[Satan’s Invisible World Contents]
THE following Paper is here Reprinted, as a very suitable addition to this new Edition of “Satans Invisible World Discovered,” from the Original Broadside which I discovered lately in a folio volume of Miscellaneous Papers, consisting of Dying Speeches, Elegies, and some Addresses of the Tincklarian Doctor, William Mitchel, &c., &c.
ENDORISM, or a Strange Relation of Dreamers or Spirits,
that trouble the Ministers House of Kinross. [June 1718.]
MANY deny that there are any such as Witches, though we have it expressly contain’d in the Word of God, that there was a Witch at Endor, that Saul in his distress resorted to, and communed with; but call them Dreamers, these I say Argument not so learnedly as politically; or for fear they or their relations should be sentenced for such. As, for instance, Bettie Laing who was reckoned, and confessed herself a Witch in the town of Pittenweem before a whole congregation of People on the Sabbath day, was brought off as a Dreamer; for, said she, “If they burn me, both Ladies in Coaches and Sedans, who are equally Guilty, must burn also;” and accordingly she and many others of her accomplices were set at liberty.
However, tho’ people should deny both spirit and angel, to be sure there are both spirits and angels, good and bad, and according to scripture there may be witches, seeing there was a Witch at Endor; let people say as they list: But what is the Essence of Spirits, or what the Devil makes use of these deluded creatures, or changes them into various shapes on occasion, it’s hard to determine; but without further Prefacing, to declare unto the world how the House and Family of Mr. M‘Gill, Minister in Kinross, hath been for a considerable time troubled by Spirits or such beings, as the more Politick and Refined sort of Highflyers called Dreamers; it’s hoped will neither be offensive to this Minister, or any of his relations, or disparagement; seeing the Godly are the only objects of the Devil’s fury, for such as the Devil is sure of, he does not heed them untill he has them at once.
The first occasion then of this Gentleman’s House and Family being troubled was, that there was some Silver Spoons then and Knives amissing, (as is reported), which were found in the barn among the straw sometime afterwards, stuck up in the floor, with a big dish all nipped to pieces; after that time they could eat no meat, but what was full of pins: As one day, as the Minister was eating of an egg, he found a pin in the egg; and mostly what meat they eat, they had still abundance of Pins: Wherefore the Minister’s wife would make ready a piece of meat herself, that she might be sure, there was no deceit in the matter; but, behold when it was presented to the table, there were several Pins in it; particularly a big Pin the Minister used for his gown. Another day, there was a pair of sheets put to the green, among other peoples, which were all nipped to pieces, and none of the linnings belonging to others troubled. A certain night, several went to watch the house, and as one was praying, down falls the Press, wherein was abundance of lime vessels, all broke to pieces; also at one other time, the Dreamers or Spirits, as they call them, not only tore and destroyed the clothes that were locked up in a coffer to pieces, but the very laps of a Gentlewoman’s Hood as she was walking along the floor were clipt away, as also a Woman’s Gown-Tail, and many other things not proper to mention: Moreover, a certain girl eating some meat, turned so very sick, that being necessitate to vomet, cast up five pins: also a stone thrown down the chimney wambled a space on the floor, and then took a flight out at the window: Also there was thrown in the fire the Minister’s Bible, which would not burn, but a plate and two silver spoons thrown in, melted immediately; also what Bread is fired, were the meal never so fine, it’s all made useless, and many other things which are both needless and sinful to mention. Now, is it not very sad that such a good and godly family should be so molested, that employ their time no other way but by praying, reading, and serious meditation, while others, who are wicked livers all their lifetime, and in a manner avowedly serve that wicked one, are never troubled.
It’s true, these bad Spirits or Dreamers have no power of their bodies, but they exceedingly disquiet the family, which, that the event may redound to God’s glory, and this honest families good, ought to be the serious prayer of all good people.
