From Chapter 1 of A Modest Enquiry, Into The Nature Of Witchcraft
by John Hale
. . . had the Devils liberty to reveal all that they know of the affairs of
mankind, or to do all that is in their power to perform, they would bring dreadful
confusions and desolations upon the World.
Sect. 3. The Devil is full of malice against man,
and frames his designs against him, chiefly to destroy his Soul, as, 1 Pet.
5. 8, 2 Cor. 11. 3, and other Scriptures abundantly testify. Hence probably
at sometimes he doth not all the hurt to mans Body that he could, lest thereby
he should awaken man to repentance and prayer; he seeks to keep men in a false
peace. Luk. 11. 21. Yet at other times he disturbs and afflicts men in Body
and Estate; as Scripture and experience shew. Among the Devices Satan useth
to ruine man, one is to allure him into such a familiarity with him, that by
Sorceries, Inchantments, Divinations, and such like, he may lead them Captive
at his pleasure. This snare of his we are warned
against, Deut. 18. 10, 11, and in other Scriptures. This Sin of men hearkening
after Satan in these ways, is called Witchcraft; of which it is my purpose to
treat: But first I shall speak something Historically what hath been done in
New England, in prosecution of persons suspected of this Crime.
Source: George Lincoln Burr - Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648-1706.
