CHAP. I.
Of the Hebrew word Ob, what it signifieth, where it is found: Of Pythonisses called Ventriloquae, who they be, and what their practises are; experience and examples thereof shewed.
THis word Ob, is translated Pytho, or Pythonicus spiritus; Deut. 18. Isa. 19. 1 Sam. 28. 2 Reg. 23. &c. sometime, though unproperly, Magus, as 2 Sam. 23. But Ob sig∣nifieth most properly a Bottle, and is used in this place, because the Pythonists spake hollow, as in the bottom of their bellies; whereby they are aptly in Latin called Ventriloqui; of which sort was Elizabeth Barton,* 1.1 the holy maid of Kent, &c. These are such as take upon them to give Oracles, to tell where things lost are become; and finally, to appeach others of mischiefs, which they themselves most commonly have brought to pass; whereby many times they overthrow the good fame of honest Women, and of such others of their neighbours, with whom they are displeased. For trial hereof, letting pass a hundred cosenages that I could recite at this time: I will begin with a true story of a Wench, practising her Diabo∣lical Witchcraft and Ventriloquie, Anno 1574. at Westwell in Kent, within six miles where I dwell, taken and noted by two Ministers and Preachers of Gods Word, four substantial Yeomen, and three Women of good fame and reputation, whose names are after written.
Mildred the base daughter of Alice Norrington,* 1.2 and now servant to William Spooner of Westwell in the County of Kent, being of the age of seventeen years, was possessed with Satan in the night and day aforesaid: About two of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, there came to the same Spooners house, Roger Newman Minister of Westwell, John Brainford Minister of Kinington, with others whose names are underwritten, who made their Prayers unto God, to assist them in that needful case; and then commanded Satan in the name of the Eter∣nal God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, to speak with such a voice as they might understand, and to declare from whence he came. But he would not speak, but roared and cryed mightily: And though we did command him many times, in the name of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, and in his mighty power to speak, yet he would not; until he had gone through all his delayes, as roaring, crying, striving, and gnashing of teeth, and otherwise with mowing, and other terrible countenances, and was so strong in the maid, that four men could scarce hold her down. And this continued by the space almost of two hours: So some∣times we charged him earnestly to speak, and again praying unto GOD that he would assist us: at the last, he spake, but very strangely, and that was thus, He comes, he comes; and that oftentimes he repeated; and, He goes, he goes; and then we charged him to tell us who sent him? And he said, I lay in her way like a log, and I made her run like fire, but I could not hurt her: And why so? said we: Because God kept her, said he: When camest thou to her? said we: To night in her bed, said he: Then we charged him, as before, to tell what he was, and who sent him, and what his name was: At first he said, The De∣vil,