of that booke the Disc might then with Answeare 1 some better coulour haue framed this maâ—â—cious colleâ—tion against me 2. those words are not so much sett downe for the matter of the as for the maÌ„ner of their deliuerie vz. with his mouth wide open which thing impossible to be counterfeited will the sooner be beleiued wheÌ„ it is not onely declared that the boy spake with his mouth wyde open but also specified what words he so vttered and in this respecte their was good and iust cause of publishinge them 3. Theire is small cause why any should commend me or conceiue well of me in regard of this speach seeing it was spoken by the father of lyes and therefore gâ—eatlye to be suspected of falshode excepte my selfe had published the booke for my pervsinge of it was knowne onely to some 3. or 4. 〈◊〉 OF CHAP. 4. Of M. Darrells further practise with Darling to pretend that Sathan sought to reenter into him and of some other his vntrue assertions concerning the boyes fittes and of his cunning dealinge likewise with him that be should neuer confesse his dissimulation Darrell From pag 285. vntill 290. the Disc pursueth his owne shadow labouring with many wordes to convince me of that I neuer affirmed vz. That Darling in all his fittes was altogether senceles this I haue shewed before in my answeare to this generall charge wherevnto to avoyde tediousnes and idle repetitions of the same thinge I referre the reader for fyll answeare to all that heere he obiecteth against me Discouerer Another thing that the Disc troubleth himselfe much with and where aboutes he bestoweth many lines pag 289. even from the page 289. till page 293. is that I should affirme that it was Sathan onely as I did thinke that vsed the words in those dialogues mentioned in the said book he the said Satan transforming himselfe into an angell of light at such times when he seemed to speake godlily And this he confuteth full soundly I warrant you first by producinge the boy Tho. Darling deposing that he doth not beleiue so Then by the deposition of Iesse Bee a sadler who saith that whosoeuer affirmeth so doth lye in so affirming There reason is because of the godly speaches he vsed mentioned in the dialogues Then and in the third and last place the Disc himselfe telleth vs that for the same reason he thinketh that it can not be that the saide dialogues came from the deuill his wordes be these If any man will take the paynes to pervse those speaches which Iesse Bee hath fathered vpon the boy in the said dialoges he shall finde them to be such as will hardly be found againe in any storie that euer was written to be ascribed to Sathan Darrell If now I can shew out of a history of good credite against which theire can no exception be taken as holy wordes and as vnlikely to come from Sathan as those mentioned in the dialogues to haue yet neuertheles bene vttered by Sathan then I hope the Dis will yeeld that the holines of those speaches doth not lett but that the same not with standinge they might proceede from the diuell VVe read then in the divine storie mark 5. 9. mark 1. 24. that the Temptor saide vnto Christ it is written alleadging scripture for his purpose all the wordes whereof be holy And often thus Iesus the sonne of the most high god And againe I know thee what thou art even the holy one of god VVhat wordes I praye you be more holy then these and what wordes more vnlikely to come from Sathan then such as these Sure if the Disc had bene liuinge in that age and present at these holy and divine speaches he would not haue thought they came from Sathan Even so likewise I muze what the B. and S. Harsnet would haue sayd if they had bene by when that testimonie and commendation was giuen by the diuell of Paul Silas whereof we read in the actes These men saith he are the servantes of the most high god which shew vnto you the way of salvation VVhat wordes almost could be deliuered more vnlikely to proceede from the diuill that aduersarie of mankinde then these for being true a man at the first blush might imagine that if the were the speaches of the euill spirit then sure he was not vnwilling that men should be faued wheras the old serpent ment theirby to hinder and did mightelye Kinder the saluation of men I meane the inhabitantes of Philippi for by oft cryinge out in that manner as he did he moued and occasioned S. Paul to cast him forth of her whom he possessed and others vpon that facte of the Apostle to cast him and Silas a prophet into prison so ordered the matter that vpon their inlargment they departed the citie which no question wasithe thing Sathan aymed at in the commendation he gaue of Paul and Silas So that by these and such like examples of the holy scripture we may saflye conclude that the wicked spirit heere spoken of did ayme sure at some evill practise intent when he vsed those holy words mentioned in the sayde dialogus howsoeuer the Disc happely iudge otherwise and his deponent Iesse Bee because of the godly speaches contained in the dialogues Discouerer M. pag 293. Darrell being charged that since the time of the pretended dispossession of Darling he had cherished entertained lodged the boy at his house and that least his owne packing and dissimulation might happen to be detected is well as the boyes he did vse this or the like perswasion in effecte vnto him vz. that he should continue constant and not suffer himselfe by any alluerment to be drawen to say that he had dissembled in his former fittes and that he was neuer possessed with any wicked spirit And his answeare is thus one night I entertained the said Darlinge in my house at Ashby and the rest he denieth but Darling himselfe deposeth it I haue bene with M. Darrell saith he diuers times sometimes at Burton once at Apleby once at Packington at seuerall exercises from whence I went hom with M. Darrell to Ashby and supped that night with M. Hildersham M. Dar. two other ministers and Mistris Ireton at M Hildershames house did lye that night at M. Darrells Also I confesse that M. Darrell hath had some communication with me and hath willed me at sometimes that I should be constant and sticke to the truth meaning that I should not suffer my selfe to be drawen to affirme that I was not possessed but that I had dissembled in all my sayd fittes and so consequentlye that God had not deliuered mâ— from the possession of Sathan Heere is great adoe and much prattle about packing dissimulation and I knowe not what and of the feare forsooth that was on my behalfe least the same should be detected but if the Iudge should call for the evidence to prooue this then come in nothing but 2. poore
printed booke Herevpon Alyce Goodriâ—g was committed to Darbye gaole indited and arraigned and founde guiltie thereof and by my Lord Andeson sentence giuen vpon her to imprisonmente where since she died These thinâ—es considered to saie and publish thus confidently that Darling 〈◊〉 what is it els but presumtuosly to condemne both Iury and Iudge eyther of â—iustice or simplicitie or both And these thinges are so notori of yâ—knowen to an the Cuntrye that an hundred such shameâ—eâ—se Discâ—uâ—ryes as â—as are not able once to bringe then I meane the impossidâ—ites afore-â—arâ—e into doubte or question there For the further conâ—â—rmation where of we are ready to proue and auerie the same by the oathe of many suâ—ficient witneâ—â—es and there-by make it most euident and plaâ—ne to the worâ—d that it is impâ—ssible that Darlinge shoulde be a counterfeit In the meane season we may remember that two 〈◊〉 of peace and quorum and aboue fortye of the inhabitantes of Burton neyghbours there-vnto which were eye wyâ—nesses of Darlinges vexations haue vnder theire han les in twoo seuerall testimoniaâ—s witnessed that his fitts torments or betakinges were such and sosu pernaturall as they are fully perswaded no man is possiblie able to counâ—erfeite and for this and some other reasons are perswaded and doe verily thinke that Darlinge did not dissemble as appeareth by the tenure of their letters testimoniall here followinge The former wher of the Bishop hath and a coppie of the latter as I take it To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine wee whose names are vnder written Iustices of peace and quorom within the countes of Staffâ—râ— and Darby amongest others send greeting whereas we haue bine râ—quested and dâ—sired to câ—â—tifie our knowledges concerninge the straunge bandling or bâ—takeing