The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadduces and infidels, by Richard Baxter.

The Narrative as lately sent me from most Credible Persons in Evesham, is as followeth.

ABout the Month of April, 1652. Mary the Daughter of Edward Ellins, of the Burrough of Evesham, in the County of Worcester Gardner, then about nine or ten years old, went in the fields on a Saturday with some other Children to gather Cow∣slips, and finding in a Ditch by the way side, at the said Towns end, one Catherine Huxley, a single Woman, aged then about forty years (as is supposed easing nature) the Children called her Witch, and took up stones to throw at her, the said Mary also called her Witch, and took up a stone, but was so affrighted, that she could not throw it at her; then they all run away from her, and the said Mary being hind∣most, this Huxley said to her [Ellins, you shall have stones enough in your—] where∣upon Mary fell that day very ill, and conti∣nued so weak and Languishing that her Friends feared she would not. recover; but about a Month after, she began to void stones by the urinary passages, and some little urine came away from her; also when she voided any stone, and the stone she

voided, was heard by those that were by her, to drop into the Pot or Bason, and she had most grievous pains in her Back and Reins, like the pricking of Pins, the num∣ber of the stones she voided, was about eighty, some plain pebbles, some plain flints, some very small, and some about an ounce weight; this she did for some space, (a month or two, or there abouts) until upon some strong suspitions of Witchcraft, the forenamed Huxley was Apprehended, Examined and Searched (at whose Beds Head there was found several stones, such as the said Mary voided) and was sent to Worcester, where at the Summer Assizes in the said year 1652. (then at hand) she was upon the Prosecution of the Friends of the said Mary, Condemned and Executed; upon whose Apprehension and Commitment, Mary ceased to void any more stones; but for a while, voided much blackish and muddy Sand, and also, in short time perfect∣ly recovered, and is yet living in the Town, in good and honest Repute, and hath been many years Marryed, and hath had seven Children; but never voided any stones since, nor been troubled with the pain fore∣mentioned, Abundance of people yet living, know the Substance of this to be true, and her Mother in Law (since dead) kept the stones till she was tired with the frequent Resort of people to see them, and the said Mary,

and to hear the Relation of the matter, and beg the stones (for though many offered Money for them, yet she always refused it, nor did they ever take any, but it cost them much upon the Girl, and the Prosecution of the said Huxley) and then she buried them in her Garden, Edward Ellins, the Fa∣ther of the said Mary, is also yet living, and a Man of honest Repute, and utterly free (as also is the said Mary, and all the rest of her Friends) from the least Suspition of any Fraud or Cheat in the whole busi∣ness: This was known to hundreds of Peo∣ple in the said Town, and parts Adjacent, and many of them yet living, are ready to attest the truth of it.

X. In 1645, in Dorset-shire, I lodged at a Village on a Hill, called (I think) Evershot, in the House of the Minister, a grave Man, who had with him a Son, also a Learned Minister, that had been Chaplain to Sir Tho. Adams in London: They both told me, that they had a Neighbour that had long lain Bed-rid, that told all the oc∣casion; That for a long time, being a poor Labouring Man, every Morning when he went out of his Door, he found a Shilling under his Door, of which he ••••ld no one, so that in a long time, he buying some Sheep or Swine, and seeming Rich, his Neighbours marvelled how be came by it:

At last he told them, and was suddenly struck Lame and Bed-rid. They would have had me speak with the Man; but the Snow covering the Ground, and I being ill, and the Witnesses fully Credible, I for∣bore.

XII. I had the last Week this following Letter sent me, from, and by most Credi∣ble Wise and Pious Persons of Devonshire, from Exeter.

