A true discourse concerning the certaine possession and dispossession of 7 persons in one familie in Lancashire, which also may serve as part of an answere to a fayned and false discoverie which speaketh very much evill, aswell of this, as of the rest of those great and mightie workes of God which bee of the like excellent nature. / by George More, minister and preacher of the worde of God, and now (for bearing witnesse vnto this, and for iustifying the rest) a prisoner in the Clinke, where he hath continued almost for the space of two yeares..

A brief and true discourse con∣tayning the certayne possession and dispossession of 7 persons in one familie in Lancashire, as namely of Iohn Starkie, Anne Starkie, Margret Hurdman, Ellynor Hurdman, Ell•••• Hollande, Margret Byrom, and Iane Ashton, which may serve (as an interim) for a peece of an answere to that fraudulent discoverie lately come out, which depraveth these, aswell as the rest of those great & mightie workes of God, which be of the same kinde.

IN this discourse, I meane not to meddle with that deceitful and depraving discoverie, further then concernes this matter of facte for Lancashire on∣lie, reserving all matters of opinion, and the answering of all their obi••ctions, to a more full and fitter time. And so avoyding all tediousnes as neare as I can, I will indevour fullie and plainly to reveile the trueth, that I may quicklie dispatch the storie.

And because the drift of this desperate detractour is to detecte our dealing with the 7 to be a deceiueable practize, aswell

as the rest which are (by him) pretended so to be: And that this chiefest opposition vnto this worke consisteth in 5. principall things, which bring sore vrged, and easilie receyued, will endanger greatly the credit of the Storie. In respect hereof. I will di∣gest this whole discourse into 5 principall heades or chiefe places; which may serue fitly, both to giue more light to the storie, and for a more direct aunswere to the dis∣couerie.

In the first place, I will as truelie as I can describe the state of these persons and of their strange and troublesome afflictions, together with the outward causes and oc∣casions thereof, which also continued for the most parte, for the space of two yeares and a halfe, before we came vnto them.

Secondly, I will set downe the straunge signes shewed forth by them, both gene∣rally and particularly, to prooue that they were truely and actually possessed.

In the 3 place I will shew the causes and occasions of our cōming into Lancashire, & what beginning & proceeding we made in performing that great worke which we tooke in hande.

Fourthly, I will manifest the meanes, & cleare the maner of their deliuerance.

And lastly, I will brieflie mention the si∣gnes of their dispest s••••ō, which may serve to cleare it from all suspuion.

These points I purpose briefly to touch, & not to handle the at large according to the worthines of the matter, which indeed is such as doth deserve both a more ful dis¦course, and also a more pregnant facultie to commend it, then I am able to afforde.

In the first place, order requireth, that we show•• the state of these 7 persons af∣flicted, before we come vnto them, which was most strange and fea•• full, and howe it came so to passe, and of the coutinuance of it for th•• space of two yeares and more: all which may plainly appeare by this which followeth.

At Cl••worth in Lancashire within the parish of Leigh, there dwelleth one Ni∣cholas Starkie gentleman, who maried a gentle woman that was an inheretrix, and of whose kinred some were papistes, of whom some partly for Religion, and part∣lie for that the lande descended not to the heires male, wished and vowed stil to pray for the perishing of her issue, and accor∣dingly 4 of her children (though at their birth likely to lin••) yet afterward pined a∣way in most strange maner.

Some of M_rs Starkies kinred observing how one childe pined away after another, moued with cōpassion, told Mistrers Star∣kie of the said vnnatural vowe, she here ••∣pon conceyued such a grief, that she made an estate of her lande to her husband & his heires, (all issue fayling her selfe.) After which conveyance made, Mistres Starkie had two children, a sonne and a daughter, both which prospered well, till they came to 10 or 12 yeares of age, but thē with siue moe in her family, they were possessed and vexed with evill spirites, as the sequele doeth declare.

In the beginning of February 1594: first Anne the daughter was taken with a dum∣pishe heavie countenance, and with a cer∣tain fearfull starting & pulling together of her-bodie. About a weeke after, Iohn Star∣kie the sonne was taken as he was going to schole, and was compelled to showte vehe∣mentlie, not being able to stay him selfe. After this they waxed worse and worse, fal∣ling into often strange & extreame fittes.

Wherewith M. Starkie grieved & having bin at charges 200 lb. or therabouts, soght remedie without due regard, (for to speake of no more) he went to a Seminarie Priest, who could do no good, because (forsooth)

he had not then his bookes, wherevpon M. Starkie cōtinued stil seeking for helpe: and heard of one Edmond Hartley a witch whom hee made acquainted with the state of his children, and with large offers craved his helpe: in the end Hartley con∣sented to come. Who being there, and ha∣uing vsed certayne popish charmes and hearbes, by degrees, the children were at quiet, & so continued, seeming to be well almost a yeare and a halfe; All which time Hartley came often to visit thē, at length he fayned as though he would goe into another countrie, but whither M. Starkie might not know, and when hee began to goe his way, Iohn Starkie fell a bleeding, and Hartley comming to him, saied, if he had bene but 40 roodes from him, none could haue staunched him, and thus it fell out at other times.

M. Starkie then fearing least his chil∣dren would be much troubled in his ab∣sence, & he vncertaine where to find him, offered to giue 40. shillings a yeare penti∣on for his assistance in time of need, which offer at the first hee consented to accepte, but afterward not satisfied, hee coueted more (house and ground:) which whē M. Starkie refused to giue, he threatned in a

fume in the absence of M. Sta••kie, but in the hearing of many, that if he would not fulfill his minde, hee would m••••k such a showre at Clew••rth, as neuer was heard, which was also ••ffected in such a hideous and fearfull maner, as the like in England hath not bene heard.

After this Mai. Sta••kie going to his Fa∣thers house, this Hartley went with him, who being there after he was in bed, was tormented sore all night longe: the next day being recouered, he went into a little wood not farre off from the house where he made a Circle the compas of a yard and halfe, with many crosses and partitions, which being finished he came back to call M. Starkie, telling him what he had done, and desired him to goe and tread out his circle, for he said he might not doe it him selfe. This beeing also dispatched, well quoth hee, now I shall trouble him that troubled me, and be meete with him that sought my death.

Whē M. Starkie perceyued this, & many other bad qualities in this fellowe, he wa∣red weatie of him, especially seeing no a∣mendment in his children but that they rather became worse and worse, hee then sought (though secretlie) for other helpe

to the Phisitions: after that to one Doctor Dee at Manchester, who wished Ma•• Star∣kie to craue the helpe & assistance of some godlie Preacher, with whom hee should ioyne in prayer and fasting, for the helpe of his children.

He procured also the saide Hartley the Witch to come before him, whom hee so sharplie reprooved, that the children had better rest for some 3 weekes after.

But then they began their accustomed fittes: first Iohn Starkie about the 4 of Ia∣nuarie 96. as he was reading of a booke, something gaue him such a thumpe in the necke, that he was suddenly striken down with a most horrible skrike, and said that Satan had broken his necke, lying there pitifullie tormented for the space of two houres.

At night on the same day being in bed, he leapt out on a suddaine with such a ter∣rible outcry, that amazed them all, being tossed and tumbled a long time, being ex∣ceeding fierce and strong like a mad man, or rather like a madd dogge, that I may so speake, snatching at and biring euerie bo∣die that laide hold on him, not sparing in that fit•• his owne mother: sm••ing furi∣ously all that came neare him, hu••ling the

bed staues at their heades, and throwing the pillowes into the fire.

His sister Anne likewise beganne again to be troubled, & three other yong girles in the house, of whom Mai. Starkie had the education, with their portions com∣mitted vnto him by their parēts. The first was Margret Hurdman of 14 yeares age: the second Ellinor her sister of 10 yeares: the third Ellen Holland of 12 yeares, these all had many strange and sore fittes being possessed by this witches meanes: His ma∣ner was when he ment them a mischiefe, then he would kisse them if he could, and therewith breathe the Devil into their bo∣dies: he kissed Iohn Starkie, and all the maydes that were possest, Margret Byrom, Iane Ashton, & all: he strugled much with one Ioan Smith to haue kissed her, but with much a doe she escaped his handes, so that of all the maide seruants, she onely was preserued and not once troubled at al. Wherevpon Ellinor said in one of her fits, that if Edmond had kissed her, three men could not haue held her.

Margret Byrom of 33 yeares, a kins∣woman to Mistres Starky, comming to. Cleworth to see her friendes, in her conti∣nuance there beganne to be troubled like

the rest, & by the same meanes; for Hart∣ley the Witch beeing in a sore fitt in the night, she in a desire to comfort him, went into his chamber and sat down by his bed side, and beganne to speake vnto him, and it was not long before he rose vp, and sit∣ting vppon his bed, hee leaned his heade downe to the maide who satt iust vnder∣neath him, wherevpon she was suddenlie taken that shee could neither stande nor speake; when she endevoured to arise, she could not; when others held her vp, shee sunke downe & became senceles: but Ed∣mond the Witch lefte her and went to another rowme, and he had no moe fittes after while he was at Cleworth, though he had divers before he met with this maide.

Iane Ashton of the age of xxx yeres, be∣ing the last that was possest, confessed, that once crossing of Edmond, hee tolde her, she had best be content, or ells hee would anger the best vaine in her harte: at other times she said, he offered great kindnes & large promisses in the way of mariage, and had kissed her also: the like loving affe∣ctions he sometimes shewed to Margret By∣rom, as she confessed, and had kissed her also as it was thought.

About the 14 of lanuarie, the 5 yongest

sort began the renewing of their straunge fitts, entring ordinarilie thereinto by a ve∣rie suddaine and fearfull skriking, bar∣king & howling, in such a hideous noyse, as can not be expressed.

