vine Writings. They are proved by the best Philosophy and highest Reason; but the Unbelievers, divers of them are too shallow to be capable of such proofs, and the more subtle are ready to Scepticize away those grounds.
But there is one Head of Arguments that troubles them much, and that is, the Topick of Witches and Apparitions. If such there are, it is a sensible proof of Spirits and another Life, an Argument of more direct force than any Speculations, or Abstract reasonings, and such an one as meets with all the sorts of Infidels. On which account they labour with all their might to persuade themselves and others, that Witches and Apparitions are but Melancholick Dreams, or crafty Impostures; and here it is generally, that they begin with the young-men, whose understanding they design to Debauch.
They expose and deride all Relations of Spirits and Witchcraft, and furnish them with some little Arguments, or rather Colours against their Existence. And youth is very ready to entertain such Opinions as will help them to fansie, they are wiser than the generality of Men. And when they have once swallowed this Opinion, and are sure there are no Witches nor Apparitions, they are prepared for the denial of Spirits, a Life to come, and all the other Principles of Religion. So that I think it will be a considerable and very seasonable service to it, fully to debate and settle this matter, which I shall endeavour in the following sheets, and I hope so, as not to impose upon my self or others, by empty Rhetorications, fabulous Relations, or Sophistical Reasonings, but treat on the Question with that freedom and plainness, that becomes one that is neither fond, fanciful nor credulous.
SECT.
