Wonders of the Invisible World, and A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New England Witches — 29. Cases of Conscience Concerning Witchcrafts, Argument 1

WITCHCRAFTS.

The First Case that I am desired to express my Judgment in, is this, _Whether it is not Possible for the Devil to impose on the imaginations of Persons Bewitched, and to cause them to Believe that an Innocent, yea that a Pious person does torment them, when the Devil himself doth it;

or whether Satan may not appear in the Shape of an Innocent and Pious, as well as of a Nocent and Wicked Person, to Afflict such as suffer by Diabolical Molestations?

_ The Answer to the Question must be Affirmative; Let the following Arguments be duely weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary.

_Argu.

1. _ There are several Scriptures from which we may infer the Possibility of what is Affirmed.

1. We find that the _Devil by the Instigation of the Witch at Endor appeared in the Likeness of the Prophet Samuel_.

I am not ignorant that some have asserted that, which, if it were proved, would evert this Argument, _viz.

_ that it was the true and not a delusive _Samuel_ which the Witch brought to converse with _Saul_.

Of this Opinion are some of the Jewish Rabbies[1] and some Christian Doctors[2] and many late Popish Authors[3] amongst whom _Cornel.

a Lapide_ is most elaborate.

But that it was a _Daemon_ representing _Samuel_ has been evinced by learned and Orthodox Writers: especially [4]_Peter Martyr_, [5]_Balduinus [6]Lavater_, and our incomparable _John Rainolde_.

I shall not here insist on the clearing of that, especially considering, that elsewhere I have done it: only let me add, that the Witch said to _Saul_, _I see Elohim_, i. e. _A God_; (for the whole Context shows, that a single Person is intended) _Ascending out of the Earth_.

_1 Sam.

28. 13. _ The Devil would be Worshipped as a God, and _Saul_ now, that he was become a _Necromancer_, must bow himself to him.

Moreover, had it been the true _Samuel_ from Heaven reprehending _Saul_, there is great Reason to believe, that he would not only have reproved him for his sin, in not executing Judgment on the _Amalekites_; as in Ver.

18. But for his Wickedness in consulting with Familiar Spirits: For which Sin it was in special that he died.

_2 Chron.

10. 13. _ But in as much as there is not one word to testify against that Abomination, we may conclude that it was not real _Samuel_ that appeared to _Saul_: and if it were the Devil in his likeness, the Argument seems very strong, that if the Devil may appear in the form of a Saint in Glory, much more is it possible for him to put on the likeness of the most Pious and Innocent Saint on Earth.

There are, who acknowledge that a _Daemon_ may appear in the shape of a Godly Person, _But not as doing Evil_.

Whereas the Devil in _Samuel's_ likeness told a pernicious Lye, when he said, _Thou hath disquieted me.

_ It was not in the Power of _Saul_, nor of all the Devils in Hell, to disquiet a Soul in Heaven, where _Samuel_ had been for Two years before this Apparition.

Nor did the _Spectre_ speak true, when he said, _Thou and thy Sons shall be with me:_ Tho' _Saul_ himself at his Death went to be with the Devil, his Son _Jonathan_ did not so.

Besides, (which suits with the matter in hand) the Devil in _Samuels_ shape confirmed _Necromancy_ and _Cursed Witchery_.

He that can in the likeness of Saints encourage Witches to Familiarity with Hell, may possibly in the likeness of a Saint afflict a Bewitched Person.

But this we see from Scripture, Satan may be permitted to do.

And whereas it is objected, that the Devil may appear indeed in the form of Dead Persons, but that he cannot represent such as are living; The contrary is manifest.

No Question had _Saul_ said to the Witch, bring me _David_ who was then living, she could as easily have shown living _David_ as dead _Samuel_, as easily as that great Conjurer of whom [7]_Wierus_ speaks, brought the appearance of _Hector_ and _Achilles_, and after that of _David_ before the Emperour _Maximilian_.

And that evil Angels have sometimes appeared in the likeness of living absent persons, is a thing abundantly confirmed by History.

[8]_Austin_ tells us of one that went for resolution in some intricate Questions to a Philosopher, of whom he could get no Answer; but in the Night the Philosopher comes to him, and resolves all his Doubts.

Not long after, he demanded the reason why he could not answer him in the Day as well as in the Night; The Philosopher professed he was not with him in the Night, only acknowledged that he dreamed of his having such conversation of his Friend, but he was all the time at home, and asleep.

