
          
           ,
           are
           the
           
             kind
             Informations
          
           of
           some
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           upper
           World.
           Thus
           ,
           was
           Ierusalem
           forewarned
           before
           its
           sacking
           by
           Antiochus
           ,
           by
           those
           
             Aiery
             Horsemen
          
           that
           were
           seen
           through
           all
           the
           City
           ,
           for
           almost
           forty
           days
           together
           ,
           2
           Mac
           V.
           ii
           ,
           iii.
           And
           the
           other
           
             Prodigious
             Portents
          
           that
           fore-ran
           its
           Destruction
           by
           Titus
           :
           which
           I
           mention
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           notorious
           instances
           .
           And
           though
           ,
           for
           mine
           own
           part
           ,
           I
           scorn
           the
           
             ordinary
             Tales
          
           of
           Prodigies
           ,
           which
           proceed
           from
           
             superstitious
             fears
          
           ,
           and
           unacquaintance
           with
           Nature
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           used
           to
           bad
           purposes
           
           by
           the
           Iealous
           and
           the
           Ignorant
           ;
           Yet
           I
           think
           that
           the
           Arguments
           that
           are
           brought
           by
           a
           late
           very
           ingenious
           Author
           ,
           to
           conclude
           against
           such
           Warnings
           and
           Predictions
           in
           the
           whole
           kind
           ,
           are
           short
           and
           inconsequent
           ,
           and
           built
           upon
           too
           narrow
           Hypothesis
           .
           For
           if
           it
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           sort
           of
           Spirits
           over
           us
           ,
           and
           about
           us
           ,
           who
           can
           give
           a
           probable
           guess
           at
           the
           more
           
             remarkable
             futurities
          
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           why
           it
           may
           not
           be
           conjectured
           ,
           that
           the
           kindness
           they
           have
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           appetite
           of
           fore-telling
           strange
           things
           ,
           and
           the
           putting
           the
           World
           upon
           expectation
           ,
           which
           we
           find
           is
           very
           grateful
           to
           our
           own
           Natures
           ,
           may
           not
           incline
           them
           also
           to
           give
           us
           some
           general
           notice
           of
           those
           uncommon
           Events
           which
           they
           foresee
           .
           And
           I
           yet
           perceive
           no
           reason
           we
           have
           to
           phancy
           ,
           that
           whatever
           is
           done
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           either
           immediately
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           from
           the
           Angels
           by
           
             extraordinary
             commission
          
           and
           appointment
           .
           But
           it
           seems
           to
           me
           not
           unreasonable
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           
             those
             officious
             Spirits
          
           ,
           that
           oversee
           our
           affairs
           ,
           perceiving
           some
           
             mighty
             and
             sad
             alterations
          
           at
           hand
           ,
           in
           which
           their
           Charge
           is
           much
           concerned
           ,
           cannot
           chuse
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           affection
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           give
           us
           some
           
             seasonable
             hints
          
           of
           those
           
             approaching
             Calamities
          
           ;
           to
           which
           also
           their
           natural
           desire
           to
           
             fore-tell
             strange
             things
          
           to
           come
           ,
           may
           
           contribute
           to
           incline
           them
           .
           And
           by
           this
           Hypothesis
           ,
           the
           
             fairest
             probabilities
          
           ,
           and
           
             strongest
             ratiotinations
          
           against
           Prodigies
           ,
           may
           be
           made
           unserviceable
           .
           But
           this
           onely
           by
           the
           way
           .
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           next
           Objection
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           made
           to
           speak
           thus
           :
        
         
           (
           XII
           .
           )
           The
           belief
           of
           Witches
           ,
           and
           the
           wonderful
           things
           they
           are
           said
           to
           perform
           by
           the
           help
           of
           the
           
