printed booke Herevpon Alyce Goodriâ—g was committed to Darbye gaole indited and arraigned and founde guiltie thereof and by my Lord Andeson sentence giuen vpon her to imprisonmente where since she died These thinâ—es considered to saie and publish thus confidently that Darling 〈◊〉 what is it els but presumtuosly to condemne both Iury and Iudge eyther of â—iustice or simplicitie or both And these thinges are so notori of yâ—knowen to an the Cuntrye that an hundred such shameâ—eâ—se Discâ—uâ—ryes as â—as are not able once to bringe then I meane the impossidâ—ites afore-â—arâ—e into doubte or question there For the further conâ—â—rmation where of we are ready to proue and auerie the same by the oathe of many suâ—ficient witneâ—â—es and there-by make it most euident and plaâ—ne to the worâ—d that it is impâ—ssible that Darlinge shoulde be a counterfeit In the meane season we may remember that two 〈◊〉 of peace and quorum and aboue fortye of the inhabitantes of Burton neyghbours there-vnto which were eye wyâ—nesses of Darlinges vexations haue vnder theire han les in twoo seuerall testimoniaâ—s witnessed that his fitts torments or betakinges were such and sosu pernaturall as they are fully perswaded no man is possiblie able to counâ—erfeite and for this and some other reasons are perswaded and doe verily thinke that Darlinge did not dissemble as appeareth by the tenure of their letters testimoniall here followinge The former wher of the Bishop hath and a coppie of the latter as I take it To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine wee whose names are vnder written Iustices of peace and quorom within the countes of Staffâ—râ— and Darby amongest others send greeting whereas we haue bine râ—quested and dâ—sired to câ—â—tifie our knowledges concerninge the straunge bandling or bâ—takeing of one Thomas Darlinge of late greuously handled and tormented and that in such strang manner as was wonderfully to behould whereof we weare eye witnesses we therfore for the better satisâ—ing of all those that are desirous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Thomas Darling did not dissemble or counterfeit in any those his fittes or stâ—ange betakinges and the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thinke is First for that the manner of those his fittes torments or betakeinges weare such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded no man is possible able to counterfeite the like And also for that their was one Alice Goodâ—eridge the wise of one Oliuer Goodderidge of Stapâ—nhill within the counâ—â— of Darby who long before that time had bene suspected for a witche and being for that cause brouâ—ht before vs did vpon her examination before vs cousâ—sse that shee did mistake the said Thâ— Darling and thought it had binâ—oâ—e Sherratte a boy who had done her some wronge as she saith and 〈◊〉 we haue bine informed by some of good creditt to vs well knowne that the said Alice Goodderidge did confesse that she did call her 〈◊〉 for so she tearmâ—d it which waâ— â—s she said in liknes of a little dog and called it Minnie and bâ—d it goe after the said Darling thinkinge it had 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 in all the partes of his body wâ—ich said 〈…〉 retourned to her agame and sould her he has done aâ— shee bade him and further shee did confesse that after that time she neuer sawe the said little dogge but once that it came to her in the Gayole at Darby whether shee was committed for the said facte and she being in the sayde Gaâ—ie was brought before the Iustices of Assise and Gaole deliuerie and their desiered the said Iustices to be good to her and forgiue her she would neuer doe so any more In testimonie wher of we here vnto severally sett our handes and seales dated the First daye of October 1598. Humserye Ferrers Thomas Gresley To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine we whose names are vnder written aswell resiantes and inhabitantes of the towne of Burton vpon Trent in the counâ—ie of Stafford as others greetinge whereas wee haue bene requested and desired to certifie our knowledges concernninge the strauÌ„g handâ—â—ng or be taking of one Tho. Darling of late grieuously handled and tormented and that in such strange manner as was wonder fully to be bould whereof wâ— weare eye wâ—tnesses we therefore for the better satisfiyng of all those that are desierous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Tho. Darling did not dissemble or counterfeite in any of those his fiâ—â—es or straâ—ge betakeinges And the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thâ—nke be many whereof for avâ—yding of over tedious matter we will onely herâ—â—n alledge some few as namely first for that we haue knowne the said Tho. Darling from his childhood to be of an honest and gratious disposition and both himselfe and his freads in whose keepinge he was duringe his said fittes to be such as we are well assured would haue no hand incounterfeit or lewâ—e practises and also the manner of those his fittes tormentes or betakeings were such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded that no man is possibile able to counterfeit the like And also for that their was one Alice Gooddridge c. To the effect in the afore said Testimoniall And their vpon this Alice Gooddridge being brought before the Iustices of assise and Gaole deliuery was by dewe course of lawe then convicted of the same fact in testimony wherof we haue herevnto severally subscribed our names dated at Burton aforesaide the fifte daye of October 1598. Peter Eckersall minister at Burton I. Grainger VV. Caldwall VV. Hawes I. Hawes H. Blackwall R. Turner VV woodcocke I. Fichit I Finney E wrightman V. Palmer R. Moore R. Hyde I. Debanke I. Bridgett E. Hudsonne T Dutton R. watson I. Horbyne R. Baker H. Clarke E. Goodcole R. Taylor I. Simpson T. Hasten the elder constables of Burton T. Hasten the younger R. Hayes w. Harresen I. Taylor R. Shenten H. wackfeild R. Tomson T. Saunders I. Alsoppe R. Teale w. Clarke T. Stanly R. Hendlye I. Henworthe I. Butler R. Bradlye Raphe Teate Thus we see that howsoeuer darlinges vexation by Sathan is not confirmed by the oâ—thes of men as Somers is Yet by the testemoniâ— of many witnesses of good credit who render 3. forcible reasons agaynst counterfeitynge He nowe that is so filthye as to beleiue this Discouerer vpon his bare reporte without any proofe or reason of Darlinges counterfeiting before the testimonye of so manye alleaging such effectuall reasons against counterfeytinge let him be fylthye still and yet more filthye The matter contained in these testimonials makinge against Darlings coounterfeitinge I haue sufficiently pressed and vrged before in my Apologie wherevnto the Disc teturneth no manner of answere at all and yet beareth the world in hand that he hath dispatched and wiped
A DETECTION OF THAT SINNFVL SHAM FVL LYING AND RIDICVLOVS DISCOVRS OF SAMVEL HARSHNET ENTITVLED A DISCOVERIE OF THE FRAVVDVLENT PRACTISES OF IOHN DARRELL WHEREIN IS MANIFESTLY AND APPARANTLY SHEWED IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD NOT only the vnlikelihoode but the flate impossibilitie of the pretended counterfayting of William Somers Thomas Darling Kath. Wright and Mary Couper togeather with the other 7. in Lancashire and the supposed teaching of them by the saide Iohn Darrell Psalme 7. 14. Behold He shall travaile with wickednes for he hath conceiued mischiefe but he shall bring fourth a lye IMPRINTED 1600. TO THE CHRISTIAN AND VVELL AFFECTED READER IOHN DARRELL MINISTER OF THE VVORD WISHETH ALL GRACE AND HAPPINES WITH a iudgment to dâ—â—cerne betwixt thinges that differ betwene that which is true and false good and evill In the dayes of Henrie the second of Fraunce father to Charles the great massacrer and murderer of Godes Sayntes when the Sunneâ—â—ine of the Gospell beganne to breake forth in that kingdome and the name of Hugonot as a by-word of reproch was giuen to the professors thereof in the very entrie as it were of those troubles and hurlie burleyes for religion it is recorded of the Italian weomen and credulous popularitie of that countrie that hearing of the great sturre that was then risen about those Hugonotes they would needes knowe of their gostlye fathers and holy inquintinge Fryers what those French Hugonotes were vnto whom that deuoute and Pop-holy generation not vnlike themselues made this wholesome and catholike answere That they were not men forsooth but vglye and monstrous shapes of men headed like Dragons faced like Dogges eared like Swine snoured like Serpents with Boares tuskes and Asses iawes yea such as would eate and dououre vp their owne mothers c. wherevpon the poore weomen and sily multitude neuer requyringe nor examining the matter any farther fell straight to a kinde of hissing clapping their hands with most bitter out cries and hatfull exclamations against them with fie on them wretches fie on them wretches Now even thus good reader and no better then thus fareth it with me at this instant The name sound of Darrell of his imprisonment and the cause therof hath in a manner possessed overspread the whole land why what is he saith one what is the matter saith another Answere is made presently and readilye by our two English Inquisiters Samuell Harsnet and his master togeather with such others whom they with theire crooked conueyances haue be witched that Darrell is forsooth a cogger a cousener a Iugler an Exorcist a counterfeite a deuill-flinger a deuill-driuer a Seducer a deceiuer an Impostor and I know not what that of an impious simplicitie he holdeth it lawfull to lye cogge and faine so it be to a good end as his fauorits tearme it to the glory of God in which regard he hath taken vpon him to be deeplye seene in the mysterie of deuils and hath playd his publike prize in this iuglinge science casting out more deuils by prayer and fasting after a good dinner perhaps then euer any of the Apostlee did at so full a season And this in effect not onely the streetes and Tavernes haue ronge off but as I haue bene informed the very benches and Seates of Iustice haue sounded with the noyse of this Darrell the deuil driuer and of the counterfeite trickes that he should teach VVherein notwithstandinge I thanke God when they haue thundered out the vttermost they can against me I may truly say and that with the testimonie of mine owne hart and conscience that I am iust so guiltie of the thinge they charge me with as the fore-recited French Hugonotes were of all that rablement wherewith they were so besmeared and de pictured by that Italian munckish fraternitie For if it be true that the had heades like dragous faces like dogges eares like swine snoutes like serpentes and that they would eate vp their mothers c. Then is it also true I confesse that Darrell is such a mounstrous vile fellow as is heere layd forth and described But alas good reader this is no new thinge looke backe to ages past and thou shalt find it to be an old inueterate ouerworne practise of sathan newly furbished and set abroach againe by his instrumentes to paint out the professors of the gospell in the most ougly deformed shape they can deuise as we see by our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles and so consequently by his ministers specially not that they be such indeede as they are despitfully featured out but to this end to make them more odiously enuied and malitiously hated of the world which is the speciall marke the enimy shooteth at Now the principall thinge that is charged vpon me and which I haue all this while denied and still denye is teachinge to counterfeite But what is this that Darrell should thus teach to counterfeite why nothinge els forsooth but a reall entrance and possession of the deuill of and into the bodies of men to be dispossessed and remooued thence by fasting and prayer and all to grace and make good the hipocriticall fasting and exercise of the puritans which otherwise without some such fetches and deuises would prooue starke naught This then we see is the sinne if it be true And suerly allow it to be true and to be such indeede as they haue layde it forth to be with all his circumstances I my selfe will subscribe ioyne with them in the condemnation of it to the bottome of hell and the sinner to the very depth of the graue as wherin if it be rightly examiÌ„ed and weighed is closlye shut vp and included not onely the dishonor of God and disgrace of his workes but a foule and detestable abuse of Godes church and a mocking of Gods people with a scornefull and shameles contempt both of magistracy and ministerie And can not the wisdome and maiestie of the state of England finde out adue punishment and correction for so wretched and greiuous an enormitie as this no question but it can may and ought if the partie were once orderlye and by law convicted But as it was not the manner of Romanes in auntient time for fauor to deliuer any maÌ„ to death before the partie accused had his accusers before him leaue to defend him selfe so is it not the manner of the Honorable Courtes of Iustice in England to proceed to sentence before conviction or to punishment before apparant proofe And this is it that hath and doth make me more confident in defense of myne owne innocencie and the equitie of my cause even the reuerent opinion and estimation that I haue of the ordinarie courtes of Iustice in this land before whom whensoeuer I shal be called I know it is not a hundred of such lying and libelling discourses as this of Samuell Harsnetes that shall any way swaye them either to sentence or censure the meanest of her Maiesties subiectes without euidence and proofe But my
