.NDI.MjIzMTY

an Evidence Supposed to be in the Testimony which is thoroly [thoroughly] to be Weighed, & if it does not infallibly prove the Crime against the person accused, it ought not to determine him guilty of it for so righteous men may be condemned unjustly. In case of witchcraft wee know that the Divel [capital D written over lowercase d] is the imediate agent in the mischief done, the Consent or Compact of the witch is the thing to be demonstrated. Among many Arguments to Evince this that which is most under present debate, is that which refers to Something vulgarly called Spec- tre evidence ["Spectre evidence" is underlined] and a certain sort of ordeal [ordeal appears to be a later addition] or tryall by the Sight and Touch. The princi- pal plea to Justife the Convictive Evidence of [of is written over 'again'] those is fetched from the Consideration of the wis- dome and Justice of God in Governing the works which they Suppose would fail if such things were permitted to befall an inocent person. but it is Certain that too resolute conclusi- ons drawn from Hence, are bold usurpations upon Spotless Soveraignty [word is underlined], & tho Somethings if Suffered to be common would subvert this Government & disband and ruine Humane society; yet God doth sometime suffer such things.