             Confederate
             Daemon
          
           ,
           weakens
           our
           Faith
           ,
           and
           exposeth
           the
           World
           to
           lnfidelity
           in
           the
           great
           matters
           of
           our
           Religion
           .
           For
           if
           They
           by
           Diabolical
           assistance
           ,
           can
           inflict
           and
           cure
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           do
           things
           so
           much
           beyond
           the
           comprehension
           of
           our
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           activity
           of
           common
           Nature
           ;
           What
           assurance
           can
           we
           have
           ,
           that
           the
           Miracles
           that
           confirm
           our
           Gospel
           were
           not
           the
           effects
           of
           a
           Compact
           of
           like
           nature
           ,
           and
           that
           Devils
           were
           not
           cast
           out
           by
           Beelzebub
           ?
           If
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           can
           assume
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           render
           themselves
           visible
           in
           
             humane
             likeness
          
           ;
           What
           security
           can
           we
           have
           of
           the
           reality
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           of
           Christ
           ?
           And
           if
           ,
           by
           their
           help
           ,
           Witches
           can
           enter
           Chambers
           invisibly
           through
           Key-holes
           ,
           and
           little
           
             unperceived
             Cranneys
          
           ,
           and
           transform
           themselves
           at
           pleasure
           ;
           What
           Arguments
           of
           Divinity
           are
           there
           in
           our
           Saviour's
           shewing
           himself
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           when
           the
           Doors
           were
           shut
           ,
           and
           his
           Transfiguration
           in
           the
           Mount
           ?
           Miracles
           are
           the
           great
           inducements
           of
           
           Belief
           ,
           and
           How
           shall
           we
           distinguish
           a
           Miracle
           from
           a
           
             Lying
             Wonder
          
           ;
           a
           Testimony
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           from
           a
           Trick
           of
           the
           Angels
           of
           Hell
           ;
           if
           they
           can
           perform
           things
           that
           astonish
           and
           confound
           our
           Reasons
           ,
           and
           are
           beyond
           all
           the
           Possibilities
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           ?
           This
           Objection
           
             is
             spiteful
             and
             mischievous
             ,
             but
             I
             thus
             endeavour
             to
             dispatch
             it
             .
          
        
         
           (
           1.
           )
           The
           Wonders
           done
           by
           Confederacy
           with
           
             wicked
             Spirits
          
           ,
           cannot
           derive
           a
           suspition
           upon
           the
           undoubted
           Miracles
           that
           were
           wrought
           by
           the
           Author
           &
           Promulgers
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           performed
           by
           
             Diabolical
             Compact
          
           ,
           since
           their
           
             Spirit
             ,
             Endeavours
          
           and
           Designes
           were
           notoriously
           contrary
           to
           all
           the
           
             Tendencies
             ,
             Aims
          
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           of
           Darkness
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Life
           and
           Temper
           of
           the
           Blessed
           and
           Adorable
           IESUS
           ,
           we
           know
           there
           was
           an
           incomparable
           sweetness
           in
           his
           
             Nature
             ,
             Humility
          
           in
           his
           
             Manners
             ,
             Calmness
          
           in
           his
           
             Temper
             ,
             Compassion
          
           in
           his
           
             Miracles
             ,
             Modesty
          
           in
           his
           
             Expressions
             ,
             Holiness
          
           in
           all
           his
           
             Actions
             ,
             Hatred
          
           of
           Vice
           and
           Baseness
           ,
           and
           Love
           to
           all
           the
           World
           ;
           all
           which
           are
           
             essentially
             contrary
          
           to
           the
           Nature
           and
           Constistitution
           of
           
             Apostate
             Spirits
          
           ,
           who
           abound
           in
           Pride
           and
           
             Rancour
             ,
             Insolence
          
           and
           
             Rudeness
             ,
             Tyranny
          
           and
           Baseness
           ,
           universal
           Malice
           ,
           and
           Hatred
           of
           Men.
           And
           their
           Designes
           are
           as
           opposite
           ,
           as
           
           their
           Spirit
           and
           their
           Genius
           .
           And
           now
           ,
           Can
           the
           Sun
           borrow
           its
           Light
           from
           the
           
             bottomless
             Abyss
          
           ?
           Can
           Heat
           and
           Warmth
           flow
           in
           upon
           the
           World
           from
           the
           Regions
           of
           Snow
           and
           Ice
           ?
           Can
           
