A DETECTION OF THAT SINNFVL SHAM FVL LYING AND RIDICVLOVS DISCOVRS OF SAMVEL HARSHNET ENTITVLED A DISCOVERIE OF THE FRAVVDVLENT PRACTISES OF IOHN DARRELL WHEREIN IS MANIFESTLY AND APPARANTLY SHEWED IN THE EYES OF THE WORLD NOT only the vnlikelihoode but the flate impossibilitie of the pretended counterfayting of William Somers Thomas Darling Kath. Wright and Mary Couper togeather with the other 7. in Lancashire and the supposed teaching of them by the saide Iohn Darrell Psalme 7. 14. Behold He shall travaile with wickednes for he hath conceiued mischiefe but he shall bring fourth a lye IMPRINTED 1600. TO THE CHRISTIAN AND VVELL AFFECTED READER IOHN DARRELL MINISTER OF THE VVORD WISHETH ALL GRACE AND HAPPINES WITH a iudgment to dâ—â—cerne betwixt thinges that differ betwene that which is true and false good and evill In the dayes of Henrie the second of Fraunce father to Charles the great massacrer and murderer of Godes Sayntes when the Sunneâ—â—ine of the Gospell beganne to breake forth in that kingdome and the name of Hugonot as a by-word of reproch was giuen to the professors thereof in the very entrie as it were of those troubles and hurlie burleyes for religion it is recorded of the Italian weomen and credulous popularitie of that countrie that hearing of the great sturre that was then risen about those Hugonotes they would needes knowe of their gostlye fathers and holy inquintinge Fryers what those French Hugonotes were vnto whom that deuoute and Pop-holy generation not vnlike themselues made this wholesome and catholike answere That they were not men forsooth but vglye and monstrous shapes of men headed like Dragons faced like Dogges eared like Swine snoured like Serpents with Boares tuskes and Asses iawes yea such as would eate and dououre vp their owne mothers c. wherevpon the poore weomen and sily multitude neuer requyringe nor examining the matter any farther fell straight to a kinde of hissing clapping their hands with most bitter out cries and hatfull exclamations against them with fie on them wretches fie on them wretches Now even thus good reader and no better then thus fareth it with me at this instant The name sound of Darrell of his imprisonment and the cause therof hath in a manner possessed overspread the whole land why what is he saith one what is the matter saith another Answere is made presently and readilye by our two English Inquisiters Samuell Harsnet and his master togeather with such others whom they with theire crooked conueyances haue be witched that Darrell is forsooth a cogger a cousener a Iugler an Exorcist a counterfeite a deuill-flinger a deuill-driuer a Seducer a deceiuer an Impostor and I know not what that of an impious simplicitie he holdeth it lawfull to lye cogge and faine so it be to a good end as his fauorits tearme it to the glory of God in which regard he hath taken vpon him to be deeplye seene in the mysterie of deuils and hath playd his publike prize in this iuglinge science casting out more deuils by prayer and fasting after a good dinner perhaps then euer any of the Apostlee did at so full a season And this in effect not onely the streetes and Tavernes haue ronge off but as I haue bene informed the very benches and Seates of Iustice haue sounded with the noyse of this Darrell the deuil driuer and of the counterfeite trickes that he should teach VVherein notwithstandinge I thanke God when they haue thundered out the vttermost they can against me I may truly say and that with the testimonie of mine owne hart and conscience that I am iust so guiltie of the thinge they charge me with as the fore-recited French Hugonotes were of all that rablement wherewith they were so besmeared and de pictured by that Italian munckish fraternitie For if it be true that the had heades like dragous faces like dogges eares like swine snoutes like serpentes and that they would eate vp their mothers c. Then is it also true I confesse that Darrell is such a mounstrous vile fellow as is heere layd forth and described But alas good reader this is no new thinge looke backe to ages past and thou shalt find it to be an old inueterate ouerworne practise of sathan newly furbished and set abroach againe by his instrumentes to paint out the professors of the gospell in the most ougly deformed shape they can deuise as we see by our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles and so consequently by his ministers specially not that they be such indeede as they are despitfully featured out but to this end to make them more odiously enuied and malitiously hated of the world which is the speciall marke the enimy shooteth at Now the principall thinge that is charged vpon me and which I haue all this while denied and still denye is teachinge to counterfeite But what is this that Darrell should thus teach to counterfeite why nothinge els forsooth but a reall entrance and possession of the deuill of and into the bodies of men to be dispossessed and remooued thence by fasting and prayer and all to grace and make good the hipocriticall fasting and exercise of the puritans which otherwise without some such fetches and deuises would prooue starke naught This then we see is the sinne if it be true And suerly allow it to be true and to be such indeede as they haue layde it forth to be with all his circumstances I my selfe will subscribe ioyne with them in the condemnation of it to the bottome of hell and the sinner to the very depth of the graue as wherin if it be rightly examiÌ„ed and weighed is closlye shut vp and included not onely the dishonor of God and disgrace of his workes but a foule and detestable abuse of Godes church and a mocking of Gods people with a scornefull and shameles contempt both of magistracy and ministerie And can not the wisdome and maiestie of the state of England finde out adue punishment and