Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
spirit_n holy_a life_n true_a 6,294 5 4.4090 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A70179 A blow at modern Sadducism in some philosophical considerations about witchcraft. To which is added, the relation of the fam'd disturbance by the drummer, in the house of Mr. John Mompesson, with some reflections on drollery and atheisme. / By a member of the Royal Society.. Glanvill, Joseph, 1636-1680. 1668 (1668) Wing G799; Wing G818; ESTC R23395 62,297 178

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calmness_n in_o his_o temper_n compassion_n in_o his_o miracle_n modesty_n in_o his_o expression_n holiness_n in_o all_o his_o action_n hatred_n of_o vice_n and_o baseness_n and_o love_n to_o all_o the_o world_n all_o which_o be_v essential_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o constitution_n of_o apostate_n spirit_n who_o abound_v in_o pride_n and_o rancour_n insolence_n and_o rudeness_n tyranny_n and_o baseness_n universal_a malice_n and_o hatred_n of_o men._n and_o their_o design_n be_v as_o opposite_a as_o their_o spirit_n and_o their_o genius_n and_o now_o can_v the_o sun_n borrow_v its_o light_n from_o the_o bottomless_a abyss_n can_v heat_n and_o warmth_n flow_v in_o upon_o the_o world_n from_o the_o region_n of_o snow_n and_o ice_n can_v fire_n freeze_v and_o water_n burn_v can_v nature_n so_o infinite_o contrary_a communicate_v and_o jump_v in_o project_n that_o be_v destructive_a to_o each_o other_o know_v interest_n be_v there_o any_o balsam_n in_o the_o cockatrice_n egg_n or_o can_v the_o spirit_n of_o life_n flow_v from_o the_o venom_n of_o the_o asp_n will_v the_o prince_n of_o darkness_n strengthen_v the_o arm_n that_o be_v stretch_v out_o to_o pluck_v his_o usurp_v sceptre_n and_o his_o spoil_n from_o he_o and_o will_v he_o lend_v his_o legion_n to_o assist_v the_o army_n of_o his_o enemy_n against_o he_o no_o these_o be_v impossible_a supposal_n no_o intelligent_a be_v will_v industrious_o and_o know_o contribute_v to_o the_o contradiction_n of_o its_o own_o principle_n the_o defeature_n of_o its_o purpose_n and_o the_o ruin_n of_o its_o own_o dear_a interest_n there_o be_v no_o fear_n then_o that_o our_o faith_n shall_v receive_v prejudice_n from_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o be_v of_o witch_n and_o power_n of_o evil_a spirit_n since_o it_o be_v not_o the_o do_v wonderful_a thing_n that_o be_v the_o only_a evidence_n that_o the_o holy_a jesus_n be_v from_o god_n and_o his_o doctrine_n true_a but_o the_o conjunction_n of_o other_o circumstance_n the_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n the_o reasonableness_n of_o his_o religion_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o design_n add_v credit_n to_o his_o work_n and_o strengthen_v the_o great_a conclusion_n that_o he_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n but_o beside_o i_o say_v 2._o that_o since_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n rule_v the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o they_o shall_v give_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o man_n to_o unavoidable_a deception_n and_o if_o evil_a angel_n by_o their_o confederate_n be_v permit_v to_o perform_v such_o astonish_a thing_n as_o seem_v so_o evident_o to_o carry_v god_n seal_n and_o power_n with_o they_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o falsehood_n and_o gain_v credit_n to_o impostor_n without_o any_o counter-evidence_n to_o disabuse_v the_o world_n mankind_n be_v expose_v to_o sad_a and_o fatal_a delusion_n and_o to_o say_v that_o providence_n will_v suffer_v we_o to_o be_v deceive_v in_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a concernment_n when_o we_o use_v the_o best_a of_o our_o care_n and_o endeavour_n to_o prevent_v it_o be_v to_o speak_v hard_a thing_n of_o god_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o affirm_v that_o he_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n or_o do_v not_o concern_v himself_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o poor_a forlorn_a men._n and_o if_o the_o providence_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o