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As has been stated, Cotton Mather, previous to his experience with those "pests," as the Reviewer happily calls "the Goodwin children," probably believed in the efficacy of prayer, and in that alone, to combat and beat down evil spirits and their infernal Prince; and John Goodwin's declaration, that it was not by his advice that he went to the law, is, therefore, entirely credible in itself.
The Reviewer says that if I had looked to the end of Mather's notice of the document, or observed the brackets in which it was enclosed, I would have seen that Mather says that the paper was not used at the trial.
For example, the first chief justice was Stoughton, who was appointed by Phips, probably at the instigation of Increase Mather.
We could give page after page of this testimony; but the above is sufficient. If the reader wants a fuller account of the trials of Bishop, Martin or any of the unfortunates who suffered death at Salem during the reign of superstition, we refer them to the collections of Cotton Mather in his "Invisible World."
Grandfather proceeded to say, that, when Master Cheever died, he bequeathed the chair to the most learned man that was educated at his school, or that had ever been born in America. This was the renowned Cotton Mather, minister of the Old North Church in Boston. "And author of the Magnalia, Grandfather, which we sometimes see you reading," said Laurence. "Yes, Laurence," replied Grandfather.
His nonsensical, quizzing manner changed instantly, however, on seeing the serious state of the injured limb, and he ejaculated in a subdued tone of voice, "Holy Moses!" "Why, sir," said the patient quietly, "what's the matter now?" "Ah, an' ye are axin' what's the mather?" cried Garry in a still more astonished tone.
Fasting we do not practise voluntarily, nor would we easily accept evidence from an Englishman as to the veracity of voluntary fasting visions, like those of Cotton Mather. The visions of disease we should set aside, as a rule, with those of 'excitement, produced, for instance, by 'devil-dances. Narcotic and alcoholic visions are not in question.
"You doing it too?" "Yes, sir." The Captain turns again to the prisoner. "Why didn't you lodge a complaint?" "I did, sir. I tellt" indicating Corporal Mather with an elbow "this genelman here." Corporal Mather cannot help it. He swells perceptibly. But swift puncture awaits him. "Corporal Mather, why didn't you mention this?" "I didna think it affected the crime, sir."
In the latter part of the Summer of 1693, they were both concerned in the affair of Margaret Rule; and Cotton Mather prepared, and put into circulation, an elaborate account of it, some extracts from which have been presented, and which will be further noticed, in another connection.
He had opportunities to form a correct judgment about Salem Witchcraft and the chief actor in the proceedings, greater than any man of his day; but his close family connection with the Mathers imposed some restraint upon his expressions; not enough, however, to justify the statement of the Reviewer that he does not mention the "agency" of Cotton Mather in that transaction.
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