Nathan the Son of Mr. Zacheus Crab, Dyer, without Westgate, had Convulsion and Falling-Fits about nine Years since: He was a Youth well known to the late Mr. Robert Atkins the Minister who th••••ght him one very hopeful for Religio•• Going from one of his Meeting this Youth was first taken, having 〈…〉〈…〉 came to his Masters House. 〈…〉〈…〉 ed him, he seemed to be pash'd as it some body tript up his Heels, and fell forth upon his Hands, but rose again presently. Some weeks after he had Falling-fits, with foam∣ing at Mouth; thus he continued a Year and half before any means were used suspected for Witchcraft. After this, hearing of one Gibs, Mr. Crab, the Father of this Youth, and his Daughter, the Youth's Sister, went together to Mr. Gibs for help for the Youth. They went once every Week for a Month with the Youth's Water; the last Week of the Month the Sister ask'd, what Mr. Gibs

thought now of the Cure? (they went to him in the beginning of the Week) he said, that weeks Papers of Powder would make a perfect Cure, but there would be an alteration, that he would have two or three panging fits different from the former, which things fell out as he said. When this last Week of the Month was over, they had a Debate, whether they should go to Mr. Gibs again, at length they concluded to go, and went on the beginning of the fifth Week with his Water. Gibs then told them, Since you are come to me again, I will give you that shall make a perfect Cure, that you shall need come to me no more: then he gave them a Bag to hang about the Youth's Neck, and Powder to take in White wine for one weeks time: Order was given by him, when the Youth had worn the Collar about his Neck for a while, the Youth should take it off himself, and burn it: but Mr. Elson, the Boy's Ma∣ster, took off the Collar after it had been on two Days and a Night, and shewed it to some, to inquire, whether it were not a charm? there being nothing in the Collar but a Paper with this writing,

Callen Dan Dant,
Dan Dant Callen,
Dan Callen Dant.

Mr. Elson kept the Paper by him after 'twas taken from the Boy's Neck, about

eighteen Weeks, not suffering it to be applied again, being told that it seemed to be a meer Charm; and the Boy being ask'd, if he were content to have his Fits again ra∣ther than have a Cure from the Devil, who would not cure his Body without greater prejudice to his Soul, than his Bodily Dis∣temper could be reckoned? he very readi∣ly answered, he would rather choose to have his Fits again, and would leave him∣self to the Hands of God, for his Disease or Cure.

When this Distemper left him for the Eighteen Weeks, he returned considerably to his Senses and Memory, beyond what he had before, particularly to be able to sort Wooll at his Trade, which he had not been able to do in a Year and quarter before. About the Sixth Week of these Eighteen, the Father went to Mr. Gibs again, and told him how the Note was taken off, and that several had the sight of it; Gibs then said, If the Fits do return again, he will be worse than ever, and at their return he should be able to do him no good. His Fits at the return were indeed far more ter∣rible than before, and much of another kind than those of other Persons in the Fal∣len-sickness: And these Fits did return to him about 18 or 19 VVeeks after they ceased, upon a Shrove-Tuesday: Mr. Elson inquiring into the time when they returned,

said, it was when he threw the Paper that ha•• been about the Youth's Neck, into the Fir•• and burnt it, unwilling to keep such a thing any longer. This Gibs hath the general re∣pute of a VVizard, and his Father before him. The Youth hath a long time been ut∣terly deprived of the use of his Reason, and is clothed, and otherwise used as a mee•• Natural; and his Fits so dreadful, that Per∣sons are afraid to behold him.

After the return of his Fits, he was pu•• to one Yoe's in St. Thomas's, where h•• wrought at his Trade of VVorsted-comb∣ing, and some means were used for his Fits which he pretended to have some Skill in curing, whose Means were used about a Month without any success; then and ther•• being at his VVork, and some signs appear∣ing of an approaching Fit, they set him o•• a Stool, thence he fell in a Fit, and brak•• his Leg, the main Bone, in two pieces, a∣nother Bone in many pieces. Then he wa•• brought home to his Father's House; and the Bones being set, the Chyrurgion said, i•• he should have another Fit his Cure would be impossible; he lay about a Month o•• five VVeeks very free from Fits, till his Bones were so well knit, that he could walk abroad with Crutches, which he did for a while, and then his Fits returned in the same manner as before his Bone was broken.

