a loud voice spoke saying O he is come he is come the Comforter is come the Comforter is come I am delivered I am delivered Her Father hearing these words wept for joy and with a faultring voice said O these were her Grandfathers words who suffered in Queen Marys days She then kneeled down and gave humble and hearty thanks and praise to God for he deliverance which she continued to do till her voice grew weak and the Minister desired her to forbear and so they ended the day with Thanksgiving After which she was committed to the care of the Minister who writ this Relation lest Satan should again assault her His name was Mr. Lewis Hughs then Minister of St. Helens London from whence this Narrative was taken and who doth not mention what became of the Witch nor that the Maid was any more afflicted in this kind IV. AT Colchester in Essex there lived one Mr. Earl about 1630. A young man in those days to whom the Devil did frequently appear in the Shape of some of his acquaintance and would perswade him to three things 1. That he should abstain from Prayer 2. That he should never frequent the Church nor hear Sermons 3. That he should never marry But he would not hearken to these suggestions The night wherein he was married soon after he and his Wife were in bed the Devil came into the chamber and pulled two of his Teeth out of his head which put him to great pain whereupon he cryed out and when his Friends came in they found his mouth bloudy and used means to ease his pain This Mr. Earl was afterward for the space of ten years ever and anon assaulted by the Devil who under many appearances of his Friends did endeavour to seduce him and therefore he often applied himself to Mr. John Rogers then Minister of Dedham and Mr. Liddal of Colchester for comfort and instruction but chiefly to Mr. Liddal a very eminent Divine It once happened that the Devil came to Mr. Earl in Mr. Liddals Shape and as his custom was Mr. Earl proposed to him several cases of conscience but found that Mr. Liddal did not discourse after his ordinary rate which made him doubt whether he was not imposed upon by a deceitful Daemon Next day going to Mr. Liddals house he inquired whether he was with him the day before Mr. Liddal told him that he was not Then said Mr. Earl it was my Enemy in your Shape what a miserable man am I that know not when I speak with my adversary or my Friend Mr. Liddal replyed If you would know when you speak with a Spirit or with a man remember our Saviours advice who when he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and they thought he had been a Spirit and were therefore troubled he said to them Handle me and see for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have Luke 24.39 This counsel Mr. Earl followed for not long after the Devil coming to him in Mr. Liddals Shape he went to take hold on his arms but could feel no substance only a vanishing Shaddow it seems this Mr. Earl was once an Athiest who did not believe there was either God or Devil and would often walk in solitary and dismal places wishing for the sight of a Spirit and he was first assaulted by the Devil in a Church-yard and though God mercifully gave him repentance yet he was miserably haunted with an evil Spirit all his days Clarks Examples 1 vol. p. 510. V. A Remarkable Passage somewhat like this happened to a Turkish Chiaus or Gentleman who was baptized a Christian at London January 30. 1658. He being in his Chamber about three afternoon a Person in the likeness of Mr. Dury the Minister with whom he did most ordinarily converse came and sat by him This seeming Mr. Dury told him That he had waited with a great deal of patience as to the matter of his Baptism and that himself had endeavoured by all means possible to procure it to be performed with publick countenance And to that effect had dealt with Richard and several of his Council but that now he perceived it was in vain to strive or wait longer and therefore advised him not to be much troubled at it but setting his mind at rest to leave these thoughts and take up his resolution another way When the Chiaus heard this discourse being much perplexed in his Spirit he lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven uttering words to this effect O my Lord Jesus Christ what a miserable thing is this that a true Christian cannot be owned by other Christians and that one who believeth on thee cannot be baptized in thy name When he had thus spoken looking down he saw no body the appearance of Mr. Dury being vanished which was at first an amazement to him but recollecting himself he began to rejoice as hoping that Satan would be disappointed of his Plot. About eight in the evening the true Mr. Dury met with him who acquainted him with what had happened and thereby fully confirmed him how he had been imposed upon by Satan And he was soon after baptized according to his desire These Instances demonstrate that the Devil may possibly appear in the Shape of good men not only when dead but while alive Remark Provid p. 217. VI. ABout fifteen years since a woman at Edenburgh in Scotland was married to one John Ritchy in that City and lived five years with him bearing him five Children and then dyed In a few days after her burial her husband went to court another young woman in marriage He had a Comrade whom he acquainted with his intention and appointed him to meet at such a house near the Court of Guard that he might see his new Mistress They met accordingly and the two Lovers sat together on the bed-side and the Comerade sat opposite to them there being a Table between them and a Window at the front of the room which gave them light And while they two were dallying together the other smilling and looking about the room perceived plainly the body face of the dead wife in her burying cloths looking toward them in at the window Whereat he rose up affrighted saying to the other John What 's that Whereupon all three stood up looking and saw perfectly the buried woman lifting up her hands as they imagined to pull off the dead dress from her head but could not reach it The man threw his new Mistress out of his arms resolving presently to be gone but the other vowed he would not stir till he had got something to comfort his heart whereupon they procured a little brandy and then went away not without fear and astonishment After this the man fell sick and his Companion coming to him perswaded him to delay or wholly desist from his purpose of marrying But affection would not permit him to forbear and though not fully recovered from his frenzy he resolved to make
more than he doth Of which yet we have several notable Instices which I shall briefly relate In 1668 Auâ—â—â— The daughter of Olluff Hanson of Velberstat 〈◊〉 mist on the way as she was returning from â—â—ch having the same day received the Sacrament â—f me whereupon in the evening as well as two days after they sought for her diligently but could not â—nd her at last her father complained to me and 〈◊〉 next Sunday August 9. in the Congregation of â—â—lbach which I then visited I earnestly admonished â—â—em to fall down with me before God for the deâ—verance of that poor Creature The Almighty â—eard our prayers and intercessions for the next day 〈◊〉 three a Clock afternoon she was found by some â—â—ilkmaids in Suderdal the next Hamlet to Velberstat â—â—ing between two stones at the upper end of the close having her cloth wrapt about her head she would speak to no body that went by neither durst the Milk-maids spake to her but discovered it to the man of the house who went and spoke to her desiring her to rise which she did then first speaking to him And the man asking her how she came thither she shewed him beyond them a pretty high Cliff from whence she said she glided or slid down though the man affirms it was impossible for any one to come down thence without hurt besides her linnen and cloths were as clean and her shoes as new as the day she was missed though there had been during some days and nights great Storms and rainy Weather neither according to her own confession did she eat any thing during these nine days and yet being come home was well disposed to eat and digest whatsoever meat they gave her I have endeavoured by all means to make her confess the whole business to me but in vain for she said always she lost her self in the mountain which cannot be the ground lying high and being but a League broad from the top whereof one may see the Sea on both sides and easily find the right way so that a Beast much less â— reasonable creature could not lose it self except 〈◊〉 were on purpose and it would be great labour to climb up that high Mountain but I have found by many other examples that most of these people who are thus seduced in theit bodys are so likewise in their minds so that they will by no means disâ—â—ver the business and there are others who do not well know themselves how it was Besides I much doubt how this party could live nine days without meat since all Physitians agree that the body will be extreamly weakned in that time and though some Historys relate that Duke Woldemur and Duke Erick who were thrown into the Tower of New Kiobing by their brother Byrge King of Swedeâ— that they might dye of hunger Woldemur lived eleven days without meat or drink and his brother but three days Yet this seems only to be guest at 〈◊〉 the common people and has no certainty since the Chronicle says that the Tower was strongly shut up with Locks and Bars and the Keys thereof thrown into the River so that none could tell exactly when they expired If one brother as is related lived so long he must have sustained himself with the body of his dead brother Whence it followes that this Maid could not naturally be kept alive without Meat nine days but that it was some supernatural power which supported her and returned her so healthy back again Hist Isles Feroe p. 257. L. THE latter end of that very year saith the same Author a man of Suderoe was likewise carryed away as the Parish Minister there Mr. Jacob Christianson writ me word and afterward assured me by word of mouth he was absent several days but by the prayers of the Minister and Congregation he returned soon after yet was dumb for a fortnight till at length by the renewed supplications of the People he recovered his speech At first he uttered several blâ—sphemies against God and the Holy Scriptures but it was not long ere by the grace of God he recovered his right sense and understanding relating That whilst he was away he perceived nothing â—â—ither knew where he was but when he was to return he saw a great many spirits of a very strange shape who pushed and thrust him away from them and then he came back without hindrance Doubtless the Devil by the command of God upon the prayers of the Congregation durst not keep him any longer Ibidem p. 362. LI. IN 1669. Satan