Thirdly, The Devil had power, by God’s permission, to take the very person of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the day or time of his humiliation, and carry him from place to place, and tempted him with temptations of horrid blasphemy, and yet left him innocent.  Why may we not suppose the like may be done to a good man?  And why not much more appear in his shape (or make folk think it is his shape, when indeed it is not), and yet the person be innocent, being far enough off, and not knowing of it, nor would consent if he had known it, his profession and conversation being otherwise?

Fourthly, I suppose ’tis granted by all, that the person of one that is dead cannot appear, because the soul and body are separated, and so the person is dissolved, and so ceaseth to be:  and it is as certain that the person of the living cannot be in two places at one time, but he that is at Boston cannot be at Salem or Cambridge at the same time; but as the malice and envy in the Devil makes it his business to seek whom he may devour, so no question but he doth infuse the same quality into those that leave Jesus Christ to embrace him, that they do envy those that are innocent, and upon that account be as ready to say and swear that they did see them as the Devil is to present their shape to them.  Add but this also, that, when they are once under his power, he puts them on headlong (they must needs go whom the Devil drives, saith the proverb), and the reason is clear,—­because they are taken captive by him, to do his will.  And we see, by woful and undeniable experience, both in the afflicted persons and the confessors, some of them, that he torments them at his pleasure, to force them to accuse others.  Some are apt to doubt they do but counterfeit; but, poor souls!  I am utterly of another mind, and I lament them with all my heart; but, take which you please, the case is the same as to the main issue.  For, if they counterfeit, the wickedness is the greater in them, and the less in the Devil:  but if they be compelled to it by the Devil, against their wills, then the sin is the Devil’s, and the sufferings theirs; but if their testimonies be allowed of, to make persons guilty by, the lives of innocent persons are alike in danger by them, which is the solemn consideration that do disquiet the country.

Now, that the only wise God may so direct you in all, that he may have glory, the country peace and safety, and your hands strengthened in that great work, is the desire and constant prayer of your humble servant, R.P., who shall no further trouble you at present.

Position.—­That to put a witch to death is the command of God, and therefore the indispensable duty of man,—­namely, the magistrate (Ex. xxii. 18); which, granted, resolves two questions that I have heard made by some:—­

First, Whether there are any such creatures as witches in the world.  Secondly, If there be, whether they can be known to be such by men:  both which must be determined on the affirmative, or else that commandment were in vain.