             Fire
             freeze
          
           ,
           and
           
             Water
             burn
          
           ?
           Can
           Natures
           ,
           so
           infinitely
           contrary
           ,
           communicate
           ,
           and
           jump
           in
           projects
           ,
           that
           are
           destructive
           to
           each
           others
           
             known
             Interests
          
           ?
           Is
           there
           any
           Balsome
           in
           the
           
             Cockatrice's
             Egge
          
           ?
           or
           ,
           Can
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           flow
           from
           the
           Venome
           of
           the
           Asp
           ?
           Will
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           strengthen
           the
           Arm
           that
           is
           stretcht
           out
           to
           pluck
           his
           
             Usurp't
             Scepter
          
           ,
           and
           his
           Spoyls
           from
           him
           ?
           And
           will
           he
           lend
           his
           Legions
           ,
           to
           assist
           the
           Armies
           of
           his
           Enemy
           against
           him
           ?
           No
           ,
           these
           are
           impossible
           Supposals
           ;
           No
           intelligent
           Being
           will
           industriously
           and
           knowingly
           contribute
           to
           the
           Contradiction
           of
           its
           own
           Principles
           ,
           the
           Defeature
           of
           its
           Purposes
           ,
           and
           the
           Ruine
           of
           its
           own
           dearest
           Interests
           .
           There
           is
           no
           fear
           then
           ,
           that
           our
           Faith
           should
           receive
           prejudice
           from
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           Being
           of
           Witches
           ,
           and
           power
           of
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           ,
           since
           't
           is
           not
           the
           
             doing
             wonderful
             things
          
           that
           is
           the
           onely
           Evidence
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             IESUS
          
           was
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           
             Doctrine
             true
          
           ;
           but
           the
           conjunction
           of
           other
           circumstances
           ,
           the
           holiness
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           the
           reasonableness
           of
           his
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           excellency
           of
           his
           Designes
           ,
           added
           credit
           to
           his
           Works
           ,
           and
           strengthned
           the
           
           
             great
             Conclusion
             ,
             That
             he
             could
             be
             no
             other
             than
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Saviour
             of
             the
             World.
          
           But
           besides
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
        
         
           (
           2.
           )
           That
           since
           
             infinite
             Wisdome
          
           and
           Goodness
           rules
           the
           World
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           conceiv'd
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           give
           up
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           men
           to
           
             unavoidable
             deception
          
           .
           And
           if
           
             evil
             Angels
          
           ,
           by
           their
           Confederates
           ,
           are
           permitted
           to
           perform
           such
           astonishing
           things
           ,
           as
           seem
           so
           evidently
           to
           carry
           
             God's
             Seal
          
           and
           Power
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           confirmation
           of
           Falshoods
           ,
           and
           gaining
           credit
           to
           Impostors
           ,
           without
           any
           counter-evidence
           to
           disabuse
           the
           World
           ;
           Mankind
           is
           exposed
           to
           sad
           and
           
             fatal
             delusion
          
           .
           And
           to
           say
           that
           Providence
           will
           suffer
           us
           to
           be
           deceived
           in
           things
           of
           the
           greatest
           concernment
           ,
           when
           we
           use
           the
           best
           of
           our
           care
           and
           endeavours
           to
           prevent
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           speak
           hard
           things
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           in
           effect
           to
           affirm
           ,
           That
           He
           hath
           nothing
           to
           do
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           doth
           not
           concern
           Himself
           in
           the
           affairs
           of
           poor
           forlorn
           Men.
           And
           if
           the
           Providence
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           be
           not
           a
           security
           unto
           us
           against
           such
           Deceptions
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           assured
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           are
           always
           abused
           by
           those
           
             mischievous
             Agents
          
           ,
           in
           the
           Objects
           of
           
             plain
             sense
          
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           the
           matters
           of
           our
           dayly
           Converses
           .
           If
           ONE
           that
           pretends
           he
           is
           immediately
           sent
           from
           God
           ,
           to
           overthrow
           the
           ancient
           Fabrick
           of
           Established
           
