now any
one that has written on the Case of Witchcraft with more Judgment and
Clearness of Understanding: He has these Words,[47] "If a Man being
dangerously sick and like to die upon suspicion, will take it on his
death, that such an one has bewitched him, it is an allegation which may
move the Judge to examine the Party, but it is of no moment for
Conviction." The like is asserted by [48]Mr. _Cooper_, Mr. _Bernard_,
(once a famous Minister at _Batcomb_ in _Somerset_) his Book called _A
Guide to Grand Jury-men in Cases of Witchcraft_, is a solid and wise
Treatise. What his Judgment was in the Case now under debate, we may
see, _pag._ 209, 210. where his Words are these; "An Apparation of the
Party suspected, whom the Afflicted in their Fits seem to see, is a
great suspicion; yet this is but a presumption, tho' a strong one,
because these Apparitions are wrought by the Devil, who can represent to
the Phansie such as the Parties use to fear, in which his representation
he may well lye as in his other Witness: For if the Devil can represent
to the Witch a seeming _Samuel_, saying, I see Gods ascending out of the
Earth, to beguile _Saul_, may we not think he can represent a common
ordinary Person, Man or Woman unregenerate, tho' no Witch to the Phansie
of vain Persons, to deceive them and others that will give Credit to the
Devil." Thus Mr. _Bernard_.

As for the Judgment of the Elders in _New-England_, so far as I can
learn, they do generally concur with Mr. _Perkins_, and Mr. _Bernard_.
This I know, that at a Meeting of Ministers at _Cambridge_, _August 1.
1692._ where were present seven elders besides the President of the
_Colledge_, the Question then discoursed on, was, _Whether the Devil may
not sometimes have a Permission to represent an innocent Person as
tormenting such as are under Diabolical Molestations?_ The Answer which
they all concurred in, was in these words, _viz._ _That the Devil may
sometimes have a Permission to represent an innocent Person as
tormenting such as are under Diabolical Molestations; but that such
things are rare and extraordinary, especially when such Matters come
before Civil Judicatures:_ And that some of the most eminent Ministers
in the Land, who were not at that Meeting are of the same Judgment, I am
assured: And I am also sure, that in Cases of this nature the _Priest's
Lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his Mouth_,
_Mal. 2.7._

Arg. 6. _Our own Experienc