I. 'Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious and Impudent _imitation_

of Divine Things, is Apishly affected by the Devil, in several of those matters, whereof the Confessions of our _Witches_, and the Afflictions of our _Sufferers_ have informed us. That Reverend and Excellent Person, Mr. _John Higginson_, in my Conversation with him, Once invited me to this Reflection; that the Indians which came from far to settle about _Mexico_, were in their Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct of the _Devil_, very strangely Emulating what the Blessed God gave to _Israel_ in the Wilderness. _Acosta_,[190] is our Author for it, that the Devil in 'their Idol _Vitzlipultzli_,[191] 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 Commandment they moved not. The first thing they did, wherever they came, was to Erect a _Tabernacle_, for their false god; which they set always in the midst of their Camp, and there placed the _Ark_ upon an _Alter_. When they, Tired with pains, talked of, _proceeding no further_ in their Journey, then a certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, this Devil in one night, horribly kill'd them that [44] had started this Talk, by pulling out their Hearts. And so they passed on till they came to _Mexico._' The 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 much after the manner of _Congregational Churches;_ and that they have a _Baptism_ and a _Supper_, and _Officers_ among them, abominably Resembling those of our Lord.[192] But there are many more of these Bloody _Imitations_, if the Confessions of the _Witches_ are to be Received; which I confess, ought to be but with very much of Caution. What is their stricking down with a fierce _Look?_ What is their making of the Afflicted _Rise_, with a touch of their _Hand?_ What is their Transportation thro' the _Air?_ What is their Travelling _in Spirit_, while their Body is cast into a Trance? What is their causing of _Cattle_ to run mad and perish? What is their Entring their Names in a _Book?_ What is their coming together from all parts at the Sound of a _Trumpet?_ What is their Appearing sometimes Cloathed with _Light_ or _Fire_ upon them? What is their Covering of themselves and their Instruments with _Invisibility?_ But a Blasphemous Imitation of certain Things recorded about our Saviour or His Prophets, or the Saints in the Kingdom of God.[193] _A Second_ CURIOSITIE.