security_n unto_o we_o against_o such_o deception_n we_o can_v be_v assure_v but_o that_o we_o be_v always_o abuse_v by_o those_o mischievous_a agent_n in_o the_o object_n of_o plain_a sense_n and_o in_o all_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o daily_a converse_v if_o one_o that_o pretend_v he_o be_v immediate_o send_v from_o god_n to_o overthrow_v the_o ancient_a fabric_n of_o establish_v worship_n and_o to_o erect_v a_o new_a religion_n in_o his_o name_n shall_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n and_o honour_v by_o a_o miraculous_a star_n proclaim_v by_o a_o song_n of_o seem_a angel_n of_o light_n and_o worship_v by_o the_o wise_a sage_n of_o the_o world_n revere_v by_o those_o of_o the_o great_a austerity_n and_o admire_v by_o all_o for_o a_o miraculous_a wisdom_n beyond_o his_o education_n and_o his_o year_n if_o he_o shall_v feed_v multitude_n with_o almost_o nothing_o and_o fast_o himself_o beyond_o all_o the_o possibility_n of_o nature_n if_o he_o shall_v be_v transform_v into_o the_o appearance_n of_o extraordinary_a glory_n and_o converse_v with_o depart_a prophet_n in_o their_o visible_a form_n if_o he_o shall_v cure_v all_o disease_n without_o physic_n or_o endeavour_n and_o raise_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n after_o they_o have_v stink_v in_o their_o grave_n if_o he_o shall_v be_v honour_v by_o voice_n from_o heaven_n and_o attract_v the_o universal_a wonder_n of_o prince_n and_o people_n if_o he_o shall_v allay_v tempest_n with_o a_o beck_n and_o cast_v out_o devil_n with_o a_o word_n if_o he_o shall_v foretell_v his_o own_o death_n particular_o with_o its_o tragical_a circumstance_n and_o his_o resurrection_n after_o it_o if_o the_o veil_n of_o the_o most_o famous_a temple_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v rend_v and_o the_o sun_n darken_v at_o his_o funeral_n if_o he_o shall_v within_o the_o time_n foretell_v break_v the_o bond_n of_o death_n and_o lift_v up_o his_o head_n out_o of_o the_o grave_a if_o multitude_n of_o other_o depart_a soul_n shall_v arise_v with_o he_o to_o attend_v at_o the_o solemnity_n of_o his_o resurrection_n if_o he_o shall_v after_o death_n visible_o converse_v and_o eat_v and_o drink_v with_o divers_a person_n who_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o clear_a sense_n and_o ascend_v in_o glory_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o astonish_a and_o admire_a multitude_n i_o say_v if_o such_o a_o one_o as_o this_o shall_v prove_v a_o diabolical_a impostor_n and_o providence_n shall_v permit_v he_o to_o be_v so_o credit_v and_o acknowledge_v what_o possibility_n be_v there_o then_o for_o we_o to_o be_v assure_v that_o we_o be_v not_o always_o deceive_v yea_o that_o our_o very_a faculty_n be_v not_o give_v we_o only_o to_o delude_v and_o abuse_v we_o and_o if_o so_o the_o next_o conclusion_n be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n that_o judge_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o best_a and_o most_o likely_a hypothesis_n will_v be_v that_o the_o world_n be_v give_v up_o to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n that_o supervise_v we_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a doubtless_o it_o will_v never_o suffer_v poor_a helpless_a creature_n to_o be_v inevitable_o deceive_v by_o the_o craft_n and_o subtlety_n of_o their_o mischievous_a enemy_n to_o their_o undo_n but_o will_v without_o question_n take_v such_o care_n that_o the_o work_v wrought_v by_o divine_a power_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o divine_a truth_n shall_v have_v such_o visible_a mark_n and_o signature_n if_o not_o in_o their_o nature_n yet_o in_o their_o circumstance_n end_n and_o design_n as_o shall_v discover_v whence_o they_o be_v and_o sufficient_o distinguish_v they_o from_o all_o imposture_n and_o delusion_n and_o though_o wicked_a spirit_n may_v perform_v some_o strange_a thing_n that_o may_v excite_v wonder_n for_o a_o while_n yet_o he_o have_v and_o will_v so_o provide_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v baffle_v and_o discredit_v as_o we_o know_v it_o be_v in_o