           Worship
           ,
           and
           to
           erect
           a
           
             New
             Religion
          
           in
           His
           Name
           ;
           shall
           be
           born
           of
           a
           Virgin
           ,
           and
           honour'd
           by
           a
           
             miraculous
             Star
          
           ;
           proclaimed
           by
           a
           Song
           of
           seeming
           Angels
           of
           Light
           ,
           and
           Worshipped
           by
           the
           
             wise
             Sages
          
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           Revered
           by
           those
           of
           the
           greatest
           austerity
           ,
           and
           admired
           by
           all
           for
           a
           
             miraculous
             Wisdome
          
           ,
           beyond
           his
           Education
           and
           his
           Years
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           
             feed
             Multitudes
          
           with
           almost
           nothing
           ,
           and
           
             fast
             himself
          
           beyond
           all
           the
           possibilities
           of
           Nature
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           be
           transformed
           into
           the
           appearance
           of
           
             extraordinary
             Glory
          
           ,
           and
           converse
           with
           departed
           Prophets
           in
           their
           
             visible
             Forms
          
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           Cure
           all
           Diseases
           without
           Physick
           or
           Endeavour
           ,
           and
           raise
           the
           Dead
           to
           Life
           after
           they
           have
           stunk
           in
           their
           Graves
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           be
           honoured
           by
           Voyces
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           attract
           the
           universal
           Wonder
           of
           Princes
           and
           People
           :
           If
           he
           shall
           
             allay
             Tempests
          
           with
           a
           Beck
           ,
           and
           cast
           out
           Devils
           with
           a
           Word
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           fore-tell
           his
           own
           Death
           particularly
           ,
           with
           its
           
             Tragical
             Circumstances
          
           ,
           and
           his
           Resurrection
           after
           it
           :
           If
           the
           Veil
           of
           the
           most
           Famous
           Temple
           in
           the
           World
           shall
           be
           rent
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Sun
             darkened
          
           at
           his
           Funeral
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           ,
           within
           the
           time
           foretold
           ,
           break
           the
           bonds
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           lift
           up
           his
           Head
           out
           of
           the
           Grave
           :
           If
           Multitudes
           of
           other
           
             departed
             Souls
          
           shall
           arise
           with
           Him
           ,
           to
           attend
           at
           the
           Solemnity
           of
           
             His
             Resurrection
          
           :
           If
           He
           shall
           
           after
           Death
           ,
           
             visibly
             converse
          
           with
           ,
           eat
           and
           drink
           with
           ,
           divers
           persons
           ,
           who
           could
           not
           be
           deceived
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           
             clear
             sense
          
           ,
           and
           ascend
           in
           Glory
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           an
           astonisht
           and
           admiring
           Multitude
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           such
           a
           One
           as
           this
           should
           prove
           a
           
             Diabolical
             Impostor
          
           ,
           and
           Providence
           should
           permit
           him
           to
           be
           so
           credited
           and
           acknowledged
           ;
           What
           possibility
           were
           there
           then
           for
           us
           to
           be
           assured
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           always
           deceived
           ?
           yea
           ,
           that
           our
           very
           Faculties
           were
           not
           given
           us
           onely
           to
           delude
           and
           abuse
           us
           ?
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           the
           next
           Conclusion
           is
           ,
           
             That
             there
             is
             no
             God
             that
             judgeth
             in
             the
             Earth
          
           ;
           and
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           most
           likely
           Hypothesis
           will
           be
           ,
           
             That
             the
             World
             is
             given
             up
             to
             the
             Government
             of
             the
             Devils
             .
          