fault they will needes haue to be double one an error in my Iudgment the other a plaine knacke of knauery for I can call it no better in my practise For the first my simple Iudgment as I haue already both by word writting made knowne is this That as the bodies of men may really be possessed of Sathan in this age as well as in former times so the ordinarie way and meanes of their dispossession and deliuerance is prayer or prayer and fastinge This is in effect all that I hold and contend for wherin I willinglye referre and submitt my selfe to the godly learned of our Church I challeng no power to worke miracles nor guift aboue others to cast out deuils I haue not vsed any adiuration all which are fathered vpon me but I condemned the same in others And now before the Lord and men I doe vtterly from my soule renounce them as heeretofore I haue often done with my tongue pen what grosse and dangerous error then doe I maintaine For the other that is my knacke or packe of knauery in teachinge to counterfeite and fayning a dispossession by prayer when their were no such things performed I cannot be perswaded for all this impudent shameles discourse of S Harsnetes so bedecked and adorned with my L. of Londons flowers that they themselues in their consciences doe be leeue this knacke of knauerie against me in that sort as they haue sett it downe 1 The reasons that induce me so to thinke be these First as men prophâ—ly call them because they would not suffer Somers or rather the deuill in him to doe his trickes though they were sundrie times desired publiklye and priuatly that he might doe them for the better endinge of the controuersie and that he offered to doe the same Secondly their manner of proceeding against me contrarie to the ordinarie course of iustice and equitie 2 yea such as heathens and infidels would blush and be ashamed to vse as appeareth by the particulars in the treatise following Now what neede they to haue vsed any such extraordinarie and vnlawfull proceedings If they were perswaded of the truth of that which they pretended against me or that they had any iust matter or sound and cleare euidence to convince me by nay if they weare not in themselues perswaded that Darrell would cleare himselfe of teaching to counterfeite if he should be admitted to a proceeding according to the lawes of the Realme in such cases prouided Thirdly their very writtinge against me in this case in that manner as they haue done 3 is sufficient in the iudgment of the wise to discry and discouer the guiltines of their consciences this way For what a test were it to punish treason or rebellion by Booke-writting I willinglye confesse the sinne they charge me with if it be true to be as bad as rebellion and to deserue more then the pillorie yea a shamefull and a reprochfull death to the terror of others And if they can proue the thinges published against me in that printed Libell of S. Harsnetes they shall neede no Iurie to passe vpon me neither will I craue any fauour but iustice with seueritie Seeinge then the punishe not nor neuer went about to punish this supposed offence according to the weight and desert thereof nay haue bene so farr from that as within 14. dayes after the publishinge of the booke made against me they offered me libertie vpon condition I would promise not to preach of possessioÌ„ nor dispossession nor in my publike preaching iustifie the possession and dispossessinge of the persons controverted nor deale any more in the dispossessinge of any and yet haue publiklye made it knowne for so haynous and notorious a crime what doth this argue but that inwardly in theire owne soules they doe not beleiue their owne lible Fourthly their often and ordinarie bringinge in the testimonie of Somers against me in theire saide booke able to make a horse to spue whensoeuer they are at a stand and can by no meanes writhe nor wrest in that which they would faine make good being vtterlye voyd of all honest course of defence then forsooth comes in M. 4 Somers dropping out of M Harsnets budget as an authenticall witnes And what doth more argue the guiltines of ther conscieÌ„ces the desprateÌ„es of their cause the shamlesnes of their defence then this That they are not abashed to suppresse the examinations of sundry honest men wise men and gentlemen of good place taken by Comission from the Arch. B. of Yorke as thinges of no account and instead of them to tell vs a tale of Robin-hood or rather if you will of Robin the deuill alias William Somers why alas are they so simple or sottish to imagine that any man that is well in his wittes will beleeue this or that because Somers saith it that infamous and notorious lyer counterfeit blasphemer and forsworne wretch Fiftly theire winkinge at theire 7. Lancashire counterfeits and smoth passing by them not punishinge them albeit 6. of them were in the same family nor any of those 4. whom they haue deait with and say vpon their examination haue confessed that they haue counterfeted no not Somers their principall supposed counterfeite but fauoured intertained countenaunced â—â—erished and made much of him though most vile and infamous and such as they must needes know to haue scarce any match in lewdnes and iniquitie as if counterfeiting and blaspheming were a prayse or but a spirt of youth in him and teaching to counterfeite onely odious in me Now whence commeth this stealing by the 7. and impunitie of all but from tâ—e conscience of man tening him that they are no counterfeits and therfore it is best to let them alone and not to punish all these innocentes Lest they in their innocencie denying constantlye to haue counterfeited and exclaming against them should bring them to great shame Sixety and 〈◊〉 the thing that most moueth me thus to be perswaded is their winking at and not answering at all to the impossibilities of or concerning Dacling Katherine Wright Mary Cooper and the 7. in Lancashire which are the onely thinges we alâ—eadge against their counterfeiting why they neither are nor can possiblie be counterfeites and the silly thiftes to blere the eies of men they haue deuâ—ed and forged out of their owne braines for answere to the impossibilities presseâ— agaâ—â— Somers counterfeiting namely to the depoâ—tions of the 17 proâ—ing the impossibilities by oath Heerevnto I may add the 〈…〉 and more then ridiculous proofes of my teaching 4. pro. 14. 15. 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 â—eites For 〈…〉 stoliduâ—n vulgus the foolish people which wâ—ll beleiue every thing that Christ was a glutton c. that he had a dâ—uill speciallye when they haue the phariuees telling them that 〈◊〉 feth forth deuil through Beelzebuh that he is a blasphemer specially wâ—en the high preist saith he hath blasphemed yee heare his blasphemie will
that is contained in the Discouery which seemeth to make more or selfe against the cause or my selfe least passing by some of this kind it might be thought I therfore did it and purposly because I were not able to answere Againe I coÌ„sidered that many haue already giuen an eare to counterfeitinge and verily beleiue our Demomakes to be counterfeits for their sakes therfore that I might draw these preiudicate persons from their error to the imbracinge of the truth it was requisite to answere all that in the face made for counterfeitinge which could not be performed in fewe wordes Secondly I knewe the credit of the aduersarie was great my owne little beinge a base contemptible person in the eyes of the world That my selfe then and that which I contend for might be beleiued even of this dotinge and blind generation It was necessarie I should not onely cracke or diminish the credite of the a duersarie even with his best frendes which might haue bene done in afew wordes but take all credit from him by detectinge all his filthines for in makinge his name to rotte and stinke and the counterfeit cause he hath in hand their is hope that men will giue some eare vnto me and that I striue for be I neuer so meane Now this would be best performed in the larger pursuite and stirringe deepely in the falshods lyes and absurdities of the Discouerer which coulde not be donne without the multiplyinge of wordes For the more one stirreth in that which is stinkinge and filthy the more stinking sauor it sendeth forth And so shall we find it to be in the ample ripping vp of this foule Discouery to the Detection wherof we will now proceed God assistinge vs. If the falshood of some be detected and thou find out the truth by this our Detection then open thy mouth in the defence of that truth and assist me with thy prayers Thine in the Lord Iohn Darrell As in all ages there haue bene some which haue gainsaid the holy doctrins of god reuealed in his word so likewise there haue not wanted such as haue resisted the works which he hath wrought befor the children of men Exod. 7. 11. Against the wonderfull works wrought in Egipt by Moses did those sorâ—erers Iannes and Iambres rise vp and set themselues with all their diuelish arte and power VVhen the holy ghoste fell vpon the Apostles in the forme of clouen tongues like fire euen of those which were eye eare witnesses thereof there were some that mocked them act 2. 13. saying that they were full of newe wyne The Apostle Paule hauing cast the diuell out of the Pythonisse her maisters were offended therewith caught him Sylas his associate and drew them before the maiestrates who vpon theire incensinge commaunded them to prison act 16. 18. and to be beaten with rods wherevpon they were beaten fore cast into an inward prison or dungeon and theire feete made fast in the stockes VVhen there was brought to Christ Iesus one possessed with a diuel blind and dumbe and that he had healed him so that hee which was blind and dumb math 12. 24. both spake and sawe all the people it is said were amased and said is not this that sonne of Dauid And vpon the same worke wrought vpon an other at an other time the multitud marueiled saying The like was neuer seene in Israel But the Pharises resisted as other workes of his math 9. 23. so both these and said he casteth out diuels through Beclzebub the prince of diuels In a word the mockinges and scourgings the banishments the bonds and imprisonments the puttinge to death of Christ Iesus the Prophets and his Apostles doe testify how the word and workes of god haue bene from time to time resisted Euen so it is now God hauing wrought diuers rare and greate workes there haue bene some found to withstand them and to bear the world in hand that all is but connterfeyting and notorious cofenage Among these the chief are D. Banâ—xoft B. of London and Samuell Harsnet his chaplaine and Examiners whose labour day and night it hath bene for the space almost of two yeares and in that time haue they applyed and abused theire wit and authority to perswade this to the world and to this end haue they published a booke called a Discourie 2. tim 3. 