the_o case_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o egyptian_a magician_n now_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v direct_o say_v to_o the_o objection_n i_o have_v this_o to_o add_v to_o the_o objector_n that_o i_o can_v wish_v they_o will_v take_v care_n of_o such_o suggestion_n which_o if_o they_o overthrow_v not_o the_o opinion_n they_o oppose_v will_v dangerous_o affront_v the_o religion_n they_o will_v seem_v to_o acknowledge_v for_o he_o that_o say_v that_o if_o there_o be_v witch_n there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n jesus_n be_v not_o a_o magician_n and_o diabolical_a impostor_n put_v a_o deadly_a weapon_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o infidel_n and_o be_v himself_o next_o door_n to_o the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n of_o which_o in_o order_n to_o the_o persuade_v great_a tenderness_n and_o caution_n in_o such_o matter_n i_o give_v this_o short_a account_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v say_v to_o be_v unpardonable_a by_o which_o sad_a attribute_n and_o the_o discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n mat._n xii_o from_o the_o xxii_o to_o the_o xxxiii_o verse_n we_o may_v understand_v its_o nature_n in_o order_n to_o which_o we_o consider_v that_o since_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o son_n be_v infinite_a there_o be_v nothing_o can_v make_v a_o sin_n unpardonab●●_n but_o what_o make_v it_o incurable_a and_o there_o be_v no_o sin_n but_o what_o be_v curable_a by_o a_o strong_a faith_n
the_o action_n by_o the_o evidence_n and_o not_o the_o evidence_n by_o the_o measure_n of_o our_o fancy_n about_o the_o action_n this_o be_v proud_o to_o exalt_v our_o own_o opinion_n above_o the_o clear_a testimony_n and_o most_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o fact_n and_o so_o to_o give_v the_o lie_n to_o all_o mankind_n rather_o than_o distrust_v the_o little_a conceit_n of_o our_o bold_a imagination_n but_o yet_o further_o 3_o i_o think_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o instance_n mention_v but_o what_o may_v as_o well_o be_v account_v for_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n as_o the_o ordinary_a affair_n of_o nature_n for_o in_o resolve_v natural_a phoenomena_fw-la we_o can_v only_o assign_v the_o probable_a cause_n show_v how_o thing_n may_v be_v not_o presume_v how_o they_o be_v and_o in_o the_o particular_n under_o our_o examen_fw-la we_o may_v give_v a_o account_n how_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o not_o unlikely_a that_o such_o thing_n though_o somewhat_o vary_v from_o the_o common_a road_n of_o nature_n may_v be_v act_v and_o if_o our_o narrow_a and_o contract_a mind_n can_v furnish_v we_o with_o apprehension_n of_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o such_o performance_n though_o perhaps_o not_o the_o true_a one_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o such_o thing_n may_v be_v effect_v by_o creature_n who_o power_n and_o knowledge_n be_v so_o vast_o exceed_v we_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v therefore_o brief_o to_o suggest_v some_o thing_n that_o may_v render_v the_o possibility_n of_o these_o performance_n conceivable_a in_o order_n to_o the_o removal_n of_o this_o objection_n that_o they_o be_v contradiction_n and_o impossible_a for_o the_o first_o then_o that_o the_o confederate_a spirit_n shall_v transport_v the_o witch_n through_o the_o air_n to_o the_o place_n of_o general_a rendezvous_n there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n in_o conceive_v it_o and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a which_o great_a philosopher_n affirm_v concern_v the_o real_a separability_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o body_n without_o death_n there_o be_v yet_o less_o for_o then_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o the_o soul_n have_v leave_v its_o gross_a and_o sluggish_a body_n behind_o it_o and_o be_v clothe_v only_o with_o its_o immediate_a vehicle_n of_o air_n or_o more_o subtle_a matter_n may_v be_v quick_o conduct_v to_o any_o place_n it_o will_v be_v