of one Thomas Darlinge of late greuously handled and tormented and that in such strang manner as was wonderfully to behould whereof we weare eye witnesses we therfore for the better satisâ—ing of all those that are desirous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Thomas Darling did not dissemble or counterfeit in any those his fittes or stâ—ange betakinges and the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thinke is First for that the manner of those his fittes torments or betakeinges weare such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded no man is possible able to counterfeite the like And also for that their was one Alice Goodâ—eridge the wise of one Oliuer Goodderidge of Stapâ—nhill within the counâ—â— of Darby who long before that time had bene suspected for a witche and being for that cause brouâ—ht before vs did vpon her examination before vs cousâ—sse that shee did mistake the said Thâ— Darling and thought it had binâ—oâ—e Sherratte a boy who had done her some wronge as she saith and 〈◊〉 we haue bine informed by some of good creditt to vs well knowne that the said Alice Goodderidge did confesse that she did call her 〈◊〉 for so she tearmâ—d it which waâ— â—s she said in liknes of a little dog and called it Minnie and bâ—d it goe after the said Darling thinkinge it had 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 in all the partes of his body wâ—ich said 〈…〉 retourned to her agame and sould her he has done aâ— shee bade him and further shee did confesse that after that time she neuer sawe the said little dogge but once that it came to her in the Gayole at Darby whether shee was committed for the said facte and she being in the sayde Gaâ—ie was brought before the Iustices of Assise and Gaole deliuerie and their desiered the said Iustices to be good to her and forgiue her she would neuer doe so any more In testimonie wher of we here vnto severally sett our handes and seales dated the First daye of October 1598. Humserye Ferrers Thomas Gresley To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine we whose names are vnder written aswell resiantes and inhabitantes of the towne of Burton vpon Trent in the counâ—ie of Stafford as others greetinge whereas wee haue bene requested and desired to certifie our knowledges concernninge the strauÌ„g handâ—â—ng or be taking of one Tho. Darling of late grieuously handled and tormented and that in such strange manner as was wonder fully to be bould whereof wâ— weare eye wâ—tnesses we therefore for the better satisfiyng of all those that are desierous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Tho. Darling did not dissemble or counterfeite in any of those his fiâ—â—es or straâ—ge betakeinges And the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thâ—nke be many whereof for avâ—yding of over tedious matter we will onely herâ—â—n alledge some few as namely first for that we haue knowne the said Tho. Darling from his childhood to be of an honest and gratious disposition and both himselfe and his freads in whose keepinge he was duringe his said fittes to be such as we are well assured would haue no hand incounterfeit or lewâ—e practises and also the manner of those his fittes tormentes or betakeings were such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded that no man is possibile able to counterfeit the like And also for that their was one Alice Gooddridge c. To the effect in the afore said Testimoniall And their vpon this Alice Gooddridge being brought before the Iustices of assise and Gaole deliuery was by dewe course of lawe then convicted of the same fact in testimony wherof we haue herevnto severally subscribed our names dated at Burton aforesaide the fifte daye of October 1598. Peter Eckersall minister at Burton I. Grainger VV. Caldwall VV. Hawes I. Hawes H. Blackwall R. Turner VV woodcocke I. Fichit I Finney E wrightman V. Palmer R. Moore R. Hyde I. Debanke I. Bridgett E. Hudsonne T Dutton R. watson I. Horbyne R. Baker H. Clarke E. Goodcole R. Taylor I. Simpson T. Hasten the elder constables of Burton T. Hasten the younger R. Hayes w. Harresen I. Taylor R. Shenten H. wackfeild R. Tomson T. Saunders I. Alsoppe R. Teale w. Clarke T. Stanly R. Hendlye I. Henworthe I. Butler R. Bradlye Raphe Teate Thus we see that howsoeuer darlinges vexation by Sathan is not confirmed by the oâ—thes of men as Somers is Yet by the testemoniâ— of many witnesses of good credit who render 3. forcible reasons agaynst counterfeitynge He nowe that is so filthye as to beleiue this Discouerer vpon his bare reporte without any proofe or reason of Darlinges counterfeiting before the testimonye of so manye alleaging such effectuall reasons against counterfeytinge let him be fylthye still and yet more filthye The matter contained in these testimonials makinge against Darlings coounterfeitinge I haue sufficiently pressed and vrged before in my Apologie wherevnto the Disc teturneth no manner of answere at all and yet beareth the world in hand that he hath dispatched and wiped
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
fault they will needes haue to be double one an error in my Iudgment the other a plaine knacke of knauery for I can call it no better in my practise For the first my simple Iudgment as I haue already both by word writting made knowne is this That as the bodies of men may really be possessed of Sathan in this age as well as in former times so the ordinarie way and meanes of their dispossession and deliuerance is prayer or prayer and fastinge This is in effect all that I hold and contend for wherin I willinglye referre and submitt my selfe to the godly learned of our Church I challeng no power to worke miracles nor guift aboue others to cast out deuils I haue not vsed any adiuration all which are fathered vpon me but I condemned the same in others And now before the Lord and men I doe vtterly from my soule renounce them as heeretofore I haue often done with my tongue pen what grosse and dangerous error then doe I maintaine For the other that is my knacke or packe of knauery in teachinge to counterfeite and fayning a dispossession by prayer when their were no such things performed I cannot be perswaded for all this impudent shameles discourse of S Harsnetes so bedecked and adorned with my L. of Londons flowers that they themselues in their consciences doe be leeue this knacke of knauerie against me in that sort as they haue sett it downe 1 The reasons that induce me so to thinke be these First as men prophâ—ly call them because they would not suffer Somers or rather the deuill in him to doe his trickes though they were sundrie times desired publiklye and priuatly that he might doe them for the better endinge of the controuersie and that he offered to doe the same Secondly their manner of proceeding against me contrarie to the ordinarie course of iustice and equitie 2 yea such as heathens and infidels would blush and be ashamed to vse as appeareth by the particulars in the treatise following Now what neede they to haue vsed any such extraordinarie and vnlawfull proceedings If they were perswaded of the truth of that which they pretended against me or that they had any iust matter or sound and cleare euidence to convince me by nay if they weare not in themselues perswaded that Darrell would cleare himselfe of teaching to counterfeite if he should be admitted to a proceeding according to the lawes of the Realme in such cases prouided Thirdly their very writtinge against me in this case in that manner as they haue done 3 is sufficient in the iudgment of the wise to discry and discouer the guiltines of their consciences this way For what a test were it to punish treason or rebellion by Booke-writting I willinglye confesse the sinne they charge me with if it be true to be as bad as rebellion and to deserue more then the pillorie yea a shamefull and a reprochfull death to the terror of others And if they can proue the thinges published against me in that printed Libell of S. Harsnetes they shall neede no Iurie to passe vpon me neither will I craue any fauour but iustice with seueritie Seeinge then the punishe not nor neuer went about to punish this supposed offence according to the weight and desert thereof nay haue bene so farr from that as within 14. dayes after the publishinge of the booke made against me they offered me libertie vpon condition I would promise not to preach of possessioÌ„ nor