University of Virginia Library

June ye 8th.

The Morse woman having been found guilty by the
Court of Assistants, she was brought out to the North
Meeting, to hear the Thursday Lecture, yesterday,
before having her sentence. The House was filled
with People, they being curious to see the Witch. The
Marshall and the Constables brought her in, and set her
in front of the Pulpit; the old Creature looking round
her wildly, as if wanting her wits, and then covering
her face with her dark, wrinkled hands; a dismal sight!
The Minister took his text in Romans, xiii. 3, 4, especially
the last clause of the 4th verse, relating to Rulers:

For he beareth not the sword in vain, &c. He dwelt
upon the power of the Ruler as a Minister of God, and
as a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth
evil; and showeth that the punishment of Witches,
and such as covenant with the Devil, is one of the
duties expressly enjoined upon Rulers by the Word of
God, inasmuch as a Witch was not to be suffered to live.

He then did solemnlie address himself to the condemned
Woman, quoting 1 Tim. v. 20: Them that
sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. The
Woman was greatlie moved, for no doubt the sharp
words of the Preacher did prick her guilty Conscience,
and the terrors of Hell did take hold of her, so that she
was carried out, looking scarcelie alive. They took
her when the Lecture was over to the Court, where the
Governor did pronounce sentence of death upon her.
But Uncle tells me there be manie who are stirring to
get her respited for a time at least, and he doth himself
incline to favor it, especiallie as Rebecca hath
labored much with him to that end, as alsoe hath Maj.
Pike and Maj. Saltonstall with the Governor, who himself
sent for Uncle last Night, and they had a long talk
together, and looked over the Testimonie against the
woman, and neither did feel altogether satisfied with it.
Mr. Norton adviseth for the hanging; but Mr. Willard,
who has seen much of the Woman, and hath prayed

with her in the Jail, thinks she may be innocent in the
matter of Witchcraft, inasmuch as her Conversation
was such as might become a godly person in affliction,
and the reading of the Scripture did seem greatlie to
comfort her.