Final answer:
John and Elizabeth's opinions on witchcraft are not provided in the text, but Puritan beliefs at the time accepted the existence of witches. Cotton Mather was a fervent believer in witchcraft. Reverend Hale's views evolved from initial support to later criticism of the witch trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
John and Elizabeth's feelings on the existence of witches are not directly stated in the provided references. However, during the Salem Witch Trials, the belief in witchcraft and the presence of the Devil was a common part of the Puritan belief system, which would have influenced their views.
Cotton Mather, a notable Puritan minister, strongly believed in witchcraft, as seen in his statements from his work Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions. Reverend Hale's reaction to witchcraft is not specifically mentioned in the provided excerpts, but historically, Hale initially supported the Salem Witch Trials before eventually becoming critical of them.