           But
           if
           there
           be
           a
           Providence
           that
           superviseth
           us
           ,
           (
           as
           nothing
           is
           more
           certain
           )
           doubtless
           ,
           it
           will
           never
           suffer
           poor
           helpless
           Creatures
           to
           be
           
             inevitably
             deceived
          
           ,
           by
           the
           craft
           and
           subtilty
           of
           their
           
             mischievous
             Enemy
          
           ,
           to
           their
           undoing
           ;
           but
           will
           without
           question
           take
           such
           care
           ,
           that
           the
           works
           wrought
           by
           
             Divine
             Power
          
           for
           the
           Confirmation
           of
           
             Divine
             Truth
          
           ,
           shall
           have
           such
           
             visible
             Marks
          
           and
           Signatures
           ,
           if
           not
           in
           their
           Nature
           ,
           yet
           in
           their
           
             Circumstances
             ,
             Ends
          
           and
           Designes
           ,
           as
           shall
           discover
           
             whence
             they
             are
          
           ,
           and
           sufficiently
           distinguish
           them
           from
           all
           Impostures
           and
           Delusions
           .
           And
           though
           wicked
           Spirits
           may
           perform
           some
           strange
           
           things
           that
           may
           excite
           wonder
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           yet
           
             He
             hath
          
           ,
           and
           will
           so
           provide
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           be
           
             baffled
             and
             discredited
          
           ;
           as
           we
           know
           it
           was
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           
             Aegyptian
             Magicians
          
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           besides
           what
           I
           have
           directly
           said
           to
           the
           Objection
           ,
           I
           have
           this
           to
           adde
           to
           the
           Objectors
           ,
           That
           I
           could
           wish
           they
           would
           take
           care
           of
           such
           Suggestions
           ;
           which
           ,
           if
           they
           overthrow
           not
           the
           Opinion
           they
           oppose
           ,
           will
           dangerously
           affront
           the
           Religion
           they
           would
           seem
           to
           acknowledge
           .
           For
           he
           that
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             if
             there
             are
          
           WITCHES
           ,
           
             there
             is
             no
             way
             to
             prove
             that
          
           Christ
           Jesus
           
             was
             not
             a
             Magician
             ,
             and
             Diabolical
             Impostor
          
           ;
           puts
           a
           deadly
           Weapon
           into
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Infidel
           ,
           and
           is
           himself
           next
           door
           to
           the
           
             SIN
             AGAINST
             THE
             HOLY
             GHOST
          
           :
           of
           which
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           perswading
           greater
           tenderness
           and
           caution
           in
           such
           matters
           ,
           I
           give
           this
           short
           account
           .
        
         
           The
           Sin
           against
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           is
           said
           to
           be
           Unpardonable
           ;
           by
           which
           sad
           Attribute
           ,
           and
           the
           Discourse
           of
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             Mat.
          
           XII
           .
           from
           the
           xxii
           .
           to
           the
           xxxiii
           ver
           .
           we
           may
           understand
           its
           Nature
           :
           In
           order
           to
           which
           we
           consider
           ,
           That
           since
           the
           Mercies
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Merits
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           are
           infinite
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           can
           make
           a
           Sin
           unpardonable
           ,
           but
           what
           makes
           it
           incurable
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           Sin
           but
           what
           is
           curable
           by
           a
           
             strong
             
             Faith
          
           ,
           and
           a
           
             vigorus
             Endeavour
             :
             For
             all
             things
             are
             possible
             to
             him
             that
             believeth
             .
          
           So
           that
           ,
           that
           which
           makes
           a
           Sin
           incurable
           ,
           must
           be
           somewhat
           that
           makes
           
             Faith
             impossible
          
           ,
           and
           obstructs
           all
           means
           of
           Conviction
           .
           In
           order
           to
           the
           finding
           which
           ,
           we
           must
           consider
           the
           ways
           and
           methods
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           hath
           taken
           for
           the
           begetting
           Faith
           ,
           and
           cure
           of
           Infidelity
           :
           which
           it
           attempted
           ,
           first
           ,
           by
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           holy
           men
           of
           antient
           times
           ;
           who
           ,
           by
           the
           excellency
           of
           their
           Doctrine
           ,
           the
           greatness
           of
           their
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           the
           holiness
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           endeavoured
           the
           conviction
           and
           reformation
           of
           a
           stubborn
           and
           unbelieving
           World.
           But
           though
           