dispossession nor in my publike preaching iustifie the possession and dispossessinge of the persons controverted nor deale any more in the dispossessinge of any and yet haue publiklye made it knowne for so haynous and notorious a crime what doth this argue but that inwardly in theire owne soules they doe not beleiue their owne lible Fourthly their often and ordinarie bringinge in the testimonie of Somers against me in theire saide booke able to make a horse to spue whensoeuer they are at a stand and can by no meanes writhe nor wrest in that which they would faine make good being vtterlye voyd of all honest course of defence then forsooth comes in M. 4 Somers dropping out of M Harsnets budget as an authenticall witnes And what doth more argue the guiltines of ther conscieÌ„ces the desprateÌ„es of their cause the shamlesnes of their defence then this That they are not abashed to suppresse the examinations of sundry honest men wise men and gentlemen of good place taken by Comission from the Arch. B. of Yorke as thinges of no account and instead of them to tell vs a tale of Robin-hood or rather if you will of Robin the deuill alias William Somers why alas are they so simple or sottish to imagine that any man that is well in his wittes will beleeue this or that because Somers saith it that infamous and notorious lyer counterfeit blasphemer and forsworne wretch Fiftly theire winkinge at theire 7. Lancashire counterfeits and smoth passing by them not punishinge them albeit 6. of them were in the same family nor any of those 4. whom they haue deait with and say vpon their examination haue confessed that they haue counterfeted no not Somers their principall supposed counterfeite but fauoured intertained countenaunced â—â—erished and made much of him though most vile and infamous and such as they must needes know to haue scarce any match in lewdnes and iniquitie as if counterfeiting and blaspheming were a prayse or but a spirt of youth in him and teaching to counterfeite onely odious in me Now whence commeth this stealing by the 7. and impunitie of all but from tâ—e conscience of man tening him that they are no counterfeits and therfore it is best to let them alone and not to punish all these innocentes Lest they in their innocencie denying constantlye to haue counterfeited and exclaming against them should bring them to great shame Sixety and 〈◊〉 the thing that most moueth me thus to be perswaded is their winking at and not answering at all to the impossibilities of or concerning Dacling Katherine Wright Mary Cooper and the 7. in Lancashire which are the onely thinges we alâ—eadge against their counterfeiting why they neither are nor can possiblie be counterfeites and the silly thiftes to blere the eies of men they haue deuâ—ed and forged out of their owne braines for answere to the impossibilities presseâ— agaâ—â— Somers counterfeiting namely to the depoâ—tions of the 17 proâ—ing the impossibilities by oath Heerevnto I may add the 〈…〉 and more then ridiculous proofes of my teaching 4. pro. 14. 15. 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 â—eites For 〈…〉 stoliduâ—n vulgus the foolish people which wâ—ll beleiue every thing that Christ was a glutton c. that he had a dâ—uill speciallye when they haue the phariuees telling them that 〈◊〉 feth forth deuil through Beelzebuh that he is a blasphemer specially wâ—en the high preist saith he hath blasphemed yee heare his blasphemie will
as I houlde all eiection performed by them to be miraculous and yet houlde that it is no myracle when Sathan is expelled by prayer and fasting he shoulde conuince mee otherwise he doth but tryfle and abuse his Reader in causing him to spend his houres in such vayne ydle and vnprofitable discourse as concerneth nothinge the matter in question neyther toucheth his aduersary any thing at all Hee procedeth There is a place saith hee in the last of S. Mark wherein they mightely please themselues and taking it as a rod of defence to mayntayne their cause it proues in handling a serpent that deuoureth them vp the wordes are these These signes shall followe them that beleue in my name they shall cast out dyuells and shall speake with newe tounges c. This is a meere slaunder for it is as farre from mee and euer was from alleadging this scripture in my defence as it is from takinge vpon me to worke myracles and I will as soone doe the one as the other Howe this scripture is to be vnderstood of svch as had the myraculous faith I haue shewed before against Thyreus and the papists peruerting it to their disposiessinge of diuels and that it cannot be vnderstood of all beleuers as he expoundeth it But to procede In steede of the author his name wee haue in the end of the Epistle these twoo letters S. H. so that men may onely gesse who hath made the discouerie VVere the truth on the discouerers side he woulde sure in playne and full letters haue sett to his nam withont staggeringe and thereby intimated thus much Looke what I haue sayd of counterfeytinge and by Darrell or any other I such a one am ready to iustifie the same but the discouerer beinge priuie to his owne false and corrupt dealinge and fearinge least that woulde be descryed and come one day to light thought it wisdome to conceale his name who can tell also how the christian magistrat will take this when he shall perceiue how greatly God is dishonored hereby and see the intollerable iniurie that is done first and chiefely to the Lord himself who hath wrought these greate workes and to whom greate glory and prayse is due for the same secondly to those whom God amonge others hath vsed herein and those vpon whom these workes were wrought takinge away the good name both of all those and of others that I could name as mnch as in him lyeth besiâ—es the greuious and causelesse molestation of many subiects in the land and the wrong doune to them both in their substance and good name In this respect also there is cause why the Discouerer shoulde sett downe two letters rather then his name for it is good pollicy to preuent a mischief and cast for the worst There is no doubt but that S. H. stand for Samuell Harsnet chap line to the Bishop of London but whither he alone or his lord hee haue discouered this counterfeyting and cosonage there is the question Some thinke the booke to be the Bishops owne doing and many thinke it to be the ioynt worke of them both Of Harsnet I think men doubt not consideringe the two first letters of his name be subscribed As touchinge his Lord and maister it is probable seeing the booke is commonly called the Bishop of Londons booke that all or part of it was made by an high Commissioner such as the Bishop is as appeareth by these words The author of the breif narration to drawe VS peraduenture from dealing with M. Darrell pag. 14. nowe other Commissioner in no reason can it possibly be For the Bishop of London it is that hath deposed and examyned I know not how many and that is acquainted with euery quirk and corner of this cause that hath managed this matter that hath perswaded not only the rest of the high Comissioners but the whole land also as much as in him lyeth that all is but counterfeyting and knauery but how truly he and his chapline say so and what reward they both deserue at the hands of god and men for all the greate paines they haue taken in this behalfe dooth partly appeare by the premisses and will I trust more fully be made manifest by that which followeth THE FIRST BOOKE THE 1. CHAPTER The nomber of such persons as are said to haue bene dispossessed by M. Darrels meanes M. Darrell growing into some smal credit with the simpler sort pag. â— became very peart proud Somthing to this purpose he confesseth some thought that I did glory somwhat tomuch in the action of casting forth diuels pag. 3. And a little after There are added in the end of the history of the boy of Burton thes words uiz shortly you shall hane the true story come forth of those 7. in Lancashire that were possessed with vncleane spirits and all seauen deliuered at one time by this man meaning M. Darrell as he himself confesseth Hereby the Descouerer laboreth to perswade the worlde that I did glory in the casting out of diuels as is playne by these words what M. Darrell tooke vppon him after this his second exployt it may be surmy sed by glorying in the first To the first of these I answere that I haue not altogither so deposed as appeareth by page 277. of the Discouery But