The boy of Bilson: or, A true discouery of the late notorious impostures of certaine Romish priests in their pretended exorcisme, or expulsion of the Diuell out of a young boy, named William Perry, sonne of Thomas Perry of Bilson, in the county of Stafford, yeoman Vpon which occasion, hereunto is premitted a briefe theologicall discourse, by way of caution, for the more easie discerning of such Romish spirits; and iudging of their false pretences, both in this and the like practices.

The fourteenth Aduertisement; Shewing the second point of their Superstition, by their impious and abhominable Consultation with Deuils in their Exorcismes, for resolution in points of Religion.

COncerning this I will first manifest that they vsually practize it; and secondly, propound their Reasons for so doing, and confute them.

That they vse to consult with Deuils about doctrinall points in Religion.

LEt any man reade the Bookes, or heare the Re∣lations of the Romish Exorcists of these latter times, and he shall find that there is nothing more ordinarie with them than their familiar conference with the Deuill, touching questions of Religion. Cotton the Iesuite his Interrogatories put to the De∣uell

to resolue off, concerning Purgatory for his Ca∣tholikes, and Hel for vs Protestants, with many other curious questions, are more than notorious. The Priests at Denham in their Adiurations were fre∣quent, by which they sought to satisfie their Ad∣herents about the truth of the Immaculate Conoep∣tion of the Virgin Mary, of Pope Gregorie XIII. his being a Saint in Heauen, of the Sacrament of the Altar, and Christs bodily presence therein. The Ie∣suite Tursellin contendeth by all the strength of his wit to giue satisfaction to his Reader, concerning the truth of the miraculous Transmigration of the blessed Virgins house from Iurie to Loretto in Italy. Which one house of the Virgin excelleth (as they say) all others that euer were dedicated vnto her. Whereun∣to there is daily concourse from all Nations of the World, especially from France, Spaine, the Indies, and most remote parts by Kings, Princes, and other people. yet was not the truth of this Historie so absolute in all points vntill an horrible Deuill, called Arcto•• was consulted with, who affirmed that That house was the very same place, wherein the Angell Gaebriel saluted the blessed Virgin.

Our Romish Preists at Bilson are desirous that their Disciples should know (which is their maine question) whether the Protestants or Romanists are more safe in their Religion: to this purpose they aduise with their faithfull Doctor the Deuill, and set the resolution downe in that which they call A faithfull Relation, (and that to vse their mar∣ginall phrase) as a Markable thing.

I (saith the Priest) commanded the Deuill to shew how he would

one dying out of the Romane Church: which he did by violent pulling and byting of the clothes. Then I would know of him how he did vse Luther, Caluine and Iohn Fox, which he did after the same manner, but in afiercer sort. Then I asked what power hee had ouer a Romane Catholike dying out of mortall sinne? Hee then thrust downe his head trembling, and did no more.

In all which they sufficiently manifest that their profession is vpon such like doubts, to take their resolution from the Deuill.

But of all stories of this kind that (I thinke) was euer committed to Print, that which was pub∣lished in France is most famous: and so the Roma∣nists will haue vs to know, intituling it an Admi∣rable Historie of their Exorcismes, and dedicating it to the then Queene Regent. Wherein they bring in, for proofe of many Articles of their Romane faith, a Deuill named Verrine, constrayned (as they say) by the power of God to say and sweare by the liuing God, that Christ is in the Chalice after Conse∣cration; bload, and bones, as when hee was crueified vpon the Grosse. And so hee proceedeth in that Booke, preaching both 〈◊〉〈◊〉 orall and Theologicall points of Religion vnto ••••e end; and all to this end that the hearts of people might receiue satisfacti∣on by the Deuils Sermons. Where also F. Mi∣chaelis the Exorcist himselfe, in the Epistle to the Reader before the Booke, further saith, and profes∣seth as followeth. We are in good hope that this Hi∣storie will be no lesse vsefull and profitable in France, than that was of Laon, printed Anno 1566. which greatly confirmed the Catholike faith, and conuerted

many Heretikes, who heard the Deuils say many times in an high voyce, that these Her etikes were his friends and confederates. So that wee cannot but see that it is their profession to receiue assurance of their faith from the Deuill; which may bee yet more euident vnto vs, in as much as that they doe reason for the iustifying of themselues in so doing, which is the next point.

Notes

• See the De∣claration of Impostures, &c.
• Tursellin. Hist. Dom. Laeuret.
• Idem Epist. de∣dic ante Hist. Iustus Baronius Epist.
• Tursellin. quo su∣pia.
• See heereafter Pag. 51.
• Admir. Hist. pag. 52. & 98.