correction for so wretched and greiuous an enormitie as this no question but it can may and ought if the partie were once orderlye and by law convicted But as it was not the manner of Romanes in auntient time for fauor to deliuer any maÌ„ to death before the partie accused had his accusers before him leaue to defend him selfe so is it not the manner of the Honorable Courtes of Iustice in England to proceed to sentence before conviction or to punishment before apparant proofe And this is it that hath and doth make me more confident in defense of myne owne innocencie and the equitie of my cause even the reuerent opinion and estimation that I haue of the ordinarie courtes of Iustice in this land before whom whensoeuer I shal be called I know it is not a hundred of such lying and libelling discourses as this of Samuell Harsnetes that shall any way swaye them either to sentence or censure the meanest of her Maiesties subiectes without euidence and proofe But my
whither for this confident assertion I deserued to be committed to prison what order was taken and agreed vpon by some in secret whither the selfe same that after was put in executiō I knowe not but that in the examination of this cause there was a proceding according to the vsuall course of this Realme in such cases prouided howsoeuer the Discouerer in generall termes affirmeth it yet he maketh not the same to appeare in the particulers Sir Discouerer you affirm indeede that I was iudicially proceeded against by due course of lawe and ordinary practise of the high commission court according to the lawes in that behalf prouided I pray you therefore answer mee First whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course and or dinary practise of that court to deny the coppy of articles or answers to men convented into that court whenas vpon their oathes they haue fully directly answered vnto all such interrogatoryes as haue bene objected against them And if this be the due course ordinary practise of that court whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided Item whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course and ordinary practise of that court touching the examination of any witnesses against a Defendant to send forth commissioners into the country and to authorise any other persons to be commissioners then such only as hir Maiesty by her letters patents vnder the Great seale of England hath appoynted high commissioners And if this be the due course ordinary practise of that court whether do you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalfe prouided Item whither doe you know that it is the vsuall course and ordinary practise of that court that the Commissioners or other deputed by them should menace witnesses called before them as you your selfe Sir Discouerer did with imprisonment bringing vp to London burning of their feete or with some other kinde of vyolences in case they depose not to their humour and contentment And if it be soe whether doe you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalf prouided Item whither doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course ordinary practise of that court to examine witnesses against the defendant without giuing him notice of the time and place of their production and so to haue them sworne in absentia partis reae And if this be the vsuall course and ordinary practise of that court whether do you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that beehalfe prouided Item whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course ordinary practise in that court for such to examine witnesses against the defendant as haue no authority to take depositions as you Sir Discouerer did at London And if it be so then whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided Item whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course ordinary practise of that court not to suffer the defendant to minister Interrogatoryes against the witnesses produced against him And if it be so then whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided Item whither doe you knowe c. that the defendant whether he be an adulterer an incestuous person or periured person c. for the clearing of his innocency touchinge the cryme obiected be not suffered to produce witnesses and to haue them examyned on his behalfe And if this be the ordinary practise of that court whether doe you knowe the same to be accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe provided Item whether doe you know that it is etc. To denye such as are accused of adulterie incest periurye etc. to haue they re proctors Aduocates to pleade and defende their cause And if it be so then whether doe you knowe that the same is accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided Item whether doe you know that it is etc. to condemne any person as guiltie of any offence obiected against him vnder the mouth of two witnesses at the least and them also to be such against whom by the ecclesiastical lawes no exception maye be taken And if this be the course of that court whether doe you know the same to be accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided Item whether doe you know that it is ect that socius criminis be admitted for a witnesse against him whom none but himselfe can accuse And if it be the ordinary practise of that court then also whether his testimony of necessitie must be instar duorum testimoniorum omni exceptione maiorum And whether this be according to the ecclesiasticall lawes in that behalfe prouided Item whether doe you know that it is etc. to deny vnto the desendant the sight of the depositions of such witnesses as are produced examined against him And if it be whether is the same accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided Item whether c. to commit a minister of