at_o by_o those_o officious_a spirit_n that_o attend_v it_o and_o though_o i_o adventure_v to_o affirm_v nothing_o concern_v the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o this_o supposition_n yet_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v it_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o i_o unreasonable_a and_o our_o experience_n of_o apoplexy_n epilepsy_n extastes_n and_o the_o strange_a thing_n man_n report_v to_o have_v see_v during_o those_o deliquium_n look_v favourable_o upon_o this_o conjecture_n which_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o contradict_v no_o principle_n of_o reason_n or_o philosophy_n since_o death_n consist_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o actual_a separation_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n as_o in_o the_o indisposition_n and_o unfitness_n of_o the_o body_n for_o vital_a union_n as_o a_o excellent_a philosopher_n have_v make_v good_a on_o which_o hypothesis_n the_o witch_n anoint_v herself_o before_o she_o take_v her_o flight_n may_v perhaps_o serve_v to_o keep_v the_o body_n tenantable_a and_o in_o fit_a disposition_n to_o receive_v the_o spirit_n at_o its_o return_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v we_o may_v conceive_v though_o i_o affirm_v nothing_o about_o they_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o such_o conception_n but_o what_o have_v be_v own_a by_o man_n of_o worth_n and_o name_n and_o may_v seem_v fair_a and_o accountable_a enough_o to_o those_o who_o judge_v not_o altogether_o by_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o populace_n and_o customary_a opinion_n and_o there_o be_v a_o say_n of_o a_o great_a apostle_n that_o seem_v to_o countenance_v this_o platonic_a opinion_n what_o be_v the_o meaning_n else_o of_o that_o expression_n whether_o in_o the_o body_n or_o out_o of_o the_o body_n i_o can_v tell_v except_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v separate_v from_o the_o body_n without_o death_n which_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v possible_a it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o my_o purpose_n and_o 2._o the_o transformation_n of_o witch_n into_o the_o shape_n of_o other_o animal_n upon_o the_o same_o supposal_n be_v very_o conceivable_a since_o then_o it_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o power_n of_o imagination_n may_v form_v those_o passive_a and_o pliable_a vehicle_n into_o those_o shape_n with_o more_o ease_n than_o the_o fancy_n of_o the_o mother_n can_v the_o stubborn_a matter_n of_o the_o foetus_fw-la in_o the_o womb_n as_o we_o see_v it_o frequent_o do_v in_o the_o instance_n that_o occur_v of_o signature_n and_o monstrous_a singularity_n and_o perhaps_o sometime_o the_o confederate_a spirit_n put_v trick_n upon_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o spectator_n and_o those_o shape_n be_v only_a illusion_n but_o then_o 3._o when_o they_o feel_v the_o hurt_n in_o their_o gross_a body_n that_o they_o receive_v in_o their_o airy_a vehicle_n they_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v real_o present_a at_o least_o in_o these_o latter_a and_o it_o be_v no_o more_o difficult_a to_o apprehend_v how_o the_o hurt_n of_o those_o shall_v be_v translate_v upon_o their_o other_o body_n then_o how_o disease_n shall_v be_v inflict_v by_o the_o imagination_n or_o how_o the_o fancy_n of_o the_o mother_n shall_v wound_v the_o foetus_fw-la as_o several_a credible_a relation_n do_v attest_v and_o 4._o for_o their_o raise_v storm_n and_o tempest_n they_o do_v it_o not_o be_v sure_a by_o their_o own_o but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o the_o air_n their_o friend_n and_o ally_n and_o the_o ceremony_n that_o be_v enjoin_v they_o be_v doubtless_o nothing_o else_o but_o entertainment_n for_o their_o imagination_n and_o be_v likely_a design_v to_o persuade_v they_o that_o they_o do_v these_o strange_a thing_n themselves_o and_o last_o for_o their_o be_v suck_v by_o the_o familiar_a i_o say_v 1_o we_o know_v so_o little_a of_o the_o nature_n of_o doemon_n and_o spirit_n that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n