8. But as Paule saith of Iannes and Iamhres that withstood Moses and of certaine men in his time of corrupt mindes reprâ—bat concerning the faith which did then resist the truth euen so the same say I oâ— these men They shall preuaile no longer for their madnes shall be euident vnto all men as theirs also was Herevnto serueth as the former treatise wherein the truth is declared and these workes published and made knowne to the world for the declaration of the truth is a conviction of the falshood so the treatise following wherein the DISCOVERY is fully I trust answered and the euill name raysed vp and giuen out againste thease workes viz. of counterfeyting and my teaching the some or twoe parts of that booke taken away And when the sord shall yet further pursue the manifestation of these workes disclosing that which is now couered and making that knowne which now is hyd which I doubt not but in due time he will psal 10. 14. mark 4. 22. 1. tim 5. 24. verse 25. Then will their filthines and madnes be euident indede And for our further assurance â—crein we may remember it is written Thou Lorde behouldest mischeif and wrong that thou maist take it into thine handes And againe There is nothing hyd that shal not be opâ—ned neyther is there a secret but that it shall come to light And againe to this purpose it is said by the Apostle Some mens sinnes are open before hand and goe before vnto iudgment but some mens followe after Likewise also the good workes are manifest before hand they that are otherwise cannot be hyd wherby it is playne that howsoener the sinnes of some men are for a time in this world vnknowne as hauinge bene committed in secret and in the darknesse yet the Lorde in his time will bring them to light and manifest them to the world and on the other side though the good workes of some be not for a time through the slaunders of some manifest and knowne to the world to be such yet it shall not alwaies be soe they shall not alwayes be hyd but in an other time god will reueale them to be that indede they are It is in the second place to be obserued that as sathan hath euer vsed by his instruments to resist the doctrines workes of god that thereby he might kepe god from his glory and prayse and man from beleuing and profiting by them so the principall meanes wherby he hath preuayled in all times hath bene the slaundering of those whom the Lord hath therein vsed as instruments for
as I houlde all eiection performed by them to be miraculous and yet houlde that it is no myracle when Sathan is expelled by prayer and fasting he shoulde conuince mee otherwise he doth but tryfle and abuse his Reader in causing him to spend his houres in such vayne ydle and vnprofitable discourse as concerneth nothinge the matter in question neyther toucheth his aduersary any thing at all Hee procedeth There is a place saith hee in the last of S. Mark wherein they mightely please themselues and taking it as a rod of defence to mayntayne their cause it proues in handling a serpent that deuoureth them vp the wordes are these These signes shall followe them that beleue in my name they shall cast out dyuells and shall speake with newe tounges c. This is a meere slaunder for it is as farre from mee and euer was from alleadging this scripture in my defence as it is from takinge vpon me to worke myracles and I will as soone doe the one as the other Howe this scripture is to be vnderstood of svch as had the myraculous faith I haue shewed before against Thyreus and the papists peruerting it to their disposiessinge of diuels and that it cannot be vnderstood of all beleuers as he expoundeth it But to procede In steede of the author his name wee haue in the end of the Epistle these twoo letters S. H. so that men may onely gesse who hath made the discouerie VVere the truth on the discouerers side he woulde sure in playne and full letters haue sett to his nam withont staggeringe and thereby intimated thus much Looke what I haue sayd of counterfeytinge and by Darrell or any other I such a one am ready to iustifie the same but the discouerer beinge priuie to his owne false and corrupt dealinge and fearinge least that woulde be descryed and come one day to light thought it wisdome to conceale his name who can tell also how the christian magistrat will take this when he shall perceiue how greatly God is dishonored hereby and see the intollerable iniurie that is done first and chiefely to the Lord himself who hath wrought these greate workes and to whom greate glory and prayse is due for the same secondly to those whom God amonge others hath vsed herein and those vpon whom these workes were wrought takinge away the good name both of all those and of others that I could name as mnch as in him lyeth besiâ—es the greuious and causelesse molestation of many subiects in the land and the wrong doune to them both in their substance and good name In this respect also there is cause why the Discouerer shoulde sett downe two letters rather then his name for it is good pollicy to preuent a mischief and cast for the worst There is no doubt but that S. H. stand for Samuell Harsnet chap line to the Bishop of London but whither he alone or his lord hee haue discouered this counterfeyting and cosonage there is the question Some thinke the booke to be the Bishops owne doing and many thinke it to be the ioynt worke of them both Of Harsnet I think men doubt not consideringe the two first letters of his name be subscribed As touchinge his Lord and maister it is probable seeing the booke is commonly called the Bishop of Londons booke that all or part of it was made by an high Commissioner such as the Bishop is as appeareth by these words The author of the breif narration to drawe VS peraduenture from dealing with M. Darrell pag. 14. nowe other Commissioner in no reason can it possibly be For the Bishop of London it is that hath deposed and examyned I know not how many and that is acquainted with euery quirk and corner of this cause that hath managed this matter that hath perswaded not only the rest of the high Comissioners but the whole land also as much as in him lyeth that all is but counterfeyting and knauery but how truly he and his chapline say so and what reward they both deserue at the hands of god and men for all the greate paines they haue taken in this behalfe dooth partly appeare by the premisses and will I trust more fully be made manifest by that which followeth THE FIRST BOOKE THE 1. CHAPTER The nomber of such persons as are said to haue bene dispossessed by M. Darrels meanes M. Darrell growing into some smal credit with the simpler sort pag. â— became very peart proud Somthing to this purpose he confesseth some thought that I did glory somwhat tomuch in the action of casting forth diuels pag. 3. And a little after There are added in the end of the history of the boy of Burton thes words uiz shortly you shall hane the true story come forth of those 7. in Lancashire that were possessed with vncleane spirits and all seauen deliuered at one time by this man meaning M. Darrell as he himself confesseth Hereby the Descouerer laboreth to perswade the worlde that I did glory in the casting out of diuels as is playne by these words what M. Darrell tooke vppon him after this his second exployt it may be surmy sed by glorying in the first To the first of these I answere that I haue not altogither so deposed as appeareth by page 277. of the Discouery But admit it were so and that some haue so thought of me as is sayde yet it followeth not theirvpon that I gloryed c. for many haue mise conceaued the sbeaches actions of men when Eliab Dauids eldest brother heard the words of Dauid concernninge the killinge of Goliah he theirvpon thought and said vnto him that he was com downe to se the battle of pride and the mallice of his hearte and yet it was nothinge so How oft did Iosephs brethren conceaue amisse of his speaches and actions To the second I answer that beinge examined by the B. of L. vpon my oath whither I thought that by these wordes this man with the rest were ment my selfe I answered affirmatiuely And it being playne that he did meane me for who els had to doe with Darling the 7 in Lancashire how could I answer otherwis without periuery These words also we must remember are not mine but the printers as I tould the Byshop at my examynation at the same time condemed them greatly both which the Discouerer I warrant you concealeth how then doe they or my answer vnto them argue my glorying in the actioÌ„ of casting forth de uels Let the Discouerer fram his argumeÌ„t it may be he wil be ashamed of it Moreouer were it that I did glory somwhat toomuch herein the same maketh not against the cause but argueth only my corruption Darrell being sent for into Lancashire by one M. Starchy dispossessed in the said M. pag. 2. Starchyes house seauen persons at one clap viz Iohn Starchye Margaret Hardman pag. 323. Elianor Hardman Ellen Holland Margaret Byrom and Iane Ashton And in the
same end vpon this M. Maior his letter was procured and sent to me vpon the receipt whereof I went For thus truly I thought that forasmuch as sundrye of the inhabitants of Nottingham and among them his maister his pastor togeather with the magistrate who were interessed in the boy called and desired my poore aduice and assistance it was my part and duty to goe and to yealde them my best assistance contrary to that I had purposed and written before as being called of god to that worke and hereabout I consulted also with two godly learned men then in Ashby who were eue so also perswaded and whose allowance I had in that I did I went not then to So. vpon my sister in lawes bare letter neither doth the same ymport as the Disc vnder the name of an other reporteth but being instantly requested by such as you heare and if S. H. stand for Samuell Harsnet as all men suppose and wherof there is no doubt then knoweth he the most of these thinges as well as I yea almoste no man better for besides that he hath heard vndoubtedly of these seuerall letters M. Ireton his excepted many times he may remember that he being a commissioner among other intergatoryes they had one concerning the occasion of my comminge to Not. and that Mistres Gray and M. William Langford among others being deposed and interrogated thereabouts answered that M. Maior that then was viz. M. Peter Clarke did write vnto me to that end and that thervpon I came bending their speach to the said M. Clarke who was present as being a commissioner Indeede this part of their depositions was not set downe among the rest as I was shortly after credibly informed And now let others iudg of M. Harsnets dealing herein It is by the way to be obserued that the Dis himselfe although in his scoffing vaine confesseth that I ran not of my selfe to Som. nor any of the rest but haue bene sought vnto from whence a probable argument may be drawne that I did not teach him to counterfeyt nor any of the other For if I had so done for gayning glory to my self in a feined dispossessing of him surely after so much paynes taken for sundry yeares together I would in all likelihood haue winded my selfe by some odd practise and deuise or other into that action otherwise what had his counterfeyting bene to me or would haue advantaged mee more then an other true saith the Dis and therefore very cunningly you did so For Som. hath deposed that these wordes you said vnto him in Ashby parke He also meaning my selfe tould me saith Som. pag. 8. 