the gospell or any other man to prison without bayle or mainprise only for absurd and vntrue though confident assertions and if it be whether do you know the same to be according to the laws in that behalf prouided Item whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course ordinary practise of that court to proceede against offendors in causes temporall And if it be whether doe you knowe the same to be acording to the lawes in that behalf prouided Item whether c. to proceede to the condemnation of anye offendor by any other proofes then such only as are warranted by the ecclesiasticall lawes of her Maiesties kingdome And if it be whether doe you knowe the same to be according to the lawes in that behalf prouided Item whether doe you knowe that it is the vsuall course ordinary practise of that court to pronounce any finall sentence or de finitiue iudgment of condemnation for any offence to be committed by the defendant otherwise then by publique reading of the same sētence in writing by one of the Commissioners themselues the other his associats by their consents approuing the same And if it be soe whether doe you knowe the same to bee accordinge to the lawes in that behalfe prouided And where the Discouerer addeth that the issue thereof was that vpon the hearinge of me and the depositions against me in open court I was by the full agrement of the open court condemned for a counterfeytte and together with M. More deposed from the ministery and committed to close pryson there to remaine vntill order were taken for our further punnishment I demaund of him who was present at this hearing firste whether I vsed any continued speach then saue one and whether in the same I was not cut of 2. whether being charged to teach Somers and M. Cooper his sister Kath Wright and Tho. Darling I spake any thing in my owne defence
vpon the producinge of these silly shiftes and absurd prooâ—es by a Prelate specially and his Chaplaine hand ouer head and of their word rather then vpon anâ— diligent examination of the matter receiue these for covnterfeites and me for their instructor which the B. of London and S. Harsnet knew full well eis they woulde haue saued that labour yet the Prelate and his Chaplaine cannot possiblie so beleeue and be perswaded in their consciences which haue forged them to this saide end and purpose and haue deliberatly and aduisedly wayed all things throughly concerning this matter except you will cleane put out the eyes of their vnderstanâ—ingl and depriue them of their reason math 28. 13. make them of reasonable vnreasonable creatures Though the people of the Iewes through that silly shift of the Hie Preists and the Elders did beleiue that Christes disciples came by night and stole him away whiles the souldiers sleept yet the hie priestes and Elders who deuised this shift for the smotheringe of Christs resurrection knewe and were perswaded in their coÌ„sciences it was not so but far otherwise Even so in this our case though many of the people of England doe in their simplicitie and rash credulitie verelie beleiue that Somers the rest haue counterfeited I instructed them be cause of the silly reasons printed published to that end by the B. of London and S. Harsnet yet the B. Harsnet which haue invented de uised those sottish reasons and framed a whole booke for the smotheringe of the worke of God wrought vpon these persons can not but know and be in their consciences perswaded that they haue not counterfeited nor I taught them These then good reader with sundrie others are the speciall reasons that moue me to thinke that they themselues what face soeuer they sett on it doe not yet in their owne consciences betwixt god them constantly beleiue all that they haue thus published or rather libelled against me beinge a thinge vnpossiblie they should And if it fare so with the bitingest and bitterest aduersaries I may the bolder I thinke even by the law and rule of equitie be an earnest suter vnto thee whosoeuer thou art to suspend thy iudgment and not hastily to passe any sentence against me intreat thy patience christian reader and fauourable censure of me thus farr fourth as to cause thee to stope thine eares to all vniust surmizes and odious exclamations against me till proofe and triall haue discouered my guiltines or innocencie And this the rather I trust you will doe if you remember and forgett not that saying of the holy ghost he that is first in his owne cause is iust then cometh his neighbour and maketh inquirie of him And that other in the same place he that answereth amatter before he heare it it is follie and shame vnto him pro. 18. 13. 17. He that answereth that is taketh vpon him to iudg or determine of a matter incontrouersie before he heare it meaning what can be said of both sides it is follie and shame vnto him that is a poynt of follie comming from the lake of wisdome and such as whereof one ought to be ashamed And the rather I am to intreat this fauour at thy handes in that I haue not bene dealt with accordinge to the ordinarie course of Iustice of this land but altogether against the haire and in the vnreason ablest manner of proceeding that might be as if it were no matter at all what violence indignitie they offer to a man of my condition or to so base a fellowe as Darrell is Neither by their patience doe I thinke that they can for their liues giue me an instance or shewe me the like president of their irregular disorderly proceeding against me in any of the honorable ciuil courâ—â—â— of the Realme which is worthy the notinge yea to be recorded and nayled on the postes of the streetes to the veiw of posteritie One would thinke that the reuerent fathers of the Church should in their courtes and iudiciall proceedinges giue their children as they would haue them counted the reuerent Iudges of the land and