we_o can_v certain_o divine_v the_o reason_n of_o so_o strange_a a_o action_n and_o yet_o 2_o we_o may_v conjecture_v at_o some_o thing_n that_o may_v render_v it_o less_o improbable_a for_o some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o genii_n who_o both_o the_o platonical_a and_o christian_a antiquity_n think_v embody_v be_v recreate_v by_o the_o reek_v and_o vapour_n of_o humane_a blood_n and_o the_o spirit_n that_o derive_v from_o they_o which_o supposal_n if_o we_o grant_v they_o body_n be_v not_o unlikely_a every_o thing_n be_v refresh_v and_o nourish_v by_o its_o like_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o perfect_o abstract_a from_o all_o body_n and_o matter_n beside_o the_o reverence_n we_o owe_v to_o the_o wise_a antiquity_n there_o be_v several_a considerable_a argument_n i_o can_v allege_v to_o render_v it_o exceed_v probable_a which_o thing_n suppose_v the_o devil_n be_v suck_v the_o sorceress_n be_v no_o great_a wonder_n nor_o difficult_a to_o be_v account_v for_o or_o perhaps_o 3_o this_o may_v be_v only_o a_o diabolical_a sacrament_n and_o ceremony_n to_o confirm_v the_o hellish_a covenant_n to_o which_o i_o add_v 4_o that_o which_o to_o i_o seem_v most_o probable_a viz_o that_o the_o familiar_a do_v not_o only_o suck_v the_o witch_n but_o in_o the_o action_n infuse_v some_o poisonous_a ferment_n into_o she_o which_o give_v her_o imagination_n and_o spirit_n a_o magical_a tincture_n whereby_o they_o become_v mischievous_o influential_a and_o the_o word_n venefica_fw-la intimate_v some_o such_o matter_n now_o that_o the_o imagination_n have_v a_o mighty_a power_n in_o operation_n be_v see_v in_o the_o just_a now_o mention_v signature_n and_o disease_n that_o it_o cause_v and_o that_o the_o fancy_n be_v modify_v by_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o blood_n and_o spirit_n be_v too_o evident_a to_o need_v proof_n which_o thing_n suppose_v it_o be_v plain_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o evil_a spirit_n have_v breathe_v some_o vile_a vapour_n into_o the_o body_n of_o the_o witch_n it_o may_v taint_v her_o blood_n and_o spirit_n with_o a_o noxious_a quality_n by_o which_o her_o infect_a imagination_n heighten_v by_o melancholy_a and_o this_o worse_a cause_n may_v do_v much_o hurt_n upon_o body_n that_o be_v impressible_a by_o such_o influence_n and_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a that_o this_o ferment_n dispose_v the_o imagination_n of_o the_o sorceress_n to_o cause_v the_o mention_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o separation_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o the_o body_n and_o may_v perhaps_o keep_v the_o body_n in_o fit_a temper_n for_o its_o reentry_n as_o also_o it_o may_v facilitate_v transformation_n which_o it_o may_v be_v can_v not_o be_v effect_v by_o ordinary_a and_o unassisted_a imagination_n thus_o we_o see_v it_o be_v not_o so_o
and_o a_o vigorous_a endeavour_n for_o all_o thing_n be_v possible_a to_o he_o that_o believe_v so_o that_o that_o which_o make_v a_o sin_n incurable_a must_v be_v somewhat_o that_o make_v faith_n impossible_a and_o obstruct_v all_o mean_n of_o conviction_n in_o order_n to_o the_o find_v which_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o way_n and_o method_n the_o divine_a goodness_n have_v take_v for_o the_o beget_n faith_n and_o cure_v of_o infidelity_n which_o it_o attempt_v first_o by_o the_o prophet_n and_o holy_a man_n of_o ancient_a time_n who_o by_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o doctrine_n the_o greatness_n of_o their_o miracle_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o their_o life_n endeavour_v the_o conviction_n and_o reformation_n of_o a_o stubborn_a and_o unbelieving_a world_n but_o though_o few_o believe_v their_o report_n and_o man_n will_v not_o be_v prevail_v on_o by_o what_o they_o do_v or_o what_o they_o say_v yet_o their_o infidelity_n be_v not_o hitherto_o incurable_a because_o further_a mean_n be_v provide_v in_o the_o ministry_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n who_o life_n be_v more_o severe_a who_o doctrine_n be_v more_o plain_a press_v and_o