saith this Author did here torment two Chrildren of a man of Saxan in Stremoe who was the Minister of North Church Corporation where of Mr. Gregory Hanson writ also to me His â—â—me is Mr. Christopher Absolonson His son was first troubled by the Evil Spirit but by the assistance of God the Boy overcame him so that the Devil â—ed when ever he saw him and the Boy could likewise discern when ever he came but as soon as he began to pray or sing the Spirit vanished He also troubled his Sister from the beginning of August to Christmas the Maids name is Mary when the Spirit 〈◊〉 to her she grew sick and hath been almost conâ—â—â—ally ill and weak of understanding ever since he begun to trouble her But that I might have inâ—urmation thereof I sent for the Boy from whose â—â—outh I received the following Relation He told 〈◊〉 be saw him first about St. Olaus day in the evening standing before the house in the shape of a great man with grey cloths The next time he saw him was on Christmas Eve when he came into the house and took out his sister Wherefore the Boy pursued 〈◊〉 and found him near the River standing near the said who lay on the ground near the Water but at the Boys coming he went away The Boy carried 〈◊〉 home to the house she being sick and weak The Spirit followed him softly to the house and when the Boy came out again he stood before it Neâ—â— day in the evening he came again into the room and the Boy saw him leaning against a post but they being awake and at prayers he did not stay long When he went out the Boy followed him out of doors whereupon he asked him why he followed him The Boy demanded of him What he had to do them Whereunto he answered That he should get what 〈◊〉 came for No says the Boy you shall never get it 〈◊〉 all Whereupon he went away as another man yet came again several times that night but they were watching over the Girl and imployed continually in Prayers and Singing of Psalms so that he did them no harm only he put out the light and the Boy grew somewhat sick the Girl not being able to speak as long as he was there Dec. 27. the Boy being absent the Spirit came in the Girl sate at thâ— Table playing at Cards with her other Brothers and Sisters when on a sudden the
Dunghill she gave it her Mother who put it into hot water and after took it out and rub'd it on Rutterkin her Cat and bid him go upwards and afterward buried it in the yard and said a mischief light on him but he will mend again She confessed also that her Mother and she and her Sister contrived so to bewitch the Earl and his Countess that they might have no more Children for turning her out of the Castle at which her Mother was so inraged that she swore dreadfully to be revenged Her malice increasing because she thought the Earl did not take her part against one Peak who had abused her whereupon they took Wooll out of the bed the Lady had given her and a pair of Gloves of the Earls and put them into warm water mingled with bloud stirring it together and then taking them out rubb'd them on Rutterkin her Imp saying The Lord and the Lady should have more Children but it would be long first She likewise confest that she brought her Mother a piece of the Lady Katherines Handkercher and her Mother put it in water and rubb'd it on her Spirit bidding him fly and go whereupon he whined and cryed mew at which she said That Rutterkin had no power over the Lady Katherine to hurs her She also acknowledged that she had two Familiar Spirits sucking on her one white and the other black and spotted the white suckt under her breast and the black in the lower parts of her body When she first entertained them she promised them her Soul and they covenanted to do all the mischief she commanded them Lastly she confessed that Jan. 30. four Devils appeared to her in Lincoln Jayl about twelve a Clock at night one standing at her bed-side with a black head like an Ape and spoke to her but the words she could not understand at which she was very angry because he spoke not plainer that she might know his meaning the other three were Rutterkin little Robin and Spirit and that she never feared she should lose her life nor suspected their treachery till that time About the same time Joan Willimot of Goadby a Witch was examined by Sir Henry Hastings and Dr. Fleming Justices in Leicestershire about the murder of Henry Lord Ross who declared that Joan Flower told her the Earl of Rutland had dealt badly by her and had put away her Daughter and though she could not have her will of my Lord himself yet she had sped my Lords Son and had stricken him to the heart She further confessed that to her own knowledge my Lords Son was struck with a white Spirit and that she can cure those who send to her and that some reward her for her pains and or others she takes nothing Acknowledging that she had a Spirit which she called Pretty given her by William Berry of Langholm in Rutlandshire to whom she was a servant three years and that when her Master gave it her he bid her open her mouth and he would blow a Fairy into her which should do her good and accordingly he blowed into her mouth and soon after there came a Spirit out of her mouth which stood on the ground in the form of a woman who asked her to give her Soul to her which she then promised by the instigation of her Master She said she never hurt any body but helpt divers who were bewitcht and that her Spirit came to her weekly giving her an account who were thus afflicted and that the night before it came like a woman mumbling somewhat she could not understand And being asked whether she were not in a dream she affirmed she was awake as much as at that instant Another time her Spirit told her there was a bad woman at Deeping who had given her Soul to the Devil and that her Spirit did then appear in a more hideous form than it had formerly done and much urged her to give it something though but a piece of her Girdle saying it had taken great pains for her but she refused to give it any thing She said further that John Pachet whose child was bewitcht to death might have had it alive if he would have sought help in time and that Pachets Wife had an evil thing within her which would make an end of her which she knew by her Girdle and accordingly she died soon after And that Gamaliel Greete of Waltham in Leicestershire a Shepherd had a Spirit like a Mouse which went into his Body at the time he contracted to give his Soul to the Devil after which if he lookt maliciously upon any thing it received hurt thereby and that he had a mark on his left arm which was cut away of which her own Spirit inform'd her before he left her Upon a second Examination she confest that Joan Flower and her Daughter Margaret met together about a week before their apprehension in Black-borrow Hill and went thence to Joan Flowers house where she saw two Spirits one like a Rat and the other like an Owl and one of them suckt her right ear as she thought and Joan told her that her Spirits had promised she should neither be hanged nor burnt and then took up some earth and spit upon it working it with her Fingers and put it into her purse saying Though she could not hurt the Lord himself yet she had sped his Son who is dead Another Witch called Ellen Green of Stathorn in Leicestershire was examined about that time by the same Justices who confessed that Joan Willimot abovenamed came to her about six years since and perswaded her to forsake God and betake her self to the Devil to which she consented who then called two Spirits one like a young Cat which she named Puss and the other in the shape of a Mole which she called Hiff Hiff who instantly came and Willimot going away left them with her after which they leapt on her shoulder the Kitling sucking her neck under her right ear and the Mole under her left in the same place After which she sent the Kitling to a Baker in the Town who had called her Witch and struck her bidding it go and bewitch him to death and the Mole she sent to Ann Daws of the same Town upon the same errand because she had called her Witch Whore and Jade and within a Fortnight after they both died After which she sent them to destroy two Husbandmen named Willison and Williman who died both in ten days These four she murdered while she dwelt at Waltham When she removed to Stathorn where she now dwelt upon a difference between her and one Pachets Wife a Yeoman there Joan Willimot called her to go and touch Pachets Wife and Child which she did touching the Woman in bed and the Child in the Midwives arms and then sent her Spirits to bewitch them to death the woman languished a month before she died but the Child lived only till next day after she had touched
it Adding that Joan Willimot had a Spirit sucking on her like a little white Dog which she saw and that she gave her Soul to the Devil to have these Spirits at command for any mischievous purpose and suffered them to suck her constantly about the Change and Full Moon One Ann Baker a Witch was likewise apprehendand examined about the same time who confessed before Sr. George Mannors and Dr. Fleming Justices of Peace that she had a Spirit like a white Dog which she called a good Spirit and that one Peak and one Dennis his wife of Belvoir told her that the young L. Henry was dead and that his Glove was buried in the ground which as it wasted and rotted in like manner did the Lords Liver rot and waste likewise Margaret and Philip Flower were arraigned at the Assizes at Lincoln before Sr. Henry Hobart and Sr. Edward Bromley Judges where upon their confessing themselves actors in the destruction of Henry Lord Ross with other damnable practices they were condemned and executed at Lincoln March 11. and the rest questionless suffered according to their deserts Discovery Witchcraft LXVIII IN 1645. there was a notable discovery of several Witches in Essex and among others one Elizabeth Clark was accused of this horrid crime and informations taken against her before Sr. Harbâ—ttle Grimston and Sr. Thomas Bowes Justices of Peace for that County John Rivet of Mannintree deposed that about Christmas his wife was taken sick and lame with such violent fits that he verily believed her distemper was more than natural who therupon went to one Hovey at Hadly in Suffolk who was reckoned a Cunning Woman She told him that his Wife was cursed or bewitcht by two Women who were her near Neighbours and that he believed she was bewitcht by Elizabeth Clark alias Bedingfield who lived near their house and that her mother and some of her kindred had formerly suffered as Witches and Murderers At the same time Matthew Hopkins of Mannintree declared upon Oath That this suspected Witch being ordered by the Justices to be watched several nights for discovering her wicked practices he coming into the room where she was with one Mr. Sterne intending not to stay Elizabeth Clark said if they