Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 34:135 (Jul 1877)
Article: Cotton Mather And The Witchcraft Delusion
Author: R. D. C. Robbins

BSac 34:135 (July 1877) p. 473

Cotton Mather And The Witchcraft Delusion

R. D. C. Robbins

The Views Of Cotton Mather And His Age Concerning Unseen And Spiritual Agency

Before proceeding to the direct investigation of Cotton Mather’s connection with witchcraft, for which he has been so severely censured, and his name been made a synonyme for all that is harsh and unloving, it seems appropriate to examine briefly his views of the influence of unseen agents in moulding the destiny of human beings. And in doing this, it may not be amiss to bear in mind now what we shall have occasion more than once to refer to, that his belief was substantially that of the best and most intelligent men of his age in this country, and to a great extent that of the most religiously inclined in England.

In the education of his children he dwelt much upon the presence and influence of good angels, “who love them, help them, guard them from evil, and do many good offices for them; who likewise take a very diligent notice of them, and ought not in any way to be disobliged.” In reference to evil angels, his kindliness of nature took precedence of his theology, for he did not say much about them, his son says, lest his children should be haunted by “frightful fancies” and “apparitions of devils.” Still, “he would not have them ignorant that there are devils who tempt them to wickedness, who are glad when they do wickedly, and who may get leave of God to kill them for it.”

BSac 34:135 (July 1877) p. 474

In his own experience, when on a certain occasion “he looked over his catalogue of mercies from the God of heaven” and compared “what he read in the book of heaven of the agency of angels, he enumerates fourteen distinct particulars in which he thinks he discovers angelical agency in his affairs, and quotes passages of Scripture appropriate to, or corroborative of, each.”1 By this contemplation he is so transported in spirit that he casts himself on his study-floor before the Lord, and in his rapturous praise to the God of angels, he exclaims: “If any good angels of the Lord are now nigh unto me, do you also bless the Lord, ye heavenly ministers; and, oh! adore that free grace of his which employs you to be serviceable to so poor, so mean, so vile a wretch as is here prostrate before him.” In connection with his supplication to God for a continuation of the aid of angels, which he needs in so many particulars, he also supplicates for preservation from the “illusions and injuries of evil angels.”

Cotton Mather expresses vividly in a sermon his belief in the activity and influence of evil spirits, and although the passage has been often quoted, it is too apposite to my purpose to b...