[T] yes it is Goode Good, shee hurts them in her own shape
[H] and who is it that hurts them now.
[T] I am blind now. I cannot see.
Salem Village Written by Ezekiell Cheevers.
March the 1st 16912 Salem Village March 1st 16912
[William Elliot Woodward, compiler], Records of Salem Witchcraft (Roxbury, 1864), I, 11-48 passim.
18. Guilt Contracted by the Witch Judges (1697) BY CHIEF JUSTICE SAMUEL SEWALL
Sewall was a distinguished Massachusetts man; for a time a minister, later a judge. In the latter capacity he joined in the condemnation of the witches. His public humiliation is characteristic of the time. — Bibliography: Tyler, American Literature, II, 99-103; Winsor, Memorial History of Boston, II, ch. vi, notes; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 129. —See Contemporaries, I, No. 149.
COPY of the Bill I put up on the Fast day ; giving it to Mr. Wiilard as he pass'd by, and standing up at the reading of it, and bowing when finished ; in the Afternoon.
Samuel Sewall, sensible of the reiterated strokes of God upon himself and family; and being sensible, that as to the Guilt contracted upon the opening of the late Comission of Oyer and Terminer at Salem (to which the order for this Day relates) he is, upon many accounts, more concerned than any that he knows of, Desires to take the Blame and shame of it, Asking pardon of men, And especially desiring prayers that God, who has an Unlimited Authority, would pardon that sin and all other his sins ; personal and Relative : And according to his infinite Benignity, and Sovereignty, Not Visit the sin of him, or of any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the Land : But that He would powerfully defend him against all Temptations to Sin, for the future ; and vouchsafe him the efficacious, saving Conduct of his Word and Spirit.
Diary of Samuel Sewall (Massachusetts Historical Society, Collections, Fifth Series, V, Boston, 1878), I, 445.
