The New England Connection

Abstract

Three years before the outbreak of witchcraft hysteria in Salem in 1692,the Reverend Cotton Mather (1663–1728; the third in line of a family of influential American colonial divines who could each be seen to epitomise the values of New England Puritanism) gave an account of a Boston family thrown into calamity by the demonic possession of four of its six children.

[T]he following Account will afford to him that shall read with Observation, a further clear Confirmation, That, There is both a GOD, and a Devil, and Witchcraft … That, The Malice of Satan and his Instruments, is very great against the Children of God: That, The clearest Gospel-Light shining in a place, will not keep from entering hellish Contracts with infernal Spirits: That, Prayer is a powerful and effectual Remedy against the malicious practices of Devils and those in Covenant with them.

(Cotton Mather, Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions, 1689)