After his Leg was well recovered, he was carried to Mr. Pridham of Morchard, he prescribed Means, which he hop'd would do him good, if there were any alteration by the use of his Pills which he then gave him to carry with him, and take when he came home: but before the Pills, he had ordered a Vomit to be taken, in the work∣ing of which, they thought he would die. Then they gave him the Pills which, after they had stay'd above an Hour in his Sto∣mach, he vomited them up as they were taken; which were put up again in the Box, and shewed to Mr. Pridham, who said, If they had been given to a Child of two Months old, they would have been digest∣••ed in half an Hour. Upon hearing the whole, he said, certainly there is something extraordinary in the case. Being asked if he could do him no good, he said, he did not question but he could, but being a Mi∣nister he feared he should lose his Benefice by Peoples saying he was a VVhite-VVitch.

The Youth's Mother apprehended, that Mr. Staddon drop'd some such words that her Son was bewitch'd or possess'd, or some∣what to that purpose, who went through a Course of Physick with the Youth, and found nothing did answer Expectation.

For some Years the Youth hath been much prejudiced in his Speech; sometimes he cannot speak at all, but is as one dumb

for a VVeek or Fortnight together: He speaks plain enough between, but when be hath the Dumb Fits he can hardly move his Tongue in his Mouth; and he is generally so deprived of Reason, that he is clad, and otherwise used as a meer Idiot.

This Narrative was taken in the beginning of April 1688.

Memorandum, The Youth continues in the same condition till this 27th of Septem∣ber, 1689.

XIII. Tho' I collect much written hereto∣fore, I must not transcribe other Mens Books; I here desire the Reader to read in Dr. Sinclare's Book, called [Satan's Invisible World] among 36 Histories, the X. called The Devil of Genluce, where he will find such another Case as that of the Devil of Mas∣con; where the Spirit, besides other Acts o•• Molestation and Violence, for a long time continued familiar talking to Men, before so many Witnesses, as leaveth the truth o•• the History unquestionable.

XIV. The Hanging of a great number o•• Witches in Suffolk and Essex, by the disco∣very of one Hopkins, in 1645 and 1646 i•• famously known. Mr. Calamy went along with the Judges in the Circuit, to hea•• their Confessions, and see that there wer••

no Fraud or Wrong done them. I spake with many Understanding, Pious and Cre∣dible Persons that lived in the Countries, and some that went to them to the Prisons, and heard their sad Confessions. Among the rest, an old Reading Parson, named Lowis, not far from Franlingham, was one that was Hanged; who confessed, that he had two Imps, and that one of them was always putting him on doing Mischief; and (he being near the Sea, as he saw a Ship un∣der Sail, it moved him to send him to sink the Ship, and he consented, and saw the Ship sink before him. One Penitent Wo∣man confessed, that her Mother lying sick, and she looking to her, somewhat like a Mole ran in to the Bed to her, which she being startled at, her Mother bid her not fear it, but gave it her; saying, Keep this in a Pot by the Fire, &c. and thou shalt never want: She did as she was bid, shortly after a poor Boy (seemingly) came in, and askt leave to sit and warm him at the Fire, and when he was gone, she found Money under the Stool; and afterwards oft did so again, and at last laid hold of her, and drew Blood of her, and she made no other Compact with the Devil, but that her Imps suck'd her Blood; and as I heard, she was delivered. Abun∣dance of sad Confessions were made by them, by which some testified, that there are certain Punishments that they were to

undergo, if they did not some hurt as was appointed them.

And in Lancashire, long ago, many Witches were Convict.

That published by Edmond Bower near Sa∣lisbury, is remarkable: I refer the Reader to the printed Narrative.

XV. I will next insert a late Fact not far off, which when a Pious Credible Person related to me, I desired him to send me the true Narrative in Writing when he came Home, and fully enquired into the matter: And he sent me this Nar∣rative here following.

At Brightling in Suffex.

As touching the Relation of the Bright∣ling Story, which is in the Substance un∣doubtedly true, however some Circum∣stances of it may vary, be pleased to take the following Account.