_Paulus_ and _Palladius_ did both of them profess to _Austin_, that one in his shape, had divers times, and in divers places appeared to them: [9]_Thyreus_ mentions several Apparitions of absent living persons, which happened in his time, and which he had the certain knowledge of.

A

Man that is in one place cannot (_Autoprosopos_) at the same time be in another.

It remains then that such _Spectres_ are Prodigious and Supernatural, and not without Diabolical Operation.

It has been Controverted among Learned Men, whether innocent Persons may not by the malice and deluding Power of the Devil be represented as present amongst Witches at their dark Assemblies.

The mentioned _Thyreus_ says, that the Devil may, and often does represent the forms of Innocent Persons out of those Conventions, and that there is no Question to be made of it, but as to his natural Power and Art he is able to make their shapes appear amongst his own Servants, but he supposeth the Providence of God will not suffer such an Injury to be done to an Innocent Person.

With him [10]_Delrio_, and _Spineus_ concur.

But _Cumanus_ in his _Lucerna Inquisitorum_ (a Book which I have not yet seen) defends the Affirmative in this Question.

_Bins Fieldius_ in his Treatise, concerning the Confession of Witches, inclines to the Negative, only [11]he acknowledges _Dei extraordinaria Permissione posse Innocentes sic representari.

_ And he that shall assert, that Great and Holy God never did nor ever will permit the Devil thus far to abuse an Innocent Person, affirms more than he is able to prove.

The story of _Germanus_ his discovering a Diabolical illusion of this nature, concerning a great number of Persons that seemed to be at a Feast when they were really at home and asleep, is mentioned by many Authors.

But the particulars insisted on, do sufficiently evince the Truth of what we assert, _viz.

_ That the Devil may by Divine Permission appear in the shape of Innocent and Pious Persons.

Nevertheless, It is evident from another Scripture, _viz.

_ that in _2 Cor.

11. 14. _ _For Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light.

_ He seems to be what he is not, and makes others seem to be what they are not.

He represents evil men as good, and good men as evil.

The Angels of Heaven, (who are the Angels of Light) love Truth and Righteousness, the Devil will seem to do so too; and does therefore sometimes lay before men excellent good Principles and exhort them (as he did _Theodore Maillit_) to practise many things, which by the Law of Righteousness they are obliged unto, and hereby he does more effectually deceive.

Is it not strange, that he has sometimes intimated to his most devoted servants, that if they would have familiar Conversation with him, they must be careful to keep themselves from enormous Sins, and pray constantly for Divine Protection?

But so has he transformed himself into an Angel of Light, as [12]_Boissardus_ sheweth.

He has frequently appeared to Men pretending to be a good Angel, so to _Anatolius_ of old; and the late instances of [13]Dr. _Dee_ and _Kellet_ are famously known.

How many deluded _Enthusiasts_ both in former and latter times have been imposed on by Satans appearing visibly to them, pretending to be a good Angel.

And moreover, he may be said to transform himself into an _Angel of Light_, because of his appearing in the Form of _Holy Men_, who are the _Children of Light_, yea in the shape and habit of Eminent Ministers of God.

So did he appear to Mr. _Earl_ of _Colchester_ in the likeness of Mr. _Liddal_ an Holy Man of God, and to the _Turkish Chaous_ Baptized at _London_, _Anno 1658. _ pretending to be Mr. _Dury_ an Excellent Minister of Christ.

And how often has he pretended to be the Apostle _Paul_ or _Peter_ or some other celebrated Saint?

Ecclesiastical Histories abound with Instances of this nature.

Yea, sometimes he has transfigured himself into the Form of Christ.

It is reported that he appeared to [14]St. _Martin_ Gloriously arrayed, as if he had been Christ.

So likewise to [15]_Secundellus_, and to another Saint, who suspecting it was Satan, transforming himself into an _Angel of Light_ had this expression, _If I may see Christ in Heaven it is enough, I desire not to see him in this World_; whereupon the _Spectre_ vanished.

It has been related of _Luther_, that after he had been Fasting and Praying in his Study, the Devil come pretending to be Christ, but _Luther_ saying, _away thou confounded Devil, I acknowledge no Christ but what is in my Bible_, nothing more was seen.

Thus then the Devil is able (by Divine Permission) to Change himself into what form or figure he pleaseth, _Omnia transformat sese in miracula rerum.

_ A Third Scripture to our purpose is that, in _Rev.

