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to raise spirits and apparitions in no better than a diabolical way, 

 I do also look upon as a further rebuke of Divine Providence, 

 and by all, I do humbly own this day, before the Lord and his 

 people, that God has been righteously spitting in my face, 

 Numbers xii. 14th, — and I desire to lie low under all this re- 

 proach, and to lay my hand on my mouth. 



4th, As to the management of these mysteries, as far as con- 

 cerns myself, I am very desirous upon further light, to own 

 any errors, I have therein fallen into, and can come to a dis- 

 cerning of ; in the mean time I do acknowledge, upon after 

 considerations, that were the same trouble again, (which the 

 Lord of his rich mercy forever prevent,) I should not agree 

 with my former apprehensions, in all points — as for instance : 



1st, I question not but God sometimes suffers the devil, as of 

 late, to afflict in shape of not only innocence, but pious 

 persons ; or so to delude the senses of the afflicted persons ; 

 that they strongly conceit their heart is from such persons, 

 when indeed it is not. 



2d, The improving of one afflicted, to inquire by Avho afflicts 

 the other, I fear may be, and has been, unlawfully used to 

 Satan's great advantage. 



3d, As to my writing, it was put upon me by authority, and 

 therein I have been very careful to avoid the wronging of any. 



4th, As to my oath, I never meant it, nor do I know how it 

 can be otherwise construed, than as vulgarly, and every one un- 

 derstood, yea, and upon inquiry it may be found so Avorded also. 



5th, As to any passage in preaching, or praying, in the sore 

 hour of distress and darkness, I always intended but due justice 

 on each hand, and that not according to men, but God, who 

 knows all things most perfectly ; however, through weakness or 

 sore exercise, I might sometimes, yea, and possibly sundry 

 times, unadvisedly express myself. 



6th, As to several that have confessed against themselves, 

 they being wholly strangers to me, but yet of good account, 

 with better men than myself, to whom also they are well known, 

 I do not pass so much as a secret condemnation upon them ; 

 but rather, seeing God had so amazingly lengthened out Satan's 

 chain, in this most formidable outrage, I much more incline to 

 side with the opinion, of those that have grounds to hope better 

 of them. 



7th, As to all that have unduly suffered in these matters, 

 either in their persons or relations, through the clouds of hu- 

 man weakness, and Satan's wiles and sophistry, I do truly sym- 

 pathize with them ; taking it for granted, that such as know 

 themselves clear of this transgression, or that have sufficient 

 grounds so to look upon their dear friends, have hereby been 