Shortlie after this time, Margret Byrom hasted homeward to her mothers house at Salford neare Manchester, hoping to finde some more ease and release from her fittes then she did at Cleworth: shee taking her leaue, Edmond the witch saide he would goe with her home though he never came again, so she went accompanied with him and another: in the way being 7 miles, she had 10 fittes: when she was recouered, she desired Edmond to tell her how she might be holpen; he tolde her plainlie, that both she and the rest were past his handes, and that no one man could do them any good, it was too great a worke, but they must be 3, or 2 at the least with feruent and hartie prayer.

After she came home, her fittes doubled and still encreased, Edmond came to her euery day: so soone as she saw him she fell straight into a fitt, and therein sorer hand∣led then euer she was before. There came in diuers to see her, and some Preachers, who founde Edmond with her, and suspe∣cting

him by some signes, asked himwhat he did with the maid, he said that he came to pray with her. Pray! quoth one, why man thou canst not pray: yes but I can, quoth he: say then the Lords prayer, saide the Preacher: and he began to fumble a∣bout it verie ilfavouredlie; but could not for his life say it to the ende. They then thought him to be a witch, & caused him presentlie to be apprehēded, and brought before 2 Iustices of peace, where hee was examined, and after diuers witnesses had come against him, the Iustices sent him backe to Margret Byrom, that she might accuse him to his face; but so soone as she saw him, straightway she fell down back∣wards and became speechles, this was try∣ed the second time, yea 5 times was hee brought to her, & she was euer cast down, and striken dumbe, so that shee could not speake one word against him.

Yet when he was taken away, and set be∣hinde the backes of the people, shee reco∣uered her self, began to speake to him, & to charge him with many thinges, vppon which accusations of hers, & many other testimonies taken against him for witche∣rie, he was by the Iustices sent to Lancaster Iayle. In the way thitherward, he came by

Cleworth to fetch his clothes to carrie with him: the 2 of Februarie 1597. and all the children seeming to be well before he came, presently they fell into verie violent and outragious fittes; they made at him al at once, offring to strike him; It was much a doe for two strong men to hold the least of them; and if they had not bene forcibly restrayned, the witch had bene in great daunger, for they were so fierce and furi∣ous against him, as if they would haue pulled him in pieces.

After this, about y^e beginning of March, when Ma. Hopwood Iustice of peace came of purpose to take the testimonie of these 5 children against Edmonde the witch, to carrie to Lancaster at the Assises to further his inditement, thē these 5 euerie one be∣came speachles, and beeing called for one after another, they fell and sunke downe by the way, not being able to goe, nor to stande, nor speake one word. After the Iu∣stice was gone, they complayned that Ed∣mond had stopt their mouthes, & would not suffer them to speake.

At the same time Iane Ashton began to howle, and to barke, when shee should be brought in for a witnes against Edmond, wherevpon one of the yonger girles saide

then in her fitt: Ah Edmond, doest thou trouble her now, when shee should testifie against thee.

Margret Byrom also two nightes before her examination against Edmond, had di∣uers apparitions, wherin she was sore ter∣rified by the Deuill in Edmonds likenes, charging her deepely to take heede what she said against him, for now the time was come.

And when the Assises came, Edmonde was brought forth, arraigned, and convi∣cted: Mai. Starkie having charged him with bewitching his children, which hee proved sufficientlie, & made it evident to the whole bench: howbeit (for that) they could finde no law to hange him, where∣vpon M. Starkie called to minde the ma∣king of the circle (whereof we haue alrea∣die spoken) which being deliuered vpon his oath, was receyued. Yet Edmond stif∣lie denied it, and stoode out against him, and tolde him to his face, that hee should not hang him, let him doe what he could, (for the Devill had promised him, that no halter should hange him) yet the Iurie cast him; the Iudge cōdemned him, Hart∣ley was hanged & the halter brake, wher∣vpon he penitentlie confessed, that he had

deserued that punishment, and that all which M. Starkie had charged him with, was true, and so he was hanged out the second time.

Now this being so, as you haue heard, howe detestable then is that Discouerie which is come out, fraught with so manie fraudulent accusations against this cause, specially charging these 7 persons to be al counterfaits, & that M. Darrel had taught them that deceitfull trade, coupling mee equallie with him in that craftie iuglinge (as they call it,) making vs bewitching mates, and ioint companions, working to∣gether in that cousinage. Against which infamous sclaunder, that which hitherto hath bene observed, is sufficient to cleare vs. For herein wee haue seene the parties proved to be bewitched. Secōdly the par∣ties bewitching every one of them. Third lie, the causes therof mentioned in the be∣ginning. Fourthly, diuerse & sundry wit∣nesses. Fiftly, his apprehēding, examining, imprisoning, indighting, condemning, & executing, are vpon recorde. Moreover, the Iurie, the Iudge, and the Bench, toge∣ther with the whole Assises holdē at Lan∣caster, about the 6 of March Anno 1597: doe all beare witnes to our innocency and

doe iustifie vs to be iuste men, concerning this matter, and with greate indignation, doe detest and defie all detecting discoue∣ries to the contrarie whatsoeuer: And last of all, that memorable execution of Ed∣mond Hartley the coniurer & witch, who was hanged with a witnes: the gallowes, the halter, and his dubble hanging, toge∣ther with that last and famous confession out of his owne mouth, that hee was the man that had done the deede, and onely guiltie of bewitching these 7 seuerall par∣ties, and of sending evill spirits into them. This famous champion doth chaleng this discouerer to bee but a deceivable detra∣ctour, and a false accuser of the brethren: And is also most sufficient to cleare vs in this matter, against all Atheistes and Papistes, and the whole worlde. And thus much shal suffice for the first point.

The second part.

THe second thing that must bee cleared in this Discourse, is the possession of these 7 persons, to which purposel wil pro¦ceede to shew the straunge signes acted by euery one of thē in particular first, & after cōtract them more briefly in the general, by which I hope it will appeare to the in∣different Reader, that such great thinges were done by thē, as be very harde & vn∣vsual quite beyond the nature of things, & such as neither by arte, nor any humaine skil could be coūterfaited: that as the first part of this Discourse hath cleared vs from counterfaiting; so this may be sufficient to prove the truth of their possession, con∣trarie to that overbolde, & confident con∣futation made by the discouerer, who la∣boreth both toth and nayle, to crosse and contradict the same.

Frist Iohn Starkie sonne and heire of M. Nicholas Starkie, among sundrie fitts had some very rare and strang, wherein he shewed very extraordinary knowledge, for he being but of the age of 12 yeres, or there abouts, did in his traunce declare the

straunge sinnes of this land committed in all estates & degrees of people, denounced the fearfull iudgements of God due vnto them. He thē exhorted his parents, & the people there present to repent, that they might avoide all those grievous plagues, and wished that all the whole land might doe the like. After this hee made a most excellēt prayer, first for the whole church, then for the Queenes Maiestie for the sub∣duing of her enemies, for the continuance of her life, and peaceable governement, for the vpholding of the Gospell, and for all the true Ministers of Christe, for those that haue Authoritie, for his parents, and all the people of God. In this exhortation & prayer, he continued aboue two houres performing the same so excellently both for the matter and maner of handling and vttering the same, as they that heard it did admire it, & thought that a good preacher could very hardly haue done the like, this being done, he sunge a good peece of the 4 Psalme in a most sweete and heavenly tune, as ever might be heard. All this was done in a traunce, his eyes being closed vp, & neither knew what he said nor did; In this longe and continued speach, his father wished him to lie stil, & to speak no

more: saying vnto him, sonne, thou mar∣rest thy head, and canst not tell what thou sayest: yes father, quoth hee, I know well what I say: then said his father, thou canst tel me how many persons be in this cham∣ber and what bee their names: therevpon he reckoned them, and told the names of euery one of them, to the number of 18 or 19 his eyes being close shut vp, as they had bene all the morning before, the neigh∣bours, and some straungers hauing come in after he begunne his fitt, and in the end he said vnto his father, there is now one of your Tenaūts newly come into the cham∣ber, he told him his name, & that he dwelt farre of in the peak, let him come said he, and take me by the hand, and I shal see & be well for this time, & so it came to passe, at which they all marveilled, and asked him whether he remembred what he had said all that long time: and he denied flat∣lie, that he had spoken any thing at all.

Secondly, Margret Hurdmā, of the age of xiij. yeres, being in a traūce of 3 houres long, and possessed at that time, as it see∣med, with a spirit of pride, did most liuely expresse both by wordes and gestures, the proud women of our times: who can not cōtent themselues with any sober or mo∣dest

attire, but are euer readie to followe euery newe and disguised fashion, and yet neuer thinke them selues fine enough: wherevpon she saide, come on my lad, for so shee called the spirit that stoode before her in that likenes, to teach her all the trickes of pride, come on and set my part∣let on the one side as I doe on the other: and as she was a setting of it, she said vnto him, thus, my lad, I wil haue a fine smock of silke, it shalbe finer then thine. I will haue a peticote of silke, not of redd, but of the best silke that is: it shalbe garded a foote high; it shalbe laide on with golde lace; it shall haue a french bodie, not of Whalebone, for that is not stiffe inough, but of horne, for that will holde it our; it shal come low before, to keepe in my bel∣lie: my lad, I will haue a French fardin∣gale, it shalbe finer then thine; I will haue it low before and high behinde, & broad on eyther side, that I may lay my armes vpon it. My lad, thy gowne is crimson sat∣ten, but mine shalbe of blacke wrought velvet, it shalbe finer thē thine, I will haue my sleeues set out with wire, for sticks wil breake, and are not stiffe inough. I will haue my perwincle so fine, finer thē thine. I will haue my cappe of black velvet with

a feather in it, with slewes of gold, and my hayres shalbe sett with pearles, finer then thine. I will haue my partlet set with a re∣bater, and starcht with blew starch, & pin∣ned with a rowe or twoo of pinnes. With this she snatched the partlet frō her necke and threw at him, saying: Take it thou, for I can not make it so fine as thine. I pray thee come and helpe me to set it as fine as thine. My ladde, I will have a buske of Whale-bone, it shalbe tyed with two silke points, and I will haue a drawen wrought stomacher imboste with golde, & a girdle of golde finer then thine. I will haue my hose of orenge colour, this is in request, & my corke shoes of redd spanish leather, fi∣ner then thine. I will haue a skarfe of red silke, with a gold lace about the edge. I will haue a fanne, with a silver steale and a glasse sett in it, finer then thine. My lad, thou must bring me a paire of gloues of the finest leather, that may be, with twoo gold laces about the thumbe, and a fringe on the toppe with flewes and red silke vn∣derneath, that I may draw them through a gold ringe, or els I will none of them.

