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 SECT. II.

The true stating of the Question by defining what a Witch and Witchcraft is.

I know that a great part of the Labour in most Controversies, useth to be bestowed on things impertinent to the main business, and by them the Minds of both sides are so confounded, that they wander widely from the point in difference, and at last lose it quite, It would quickly be thus in the Question of Witchcraft, and usually is so, without previous care to avoid it. But I shall take the best I can, that my pains on this Subject be not so mis-bestowed, but closely applyed to the purpose: And in order thereunto shall briefly define the terms of the Question, and then set down what I grant to mine Adversaries, and what I demand from them. And when these Preliminaries are well adjusted, we shall proceed with more distinctness, and still see whereabout we are, and know how far what is affirmed or proved, reaches the main matter in debate.

The Question is whether there are Witches or not. Mr. Webster accuseth the Writers on the Subject of defect, in not laying down a perfect Description of a Witch or Witchcraft, or explaining what they mean, p. 20. What his perfect Description is, I do not know; but I think I have described a Witch or Witchcraft in my Considerations, sufficiently to be understood, and the Conception which I, and, I think, most Men have is, That a Witch is one, who can do or seems to do strange things, beyond the known Power of Art and ordinary Nature, by vertue of a Confederacy with Evil Spirits. Strange Things, not Miracles; these are the extraordinary Effects of Divine Power, known and distinguished by their circumstances, as I shall shew in due place. The strange things