would tarry a little and do her no hurt she would call one of her white Imps and play with it in her lap but they told her they would not allow it After which she in discourse confest she had carnal converse with the Devil six or seven years who came to her bed three or four times a week in the shape of a proper Gentleman with a laced band and would say Bessie I must lye with you which she never refused About a quarter of an hour after this discourse there appeared an Imp somewhat like a white Dog with red spots short legs which soon vanisht She said his name was Jamara Then another appeared like a Greyhound with long legs which she called Vinegar Tom She told them the next would be a black Imp should come for Mr. Sterne which came accordingly and instantly was invisible The last that appeared was like a Pole-cat but the head bigger She likewise confest that she had five Imps of her own and two of the Old-Beldam Ann Wests and that their Imps sucked upon each other and that Satan would never let her rest till she consented to kill the Cattel of Mr. Edwards of Mannintree and the Horse of one Robert Taylor Matthew Hopkins likewise affirmed that going from the house of this Mr. Edwards to his own about ten that night with his Greyhound the Dog suddenly gave a leap and ran as if he had been in a full course after an Hare he hastning to see what it was spied a white thing like a young Cat and the Greyhound standing aloof off and that soon after the Imp or Kitling danced about the Dog and bit off a piece of flesh from his shoulder which made him come crying to his Master He also declared that coming that night into his own yard he spied a black thing in shape like a Cat but thrice as big sitting on a straw-berry bed and looking stedfastly on him but going to it it leaped toward him as he thought and ran quite through the yard and the Greyhound after it to the great Gate which it threw wide open and then vanisht The Dog returned shaking and trembling exceedingly Mr. John Sterne confirms the aforesaid Information adding That after five Imps had appeared Elizabeth Clark said she had one more called Sack and Sugar who had been hard at work but would not be long ere he came and then he should tear Mr. Sterne And soon after she told him that it was well he was so quick otherwise her Imp had soon skipped upon his face and perhaps had got into his Throat and then there would have been a nest of Toads in his belly She said likewise that she had one Imp for which she would fight up to the knees in bloud before she would lose it Francis Mills Grace Norman Mary Philips and Mary Parsly who all watcht with Elizabeth Clark declared upon Oath That about twelve a clock that night she smackt with her mouth and beckoned with her hand and instantly there appeared a white thing about the bigness of a Cat They also saw five Imps more whom she called by the names aforementioned and told them that the old Beldam Ann West did by Witchcraft kill Robert Oakes wife of Lawford and a Clothiers Child of Dedham in Essex both which died about a week before She added that old West had the Wife of William Cole of Mannintree in handling and she died accordingly soon after of a pining and languishing disease Edward Parsley of Mannintree declared that watching with Elizabeth Clark the night before he askt if he should continue in the room with her who defired he might if he would fight for her with the Devils for they would come that night and one Imp which she called Hoult would come first and next that which she called Jamara appeared in the shape of a white Dog with red Spots and presently after came Vinegar Tom and then an Imp she called Sack and Sugar She told Edward Parsley that the Devil had taken possession of her six or seven years and that he oft knockt at her door in the night and she rise and let him in and that he came to bed to her three or four times a week and had the carnal knowledg of her as a man. Elizabeth Clark her self being examined confest That about six months before she met with Ann West Widdow in a Field near her house where she was picking up sticks West seemed much to pitty her for her lameness having but one Leg and her poverty telling her there were ways and means for her to live much better than she did And said she would send her a thing like a little Kitling which should fetch her home some victuals and would do
before Judge Coniers at Chelmsford July 25. 1645. whereof fourteen were hanged and an hundred more detained in several Prisons in Suffolk and Essex Ibidem p. 22. LXXV NEither were other Countys free from this Hellish contagion many being discovered in Huntingtonshire of whom I shall only give you the confessions of two of the Chief Elizabeth Weed of great Catworth in that County Widdow being examined before Robert Bernard and Nicholas Pedley Esquires Justices of the Peace March 31. 1646. said That about 21 years before as she was one night going to bed there appeared to her 3 Spirits one like a young man the other 2 in the shape of Puppies one white and the other black He that was in the form of a youth spoke to her and demanded Whether she would deny God and Christ which she agreed to The Devil then offered her to do what mischief she should require of him provided she would covenant he should have her Soul after 21 years which she granted She confest further That about a week after at ten a clock at night he came to her with a paper asking whether she were willing to seal the Covenant she said she was then he told her it must be done with her bloud and so prickt her under the left arm till it bled with which he scribled and immediately a great lump of flesh rise on her arm in the same place which increased ever since After which he came to bed and had carnal knowledg of her then and many times afterward The other two Spirits came into the bed likewise and suckt upon other parts of her body where she had Teats and that the name of one was Lilly and the other Priscill One of which was to hurt Man Woman or Child and the other to destroy what Cattel she desired and the young man was to lye with her as he did often And saith that Lilly according to the Covenant did kill the Child of Mr. Henry Bedell of Catworth as she required him to do when she was angry though she does not now remember for what and that about two or three days before she sent him to kill Mr. Bedell himself who returned and said he had no power and that another time she sent the same Spirit to hurt Edward Musgrave of Catworth who likewise returned saying he was not able And that she sent her Spirit Priscill to kill two Horses and two Cows of Mr. Musgraves and Thomas Thorps in that Town which was done accordingly And being askt when the one and twenty years would be out she said To the best of her remembrance about Low Sunday next Being further demanded why she did so constantly resort to Church and to hear the Sermons of Mr. Pool the Minister she said She was well pleased with his preaching and had a desire to be rid of that unhappy burthen which was upon her Witches of Huntington p. 2. LXXVI THE other was one John Winnick of Molesworth in Huntingtonshire who being examined April 11. 1646. before the aforesaid Justices Confessed that about twenty nine years before he being then a Batchelor lived with one Bateman an Inn-keeper at the George in Thropston who was likewise a Farmer at which time he losing a purse with seven shillings in it much suspected one of the Family But the Fryday after being in the Barn making up Hay about noon he fell a swearing cursing and raging wishing that some Wise Body or Wizzard would help him to his Purse and Money again when there presently appeared to him a Spirit black and shaggy with paws like a Bear but no bigger than a Rabbit The Spirit asked him what he ailed to be so sorrowful who answered that he had lost a Purse and Money and knew not how to come by it again The Spirit replyed If you will forsake God and Christ and fall down and worship me for your God I will help you to your Purse and Money again To which he consented and thereupon fell down on his knees and held up his hands Then the Spirit told him that to morrow about the same time he should find his Purse upon the floor where he was making up the Hay and that he would come himself too John Winnick promised the Spirit to meet him there and receive it and would then again worship him And accordingly at the time perfixt he went to the place and found his purse on the floor which having opened he found the seven shillings therein As he was looking into it the Devil again appeared to him and said There is your Purse and Money in it and then Winnick fell down on his knees and said My Lord and God I thank you The Spirit at this time brought with him two other Spirits one like a white Cat and the other like a grey Rabbit both for shape bigness and colour and while he was upon his knees the Bear Spirit spoke to him saying You must worship these two Spirits as you worship me and take them also for your Gods. Whereupon he directed his Body toward them and called them his Lords and Gods. Then the Bear Spirit told him That when he died he must have his Soul whereunto he yielded He likewise told him that they must suck his Body to which he consented but they did not suck at that time The Bear Spirit promised him he should never want Victuals The Cat Spirit that it would hurt Cattle when he would desire it And that like a Rabbit that it would hurt whoever he commanded it The Bear Spirit further told him that it must have some of his bloud wherewith to seal the Covenant whereunto he consented and then it leapt upon his shoulder and prickt him on the head from whence it took bloud after which all three vanisht away Next day about noon these Spirits came to him while he was in the Field and told him they were come to suck of his Body which they did accordingly in the places where upon his being apprehended the marks were found and from that time they came constantly once in twenty four hours sometimes by day but most commonly by night And being demanded what mischief he caused any of his Spirits to do he answered never any only he sent his Bear Spirit to Mr. Says Servant of Molseworth to provoke her to steal Victuals for him out of her Masters house which she did and he received the same The Confessions of these two Persons being so clear and their cursed confederacy with Satan hereby fully discovered they were punisht according to their demerits Ibidem p. 4. LXXVII COrnelius Agrippa the great Magician going one day out of Town from Lorain in Flanders where he dwelt left the Keys of his study with his Wife strictly charging her to let no body go in till his return but it happened that the same day a friend and companion of his came to the house and having long had a desire and curiosity to see some of this Negromancers books
