ant document. John Foster was, at its date, a member of
the Council. Hutchinson, who was his grandson, speaks of him [_History,
ii., 21_] as a "merchant of Boston of the first rank," "who had a great
share in the management of affairs from 1689 to 1692." In the latter
year, he was raised to the Council Board, being named as such in the new
Charter; and held his seat, by annual elections, to the close of his
life, in 1710. He seems to have belonged to the Church of the Mathers,
as the father and son each preached and printed a Sermon on the occasion
of his death.

_Autograph Letter of COTTON MATHER, on Witchcraft, presented to the
Literary and Historical Society, by the Honorable Chief-justice
SEWELL._[3]

17^th 6^m, 1692.

"S^r:

"You would know whether I still retain my opinion about y^e horrible
Witchcrafts among us, and I acknowledge that I do.

"I do still Think That when there is no further Evidence against a
person but only This, That a Spectre in their shape does afflict a
neighbour, that Evidence is not enough to convict y^e * * * of
Witchcraft.

"That the Divels have a natural power w^ch makes them capable of
exhibiting what shape they please I suppose nobody doubts, and I
have no absolute promise of God that they shall not exhibit _mine_.

"It is the opinion generally of all protestant writers that y^e
Divel may thus abuse y^e innocent, yea, tis y^e confession of some
popish ones. And o^r Honorable Judges are so eminent for their
Justice, Wisdom, & Goodness that whatever their own particular sense
may bee, yett they will not proceed capitally against any, upon a
principle contested with great odds on y^e other side in y^e Learned
and Godly world.

"_Nevertheless, a very great use is to bee made of y^e Spectral
impression upon y^e sufferers. They Justly Introduce, and Determine,
an Enquiry into y^e circumstances of y^e person accused; and they
strengthen other presumptions._

"_When so much use is made of those Things, I believe y^e use for
w^ch y^e Great God intends y^m is made._ And accordingly you see
that y^e Eccellent Judges have had such an Encouraging presence of
God with them, as that scarce any, if at all any, have been Tried
before them, against whom God has not strangely sent in other, &
more Humane & most convincing T