CHAPTER. VIII.

7. A Seventh principle is, If the party sus|pected appear in Spectre to the af|flicted, and the afflicted give a blow with a knife, sword, &c. unto the Spectre (or some other in their behalf) and the Spectre seems wound|ed, or bleeding, or to have their garment torn, or slit by the blow received. And that the party Spectrally represented be presently search|ed, and there is found upon their body a wound, or blood, &c. on the same part of their body, or a rent, or cut upon the same part of Page  62 the garment, which appeared upon the Spectre unto the afflicted. This hath been counted a strong evidence to prove the party suspected to be a confederate with Satan in afflicting t• complainer. As by Judge Archer in Coxes cas• Executed at Taunton, Anno 1663. (See Glanv• part 2. p. 196) But let us search this to the bottom; and there is no ground of suspicion in such a kind of probation. For the ground of the suspicion ariseth hence viz. That what wound or mark is given to the Spectre (that is to the Devils aerial assumed body) is transla|ted thence unto the person setting this Spectre on work to afflict; or to their garments, if the mark be on that. But we have no sufficient ground to know this.

1. For if it must be so, it must be either (1.) From some sympathy in nature between the Spectre and the party represented by it. But this we have no ground in reason to conclude; for whence or how should such a sympathy be between an humane body, and the Devil in the Image or likeness of it? Or if it were, how can there come such a sympathy between the garment of a person and the Devil appearing in the likeness of that garment? Surely the garment was not in any league with Satan? (2) Or this comes to pass by vertue of the Co|venant between Satan and this confederate: if so we say, I ask how come we to know there is such an article in the bargain with the De|vil? Page  63 or if we know there were such an article in their agreement, how can we tell, that the Devil will stand to his own Covenant? Or, (3.) This comes to pass by the Immediate hand of God making such a translation of a wound &c. unto a Witch that they may thereby be discovered; which if so, it is preternatural if not supernatural. And we have no ground from Scripture to expect such a sign from God; and therefore to expect it is to be guilty of the sin of that Wicked Generation, that sought after a sign. Math. 16.4. Which should not be given to them. Or (4) This translation cometh (if there be any such) from the Devil as a free & powerful Spirit, afflicting the body or affecting the garment so marked: And if it be from hence, its the Devils testimony which ought to be no credit with mankind.

2. The true state of this case seems to be this; That the person or garment so represen|ted to the Afflicted by a Spectre was wound|ed, or bleeding, or cut or rent before. And the Devil knowing this, represents to the afflicted (or striker at the Spectre) that part of the Spectre which answers the Body wounded, or garment rent or torn, the Searchers finding such wounds upon, or rents about the person suspected are ready to conclude it was done by the stroke at the Spectre which was done before. I shall confirm this by instances.

There was at Ghelmsford, an Afflicted per|son, Page  64 that in her fits cryed out against a Wo|man, a Neighbour, which Mr. Clark, the Mi|nister of the Gospel there could not believe guilty of such a Crime. And it hapned while that woman was milking her Cow, the Cow struck her with one horn upon her Forehead and fetched blood, and while she was bleeding, a• Spectre in her likeness appeared to the party Afflicted, who pointing at the Spectre, one struck at the place, and the Afflicted said, you have made her forehead bleed. Hereupon some went to the woman, and found her fore|head bloody, and acquainted Mr. Clark with it; who forthwith went to the woman, and asked how her forehead became bloody, and she answered by a blow of the Cows horn, as above said, whereby he was satisfied that it was a design of Satan to render an innocent person suspected.

Another instance was at Cambridge, about fourty years since: There was a man much troubled in the night with Cats, or the Devil in their likeness haunting of him, whereupon he kept a light burning, and a Sword by him as he lay in bed; for he suspected a Widow woman to send these Cats or Imps by Witch|craft to bewitch him. And one night as he lay in bed, a Cat or Imp came within his reach, and he struck her on the back; and upon enquiry heard this Widow had a sore back: this confirmed his suspicion of the Wi|dow, Page  65 he supposing that it came from the wound he gave the Cat. But Mr. Day the Widows Chyrurgeon cleared the matter; say|ing, this Widow came to him and complained of a sore in her back, and because she could not see it, desired his help; and he found it to be a Boyl, and ripened and healed it as he used to do other Boyls But while this was in cure, the supposed Cat was wounded as al|ready rehearsed.

But some may say when such wounds or rents come, it's not the Spectre that's struck but the real person or garment is there present, but by vertue of the Charm, or Witchcraft, a mist is cast between the Witch and Spectators in the room, whereby the person becomes in|visible to all of them except the bewitched Sufferer. As some juglers have seemed to creep through a Tree or Log, when indeed its only upon the Tree or Log; but by inchantment a shadow of the Log or Cloud is cast over the Log between the Jugler and Spectators, where|by they are deceived.

I Answer, If it were so, then those that strike with Sword, or other Instrument, and wound the party might feel some body, or garment stopping the force of their blow; for a Body can be felt if it cannot be seen, as a|bove shewed. But when the stricken instru|ment feels no harder substance than Air to stop its force, and there seems to be a person in the Page  66 way to the Afflicted's eye: We may conclude its but a Spectre, or deluded imagination.