admit it were so and that some haue so thought of me as is sayde yet it followeth not theirvpon that I gloryed c. for many haue mise conceaued the sbeaches actions of men when Eliab Dauids eldest brother heard the words of Dauid concernninge the killinge of Goliah he theirvpon thought and said vnto him that he was com downe to se the battle of pride and the mallice of his hearte and yet it was nothinge so How oft did Iosephs brethren conceaue amisse of his speaches and actions To the second I answer that beinge examined by the B. of L. vpon my oath whither I thought that by these wordes this man with the rest were ment my selfe I answered affirmatiuely And it being playne that he did meane me for who els had to doe with Darling the 7 in Lancashire how could I answer otherwis without periuery These words also we must remember are not mine but the printers as I tould the Byshop at my examynation at the same time condemed them greatly both which the Discouerer I warrant you concealeth how then doe they or my answer vnto them argue my glorying in the actioÌ„ of casting forth de uels Let the Discouerer fram his argumeÌ„t it may be he wil be ashamed of it Moreouer were it that I did glory somwhat toomuch herein the same maketh not against the cause but argueth only my corruption Darrell being sent for into Lancashire by one M. Starchy dispossessed in the said M. pag. 2. Starchyes house seauen persons at one clap viz Iohn Starchye Margaret Hardman pag. 323. Elianor Hardman Ellen Holland Margaret Byrom and Iane Ashton And in the
concerning the 3 last one word or two excepted concerning Kath Wright which raysed vp collor in this Discouerer 3. whether Th Darling being in the court by the Bishop of L. commaundement was heard to say any thing touching my teachinge of him or his own counterfeyting or not counterfeyting yea whether euer he or any other affirmed that I taught him to counterfeyte 4. whereas the depositions against mee were heard then to speak their their fill so the depositions of the 17. taken by the 12. Comissioners which are for mee were heard to speake at all either then or at any other time before though I haue oft and instantly desired the same 5. whether euer any one of my witnesses who haue hundredes to cleare me were heard to speake either in court or countre before commissioners 6. whether if it be as I seme to intimate by these my demaunds this hearing he speaketh of was likewise according to the vsuall course by the lawes of the Realme in such cases prouided yea or not 7. where he saith we are râ—serued for further punishment I aske of him whether this be according to the lawes of the Realme that we the accessaries if there were any counterfeyting shall thus haue punishment vpon punishment and the counterfeyts if such they were nor any of them be punished at all as if all the iniquity were in teachinge to counterfeyt and none in learning and practising the same otherwise sure they should be punished as well as we and not all the strypes laid vpon M. Mores back and myne And where it is saide that I was by the full agreement of the open court condemned for a counterfeyt it is vntrue Neither was that or any other definitiue sentence giuen of me In the end we being commaunded to stand aside as the manner is were forthwith after in the open court suspended and commaunded to close prison there to remayne till we should be are further from theÌ„ And so haue we done saue that we haue not bene all this while close prisoners wayting when we shall be heard according to the Queens lawes and be either acquited or condemned More then this was not done nor word saide They that ymagine Somers was not possessed but did counterfeyt saith the preface doe by â—onsequence deny the the soueraignty of our Sauiour in that action paâ— 1â— And one of the written pamphlets to deny the work of the diuels and God in the dispossession of So may seeme to be after a sorte to deny them in the gospell Then followeth his confutation Indeede if M. Darrells credit were as good in saying that So was possessed that by his and his fellowes meanes he was dispossessed as the Euangelists and Apostles ought to be when they tell vs of diuers that were possessed in Christs time then their said collections were pertinent Otherwise manye false knaues from time to time hauing deluded the people with hipocrisy and pretence of casting forth diuels it is a suggestion of Sathan for any to colect that thereby the said actions of our Sauiour and his Apostles are in any sort blemished but let them rayleon If Somers were possessed and dispossessed as I trust is made manifest then are these their collections very pertinent though Darrels credit nor his fellowes be any way to be compared with the Euangelists and Apostles neither are the said actions of our Sauiour and his Apostles in any sort blemished by these wordes as this man suggesteth no man so collecting but a man would thinke rather that they be bleâ—dyshed which will not receaue the possessiou and dispossession contended for notwithstanding it hath so great confirmation from the gospell But let them saith he rayle on Is not heere very perylous rayling well If there be not heere yet elswhere there is whereby they shew of what spirit they are And this he doth by setting downe many rayling sentences so termed by him which are scattered here and ther through out the Naration and Praeface to my Apollogye Some of which I will repeate but of the shortest for breuity sake M. Darrell hitherto could not obteyne somuch as patient audience or any iudicyall course of proceeding pag. 21. Agayne their proceedings haue bene indirect contrary to the royall commaundement of her Maiesty her lawes and lawfull liberties of her loyall subiects and agayne his iudges became parties pleaders and accusers agayne M. Darrell and M. More are now imprisoned for giuing testimony to the truth agayne let men beware in creditiug false rumours against those holy men of god who doe nowe or shall hereafter suffer in this holy cause Agayne I would aduise them that slaunder this worke and persecute the seruants of god without cause to tak heede least they be found euen fighters against god Thus we see what rayling the frends of this cause doe vse let vs now consider what rayling and scoffing to let others goe this maÌ„ an aduersary to the cause and great frend to counterfeiting doth vse that so comparing the rayling togither we may the better discerne of it and of these raylers This casting out of diuels is discouered to be but a pure play A Patorne of Harshents and his Lord and Masters sobriety contayninge two principall parts of a vyce and a diuell let them with all their iuglyngs driue out a melancholike spirit out of any poore soule in Bedlam Thus much for a taste of diuel driuers legerdemayne open the curtaine and see the puppets play M. Darrell is thought by some to be such a one that if hee met with the diuell he was able to curb him Is M. Darrell will be a right Exorcist after the currant fashion among the Iesuits if he want the faith of doing myracles he may cast his capp at them meaning diuels when Somers was dispossessed the deuill was shroudly dressed he was forsooth so extreamly tormented by the fasting prayers and preaching of M. Darrell and the rest as he had no leasure to say what he must doe or what he would do but rudely without taking any leaue of them departed The diuell was trickâ— with their conceaued prayers One diuell would haue bene mad at the name of Presbyter an other at the sight of a minister that will not subscribe an other to haue seene men sit or stand at the communion And whoe knoweth whether in time the naming of a presbitery would not haue had the vertue of a popish relique as well to cast out a diuell as to disclose him If their schollers be of the new cut they cry they wallowe they foame and shew the signes mentioned in the Scriptures Open thine eyes then good â—â—eder aâ—d let thy consience be Iudge who is the Rayler There Exorcists for want of worke are driuen to their shifts and like Tinkers walke vp and downe from place to place seeking to be ymployed Two points serued his turne instead of iugling slicks heere is fast and loose as the Egyptian listeth If the resemblances of
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