fathers of the common wealth an example and paâ—terne of Iustice and equitie and not such an example as they would abhorr and be a shamed to followe I haue heard that amonge other the excellent graces of God vpon her Maiestie this is one that doth exceedingly grace both her person her goverment namely that in the makinge and ordaininge of her Iudges she doth among other things enioyne theÌ„ this speciall charge That what soeuer in equitie may be produced on the behalfe of the subiecte may be patiently heard and fauourably admitted without exception or partialitie and that they should not perswade themselues to sitte otherwise in Iudgment for her selfe then for her subiecte which kind of equall and christian procedinge if it had bene held with me I needed not now to haue spent my time in refuting this shameles and malitious invectiue what proceedinge hath bene vsed against me will plainly appeare by this discourse followinge and namely in my answeare to the second chapter of the first booke by the quaeries or demaundes to the Discouerer I meane the B. pag. 14 of the Discouerie of London and S. Harsnet iustifiynge the same and affirminge that this cause hath bene examined accordinge to the vsual course by the lawes of the Realme in such cases provided And yet shall not the Discouerer be euer able to name in what one thing after my appearaÌ„ce before the high commission I was dealt with according to lawe Truly for my owne parte I can not If he can let him doe it For these reasons I hope good reader that layinge aside all partiallitie and preiudice you will reserue the one eare to heare what Darrell hath to say for the Lord and himselfe and against counterfeiting and teachinge Somers Darling c. to counterfeite and that you will beware how you receiue a false report against your neighbour specially against the Lord himselfe and his workes If any thinke that the charge of counterfeiting and of my teachinge to counterfeite the summe of the booke answeared by me is so lying slaunderous abhorring to common sence palpable false and vnpossible to be true that it was altogether vnworthy the answearinge and convincing or at least of so large an answeare and conviction as heere followeth such may remember that the Apostles being charged with drunckennes and to be full of newe wine act 2. 13 14. math 12. Peter for them all answeare 〈◊〉 conuinced that vile slaunder In like sort did our Sauiour Christ being charged more vily to be a coniurer and to cast out deuils through Belzabub the prince of deuils which thinges are written for our learning even to teach vs what to doe wheÌ„ any such thing falleth out Now the larger I haue bene for these two reasons First I thought it fitt to answeare to all
and in very manye places of ther booke otherwise all that heare therof will laugh at theÌ„ and their doting partiallity that would be so hot and sweat somuch about 4. and let 7. of the same counterfeyt condition passe escape vntouched Furthermore if these 7. haue likewise counterfeyted I desire to knowe of the Discouerer who taught them so to doe that he make him knowne to the world as he hath done the teacher of the other foure for why should we not think that they likewise had an in structor specially seing 5. of the 7. were very yong and their fevts as admirable hard to be done as those of the 4â— my self we heare scholed Somers Darling Kath Wright and Mary Couper and seinge the 〈◊〉 were handled alike to these 4. counterfeyts and that I dealt with the 7. as well as the other 4. and that 3. of the 4. were helped by the same meanes viz. by prayer and fasting or dissembled the same with these it is in all reason likely that if I instructed the 4. to counterfeit then I haue done the like to the 7. in Lancashire also but considering I am not accused thereof and if I were I trust they would cleare me themselues it is to be thought that this notwithstandinge I am free from teaching Iohn Starchy Anne Starchy and the other 5. who he is then that instructed them it would be knowne Iohn and Anne Starchy with the rest would be deposed and examined by the L. Bishop of London and made to tell who it was what his name is that beinge knowne the world might be better satisfied as touching their counter feyting and he whosoeuer he is might partake with me in punishment seing he hath committed the like or the same fault Lastly if Io. and Anne Starchy Margaret Hardman Elianor Hardman c. be counterfeytes why are they not punished for counterfeyting considering it is a fault deseruing very seuere punishment and not to be tollerated or borne with in any much lesse wheÌ„ so many conspire ioyn togither in committing this saide abomination Thus you see Christian Reader in what straits the Bishop and his Chapline haue brought themselues on which hand soeuer they turne them whither to the right or left If they say the 7. in Lancashire were possessed then wee heare what followeth thervpon if they affirme they counterfeyted a possession and the one of these as is afore shewed it is very certaine they did we see they are little or nothing holpen thereby â—lence is best where answeare cannot be made without a braned consience the onlye thinge I feare is that they will not be drawne to returne any answer herevnto at all though I haue multiplyed my wordes and enlarged my penne and thereby wold prouoke them therevnto Iane Ashton is since fallen into the handes of certaine Seminary preists and hath bene carryed by them vp and downe that country to sundry recusants houses as certaine ydle men were wont to carry puppets and by cunning counterfeiting of certaine fits staying of hirself by the secret dire â—tiâ—ns of the said preists 〈◊〉 2. she hath gotten god knoweth what they by such leu dnes haue wonne great credit but hir Maiesties subiects haue in the meane time bene shamefully abused Thus