On Munday was three Weeks, at, or near the House of Ioseph Cruttenden of Brightling, an old Woman about Noon came to a Servant Girl of the said Cruttenden's tells her, sad Calamities were coming upon her Master and Dame, their House should be Fired, and many other troubles befal them; but tells this Girl withal, That if she spake of what she had told her, the Devil would tear her to pieces, otherwise she need not fear, for no hurt should come to her: The

same Night, as the Man and Woman lay in Bed, Dirt and Dust, &c. was thrown at them, but they could not tell whence it came: They rise and Pray, during which that Disturbance ceases; some say they went to Bed again, but finding the same trouble they are forced to rise Tuesday about Noon, Dust, Dirt, and several things are thrown at them again; before Night, a part of one end of their House Fired; they rake it down, it flashes somewhat like Gunpowder; as they stop'd it there, it be∣gan in another place, and thence to another, till the whole House was burnt down. Some say some thing like a Black Bull was seen tumbling about; the certainty of that I aver not. The House, tho' it burnt down to the Ground it flamed not: The Night was spent in carrying Goods, or one thing or other from one place to anothe; they I think, re∣maining mostly without Doors. Thursday Col. Busbridge ••whose House the former was) be∣ing acquainted with the Man's sad Accident, bid them go into another of his Houses in the Parish whither, when the Goods were brought, such like Disturbances were there also; the House Fireth, endeavours are made by many to quench it, but in vain, till the Goods are thrown out, when it ceased with little or no help. In this con∣dition none durst let them into their Doors; they abide under a Hut; the Goods are

thrown upside down, Peuter-dishes, Knives, Brickbrats strike them, but hurt them not: Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bradshaw, Ministers, came to Pray with them, when a Knife glanced by the Breast of Mr. Bennet, •• Bowl or Dish thrown at his Back, but while at Prayers quiet; they were without Doors, there being very many present, a Wooden Tut came flying out of the Air, by many, and came and struck the Man; as likewise a Horse-shoe, which was by some laid away, and it was observ'd of its own accord to rise again and fly to the Man, and strook him in the midst of a hundred Peo∣ple: Upon strict Examination the Man confesseth, that he had been a Thief, and did it under the colour of Religion. Sab∣bath-day the Girl told her Dame the former Story of the Womans Discourse; she is sent for, and Examined before Captain Col∣lins, Mr. Busbridge, and she is searched and watched 24 Hours: the Girl saith, she is like the Woman, but I think will not swear it is the same. This Woman was formerly suspected to be a Witch, had to Maidstone about it, but got away, and hath lived about Burwast some time since; her Name I know not: Tuesday Four Ministers kept a Fast, Mr. Bennet, Weller, Bradshaw and Golden; since I hear not of any trouble. 'Tis said they are in a Barn or Ale-house; while they lay without Doors, the Woman sending some

Meal to a Neighbours to make Bread, they could not make it up into Loaves, but it was like Butter, and so they put it into the Oven, but it would not bake, but came out as it went in. This Relation came from Mr. Collins, who was an Eye-witness of much of it.

XVI. About twenty Years past, when I was in the Lord Broghill's (now Earl of Ore∣ry's) Lodgings in London, one Night he brought me the Report, that one of Crom∣well's Soldiers being on his Watch, near the Chappel of St. Iames's House, something came towards him in an affrightening shape, and he calling out, Stand, stand, or I will shoot you, at last discharging, it ran upon him, and threw him over the way far off; and that it had been that day Examined, and affirmed confidently; and what became of the Report of it afterward, I know not, save that it was said to happen oft. But on this occasion the Earl of Orery (yet living) told me, as followeth, That Colonel Ve∣nables (then going for Hispaniola, with the Soldiers that were there Repulsed and took Iamaica) had a Soldier in his Army that came out of Ireland, and was under Colo∣nel Hill, who was then in London, and would attest this following. viz. That this Soldier looked pale and sad, and pined, and the cause was unknown: At last he came to

Colonel Hill with his Confession, that he had bin a Servant in England, (as I remem∣ber, to one that carried Stockins and such ware about to sell) and for his Money, he had Murdered his Master, and buried him in such a place: And flying into Ireland, listed himself his Souldier, and that of a long time, when ever he lay alone, somewhat like a headless Man, stood by his Bed, saying to him, [Wilt thou yet confess?] And in this case of fear he had continued, till lately it ap∣peared to him when he had a Bed-fellow (which it never did before) and said as be∣fore [Wilt thou yet confess] and now seeing no hope of longer Concealing it, he Con∣fessed: And as I remember, his going to Hispaniola was his punishment, in stead of Death, where vengeance followed him.) This he offered then to bring Colonel Hill to me to attest, (since the Writing of this, the Earl of Orery is dead.)

