ilderness.
Acosta says that the Devil, in their idol Vitzlipultzli, governed that
mighty nation. He commanded them to leave their country, promising to
make them lords over all the provinces possessed by six other nations of
Indians, and give them a land abounding with all precious things. They
went forth, carrying their idol with them in a coffer of reeds,
supported by four of their principal priests, with whom he still
discoursed in secret, revealing to them the successes and accidents of
their way. He advised them when to march and where to stay, and,
without his command, they moved not. The first thing they did wherever
they came, was to erect a tabernacle for their false god, which they
always set in the midst of their camp, and they placed the ark upon an
altar. When, wearied with the pains and fatigues of travel, they talked
of proceeding no further in their journey than a certain pleasant stage,
whereto they were arrived, the Devil, in one night, horribly killed the
ones who had started this talk by pulling out their hearts, and so they
passed on till they came to Mexico.

"The same Devil, which then thus imitated what was in the church of the
Old Testament, now among us, would imitate the affairs of the church in
the New. The witches do say that they form themselves after the manner
of Congregational Churches, and that they have baptism and a supper and
officers among them, abominably resembling those of our Lord. What is
their striking down with a fierce look? What is their making of the
afflicted rise with a touch of their hand? What is their transportation
through the air? What is their travelling in spirit, while their body is
cast into a trance? What is their causing cattle to run mad and perish?
What is their entering their names in a book, their coming together from
all parts at the sound of a trumpet, their appearing sometimes clothed
with light and fire upon them, then covering themselves and their
instruments with invisibility? Are not all these but a blasphemous
imitation of certain things recorded about our Saviour, or his prophets,
or the saints in the kingdom of God?"

"Mr. Parris," said Charles, when the fanatic had paused in his wild
harangue for want of breath, "you seem in earnest; but you must bear in
mind that there is a mistaken zeal----"

"Hold, Charles, I know what you would say; but God has opened my eyes to
the abominations of witchcraft."

"So Bishop Mendoza thought, when he ordere