it is Iane Ashton being with six other dispossesed as wee haue heard was after embracing the popish religion repossessed therevpon fell into the hands of certaine preists who haue carryed her vp and downe the country exorcising and adiuring the diuell in her after their manner â—â—o 〈◊〉 fauor to preists then to ministers of the gospell Now I demaund of the Bishop of London why these Seminariâ— preists haue not bene in all this time committed to prison and punished as well as M. More and my selfe for besides that they are preists it is acknowledged and it is most true that thereby hir maiesties subiects haue bene shamefully abused and further it is said that shee stayeth herself vpon their secret directions whereby it shoulde seme if one may beleue the Discouerer that these preists haue taughtâ— her to couÌ„terfyt at least in part why also is not this notorious couÌ„ter feyt punished that hath had a principall hand in this abusing of hir maâ—iesties subiects but it may be she is no counterfeit for it is saide that through the directions of the said priests shee hath gotten god knowes what Imagine that it is the doing of some tricks or as is saide heere the counterfeyting of certaine fits whether she will or not as Mary Couper is brought forth deposing that certaine speaches of mine principally and of certaine women togither with her experience of the signes of possession in her brother made her to doe that which shee neuer thought to haue done and this whether she would or no so as she could not refrayne no maruaile then though she haue not bene punished for counterfeyting pag. 3. 1â— and this is the very reason why of 11. counterfeyts as some call them none haue bene punished for counterfeyting no not Somers who if it were so was an horrible blasphemer and otherwise most abominable OF THF 2. CHAPTER The occasion why M. Darrells dealing with Somers was called into questyon at Lambeth M. pag. 9 Darrell by vertue of her Maiesties Commission for causes ecclesiasticall being sent for appeared before the L. Archbishop of Canterbury and others at Lambeth from whence he was committed to prison by reson of his absurd and vntrue but yet very confident assertions giuing therby iust occasioÌ„ to suspect that he was but a couÌ„terfeyt order was taken for the further examination of that cause according to the vsuall course by the lawes of the Realme in such cases prouided The issue whereof was that vpon the hearing of M. Darrell and the depositions against him in open court before the L. Archbishop of Canterbury the L. Bishop of London c. he the said M Darrell was by the full agreement of the whole court condemned for a counterfeyt and together with M. More his companyon who tooke vpon him to iustefy the said Darrell had otherwise greatly misbehaued himself they were both of them deposed from the ministery and comitted to close prison there to remayne vntill order were taken for theire further punishment All I affirmed at my commitment was that Somers had not counterfited Let men nowe iudge whether that be absurd falce 2. whether so to affirme be herisy for I was commited to prison for heresy other heresy I then vttered not not for teaching Som. to counter feit which fact was not theÌ„ in questioÌ„ no not vntil a month after I had bene in prison yea by the discouerers owne words which be that I was committed to prison by reason of or for my absurd and vntrue assertions it appeareth that I was not sent to prison for the same cause I haue bene so long deteyned in prison viz. teaching to counterfeyte 3 Let men iudge
same end vpon this M. Maior his letter was procured and sent to me vpon the receipt whereof I went For thus truly I thought that forasmuch as sundrye of the inhabitants of Nottingham and among them his maister his pastor togeather with the magistrate who were interessed in the boy called and desired my poore aduice and assistance it was my part and duty to goe and to yealde them my best assistance contrary to that I had purposed and written before as being called of god to that worke and hereabout I consulted also with two godly learned men then in Ashby who were eue so also perswaded and whose allowance I had in that I did I went not then to So. vpon my sister in lawes bare letter neither doth the same ymport as the Disc vnder the name of an other reporteth but being instantly requested by such as you heare and if S. H. stand for Samuell Harsnet as all men suppose and wherof there is no doubt then knoweth he the most of these thinges as well as I yea almoste no man better for besides that he hath heard vndoubtedly of these seuerall letters M. Ireton his excepted many times he may remember that he being a commissioner among other intergatoryes they had one concerning the occasion of my comminge to Not. and that Mistres Gray and M. William Langford among others being deposed and interrogated thereabouts answered that M. Maior that then was viz. M. Peter Clarke did write vnto me to that end and that thervpon I came bending their speach to the said M. Clarke who was present as being a commissioner Indeede this part of their depositions was not set downe among the rest as I was shortly after credibly informed And now let others iudg of M. Harsnets dealing herein It is by the way to be obserued that the Dis himselfe although in his scoffing vaine confesseth that I ran not of my selfe to Som. nor any of the rest but haue bene sought vnto from whence a probable argument may be drawne that I did not teach him to counterfeyt nor any of the other For if I had so done for gayning glory to my self in a feined dispossessing of him surely after so much paynes taken for sundry yeares together I would in all likelihood haue winded my selfe by some odd practise and deuise or other into that action otherwise what had his counterfeyting bene to me or would haue advantaged mee more then an other true saith the Dis and therefore very cunningly you did so For Som. hath deposed that these wordes you said vnto him in Ashby parke He also meaning my selfe tould me saith Som. pag. 8. 