My lad, I will haue my basine and ewer of siluer, and my towel of silke, finer then thine: I will haue my gelding and saddle

and furniture fitte, my footstoole also fine and braue, or els I will not ride, I wil haue my cloake and savegarde laide with lace most fine and braue, and finer then thine, and presentlie after this, she saide, I defye thee Satan and thy pride, for this is thy il∣lusion and deceite, I will none of it, and then reverting saide, Iesus blesse me, but remembred nothing that shee had eyther saide or done.

At another time in her fitt shee went to the maides as they were washing of cloa∣thes, and beganne to wash with them, and though they were two lustie women, and she but a yong girle, yet shee washt more for the space of an hower so quicke and so fine, that they could not come neare her.

The; is Margret Byron, of whom there be many things worthie to bee obserued: Shee being at Mai. Starkies house about the ende of Ianuary, was for the space of a whole day and a night grievouslie mole∣sted & sore frighted with a terrible vision which appeared vnto her lying in bedde, (swelling & tumbling) like a fowle black dwarfe, with halfe a face, longe shagged haire, blacke broad handes, & blacke clo∣ven feete; she ever fearing least he came to carrie her away: and when shee began to

pray, he threatned that if she did pray, he would carrie her away: shee was in such a straite, that she knew notwhat to do, whe∣ther to pray or not to pray: yet in the ende shee resolved that shee would pray to the Lord, for her helpe was onely in him, who indeed gaue her strength and courage to call earnestly vnto him; presenthe Sathan remoued and vanished away.

At her mothers house at Salforde, sixe times within 6 weekes Sathan sought to pine her, in not suffering her to eate nor drinke for diuers dayes togither: and if at the earnest request of her friendes shee did offer to drinke, he would cast both her & the drinke downe togither. And againe at other times shee would eate vp all, were it neuer so much: with such snatching and greedines, like a hungrie d••gge: all was fishe that came to net; she spared nothing, deuouring all that came, and yet still cry∣ing that she had nothing: she thought she could haue eaten vp halfe a calfe: and yet after that great abundance of meate and drinke, her bellie seemed as emptie as at the first, so that they all wondered at that which she had eaten, and marveiled also which way it went.

Sometimes also the spirit would appeare

vnto her in the likenes of a great blacke dog, with opēmouth, & the greatestchaine that euer she saw, beeing verie thicke and longe, drawing it after him, wherewith he did crosse her, and tooke her legges from vnder her; shee had little rest for the space of 6 weekes, eyther day or night: yea ina∣nie times when the people stood round a∣bout her, she was taken suddenlie and vi∣olentlie cast headlong sometimes vnder the bed, sometimes vnder the cofers, and sometimes throwen to the barres of the fire, and there aid as if Satan m••nt to rost her. When she sat vpon a stoole, he would suddenlie throwe het quite back warde, as if he ment to haue broken her necke.

After this he appeared in ••••e likenes of a big black Cat, with very fen••full broad eyes, which came staring her in the face, rūning by her and about her, and chrow∣ing her downe, and leaving her senseles, departed. And about halfe an houre after that fi••t, the spirit came like a big Mouse, leaping vpon her knee, and cast her down backwarde, as before, her sences being ta∣ken from her; her eyes close shurt vp, her tongue pluckt duble into her throte, her mouth open, her chawes sett, and all her whole body stretched out as stiffe as iron:

And thus she lay many times for the spaed of an houre as a spectacle very fearfull to beholde.

It was vsuall also with the spirit to come vnto her in the night in the likenes of a blacke man with half a face, which tooke her iust as she was going to bed, & would be sure to picke her backwarde: and shee being recovered and got into her bed, it would come and sit vpon the toppe of her head, holding his 4 fingers vpon her fore∣head very heavie, holding her very strait, that she could not see nor stirre, yet for all that was her kirchefe and headgeare pul∣led of, and though they had tyed it vp, and bound it on very fast, yet suddenly in a moment he pluckt all a sunder, and her hayre that was so fast tyed vp, was broken loose, and brought about her eares, and this was tryed twice or thrice in a night, that when they had done the best they could to keepe it on, yet in the twinke of an eye, it was all vndone, he marred their worke in that point, and they lost all their labour: and ever when he tooke his leaue and departed, his maner was to give her great thumpe on the hinder part of her heade, insomuch that with those thumpes she felt her head sore a good while after.

She at another time, learned; verie excel∣lent graces by the apparition & instructi∣on of the spirit: she neuer could read, nor euer heard the before in all her life, as she protested, yet she learned them vppon the suddaine, and did rehearse them all three verie perfectlie, and so it is like she can do till tis day.

About the 10 of Febrn. & at some other times before, she felt (as she thought) some great thing rowle vp & downe in her bel∣lie, like a calfe; it prickt as if the head and nose thereof had bene full of nayles (as she thought) wherwith being sore payned she was compelled to skrike, shee was excee∣dingly swolne by it, & somtimes it pulled her as she thought in a hundred peeces, it made a loude noyse in her bellie, like that in the bellie of a great trotting horse; it caused her to barke and houle: then it would plumpe downe into her bodie, like a cold long whetstone on her left side, wherevpon the rest of her bodie was be∣numed with an extreame colde, wherewith she fell a quaking, her teeth also chatte∣ring in her head, and if then she offered to warme her self at the fire, she was present∣ly picked backward; after these fitts her breath stanke so ill, that her neighbours

came not neare her for the space of a day and a night, yea it was so exceeding noy∣some that after the fitt, she her self could perceiue it & could very hardly endure it.

Further to finishe this particular, six se∣uerall times in her fits at Cleworth, euery time six spirits appeared to her: 5 of them very black, fowler then blackmores, mar∣veylous vglie to beholde: these she ••••••ei∣ued shoueing and thrusting into her great nayles to torment her (as shee thought) wringing and bending of her, as if they would breake her backe bone: the other spirite was in her eyes, like a very faire litle childe, so fine and comely as ever might be seen, (which she said) sat euer next her, & would say vnto her, feare not, for thou shalt haue no harme: and for that it was so amiable, she was euer catching & coueting to take it, but her hand being stayed by some that stood by, straight she was sorer troubled, and fell a tossing and tumbling, as at other times.

Ellen Holland and Ellinor Hurdman, the one being 10, the other 12 yeares of age, were both of them (by the malice of Satan) kept fasting for the space of 3 dayes and 3 nights, for so long time they remay∣ned senceles, & did neither eat nor drink

any thing: wherein hee laboured they might both of them perish and pine away. And when the third night was come, Eilen Hollande called for the houre glasse, and tolde them, shee must now haue a fitt, and must not come out of it for the space of foure houres, shee then called for a distaffe and a spindle, & bad them turne the glasse, for thee would spinne an houre and a halfe of that time. And though shee was but a child, & as it were but beginning to learne to spinne, yet she did it at that time so fine∣lie & with such expedition, as was thought impossible for a verie skilful woman to do the like, and gaue ouer iust at the ende of the appointed time, and then had she most cruell and terrible fittes, till the glasse had runne out the rest of the time, and reverted iust at the foure houres end, as before shee had said: but what shee had said or done in all this time, that she remembred not.

Likewise Ellinor Hurdman tolde them that she must haue a fit of 3 houres longe, shee called for the houre glasse, bad them turne it and marke it well, shee presenthe with the turning of the glasse fell into a traunce, her eyes close shut vp, and her face turned quite from the glasse, the other way: Notwithstanding shee measured the

time most distinctly as the glasse did runne deviding the houre into 4 quarters, by very iust & equall proportions, according as it was most duelie obserued, she recko∣nod it her selfe, and named euery quarter as it had runne out: saying thus, a quarter runne, half houre runne, 3 quarters runne, and the fourth time, turne the glasse: euen iust when it had runne out; and so did she the second time and missed not; and the 3 likewise till it was out, and then iust with the very time she reverted and saide, Iesus blesse me, & so was restored for that tyme. Among all the strange thinges acted by them, there was none better marked then this, it was done in the day, in the presence of many witnesses, M. Starkie himself the man that did chieflie obserue it, and to the best ayme he could giue, the quarters were most equally deuided, and the proportion most iust in the measure: At which they all marueiled greatly, and could not chuse but impute this supernaturall skill to the work of Satan, who aswell by his straung and cunning suggestions, as by other en∣forced signes, doth make it evident, that that working subiect is in his power, and possession.

Furthermore Iohn Starkie, Anne Star∣kie,

Ellen Holland, and Ellinor Hurdman, these 4 had the vse of their legges taken from them, for the space of 7 houres, and being so, all that time, they went vpō their hands and their knees onely, out of one chamber into an other, and that as fast, as if they had had the vse of their feete: they could rest in no place, but went without ceasing all that while, they could leape vp from the flore to the bed, & down frō the bed to the flore, hopping so vp and downe, as lightlie, like froggs, and so continued for the space of 7 houres, at the least.