particular_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o he_o may_v have_v succeed_v yea_o and_o where_o he_o fail_v and_o can_v not_o open_a man_n heart_n and_o their_o eye_n the_o effect_n be_v still_o in_o possibility_n and_o it_o may_v be_v expect_v from_o he_o that_o come_v after_o to_o who_o the_o prophet_n and_o john_n be_v but_o the_o twilight_n and_o the_o dawn_n and_o though_o his_o miraculous_a birth_n the_o song_n of_o angel_n the_o journey_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n and_o the_o correspondence_n of_o prophecy_n with_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o first_o appearance_n of_o the_o wonderful_a infant_n i_o say_v though_o these_o have_v not_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o yet_o be_v there_o a_o further_a provision_n make_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o infidelity_n in_o his_o astonish_a wisdom_n and_o most_o excellent_a doctrine_n for_o he_o speak_v as_o never_o man_n do_v and_o when_o these_o be_v despise_v and_o neglect_v yet_o there_o be_v other_o mean_n towards_o conviction_n and_o cure_n of_o unbelief_n in_o those_o mighty_a work_n that_o bear_v testimony_n of_o he_o and_o wear_v the_o evident_a mark_n of_o divine_a power_n in_o their_o forehead_n but_o when_o after_o all_o these_o clear_a and_o unquestionable_a miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o have_v eminent_o his_o superscription_n on_o they_o shall_v be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o agency_n of_o evil_a spirit_n and_o diabolical_a compact_n as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o malicious_a and_o spiteful_a pharisee_n in_o the_o period_n abovementioned_a when_o those_o great_a and_o last_o testimony_n against_o infidelity_n shall_v be_v say_v to_o be_v but_o the_o trick_n of_o sorcery_n and_o complotment_n with_o hellish_a confederate_n this_o be_v blasphemy_n in_o the_o high_a against_o the_o power_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o such_o as_o cut_v off_o all_o mean_n of_o conviction_n and_o put_v the_o unbeliever_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o cure_n for_o miracle_n be_v god_n seal_n and_o the_o great_a and_o last_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o doctrine_n and_o though_o while_o these_o be_v only_a dis-believed_n as_o to_o the_o fact_n there_o remain_v a_o possibility_n of_o persuasion_n yet_o when_o the_o fact_n shall_v be_v acknowledge_v but_o the_o power_n blaspheme_v and_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o adorable_a spirit_n malicious_o impute_v to_o the_o devil_n such_o a_o blasphemy_n such_o a_o infidelity_n be_v incurable_a and_o consequent_o unpardonable_a i_o say_v in_o sum_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n seem_v to_o be_v a_o malicious_a imputation_n of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o our_o saviour_n to_o satanical_a confederacy_n and_o the_o power_n of_o apostate_n spirit_n then_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o blasphemous_a and_o nothing_o be_v more_o like_a to_o provoke_v the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o be_v so_o abuse_v to_o a_o eternal_a dereliction_n of_o so_o vile_a and_o so_o incurable_a a_o unbeliever_n this_o account_n as_o it_o be_v clear_a and_o reasonable_a in_o itself_o so_o it_o be_v plain_o lodge_v in_o the_o mention_a discourse_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o those_o that_o speak_v other_o thing_n about_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o talk_v at_o random_n and_o perfect_o without_o book_n but_o to_o leave_v they_o to_o the_o fondness_n of_o their_o own_o conceit_n i_o think_v it_o now_o time_n to_o draw_v up_o to_o a_o conclusion_n of_o the_o whole_a therefore_o brief_o sir_n i_o have_v endeavour_v in_o these_o paper_n which_o my_o respect_n and_o your_o concernment_n in_o the_o subject_n have_v make_v you_o to_o remove_v the_o main_n prejudices_fw-la i_o can_v think_v of_o against_o the_o existence_n of_o witch_n and_o apparition_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v suggest_v much_o more_o against_o what_o i_o defend_v