Witch reading in a Book they vanished The Witch gave the Maid the powder in one paper and the leaves in another and the paring of her nails in a third all which she was to give her Mistress the powder was to be put in the young Gentlewomans drink or broth to rot their Guts in their bellies the leaves to rub about the brims of the pot to make their teeth fall out of their heads and the paring of her nails to make them drunk or mad The Maid having delivered all with these directions her Mistress laughed and said That is a very brave thing indeed but she had the discretion not to use any of it After this the Maid being advised by Mr. Goddardâ— Family to go to London she went first to the Witch and acquainted her therewith who asked her whether she would go high or low says the Wench What do you mean by that she replied If you will gâ— High you shall be carried to London in the Air and be there in two hours but if you go Low you shall be takeâ— before you come to Sutton Towns end unless you have help But before they parted the Witch earnestly desired the Maid to live with her and told her if she would do so she would teach her to do as she did and that she should never be taken Then the Maâ—â— asked her what she could do you shall know presently says the Witch and immediately there appeared the shape of a great black Cat lying along the Chimney which the Maid imagined was the Witâ—â— her self and was much affrighted whereupon the Witch appearing again in her own shape said I 〈◊〉 you are afraid and willing to be gone if you are do 〈◊〉 speak against your Conscience The Maid replyed sâ—â— was willing to go and not live with her The Witâ—â— said she must seal to her Body and Bloud not to diâ—â— cover her which she assenting to the Witch maâ—â— a Circle and did as before when there appearâ— two Spirits in the likeness of great Boys with looâ— shagged black hair and stood looking over he shoulder the Witch pricked the forefinger of thâ— Maid with a pin and squeezed out the bloud which she put into a pen and gave it the Maid holding he hand to write in a great Book one of the Spirâ—â— likewise laid his claw or hand on the Maids whâ— she had done the Witch said Amen and made thâ— Maid say so too and the Spirits said Amen Amâ—â— Then the Spirit bit a piece of Silver and gave it thâ— Witch and she to the Maid and also stuck two pâ—â— in the Maids headcloths and bid her keep them aâ—â— be gone The reason that Ann Styles designed to go to London was that her Mistress having fasly accused the two young Gentlewomen of design to poyson her they to clear themselves went to all the Apothecarys shops in Salisbury to inquire who had lately sold any Arsnich and found that this very maid had been imployed by her Mistress to buy an ounce and an half and to put it under Mrs. Sarahs bed thereby to raise suspition of some evil intent in them against her Having made this discovery her Mistress persuaded the maid to go shift for her self and prevent the trouble and disgrace of being brought before a Justice when she was gone some having notice she was run away pursued and overtook her near Sutton as the Witch foretold and carrying her into an Inn she freely confessed what hath been related and giving them the peice of money and the two pins she said she should be troubled for not keeping these things secret the Devil having forewarned her of it and accordingly soon after being committed to Sarum Jayl she fell into desperate Fits and Agonies so that six men could not hold her and once she was caught up so high that her feet touched their breasts Another time being miserably tormented about midnight she cryed out The Devil will carry me away and was thereupon pull'd from them that held her and thrown from the low bed where she lay to the top of an high bed with her cloths torn off her back and a peice of her skin torn away The candle on the table was thrown down and put out at which time there being a little Boy almost asleep he was waked and so affrighted at the noise that he had no power to go out of the room with the rest but stayed there and saw a spirit like a great black man without a head scuffling with the Maid who took and set her in a chair and told her She must go with him he was come for her soul which she had given him The Maid answered Her soul was none of her own to give and though he had already got her bloud yet her soul he should never have and after tumbling and throwing her about awhile he disappeared Now what the Boy heard and saw could be no fancy but a real object especially considering the condition of Ann Bodenham the Witch at that time who being apprehended upon the Maids information and committed to the same Prison in another Chamber was seen at that instant with her cloths off in her chains running about like mad and being askt the reason replied She could not keep her bed but was pulled out by viclence and pray says she what 's the matter in the Maids Chamber Nothing said they but a child is not well Do not you lie to me said she I know what is the matter as well as your selves After this the Maid not having taken any rest several days nor nights and being under most grievous hurryings tortures of body the Witch was brought into the room utterly unknown to her but had no sooner set her foot within it when the Maid gave a most hideous glance with her eyes and presently shâ—â— them falling asleep in a moment wherein she continued three hours so fast as not to be wakned by any art or violence whatsoever as by stopping her breath putting things up her Nostrils holding her upright striking her and the like The Witch also declareâ— her unwillingness that she should be wakened crying out O pray by no means wake the Maid for if you should I shall be torn in peices and the Devil will fetch me away bodily But as soon as the Witch was gone the Maid wakened of her self and was at ease the Devil as she said having gone out of her stomach but doing her no violence only making her body tremble a little and then the Witch began to cry and roaâ— out The Devil will tear me in peices The Witch being brought to her Tryal at the Assizâ—â— the Maid was the chief evidence against her who witnessed against her with so much earnestness and seriousness of mind and such free and confident appeaâ— to the Witch her self that all present were convinced she swore nothing but the truth and after the Witch was condemned the Maid wept flouds of tears bewailing her own
mind being imployed he might make the less account of what he should hear About midnight the Spirit begins to shake his fetters and his chain but Athenodorm without once moving his head sate still writing though the noise increased very much at length the Spirit comes on and stands at the Chamber door and then the Philosopher lifting up his head he perceived the Spectre to appear in the shape of an old man as is before related The Spirit made a sign to him with its finger as if it called him to come to it The Philosopher answered it with his hand intimating it should stay a little and so fell to writing again upon which the Ghost shaking its chain over his head Athenodorus looking up perceived that it made a sign to him as before whereupon he took the light and followed him The Spirit went very pitifully as if it carried its irons with great pain and going before him out into the street suddenly vanished away Athenodorus took some grass and leaves and laid them as a mark upon the place and next morning went to the Council of the City desiring them to dig and search in that place which being done they found a dead body all rotten whereof nothing remained but the bones that were chained The bones were taken up and buried though they knew not whose body it was or how it came there and after that there was never any Spirit seen in the House of Athenodorus Camer Hist Med. p. 290. XXVI IN the Annals of Bavaria we find two notable instances of the fury of these wicked Daemons In the year 1533. at Schiltac a little City in the Dutchy of Wirtemburg in Germany a malicious Spirit having for several days horribly affrighted and tormented the Inhabitants with dreadful howlings and cryes and especially the Inn-keeper at the Golden Star and his Family it was at length discovered that a woman-servant in that house kept intelligence with the Devil and that he had carnal knowledge of her Those who were of this opinion grounded upon very probable conjectures ordered the servant to depart thence into some other place And some days after that Inn together with the whole City was miserably burnt to ashes by a Fury altogether Diabolical in the space of two hours so that the people of the neighbouring Towns could not come thither soon enough to give them any assistance nor could any remedy be found to quench the raging violence of the fire It was especially observed that several circles of fire flying from all parts took one house after another so that those who went to help quench their neighbours were forced to leave them and run with all speed to their own where all was on fire This Satanical fire was so extream furious that they had much ado to prevent a Castle built with Free-stone and standing a great way oâ—â— of the City from being consumed as the rest were it is not many years since saith my Author that I heard the particulars of this fearful visitation from the mouth of the Curate or Minister of that place who was very old and shewed him in writing an account of some marvellous illusions of the Devil a while before this sad accident and how this subtil Spirit counterfeited the singing and tunes of many birds and wondring that the Curate had as it were a Crown of long hair on the top of his head of divers colours he told him that the wicked Spirit had trimmed him so by throwing a hoop at his head He added that one day the same Spirit asked him and some other persons if they had ever heard a Raven croak and that thereupon he made such a croaking as amazed them all and if that hellish musick had lasted long they thought it would have distracted them with fear The old man further affirmed not without blushing that this enemy of our Salvation had oft times discovered to him and others all the secret sins they had committed so exactly and punctually that they were all forced to leave the place and get away with much shame and confusion Ibidem p. 293. XXVII THE second Relation is of a mischievous Daemon at Caumont a Village near the River of Rhine in Germany who first began to throw stones at people and knock at their doors but could never be perceived Soon after this malicious raging Devil appeared in the shape of a man and began to answer such questions as were demanded of him and to discover things stoln accusing slandering and defaming whom he pleased and raising great enmities and quarrels among the people He first burnt certain barns and after set fire to all the Houses but used one