Letter
You Very much Gratify'd me, as well as put a kind Respect upon me,
when you put into my hands, Your Elaborate and most seasonable Discourse,
entituled, The Wonders of the Invisible World. And
having now Perused so fruitful and happy a Composure, upon such a Subject, at
this Juncture of Time, and considering the Place that I Hold in the Court of Oyer
and Terminer, still Labouring and Proceeding in the Trial of the persons Accused
and Convicted for Witchcraft, I find that I am more nearly and highly concerned
than as a meer Ordinary Reader, to Express my Obligation and Thankfulness to
you for so great Pains; and cannot but hold my self many ways bound, even to
the utmost of what is proper for me, in my present Publick Capacity, to declare
my Singular Approbation thereof. Such is Your Design, most plainly expressed
throughout the whole; such Your Zeal for God, Your Enmity to Satan and his
Kingdom, Your Faithfulness and Compassion to this poor people; Such the
Vigour, but yet great Temper of your Spirit; Such your Instruction and Counsel,
your Care of Truth, Your Wisdom and Dexterity in allaying and moderating that
among us, which needs it; Such your Clear Discerning of Divine Providences and
Periods, now running on apace towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and
finally, Such your Good News of The Shortness of the Devils Time, That all
Good Men must needs Desire the making of this your Dis
course Publick to the World; and will greatly Rejoyce that the Spirit of the Lord
has thus Enabled you to Lift up a Standard against the Infernal Enemy, that hath
been Coming in like a Flood upon us. I do therefore make it my particular and
Earnest Request unto you, that as soon as may be, you will Commit the same
unto the Press accordingly. I am,
Your Assured Friend,
William Stoughton.
