SECT. VII.
That the Witch-Advocates cannot elude Scripture Testimony of Possession by evil Spirits, by saying it speaks according to the received Opinions of Men.
But the Scripture doth, we know, speak often according to the received Opinion of Men, though they are Errors, which it is not concerned to rectifie, when they concern no Morality or Religion.
But first, The Doctrine of Spirits and Devils was not the received Opinion of all the Jews: The Sadducees, a considerable Sect, were of another Mind. So that the Stories of ejecting such, must look to them as Imposters; and the Scriptures were not only for the Jews, and for that particular time alone, but for all Places, and all Ages. Most of which have no such use of calling Diseases Devils, and among them, the History must either convey a false Opinion, or lose the Reputation of its Truth.
Secondly, Though the Scripture doth not vary from the common Forms of Speech, where they are grounded upon harmless and lesser Mistakes, yet when such are great and dangerous, prejudicial to the Glory of God, and Interest of Religion, it is then much concerned to reform and rectify such Errors: And according to the Belief of the Witch-Advocates, the Doctrine of Possessions is highly such, for it leads to the Opinion of Witchcraft, which they make such a dismal and tragical Error, Blasphemy, an abominably Idolatrous, yea an Atheistical Doctrine, the grand Apostasie, the greatest that ever was or can be, that which cuts off Christ's Head, and Un-Gods him, renounceth Christ and God, and owns the Devil, and makes him equal to them, &c. As the Author of the Grand Apostasie raves.
And Mr. Webster saith little less of this Opinion in his Preface, viz. That it tends to advance Superstition and Popery, is derogatory to the Wisdom, Justice, and Providence of the Almighty, tending to cry up the Power of the Kingdom of Darkness, to question the Verity of the principal Articles of the