XVI Simon Iones, a Strong and healthful Man of Kederminster (no way inclined to Melancholy or any Fancies) hath oft told me, that being a Souldier for the King in the War against the Parliament, in a clear Moon-shine Night, as he stood Sentinel in the Colledge Green at Worcester, something like a headless Bear, appeared to him; and so affrighted him, that he laid down his Arms soon after, and returned home to his

Trade, and while I was there afterward, which was fourteen years, lived Honestly, Religiously, and without blame, and I think is yet living, which mindeth me of that which followeth, though to me not known.

XVII. When I was young, most credible and religious persons born in Wilden-Hall near Wolver-hampton in Stafford-Shire, oft told me (dwelling with me in the same House) that one Richard White a Smith of Wilden-Hall, was a prophane Atheistical Man, and believing that there was no Devils, in his Cups would wish he could once see the Devil, if there were such a thing; and that sud∣denly he changed his Life, and became a professor of zeal, and strictness in Religi∣on, and told them, that in a clear Moon∣shine Night. the Devil in the shape of a great ugly Man, stood by his Bed side, opening the Curtains, and looking him in the Face, and at last took up the Blanket; and sometime smiled on him, and then was more ugly, and after a while (in which he lay in great Terror) the Apparition Vanish∣ed, and he was affrighted into the aforesaid change of Life (as Bruno is said to be the Founder of the Order of Carthusian Fryers.

XVIII. My dear Friend Mr. Hopkins (Fa∣ther to my Faithful Brother Mr. George Hopkins Minister at Eversham, till ejected, Aug. 24

1662. and Grandfather to Dr. Hopkins, late∣ly Preacher at Laurences) a chief Magi∣strate of Bewdley, and since a Member of the Long Parliament, oft pained as he thought with the Spleen, but not at all Meclancholy, came to me at Mr. Hanburyes, the last time before I was driven out of the County, and as a great secrettold me, that he was possest (meaning, I think Bewitcht): I chid him, as Fanciful and Melancholy: But he without any shew of Melancholy, affirmed, that it was certainly true: I could not stay with him, and never saw him more. But he long continued in pain and that Conceit, and be∣fore he dyed, a piece of Wood came down into the rectum intestinum, which they were fain to pull out with their Fingers His good Wife told me, it was of the length of ones finger: And that he and they were sure that he never swallowed any such thing. The best Men it seems may be thus Afflict∣ed, as Iob by Satan.

XVIII. There is now in London an un∣derstanding, sober, pious Man, oft one of my Hearers, who hath an elder Brother, a Gentleman of considerable Rank, who ha∣ving formerly seemed pious, of late Years doth oft fall into the Sin of Drunkenness: He oft lodgeth long together here, in this his Brother's House: And whenever he is drunken, and hath slept himself sober, some∣thing

knocks at his Bed's Head, as if one knock'd on a Wainscot; when they re∣move his Bed, it followeth him: Besides lowd Noises on other Parts where he is, that all the House heareth. They have oft watch'd, and kept his Hands, left he should do it himself. His Brother hath oft told it me, and brought his Wife (a discreet Wo∣man) to attest it; who averreth moreover, that as she watched him, she hath seen his Shooes under the Bed taken up, and no∣thing visible touch them. They brought to me the Man himself, and when we ask him how he dare so sin again, after such a Warning, he hath no Excuse. But being Persons of Quality, for some special Rea∣son of Worldly Interest, I must not name him.

Two things are remarkable in this In∣stance. 1. What a powerful thing Tempta∣tion and Fleshly Concupiscence is, and what a hardned Heart Sin brings Men to: If one rose from the Dead to warn such Sinners, it would not of it self persuade them.

2. It poseth me to think what kind of Spirit this is, that hath such a Care of this Man's Soul, (which maketh me hope he will recover.) Do good Spirits dwell so near us? Or are they sent on such Messages? Or is it his Guardian Angel? Or is it the Soul of some dead Friend, that suffereth, and yet, retaining Love to him, as Dives to

his Brethren, would have him saved? God yet keepeth such things from us, in the dark.