both say and doe it Darrell Howsoeuer the Disc doth not onely here but I knowe not how oft els where as pag. 30. 69. 111. 289. 306. prattle and florish with emptie words as though these were the two principall and false grounds wherby I am said to haue bewitched all the beholders wee must first knowe that he proueth not the former of these whereto I will first answere no not so much as by a false witnes For his 4 witnesses here following and two pag 111. doe only depose that I saide So. was senâ—lesse in his sits and those two pag. 306. that I saide the same by Kat. 〈◊〉 which ioyned together proue not that I said thâ—se who are pâ—ssâ—ssâ—d are senâ—â—lessâ— p. 41. 30. or as he saith else where and meaneth heere a 〈◊〉 is pâ—ssâ—ssed is in his fitts altogether senâ—lesse 2. I haue vpon myoath denyed pag â—06 that I said this of So. vz. at the times articulated against meâ—at another tyme I deny pâ—g 289. that affirmed Kath. Wright was sencles and a thrid time being here about deposed I answeared thus a I bâ—leiue that Thâ— This is the eight 〈…〉 Darlinge had not his sences or memorie in his fits but I c thinks that Satan might so order the mattâ—r as that he eithâ—r had or might 〈◊〉 had his sences in his said sitts And surelye I must needs thinke so except I were so grosse as to imagine that sathan being entered into man is bound as I may say hand and fote to depriue euery such person of ther sences and cannot otherwise doe and secondly should mundi forget my selfe who haue in experience seene the contrary in 〈…〉 Ashton and also in W. Sâ—mers as I haue shewed before where I treate of the signes of possession I or this reason confirmed by some experience I am as far as any other from saying that the Disc pag 50. so oft inclucateth and fathereth upon me vz. that whâ—soeuer is pâ—ssâ—ssed is altogethâ—r sâ—nâ—les in all there sits yet notwithstandinge I hould that the possessed ordinarily are seneles in theire fitts not onlâ— because my selfe anâ— others haue obserued this in experience but specially because the same may be probabile colle red out of the scriptures For did not the deuill depriue them at least of some of theire sence maâ—h 12 12. 〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉 5. 5. 〈…〉 blind and â—â—ase wherevpon the spirite was called by Christ Iesus d lease spirit and may we not well thinke that theâ— were without feeline who stoâ—ke themselues with stones and 〈…〉 of there mindes both of their vnderstanding and memory for it is playne by the context that they were k out of their right mynde haue wee not then good cause to iudge that they were depryued of all their sences internall externall And that thus it went not alwayes with them mark 5. 15. Luk 8. 35. but in they re â—ytts that is in the time of their vexation by Sathan may be gathered out of the 8. Marke where it is said of one of them insteade of both that bâ—ing often bound with setters and chaynes he brake them and then it was that no man could tame him and made his aboade naked in the mountaynes and graues and stroke himselfe with stones so as there were other times viz. when they were out of their fitts when he liued and conuersed among men cloathed in his right mynd And that not only these but generally the possessed in Christs time were ordinarily for the time of their fitts without their sences we may probablye thinke because it is euident that they had not their vnderstandynge otherwise they would neuer haue cryed out m mark 1. 24 what haue wee to doe with thee O Iesus of Nazareth art thou come to destroy vs and that not only these but many possessed with diuells vsed these kynd of speaches appeareth by Marke 1. 34. Thus we see that one of these which the Disc calleth my false grounds wherewith he chargeth me to haue seduced the people and a iugling sticks wherevppon my Legerdemayne as he calleth it did consist is warranted by the holy scriptures Beesides this hath bene obserued and reported of some who it shoulde seeme were possessed pag 30. In an history printed 86. concerning the afflictions of Margaret Herison of Burnham Vlpe in Norfolke and the speach the spirit had with M Robinson minister at the same place it is saide that she was of all sences both internall and externall to the iudgment of those that were present vtterly depryued and in an other place shee comming to her vnderstanding cryed c. And in the booke printed of the bewitchinge of M. Robert Throckmortons 5. daughters who as I take it were possessed it is reported that they were depryued of all vse of their sences duringe their fitts and that they could neither see heare nor seele any body and to this effect there are scattered very many speaches throughout the saide booke yea it is playne there that two of these gentleweomen Mistris Ioane and Mistres Iane had not theire sences in theire fitts before the Iudge and Iustices And where the Disc by way of preuention hath these wordes The lunatick in the scriptures was in his sitts dombe page 30. but it cannot be shâ—re that he wanted the rest of his sences Hee seeth now more may be shewed by other persons then possessed and truly it is an easye matter to shewe that the lunatick â—anted one of the externall sences he speaketh not of mark 9. 25. viz. hearing for Christ in healing the lunatick sayd Thou dombe and deafe spirit I charge thee 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 in their 〈◊〉 it is not thâ—y but Sathan 〈…〉 it Darrell That the diuell vâ—eth the tongue of thâ—se he possesseth speaketh 〈◊〉 it is an 〈◊〉 by these scriptures among others u what is thy 〈◊〉 I 〈…〉 many 〈…〉 a And the 〈…〉 me If the 〈…〉 out suffer 〈…〉 into the hearde of swyne p 〈◊〉 thy 〈◊〉 and come out of him h 〈…〉 many diuells and 〈◊〉 not the diuell to say that they knew him â— And diuells came out of 〈◊〉 crying and saying thou art that Christ that sonne of God Heerevpon 〈◊〉 affirmeth Diabâ—â—um eâ—us lingua vti mâ—uues 〈…〉 at the diuell vseth his tongue into whose bodye he is entred yea in the manifold speaches of the possessed mentioned in the gospell we readâ— not of any one which was not vttered by the diuell It is cleare the that 〈◊〉 if not alwaâ—es in the fitts of the possessed Sathan 〈◊〉 and not they And as the vncleane spiritts vse the tongues of 〈…〉 whome they are and speake what they will by them so doe 〈…〉 vse the other parts or members of their bodyes to performe other actions as their â—eete to goe with their hands to smite with c. so the diuells â—ent with the â—eete of the man possessed with the 〈…〉 carrveâ— them into the mountaynes and granes went with the
that there was no possibillity of coâ—nterfeytinge The end of the second Book THE THIRDE BOOKE OF CHAP. 1. How Somers confessed his dissimulation at S. Ioanes in Nottingham as soone as he was out of M. Dar. disposition Discouerer Concerning the occasion of So. pag 1â—7 remouing from his father in lawes hous to S. Ioanes in Nott. a place where the poore are sett to worke Iohn Cooper the keeper there deposeth thus Being oftâ—ntimes with So. in his fits dilligently behoulding the course of his carriage in them I grew very suspitious that he did but dissemble and there vppon was well content to haue the tuition of him to make tryall of the matter the rather for that the boyes kepers and frendes that were about him were willing to pleasâ— him in all his humors Darrell The true occasion or rather cause of Somers remouing was neyther the former whereof I haue spoken nor yet this latter here mentioned but first and chiefly the mallice of M. Freeman Alderman because his kinswoman Allice Freeman was by So. detected for a witch which could not stay it selfe in accusing So. vniustlly of witchcraft imprisoning him after vppon bayle byndinge him ouer to answer it at the Assises but proceeded neuer gaue ouer vntill So. confessed that he had counterfeyted he hoping therby as it should seme to recouer the good name of his kinswoman and partly to disgrace and so consequently to be reuenged of me whome in regarde of that discouery and the counterfeyting he then strove for and I gaynsaid he hared extreamely so as at the length he could not indure to come to the â—hurch when I exercised my ministery 2. the mallice of M. Gregory the towne clarke a popish mate against the work of god that is the dispossession of Somers and this because of his religion being in hart a papist as is playn in that for the space of eleuen yeares before he had not receaued the lordes supper Now the papists their adherents albeit the learneder sorte of them doe acknowledge a reall possession and dispossession of Sathan in and out of