6. that he hauing a sister in lawe in Nottingham one M. Wallys I could no sooner name him when I should be thought to be possessed but that presently and the rather by his sisters meanes he should be sent for to come vnto me This our said meeting in the parke is hereafter ouerthrowne and therby it is manifest that no such speach was there vttered by me But it is strengthned by Edmond Garland's deposition Before M. Darrell was sent for saith hee I haue bene present twisè or thrise at seuerall times when Som. pag. 8â— hath in his pretended fits vsed these words Darrell Darrel Darrell If the deponent meane of the first sending for me that he deposeth is false if of the latter I yeald vnto it but howsoeuer he mean and others take it it mattereth not because it is playne by the premises that I went not to Som. vpon his naming me but vpon other occasion whereby the falshood of Som. deposition doth further appeare and Garlands also if we respect the end wherevnto it serueth moreouer had there bene any such compact betwene Som. and me why went I not at the first sending for being especially so solemnly sente for by a messenger of purpose bringing with him a horse for mee to ryde on to make sure I should come as some percase thought such a letter as we heare and an other besides from M. Aldridge But notwithstanding this I sate still and not only so but returned besyds such an answer as wherevpon they write to two others as is aforsaid either of whose assistance had they of Nott obteyned we had neuer heard any thing of my teaching to counterfeyt who can now in reason ymagine that there was any such compact could I be sure that I shoulde be the second time intreated hauing also denyed in twoe seuerall letters to deale in that action Indeede it so fell out by the prouidence of god who had therevnto appointed me but in respect of men by chance For thus it was One of the Earle of Huntington's men Maist Hoult by name beiâ—gat Nottingham the Maior toulde him of a purpose pose he had to write by him to his Lord to be a meane to me to com-vnto them to a boy greatly distressed M. Hoult answered that he thought that neede not for that his owne letter to me woulde suffyce and preuaile so farr with me his place considered And herevpon the said letter was made and sent by him who was presently to come to Ashby to his Lord remayning there where my selfe also dwelt at the deliuery whereof he made this knowne vnto me And thus much touching the occasion of my going to Som. wherein through the vnreasonablenesse and wresting of my aduersary I haue bene inforced to be longer then I desyred Hauinge begun the studie of the law he perceued therein such greate corruption pag. 24. as he gaue himselfe to the studie of diuinitie that so he mighte serue god and kepe a good concience The vse of this is to alienate the affections of those which be of this calling from me and there withall from the caus it selfe But God is my witnesse that I neuer affirmed any such thinge neither did the same euer enter into my thought The commoÌ„ lawes I hold and euer did since I studied them to be grounded vpon the lawe of god and reason to be of necessarie and singular use in the common wealth so farram I and euer was from condemninge the studie of them farr therefore was that from me the Disc here suggesteth Only this is true that when the Lorde who had longe before purposed to imploye me otherwise and in the studye of an other â—aw did drawâ—â—e another waye by layinge his hande vpon me in causinge a strange extraordinary sluggishnes to fall vpon me being a student of the common lawes euen then when I was most free and far from the sam I thus thought with my selfe and it may be I haue some times vsed wordes to this effect that without all contradiction it were much better for me to spende my dayes and strength in the studie of the deuine then humane lawe and to be occupied and labour or worke vpon the soules of men endeuouringe theire eternall saluation then about the landes and goods of men and rightinge of the wronge don vnto them
9. Exodus 19. 4. Zech 2. 8. Romans 3 2. Romans 9 4 god washed and clensed and made them his peculiar people and * cheif treasure aboue all people so as they were the lordâ—s portion and Iacob the lot of his inheritance and hath * carryed them vpon eagles winges being so tender ouer them that * he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye and * hath committed to them his oracles so as * to them apperteyneth the adoption and the glory and the couenants and the giuing of the lawe and the seruice of god and the promises if this people now hauing bene made partaker of these and many other vnspeakable mercies of god shall returne to their former filthinesse for their intollerable vnthankfulnes their last estate shall be very miserable and worse then their first which scripture as our fathers before vs so we at this day see fulfilled before our eyes in that as it was said to Cain they are cast out froÌ„ their owne land which flowed with mylke and honney and are vagabonds and runagates in the earth so their estate farr worse euen seauen folde worse then euer before From this scripture I collect these things First and cheifly that the diuell beinge cast out of men seeketh to enter agayne into them 2. That he desireth the recouery of that pray he hath lost that is the possessing againe of the said party aboue many other prayes 3. that he doth recouer and repossesse such as giue themselues to the seruice of sintâ—e and otherwise can not 4. That in this case the vncleane spirit en reth not in alone but with more and worse 5. that the end or last estate of such iâ— all be worse then their fist Nowe what though this seripture be vsed by the Lord as a metaphor or similitude to illustrate and thâ—r thing may we not therefore gather these things from hence or is there no truth trow we in the metaphors themselues vsed by our Sauiour Yf the salt saith Christ haue lost his sauâ—â—er math 5. math 13. 3â— gal 5. 9. pron â— â— pron 728. it is good for nothing men doe not light a candle and put it vnder a bushell but on a caÌ„alâ—stick and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house * The kingdome of heauâ—n is like vnto leauen which a woman taketh and lydeth in three pecks of meale till all be leauened In like manner S. Paule * A little â—auen haueneth the whole lump * Goe to the pismire O sluggard sayth Salâ—mon behould her wayes she prâ—â—pareth her meate in the summer gath reth her soode in the haruest He that goeth vpon coales his feete shall be burnt These are metaphors and yet in them and a thousand more in holy scripture there is a certaine and vndoubted truth That is sayde heere of going vpon coales of the Pismire leauen and the rest with infinite more of the like kinde is very true notwithstanding the same is metaphorically spoken yea let the Disc shew but one metaphor in all the scriptures wherein there is not a certaine and vndoubted truth how can it then possibly be that this spoken of the vncleane spirit going out of a man should be vntrue because it is metaphorically That this is spoken metaphorically hindreth not at all the truth therof And wheras the Disc pretendeth as though I did only rely vpon the metaphoricall place and had no other proofe for that I so confidently affirme as touching the returne of the diuell and seeking to enter againe into him out of whome he is gon he is deceaued for a moste pregnante proofe hereof there is as hath bene already shewed in the 9. of Mark where Christ Iesus being about to cast the diuell out of one and knowinge the aforesaid metaphore to be most true and that the vncleane spirit being gone out of man will returne and seeke to enter into the same man againe forbiddeth him so to doe I meane the reentring or repossessiÌ„g of the said party it may be the rather because he was a child I charge thee saith he to the spirite come out of him vers 15. and enter no more into hiÌ„ Albeit then one testimony of the Lord Iesus might aboundantly suffice yet behould a double testimony of his for the further confirmiÌ„g of vs in this truth why then doth this seeme some strange or newe doctrine or odd conceite not onlye to the Disc but to manye other that abhorre the counterfeyting he contendeth for seeinge it hath such warrant and is so playnlie set downe in the scriptures me think 〈…〉 we tooked into the nature of the diuell and how hestâ—d 〈…〉 towardes god and man this should not 〈…〉 that he 〈◊〉 the possession thereof yet will he not preâ—ently giue ouer all 〈◊〉 thereto and seeke no 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 or any 〈…〉 he can compalle the possession againe 〈…〉 doe he 〈…〉 it not yet it is cleare he will 〈…〉 genâ—rally true so specially if it be a 〈…〉 the vsurper taketh great pleasure to 〈◊〉 in and he also one oâ— great 〈…〉 and hating dead 〈…〉 and much more wicked and 〈…〉 are 〈◊〉 and powers being as vsurpers cast out 〈…〉 mea the gloribus temples for the holy 〈…〉 all possible meanes to enter into them 〈…〉 VVe all knowe and confesse that sathaÌ„ 〈…〉 of the soule of man which he possesseth so long as we continue the 〈◊〉 of disobedience he doth more egerly besett it and 〈…〉 of it then euer he did before and this beside 〈…〉 the holy scripture teacheth vs euery conuert knoweth to be true 〈◊〉 owne experience Nowe why should not the same spirit take the same course presently after his election out of that other part of man his body 〈◊〉 meane seing not only the scriptures but the parties 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 out of their owne experience signifye 〈…〉 there was iust cause I thinke to per 〈…〉 as I did and is set downe before And 〈…〉 there for the Disc to condemne the reason among others of the 〈…〉 required of them viz. because 〈…〉 And yet behoulde how he boasteth as if the truth were firmly vndoubtedly of his side and as if he had answered all that men haue to say in two wordes pag. â— viz. that the scripture wee relye vppon is a metaphoricall place But M. Darrell saith he and his frendes will peraduenture be better prouided in this poynt heereafter How Dar. is prouided he nowe seeth And by that time S. H. is prouided for obiections I trust Dar. will be sufficiently prouided for answers vnto them And thus much for answer to the obiections made against my opinions which somtimes I deliuered to the B. of London little thinking that the same shoulde haue bene published to the worlde It remayneth that I proceede to the matter of fact charged against mee in which two poynts the discouery consisteth OF CHAP. 11. How those that tooke vpon them to cast out diuels doe get themselues work and of their deuises
both say and doe it Darrell Howsoeuer the Disc doth not onely here but I knowe not how oft els where as pag. 30. 69. 111. 289. 306. prattle and florish with emptie words as though these were the two principall and false grounds wherby I am said to haue bewitched all the beholders wee must first knowe that he proueth not the former of these whereto I will first answere no not so much as by a false witnes For his 4 witnesses here following and two pag 111. doe only depose that I saide So. was senâ—lesse in his sits and those two pag. 306. that I saide the same by Kat. 〈◊〉 which ioyned together proue not that I said thâ—se who are pâ—ssâ—ssâ—d are senâ—â—lessâ— p. 41. 30. or as he saith else where and meaneth heere a 〈◊〉 is pâ—ssâ—ssed is in his fitts altogether senâ—lesse 2. I haue vpon myoath denyed pag â—06 that I said this of So. vz. at the times articulated against meâ—at another tyme I deny pâ—g 289. that affirmed Kath. Wright was sencles and a thrid time being here about deposed I answeared thus a I bâ—leiue that Thâ— This is the eight 〈…〉 Darlinge had not his sences or memorie in his fits but I c thinks that Satan might so order the mattâ—r as that he eithâ—r had or might 〈◊〉 had his sences in his said sitts And surelye I must needs thinke so except I were so grosse as to imagine that sathan being entered into man is bound as I may say hand and fote to depriue euery such person of ther sences and cannot otherwise doe and secondly should mundi forget my selfe who haue in experience seene the contrary in 〈…〉 Ashton and also in W. Sâ—mers as I haue shewed before where I treate of the signes of possession I or this reason confirmed by some experience I am as far as any other from saying that the Disc pag 50. so oft inclucateth and fathereth upon me vz. that whâ—soeuer is pâ—ssâ—ssed is altogethâ—r sâ—nâ—les in all there sits yet notwithstandinge I hould that the possessed ordinarily are seneles in theire fitts not onlâ— because my selfe anâ— others haue obserued this in experience but specially because the same may be probabile colle red out of the scriptures For did not the deuill depriue them at least of some of theire sence maâ—h 12 12. 〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉 5. 5. 〈…〉 blind and â—â—ase wherevpon the spirite was called by Christ Iesus d lease spirit and may we not well thinke that theâ— were without feeline who stoâ—ke themselues with stones and 〈…〉 of there mindes both of their vnderstanding and memory for it is playne by the context that they were k out of their right mynde haue wee not then good cause to iudge that they were depryued of all their sences internall externall And that thus it went not alwayes with them mark 5. 15. Luk 8. 35. but in they re â—ytts that is in the time of their vexation by Sathan may be gathered out of the 8. Marke where it is said of one of them insteade of both that bâ—ing often bound with setters and chaynes he brake them and then it was that no man could tame him and made his aboade naked in the mountaynes and graues and stroke himselfe with stones so as there were other times viz. when they were out of their fitts when he liued and conuersed among men cloathed in his right mynd And that not only these but generally the possessed in Christs time were ordinarily for the time of their fitts without their sences we may probablye thinke because it is euident that they had not their vnderstandynge otherwise they would neuer haue cryed out m mark 1. 