of the Inhabitants more cruelly than all the rest for he always haunted him whithersoever he went and having burnt his house to the ground he stirred up all the neighbours to fall upon this innocent man and murther him this forger of lies affirming that the Village was cursed and destined to destruction for the wickedness of that person who thereupon was driven away and forced to live abroad in the Fields having no other covert but Heaven for no man would receive him into his house holding him to be an execrable and damned wretch Yet to satisfy the desire of his neighbours and countreymen he to make proof of his innocence took a red hot iron into his bare hands without hurt according to the custom of those times notwithstanding which this raging desperate Fury burnt all the Corn in the Fields thereabout and committed so many horrible outrages that they complained to the Archbishop who sent some of the Clergy to exorcise him at first the Spirit increased his fury and threw stones at them hurting some but at length he pretended to be gone out of the Countrey yet as soon as the Priests were departed he shews himself again as before saying he had laid hid all this while under one of their Garments After this making a great howling the Ghost departed out of these quarters and vanished into the Air. Ibidem p. 293. XXVIII A Certain German in our time travelled toward Italy in the company of a Souldier much given to Conjuring by whom he suffered himself to be so much governed that one time this Conjurer made him stand within a Circle fortified with so many Characters that this ignorant man believed himself safe enough from the power of all the Devils in Hell Hereupon the Wizard used so many horrible imprecations and conjurations that a wicked Spirit being called and invocated by his terrible charms at length appeared as it were much against his will like a man exceedingly affrighted wearing a hat all torn with a great feather hanging on it having about him a sheet tattered and torn all to rags almost looking like a dead Corps that had been dried against the Fire or in the Sun and after eaten with worms with a ghastly countenance and his feet not like those of a man As he thus stood the Conjurer would
compel him as it were to tell him if the Golletta a place then Besieged by the Turks were taken by them or not The Spirit replyed he did not know for the present but that the day before the Besieged had defended themselves valiantly He then complained of the Conjurer who by his horrible Inchantments did too much force and importune Spirits and having spoke of some other severities used by him desired time to think upon what was asked and then vanished leaving such a stink and terror that these curious Inquirers were almost dead with fear And the German would many times swear that so oft as the remembrance of this horrible Spirit together with his voice which was small hoarse and cut off or choaked as it were at every word came into his memory he was ready to swoon away with the horror of it By this it appears that though wicked Spirits have a marvellous quick motion yet they are not always privy to things done in places remote from where they appear if they are required to give an answer at an instant Though they have sometimes answered readily of matters acted in another part of the World. Ibidem p. 268. XXIX I Have before premised that though it pass for currant among the vulgar that Witches or Wizards can transform themselves into Wolves Cats Mice or other creatures yet it seems very doubtful since there is a special sort of Melancholy which is called Lycanthropia wherein people imagine themselves to be turned into Wolves or other Beasts and Hippocrates relates concerning the daughters of King Praetus that they thought themselves Cows and of a Spaniard who did believe himself a Bear And Sennertus reports that a Noble Person and one worthy of credit gave him an account of a strange passage to this purpose which himself was particularly acquainted with That a certain Woman being in Prison on suspicion of Witchcraft pretending to be able to turn her self into a Wolf the Magistrate before whom she was brought promised her that she should not be put to death in case she would then in his presence thus transform her self which she readily consented to accordingly she anointed her Head Neck and Arm-pits immediately upon which she fell into a most profound sleep for three hours after which she suddenly rose up declaring that she had beeâ— turned into a Wolf and had been at a place somâ— miles distant and there killed first a Sheep and theâ— a Cow The Magistrates presently sent to the placâ— and found that first a Sheep and then a Cow had there been killed Essay of Provid 179. XXX SUch kind of people are likewise said to be found in Prussia one of which Men-Wolves was taken not long ago and brought to the Duke of Prussia by the Countrey people upon suspicion that he had devoured some of their Cattel He had in his face several scratches and hurts which they said were given him by the Dogs that took him for a Wolf. The Princes Commissioners examining him he confest that twice every year namely about Christmas and Midsummer he was changed from a man to a Wolf and that he then grew wild finding himself as it were constrained thereto and conversed in Woods among the Wolves That before the Wolfs hair came out and that he changed his Shape he felt an horrible quivering and faintness all over his body Every one credited what he said But when they resolved to find out the truth of it and to that purpose had kept him a long time close Prisoner in a Castle the guard having always an eye upon him to see when the Wolfs hair appeared they could perceive nothing of it but that he always continued a man This was the last act of this Comedy and Wierus and Baptista Porta who have divers stories to the same purpose are of opâ—â—ion that the Devil himself does the mischief and that in the mean time these poor deluded creatures who are cast into so profound a sleep by hâ—â— as that by any noise or blows they cannot be awakened have their Phansies imposed upon by Dreams and delusions according to the pleasure of their Master Satan Camâ—rarius p. 276. XXXI A Few years since a Woman dwelt at Seavington in Somersetshire who had been the wife of a Vicar belonging to the Quire of Winchester and was very honestly educated living in good reputation with her first husband and during her widowhood taught a School of Girls at Winchester which she continued till married again to J.H. with whom she lived in all virtuous manner being then about 57 years of age and had a Son by her former husband about seventeen There dwelt in that village over against her a Woman of ill fame among her Neighbours for divers bad practices This Woman coming to the School-Mistriss desired her to lend her a small peice of changing money which the other refused who said she knew she had such a peice and it had been better she had lent it her going away muttering In the evening the School-Mistriss standing at her door saw a Monstrous great Toad walking upon all four like a Cat coming from the other Womans house directly to hers upon which retiring into the house she desired her husband to get some instrument to kill that terrible Vermin As he was coming toward the door he met with it in the entry and before he had power to strike it rusht suddenly into another room and was never seen after That very night the School-Mistriss though before a very healthy brisk Woman was taken in a most violent tormenting manner with cruel prickings and pains as if her inside had been all stuck with pins needles or thorns insomuch that with the great tortures of her body abundance of bloud issued with her urine which was observed the first night These Fits seized on her very frequently sometimes twice or thrice in one day otherwhile whole days together and it was remaâ—â—t that just before the coming of the Fit there would come into the room a vast large Cat after that another and so till they amounted to seven or nine These would crawl about and stick against the wall making a dreadful yelling hideous noise and continuing about a quarter of an hour suddenly disappeared When they were gone a very great light like a flash of Lightning would strike in at the window and hang about the walls in heaps of light like fire passing from one room to another for an hour or more at a time and sometimes continued all the night long shining through the window into the street and visible to the Neighbours all the while this light continued she was in extremity of misery and would oft cry out and name the suspected Party She continued in this miserable state about seventeen years it happening when she was about forty and had reduced her streight well proportioned body to crookedness and deformity The Physicians were all of Opinion that the inward parts of her body were wounded by
Happened a very sad Tragedy in the Family of the Right honourable the Earl of Rutland whose Children were he â—itched and one murthered by the devilish malice of Joan Flower and her two dauâ—â—ters Margaret and Philip who dwelt near Belvoir Castle in Rutlandshire the Residence of that noble Earl and where they were not only relieved but entertained as Char-women After which Margaret was admitted to live in the Castle as a Servant maid till at length the Countess had information of some misdemeanours they were guilty of having notice that the Mother was a very malicious woman and much given to swearing cursing and Atheistical imprecations and that of late days her countenance was strangely altered her eyes fiery and hollow her speech fierce and envious and her whole demeanour strange and rediculous being much alone and having divers other Symptoms of a notorious Witch and her neighbours reported she had familiar Spirits and terrified them all with her curses and threats of revenge upon the least displeasure was done her She likewise heard that her daughter Margaret often carried such great quantities of provision from the Castle to her Mother as was unfit for a Servant to purloyn and at such unseasonable hours that it was believed they could never maintain their extraordinary riot and expence without robbing their Lady to maintain several debauched Fellows who frequented her mothers house for the love of her youngest daughter Philip who was likewise leudly transported with the love of one Thomas Symson insomuch as he was heard to say she had bewitched him for he had no power to leave her though he found himself much altered both in body and mind since he kept her company Such discourses passed concerning them several years before they were apprehended or convicted of which the Earl and Countess took little notice by reason of their cunning observance and modest carriage toward them At length my Lord had some suspition