This time being out, they were restored to the vse of their feete, but yet still remai∣ned both sencelesse & speachles, in which case they all 4 went into the garden, and forthwith euery one of them gathered one leafe of euery kinde of hearbe that grew therein, from the greatest to the least, they missed not one even to the very grasse: which being done, they came againe into the house, and then they went first into the hall, then into the parlour, and then into every chamber in the house, excep∣ting one which was lockt, & there in the windowes of these seuerall rowmes, euery one of them laid downe one leaf, of the same kind of hearbe which they had ga∣thered,

for looke where any one of them did lay downe one, there all the rest would lay downe another of the same sort, and no moe nor no other.

Now marke the straungnes of this acte, which howsoeuer it seeme in it self to be but a trifle, yet in the trial of it, it wil proue a wonder, if the circumstances bee duely cōsidered: for first, the herbes were many, seeing the garden is large. Secondly, the rowmes were many, for it is a gentlemans house, and it is of good receipte. Thirdly, they were 4, and they were but children, the eldest was not aboue 12 yeares olde, & yet that they should gather of euery sort, one leafe only and no more. Fourthly, that the hearbes being mingled altogether in their hands, yet that euery one did most quicklie, & readilie, without any searching at all, lay down the right hearbe, so that in euery place there where euer 4 iust of one and the same kind. Lastly, and that which is the chiefest of all, that all this (as was duely obserued) was done and dispatched within lesse then one houre, in so diuers rowmes and sundry places, yea vpon the stayres and thresholds of these rowmes, & in their own chamber where they lay thē∣selues, not only in euery window, but a∣gainst

euery staunch of the windowe were these herbes thus laid downe in maner a∣foresaid.

This was searched & found to be thus speedly and exactly done, as is abouseaid, which thing if it should haue bene perfor∣med by other 4 of good discretion, the cir∣cumstances considered, it would haue bin the work of a whole day, & yet not so excel∣lently performed, as it was by these: which when they did it, were all out of their right mindes, not knowing at all what they did, in so much that when they came out of their traunce, they merveiled where they had bene, & could not be perswaded that they had done this straunge thinge, though it was shewed vnto them by plaine demonstration.

These 4 also in another traunce, did daunce so finely, as if they had come out of the dauncing schole, one of the yongest playing with her mouth as cunningly for the present, as if she had bene a minstrell.

It was further obserued, that in those times when these were so subiect to haue their fits very often and very thicke, and to before vexed, and tormented, yet for all that if they went ••o cardes or othe•• games they were not troubled at all, during the

whole time of their playing and gaming and though they went from home being requested to a gentlemans house to heare a play, yet all that while, they were not troubled, nor one whitte disquieted, but contrariwise if either scriptures were read, or prayers vsed for them, or exhortations applyed vnto them, then ordinarily they fell into their fitts, and were very fearfully tormented. Insomuch that for the space of two yeares or there-abouts, till they were deliuered, they neuer came to the church, only for feare to increase their torments.

Moreouer the 4 yongest girles being possest with scorning spirites in the day of their dispossession, and in the time of the last sermon did shew the same: for when the word was applied vnto them, shewing what straunge things Satan worketh in the children of disobedience, as grining and gnashing of teeth, staring with their eyes, making mowes with their lips, thrusting out their tōgues, & drawing their mouths awrye very vgly, &c. It is most certaine that as these particulars were named, one after another, so they all foure did in actiō answere the word of God which was spo∣ken, shewing such vnsemely gestures, fear∣full lookes, & vglie coūtenances in euery

particular, and in the very same instant & point of time when they were named. And though not one of them did see what an∣other did, yet for all that, they did iumpe so right in shewing and setting out these vnseemly signes, as that it could verie hardly bee discerned, which of them all 4 was first or last in performing of the same. Further such was the great and extraordi∣nary strength that were in these 4 in the time of their fitts, that though some of thē were but of the age of x or xj yeares, yet two or three strōg men, could hardly hold one of them.

And that these two yongest and some of the rest, though they were vnlearnd and neuer went to schole, yet in their fitts they were able to make answer to latin questi∣ons propounded vnto them, so truely and readily, as if they had soundly vnderstood them. And herein were they tried sundry times. And if now they should be exami∣ned therein, they can neither answer nor vnderstande one worde.

There be also many other very strange things acted by euery one of these in par∣ticular, which if they should be set downe euery one, they would fill a large volume, for brevities sake therfore the most things

be omitted. And this also is most certaine, that very many straunge thinges, and as wonderfull as anie that heere haue bene spoken of, were lost, and let slippe for want of heede, and good observation.

Nowe it is worthie to bee marked, that though these possessed persons, had euery one, some thinges peculiar to them selues which none of the rest did shew, and that so rare & straunge, that all the people were forced to confesse it was the worke of an euill spirite within them: so had they also many thinges in cōmon one with another, and were in their fittes for the most parte handled alike.

1 They had all and euery one of them very straunge visions, and fearfull appariti∣ons, wherevpon they would say: looke where Satan is: looke where Beelzebub is: looke where Lucifer is looke wher a great blacke dogge is, with a firebrand in his mouth: see how Satan runneth at me with a speare in his hande to sticke mee to the hart, but God will defend me.

2 They had euery one of them two spi∣rits at the least, one to torment them in∣wardly, with all the torments of hell, as i•• were, for the present, and eyther one o•• more to stand before their faces, most vgly

and terrible to beholde, to driue them into all feare and astonishment.

3 They heard verie hideous and fearfull voices of the spirits sundrie times, and did make marveillous aunsweres backe a∣gaine vnto them verie directlie and stranglie.

4 They were in their fittes ordinarilie holden in that captiuitie & bondage, that for an houre, two, or three, & longer time they should neither see nor heare nor tast, nor feele nothing but the Divells, they imploying them whollie for them selues, vexing and tormenting them so extream∣lie, as that for the present they could feele no other paine or torture that could bee offered vnto them; no not though you should plucke an eare from the head, or an arme from the bodie.

5 They all of them were taken sudden∣lie, with a verie fearfull schriking, and a marveilous straunge howling and show∣ting, making a noise, as it were to call on, and to waken one another, that so the spi∣rites being raised vpp, might goe to their worke, and proceed to torment their sub∣iectes according to their custome; when one beganne, they all followed after in or∣der, observing time and tune, as it had bin

the ringing of vij. Bells, and such was the straungnes of these voyces, that the vtte∣ring and framing of them, exceeded all cunning invention, or the skill of anie counterfaite imitation, and the effect also so fearfull, that it was both terrible and troublesome to the whole Countrie, and wrought a wonderfull astonishment in all that heard it.

6 Further they all of them had their bo∣dies swolne to a wonderfull huge bignes, and almost incredible, if there had not bin many eye-witnesses vnto it.

7 They had also a marveilous sore hea∣ving and lifting, as if their heartes would burst, so that with violent strayning of thē selues, some of them vomited much bloud many times.

8 They had their faces dissigured, and turned towardes their backes, a fearfull thrusting out of their tougues with a most vglie distorting of their mouthes, being drawen vp, as it were vnto their eares.

9 They were all of them verie fierce, offering violence both to them selves and others, wherein also they shewed verie great and extraordinarie strength.

10 They blasphemed God, and the Bi∣ble; they reviled the Preachers; rayled v∣pon

such as feared God; scorned all holy prayers, & wholesome exhortations, whi∣che being offered and applied vnto them, they euer became much worse.

11 They for the most part delighted in filthie & vnsavorie speaches, verie aggtea∣ble to the nature of that vncleane spirite which then dwelled within them; in so∣much as in the verie sermon time, when such vnseemelie behauiour was spoken a∣gainst, the evill spirit wrought most mali∣tiously and spitefullie against the grace of God, and forced one of them (though she was a maide) to vtter opēlie in the hearing of the people, such filthie vncleanes, as is not to be named.

12 The most of them were both blinde, deafe, and dumbe, for diuers dayes togi∣ther.

13 They were out of their right mindes, without the vse of the sences, especiallie voyde of feeling; as much sence in a stock as in one of them: or as possible in a man∣ner to quicken a dead man, as to alter or chaunge them in their traunces, or fittes, in any thing that they eyther said or did.

14 They were kept fasting a long time, and diuers of them for the space of three dayes and 3 nightes, did neither eate, nor

drinke anie thing, Satan purposing there∣by to procure their pining away.

15 They in their fitts had diuers partes and members of their bodies so stiffe and stretched out, as were inflexible, or verie hard to be bended.

16 They shewed very great and extraor∣dinarie knowledge, as may appeare by the strange things said and done by them, ac∣cording to that which we haue alreadie set downe in the particulars.

17 They all in the ende of euerie sit, said euer thus IESƲS blesse me, yea though they had 40 or a 100 fittes in one day, as it is certaine some of them had, yet they neuer missed to saye thus, but as sure as they had a fitt, whether it were short, or long, so sure it was, that it should bee en∣ded, with this prayer, IESƲS blesse me, this was euer a sure signe, that they were restored to the vse of their sences for that time, which neuer failed.

18 They euer after their fits, were as wel as might be, an felt verie little or no hurt at all; although they had bene neuer so sore tormented immediatlie before.

Now this harmonie & consent in signes and actions, both for the matter & maner of strange handling of all these in their se∣uerall

fits, doth make it evident, that they were all really and corporally possessed.

Notwithstanding that is true, which is obiected, namely, that sundry of these si∣gnes, may be in one that is not possessed: for one may see very fearfull sights, and straung apparitions, and may be haunted with evil spirits, & driuen into great feares and frights, and yet not be possessed.

Another may be both lame and blind, and dumbe and deafe.

The third may bee very fierce, offering violence, both to themselues ond others.

The fourth may gnash and fome, and stare with his eyes, and fall downe fearful∣lie, and suddenly, & lye as if he were dead.

