Letter on Witchcraft. 313 



Autograph Letter of Cotton Mather, on 

 Witchcraft, presented to the Literary 

 and Historical Societijt by the Honorable 

 Chief Justice Sew ell. 



i;'" 6", 1692. 

 S' 



} 



You would know whether 1 still retain my opinion about 

 y* horrible Witchcrafts among us, and 1 acknowledge that 

 Ido. 



I do still Think That when there is no further Evidence 

 against a person but only This, That a Spectre in their 

 Shape docs afflict a neighbour, that Evidence is not enough 

 to convict y' of Witchcraft. 



That the Divels have a natural power w''' makes them 

 ca[)able of exhibiting what shape they please I suppose 

 no body doubts, and I liave no absolute promise of God 

 that they shall not exhibit mine. 



It Is the opinion generally of all protestant writers that 

 y' Divcl may thus abuse y' innocent, yea, lis y' confession 

 of some popish ones. And o"" Honorable Judges are so 

 eminent for their Justice, Wisdom, ^c (ii»odness that what- 

 ever their own particular sense may bee, yett they will iu>t 

 proceed cH|)itnlly iiguinst any, upon a princijde contested 