             Few
             believed
             their
             report
          
           ,
           and
           men
           would
           not
           be
           prevail'd
           on
           by
           what
           they
           did
           ,
           or
           what
           they
           said
           ,
           yet
           their
           Infidelity
           was
           not
           hitherto
           incurable
           ,
           because
           further
           means
           were
           provided
           in
           the
           Ministry
           of
           Iohn
           the
           Baptist
           ,
           whose
           Life
           was
           more
           severe
           ,
           whose
           Doctrines
           were
           more
           plain
           ,
           pressing
           and
           particular
           ;
           and
           therefore
           't
           was
           possible
           that
           He
           might
           have
           succeeded
           .
           Yea
           ,
           and
           where
           He
           failed
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           open
           mens
           hearts
           and
           their
           eyes
           ,
           the
           Effect
           was
           still
           in
           possibility
           ,
           and
           it
           might
           be
           expected
           from
           Him
           that
           came
           after
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Prophets
           and
           Iohn
           were
           but
           the
           Twilight
           and
           the
           Dawn
           .
           And
           though
           
             His
             miraculous
             Birth
          
           ,
           the
           Song
           of
           Angels
           ,
           the
           Iourney
           of
           
           the
           
             Wise
             Men
          
           of
           the
           East
           ,
           and
           the
           correspondence
           of
           Prophesies
           ,
           with
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           the
           
             first
             appearance
          
           of
           the
           
             Wonderful
             Infant
          
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           though
           these
           had
           not
           been
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           yet
           was
           there
           a
           further
           provision
           made
           for
           the
           cure
           of
           Infidelity
           ,
           in
           his
           
             astonishing
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           and
           most
           
             excellent
             Doctrines
          
           ;
           For
           ,
           
             He
             spake
             as
             never
             Man
             did
             .
          
           And
           when
           These
           were
           despised
           and
           neglected
           ,
           yet
           there
           were
           other
           means
           towards
           Conviction
           ,
           and
           Cure
           of
           Unbelief
           ,
           in
           those
           mighty
           Works
           that
           bore
           Testimony
           of
           Him
           ,
           and
           ware
           the
           evident
           marks
           of
           
             Divine
             Power
          
           in
           their
           foreheads
           .
           But
           when
           after
           all
           ,
           these
           clear
           and
           
             unquestionable
             Miracles
          
           which
           were
           wrought
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           had
           eminently
           his
           Superscription
           on
           them
           ,
           shall
           be
           ascribed
           to
           the
           Agency
           of
           
             evil
             Spirits
          
           ,
           and
           
             Diabolical
             Compact
          
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           by
           the
           malicious
           and
           
             spightful
             Pharisees
          
           in
           the
           periods
           above-mentioned
           ;
           when
           those
           great
           and
           
             last
             Testimonies
          
           against
           Infidelity
           ,
           shall
           be
           said
           to
           be
           but
           the
           Tricks
           of
           Sorcery
           ,
           and
           Complotment
           with
           
             Hellish
             Confederates
             ,
             This
          
           is
           Blasphemy
           in
           the
           highest
           ,
           against
           the
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           cuts
           off
           all
           means
           of
           Conviction
           ,
           and
           puts
           the
           Unbeliever
           beyond
           all
           possibilities
           of
           Cure.
           For
           Miracles
           are
           God's
           Seal
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           and
           last
           evidence
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           any
           Doctrine
           .
           And
           though
           ,
           while
           these
           are
           onely
           disbelieved
           
           as
           to
           the
           Fact
           ,
           there
           remains
           a
           possibility
           of
           perswasion
           ;
           yet
           ,
           when
           the
           Fact
           shall
           be
           acknowledg'd
           ,
           but
           the
           Power
           blasphemed
           ,
           and
           the
           effects
           of
           the
           adorable
           
             Spirit
             maliciously
          
           imputed
           to
           the
           Devils
           ;
           such
           a
           Blasphemy
           ,
           such
           an
           Infidelity
           is
           incurable
           ,
           and
           consequently
           unpardonable
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           in
           sum
           ,
           the
           Sin
           against
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           
             malicious
             imputation
          
           of
           the
           Miracles
           wrought
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           our
           Saviour
           to
           
             Satanical
             Confederacy
          
           ,
           and
           the
           power
           of
           
             Apostate
             Spirits
          
           ;
           Than
           which
           ,
           nothing
           is
           more
           blasphemous
           ,
           and
           nothing
           is
           more
           like
           to
           provoke
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           that
           is
           so
           abused
           to
           an
           
             Eternal
             Dereliction
          
           of
           so
           Vile
           and
           so
           Incurable
           an
           Unbeliever
           .
        