24 what haue wee to doe with thee O Iesus of Nazareth art thou come to destroy vs and that not only these but many possessed with diuells vsed these kynd of speaches appeareth by Marke 1. 34. Thus we see that one of these which the Disc calleth my false grounds wherewith he chargeth me to haue seduced the people and a iugling sticks wherevppon my Legerdemayne as he calleth it did consist is warranted by the holy scriptures Beesides this hath bene obserued and reported of some who it shoulde seeme were possessed pag 30. In an history printed 86. concerning the afflictions of Margaret Herison of Burnham Vlpe in Norfolke and the speach the spirit had with M Robinson minister at the same place it is saide that she was of all sences both internall and externall to the iudgment of those that were present vtterly depryued and in an other place shee comming to her vnderstanding cryed c. And in the booke printed of the bewitchinge of M. Robert Throckmortons 5. daughters who as I take it were possessed it is reported that they were depryued of all vse of their sences duringe their fitts and that they could neither see heare nor seele any body and to this effect there are scattered very many speaches throughout the saide booke yea it is playne there that two of these gentleweomen Mistris Ioane and Mistres Iane had not theire sences in theire fitts before the Iudge and Iustices And where the Disc by way of preuention hath these wordes The lunatick in the scriptures was in his sitts dombe page 30. but it cannot be shâ—re that he wanted the rest of his sences Hee seeth now more may be shewed by other persons then possessed and truly it is an easye matter to shewe that the lunatick â—anted one of the externall sences he speaketh not of mark 9. 25. viz. hearing for Christ in healing the lunatick sayd Thou dombe and deafe spirit I charge thee 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 in their 〈◊〉 it is not thâ—y but Sathan 〈…〉 it Darrell That the diuell vâ—eth the tongue of thâ—se he possesseth speaketh 〈◊〉 it is an 〈◊〉 by these scriptures among others u what is thy 〈◊〉 I 〈…〉 many 〈…〉 a And the 〈…〉 me If the 〈…〉 out suffer 〈…〉 into the hearde of swyne p 〈◊〉 thy 〈◊〉 and come out of him h 〈…〉 many diuells and 〈◊〉 not the diuell to say that they knew him â— And diuells came out of 〈◊〉 crying and saying thou art that Christ that sonne of God Heerevpon 〈◊〉 affirmeth Diabâ—â—um eâ—us lingua vti mâ—uues 〈…〉 at the diuell vseth his tongue into whose bodye he is entred yea in the manifold speaches of the possessed mentioned in the gospell we readâ— not of any one which was not vttered by the diuell It is cleare the that 〈◊〉 if not alwaâ—es in the fitts of the possessed Sathan 〈◊〉 and not they And as the vncleane spiritts vse the tongues of 〈…〉 whome they are and speake what they will by them so doe 〈…〉 vse the other parts or members of their bodyes to performe other actions as their â—eete to goe with their hands to smite with c. so the diuells â—ent with the â—eete of the man possessed with the 〈…〉 carrveâ— them into the mountaynes and granes went with the
times I deny that eueâ— I mentioned him saue that about a quarter of a yeare after his dispossession and after he sayd he counterfeyted I â—aâ—e against that â—ursâ—d confession of his and against them that would â—aue him to be a counterfeyt And this I did twise once vppon the â—ordes day to my owne people an other time not long after to them and others come out of the coasts thereab â—uts met togither at a fast At this latter time also I remember I vsed a few wor les concoâ—niuge his reâ—ossâ—ssion And whereas the Disc saith in the chapter bâ—fore that I preaâ—hed at Nott. about that time viz. from about the 7. â—f 〈◊〉 to the 14. pag 145. of Ianuary 6. or 7. sâ—rmons vâ—pon the 43. 44. 4◠〈◊〉 â—pon the 12. of â—athâ—w conâ—erning sathans returne to reâ—nâ—ter he 〈◊〉 for they â—ere preached in Nouember two of them 〈…〉 of his moneth and so on forwardes â—n tâ—e Lordes dayes vntill I had finished that â—cripture He bringeth mee in depoâ—ing this but as â—ull oâ—ten he hath corrupted my deposityon tâ—e 〈◊〉 oâ—â—â—me being oâ— his owne inserting Beesides when I prâ—ached these â—ermons more then 6. of the 7. sermons were of spirâ—uaâ— poâ—eâ—ion and that in both these I spake as the truth is the inhabitants of Nott. can witnesse The Disc Pag 145. â—aith further that with this argument of diuels I so troubled my auditoâ—y that they grew very weary of a and some blamed me for â— to my â—ace Truly it is very vnlikely seing whiles I was preachinge of this scripture they generally made choyce of me for their teacher It 〈…〉 indeede that some two or three of the chief frendes to counterâ—ei â—ing naturall men not fauoring of the spirit shewed some dislike to my preaching and aduiâ—ed me to preach of loue and charity sayinge tâ—at they were euer in charity before I came there but this was about a quarter of a yeare after theâ—e 7. sermons wherin I had preached the â—aw that â—o they might be drawne to hunger and thirst after the gospell and made fitt to receaue it which was not sweete and pleasynge vnto them and therevppon they kicked with the heele against me preâ—uning to instruct their teacher and to direct their guide like to the schosier that should take vppon him to teach his schoolemaister which is no new nor strange thing Discouerer My father in law saith So. receaued at two collections made by M. pag 148. Dar. meanes the soâ—e of twenty nobles or thereabouts in respect of his trouble and charge when I was in my pretended fits Darrell VVhat a shamelesse boy is this seeing the contrary is notoryously knowne to the inhabitants of Nottingham I haue shewed before that at the first collection made at his dispossession his father in law had neuer a penny and at the second but part thereof as I gesse about 20. s. or 4. nobles whereof part was to apparrell Somers And these collections were not by my meanes otherwise then by spakling to the people at the dissoluing of the congregation to be mindfull of the poore if so I did Neyther doe I doubt but that the Discou knoweth this to be very false yea few better yet behold he publisheth it for truth to the world For who can thinke but that he hath examyned the boy his father in law thereabouts first in hope to haue it confirmed by his deposition if any such thing happely had bene 2. though it should proue otherwise â—et hoping either by threats or by flattering speaches to draw him therevnto for if Rob. Cooper the boâ—s father 〈◊〉 lawe haue deposed as the Disc affirmeth he hath sundrye times in other things deposed as falsly as So. himselfe hath heerein Beesides it is very likely that the Disc hath had some speach hereof eyther with the Maior or M. Freeman or M. William Gregory from whome he might learne the certayntye heerein For the Maior giue So father in law that which he had of the collection and if it were 20 nobles from him he receaued it who can witnesse that I neuer spake word to him concerning the same so that were that true which is fals and that So. father in lawe had 20. nobles yet it made not against me Seeing now we heare nothinge of this 20. nobles from none of these but only from Somers not a deposition among the multitude of depositions confirminge this we may be sure that it is not onlye false but iustly suspest the Disc himselfe to know the falshood of it Discouerer It is to be obserued pag. 150. how some of M. Dar. chief frends haue left him after a sort in two of the chiefest poynts of this whole action One of them hauing giuen his opinion that So. did not dissemble those fitts which he acted before the Commissioners deputed from the Lord Archbishop of Yorke but that it was the diuell in him that played those prankes in his body could it seemeth be content to acknowledg that he was possessed but aâ— the time of his examynation he would not affirme that the said So. had bene at any time dispossessed although saith he I haue heard by depositions and other reports that might induce me very probably to thinke that he was dispossessed The other being a very rash and headstronge yonge man one M. Brinsley a minister he at the time of his examination doubteth asmuch of Som repossession as the former did of his dispossession I am fully perswaded saith he that William So. was possessed with an euill spirit and that he was dispossessed but concerning his repossession I am not therein so fully perswaded although I haue many reasons to induce me so to thinke Darrell At the time of his examination meaning M. Iohn Browne one of the 12. Commissioners a very reuerend and learned man he woulde not affirme that is vpon his oath for the booke was presently called for so soone as any appeared before the B. of London that So. was dispossessd Did M. Browne leaue me or yet the cause and worke of God which he regardeth a little more then me because he would not swear that So. was dispossessed Truly it had bene very strange if he shoulde haue so deposed One woulde thinke that he hath shewed himselfe a frend to the cause whatsoeuer he is to me in saying that he did not dissemble 2. in affirminge that he was possessed and that it was the diuell in him that played those prancks in his body as the Disc termeth them 3 that he did think that he was disâ—ossâ—ssed or to this effect And for M. Brinsley a preacher of the gospell it appeareth by his deposition that he hath not left me nor yet the caâ— For he hath deposed that he is fully perswaded that So. was possâ—ssed 2. that he is fully perswaded he was dispossessâ—d 3. that though he be not so fully perswaded of his repossession yet he doth think so meaning of the time present because for
cast into the syre we say etc. Yea wee say not that he foamed or wallowed he was cast into the fire in all and euery of his fittes but that in some of them and at sundrie times he was evidently seene to be thus strangly and extraordinarily visited And presuppose that vpon the apprehention of alewde person for some fellonious acte 3 or 4. honest substantia men should bring in euidence that such a day and time they saw the pâ—rtie breakinge vp his neighbours house and takinge away his goods were not this euidence sufficient in law and reason to convince the fellâ—â— because that at some other time or times other his good frendes did see him sitting in his chaire and reading of a booke For this is truly the Disc manner of reasoninge in this case to bleare the eyes of the world with and to proue this counterfeiting if 〈◊〉 â—â—lde Sâ—â—nes forsooth Somers strength was but ordinarie and Somtimes or often saith another I found him but of easie strength ergo Sâ—m strength was not extraordinarie as Darrell affirmeth In like manner he argueth before one a time saith on Som. clapt his buttocks on the fire another he sell downe with his shoulders on the fire ergo So. was neuer cast into the fire his face or bare hands being in the fire and he not burned OF CHAP. 8. Discouerer So. knowledge in his sits was not extraordinarie as M. Dar. and his frendes haue falslye pretended neither could he speake Greeke Hebrew or Latine otherwise then he had learned Darrell That his knowledge was extraordinarie I trust it is elswhere in the historie made manifest Against it nothing is obiected worthy the answering But alas poore Somers himselfe who neuer fayleth the Disc at a pinch he good soule like an honest youth is as euery hand whyle so here brought vpon the stage to patch out this desperat cause and to depose at large now wheras to this end I haue alleadged that he a boy scarcely vnderstanding one article of the Creeddid expound the Creed by the space of an houre togeither or their abouts a thing acknowledged by two of the Discouerers owne witnesses this is handsomly shad owed glozed vpon and daubed ouer in these words that he was in some sort enabled so to doe by reason that almost euery minister that came vnto him had interpreted the Articles of the Creed diuers times vnto him It had bene good and a most equall and indifferent course seeing So. is knowne to be an impudent lying wretch for the strengthening of this glozing deposition so vnlikly to be true to