.NDI.MjIzNDg

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[underlined: by some providence discovers the fraud of the Devils that so the Innocent may be vindicated, or if not it is to bring to Repentance for some sin or to try their patience.] It is hard to see such words dropping from the pen of a Jesuit. As for Protestant writers, I cannot call to mind one of any note that doth deny the possibility of the affirmative in the question before us. [margin note: (a) printed at Frankfurt anno 1689] Dr. [Henkelius?] hath lately published (a) learned & elaborate discourse concerning [underlined: the right method of curing such as are obsessed with {illegible} demons] in which (page 105) he asserts that [underlined: Satan may possibly assume the form of innocent & pious persons that so thereby he might destroy their reputations & expose them to undue punishments.] As for our English [Didmos?] there are not many greater [Casuists?] then Mr. [underlined: Perkins]. Nor do I know any one that hath written on the case of witchcraft with more judgment & clearness of understanding. [Margin note: (b) discourse of witchcraft. h.7. {illegible} p. 644] He hath these words (b) [underlined: If a man being dangerously sick & like to dy upon suspition will take it upon his death, that such an one hath bewitched him. It is an allegation which may move the Judge to examine the party, but is of no moment for conviction.] The like is [illegible] by Mr. Cooper (c) [Margin note: (c) in by witchcraft discovered, p.277] Mr. Bernard (once a famous minister at Batcomb in Somerset his book called [underlined: A Guide to Grand Jury men in cases of witchcraft], a solid & wise treatise. What his judgment was in the case now under debate, we may see, pag 209, 210 where his words are these, an apparition of the party suspected whome the afflicted in their fits seem to see is a great suspicion -- yet this is but a presumption tho a strong one, because those apparitions are wrought by the Devil [illegibile] can represent to the fancy such as the party is used to feare in which his representation he may well by as in his other [illegible]. For if the Devil can represent the witch-seeming Samuel, saying I see Gods [illegible] out of earth to beguile Saul, may wee not think he can represent common ordinary person man or woman unregenerate though no witch to the fancy of vain persons to deceive them & other that will give credit to the devil. Thus Mr. [underlined: Bernard] [illegible] M. Bernard of [underlined: Batcomb] saith to [crossed out word] a [illegible] like this & the former.