         
           This
           account
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           clear
           and
           reasonable
           in
           it self
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           plainly
           lodg'd
           in
           the
           mention'd
           Discourse
           of
           our
           Saviour
           .
           And
           those
           that
           speak
           other
           things
           about
           it
           ,
           seem
           to
           me
           to
           talk
           at
           randome
           ,
           and
           perfectly
           without
           book
           .
           But
           to
           leave
           them
           to
           the
           fondness
           of
           their
           own
           conceits
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           now
           time
           to
           draw
           up
           to
           a
           Conclusion
           of
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           briefly
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           I
           have
           endeavoured
           in
           these
           Papers
           ,
           which
           my
           respect
           and
           your
           concernment
           in
           the
           subject
           have
           made
           yours
           ,
           to
           remove
           the
           main
           prejudices
           I
           could
           think
           of
           ,
           against
           the
           existence
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           ;
           
           and
           I
           'm
           sure
           I
           have
           suggested
           much
           more
           against
           what
           I
           defend
           ,
           than
           ever
           I
           heard
           or
           saw
           in
           any
           that
           opposed
           it
           ;
           whose
           Discourses
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           have
           seemed
           to
           me
           inspired
           by
           a
           
             lofty
             scorn
          
           of
           common
           belief
           ,
           and
           some
           
             trivial
             Notions
          
           of
           
             Vulgar
             Philosophy
          
           .
           And
           in
           despising
           the
           
             Common
             Faith
          
           about
           matters
           of
           Fact
           ,
           and
           fondly
           adhering
           to
           it
           in
           things
           of
           Speculation
           ,
           they
           very
           grosly
           and
           absurdly
           mistake
           :
           For
           in
           things
           of
           Fact
           ,
           the
           People
           are
           as
           much
           to
           be
           believ'd
           as
           the
           most
           
             subtile
             Philosophers
          
           and
           Speculators
           ;
           since
           here
           ,
           Sense
           is
           the
           Judge
           .
           But
           in
           matters
           of
           Notions
           and
           
             Iheory
             ,
             They
          
           are
           not
           at
           all
           to
           be
           heeded
           ,
           because
           Reason
           is
           to
           be
           Judge
           of
           these
           ,
           and
           this
           they
           know
           not
           how
           to
           use
           .
           And
           yet
           thus
           it
           is
           with
           those
           wise
           Philosophers
           ,
           that
           will
           deny
           the
           plain
           evidence
           of
           the
           Senses
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           reconcile
           appearances
           with
           the
           fond
           Crotchets
           of
           a
           Philosophy
           which
           they
           lighted
           on
           in
           the
           High-way
           by
           chance
           ,
           and
           will
           adhere
           to
           at
           adventure
           .
           So
           that
           I
           profess
           ,
           for
           mine
           own
           part
           ,
           I
           never
           yet
           heard
           any
           of
           the
           confident
           Declaimers
           against
           Witchcraft
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           speak
           any
           thing
           that
           might
           move
           a
           mind
           ,
           in
           any
           degree
           instructed
           in
           the
           generous
           kinds
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           and
           Nature
           of
           things
           .
           And
           for
           the
           Objections
           I
           have
           recited
           ,
           they
           are
           such
           as
           rise
           out
           of
           mine
           own
           thoughts
           ,
           
           which
           I
           obliged
           to
           consider
           what
           was
           possible
           to
           be
           said
           upon
           this
           cccasion
           ,
           For
           though
           I
           have
           examined
           