the bodyes of men cannot yet in patience indure that any such worke should be wrought in our church and by our ministery by fasting and prayer performed bâ— vs. This forsooth theâ— will haue peculiar to their own synagogue tâ— their own portusse to their owne Te rogamus muÌ„bled prayers processions coniuâ—ings ceremonyes as else-wher hath bene manifestly shewed To these came M. Morey an Alderman one also reputed to be vmound and popish these three did draw with them M. Hart Alderman and M. Clarke then Maior a man very easy because of his simplicity to be â—â—ulled which 5. assembled in the towne hall sent for me signifying vnto me that they purposed to take So. and comit him to the custody of two honnest men because they suspected him to counterfeyt which accordingly they did 3 dayes after saue that the men tâ—ey prouided to be So. keepers namely Iohn Cooper Nich. Shepherd were scarsely honnest and of good name as we shall heare hereafter Discouerer The day after that So. Pag 178. came to S. Ioanes he did counterfeyt himselfe saith Nicholas Shepherd to be in a fit because as I think certain weâ— men were come thither vnto him to see him who did greatly bemoaâ—e him where vppon I remouing the said weomen from him tould him whilest hee was in his tricks and in Iohn Coopers presâ—nce that if he would not leaue rise vp I would set such a payre of kâ—p-knaps vpon him as should make hiÌ„ to rue it there vpon So. did presently rise and left his said tricks had no more fits whilest he continued there being the space almost of a monneth The next day I falling into some better acquaintance with him be vppon my promise that I would be his frend and procure him fauour from M. Maeior his brethren did confesse vnto me that all he had done in the course of his former tricks were but counterfeyted and said that when I woulde I should see all his said tricks and how he did them The same day I tould Iohn Cooper what So. had confessed vnto me and willed him that when they were in bed togither he should talke with him thereof sayinge that I verily thought he would confesse all vnto him at large And accordingly it fell out For as Iohn Cooper hath deposed So. tould him that all the tricks he had done in his said possession and repossession were all of them counterfeyted Darrell It is very true that is said here of a fit that So. had before certaine weomen and is as true that the same day or day before he had an other in the garden before M. Freeman and some other vpon the sight whereof because of his greuous beating of himself with his face groueling and tongue thrust into the moulds wallowing foming he the said M. Freeman affirmed that he had the falling sicknesse and this was presently bruited throughout Nottingham If So. were weary of his relapse or pretending to be repossâ—ssed that is of counterfeyting said vnto Cooper pag 152. 178. that his desire was to be at S. Ioanes and that so at the lâ—ngth he might be quiet anâ— giue ouer his counterfeyting as is said in this very page and in the leaâ—e before why did he fall to the doinge of his tricks againe after he was at S. Ioanes It is absurd to say that he did thus because the weomen did bemone him for the weomen being remoued or as Cooper deposeth page 193. put â—ut of the house and so departed he was stâ—ll at his tricks It cannot therefore be that he did at this time his tricks because of the â—eomen neither becaus be thought men tooke some pleasure to behold him and for that cause himself in the aâ—tiâ—ge of them Neither can it be that Shepheard and Cooper did threaeÌ„ him that the weomeÌ„ or any other might see that they could make him leaue his tricks and all his knauery seeinge the weomen were gone home and they two alone with Som. in his fit when they did threaten him Moreouor it is confessed that So. at Sâ—m Ioanes in a fit being threatned by Coâ—per to be whipped and by Shepheard to be pinched with a paire of knipknaps pag. 19â— See then good reader 〈◊〉 this Disâ—o crosieth entangleth himselfe for yf this â—â—pposed countâ—rfeyt did giue oueâ— his trickes for thâ—eates oâ—feare how then did he grow we arâ— of them or did voluntaâ—â—ly reuâ—e himselfe to be quiet did therevpon presently leaue his tricks and had no more fits whilest he was at S. Ioanes It cannot therefore be that So. left his counterfâ—yting because he grew a weary thereof and did of himselfe goe to S. Ioanes to be a quyet and that he confessed somuch to Cooper before he came to S. Ioanes as the Disc affirmeth page 152. and 178. And this is the 11. time the
and remâ—ouing from place to place into his body and that he felt it in his belly to the bignes of a 6. browne loase and that it was so heard that he could not presse it downe with his hand which this examinate assayed to doe by putting his hand vnder the bed clothes I Pare sworne and examined saith naâ— dep 15. that he sawe W. Som. lie groueling vpon his face vpon the bed and a certaine swelling or rising vnder his clothes to the bignes of a mouse which remooued from place to place to diuers partes of his body I Clarke sworne and examined saith nar dâ—â— 16. that the clothes being taken off W Som. he sawe in his breast being in his shirt aswelling or risinge to the bignes of a ratte which this examinate tooke hold of and found it as soft to his feeling as a downe pillowe and he thinking to hold it fast it presently avoyded and then the boy said it was gone downe into his legg And this examinate saith that he sawe him at sundrie times when diuers of his members as his leggs armes and others were inflexible and exceeding heauie abouâ— nature aâ—yron W. Hunt sworne and examined saith that he did see a thing in W. So fitt to the bignes of a wallnut nar dep 17. running in the flâ—she of the said So. about his face forhead and eyes and so run about his face to his eare That So. then had such a variable swelling as I affirme such as a reasonable man will thinke W. So could not counterfeite or commaund to rune alonge in his body at his pleasure euery on may see that will not willfuâ—l be blyndfold himselfe neither can it be otherwise except these 11. witnesses be periured and with them some others who haue since deposed the same Now the Disc thinketh to wipe all this awaye and to blind the eâ—es of the world with producinge the examination of on of the 11. deponents and boasteth as though he had answered throughlie and paid me home as touching this swelling to my shame and proueth yea as he supposeth that I will be very angrie to haue thessuper naturall swellings so extenuated The Disc sure taketh me to be a verye impatient man or els this thought woulde neuer haue entred into his hart yet he shall see that I wil answere him without any great choller And first I affirme that M. Tho. Hayes being reexamined hath not retreacted that which before he deposed nor yet qualified the same except the Disc counteth this a quallification as I suppose he doth ans 1. that W. So. did then lye in his clothes which in truth is a very sorrie one or rather non at all seeing in his deposition before he had said that he saw was vpon all saints day and it is well knowne that Som. had his clothes on the day time And this for another that the boy did at that time lye on his backe somwhat bended which wordes if they be M. Hayes his I thinke he was contented to be stowe them on the Disco and his fellow commissioners so to be ridd of them yet notwithstanding he deposeth vpon his reexamination that he had a swellinge in his belly but in other words Indeede I confesse theire is some difference in words betwene his first and last examination and no maruell there passing a yeare betwene them and more and that the commissioners at this latter examination thirsted after some difference contrarietie retractation or qualification framing their interrogatories accordinglie they are the same in substance sauing that in the first this swelling is vrged a little further he depossinge that it was in his cheeke nere the eare root and in his tongue and in the latter eare roote and tongue are omitted which was through M. Hayes his forgetfulnes or els the Disco hath purposly omitteth or conceiled them as not seruing his purpose 2. Let vs take this examination at the hucksters hand and as the Dis hath produced it ans 2. and we shall find theiris smale cause why he shoulde so boastingly say that ther was no great strangnes in the sweling Is it not very strange to see no at his owne will and pleasure make a swelling in his throat to the quantitie of the yelke of an egge which Tho. Hayes being reexamined deposeth ans 3. 