Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
Edwards says that people deserve this place because of their sins.
What is hell?
The bewitched people claimed that Martha Carrier — or this — tormented them.
What is her shape?
According to the text, many early accusations in Salem came from this group of people who fell into fits and convulsions.
What are the adolescent girls?
Edwards says the devil is ready to grab sinners because he already has this over their souls.
What is dominion (authority)?
The afflicted said that during Carrier’s examination, they experienced these painful, life-threatening reactions.
What are fits or torture-like attacks?
The article explains that the 1692 trials represent this dangerous victory of fear over reason.
What is prejudice over reason (or fear over courage)?
Edwards compares the human heart to this dangerous thing waiting to burst out if God didn’t restrain it.
What is a fiery oven or furnace of fire and brimstone?
Carrier’s children confessed that she had done this to them, giving a detailed account of “journeys, meetings, and mischiefs.”
What is made them witches?
The governor finally ended many convictions by banning this type of “otherworldly” evidence, like seeing the Devil whispering in someone’s ear.
What is spectral evidence?
Edwards argues that God has made no promises to keep “natural men” out of hell except through this.
What is the covenant of grace?
After Carrier threatened Abbot, this happened to his body, leading Doctor Prescot to lance multiple sores.
What is he developed painful swellings and sores?
Scholars now believe the girls’ symptoms were caused by this psychological condition involving fits, outbursts, and repressed emotions.
What is hysteria?
According to Edwards, sinners hang over hell while God’s anger burns as fiercely as it does toward those already suffering this.
What is the fierceness of His wrath in hell?
Several men testified that their cattle suffered “strange,” “unnatural,” and “unaccountable” deaths after this happened with Martha Carrier.
What is after they argued or had a conflict with her?
The article says that adult accusations were often driven by these underlying community tensions, such as rivalries and land disputes.
What are local feuds or property disputes?