And so it may be said of diuers others, whiche may manie other wayes bee verie strangly handled, and yet not one of them truely possessed.

The reason is because that when sundry of these signes, are seuered from the rest, and goe alone by them selues, or ells are found but two or three, or some few togi∣ther, then such signes may arise, as effects from some other workinge cause in the subiect, or from the immediate hande of God, or some other way.

But when all these signes shall concurre

and meete together in one man, or the most of these, being ioyned with any one acte aboue the power of nature, as super∣naturall knowledge, and extraordinarie strength, or anie such impossible worke, then if it shalbe examined, eyther accor∣ding to the scriptures, or histories, or rea∣son it selfe, it will prooue a verie sounde and corporall possession: And so by conse∣quence the great varietie of strange signes and supernaturall actes, performed by these 7. and shewed aswell in everie particular, as in those thinges which they had in common one with another, doth ea∣silie conclude a verie true and sound possession.

The third part.

The 3 part of this discourse cōcernes our comming to Mai. Starkies house, & the occasion thereof, how we came to haue to deale with these 7 persons; our entrance into, and our whole cariage in that action; whiche beeing truelie sett downe, may serue to discharge vs of those grievous calumniations cōtayned in the discouerie: charging vpō vs both the names and practize of cousiners, juglers, exorcistes, imposters, &c.

FIRST then the continuance of these troubles in Mai. Starkies house: the re∣membrance of Doct. Dees coūsell, to send for some Preachers: the imprisoning of Edmond the Witch in Lancaster Iayle: the hearing of the Boy of Burton, who being strangelie afflicted, receyued helpe & de∣liuerance by M. Darrells advise: vpō these occasions, Mr. Starkie sent for M. Darrell 3 seuerall times before he came, hee euer imparted the newes vnto the brethren as it came to his hand, because he would at∣tempt nothing in those cases without very

good advisement, and lawfull consent. In the end it was concluded, that hee should goe: and thought fit, that I also should go with him, as a companion in the iourney, and a witnes to all his proceedings accor∣ding to his owne request.

This being done, M. Darr: wrote his let∣ter to M. Starkie, wherin he promised that aftter some present and important busines was dispatched, he would come, and visite him; desiring with all, the assistance of some faithful Ministers about M. Starkie, especially his Pastour to ioyne with vs.

This letter M. Starkie reade in the pre∣sence of Iohn Starkie his sonne, and some other: after which time, he, the said Iohn, had no fit at all, till the day of our cōming thither; the rest had some little fitts, but not so grieuous as before: in which fitts they would say to the spirit, thou naughtie lad, thou makest vs sicke, for thou knowest the Preachers will come shortlie.

So we hauing prepared our selues for this iourney, at the time appointed, wen•• towards Lancashire, where we neuer came in our liues before. And vpon Wednesday the xvj^th of March, about one of the clock wee came to Mai. Starkies house at Cle∣worth, who hearing that wee were come

Mistres Starkie with Iohn Star. her sonne, and Ann her daughter with some other of the family came forth to meete vs, and en∣terteyned vs with great ioye, and brought vs into the hall, where we found M. Star. himselfe, being then ready to rise from dinner, who after our welcome to him, commanded the meate to be brought a∣gaine, and desired vs to sirt downe at table, and so we did: Presently after praysing of God, wee began to enquire of M. Starkie, the state of his family, and asked him how they did: He answered, he thanked God, they were all much better then they had bene, but specially Iohn Starkie had bene well for a fortnight together, and not so much as once troubled, and Anne Star. his daughter had bin well divers dayes before our comming, without any firt at all, and the rest began to mend now since Edmond the witch was hanged; And both hee and his wife doubted not, but that they should now doe well. Which when wee hearde, wee suspected greatly Satans lurking in them: And desired to see those that were still troubled, which were especially three, who were all in the kitchin quiet; he cal∣led for them to come vp into the hall, and so they came: first the eldest came neare

vnto the table and made lowe courtesie, & presenthe in a moment was trowen into a chayre, about 3 yardes distant from the place where she stoode, where shee reared backward in the chaire as though she had ben a sleepe, her body stretched out to the furthest, and as stife as yron: This beeing done, in comes the seconde, who did like the first, and was suddenly cast to a table side, iust opposite against the other: After∣warde comes in the last, with both her handes closed to her face, & vttered these wordes, I am come to counsayle before I be called, and straight way while the word was in her mouth, she was stricken back∣ward to the forme-side, where shee satt all agaste like the rest. Herevpon we arose frō the table, beeing much amased at the strangnes of the sight, and came to behold them, and see in what maner they were vi∣sited. And after we had vewed them well, within a quarter of an houre, they al stood vp. And amōg many odd pleasant, though vnvsuall speaches, one of these three spake thus merily (about the hanging of Hartley the witch, who was newlie executed) doe they think that they could hange the De∣vill: I whish no, they might hange Edmōd, but they could not hange the Devill, for

they were two, Edmond and the Devill. And after they began to raile and revile and to strike both with handes and with feete, and could not be ruled till they were remoued into an vpper chamber, where they continued together, talking one to another, mocking and scorning such as held them downe, or said, or did any good vno them: And so they remayned, depri∣ued of the right vse of their sences, both speaking, and doing much evill, and yet vtterly ignorant and senceles in all that passed from them, so continuing from that houre being 2 a clock on the Wednesday till 6 at night vpon Thursday, when it pleased God to deliuer them and the rest.

Then we went into the garden, consul∣ting with M. Starkie, what was best to bee done. We agreed vpon this course, namely to take in hand the exercise of fasting and prayer the next day, considering with our selues where wee might haue some other Godly Preacher to ioyne with vs, to assist vs in that worke, We thought of diuerse, but in the end we made choyse of one M. Dickoms, the minister at Leigh, which is the Parish Church to M. Starkie. Where∣vpon we sent for him.

In the meane time we purposed to pre∣pare

the whole familie against the next day, to make them all as fit as we could for that holy worke: and chieflie that they might bee truely humbled, and sanctifi∣ed, that so wee might with the more cou∣rage and comfort ioyne with them the next day in fasting and prayer. But when some of the possessed were tried, they were found vncapable of all good counsayle & instruction, and yet had abilitie and pow∣er to resist & scorne the same. After some halfe houre spent this way with some of thē, the rest of the possessed were all come into the chamber: Margret Byrom was newly come from Manchester, whom Ma. Starkie had caused to be sent for, and Iane Ashton also, which before our comming was not much suspected: * 1.1 Yet shee that day in the morning had her belly swelled as bigge as a womā with childe, & straight vpon our comming, a straunge skriking and howling, as the rest had. So Mai. Star∣kie holding his sonne Iohn, and Mistresse Starkie her daughter Anna fast in their armes, Ma. Darrell began to exhort them. Presentlie Iohn Starkie and Anne, cryed out mightilie, with such outrageous roa∣ring and belling, that they could not of a

long time be restreyned. And Iohn Star∣kie being cast and holden downe vppon a bedd, was most fearfullie tormented, and so payned in his stomacke, and pulled in his belly, heaving & lifting, as if his heart would burst, wherevpon hee shedd manie bitter teares, and so continued, sometimes crying out exceeding loude, and some∣times in these tormēting fitts, to the great griefe of the beholders. And while we la∣boured to comfort them by exhortations, we were scorned by the first three that lay by vpon beddes in euery good worde that we spake, and they would take it into their mouthes, and mocke it: When we called for the Bible, they fell a laughing at it, and sayde, reach them the Bibble bable, bibble babbell, it went so round in their mouthes from one to another, and continued with manie other scorninges and filthie spea∣ches, that we could not bereaue them of it. Therevpon we purposed to leaue them for a while, exhorting againe Iohn Stat∣kie to trust in the Lorde; to bee patient in that affliction; to pray to God, and desired him to say after vs, the Lordes prayer: but he was the more tormented a great deale, and not a worde could he speake, but that scorner that lay next him, saide after vs,

nicknaming euery worde in the Lordes prayer, so farre as we went in it. For when we perceaued such horrible blasphemie, we durst not proceede but gaue ouer or euer we came to the end, being exceedinglie grieued, that they had despised such holy thinges as dogges and swine, that would if they could haue turned againe, and all to rent vs: wherevpon we were forced to giue place to the Devill, who indeed at this time bestirred him selfe, working mightilie in all the possessed such tormēts and such troubles, with such outrageous spite and contempte, as I am perswaded was seldome or neuer seene the like, and all of purpose to discourage vs in that skir∣mish, and to driue vs out of the fielde, and if it were possible not to dale to sett vpon him any more.

