[200] The shocking Barbarity employed in the Execution of this "poor Man" can only find a Parallel in an Age as benighted as this of 1692. A more diabolical Depravity could never exhibit itself in human Nature. The next Story seems to be introduced to lessen the Odium which it is probable the Author thought might attach itself to the Affair. It is wonderful indeed, that a foul Murder should have been kept so still, and then, at a late Day, to come out in a Dream.
[201] A Son of the first Governor of the Colony, John Endicott. He resided a considerable Period in Boston. See Historical and Gen. Register, i. 335, et seq. He died in the Spring of 1684.
[202] Anthony Horneck. The original Work was written in High Dutch. The Author's Name does not appear. We have the Work appended to the fourth Edition of Glanvil's Sadducismus Triumphatus, 1726. Dr. Mather has given but a brief Abstract.
[203] It does not appear that a Thanksgiving was appointed, but the King appointed Commissioners to examine into the Matter. Those Commissioners proceeded to the Town, and at once entered upon an Investigation; "to whom both the Minister and several of the People of Fashion complained with Tears in their Eyes, of the miserable Condition they were in."—Ibidem, 484.
[204] The Doctor omits some of the best Parts of these Stories. One or two will more than suffice probably. "Those [Witches] of Elfdale confessed, That the Devil used to play upon an Harp before them, and afterwards to go with them that he liked best, into a Chamber, where he committed venerous Acts with them; and this indeed all confessed; That he had carnal Knowledge of them, and that the Devil had Sons and Daughters by them, which he did marry together, and brought forth Toads and Serpents."—Page 491.
"They [the bewitched] said they had sometimes seen a very great Devil like a Dragon, with Fire round about him, and bound with an iron Chain; and the Devil that converses with them tells them, that if they confess anything, he will let that great Devil loose upon them, whereby all Sweedland shall come into great danger."—Page 492.
[205] The following Paragraph is not in the first Edition.
[206] Entitled "A Further Account of the Tryals of the New England Witches ... To which is added Cases of Conscience concerning Witchcrafts and Evil Spirits personating Men. Written at the Request of the Ministers of New England."
[207] It was long a Custom among some of the New England People to keep Saturday Evening as though it were a Part of Sunday. Others did not regard that Evening, but kept Sunday Evening. The former claimed that Sunday began at Sunset.
[208] The Editor feeling quite confident, that the Reader, by this Time, has got enough of the Devil, will forbear making any Remarks or Comments. Why the Author should place his "Discovery" at the End of his Book the Reader is as well qualified to judge as the Editor, and he will only add, that it is a Pity that he (the Author) had not made the Discovery sooner, if by that Discovery the poor Witches had been let alone, and left out of the Question, as no real Use of them is conceivable, when, in Reality the Devil could and actually did do all the Mischief himself.