XIX. There is now in London a Youth, (the Son of a very Godly Conforming Minister,) who reading a Book of that called Conjura∣tion, coming to the Words and Actions which the Book said would cause the Devil to ap∣pear, was presently very desirous to try, and desirous that the Apparition might be accor∣dingly. He came to me in Terrour, ha∣ving before opened his Case to a Parish-Mi∣nister, and affirmed to me, that the Devil hath appeared to him, and sollicited him with a Knife to cut his Throat, and told him, he must do it suddenly, for he would stay no longer. I told him how safe he was, if he truly repented, and begged Par∣don through Christ, and would resolvedly renew his Baptismal Covenant, and re∣nounce the Devil, and live as truly devoted to God and our Redeemer: And I have heard from him no more, but must not name him.

This shews what Power Satan gets, if Men do but consent: For I had a very Godly Friend, that a Week ago told me, that he read Cornelius Agrip••a's Occulta Philosophia, and read the same Words that he saith will raise Devils, but with no Desire, but a Detestation of Success,

and of the Book, and nothing appeared to him.

XX. Mr. Samuel Clark hath published the Apparition to Mr. White of Dorchester, As∣sessor to the Westminster-Assembly, at Lam∣beth. The Devil, in a light Night, stood by his Bed-side: He looked a while whe∣ther he would say or do any thing, and then said, If thou hast nothing else to do, I have; and so turned himself to sleep. Many say it from Mr. White himself.

XXI. This following I had from one of unquestionable Credit.

Amongst other things, I called to Mind a Story sent me in a Letter from Cambridge, that Week it was done, in 1661, or 1662. and I did verily believe, and do still, that Mr. Illingworth sent it me, but he could not reflect it; however, Mr. Cooper hearing it told it was a great Truth, he heard Mr. Franklin, a Minister of Wood-Rising, in this County, twelve Miles from this City, Fa∣ther to the Child, tell it to Sir Philip Wood∣house. Mr. Franklin (his Character, farther than that of a Minister of the Church of England, I cannot give you) was then Mi∣nister of a Town (whose Name I know not) in the Isle of Ely, and upon this Account which I shall tell you, removed to Wood∣Rising in this County.

This Man had a Child, to which a Spirit often appeared at his Father's House; and grew so bold and free, as very ordinarily to come in whilst Company was in the House, and Franklin in the Room, and sit down by the Boy. At due Years, about the Year 1661, or 1662. he was bound an Apprentice to a Barber in Cambridge, (or at least with him as a Probationer.) One Night the Spirit appeared to him in the usual Habit of a Gentlewoman, and would have persuaded him to go home again, asking him what he did there? &c. The Boy, af∣ter some Treaty, replied, He would not go. Upon which, he received a great Blow on the Ear, and grew very ill, but rose. Be∣ing and continuing ill, his Master presently horseth, and rides to acquaint his Father. In the Forenoon of that Day, the Boy sit∣ting by the Kitchin-fire, his Mistress being by, suddenly cries out, O Mistress! Look: There's the Gentlewoman. The Woman turns to look, sees nothing; but while her Head was turned, hears a Noise as of a great Box on the Ear; turns, sees the Boy bending down his Neck, and he presently died. A∣bout the same Hour, so near as they could guess, the Master was sitting at Dinner in the Isle of Ely, with the Father: The Ap∣pearance of a Gentlewoman comes in, look∣ing angrily, taking a Turn or two, disap∣peared.

Thus I remember the Story came, in three Days after it was done, to me.

Mr. Cooper this Afternoon confirms it, as heard by him from Mr. Franklin himself: Adding, the poor Man was so affected, that he seemed almost stupid.

