IV. There was a particular Deposition of _Joseph Safford_,[174] That

his Wife had conceived an extream Aversion to this _How_, on the Reports of her Witchcrafts: But _How_ one day, taking her by the Hand, and saying, _I believe you are not ignorant of the great Scandal that I lye under, by an evil Report raised upon me_. She immediately, unreasonably and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Woman's part. _How_ being soon after propounded, as desiring an Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfy'd about her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters objected against her; and no Arguments in the World could hinder this Goodwife _Safford_ from going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise, with much ado, that she would not go to the Church-meeting, yet she could not refrain going thither also. _How's_ Affairs there were so canvased, that she came off rather _Guilty_ than _Cleared;_ nevertheless Goodwife _Safford_ could not forbear taking her by the Hand, and saying, _Tho' you are Condemned before Men, you are justify'd before God_. She was quickly taken in a very strange manner, Frantick, Raving, Raging and crying out, _Goody_ How _must come into the Church; she is a precious Saint; and tho' she be condemned before Men, she is Justify'd before God_. So she continued [78] for the space of two or three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But coming to her self, she cry'd out, _Ha! I was mistaken;_ and afterwards again repeated, _Ha! I was mistaken!_ Being asked by a stander by, _Wherein?_ she replyed, _I thought Goody_ How _had been a precious Saint of God, but now I see she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my Child, and we shall never be well, till there be a Testimony for her, that she may be taken into the Church_. And _How_ said afterwards, that she was very sorry to see _Safford_ at the Church-meeting mentioned. _Safford_, after this, declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of _How;_ and from that Shape she endured many Miseries.