The trueth is, we were greatly discou∣raged at that time, not knowing wel what to doe: we left them so, and went into a garden tor••efresh our selues, hauing spent a good while with them, it grewe towarde supper time; we were requested to come in, and being set at supper, Mai. Dickoms (whom we had sent for) came in. We told him what straunge things had fallen out, since our comming thither, & of our pur∣pose

to fast and pray with the familie, if he would ioyne with vs; which thing he was verie readie to doe. And hauing purposed also to prepare the familie therevnto, wee went about it. Hauing the whole familie togeather, and diuerse honest neighbours for the holding and tending of the posses∣sed, we made entrance into the preparatiō, which was by way of exhortation. Wee found thē verie lowde, froward & rough to deale withall, that we could hardlie get any audience: but perceaving the great malice & spite of the Deuill, that wrought against vs, labouring violentlie to trouble vs, that we might againe giue ouer the worke as wee had done before, Wee were provoked in this respect with great zeale to pray against him, & with all the desires of our soules, to intreate the Lorde to put the Devill to silence, and that hee would charge, and commaund the evill spirites to holde their peace; * 1.2 that so wee might both haue good audience in praying and speaking the Worde, and also performe all other dueties profitably without lette: which came to passe accordingly, for wee found the Lorde neare and readie to heare vs: who presentlie shewed his power in commaunding Satan to silence, and to be

still, and they obeyed him, for there fol∣lowed a great calme. So we went forward performing that seruice which remay n•••• with much comfort. This preparation be∣ing finished, by this time it drewe towa•••• midnight, wee went all to bedde, to tak•• some rest, that being thereby refreshed, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might bee the better able to performe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 greater seruice the next day, which we ha•• bound our selues vnto, being exceeding 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encouraged to set vpon it with sure ho•• of the victorie, in that the Lord had p•••• the pawne and pledg of it into our hand ouer night, giuing vs such plaine expe∣rience both of his presence & of his power by reason wherof our faith gathered grea•• strength, that seeing the Lord had blesse•• our endevour thus far in the entrance an•• giuen vs such good successe in the prep••∣ration, that he would not faile to be pre∣sent with vs in the bataille it selfe, to she•• his power, and to worke with vs till we had troden Satan vnder our feete. There fore when the morning came, we prepare our selues after the best maner we coul•• that that holy exercise of fasting & pray•• might be performed both by our selves all that should ioyne with vs therein, wi•• most fruite, that wee might attaine to th••

marke that we sett before vs: namely, the confounding of Satan and the full deliue∣rance of the possessed. There was also great preparation in the familie to sett all things in good order, that we might not be trou∣bled in the work. And having a faire large parlour alreadie trimmed, they brought in thither certaine beds or couches, vppon which they laide the 7 sicke possessed per∣sons. All this while the honest neighbours neare about, coming in, the roome filled apace, some holding and tending the sicke possessed, & some sitting by. It being now about 7 a clocke, and all things made rea∣die, the parties being still troubled, their torments stil increasing, & their fits doub∣ling vpon them, somtimes either howling or crying, or els lifting, heaving, or vomit∣ting, or els scorning, or rayling, or cast into a traunce, which was euer at the ende of their fits, being as a breathing time to re∣fresh them by, and then too it againe. The sight and hearing of these thinges was so wonderfull that a man can not possiblie come neere it in describing of it, neither was euer such a thing seene in our dayes, nor in the dayes of our fathers, such a number in one place, lying in such a fear∣full maner so miserably vexed by the De∣vill.

We could not chuse but be exceeding∣ly affected with great sorrow and grief 〈◊〉〈◊〉 compassion of their miseries, which pro∣voked vs to offer vppe our prayes wi•••• strong crying & teares vnto God that w••••∣able to heare, and to saue vs from th•••• which we feared.

Wee then with such reuerence as wa•• meete, beganne the exercise of humbli•••• our soules vnto God, in the mediation 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iesus Christ, and by the direction of th•• holy Ghost proceeded in the worke till 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was finished. In which proceeding it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to obserue diverse strang eventes which happened. For the possessed being of diuer•• kinds, we had more adoe with them: for•• of thê were possessed with skorning spirit•••••• & quite bereaued of the right vse of the•••• sences, with whom wee were much mo•••• troubled then with the other three which were euer very sober, though they wer•• very sore tormented. And yet through th•• great mercy of God, after we had made a•• entrance, God bridled the rage of Satan and so restrained his fury, that after h•••• had made his flourish in the beginning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and shewed his power (as then he will d•• the worst hee can) it pleased God as be∣fore in our preparation ouer-night, 〈◊〉〈◊〉

the exercise it self, where many were as∣sembled together, to make them all quiet, and to keepe them all in such order, that tō 7 a clocke in the morning till 3 a clock 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the afternoone, we went forward with∣out any great interruption, saue that now and then, some of them had some sudden ••••tt for the space of halfe a quarter of an houre; which being ended, we went on stil perceauing the Lord working with vs, gi∣ding vs oftentimes sundry signes of the victory, whereby we were much encoura∣ged. Forin the first Sermon whilest Master Dickoms was preaching, Margret Hurd∣man, who was the principall and chief of the scorners, was plainely heard, both by some of the Preachers & of the people, to vse these words oftentimes: J must be gone, I must be gone, whether shall I goe? whether shall I goe? I will nor dye, I will not dye. Repeating ouer againe & againe the same thing halfe a dozen times at the least, in a sine lowe voice and in the tune of singing.

After this there appeared no great distra∣ction till three of the clocke in the after∣noone: and toward the end of my sermon (as the Discouerer hath reveyled) when the abouenamed Margret Hurdman was heard againe to vtter these wordes, I can∣not

tarie: I cannot tarie: I am too hoote: am too hoote: let me goe: let me goe. Whi•••• wordes gaue vs this comfort, that Satha•• would not long keepe his holde, he was heated by fasting and prayer, and by t•••• word of God so zealouslie and powerfull applyed, as if fyer were put into his ho•••• to burne him out: for herevpon before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sermon was or could be ended, shee wi•••• all the rest brake out into exceeding loud cryes, all seaven roaring, & belling in su•••• extreame and fearfull manner that the troubled vs al, being so violent and outra∣gious that they had much adoe to be hol∣den. For Satan then being ready to depart did first vexe all the vaynes of their hart•• and did so torment them, that they we•• forced to lay about them with both hand and feete, to pull their hayre, and to re•• their clothes, to knocke their heads, an to strike themselues, crying out with ope•• mouthes, & roaring as if they were mad•• Then was there such strugling & striuin•• betweene vs and those seaven Devills, cr••∣ing out so loude with such violence a•• extention of voyce, labouring who shou•• be loudest, till our voyces were spent a•• no strength almost left in vs. This battay continued verie neare the space of i••

houres, till we were exceedinglie weake∣ned with longe and loude crying vp vnto heauen, but it pleased God toweaken Sa∣tans power much more, and to tread the euill spirits vnder our feete. And thus much may serue to shew, what beginning we made into this worke, and howe wee proceeded therein, and that our whole course & cariadge held in this cause thus farre may cleare vs, that we neither sought worke, nor set our selues to work, though we be charged so to doe, by this Discove∣rie, as may appeare by the scope of the whole last chapter of the first booke: nei∣ther in dealing with these straunge afflie∣tions, haue we vsed eyther delusions, iug∣lings, exorcismes, or any such vayne and ridiculous fooleries as they haue detected in the popish Priestes, nor yet any such lightnes as should be cōdemned by men that meddle with matters of such mo∣ment.

The fourth part.

NOw; it followeth in the fourth plac•• to describe brieflie the meanes a•• maner of the dispossession of these 7 pe••∣sons, that so it may appeare that Mai. Da∣rell was neither the only, nor yet the prin∣cipal agent therein; cōtrarie to that whi•••• the Discoverer doeth falslie report of him Chap. 1. pag. 2. namelie, That though he had gloried in 2 exploites, yet his name w•• not so famous, till he had dispossessed 7 per∣sons in Maister Starkies house, at one cla•• And for proofe heereof they alleadge th•• storie of the boy of Burton, in the ende•• which booke, it is thus written viz. Short∣lie you shall haue the true storie come foor•• of those 7 in Lancashire, that were posses∣sed with vncleane spirites, and all 7 deliue∣red at one time by this man. And the more to confirme this, they alleadge Mai. Dar∣rels owne testimonie, in his answere to the 6 artic. of his exam. (quoted in the marg) therevppon inferring thus: By this man, meaning Mai. Darrell, as he himselfe hath confessed: I will therefore first sett downe the trueth concerning their deliuerance,

and after proue that Mai. Darrell is made the principall in this action by this Disco∣uerer, but vnder a pretence onely, and for a further fetch.

For the truth first you haue heard alrea∣die, that we were three Preachers that ex∣ercised that day, of whom I was the last; & indeed in the latter end of my sermon (as the Discouerer hath reveyled) they grewe to be so strong, that they could verie hard∣lie be holden downe vppon their beddes, though they had lyen before reasonablie quiet.

But chieflie one of them namely Iane Ashton, being both the strongest & worst of all the rest, was also more violentlie ve∣xed, having her fittes so sore and so thick, that we feared, she would either haue fain∣ted and fallen downe, orells have yeelded vnto Sathan, who laboured mightilie to make her workeable to his purpose: wher∣vpon Mai. Darrell and Mai. Dickoms the other Preacher that ioyned with vs, being much affected with her miserie, as by force of her fittes she was violentlie caried aside from the rest, they two attended vpon her, striving with all their power to vpholde & strengthen her.

In the meane time the other 6 being sore

tormented, and strugling with those th•••• kept them, were got from them, and be∣ing tumbled frō their pallets to the flo•••• and neare to the fire side, where by th•• good providence of God, I was brough•• euen into the middest of them: and the•• being assisted with the prayer of their p••∣rents and the people, we earnestlie entre••∣ted the Lorde for them, with stronge an•• mightie cryes: And it pleased God to hea•• vs at that instant for those 6. who were a vpon a suddaine straungelie and fearfull cast downe before vs, where they lay all along one by another, altogeather fenc∣les, their bodies stiffe and stretched out, a if they had bene starke dead, for the spa•••• of halfe a quarter of an houre.

In which time, Mai. Dickoms came•• me, and saw all of them, laide as dead, at how they rose vp agayne one after ano∣ther, in order as they fell, acknowledgit that they were freed from the euill spi•••• and that he was departed from them.

Wherevpon euerie one of them selue with great ioy and gladnes of heart, ga•••• thankes to God for that benefite.

All this while Mai. Darr. was with t•••• other mayde standing at a great wind•••• in another part of the parlour, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉

both long and large, so that hee neither sawe, nor heard, of the deliuerāce of these 6. he neither knewe, when they were cast downe, nor when they rose vpp, nor once suspected any such thinge, vntill such time as they being perfectlie restored, stoode vpon their feete, leaping and daunsing & praysing God: when also we were all fil∣led with exceeding ioy, which was testifi∣ed by showting and clapping of handes, so that the earth range with the prayses of God, and the whole house was filled with the sounde thereof.