than_o ever_o i_o hear_v or_o see_v in_o any_o that_o oppose_v it_o who_o discourse_n for_o the_o most_o part_n have_v seem_v to_o i_o inspire_v by_o a_o lofty_a scorn_n of_o common_a belief_n and_o some_o trivial_a notion_n of_o vulgar_a philosophy_n and_o in_o despise_v the_o common_a faith_n about_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o fond_o adhere_v to_o it_o in_o thing_n of_o speculation_n they_o very_o gross_o and_o absurd_o mistake_v for_o in_o thing_n of_o fact_n the_o people_n be_v as_o much_o to_o be_v believe_v as_o the_o most_o subtle_a philosopher_n and_o speculator_n since_o here_o sense_n be_v the_o judge_n but_o in_o matter_n of_o notion_n and_o theory_n they_o be_v not_o at_o all_o to_o be_v heed_v because_o reason_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n of_o these_o and_o this_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o use_v and_o yet_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o those_o wise_a philosopher_n that_o will_v deny_v the_o plain_a evidence_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n because_o they_o can_v reconcile_v appearance_n with_o the_o fond_a crotchet_n of_o a_o philosophy_n which_o they_o light_v on_o in_o the_o highway_n by_o chance_n and_o will_v adhere_v to_o at_o adventure_n so_o that_o i_o profess_v for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o never_o yet_o hear_v any_o of_o the_o confident_a declaimer_n against_o witchcraft_n and_o apparition_n speak_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v move_v a_o mind_n in_o any_o degree_n instruct_v in_o the_o generous_a kind_n of_o philosophy_n and_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o for_o the_o objection_n i_o have_v recite_v they_o be_v most_o of_o they_o such_o as_o rise_v out_o of_o my_o own_o thought_n which_o i_o oblige_v to_o consider_v what_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o occasion_n for_o though_o i_o have_v examine_v scot_n discovery_n fancy_v that_o there_o i_o shall_v find_v the_o strong_a reason_n of_o man_n disbelief_n in_o this_o matter_n yet_o i_o profess_v i_o meet_v not_o with_o the_o least_o suggestion_n in_o all_o that_o farrago_fw-la but_o what_o it_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o i_o to_o have_v go_v about_o to_o answer_v for_o the_o author_n do_v little_a but_o tell_v odd_a tale_n and_o silly_a legend_n which_o he_o confute_v and_o laugh_v at_o and_o pretend_v this_o to_o be_v a_o confutation_n of_o the_o be_v of_o witch_n and_o apparition_n in_o all_o which_o his_o reason_n be_v trifle_a and_o childesh_n and_o when_o he_o venture_v at_o philosophy_n he_o be_v little_o better_a than_o absurd_a so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v a_o wonder_n to_o i_o if_o any_o but_o boy_n and_o buffoon_n imbibe_n any_o prejudices_fw-la against_o a_o belief_n so_o infinite_o confirm_v from_o the_o loose_a and_o impotent_a suggestion_n of_o so_o weak_a a_o discourser_n but_o however_o observe_v two_o thing_n in_o that_o discourse_n that_o will_v pretend_v to_o be_v more_o than_o ordinary_a reason_n i_o shall_v do_v they_o the_o civility_n to_o examine_v they_o it_o be_v say_v then_o 1._o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v silent_a as_o to_o the_o be_v of_o witch_n and_o it_o be_v not_o likely_a if_o there_o be_v such_o but_o that_o our_o saviour_n or_o his_o apostle_n have_v give_v intimation_n of_o their_o existence_n the_o other_o be_v 2._o miracle_n be_v cease_v and_o therefore_o the_o prodigious_a thing_n ascribe_v to_o witchcraft_n be_v suppose_v dream_n and_o imposture_n for_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o in_o order_n i_o consider_v 1_o that_o though_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v grant_v to_o be_v silent_a in_o the_o business_n of_o witch_n and_o compact_n yet_o the_o record_n of_o the_o old_a have_v a_o frequent_a mention_n of_o they_o the_o law_n exod._n xxii_o xviii_o against_o permit_v they_o to_o live_v which_o i_o mention_v in_o the_o beginning_n be_v famous_a and_o we_o have_v another_o remarkable_a prohibition_n of_o they_o deut._n xviii_o x_o xi_o there_o shall_v not_o be_v