6. that he hauing a sister in lawe in Nottingham one M. Wallys I could no sooner name him when I should be thought to be possessed but that presently and the rather by his sisters meanes he should be sent for to come vnto me This our said meeting in the parke is hereafter ouerthrowne and therby it is manifest that no such speach was there vttered by me But it is strengthned by Edmond Garland's deposition Before M. Darrell was sent for saith hee I haue bene present twisè or thrise at seuerall times when Som. pag. 8â— hath in his pretended fits vsed these words Darrell Darrel Darrell If the deponent meane of the first sending for me that he deposeth is false if of the latter I yeald vnto it but howsoeuer he mean and others take it it mattereth not because it is playne by the premises that I went not to Som. vpon his naming me but vpon other occasion whereby the falshood of Som. deposition doth further appeare and Garlands also if we respect the end wherevnto it serueth moreouer had there bene any such compact betwene Som. and me why went I not at the first sending for being especially so solemnly sente for by a messenger of purpose bringing with him a horse for mee to ryde on to make sure I should come as some percase thought such a letter as we heare and an other besides from M. Aldridge But notwithstanding this I sate still and not only so but returned besyds such an answer as wherevpon they write to two others as is aforsaid either of whose assistance had they of Nott obteyned we had neuer heard any thing of my teaching to counterfeyt who can now in reason ymagine that there was any such compact could I be sure that I shoulde be the second time intreated hauing also denyed in twoe seuerall letters to deale in that action Indeede it so fell out by the prouidence of god who had therevnto appointed me but in respect of men by chance For thus it was One of the Earle of Huntington's men Maist Hoult by name beiâ—gat Nottingham the Maior toulde him of a purpose pose he had to write by him to his Lord to be a meane to me to com-vnto them to a boy greatly distressed M. Hoult answered that he thought that neede not for that his owne letter to me woulde suffyce and preuaile so farr with me his place considered And herevpon the said letter was made and sent by him who was presently to come to Ashby to his Lord remayning there where my selfe also dwelt at the deliuery whereof he made this knowne vnto me And thus much touching the occasion of my going to Som. wherein through the vnreasonablenesse and wresting of my aduersary I haue bene inforced to be longer then I desyred Hauinge begun the studie of the law he perceued therein such greate corruption pag. 24. as he gaue himselfe to the studie of diuinitie that so he mighte serue god and kepe a good concience The vse of this is to alienate the affections of those which be of this calling from me and there withall from the caus it selfe But God is my witnesse that I neuer affirmed any such thinge neither did the same euer enter into my thought The commoÌ„ lawes I hold and euer did since I studied them to be grounded vpon the lawe of god and reason to be of necessarie and singular use in the common wealth so farram I and euer was from condemninge the studie of them farr therefore was that from me the Disc here suggesteth Only this is true that when the Lorde who had longe before purposed to imploye me otherwise and in the studye of an other â—aw did drawâ—â—e another waye by layinge his hande vpon me in causinge a strange extraordinary sluggishnes to fall vpon me being a student of the common lawes euen then when I was most free and far from the sam I thus thought with my selfe and it may be I haue some times vsed wordes to this effect that without all contradiction it were much better for me to spende my dayes and strength in the studie of the deuine then humane lawe and to be occupied and labour or worke vpon the soules of men endeuouringe theire eternall saluation then about the landes and goods of men and rightinge of the wronge don vnto them
the contrary all things well considered so neither in generall could it further the setting vp of the Presbyteriall conceites pag. 15. seeing heere was no deuill cast cut by a Presbiterâ—all man to commend him his conceits to the world And this is the 14. time the Discouerer is convinced and shamed by his owne Discouery 4. It is to be remembred ans 4. that K. wright setting downe the cause of her dissimulation forsooth doth not mention any profite or benifite shee should receiue from me or that I did beare her so in hand but mentioneth the hard vsage of her father in lawe Iohn Mekin in beating brusing her very sorâ— to deliuer her selfe from which she fell of countering wherevnto the Disc addeth pag â—97 1298 313. a desire to liue at some case and to he much made of by her parentes If these were the reasons or causes of K Wrights dissimulation as K. VVright and the Disc tell vs then she did not dissemble for Darrels sake not for any profite or benefite she was to receiue from him And this is the 15. time that the Discouerer is convinced by his Discouery except you will say these were not the onely causes oâ—ner counterieiting which we can not in any reason thinke seeinge neither K. VVright nor Disco who betwene them I trust haue omitted none haue named any other cause Hauing answeared that which is said to proue K. VVright a counterfeite and my selfe to haue taught her the rest in this chapter beinge of leâ—â—e moment 〈◊〉 as not worthy the answearinge and so will proceed to Maâ—y Cooper the fourth counterfeite OF CHAP. 8. OF M. Darrels proceedings with M. Cooper the sister of william Somerâ— Discouerer First M. Cooper saith thus many times M. Darrell would call me vnto him alone I being in my fathers house and tell me that he doubted that I would proue in tune to be possessed pag 315. 