haue had these ministers knowne and ther names that did thus enable and instruct Som. in the articles of the Creede or at least the depositions of some of those who were then present would then haue bene taken It had bene no heard matter for the Commissioners to haue sifted out this vpon the taking of the depositions if it had pleased them seeing it is deposed you see that thes Ministers haue interpreted vntâ— him thâ— articles of the Creed diuers times and that in the time of this his troâ—â—le he was seâ—ome or neuer alone But admitt that such a courâ—e â—ere taken by I know not how many ministers visitinge him in his sicknes a thing that I suppose no man of vnderstanding will easily beleiue â—et it is a question whether So. were of himselfe able to lay vp so much as somtimes he deliuered OF CHAP. 9. There was no impossibility in So. sites as M. Dar. and his frendes haue 〈◊〉 pâ—â—tended Discouerer This thâ—â— Dis proueth by no lesse then 10. depositions Now I 〈…〉 saith Robert Couper what thinges the boy 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 thanâ—â— aâ—y other of his numbâ—enes and capacitie may doe the like Darrell Robert Cooper being present at So. dispossession with teares confessed his sinnes before vs all being some 150. If at that time he though So. counterfeited then those teares of his and confession were hipocriticall The truth is that oppressed with feare vpon the fearefull sight he then beheld he shed those teares and made that confession as the men of Ephesus did vpon the report only of the like worke of Satan but being now without that feare as himselfe confesseth his mind or iudgment as it shoulde seeme is cleane altered as by this and other wretched depositions of his appeareth Discouerer I was oft quoth George Richardson with the boy in his fittes and could neuer see any thing done by him pag 256 but I could doe the like Darrell George Richardson pag 233. deposeth that he saw So. in afitte wher in he soamed exceedingly Now I thinke he can not do the like though he put a peace of blacke lead into his mouth to helpe him as he saith So. then did And where he saith he was oft with him I spppose his oft times were not aboue 2 or 3 times Discouerer Seeing So in his fitts saith M. Aldred the fift of Nouember pag 2â—6 heauinge vp his belly drawing his mouth towards his eares scriching et I departed away perswaded that he was a counterfeite and that he did nothing but that a boy naughtely disposed might doe as well as he Darrell But I would faine know what M. Aldred did thinke vpon the 7 of Nouember vpon which day he preached at So. dispossession and in his prayer confessed his sinnes with teares on which morning also he said to some that the said night his sleepe departed from him vpon that he beheld the euening before in Som. as also what he thought of Som. when he was first deposed before the 12. Commissioners It may be their are many thousands in this kingdome which somtimes thought So. to be acâ—ounterfeiteâ— who now see confesse that it is vnpossible it should be for this therfore is nothing to the purpose nor at all against me that M. Aldred hath deposed For albeit the 5 of Nouember he speakeâ—n off ne might Imagine those few actions of the boy to be counterfeite yet this â—etteth not but that at other times both after and before vpon the sight of other more strange and fearefull accidents he might be of an other mind And thus but for breuities sake could I parâ—culerly answeare and avoyde all these depositions of the Discouerer pag 257. Discouerer I neuer did see any thing that So. Alow that all those a duzen more say true vz. that they neuer sawe c. no did Iohn a Stile nor Ihon a Nokâ— they are all wee sâ—e in the negatiue therfore 2. honest men in the affirmitiue crase and confound them all did to make me to thinke that it was supernaturall saith Nich. Shepheard and M. Craven I did not see him doe any thing which another boy might not easilie haue performed And M. Foster I saw nothing but it might be counterfeited and M Pare I could not perceiue any extraordinary thing to be done by the boy but what any other might well haue done And M VVallis I
of that booke the Disc might then with Answeare 1 some better coulour haue framed this maâ—â—cious colleâ—tion against me 2. those words are not so much sett downe for the matter of the as for the maÌ„ner of their deliuerie vz. with his mouth wide open which thing impossible to be counterfeited will the sooner be beleiued wheÌ„ it is not onely declared that the boy spake with his mouth wyde open but also specified what words he so vttered and in this respecte their was good and iust cause of publishinge them 3. Theire is small cause why any should commend me or conceiue well of me in regard of this speach seeing it was spoken by the father of lyes and therefore gâ—eatlye to be suspected of falshode excepte my selfe had published the booke for my pervsinge of it was knowne onely to some 3. or 4. 〈◊〉 OF CHAP. 4. Of M. Darrells further practise with Darling to pretend that Sathan sought to reenter into him and of some other his vntrue assertions concerning the boyes fittes and of his cunning dealinge likewise with him that be should neuer confesse his dissimulation Darrell From pag 285. vntill 290. the Disc pursueth his owne shadow labouring with many wordes to convince me of that I neuer affirmed vz. That Darling in all his fittes was altogether senceles this I haue shewed before in my answeare to this generall charge wherevnto to avoyde tediousnes and idle repetitions of the same thinge I referre the reader for fyll answeare to all that heere he obiecteth against me Discouerer Another thing that the Disc troubleth himselfe much with and where aboutes he bestoweth many lines pag 289. even from the page 289. till page 293. is that I should affirme that it was Sathan onely as I did thinke that vsed the words in those dialogues mentioned in the said book he the said Satan transforming himselfe into an angell of light at such times when he seemed to speake godlily And this he confuteth full soundly I warrant you first by producinge the boy Tho. Darling deposing that he doth not beleiue so Then by the deposition of Iesse Bee a sadler who saith that whosoeuer affirmeth so doth lye in so affirming There reason is because of the godly speaches he vsed mentioned in the dialogues Then and in the third and last place the Disc himselfe telleth vs that for the same reason he thinketh that it can not be that the saide dialogues came from the deuill his wordes be these If any man will take the paynes to pervse those speaches which Iesse Bee hath fathered vpon the boy in the said dialoges he shall finde them to be such as will hardly be found againe in any storie that euer was written to be ascribed to Sathan Darrell If now I can shew out of a history of good credite against which theire can no exception be taken as holy wordes and as vnlikely to come from Sathan as those mentioned in the dialogues to haue yet neuertheles bene vttered by Sathan then I hope the Dis will yeeld that the holines of those speaches doth not lett but that the same not with standinge they might proceede from the diuell VVe read then in the divine storie mark 5. 9. mark 1. 24. that the Temptor saide vnto Christ it is written alleadging scripture for his purpose all the wordes whereof be holy And often thus Iesus the sonne of the most high god And againe I know thee what thou art even the holy one of god VVhat wordes I praye you be more holy then these and what wordes more vnlikely to come from Sathan then such as these Sure if the Disc had bene liuinge in that age and present at these holy and divine speaches he would not haue thought they came from Sathan Even so likewise I muze what the B. and S. Harsnet would haue sayd if they had bene by when that testimonie and commendation was giuen by the diuell of Paul Silas whereof we read in the actes These men saith he are the servantes of the most high god which shew vnto you the way of salvation VVhat wordes almost could be deliuered more vnlikely to proceede from the diuill that aduersarie of mankinde then these for being true a man at the first blush might imagine that if the were the speaches of the euill spirit then sure he was not vnwilling that men should be faued wheras the old serpent ment theirby to hinder and did mightelye Kinder the saluation of men I meane the inhabitantes of Philippi for by oft cryinge out in that manner as he did he moued and occasioned S. Paul to cast him forth of her whom he possessed and others vpon that facte of the Apostle to cast him and Silas a prophet into prison so ordered the matter that vpon their inlargment they departed the citie which no question wasithe thing Sathan aymed at in the commendation he gaue of Paul and Silas So that by these and such like examples of the holy scripture we may saflye conclude that the wicked spirit heere spoken of did ayme sure at some evill practise intent when he vsed those holy words mentioned in the sayde dialogus howsoeuer the Disc happely iudge otherwise and his deponent Iesse Bee because of the godly speaches contained in the dialogues Discouerer M. pag 293. Darrell being charged that since the time of the pretended dispossession of Darling he had cherished entertained lodged the boy at his house and that least his owne packing and dissimulation might happen to be detected is well as the boyes he did vse this or the like perswasion in effecte vnto him vz. that he should continue constant and not suffer himselfe by any alluerment to be drawen to say that he had dissembled in his former fittes and that he was neuer possessed with any wicked spirit And his answeare is thus one night I entertained the said Darlinge in my house at Ashby and the rest he denieth but Darling himselfe deposeth it I haue bene with M. Darrell saith he diuers times sometimes at Burton once at Apleby once at Packington at seuerall exercises from whence I went hom with M. Darrell to Ashby and supped that night with M. Hildersham M. Dar. two other ministers and Mistris Ireton at M Hildershames house did lye that night at M. Darrells Also I confesse that M. Darrell hath had some communication with me and hath willed me at sometimes that I should be constant and sticke to the truth meaning that I should not suffer my selfe to be drawen to affirme that I was not possessed but that I had dissembled in all my sayd fittes and so consequentlye that God had not deliuered mâ— from the possession of Sathan Heere is great adoe and much prattle about packing dissimulation and I knowe not what and of the feare forsooth that was on my behalfe least the same should be detected but if the Iudge should call for the evidence to prooue this then come in nothing but 2. poore
