FOOTNOTES:
[40] This has Reference to what is intimated in that Part of the present Volume, entitled—"The Devil Discovered."
[41] The Writer of the above Letter (Judge Stoughton) was 61 Years old at the Time; and it may reasonably be supposed was in the full Enjoyment of his intellectual Faculties. And as he was one of the ablest Men of his Day, such an Indorsement of the Author's Work was no mean Fortification from behind which to defend even a very bad Cause. Stoughton lived several Years after he had ceased trying Witches,—dying in 1701, at the Age of 70. He was Son of Mr. Israel Stoughton of Dorchester, a Captain in the Pequot War, and Colonel afterwards in the Parliamentary Army in England.
[viii][42] I LIVE by Neighbours that force me to produce these undeserved Lines. But now, as when Mr. Wilson[43] beholding a great Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then present, said unto him, Sir, I'll tell you a great Thing: Here is a mighty Body of People; and there is not Seven of them all, but what loves Mr. Wilson. That gracious Man presently and pleasantly reply'd: Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that; here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not so much as One among them all, but Mr. Wilson loves him. Somewhat so: 'Tis possible, that among this Body of People, there may be few that love the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to boast so far, there is not one among all this Body of People, whom this Mather would not study to serve, as well as to love. With such a Spirit of Love, is the Book now before us written: I appeal to all this World; and if this World will deny me the Right of acknowledging so much, I appeal to the other, that it is not written with an Evil Spirit: for which cause I shall not wonder, if Evil Spirits be exasperated by what is written, as the Sadduces doubtless were with what was discoursed in the Days of our Saviour. I only demand the Justice, that others read it, with the same Spirit wherewith I writ it.