316 and theirfore bad me looke vnto it His particular speaches with her were nothing else but a cunning proiect to put Mary Cooper in mind that she might counterfeite such a matter and so shee tooke it Hereunto also that apoerâ—aineth which she deposeth thus I often times â—xard M. Darell say before my pretended euilnes that it was the deuils custome when he had possessed one in a familie to seeke to possesse more of the same familie likewâ—e This as arguinge too plainly his cunning packing M. Darrell denyeth but it is some what strengthened by Somers deposition in this behalfe before time saith he that I fell againe into this course c. Further more whiles the saide Mary Cooper was meditating as it seemeth vpon M. Darrels former speaches it fell out that a child of hers died a little before Christinas which she tooke so heavilie as it made her as shee saith indeed and truly euill at ease and somwhat weake wherevp in certaine wâ—omen and others in the towne comming vnto me tould me saith shee that I was worse then I knewe my selfe to be and that I would be as evill as my brother william was These wordes added to M. Darrells former speaches that he doubted she would proue to be possessed and that Sathan was not content with one in familie together with her experience of the signes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of M. Darrell made her as shee saith to doe that which she neuer thought to haue done that is as she addeth to tomble and tosse to talke idely and to laugh Darrell In this last chapter of the Discouery the Disc telleth vs of the counterfeitinge of one Mary Cooper of Nottingham wife of Robert Cooper the younger and sister to William Somers and of my teachinge of her or cunninge and fradulent practises vsed to the said end And this he proueth by her deposition strengthened by Somers deposition other prooâ—e hath he none She counterfeited a possession And to the end she might be deemed by the world to be possessed shee did tumble tosse talke idely and laugh Surely these thinges are easily done neither need thee to haue any helpe to teach her them or I to haue vsed any great cunning theirin but of her selfe without me she was able to haue tumbled c. And were not they wise people trow ye which vpon the doinge of those to yes would deeme her to be possessed we must knowe then and may in reason assure our selues that were Mary Cooper a counterfeite to make shew theirof she did something one beside tumble and tosse talke idely and laugh yea by the words of the Disc so much may be coniectured in that he saith Mary Coopers experience of the â—ignes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of me made her c. whence it is to be gathered that she to be â—nought to be possessed with the deuill as well as her brother was did 〈◊〉 some at least of the signes of possession as W. Soâ—ers her brother had to the said end done before her Let vs then I say conâ—â—der what counterfeit trickes she did and whether they be such as I could teach and she learne and practise 1 She constantly affirmed that vsually in the nightes she was troubled with strange â—ights and visions and namely of Alice Freman som thinge also now and then speaking to her and by some circumstances this might be made probable 2 It is certaine that on the daye she was handled after a strange manner by fâ—tes and that by course or turne with her brother Somers for â—e no sooner ended his fites but presently in the twinkling of an eye she begane hers and when she ended immediatly begane her thus they did though they were in seuerall roomes 3. In theâ—e fites she speake very much wherof she knewe nothing after and that this is true it might be made very probable by diuers circumstances also 4. In some of her fites she was of that strength that 4. or 5. coulde scarslye rule her 5. She was of supernaturall kâ—owledge tellinge of diuers thinges done a good way of her and that at the same instant they were done 6. In her fites she was in the Iudgment of men without feelinge As to her brother so to her a little thinge in appearance was done to make triall theirof which notwithstandinge vndoubtedly will suffice theirvnto And that was this her little finger was bended withall the force of a man inward so as presently after it swelled much and great payne had she theirof many dayes after yet their at stirred she not at all no more did Somers 7. her belly was in the midest as it were deuided and raysed vp of either side 8. Out of her belly was sensibly heard a kinde of whupping also a noyse much like to the whurring ofâ— catt 9 her bellye on the sudden swelled and was in estimation of the bâ—gnes of a woman somewhat more then haife gone with child and so