             Scot's
             Discovery
          
           ,
           phancying
           that
           there
           I
           should
           find
           the
           
             strong
             reasons
          
           of
           mens
           dis-belief
           in
           this
           matter
           ;
           yet
           I
           profess
           I
           met
           not
           with
           the
           least
           suggestion
           in
           all
           that
           Farrago
           ,
           but
           what
           it
           had
           been
           ridiculous
           for
           me
           to
           have
           gone
           about
           to
           answer
           :
           For
           the
           Author
           doth
           little
           but
           tell
           
             odd
             Tales
          
           ,
           and
           
             silly
             Legends
          
           ,
           which
           he
           confutes
           and
           laughs
           at
           ,
           and
           pretends
           this
           to
           be
           a
           Confutation
           of
           the
           Being
           of
           Witches
           and
           Apparitions
           :
           In
           all
           which
           ,
           His
           Reasonings
           are
           trifling
           and
           Childish
           ;
           and
           when
           He
           ventures
           at
           Philosophy
           ,
           He
           is
           little
           better
           than
           absurd
           :
           So
           that
           't
           will
           be
           a
           Wonder
           to
           me
           ,
           if
           any
           but
           Boys
           and
           Buffoons
           imbibe
           any
           Prejudices
           against
           a
           Belief
           so
           infinitely
           Confirmed
           ,
           from
           the
           Loose
           and
           
             Impotent
             Suggestions
          
           of
           so
           weak
           a
           Discourser
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           't
           is
           fit
           that
           I
           relieve
           your
           patience
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           do
           so
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           that
           You
           can
           abundantly
           prove
           ,
           what
           I
           have
           but
           attempted
           to
           defend
           :
           And
           that
           among
           the
           many
           Obligations
           your
           Country
           hath
           to
           you
           ,
           for
           the
           Wisdome
           and
           Diligence
           of
           your
           Endeavours
           in
           its
           service
           ;
           your
           
             Ingenious
             Industry
          
           for
           the
           Detecting
           of
           those
           
             Vile
             Practicers
          
           ,
           
           is
           not
           the
           least
           considerable
           .
           To
           which
           I
           will
           add
           no
           more
           ,
           but
           the
           Confession
           who
           it
           is
           that
           hath
           given
           you
           all
           this
           trouble
           ;
           which
           I
           know
           you
           are
           ready
           to
           pardon
           ,
           to
           the
           respect
           and
           good
           Intentions
           of
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
           
             
               Your
               Affectionate
               and
               Obliged
               Honourer
               and
               Servant
               ,
            
             J.
             G.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Advertisements
           of
           some
           Books
           printed
           for
           and
           sold
           by
           James
           Collins
           at
           his
           Shop
           in
           Westminster-Hall
           ,
           1667.
           
        
         
           
             FLora
             Ceres
             &
             Pomona
          
           ,
           or
           a
           Compleat
           Florilege
           furnished
           with
           all
           requisites
           belonging
           to
           a
           Florist
           ,
           by
           
             Iohn
             Rea
          
           ,
           Gent.
           fol.
           
        
         
           Bentivolio
           and
           Uranica
           ,
           wrote
           by
           
             N.
             Ingelo
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           fol.
           
        
         
           Forty
           Sermons
           preached
           by
           the
           late
           learned
           and
           famous
           
             Anthony
             Farrindon
          
           ,
           B.
           D.
           fol.
           
        
         
           Bishop
           Hall's
           Works
           in
           three
           Volumes
           ,
           fol.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Compleat
             Angler
          
           ,
           shewing
           the
           whole
           Art
           of
           Fishing
           in
           our
           English
           Rivers
           ,
           &c.
           8º
        
         
           
             Mercurius
             Centralis
          
           ,
           a
           Discourse
           of
           Subterraneal
           Treasure
           ,
           12.
           
        
         
           A
           Sermon
           preached
           before
           the
           Peers
           in
           the
           Abby
           .
           Church
           at
           Westminster
           ,
           upon
           the
           10th
           of
           October
           ,
           1666.
           being
           a
           Fast
           ordered
           by
           His
           Majestie
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           in
           Consideration
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           late
           Dreadful
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           that
           consumed
           the
           greater
           part
           of
           the
           City
           of
           London
           ,
           by
           Seth
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Exon.
           in
           4o.