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SECT. I.
The Question, whether there are Witches or not, is not matter of vain Speculation, or of indifferent Moment; but an Inquiry of very great and weighty Importance. For, on the resolution of it, depends the Authority and just Execution of some of our Laws; and which is more, our Religion in its main Doctrines is nearly concerned. There is no one, that is not very much a stranger to the World but knows how Atheism and Infidelity have advanced in our days, and how openly they now dare to shew themselves in Asserting and Disputing their vile Cause. Particularly the distinction of the Soul from the Body, the being of Spirits, and a Future Life are Assertions extremely dispised and opposed by the Men of this sort, and if we lose those Articles, all Religion comes to nothing. They are clearly and fully Asserted in the Sacred Oracles, but those Wits have laid aside these Di-vine