such strength and such admirable and manifold faytes as is manifest they or the deuill did And this is the sixteneth time the Discouerer is convinced by his owne Discouery Discouerer When Mistris Graye saith Mary Cooper and the rest of her companye came about me pag 318. sayinge and reportinge that I should be deliuered of some mâ—nstrous thing I laughed hartely at their folly and this my laughinge they termed my fite and would cry out now Lord blesse her she is in asore fitt The which theire foolish wonderinge made me laugh more and more and tho more I laughed they more they cryed Lord haue mercy vpon her she is in a strang fitt besides when I had laughed till my harte was 〈◊〉 at them because my strength was spent with laughâ—ng then would the whâ—le company of weomen namely Mistris Gray and the reâ—â— cry out 〈…〉 her lord bâ—â—sse her Lord Iâ—sus haue mercy vpon her now she is in a trauâ—e Darrell VVe haue heard before of Mary Cooper being with child and that after she had continued so many weekes in apperance she â—ed 〈◊〉 auâ—ing wherevpon diuers neighbour weomen among them Mâ—stres Cray being first requesteâ— accordinge to the custâ—me came 〈◊〉 said trauel and how it went with her theirin very extraordinarily in so much as they weomen present theirat conceiued she would haue bene deliuerâ—d of some monstrous thing as is here confeâ—â—ed â—he Disc now telleth vs in the person and deposition of Mary Cooper which I know he would haue men beleue to be true that she did nothing but laugh and this laughing they termed her fitt were not these wise weomen which seeing a woman onely laugh did theirvpon thinke that she was in trauel and not onely so but imaginâ—a that she woulâ— bâ— dâ—â—iuered of some monster and theirvpon cried vnto the lord to haue merâ—y on her Againe it is say de that Mary Cooper was 〈◊〉 and truly euill at ease It is incredible then that beinge sicke she should thus exceeâ—e in laughing Surely if Calphurnius were aliue of whom the Poet saith pleno ridet Calphurnius ore and should reade this riâ—iculous deposâ—uâ—n he would not onely laugh with open mouth theirat but as it is saydhere of Mary Cooper laugh till his harâ—â— were sore Had not the Disc solde himselfe to all impudencie and shameles gaynsaying the truth would he euer haue affirmed much lesse published to the world that Mary Cooper did at her traueile whereof we haue harde nothinge but laugâ— But as the Dis doth here extenuate or rather make iust nothinge of the rare and greuous effectes which Sathan wrought vpon the â—ody of Mary Cooper at the time of her supposed trauâ—◠〈◊〉 hatâ— be doâ—e the like before to his vttermest throughout his Discouery by other as strange and greiuous effectes which the euil◠〈◊〉 in Somers Darling and Katherine Wright sent forth and this is aboue all thinges to be obserued by the reader for heerein principally lyeth â—is â—eceite Secondly as heere he doth this besides impiously very absurdly and in ridiculous manner so vsually before For instance Somers 〈◊〉 I did foame excessiuely pag 23â— it is true quoth the Disc and his deponentes but it was when he had blacke lead in his mouth c. Discouerer You heare in this deposition sâ—me â—ention of the Iudgeâ— pag 〈…〉 whervpon it is to remember vnto you what a very strange and malitious practise was vnder taken to haue procured the death of apore womâ—â— oâ—e Alice Freman vpon pretence that she was a witch This Aâ—ce Freeman was one of those whom Somers had named for witches and is alied to M. Freeman an Alderman and Iustice of peace in Nottingham It is said but vntruly by some of M. Darrels frendes that before the detecting of Alice Freeman for a witch it was not reported in Nottingham that Somers was a dissembler theirby inferring that the offence taken by her detection was the cause that raysed vp aslaunder for sooth of Somers dissimulation The practise was to charge the sayd poore women Alice Frâ—eman to haue bewitched to death the child of Mary Cooper and that she likewise was the cause of the sayde Maries trouble and vexation as haueing bewitched her in like manner which conceite being thrust into Mary Coopers head she was arraigned M. Darrell was one amongst diuers that gaue in evidence against the woman grounding himselfe much vpon Somers detecting of her for a witch matters were so prosecuted against her as had not the Iudges in their wisdome discerne â—omwhat it is verily thought the poore woman being found guiltie by the great enquest had bene condemned to death Darrell Seeing the Disc will iustifie Alice Freeman and together with her kinsman M Freeman haue her to be a very innocent to haue bene without cause through the mallice forsoth of some accuâ—ed of witch crafte let vs therfore see what may be sayd concerning her not that I will charg her with witchcraft but that we may see she is not altogether so free from all suspition of witchcraft as the Disco and her kinsman pretend and that there was iust cause of the proceedinges vsed against her In the beginning of December 97. presently after the discouerie of this Alice Freeman among other persons for a witch by Somers or rather by the deuill vsinge his tongue she the said Alice comming into the house of Robert Cooper father in law to Somers and to Mary Cooper his sister some angrie wordes the sayd Mary gaue her callinge her a witch The night following but how it came to passe I know not Mary Cooper felt a stiring within her belly as if their were some quicke thinge her belly swelling which was sensible to others and the other greuous vexations wherof we haue heard before growing vpon her by little and little pag 3 â— To this stirring M. Aldridge hath deâ—â—sed afterwards she grue to be indifferently well and so doth continue onely she complayneth that she hath a kind of stirring in her bâ—lly But if Alce Freeman together with her familiar spirit caused Mary Coopers strange and fearefull vexations then it was thought that her mallice did not staâ—e it selfe there but reached to her onely child that so shee might be further revenged of her and herevpon this suspition diâ— arise About 10 dayes after the former iarre in a faire mone shine eueÌ„ninge Alice Freeman went from her owne house to Robert Cooper his house One seeinge her and maruelinge to see her trudg so fast that could so ill beinge avery ougly old â—ame woman doe it followed whott foote after her and dogged her VVhen she was come to the aforesaid house she did not forthwith knocke at the dore as the manner of well meaning people is but peepes first at the chinckes of the doore then went she to the window and thus she continued playing at bo-peepe a good while and yet she is no child but a well aged woman At length she