3. But admit M. Hayes had vpon his reexamination denyed all that he had before deposed shal that preiudice the depositions of the other 10 or were they therfore periured heerein because he was periured It is manifest by the Discouerie that M. Aldridge Rich. Mee Ioane Pye and W. Hunt who haue likewise deposed to this supernaturall swelling were also reexamined but we heare not a word what these said vpon their a nor shall not I waâ—â—ante yâ—w so lo go as â—â—ay mak not against Darrell reexamynations to this swelling one may therby imagine that they haue neither retracted nor qualified the same The constancie now of these 4 witnesses doe much more confirme this swelling to haue bene in So. body then the retractation of one sole witnesse pag. 213. doth weaken the same if it had bene so that he had alltogeather retraâ—â—ed that which he had before deposed as he hath not The Disc addeth the deposition of M. Craven I demauned what his said deposition doth in this chapter of reexaminations and why he is sett amonge the reexaminate seeing he was none of the 17. first deponentes nor euer examined before It should seeme by this and some other such like depositions of his that he was one readie to helpe the Disc at a pinch when he stood in neede of a deposition for his purpose And here we may note the cunning dealing of the Disc who to make Darrell seeme the more odious and to helpe out this pretended counterfeiting which cannot stand without such flye and filthy shifts amonge his reexaminants foisteth in this examinante of his owne culling 2. I answeare that his said deposition is both veryâ— false and ridiculous seruing the Disc not so much to convince or extenuat these supernaturall runnings which he doth forsooth wonderfull soundly before but to make way to a pretty iest of his wherwith he desiered be like to delight his reader M. Darrell quoth he doe not here say that the deuill skipped out of the boyes thigh into his pocket and turned themselfe into a pare of gloues the diuill may rather be thought to haue rune vp and downe in his owne cosening pate pag 208. then in the boyes bodye In â—â—ce sorte and to the end aforesaid he bringeth in Iohn Wiggen who was neuer sworne and examined before yet the Disc placeth him in the ranke of the reexaminants Finally he alledgeth So. authentical testimony which neuer faileth him and therevpon inserteth these wordes of his owne Discouerer Besides he meaining So. Likwise setteth downe how he did make the said motions that semeth to rune in his body pag 207. in
these words I did moue first the calse of my legg then my knebone which motion of the knee will likwise make a motion or rising in the thigh Also by drawing and stopping of my wind my belly would stirr and shew a kind of swelling The bunch as they tearmed it about my chest was by the thrusting out of my breast Likewise my secret swelling did make the end of my windpipe to mooue and to shew greater then vsuall it is Again my moouing of my Iawes one bunch was eaâ—ly made in the side of my cheke neare my eare And about the middle of of my cheke with the end of my tonge thrust against it these motions by practise I would make a very fast on after another so as there might easilye seeme to be a running in my body of some thing from place to place Darrell I desire euery on to consider whethrr any of the children of men admitt ther had bene no other swelling or motions then this beast confesseth can mak these motions here specified who can moue the calfe of his legg without mouing or shaking his whole legge and so I might proceed on to some other motions 2. wher pretence is made that som swellings were made by So. his tongue specially in his face I answeere that his tongue could not make that swelling vnder his eare root much lesse that which was in his forhead and least of all thrust out his eyes and cause ablacknes of them But I demaund how he made that sewlling in his feete remo vuing from toe to toe it was not with his tonge sure he did that Discouerer The Disc procedeth Furthermore on Rich. Mee did depose before the said Commissioners pag 216. Richard Mâ—â— that he had sene W. Somers stand and turne his face directly backward not mouing his body and that his eyes were as great as beasts eyes and that his tongue would be thurst out of his head to the bignes of a Calves tongue But let vs see what the said Mee hath deposed vpon his reexamination Wheras I haue bene conceiued to say and sware as is before expressed my meaning was is saith he that he the said So. turned his face agood way towards his shoulder not otherwis likewis my meaning was is that his eyes were somwhat gogling out but otherwise no more then ordinary And thirdly my meaning was and is that by reason it was candle light when I saw his tongue thurst out and by reason of my conceit of the strangnes of So. troubles before I saw him his tongue being thrust out it seemed somwhat bigger then if So. had bene well I should haue thought it to haue bene Darrell Rich. Mee did depose to about 11 seuerall things non of which can possible be done by art dep 13. as appeareth by his deposition in print now being reexamined I trust of them all he hath only minsed that he said of the bignes of So. eyes tongue turning of his face directly backward which we regard not at all as beiÌ„g of no such momeÌ„t doth the Disco thinke by this trifling of his that he hath answeared all that Rich. Mee hath deposed concerning So. he hath done nothing lesse Mee his reexamination sheeweth some little frailtie but overthroweth not his first deposition Yea his relenting no more all circumstances considered doth rather strengthen his former depositioÌ„ then his qualification weaken it And this I say of Rich. Mee is to be vuderstod likewise of Ioane Pye whose deposition contayning in it 14. impossible things to be done by So. or any sonne of Adam the Disc answeareth Ioane Pye with telling vs she was reexamined and of her qualifyng vpon her reexminatioÌ„ one a sole impossibility of the 14. pag 216 But he must know as is aforsaide that besides these haue not retracted theire first depositions sundrie others also togeather with them haue deposed the same thinges which their retractation much lesse these sory qualifications of theirs can not conuince or disproue And here we may againe obserue the deceite of the Disc who mentioning scarclye the 10. part of Rich. Mee and 20. of Ioane Pies depositions pretendeth to the ignorante reader as though he had set downe all that they at the first time deposed with their full answears at their reexaminations Besides the formers Henry 〈…〉 pa◠〈◊〉 217. the Disc produceth Henâ—y Nussey Rich. Newton and Wil. Huâ—â— who hauing before deposed the two first to Sâ—m speaking with hi◠〈◊〉 whâ—e open the third with his mouth shut close being reexamined Henry â—ussâ— hath qualified the other two retracted or denied that the had before deposed if the Disâ— haue set downe their reexaminations truly This periurie of theirs the Disc calleth the qualifâ—ing of their former depositions interpretations of their mâ—â—ning pag 211 But if men maâ— be admitted so to expound theire owne wordes we shall neuer haue any periured nor punished for periurie to the end of the world notwithstanding I answeare Seeing the Commissioners that examined did as I am informed and doe verilie beleiue threaten their examinats sometimes with hauing them before the Lâ— of London somtimes with imprisonment before their eyes commaunded Henry Butler by name to prison it is no maruell though amonge many some fraile men were found that would rather resent either in part or in whole from that which in their consciences they knew to be true then hazard and in danger themselues they knewe not to what punishment and trouble Stronger men then they haue done as much in the like case we all know how shamfully that notable Apostle of our faviour Peter another manner of man then any of our examinats for feare denâ—ed that he knew the Lord and that with an oath or execration It is no strange thinge then for our reexaminats weake and infirme men as they were to haue shruncke and relented had it bene further then this 2. Let the very enimyes Iudge whether voluntarie oathes wher no profite or feare of evill in the world was like to come vnto the deponents theirby or oathes compassed partlie with flaterie and other cuninge dealinge partlye with terrors and threats as is notoriouslâ—e knowne be more like to be true 3. Those which haue relented are but few 〈…〉 and can not therfore in any reason preiudice that which the rest being many haue depose â—which is abundandlye sufficient to cleare the cause from counterfeting and that we disire may be answered offering to make vp the number of these few pety reuolters 2 or 3. excepted with a supplie and advantage if we may be suffered 4 It is to be supposed that if the reexaminations were o seene it would appeare that more is confirmed then extenuated Disâ—ouerer These were the chiefe poynts which seemed most strang in the said depositions taken at Nott whervpon it was thought good to haue the said witnesse pag 218. examined And how they qualifie their former words you see
