William Turner

The Cheats and Illusions of Romish Priests and Exorcists William Turner

There is no doubt but that particular Relations of the nature of those which are contain'd in this Book, would have been much better receiv'd, and have made more impression, whilst they had the grace of Novelty, than when after a long course of time they seem to have been buried in Darkness and Oblivion. 'Tis upon this Motive, that because at this time one may speak freely, and without constraint, that now are publish'd the long and fatal Intrigues of a Convent of Nuns, and a great number of Ecclesiasticks, supported by a party of the Magistrates and Inhabitants of a Town, and favour'd by the Court. These Intrigues have been of great Consequence; forasmuch as they have caus'd a Parish Priest to be Condemn'd to be Burnt alive; and that they tended to establish in France certain Maxims which would subject the People to a real Inquisition. They have been peculiar, and of a strange singularity, seeing that Devils are immediately concern'd, or that 'tis pretended that they did intermeddle, and that they have possest and caus'd all these Nuns to act their part. In fine, this History appears so much the more considerable, that the Facts it relates eave been continued a great many years, that they have had for Spectators and Witnesses, a Number of Persons illustrious by their Rank, and by their Merit; that there was never a Relation of the same Nature, more closely furnish'd with Circumstances, nor better attended with all necessary Proofs; and that it gives a clear and exact Idea of the Sentiments that one ought to have of the pretended Diabolical Possessions, of the Apparitions of Devils, and of the Miracles that were done upon these Occasions. It discovers also at the same time the Obliquity of Mans Nature, and how far 'tis capable to go, when 'tis once engag'd in an evil Design.