of the Mother and estranged himself from that familiarity and discourse he used to have with her for one Peak having wronged her she complained to the Earl whom she found unwilling to incourage clamors and malicious informations and the Countess discovering some incivilities in her daughters life and her neglect of business discharged her for lying any more in the Castle yet gave her forty Shillings a Bolster and a Bed commanding her to go home Upon this the Mother being upbraided by her Neighbours and told that her daughter was turned out of doors she cursed all that were the cause of it and studied to revenge her self upon that Honourable Family The Devil perceiving the malicious temper of this wretch and that she and her daughters were fit instruments to inlarge his Kingdom offered them his service and that in such a manner as should no way terrifie them nor could they be suspected to be concerned appearing in the shape of a Dog Cat or Rat telling them that if they would make a contract with him they should have their will upon their enemies and do them what damage they pleased The thoughts of doing mischief to their ill-willers easily induced them all to agree to his damnable proposals and they consent to be his Body and Soul confirming their agreement with abominable kisses and an odious Sacrifice of Bloud with certain Charms and Conjurations wherewith the Devil deceived them After this these three women became Devils incarnate and grew proud in the power they had got to do mischief by several Spells and Incantations whereby they first killed what Cattel they pleased Which so incouraged them that they now threaten the Earl and his Family who soon after fell sick with his Countess and were subject to strange and extraordinary Convulsions which they judging only to proceed from the hand of God had not the least jealousie of any evil practice against them At last as malice increased in them so the Farls Family felt the smart of their revenge for Henry Lord Ross his eldest Son fell sick of a very unusual disease and soon after died His second Son the Lord Francis was likewise miserably tortured by their wicked contrivances And his Daughter the Lady Katherine was oft in great danger of her life by their barbarous dealings with strange Fits c. the Honourable Parents bore all these afflictions with Christian magnanimity little suspecting they proceeded from Witchcraft till it pleased God to discover the villanous practices of these women whom the Devil now left to fall into the hands of Justice for murdering the innocent and to remain notorious examples of Gods judgment to future ages They were apprehended about Christmas in 1618. and after examination before divers Justices of Peace who wondred at their audacious wickedness were all three ordered to be carried to Lincoln Jayl Joan Flower the Mother it is said called for Bread and Butter by the way and wished it might never go through her if she were guilty of that which was charged upon her and so mumbling it in her mouth she never spake a word more but fell down and died with horrible torture both of Soul and Body before she got to the Jayl The two Daughters were examined before Sir William Pelham and Mr. Butler Justices of Peace Feb. 4. 1618. where Philip the youngest made the following confession That her Mother and Sister were very malicious against the Earl of Rutland his Countess and their Children because Margaret was turned out of the Ladies service whereupon her Sister by her Mothers order brought from the Castle the right hand Glove of the Lord Henry Ross who presently rubbed it on the back of her Spirit called Rutterkin and then put it into boyling water after which she prickt it very often and then buried it in the yard wishing the Lord Ross might never thrive and so her Sister Margaret continued with her Mother and she often saw her Imp Rutterkin leap on her shoulder and suck her neck she confest also that she often heard her mother curse the Earl and his Lady and would thereupon boyl bloud and feathers together using many Devilish speeches and strange gestures she likewise acknowledged that she her self had a Spirit sucking her left breast in the form of a white Rat which it had done for three or four years past and and that when it came first to her she gave her Soul to it who promised to do her good and to force Tho. Symson to love her if she would suffer it to suck her which she agreed to and that it had suckt her two nights before Margaret her Sister being examined agreed in the confession that Philip had made of their malice to the Earl and about the young Lords Glove adding that after she had prickt it Henry Lord Ross fell sick within a week lying in great torment and shortly after died which her Mother hearing of said It was well She further said that finding a Glove about two years since of Francis Lord Ross the second Son on a
shape of a Dog then came two Kitlins and after them two Dogs more who all seemed to reverence Elizabeth Clark skipping into her lap and kissing her and then kist all in the room except her self Whereupon one of the Witches askt her Mother if her daughter were acquainted with the business who assuring them of her secrecy Ann Leach pulled out a Book and swore her not to reveal any thing she saw or heard and if she did she should endure more torments than there could be in Hell Whereupon she again ingaged to be silent They told her she must never confess any thing though the rope were about her neck and she ready to be hanged To which after she had given her absolute ingagement the Devil leapt up into her lap and kissed her promising to perform whatever she would desire About half a year after the Devil appeared as she was going to bed and said he would marry her which she could not refuse whereupon he kissed her but was as cold as clay and then took her by the hand leading her about the room and promised to be her loving husband till death and to avenge her of all her Enemies She likewise obliging her self to be his obedient Wife till death and to deny God and Christ Jesus She confest that after this she sent him to kill the Son of Thomas Hart who died within a fortnight and thereupon she took the Devil for her God and thought he could do as God. Rebecca West being likewise examined before the Justices at Mannintree confessed that all was true concerning their meeting at Elizabeth Clarks where they spent some time in praying to their familiar Spirits and then every one made their desires known to them Elizabeth Clark requested her Spirit that Mr. Edwards might be met withal at a Bridge near her house and that his Horse might be frighted and he thrown down and never rise again Mr. Edwards deposed that at the same place his Horse started and greatly indangered him and he heard something about the house cry Ah Ah much like a Polcat and that with great difficulty he saved himself from being thrown off his Horse Elizabeth Gooding desired her Imp to kill Robert Taylors Horse for suspecting her to be a Witch which was done accordingly Hellen Clark required her to kill some Hoggs of a Neighbours Ann Leach that a Cow might be lamed and Ann West her Mother desired her Spirit to free her from all her enemies and to have no trouble And she her self desired that Thomas Harts Wife might be taken lame of her right side after which they departed appointing the next meeting at Elizabeth Goodings House For these and several other notorious crimes Ann West was sentenced and executed at Mannintree Elizabeth Gooding at Chelmsford And the Bill found against Rebecca West by the Grand Jury but was acquitted by the Jury of life and death Ibid. p. 14. LXXII ROse Hallybread was another of this black Regiment against whom Robert Turner of St. Osyth in Essex deposed That about eight days before his Servant was taken sick shaking shrieking and crying out of Rose Hallybread that she had bewitched him and that he sometimes crowed like a Cock sometimes barked like a Dog and sometimes groaned violently beyond the ordinary course of nature and though but a youth strugled with so much strength that four or five lusty men were not able to hold him down in his bed and sometimes he would sing several strange songs and tunes his mouth not being opened nor his lips so much as stirring all the time of his singing She being examined confest That about sixteen years before one Goody Hagtree brought an Imp to her house which she entertained and fed it with Oatmeal and suckled it on her body a year and an half and then lost it She confessed likewise that about half a year before one Joyce Boanes brought to her another Imp in the likeness of a small gray bird which she received and carried to the house of one Thomas Toakly of St. Osyths and put it under his door after which Toaklys Son languished and died calling and crying out upon her that she was the cause of his death She also declared that about eight days before Susan Cock Margaret Landish and Joyce Boanes brought to her house three Imps which Joyce taking her Imp too carried them all four to Robert Turners to torment his Servant because he refused to give them some chips his Master being a Carpenter and that he forthwith fell sick and oft barkt like a Dog and she believed those four Imps were the cause of his death Rose Hallybread was for this wickedness condemned to be hanged but died in Chelmsford Jayd May 9. 1645. Ibidem p. 16. LXXIII Joyce Boanes being examined about the same business confessed That about thirteen years before she had two Imps which came into her bed in the likeness of Mice and sucked on her body and that she afterward imployed them to go and kill ten or twelve Lambs belonging to one Richard Welch of St. Osyths which was done accordingly And then to the house of one Thomas Clinch where they killed a Calf a Sheep and a Lamb And that she carried the four Imps aforementioned to kill Robert Turners Servant and that her Imp called Rug made him bark like a Dog Rose Hallybreads forced him to sing several times in the greatest extremity of his pains Susan Gocks compelled him to crow like a Cock and the Imp of Margaret Landish caused him to groan in an extraordinary manner Upon this confession and other evidence Joyce Boanes was condemned and executed at Chelmsford May 11. 1645. Ibidem p. 20. LXXIV Susan Cock upon Examination confest That Margery Stoakes her mother lying upon her death bed and she coming to see her her mother privately desired her to entertain two Imps which she said would do her good And that the same night her mother died the two Imps came to her accordingly and suckt on her body one of them being like a Mouse which she called Susan and the other yellow about the bigness of a Cat which she named Bessie and that she imployed Bessie with three Imps more belonging to the three Witches abovementioned to kill ten or twelve sheep of John Spalls against whom she had much malice because being with Child and desiring some Curds of his Wife she denied either to give or sell her any She also confest that what was said about Robert Turners servant was true and further that she and Margaret Landish sent their Imps to one Thomas Mannocks of St. Osyth which killed six or seven of his Hogs in revenge for his refusing to relieve her and saying she was a young Woman and able to work for her living She and Marguret Landish were both condemned and executed at Chelmsford May 12. 1645. with several others Yea so great a number of these Vassals of Satan were discovered about this time that there were Thirty tryed at once