XXIII. From a credible Person I had this following Account.

In the Year 1665. Elizabeth Brooker, Ser∣vant to Mrs. Hieron of Honyton, in the Coun∣ty of Devon, as she was serving in Dinner one Lord's Day, suddenly felt a pricking, as of a Pin, in her Thigh, but did not think there could be any such thing; yet looking, ••he found indeed that a Pin was there, got within her Skin, but without drawing any Blood, or breaking the Skin, or making any hole or sign at all; and it was got so far within her Flesh, that she could hardly ••eel the Head of it with her Finger, but ••et she did plainly enough perceive that it was a Pin; so it continued the remaining part of that Day. The next Day she felt ••ut little pain: The Tuesday she was much pained, and the Pin wrought so far into her Flesh, that she could no longer feel it with her Fingers. The Wednesday she went to Exeter, that she might have the Advice of Mr. Anthony Smith, a Chirurgeon there, of great Reputation. He, upon examining the place, would not believe that any Pin was

there, there being no Skin broken, no Swel∣ling, nor any other thing by which he might perceive the least Token of any such mat∣ter. However, upon her confident and constant affirming there was a Pin, he made an Incision; and searching with an Instru∣ment, at length found the Pin, and took it out: It was a little crooked, and of the larger sort of small Pins. He presently made Applications for the Cure of the Wound, which in about three Weeks time was effected.

The Day before this happened, the Wo∣man had an unknown Person asked a Pin of her, which she denied her, but did not sus∣pect her. And another Woman, Agnes Ri∣chardson, who was suspected, was angry with her, for blaming her about Miscarriage in an Errand that she sent her on.

A true Relation from Honyton, in the County of Devon, con∣cerning Witchcraft.

Kingston upon Thames, Sept. 6. 1681.

ABout nine or ten Years since, in the House of Mrs. Hieron, of Honyton, Widow, there happened this strange In∣stance of Witchcraft following.

This Widow Hieron, a Person of good Quality, kept a Mercer's Shop, and (I think) doth to this day, in Honyton. She had a Maid-Servant, Elizabeth Brooker by Name, who sold Small Wares in a Stall before her Mistresses Door. On Saturday, which was their Market-day, a certain Wo∣man of Honyton Town came to the said Eli∣zabeth Brooker, (selling Wares at the Stall aforesaid), and asked her for a Pin. The Maid readily gave her a Pin from her Sleeve; but this Pin did not satisfie, she would have a Pin of a bigger sort, out of a Paper which hung up to sell. The Maid told her, those Pins were not hers to give, she must ask her Mistress; and when she had Orders, she would give her her Desire. The Woman asked her again, and again; and Elizabeth did as often deny. The Woman went away in a great Fume and Rage, and told the Maid, she should hear farther from her, she would e'er long wish she had given her the Pin she desired; with many threatning Speeches, which the Maid took little notice of, (though the Woman was of an ill Report) Now, the next Day being the Lord's Day, while her Mistress and the Family were at Dinner, and Eliza∣beth Brooker waiting at the Table, on a sud∣den the Maid gave a very great Cry, and told them, she had a Pin thrust into her Thigh, which few of the Family did believe, know∣ing

there was no Person in the Room be∣side her self, and the Family, who all sate at Meat, she only standing to attend them. Her Mistress arose from Table, and Mr. Sa∣muel Hieron's Wife, (who was then living.) She was forced to go to Bed; they sent for a Midwife of the Town, who had skill in Sores and Wounds: She saw there had been some small Hurt in the Skin, but the Pin was out of sight; and feeling so as to understand what it was, or exactly where, the Midwife applied her rare Plaister of Ve∣nice-Turpentine all that Night, and many other things the next Day, but the Pain was still the same. On the Tuesday they ad∣vised with Mr. Salter, a skilful Apotheca∣ry in the Town, who advised them well, whose Counsel they followed, but all in vain. On Wednesday, the same Week, they, with great Trouble and Pain, brought her to Exeter, and lodged her at Mr. Iohn Hoppin's, a worthy Minister of the Gospel, who lived in Gaudies-Lane. They called me to her, to advise what to do to ease her Pain. I designed a Suppurative Cataplasm, but nothing would satisfie the Maid, but cutting of it out; which was somewhat dif∣ficult, because it was hard to find the place exactly, where to make the Incision; but the Courage of the Patient did greatly pro∣mote the Operation. I made a large Inci∣sion, according to the length of the Muscles;

and though I could find no sign of the Pin upon the first Incision, yet by putting my Incision-knife obliquely, I felt the Pin, and brought it out, near an Inch within the Cu∣tis; and upon that there was great Ease, and in fifteen Days the Sore was whole. This Operation was performed in the pre∣sence of Mrs. Hoppin, Mrs. Gold, Mrs. Ford, and many worthy Persons, of good Repu∣tation. And I dare presume, If this Paper be sent to Honyton, to Mr. Samuel Hieron, Minister of the Gospel, he will have it suf∣ficiently attested concerning the first part of the Story, and none can tell the second part better than my self, who performed the Operation: And the Truth of that I give under my Hand this 6th Day of September, Anno Dom. 1681.