12. 10. _ where the Devil is called the _Accuser of the Brethren_.

Such is the malice and impudence of the Devil, as that he does accuse good Men, and that before God, and that not only of such Faults as they really are guilty of, he accused _Joshua_ with his filthy Garments, when through his Indulgence some of his Family had transgressed by unlawful Marriages, _Zach.

3. 23. _ with _Ezra.

10. 18. _ but also with such Crimes, as they are altogether free from.

He represented the Primitive Christians as the vilest of men, and as if at their Meetings they did commit the most nefandous Villanies that ever were known; and that not only Innocent, but Eminently Pious Persons should thro' the malice of the Devil be accused with the Crime of Witchcraft, is no new thing.

Such an Affliction did the Lord see meet to exercise the great _Athanasius_ with[16] only the Divine Providence did wonderfully vindicate him from that as well as from some other foul Aspersions.

The _Waldenses_ (altho' the Scriptures call them _Saints_, _Rev.

13. 7. _) have been traduced by Satan and by the World as horrible Witches; so have others in other places, only because they have done extraordinary things by their Prayers: It is by many Authors related, that a City in _France_ was molested with a Diabolical _Spectre_, which the People were wont to call _Hugon_; near that place a number of Protestants were wont to meet to serve God, whence the Professors of the true reformed Religion were nic-named _Hugonots_, by the Papists, who designed to render them before the World, as the Servants and Worshippers of that _Daemon_, that went under the name of _Hugon_.

And how often have I read in Books written by Jesuits, that _Luther_ was a Wizard, and that he did himself confess that he had familiarity with Satan!

Most impudent Untruths!

nor are these things to be wondered at, since the Holy Son of God himself was reputed a _Magician_, and one that had Familiarity with the greatest of Devils.

The Blaspheming Pharisees said, _he casts out the Devils thro' the Prince of Devils_, _Matth.

9. 34. _ There is then not the best Saint on Earth (Man or Woman) that can assure themselves that the Devil shall not cast such an Imputation upon them.

_It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master, and the Servant as his Lord: If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub, how much more them of his Household_, _Matth.

10. 25. _ It is not for men to determine how far the Holy God may permit the wicked one to proceed in his Accusations.

The sacred story of _Job_ giveth us to understand, that the Lord whose ways are past finding out, does for wise and holy Ends suffer Satan by immediate Operation, (and consequently by Witchcraft) greatly to afflict innocent Persons, as in their Bodies and Estates, so in their Reputations.

I shall mention but one Scripture more to confirm the Truth in hand: It is that in _Eccles.

9. 2, 3. _ where it is said, _All things come alike to all, there is one event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, as is the Good, so is the Sinner, this is an evil amongst all things under the Sun, that there is one Event happeneth to all.

_ And in _Eccles.

7. 15. _ 'tis said, _There is a just man that perisheth in his Righteousness.

_ From hence we infer, that there is no outward Affliction whatsoever but may befal a good Man; now to be represented by Satan as a Tormentor of Bewitched or Possessed Persons, is a sore Affliction to a good man.

To be tormented by Satan is a sore Affliction, yet nothing but what befel _Job_, and a Daughter of _Abraham_, whom we read of in the Gospel: To be represented by Satan as tormenting others, is an Affliction like the former; the Lord may bring such extraordinary Temptations on his own Children, to afflict and humble them, for some Sin they have been guilty of before him.

A most wicked Person in St. _Ives_, got a Knife, and went with it to a Ministers House, designing to stab him, but was disappointed; afterwards Conscience being awakened, the Devil appears to this Person in the Shape of that Minister, with a Knife in his hand exhorting to Self-murder: Was not here a Punishment suitable to the Sin which that Person had been guilty of?

Perhaps some of those whom Satan has represented as committing Witchcrafts, have been tampering with some foolish and wicked Sorceries, tho' not to that degree, which is Criminal and Capital by the Laws both of God and Men; for this Satan may be permitted so to scourge them; or it may be, they have misrepresented and abused others, for which cause the Holy God may justly give Satan leave falsely to represent them.

Have we not known some that have bitterly censured all that have been complained of by bewitched Persons, saying it was impossible they should not be guilty; soon upon which themselves or some near Relations of theirs, have been to the lasting Infamy of their Families, accused after the same manner, and Personated by the Devil!

Such tremendous Rebukes on a few, should make all men to be careful how they joyn with Satan in Condemning the Innocent.