towards him and the better to assure him of it told him the truth of the whole matter From that time saith Bodinus he did affirm that this Spirit was always with him and by some sensible sign did ever advertize him of things as by striking his right Ear if he did any thing amiss if otherwise his left If any body came to deceive or circumvent him then his right Ear was struck but his left Ear if a good man and to good ends came to visit him If he was about to eat or drink any thing that would hurt him or intended or purposed with himself to do any thing that would prove ill he was then forbid by a sign and if he delayed to follow his business â—he was quickened by a sign given him When he began to praise God in Psalms and to declare his wonderful Acts he was presently raised and strengthned with a Spiritual and Supernatural power He dayly begged of God that he would teach him his Will his Law and his Truth and set one day in the week apart for reading the Scripture Meditation and singing of Psalms and did not stir out of his house that day Yet in his ordinary conversation he was sufficiently merry and of a chearful mind and cited that saying for it I saw the faces of the Saiâ—â— joyful and merry But in his conversing with others if he talked vainly or indiscreetly or had for some days together neglected his Devotions he was forthwith admonished thereof in a Dream He was likewise admonisht to rise early in the morning and about four a Clock a voice would come to him while he was asleep saying Who gets up first to prayer He told Bodinus also that he was oft admonished to give Alms and that he observed the more charitable he was the more prosperous he was And that one time when his enemies sought to take away his life and knew he was to go by water that his Father in a Dream brought him two Horses one white and the other bay and that thereupon he bid his Servant hire him two Horses and though he told him nothing of the colours yet he brought him a white one and a bay In all difficulties Journeyings and what other enterprizes foever he was ingaged in he constantly used to ask counsel of God and that one night when he had begged his blessing while he slept he saw a Vision wherein his Father seemed to bless him Another time when he was in very great danger and was newly gone to bed he said that the Spirit would not let him alone till he had raised him again therefore he watcht and prayed all that night The day after he escaped the hands of his Persecutors in a wonderful manner which being done in his next sleep he beard a voice saying now sing He that sits in the Tabernacle of the most High need never be afraid c. A great many other passages this Party told Bâ—dinus so many indeed that he thought it an endless labour to recite them all what he has set down were as follows Bodinus askt him why he would not speak to the Spirit for obtaining the more plain and familiar converse with it He answered that he once attempted it but the Spirit instantly struck the door with that vehemence as if he had knockt upon it with an Hammer whereby he gathered his dislike of the matter But though the Spirit would not talk with him yet he could make use of his Judgment in the reading of books and moderating his Studies For if he took an ill Book into his hands and fell a reading the Spirit would strike it that he might lay it down and would also divers times be the Books what they would hinder him from reading and writing over much that his mind might rest and silently meditate with it self He added also that very often while he was awake a small subtle inarticulate found would come into his Ears Bodinus further inquiring whether he ever saw the shape and form of the Spirit he told him That while he was awake he never saw any thing but a certain light very bright and clear and of a round compass and figure but that once being in great peril of his life and having heartily prayed to God that he would be pleased to provide for his safety about break of day between his slumbrings and wakings he espied on his bed where he layâ— A young Boy clad in a white Garment tinctured somewhat with a touch of Purple and a countenance admirably lovely and beautiful to behold This he confidently affirmed to Bodinus for a certain Truth Bodinus Mag. p. Conclusion THis last Narrative is so extraordinary remarkable that it may well seem plainly beyond the power of Human Wit or the Laws of Modesty to determine any thing therein though it cannot but amuse a man's mind to think what these Officious Spirits should be that so willingly sometimes offer themselves to associate and assist mankind whether they be Angels that are uncapable of assuming humane shapes and therefore are seldom visible or whether they are the Souls of the deceased who have more affinity with Mortality and humane frailty than the other and so are more sensible of our necessities and infirmities having once felt them themselves which is a reason alledged by the Apostle to the Hebrews for the Incarnation of our Blessed Saviour who says For verily be took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like his Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour those that are tempted For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are Heb. 2.16 17. and 4.15 For separate Souls being in a condition not unlike the Angels themselves it is easie to conceive that they may very well undergo the like Offices It may likewise be worth inquiring whether every man have his Guardian Angel or Genius or no That Witches have many such as they are their own confessions preceding do abundantly testifie Some Philosophers were of opinion that every man had two Genii a good one and a bad Which Mahomet has taken into his Religion affirming that they sit on mens shoulders with Table-books in their hands and that one writes down all the good and the other all the evil that a man does But these expressions seem rather Figurative than natural and it appears more reasonable that a man changing the frame of his mind and his course of life changes his Genius withall or rather that unless a man be very sincere and single hearted he is leftâ— to common Providence As also if he be not desperately wicked or deplorably miserable scarce any particular Evil Spirit interposes or offers himself a perpetual
with the natural and artificial Rarities in every County in England with several curious Sculptures Price One Shilling XII WOnderful Prodigies of Judgment and Mercy discovered in above 300 memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful Judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers and perjured Villains 2. The miserable ends of many Magicians c. 3. Remarkable predictions and presages of approaching death and how the event has been answerable 4. Fearful Judgments upon bloudy Tyrants Murderers c. 5. Admirable Deliverances from Immiâ—enâ— Dangers and Deplorable Distresses at Sea and Land. Lastly Divine Goodness to Penitents with the Dying shoughts of several famous Men concerning a â—â—re state after this Life Imbellished with divers Pictures Price One Shilling XIII THE Divine Banquet or Sacramental Devotions consisting of Morning and Evening Prayers Contemplations and Hymns for every day in the Week in order to a more Solemn Preparation for the worthy Receiving of the Holy Communion Representing the several steps and degrees of the Sorrow and Sufferings of our Blessed Saviour till he gave up the Ghost As 1. His Agony in the Garden 2. His being Betrayed by Judas 3. His being falsly Accused Smitten Buffetted and Spit upon before Caiphas the High Priest 4. His Condemnation Scourging Crowning with Thorns and being delivered to be Crucified by Pontius Pilate 5. His â—â—aring his Cross to Golgotha 6. His Crucifixion and bitter Passion Lastly Our Saviours Institution of the Blessed Sacrament Together with brief Resolutions to all those Scruples and Objections usually alledged for the omission of this important Duty With Eight curious Sculptures proper to the several parts To which is added The Devout Christians Daily Sacrifice or Morning and Evening Prayers for every day upon Ordinary Occasions with Graces Price One Shilling XIV THE Young Mans Calling or the whole Duty of Youth in a serious and compassioâ—ate Address to all young persons to remember their Creator in the days of their Youth Together with Remarks upon the Lives of several excellent Young Persons of both Sexes as well ancient as modern who have been famous for Virtue and Piety in their Generations namely on the Lives of Isaac and Joseph in their Youth On the Martyrdom of seven Sons and their Mother of Romanus a young Nobleman and of divers holy Virgins and Martyrs On the Lives of King Edward 6. Q. Jane Q. Elizabeth in her Youth Prince Henry Eldest Son to King James and the young Lord Harrington c. With Twelve curious Pictures illustrating the several Histories Price Eighteen Pence XV. THE English Heroe or Sir Francis Drake Revived Being a full Account of the Dangerous Voyages Admirable Adventures Notable Discoveries and Magnanimous Atchievements of that Valiant and Renowned Commander As I. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies where they saw a Pile of Bars of Silver near seventy foot long ten foot broad and 12 foot high II. His incompassing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in Two years and Ten months gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver III. His Voyage into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago St. Domingo Carthagena and St. Augustine IV. His last Voyage into those Countreys in 1595. with the manner of his Death and Burial Recommended as an Excellent Example to all Heroick and Active Spirits in these days to endeavour to benefit their Prince and Countrey and Immortalize their Names by the like worthy Undertakings Revised Corrected very much inlarged reduced into Chapters with Contents and beautified with Pictures By R. B. Licensed according to Order Price One Shilling XVI THE History of the Nine Worthies of the World Three whereof were Gentiles 1. Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy. 2. Alexander the Great King of Macedon and Conqueror of the World. 3. Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome Three Jews 4. Joshua Captain General and Leader of Israel into Canaan 5. David King of Israel 6. Judas Maccabeus a Valiant Jewish Commander against the Tyranny of Antiochus Three Christians 7. Arthur King of Brittain who couragiously defended his Countrey against the Saxons 8. Charles the Great King of France and Emperor of Germany 9. Godfrey of Bullen King of Jerusalem Being an account of their Glorious Lives Worthy Actions renowned Victories and Deaths Illustrated with Poems and the Picture of each Worthy By R. B. Price One Shilling XVII A Guide to Eternal Glory Or Brief Directions to all Christians how to attain Everlasting Salvation To which are added several other small Tracts As I. Saving Faith discovered in Three Heavenly Conferences between our Blessed Saviour and 1. A Publican 2. A Pharisee 3. A Doubting Christian II. The Threefold state of a Christian 1. By Nature 2. By Grace 3. In Glory III. The Scriptures Concord compiled out of the words of Scripture by way of Question and Answer wherein there is the sum of the way to Salvation and Spiritual things compared with Spiritual IV. The Character of a True Christian A brief Directory for the Great Necessary and Advantagious Duty of Self Examination whereby a serious Christian may every day Examine himself VI. A short Dialogue between a Learned Divine and a Beggar VII Beams of the Spirit or Cordial Meditations Enlivening Enlightning and Gladding the Soul. VIII The Seraphick Souls Triumph in the Love of God. With short remembrances and Pious thoughts IX History Improved or Christian Applications and Improvements of some remarkable passages in History X. Holy Breathings in several Divine Poems upon divers Subjects and Scriptures Price One Shilling XVIII YOuths Divine Pastime Containing Forty Remarkable Scripture Histories turned into common English Verse With Forty curious Pictures proper to each Story very delightful for the virtuous imploying the vacant hours of Young Persons and preventing vain and vitious Divertisements Together with several Scripture Hymns upon divers occasions Price Eight Pence XIX UNparrallel'd Varieties Or the Matchless Actions and Passions of Mankind Display'd in near four hundred notable instances and examples Discovering the transcendent effects 1. Of Love Friendship and Gratitude 2. Of Magnanimity Courage and Fidelity 3. Of Chastity Temperance and Humility And on the contrary the Tremendous Consequences 4. Of Hatred Revenge and Ingratitude 5. Of Cowardice Barbarity and Treachery 6. Of Vnchastity Intemperance and Ambition Imbellished with Proper Figures Price One Shilling XX. EXtraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men with the strange Events and signal Mutations and Changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious Places and Persons in all Ages Being an account of a Multitude of Stupendious Revolutions Accidents and Observable matters in States and divers Provinces throughout the whole world The Cruelties usued by the Turks upon the Christians at Argiers their manner of selling Slaves c. The dreadful Mutiny in the City of Naples in 1647. and how Massanello a Fisher-boy ruled there for 10 days with greater Power than any King or Emperor An account of several Nations destroyed or driven from their Habitations by Gnats Moles Pismires Sparrows Locusts Hares Conies Fleas Frogs Mice Grashoppers Serpents Worms and other inconsiderable Creatures The Tragical Deaths of John and Cornelius de Wit at the Hague in Holland Remarks on the Life and Death of Sir W. Rawleigh with his last Speech and Behaviour on the Scaffold with Pictures Price One Shilling XXI WInter Evenings Entertainments in Two Parts Containing 1. Ten Pleasant Relations of many Rare and Notable Accidents and Occurrences with brief Remarks upon every one 2. Fifty Ingenious Riddles with their Explanations and useful Observations and Morals upon each Enlivened with above Threescore Pictures for Illustrating every Story and Riddle Excellently Accommodated to the Fancies of Old or Young and useful to chearful Society and Conversation Price One Shilling FINIS
assistant in his affairs and fortunes But extream Poverty irksom Old Age want of Friends the contempt injury and hard-heartedness of ill Neighbours working upon a Soul low sunk into the body and wholly void of the Divine Life does sometimes kindle so sharp so eager and so piercing a desire of satisfaction and revenge that the shrieks of men when they are a murthering the howling of a Wolf in the Fields in the night or the squeeking and roaring of tortured Beasts do not so certainly bring those of their own kind to their aid as this powerful Magick of a pensive and complaining Soul in the bitterness of its affliction attracts the help of those evil over-officious Spirits of which there are several pregnant instances in the foregoing Relations So that it is probable that they are oft the forwardest to hang Witches who first made them so by their cruelty and uncharitableness and it may be have no more goodness nor true piety than these they so willingly prosecute but are as wicked as they though with better luck or more discretion offending no further than the Law will permit them and therefore they securely let the poor man or woman starve for want of relief though with a great deal of clamour of Justice they will revenge the death of their Hog or Cow. We may further inquire why Spirits so seldom now-a-days appear especially those that are good Whether it be not the wickedness of the present age as we have said or the general prejudice men have against all Spirits that appear which they straightway declare to be Devils Or whether it arise from the frailty of humane Nature that is not usually able to bear the appearance of a Spirit no more than other Animals are for into what Agonies Horses and Dogs are cast upon their approach we have already heard and is in every ones mouth and may be a good circumstance to distinguish a real Apparition from our own fancies and imaginations which these Creatures are not capable of Or lastly whether it be the condition of Spirits themselves who it may be without some violence done to their own natures cannot become visible it happily being as troublesome to them to continue visible for some time as it is for men that dive to hold their breath in the water yet it does not follow from hence that there are no such Appearances though some it may be will not believe it because they themselves never saw any for that can be no evidence that they are not extant in nature since every man hath a reasonable Soul in himself which is an immortal living Spirit and yet none ever saw it forsaking its Habitation and leaving the Body for as long as we are in this mortal Body we can naturally see nothing but what is corporeal nay our eyes are so weak that we cannot discern many real substances without the help of an Instrument invented for that purpose To confirm this truth of Apparitions if we will but admit the free confessions of Witches concerning their Imps which we find they so frequently see and converse withal know them by their names and do obeysance to them the point would be quite put out of all doubt and their proofs would be so many that no vollume would be hardly able to contain them But these our Adversaries say are all metancholly old Women who dote and bring themselves into danger by their own Fancies and Conceits But that they do not dote I am better assured of saith my Author a very learned Person than of their not doting that say they do for to satisfy my own Curiosity I have examined several of them and they have discourst as cunningly as any of their quality and educationâ— But by what I have read and observed I discern they serve a very perfidious Master who plays wreaks many times on purpose to betray and destroy them I demand concerning these Witches who confess their contract and frequent converse with the Devil some with him in one shape others in another whether meer melancholly and imagination can put Powders Ointments and such like things into their hands Can impress Marks and Teats upon their Bodies so deep as to take away all sence in that place Can put Silver and Gold into their hands which afterwards proves but either Counters Leaves Shells or some such like useless matter These real effects cannot be meer melancholly for if a man receive any thing into his hand be it what it will there was some body that gave it him and therefore the Witch receiving some real thing from this or that other shape which appeared unto her it is an evident sign it was an external thing that she saw and not a figure only of her melancholly imagination There are innumerable examples of this kind besides those I have set down which are undeniable to all men of sense so that we need not farther insist upon them And from the whole saith my Author I am not ashamed to profess that I am as well assured in my own Judgment of the Existence of Spirits and the Appearance and Communication of Evil Ones too and with Witches as that I have met with men in Westminster Hall or seen Beasts in Smithfield FINIS There are Newly Published one and Twenty other very useful pleasant and necessary Books all sold by Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside I. FEmale Excellency or the Ladies Glory Illustrated in the Worthy Lives and Memorable Actions of Nine Famous Women who have been renowned either for Virtue or Valour in several Ages of the World As I. Deborah the Prophetess II. The Valiant Judith III. Queen Esther IV. The Virtuous Susanna V. The Chast Lucretia VI. Voadicia Queen of Brittain in the Reign of Nero Emperor of Rome Containing an Account of the Original Inhabitants of Brittain The History of Danaus and his Fifty Daughters who murdered their Husbands in one night Of the Arrival of Brute Of the Two Giants Corineus and Gogmagog Of King Lear and his Three Daughters Of Belin and Brennus who took the City of Rome Of the manner of Julius Caesars invading Brittain and of the Valour of Voadicia under whose conduct the Brittains slew seventy thousand Romans with many other remarkable particulars VII Marianne Wife to King Herod VIII Clotilda Queen of France IX Andegona Princess of Spain The whole adorned with Poems and Pictures to each History By R. B. Price One Shilling II. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea and the East-Indies With an Account of the Religion Government Wars strange Customs Beasts Serpents Monsters and other Observables in those Countreys And among others the Life and Death of Mahomet the Grand Impostor with the Principal Doctrines of the Turkish Religion as they are display'd in the Alcoran Two Letters one written by the Great Mogol and the other by the King of Sumatra in the East-Indies to our King James the First of an unusual and extravagant stile The