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would dare to be skeptical?
who would disbelieve
confessors?
Besides, there were other evidences.
A callous spot was the mark of the devil: did age or
amazement refuse to shed tears; were threats after a quarrel followed by the death of cattle or other harm; did an error occur in repeating the
Lord's prayer; were deeds of great physical strength performed,—these all were signs of witchcraft.
In some instances, the phenomena of somnambulism would appear to have been exhibited; and ‘the afflicted, out of their fits, knew nothing of what they did or said in them.’
Again, on a new session, six are arraigned, and all
are convicted.
John Willard had, as an officer, been employed to arrest the suspected witches.
Perceiving the hypocrisy, he declined the service.
The afflicted immediately denounced him, and he was seized, convicted, and hanged.
At the trial of George Burroughs, the bewitched persons pretended to be dumb.
‘Who hinders these witnesses,’ said Stoughton, ‘from giving their testimonies?’—‘ I suppose the devil,’ answered Burroughs.
‘How comes the devil,’ retorted the chief judge, ‘so loath to have any testimony borne against you?’
and the question was effective.
Besides, he had given proofs of great, if not preternatural muscular strength.
Cotton Mather calls the evidence ‘enough:’ the jury gave a verdict of guilty.
John Procter, who foresaw his doom, and knew from
whom the danger came, sent an earnest petition, not to the governor and council, but to Cotton
Mather and the ministers.
Among the witnesses against him were some who had made no confessions till after torture.
‘They have already undone us in our estates, and that will not serve their turns without our innocent ’