away all These thinges which make so strongly against counterfeiting are likewise sett downe in the printed booke of Darling and are the principall thinges in it to be obserued to proue his vexation by Sathan against these therfore and the rest of this kynde the Disc shoulde haue bente his force in that course he hath taken wherevnto he saith not a worde and not haue passed by these as if he sawe them not and in stede of them cull out some petie triflinge thinges that maye easely be practised or make a shewe of a possibillitie to be counterfeited as namely the speches vttered by the tongue of Darlinge dialogue wise and his apparitiones of a Catt a Dragon a Beare Lightnings Thundring a Lambe a Doue etc. which though I am assured that Darling did not counterfeit yet it is euident that it is no harde matter to counterfeite and dissemble the same and more if one were so lewdly giuen and the world will easilie be drawen to beleiue a practice in such small and slighte matters as these when it neither â— will nor can beleue these thinges here meÌ„tioned to be counterfeited And thus is laid open and discouered the craftie and fraudulent dealing of the Discouerer Discouerer Lastly it is to be obserued pag 292. than Darlinge after he had continued a while in his first pretended fits many supposed and gaue it out that he was buta dissembler as it maye appeare by the depositions following vz Iesse Bees and Edw. Bakers Darrell This is his other argument to proue Darling a counterfeit The verye same he vsed before to proue Sommers a counterfeite A worthy one it is sure and in effect the same with this many supposed and gaue it out that Paull was a God therfore he is a God Thus we see what a blasphemous conclusion would follow vpon such an Antecedent 〈◊〉 14. 11. if it were true when the Disc hath put this argument of his denyed by me into moode and figure and proued the proposition vz. whatsoeuer many suppose and giue out in speech is true I will then yelde him the conclusion and resigne him the conquest and acknowledg both Sommers and Darlinge to be counterfeites And this maye suffice for answere to the Discouerie concerning Darlinges counterfeytinge and my teaching of him OF CHAP. 6. Discouerer A briefe of Katherin Wrights confession touchinge the beginning of her dissimulation and of the reasons that moued her so to doe The generall cause it selfe touching the late attempts of castinge out the deuill is of great importance otherwise it is not vsuall that matterâ— so long past vz. about 13. or 14. yeares should be searched into Darrell There is a cause then wee see of our attemtiinge he meaneth pretendinge to cast out Deuils but what this cause should be that is a secret forsooth we shall heare more of that another time for the presente we must contente our selues with a generall notize of a genrall cause and that saith he of a greate importance It is to be thought therfore and presumed that he meaneth the same cause which he speaketh of Pag. 14. 15 that is the setting vp of the Presbiteriall couceits or discipline so long contended-for by some nehemiah 6. â— VVhere-vnto we answerer yf he meane so as Nehemiah sometime did to Sanballat the enemie of the Iewâ—s It is not done according to these wordes that thou saiest for thou fainest them of thine owne harte Discouerer Katherin Wright being examined pag. 27â— confesseth vpon heroath that in all the course of her pretended possession and dispossession and of her fytts both bâ—fore and since whatsoeuer shee did that semed to be extraordinarie it was all dissembled Darrell To get this confessioÌ„n from this poore simple maide which is all that the Disc hath to proue Katherin Wrights dissimulation weâ— must know that the Commissioners who were sent downe by the B. of London for the same purpose the president or principal where of for sooth was S. Harsnet this Disc kept her with theÌ„ two halfe dayes and a nighte and in the said time threatned to burne her sete if shee would not confesse that she had dissembled as shee affirmed forthwith after shee came from the commissioners bewaylinge her saide periurie And herein S. Harsnet a commissioner was a principall agent But be it granted that this her confession was voluntarie and not extorted as the contrarye is manifest Yet therein is she not to be beleiued because in so affirminge shee reporteth those thinges to haue bene done by her selfe which she possiblye coulde not doe although aspirit 〈◊〉 be felt 〈…〉 cause 〈…〉 shu◠〈…〉 down 〈…〉 was 〈…〉 com 〈…〉 For K. Wrighte 〈◊〉 â—yts did swell excedinglie in her body necke whence it came to paâ—â—e that the wente daylye with her petitioaie slacke laced to the length oâ— one hande somethinge also was senâ—blye felt to stir vp downe in her bodye as if it had bene some quicke thinge shee was 〈◊〉 of extraordinarie and supernaturall strength and of such excedinge waâ—gnâ— that 5. stronge men by reason of her waighte she not strâ—â—ing oâ—â—â—ugâ—inge at aâ— could scarcelye carrye her a little waye 〈…〉 deposâ—ng 〈…〉 est 〈…〉 you 〈…〉 aâ—beit 〈◊〉 were then but of some 16. or 17. yeares of age To thesse I maye add this one pretie toye of the deuill which I doe not see how it could possibly be counterfeite She being at one M. Edwarde Beresfordes house desirous to drinke but could take none M. Beresford him seiâ—e came and called for drincke but as they held it to her mouthe beâ—olde the drincke spirted vp out of the peice to the roofe of the parlour Discoverer And this course she confesseth she hath helde from the time she began it vntiâ— the time almost of her examination vzabout 13. or 14 yeares partely because shee was by that occasion much made of and for that she feared that if she had shewed her selfe to haue bene perfectly well for any long season her â—ather in lawe would haue fallen to his former hard vsage of her Darrell Yf K. Wright haue counterfeited pag 208. she hath theirin spent the prime of her 〈◊〉 from the age of 17. vntill about 30. theirby depriueing her selfe of many if not of all the comforts of this life as societie marriage c. who can now in any reason thinke that a younge damsell to my remembrance of a comely feature and personage deâ—irous enough if not to much of the pleasures of this life would wittingly and willingly depriue her selfe of them all and that for so many yeares together and to such an end as heere is pretended I deny not that K. Wright hath deposed that this was the reason of her counterfeitinge But I trust S. Harsnet did thervnto by his slyghtes and deuises draw her entiâ—e her Neuertheles who of vnderstandinge will beleiue eyther him or her seeing there were more easie and honest wayes to haue avoyded the hard
the contrary all things well considered so neither in generall could it further the setting vp of the Presbyteriall conceites pag. 15. seeing heere was no deuill cast cut by a Presbiterâ—all man to commend him his conceits to the world And this is the 14. time the Discouerer is convinced and shamed by his owne Discouery 4. It is to be remembred ans 4. that K. wright setting downe the cause of her dissimulation forsooth doth not mention any profite or benifite shee should receiue from me or that I did beare her so in hand but mentioneth the hard vsage of her father in lawe Iohn Mekin in beating brusing her very sorâ— to deliuer her selfe from which she fell of countering wherevnto the Disc addeth pag â—97 1298 313. a desire to liue at some case and to he much made of by her parentes If these were the reasons or causes of K Wrights dissimulation as K. VVright and the Disc tell vs then she did not dissemble for Darrels sake not for any profite or benefite she was to receiue from him And this is the 15. time that the Discouerer is convinced by his Discouery except you will say these were not the onely causes oâ—ner counterieiting which we can not in any reason thinke seeinge neither K. VVright nor Disco who betwene them I trust haue omitted none haue named any other cause Hauing answeared that which is said to proue K. VVright a counterfeite and my selfe to haue taught her the rest in this chapter beinge of leâ—â—e moment 〈◊〉 as not worthy the answearinge and so will proceed to Maâ—y Cooper the fourth counterfeite OF CHAP. 8. OF M. Darrels proceedings with M. Cooper the sister of william Somerâ— Discouerer First M. Cooper saith thus many times M. Darrell would call me vnto him alone I being in my fathers house and tell me that he doubted that I would proue in tune to be possessed pag 315. 316 and theirfore bad me looke vnto it His particular speaches with her were nothing else but a cunning proiect to put Mary Cooper in mind that she might counterfeite such a matter and so shee tooke it Hereunto also that apoerâ—aineth which she deposeth thus I often times â—xard M. Darell say before my pretended euilnes that it was the deuils custome when he had possessed one in a familie to seeke to possesse more of the same familie likewâ—e This as arguinge too plainly his cunning packing M. Darrell denyeth but it is some what strengthened by Somers deposition in this behalfe before time saith he that I fell againe into this course c. Further more whiles the saide Mary Cooper was meditating as it seemeth vpon M. Darrels former speaches it fell out that a child of hers died a little before Christinas which she tooke so heavilie as it made her as shee saith indeed and truly euill at ease and somwhat weake wherevp in certaine wâ—omen and others in the towne comming vnto me tould me saith shee that I was worse then I knewe my selfe to be and that I would be as evill as my brother william was These wordes added to M. Darrells former speaches that he doubted she would proue to be possessed and that Sathan was not content with one in familie together with her experience of the signes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of M. Darrell made her as shee saith to doe that which she neuer thought to haue done that is as she addeth to tomble and tosse to talke idely and to laugh Darrell In this last chapter of the Discouery the Disc telleth vs of the counterfeitinge of one Mary Cooper of Nottingham wife of Robert Cooper the younger and sister to William Somers and of my teachinge of her or cunninge and fradulent practises vsed to the said end And this he proueth by her deposition strengthened by Somers deposition other prooâ—e hath he none She counterfeited a possession And to the end she might be deemed by the world to be possessed shee did tumble tosse talke idely and laugh Surely these thinges are easily done neither need thee to haue any helpe to teach her them or I to haue vsed any great cunning theirin but of her selfe without me she was able to haue tumbled c. And were not they wise people trow ye which vpon the doinge of those to yes would deeme her to be possessed we must knowe then and may in reason assure our selues that were Mary Cooper a counterfeite to make shew theirof she did something one beside tumble and tosse talke idely and laugh yea by the words of the Disc so much may be coniectured in that he saith Mary Coopers experience of the â—ignes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of me made her c. whence it is to be gathered that she to be â—nought to be possessed with the deuill as well as her brother was did 〈◊〉 some at least of the signes of possession as W. Soâ—ers her brother had to the said end done before her Let vs then I say conâ—â—der what counterfeit trickes she did and whether they be such as I could teach and she learne and practise 1 She constantly affirmed that vsually in the nightes she was troubled with strange â—ights and visions and namely of Alice Freman som thinge also now and then speaking to her and by some circumstances this might be made probable 2 It is certaine that on the daye she was handled after a strange manner by fâ—tes and that by course or turne with her brother Somers for â—e no sooner ended his fites but presently in the twinkling of an eye she begane hers and when she ended immediatly begane her thus they did though they were in seuerall roomes 3. In theâ—e fites she speake very much wherof she knewe nothing after and that this is true it might be made very probable by diuers circumstances also 4. In some of her fites she was of that strength that 4. or 5. coulde scarslye rule her 5. She was of supernaturall kâ—owledge tellinge of diuers thinges done a good way of her and that at the same instant they were done 6. In her fites she was in the Iudgment of men without feelinge As to her brother so to her a little thinge in appearance was done to make triall theirof which notwithstandinge vndoubtedly will suffice theirvnto And that was this her little finger was bended withall the force of a man inward so as presently after it swelled much and great payne had she theirof many dayes after yet their at stirred she not at all no more did Somers 7. her belly was in the midest as it were deuided and raysed vp of either side 8. Out of her belly was sensibly heard a kinde of whupping also a noyse much like to the whurring ofâ— catt 9 her bellye on the sudden swelled and was in estimation of the bâ—gnes of a woman somewhat more then haife gone with child and so