Now the diligent observing of the state and condition of these 6 persons in one houre, what violent passions, & extreame outrage they were in for the beginning of the houre, driuen and drawen to crye and roare with all madnes and furie, and to do they knew not what. And then secondlie in the last part of the houre, to bee quite chaunged into another condition, caried as it were with all force and violence into other contrarie extremities of vnspeakea∣ble and excessiue ioyes, the best way: to be so suddenlie brought from the bondage and torture of Satan, into the glorious li∣bertie of the sonnes & daughters of God. By these signes and suddayne chaunge, it

is most evident, that the first estate is so ma∣nifest the worke of Satan, & the 2 so clea∣red to be the worke of God, that it cannot possiblie be the worke of flesh and bloud, neither could it bee counterfayted by anie man. For I am perswaded that if 6 of the cunningest wittes that be in the worlde, should ioyne their heads togither to make such another worke: yet they could not deceyue the sences of such men, as had seene by experience, and had made some triall of these straunge and great workes, for they could quicklie discerne, their close iugling and sleightie conveyance to be but delusions & hipocrisie, & so would their wickednes be manifested to all men.

By this it may appeare that Ma. Darrell was not the principall or chiefe Actour in their dispossession, neither can he in deed be so accounted, seeing that at the verie time whiles we were crying vnto the Lord for these 6: hee was separated to another worke, and busilie imployed another way, namelie, instructing, comfortinge, and strengthening the Maide, who remayned all this while miserablie vexed by the De∣vill.

Wherevpon at our being there he com∣playned vnto mee concerning the dispos∣session

of these 6, & tolde me that he sawe neuer a one of them when they were deli∣uered, which he saide grieued him excee∣dinglie.

After this also I confesse that to be true which the discouerer hath disclosed book 1. chap. 10. pag. 56. namelie, that I tooke all these 6 vnto me, and exhorted them to continue in the feare of God: telling them that Satan would seeke to enter into them againe, whom I admonished to resist by faith and prayer, and by putting on all the whole armour of God, incouraging them by all meanes to stande faste, saying thus vnto them: If you doe manfullie resist, no doubt but you shall see that Sathan will flie, not being able to doe you any harme. And as they regarded well this counsell, so it pleased God to blesse it accordinglie, for he gaue them such strength and courage, though fiue of them were but children, that they did most stronglie resist him, so that though his assautes were vsually ve∣rie fierce and importunate for the present, yet could he not prevaile with the least to yeelde vnto him. And so hitherto they haue all 6 bene preserued both safe and sounde, without anie further molestation, to the great praise and glorie of God.

Now whiles I was thus imployed about those 6. Mai. Darrell tooke great paynes with the Maid, hoping still that she would haue bene dispossessed that night also, but it came not so to passe. Wherevppon tho∣rough the deceitfulnes of Satan, who had drawen her to dissemble, and brought her to an impudent outfacing of the truth, we were driuē to giue ouer for that time, pur∣posing in the morning to renewe the exer∣cise of fasting and prayer in the behalfe of that maide onlie: which when we had en∣tred into, she was sorer vexed and tormen∣ted then euer she was before, till it was a∣bout noone or one of the clocke, about which time, shee also through the great mercie of God, receiued helpe and deliue∣rance.

For when we had all three in order per∣formed this duetie of prayer, shee hauing wrought vs all one after another till wee were wearie, the last time as it came to my course I having continued some time, de∣sired another to take my rowme: which when the maide hearde, shee suddenl•• caught me by the hande, held me fast, and saide vnto me: Nay for Gods sake leaue me not yet, sticke to it a litle longer, & you shall see he will departe shortlie.

Herevpon receyuing this good incou∣ragement, I continued still, and with the ioynt assistāce of the rest, we earnestly en∣treated the Lord for her, so it was not long before she was cast into a traunce, lying as if she had bene fast a sleepe, anon she burst out into weeping that the teares trickled downe her cheekes apace in a verie extra∣ordinarie maner; after which she present∣lie rose vp, and thanked God that the evill spirit was departed from her.

She also being violentlie assaulted by the Devill, resisted māfully, as the rest did, and likewise prevayled, and so was by the mercie of God preserued, during all the time she was in her mistres house, but af∣terward she departed thence, and dwelt with her Vncle, a papist, in the furthest parte of Lancashire, where there resorted vnto her certayne Seminarie priestes, by whose cōiurations and magical inchaunt∣ments, (as it is reported) the evil spirit was brought into her againe, since which time she hath bene exceedinglie tormēted, and so still cōtinueth like Sōmers repossessed.

As therefore the good providence of God may be discerned in the disposing of all things, so also it sheweth it selfe most clearelie in the wel ordering of this whole

action, if it be well obserued.

First in sending me with Mai. Darrells be a witnes of those straunge and vnwo••∣ted workes of God.

Secondlie, in not vsing Mai. Darrells the chiefe instrument, neither for the dis∣possessing of the six the firste day, nor y•• for the deliuerance of the seauenth on th•• second day.

Thirdlie, in that without his labor the were prepared by faith and prayer and o∣ther spirituall armour to resist the euil spi∣rit, by meanes whereof they were preser∣ued from Repossession. For if Mai. Darre•• had bene the chiefest in dispossessinge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these 7. and of Thomas Darling, as he w•••• of other two, namely of Katherine Wrigh•• and of William Sommers: then surelie•• would haue bene thought that he had h•••• some speciall gifte that way aboue othe•• men, and this discouerer might haue ha•• the greater shew of advantage in chargin•• him so deepelie and so often with th•• matter.

For which cause questionles it please•• God to preuent him in these 7. And as s•• Thomas Darling, Mai. Darrell onlie ga•• advise to his friendes to fast and pray, an•• humble them selues on his behalfe, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

they did, neither he nor any other Prea∣cher being present, it pleased God at their Prayers, being but 9 or 10 simple people to be intreated, and to deliuer the partie from that possession, that so by diuers and sundry experimentes, it might appeare to all the world that this is no extraordinarie gifte, peculiar to any one man, but com∣mon to all the faithfull, aswell to one as to another, and that the meane and simple people may haue as great priviledge and power to cast out Satan, by their faith and fasting and fervent prayer, as either he, or I, or the best and chiefest Preacher.

Out of the premissed then it may be col∣lected that if there bee any evill in this worke, it is rather to be imputed vnto me then vnto Ma. Darrel: for in trueth (as the Lord liveth) there is no occasion of euill in him concerning this matter; for if hee had wrought craftilie at other times, and practised deceyte: why should it not haue appeared and broken out aswell in dealing with these 7 as in other places; but I am perswaded (such is his simplicitie) that he is as cleare, and was euer as free from coū∣terfayting, as I my selfe am. And I dare boldlie protest euen before the Lord, that such a thought came neuer once into my minde.

Nowe howsoeuer it might seeme more expediēt for me to be silent in these things least I should seeme, or be taken even as a foole in boasting my self: yet herein I may say with the Apostle, you haue euen com∣pelled me: for indeed so great is the incō∣venience that hath come by the miscon∣ceyuing and misreporting of this matter of facte, as that it hath enforced a necessi∣tie of manifesting the trueth therof in the plainest maner which yet hitherto for mo∣desties sake, hath bene suppressed for the space of 3 yeares, and likelie neuer to haue come to light, if our innocencie could haue bene cleared without it.

But now I must returne to the Discoue∣rer, and proceed to performe my promise, which is, to proue, that the purpose of the Detectour, to make Mai. Darrell the prin∣cipal agent in this dispossessiō, is onlie vn∣der a pretence & not that he is so perswa∣ded, my reasons are these: First to pretend Mai. Darrell to be principall, in this, aswel as in all the rest, is great pollicie: for vnder this pretēce, all that they charge him with concerning teaching of Sommers, hath the greater colour of trueth. Secondly, by inforcing this, as they doe much in their booke, it doeth more easilie perswade men

to beleeue, that he is a verie common and lewde practizer and deceiuer. Thirdlie, by this title of principall, & in al places where he comes to bee the chiefest, it presuppo∣seth an extraordinarie iugling skill, and a singular cunning in legerdemaine, as they terme it: wherevpon they saye that when he beganne with Katherine Wright, then he dealt but rudelie and vnskilfullie: but after he had practized with Thomas Dar∣ling and the 7 of Lancashire, then he was his craftes maister. Fourthlie, It helpes to iustifie that accusation of vaine glorie, and that he desires to haue a great name, and to make him selfe famous, or ells that he is the onelie man that hath a peculiar pre∣rogatiue to cast out Devills aboue all men, seeing that where-soeuer he comes, hee beares a way the bell (as they say) and that no bodie can doe the feate but he. Fiftlie, vnder this pretence they may with lesse preiudice proceede against him; seeing that in foure seuerall actions, though they finde some accessories, yet they finde none principall but him selfe. And thus polli∣cie hath preferred him to bee principall, when in deed they know hee is not; so of purpose to doe him a mischiefe, and to di∣shonour the cause it selfe, euen the great

worke of God.

And that they are not perswaded, that hee is the principall in this worke, it may thus appeare: Because they haue the sto∣rie of this matter of Lancashire penned by Mai. Dickoms, as is plainely confessed and prooued in the Discouerie, wherein the dispossession of these 7 is most plainly de∣scribed, with the circumstances thereof, according to that which I haue heere se•••• downe. And therein Mai. Darr. (except that hee was the man that was sent for to come, and principallie aymed at) is made equall. Concerning this booke I speake that which I know, for I was examined, in that whole story out of it, from the begin∣ning to the ende: and yet the Discouerer will take no knowledge of this matter, which is written there, (though it be most sure & certayne) because it makes against him, and takes the rash testimonie of the printer, which spake onclie as hee hearde, that Mai. Darrell was the man: and as for Mai. Darrell him selfe in his testimonie, it was eyther mistaken or misreported: for•• dare say, that he would not say, that those 7 were deliuered or dispossessed by him principallie: yet the discouerie vrgeth both these testimonies to the full, because they

seeme much to make for him in all the former respectes.