Anthony Smith, Chyrurgus Kingston.

XXIV. One born in the same Town, now living in London, in a Journey, Anno 1664. lodged at an Inn in Culmstock, in the same County. He went to Bed between Ten and Eleven of the Clock, and soon

fell asleep, not having any Apprehensions concerning the House or Chamber: When he awaked, he found himself laid out in the Floor, at some distance from the Bed, by the side of a Table, the Bed-Cloaths, and his own Wearing Cloaths, all upon him, just in the same manner as he laid them when going to Bed; having nothing at all under him, by which he got an ex∣tream Cold; and besides, his Leg and Arm next the Table were sorely bruised. Being awake, he began to think where he was, but soon recollected himself, and by the Light of the Moon, which then shone ve∣ry bright, he discerned the Bed; and putting on the Cloaths upon the Bed, laid him down again, and slept the remaining part of the Night very quietly. Soon af∣ter his being in Bed this second time, the Town-Clock struck Twelve. He never was out of his Bed in his Sleep before or since; and soon after he came to under∣stand that the Chamber was reputed to be haunted.

Mr. Charles Hatt's Letter, con∣cerning an House being haunted at Kinton, in Worcestershire, in the Year 1667.

Worthy Sir,

ACcording to your Desire, and my Pro∣mise when I was with you about a Fortnight since, with Mrs. Wilson, concern∣ing a Man's House in Kinton (six Miles from Worcester) being sorely troubled, about the latter end of the Year 1667. to the best of my Remembrance, viz.

I living at Benington, near Auster, in Warwickshire, Workmen come from Kin∣ton, acquainted me of an House sorely haunted, naming the Person to me, (which I have now forgot.) I being desirous to see or hear such things, went to the said House; but finding only a Maid there a spinning, I asked for her Master. She told me, the Spirit (to the best of my remem∣brance she called it so) had boxed him a¦bout the Ears, as he sate by the Fire•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against her; upon which, he cried out, and went away to a Son's of his in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Town, a little before I came. I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the said Man, desired him to come home

He seemed unwilling, telling me how he was abused by it, and that in the Night it would often pull him out of the Bed, and did so torment him, that he was a wea∣ry of his Life. But getting him home, he sate him down about the same place, near the Fire, and I sate over against him, discoursing how he was troubled. He told me, several had been with him; as the Minister of the place, (to my best remembrance.) They bid him pray, pray: But he found no Relief. I told him, I knew no other way than by seeking to the Lord, and not to speak slightly of Prayer. He told me, I might hear it be∣fore I went. I had not been long, but there was a great Noise in the said Room, of Groaning, or rather Gruntling, like a Hog, and then gave a lowd Shriek. Here it is, saith the Man. I was much con∣cerned upon the hearing of it; so recall∣ing my self, I desired to go to Prayer in the next Room, where the Man used to lie. By this time many of the Towns-People came in, and were at Duty. A∣bout the middle of Duty, the aforesaid Noise came, as I thought, lowder, and just by me; however, I then was not concerned. Afterward, having some Dis∣course with the Man about a Month af∣ter, I heard from him, that it did no more trouble him, nor to his Death.

He lived, as I remember, two Years af∣ter. This is the best and truest Account I can give. I rest,

SIR,

Your Christian Friend to command, Charles Hatt's.

Gingraff, May 16. 1691.

POSTSCRIPT.

SIR,

I Spake to my Lady Rich, concerning a Voice that Mr. Tiro heard, acquainting him of his Death. If you remember, I told you of him, and you desired an Ac∣count of it. He was a Nonconformist Mi∣nister, of Vnger, in Essex: My Lady will send you the Account of it. This Mr. Tiro had an extraordinary Love for you.

Vale, C.H.