then sure there was somethinge besides her laughing which so affected the women met at her aforesaide trauaile pag 323. Discouerer The authour of the Breife Narration writeth in this sorte what goodly stuffe they meaninge the Discouerer and his fellow Commissioners haue returned time and mallice will make knowne vnto vs. The stuffe such as it is vile indeed his Maistershippe may be pleased now to pervse and theirby reape some profite if he read it with no greater mallice then it was written Darrell The Narrator I dare saye was neither Prophet nor the sonne of a Prophet and yet herein he did foretel that which after cam to passe The stuffe that S. Harsnâ—t and his fellowe commissioners haue returned him selfe confesseth is vile indede and sure so it is yea as vile I am perswaded as euer was returned since England was a nation for what is that stuffe but an heape of false foolish ridiculus and absurde thinges witnessed vpon the oathes of men â—ome few depontions excepte â— But is this all that doth make this stuffe vile no hereby it is made more vile in that this vile stuffe was compassed by the cunning perswasions and threates of the commissioners men for the present and this acte in authoritie and such as â—hold rather haue done their indeuours to haue preserued then drawen the deponents to periurye But is here all no the stuffe returned and publyshed to the worlde is made more vile by the Discouerer his additions detractions and alterations being therby made farr worse then at the first it was delyuered But is this all that maketh this stuffe vile no no all this stuffe hath bene compassed and produced not against man but against the Lorde himselfe not indeede to finde out any counterfeiting and teachinge to counterfeite whereof there is no more question or doubt to be made then whether it be daye light at noone in the fayrest sun-shine daye in somer but to obscure the workes of god and to keep his people from beleuing them to be such because they were brought to passe by such as the Discouerer despisetn and hatetn and woulde fame haue al men to hate and despise And this is it that maketh this stuffe out of measure vile execrable and abominable in the sight of god and therefore ought so to be reputed of all his people Yea if we the inhabitantes of England be the lords people or inheritance as we professe we can not but so account hereof will therfore by al good meanes accordinge to our places further thire puniâ—hment and our vice Godes which are here on earth in Gods steade will take vengance of these traitors rebels against God for this vnspeakable dishonor done to him and this treason or rebellion of theires in takinge parte with sathan his enemie the God and prince of this worlde who in some extraordinary manner in risen vp against these workes of God against the Lorde himselfe 〈◊〉 Yf it be said by some in authoritie that if it may be made to appeare that these thinges are true they will not endure them but seuerely pvnnish these commissioners I in all humillitie offer to make profe of these thinges I doe not sâ—v oâ— every â—erticulaâ— because it may be somâ— witnesses will faâ—le to witnes that thâ—â— know to be true haue formerly confessed and generally of whatsoeuer I haue set downe in this my Apollogie or defence of the workes of God and of my selfe and if herein I fayle I refuse no punnishment In the meane season it is to be remembred whereof these worthy commissioners examined such as were by them deposed surely for the most parte of such thinge as might serue to proue theire foolish absurd and ridiculus cirâ—nâ—stances and to this end vsualy they deposed them concerning the speaches that I should vtter in the hearing forsooth or presence of Sâ—n. And how long before should I haue spoken theâ—e thinges 〈◊〉 a yeare yea some of them about 14. yeares then past were not here good memories that could remember the very wordes they hearde so long before speciallie the same little or nothing concerning them and being not worthy tâ—e remembring yea the iust 〈◊〉 wheâ— they were spoken In the masse oâ— depositions I thinke we scarsly haue six times thâ— worde or any 〈◊〉 this effect and that â—o perfectly as they nede not to 〈◊〉 cause so 〈◊〉 they remember or other to this effect One would thinke it had bene fitter men should haue bene examined concerning the actions of Somâ— then of my speaches and oâ— the strange and extraordinarie thinges they had seene in him 〈◊〉 happenly they had sene any as 〈…〉 commissioners did for thereby only it would be made 〈…〉 out of controuersie by the 〈◊〉 of men whether Som. 〈…〉 It is be obiected that here of they did depose such as were examined by the 12 Commissioners I answere and confesse that they did so indeed by diuers of them but the Disc hath kept back and buried all that some of them affirmed the seconde time vpon their oathes and in manner all that the rest then deposed as is made manifest by my answere to the 8. chapter of the 3. booke so that the cause is not bettered there 〈◊〉 the Disc is made the more sinâ—ull Concerninge the depositions published to the worlde vnder my name this is it we must knowe that howsoeuer for the substance of 〈◊〉 they â—e mine yet many of them as they be produced by the Disc are not mine some he hath fathered vpon me I hauing deposed 〈◊〉 thinge wheâ— I deposâ—d doubtfully with there wordes 〈…〉 or other to 〈◊〉 effect which vsually I did the Discouerer 〈…〉 seth pâ—duceth me 〈…〉 times â—geâ— mâ—â—n depoâ—â—nge dâ—â—nfully 〈…〉 as I beleiue nor yet neuer bene examined thereof others â—e hath corrupted sometimes adding sometimes omitting or keeping back that which is verâ—â—ateriaâ—â— and by this his corrupt dealinge with my depositioâ—s on the one syde and the like with the depoâ—itions of his owne depoâ—â—ts on the other syde he maketh greate shewe to the world of 〈◊〉 wâ—ere none is Now this perâ—ury he meaneth to me for why Iâ—â— but one and the Disc produceth ordinarily 3. or 4. or more deposing the contrary And are not diuers to be beleued before one I answer not alwayes and in all cases Against Paul Anaâ—â—as the higâ— preist with the Elders and sertuilus and I know not nowe man â—ewes besides witnessed before the iudgment seate an I would no doubt haue â—eposed that he was a pâ—stilent â—edow and a â—ouer of sedition the coÌ„trary only Paul a pore prisoner affirmed yet the truth was with this sole man 〈…〉 Euen â—o it may be and I would be sorrie it were not in this our present case And here it is not to be forgotten that my selfe being first deposed S. Harsnet weâ—t down with his commission after his intergatories being framed according to the things I had formerlie deposed and there endeuoured
by tareats and other wise to drawe many of those which came before him and his fellowâ— commissioners to depose the contrary to that I had formerly deposed that so he might make me â—atfull to the world because I was for sooth so notorious a periured person to the great greife alas of the poore soules and trouble of theire consciences the most of them not so much deposinge willingly that which they knew to be true as what the Disc against their willes would haue them to depose perswaded to be true saying I trust Darrell himselfe hath confessed it vpon his oath c. when I had deposed otherwise and that the same wâ—re false as my selfe doe assuredly knowe and am able and offer to make direct profe theirof by some of there depositions and of many of them could by the power of reason shew the same and would but for breuitie sake The Disc telleth vs that the reader shall reape some profit by his Discouerer if heread it with no greater mallice then it was written The profit is in stead of glorifiyng God for the greate workes he hath wrought and making that right and holy vse of his works wherof at large we haue heard elswhere to receiue an evill name false and vile report of the same and to iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous which is an abomination before the Lord. And looke what reward is due to him that sendeth forth such cursed fruite that may the Discouerer expecte and in iustice is to receiue at the handes of the christian Magistrate for all the paynes he hath taken For doth not nature it selfe teach vs that the labourer is worthy of his hire and reason this that the hire or reward should be proportionable to the labour or paynes man taketh VVhether this corrupt and worse then rotten stuffe and whether S. H. Discouery detected now I trust to be a very sinfull shamfull slaunderous and lying treatise came from charitie as the Discouerer preteÌ„deth or from mallice which he denieth as it belongeth to god the searcher of the hartes to iudge so it is no hard thinge for man to coniecture For as out of the abundance of the hart the mouth speaketh so the hand writeth Howbeit peraduenture when he hath better considered the contentes of this treatise Discouerer pag 3â—4 he wil not be so peremtorie Otherwisâ— he hath here matter sufficient to shew his skill in for the iustification of it Darrell As in these wordes the Discouerer very valiantly challengeth the Narrator so pag 58. doth he challeng me likwise saying after his scoffinge manner that I will peradventure be better prouided hereafter and that it were convenieÌ„t also that I furnished my selfe with some better profs This chalenge considered there is smale cause why any should be offended with me for answering the Discouerie and producing the best proofes I haue for the prouinge that William Somerâ— the 7. in Laâ—â—cashire Thomas Darling and Katherine Wright were indeed possessed with deuils and dispossessed of them and did not counterfeit the same as is vntruly affirmed by the Discouerer some others And if it be so that here in I haue deliuered the truth as I trust it is manifest by this and my other treatise me thinketh no christian should be displeased therwith but rather reioyce in this publishing manifestation of these workes of god and remouing of the blocke that lyeth im the way hindering the Lordes people from magnifiyng of him for them and profitinge by them Can the child of God be offended with that which tendeth to the prayse and glorie of God his father or the louer of the truth with the contendinge for the truth and conviction of the falshood Haue I committed any thinge herein but that which in dewtie I did owe vnto God and could not without sinne haue left vnperformed The Prophet Ieremiah complayneth that the people in his time had no courage for the truth Ier. 9. â— Had not I bene guiltie of this sinne and had not this reprofe reached it selfe to me if base and vile man publiklye defacing the truth and workes of God I should not as publikly haue maintayned the same and shewed some courage for the truth beinge a principall witnes of these workes and called also to suffer for them If S. H. had published a slaunderous and reprochfull booke against me meerly concerning my owne person and not against the Lord also as this his Discouery concerning my teaching to counterfeit is pro. 22 1. I could haue bene contented in silence to haue passed by it and yet a good name is a pretious thinge aboue siluer and gould and such as one would be loth to lose or suffer to be taken from him but to see S. H. slaunder and bringe vp an euill name of the workes of God and spread the same farr and neare and for feare of punishment or desire of libertie or other carnall respect not to gaynsay S. H. and to iustifie the works of God against him and all gainsayers was apoynt of great cowardlines and ill beseeminge the souldier of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 3. Râ—n 21. 8. and indeed to feare man more then God Such fearefull ones shall haue their parte in the take which burneth with fire and brimston which is the second death The scope and drift of all that hath bene saide concerninge both the cause and my selfe is that the mouthes of all men being stopped and the worke of God beinge acknowledged The Lord may haue his glorie and prayse and man receiue his profite theirby Secondly that mine owne innocency and fellow prisonners appearinge we may not only being restored to our ministerie and people obtayne libertie for our bodyes but also for our tongues they which haue caused all this sturr in our church and vniust molestations vnto vs and in vs beinge ministers to the câ—ngregations we â—elâ—erge and â—aysed vp this vile slaunder of the great and rare worke of God and free sâ—eated to vphold and maintaine it beinge on foot and theirin sought against God and his glorie and the good of his people may be inquired iâ—â—uired after and being found out delt with as the enimies of God 〈◊〉 church and receiue theire â—uâ—t recompence or rewarde The â—â—â—dnes of 〈◊〉 cause the inâ—onerable inâ—urâ—e done to vs the seruants an◠〈◊〉 of the Lord of 〈◊〉 cry a â—ouâ— and shirâ— vnto the 〈◊〉 of men 〈◊〉 meane the honorable and in niâ—â— place and 〈◊〉 for a â—peaâ—â— execution theirof 〈◊〉 â—â—wes and of our land and the authoritie when â—rom her most excellent Maâ—estie is deriued to 〈…〉 trust memâ—e and most 〈◊〉 supâ—â— our 〈◊〉 Gods â—s that they would â—ender the cause 〈…〉 zeaâ—ous if euer ye Princes â—ud 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 nor Gods cause to be thâ—s 〈…〉 or menâ— Remember and forget not thus â—aying 〈…〉 I will 〈◊〉 they 〈…〉 〈…〉 then you our 〈◊〉 and honorable perâ—◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 right honorable indeed be you careâ—ull