If then, this may bee receyued for the trueth, as in deed it is, I doubt not but that all suspition of counterfayting and coniu∣ring, and of all other bad dealing where∣with we haue ben most vniustlie charged, may be remoued; as also that grosse errour which is tootoo commō, of ascribing anie gift or extraordinarie power of casting out of Devills, to anie one man, more then to another, may be both convinced and sup∣pressed: for herein all men may most clear∣lie see, that the good hande of God, (in blessing his own ordinance, and the poore endeuours of his servants) is the onely in∣ward, & efficient cause of this great worke of dispossessiō, that so all the glorie ther∣of, may wholie & onely be ascribed vnto him, who worketh all thinges, according to the pleasure of his own wil, to whom be prayse for euer.

The last part.

NOw it followeth last of all, to set dow•• the signes of disposs. shewed forth b•• these 7 immediatlie before their deliue∣rance, in, and after the same: and therwit•• also brieflie to shewe the retourne of th•• spirites being cast out: how sundrie time and diuers wayes by many strange & fea•• full assaultes, they seeke to reenter: whi•••• also may serue, as an answer to that proof of the Discouerie, contayned in the 9 an•• 10. chap. touching those pointes, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these signes being conferred according•• divine and historicall observation, th•••• that be indifferentlie minded, may bee a∣ble to iudge what cause they haue to sco•••• these signes, and to sport them selues wit•• them, as they doe.

The first signe to manifest these dispos•• was, that the spirites did rent, and tea•••• the possessed, insomuch that they were s••∣rer vexed and tormented immediatlie be∣fore they left them, and euen as it were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their departure, then ever they were at a••∣nie time before: so it is saide, when Chri•••• charged the spirite to come out of the th••

childe, then the spirit rent him sore, & af∣ter came out, Marke 9.26.

The seconde signe is that they cryed out with loude voyces, and roared out excee∣dinglie, after the manner of beastes, most fearfull and lamentable to heare, beeing neuer so fierce and outragious in anie of their fittes, as euen then when the spirites were forced and compelled to come out of them. And of this signe it is thus writ∣ten, f. that vncleane spirites, crying with a loude voyce, came out of manie that were possessed, Act. 8.7.

Thirdlie, they were cast downe sudden∣lie, & lay all along stretched out as if they had bene dead, and so leaving them as dead, the evill spirites departed from thē. And thus it is written of the childe whom Christ dispossest: when the vncleane spirit came out, he was as one deade, insomuch that manie said, he is dead, Mark 9.26.

Fourthlie, the evill spirites departed out of the possessed in the likenes of some vg∣lie creature: and euerie one of the 7 sawe and perceyued the spirites to departe out in a seuerall likenes: one, in the likenes of a crowes head, round, which when it was our, went and satt in a corner of the par∣lour, with darknes about it a while, then

went it out of the windowe with such a flash of lightning, that all the parlour see∣med to her to be on a light fire: It left also behinde it in the maide a soare throat, * 1.3 & a most fil thie smell, in so much that het meate was verie vnsavorie for a weeke af∣ter.

Another said, * 1.4 it went out like a man with a great bulche on his backe, as bigge as a man: verie evill-favoured and vglie to be∣holde.

The third sawe him goe out like an vr∣chine or hedgehogge, * 1.5 and crept as shee thought, out at a verie little hole of the window.

The fourth like a fowle vglie man, * 1.6 with a white beard, and a great bulch on his breast, bigger then a mans head.

The fifte like a blacke man, * 1.7 or like the fourth, as afore said.

The sixt perceyued it to goe out in the likenes of a great breath vglie like a toad, * 1.8 and round like a ball.

The last like an vglie man with a great bunch on his backe, * 1.9 &c.

Fiftlie, the evill spirits did presentlie te∣turne vnto them againe in the same like∣nes that they went out, and sought to re∣enter, and, being resisted, they departed, &

then returned after in other likenesses see∣king still both by promises & threatnings to prevaile: somtimes cōming in the like∣nes of a man profering bagges of golde and siluer, and shewing them all maner of costlie and sumptuous things: tempting them therby to yeeld vnto him, and to let him in: enforcing his temptations by pro∣mising of honours & pleasures, and great preferments, of the retourne of the spirit, when he is cast out, and his seeking to re∣enter, we read in Mat. 12. Luk. 11. And for his diuersitie of temptations and large of∣fers to prevaile, it is evident in his dealing against Christ, Math. 4. In these assaults to reenter, the spirits appeared sometimes in the likenes of a beare with open mouth, somtimes of an ape, sometimes of a bigge blacke dogg, somtimes of a black Raven, with a gellow bill, somtimes of a flame of fire, somtimes of diuers whelpes, but most vsually in the likenesse of Edmōd Hartley a coniurer, who had bewitched them, and was hanged also at Lancaster, for that facte, and for coniuring. In these appari∣tions, if hee could not prevaile with his large offers, and faire promisses, then would he terrifie them with verye fearfull threatnings: As that he would cast them into pitts, or breake their necks, or some

other way to plague them, saying th•• they should neuer prosper.

Wherevpon when he saw, that in assa••∣ting of them, he lost al his labour and pre∣vailed not, hee laboured at the length 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be revenged of them, for resisting of him to which purpose hee did trouble them i•• all the partes of their bodies: in their eye with manie vncomfortable sights, to te••∣rifie them: he tyed their tongues that they could not pray, nor speake as they should he pinched them in their armes, that the•• could not lift them vp, nor stirre them for a good space: he pricket them in the•• knees, and in their legges that they could not goe, or yet if they did goe, that the•• they went lame and limping for an hou•••• or two together, and could not possibli•• goe vp right: they had paine also in thei•• feete, and in their head: thus they we•••• molested, but they still so resisted tha•• they gaue him the foyle, so that in the en•• hee was forced to leaue them and to fle•• away.

Sixtly they being all dispossest by fasting and prayer, according to the ordinance of Christ, since that time, all their swellings and torments haue ceased, neither haue they bin troubled or vexed with any more fitts: Only Iane Ashton being repossessed,

hath manifested the same by sundrie fear∣full signes, and is now become worse then she was, euery way: but as for the rest, they haue continued now for the space of two yeares & a half very peaceable and quiet, neither haue they shewed forth any signe of possession, nor any suspition thereof.

Lastly they all gaue great thanks to God, for their deliuerance, and that of them∣selues so freely and cherefully in so excel∣lent & heavenly maner, as that they could neuer doe the like, neither before, nor since: they are also so changed in their conditions, and their maners so well re∣formed, that a man shall heare no evill come from them, nor any vnseemely be∣haviour: and now they can pray, and take delight in praysing God. They goe to church, to heare the word, and continue there with much comfort, and are euery way better then they were before.

And thus I haue finished this discourse, wherein I haue delt faithfully to my pow∣er, and whereby I haue detected this dis∣couerer to be a great deceyuer: like a Tra∣veyler that takes vpon him to discouer di∣uers countries, wherein hee neuer came, and to describe the state & people of cer∣taine new-found landes, the scituation

whereof he neuer knew or heard of, on•••• a meere fiction of his owne invention. Thus hath this detractour dealt with vs; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with this most honourable and famo•••• fact of Lancashire: In describing it to be•• vayne and ridiculous practize, detecting therein great deceite, and much legerde•• mayne: and yet for all that, he neuer sa•• the practize of it with his eyes, neither di•••• he euer heare any evill detected, or decei•••• vsed therein. This worke was neuer y•••• called in question nor euer examined by way of tryall, as is plainly confessed in the Discouerie: and hitherto there hath no•• bene found any one witnesse to bring i•• any evidence to proue it counterfaite, no•• any Christian euer yet heard to open his mouth to speake any evill against it.

The Reader therefore may much won∣der at the intollerable boldnes of this ma∣licious Accuser, that dare vndertake to discouer men & their dealings, especially Preachers of the Gospell to be lewde cou∣siners, and most notorious deceyvers, and yet neuer saw nor knew any evil by them, or any sure and certaine signes of any su∣spitiō therof. And may also see how iniu∣rious they are, to this vnblameable work, that in an vnsatiable desire to discredite it,

they haue cast an evill name vpon it, defa∣ming it for a fraudulent practize, though ••t was neuer tryed, nor yet euer detected to haue decey••e or bad dealing in it, by any in the worlde besides themselues: which yet being meere straungers to the cause, will needs condemne it before they heare it, and punish the parties that haue pra∣ctized in it, as most impious, before they know what evill they haue done: And now hauing thus wronged vs being iust men, yea both robbed and wounded vs, as I may say: We must be bound to the peace, and must promise neither to publish nor practize these matters: or els remaine pri∣soners still, with expectation of further punishment, which wee are willing to endure, seeing we cannot chuse but speake those thinges, which wee haue both heard & seene.

This discourse good Reader was di∣spatched in December last. The difficultie of printing hath hindred the publishing of it thus longe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Though y^e Divel had dissembled & hid him self in both these, yet nowe the word fin∣deth him out, & he can dis∣semble no lōger, but must nee∣des shew him selfe.
• * 1.2

  The pray∣er was not sooner made but presently they held their peace euery one, praysed be God.
• * 1.3

  Margree ••yrom.
• * 1.4

  Iohn Star∣kie.
• * 1.5

  Ellyno•• Hurdman
• * 1.6

  Anne Star∣kie.
• * 1.7

  ••llē Ho••∣land
• * 1.8

  Iane Ash∣ton.
• * 1.9

  Margret Hurdman