cast into the syre we say etc. Yea wee say not that he foamed or wallowed he was cast into the fire in all and euery of his fittes but that in some of them and at sundrie times he was evidently seene to be thus strangly and extraordinarily visited And presuppose that vpon the apprehention of alewde person for some fellonious acte 3 or 4. honest substantia men should bring in euidence that such a day and time they saw the pâ—rtie breakinge vp his neighbours house and takinge away his goods were not this euidence sufficient in law and reason to convince the fellâ—â— because that at some other time or times other his good frendes did see him sitting in his chaire and reading of a booke For this is truly the Disc manner of reasoninge in this case to bleare the eyes of the world with and to proue this counterfeiting if 〈◊〉 â—â—lde Sâ—â—nes forsooth Somers strength was but ordinarie and Somtimes or often saith another I found him but of easie strength ergo Sâ—m strength was not extraordinarie as Darrell affirmeth In like manner he argueth before one a time saith on Som. clapt his buttocks on the fire another he sell downe with his shoulders on the fire ergo So. was neuer cast into the fire his face or bare hands being in the fire and he not burned OF CHAP. 8. Discouerer So. knowledge in his sits was not extraordinarie as M. Dar. and his frendes haue falslye pretended neither could he speake Greeke Hebrew or Latine otherwise then he had learned Darrell That his knowledge was extraordinarie I trust it is elswhere in the historie made manifest Against it nothing is obiected worthy the answering But alas poore Somers himselfe who neuer fayleth the Disc at a pinch he good soule like an honest youth is as euery hand whyle so here brought vpon the stage to patch out this desperat cause and to depose at large now wheras to this end I haue alleadged that he a boy scarcely vnderstanding one article of the Creeddid expound the Creed by the space of an houre togeither or their abouts a thing acknowledged by two of the Discouerers owne witnesses this is handsomly shad owed glozed vpon and daubed ouer in these words that he was in some sort enabled so to doe by reason that almost euery minister that came vnto him had interpreted the Articles of the Creed diuers times vnto him It had bene good and a most equall and indifferent course seeing So. is knowne to be an impudent lying wretch for the strengthening of this glozing deposition so vnlikly to be true to haue had these ministers knowne and ther names that did thus enable and instruct Som. in the articles of the Creede or at least the depositions of some of those who were then present would then haue bene taken It had bene no heard matter for the Commissioners to haue sifted out this vpon the taking of the depositions if it had pleased them seeing it is deposed you see that thes Ministers haue interpreted vntâ— him thâ— articles of the Creed diuers times and that in the time of this his troâ—â—le he was seâ—ome or neuer alone But admitt that such a courâ—e â—ere taken by I know not how many ministers visitinge him in his sicknes a thing that I suppose no man of vnderstanding will easily beleiue â—et it is a question whether So. were of himselfe able to lay vp so much as somtimes he deliuered OF CHAP. 9. There was no impossibility in So. sites as M. Dar. and his frendes haue 〈◊〉 pâ—â—tended Discouerer This thâ—â— Dis proueth by no lesse then 10. depositions Now I 〈…〉 saith Robert Couper what thinges the boy 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 thanâ—â— aâ—y other of his numbâ—enes and capacitie may doe the like Darrell Robert Cooper being present at So. dispossession with teares confessed his sinnes before vs all being some 150. If at that time he though So. counterfeited then those teares of his and confession were hipocriticall The truth is that oppressed with feare vpon the fearefull sight he then beheld he shed those teares and made that confession as the men of Ephesus did vpon the report only of the like worke of Satan but being now without that feare as himselfe confesseth his mind or iudgment as it shoulde seeme is cleane altered as by this and other wretched depositions of his appeareth Discouerer I was oft quoth George Richardson with the boy in his fittes and could neuer see any thing done by him pag 256 but I could doe the like Darrell George Richardson pag 233. deposeth that he saw So. in afitte wher in he soamed exceedingly Now I thinke he can not do the like though he put a peace of blacke lead into his mouth to helpe him as he saith So. then did And where he saith he was oft with him I spppose his oft times were not aboue 2 or 3 times Discouerer Seeing So in his fitts saith M. Aldred the fift of Nouember pag 2â—6 heauinge vp his belly drawing his mouth towards his eares scriching et I departed away perswaded that he was a counterfeite and that he did nothing but that a boy naughtely disposed might doe as well as he Darrell But I would faine know what M. Aldred did thinke vpon the 7 of Nouember vpon which day he preached at So. dispossession and in his prayer confessed his sinnes with teares on which morning also he said to some that the said night his sleepe departed from him vpon that he beheld the euening before in Som. as also what he thought of Som. when he was first deposed before the 12. Commissioners It may be their are many thousands in this kingdome which somtimes thought So. to be acâ—ounterfeiteâ— who now see confesse that it is vnpossible it should be for this therfore is nothing to the purpose nor at all against me that M. Aldred hath deposed For albeit the 5 of Nouember he speakeâ—n off ne might Imagine those few actions of the boy to be counterfeite yet this â—etteth not but that at other times both after and before vpon the sight of other more strange and fearefull accidents he might be of an other mind And thus but for breuities sake could I parâ—culerly answeare and avoyde all these depositions of the Discouerer pag 257. Discouerer I neuer did see any thing that So. Alow that all those a duzen more say true vz. that they neuer sawe c. no did Iohn a Stile nor Ihon a Nokâ— they are all wee sâ—e in the negatiue therfore 2. honest men in the affirmitiue crase and confound them all did to make me to thinke that it was supernaturall saith Nich. Shepheard and M. Craven I did not see him doe any thing which another boy might not easilie haue performed And M. Foster I saw nothing but it might be counterfeited and M Pare I could not perceiue any extraordinary thing to be done by the boy but what any other might well haue done And M VVallis I
away all These thinges which make so strongly against counterfeiting are likewise sett downe in the printed booke of Darling and are the principall thinges in it to be obserued to proue his vexation by Sathan against these therfore and the rest of this kynde the Disc shoulde haue bente his force in that course he hath taken wherevnto he saith not a worde and not haue passed by these as if he sawe them not and in stede of them cull out some petie triflinge thinges that maye easely be practised or make a shewe of a possibillitie to be counterfeited as namely the speches vttered by the tongue of Darlinge dialogue wise and his apparitiones of a Catt a Dragon a Beare Lightnings Thundring a Lambe a Doue etc. which though I am assured that Darling did not counterfeit yet it is euident that it is no harde matter to counterfeite and dissemble the same and more if one were so lewdly giuen and the world will easilie be drawen to beleiue a practice in such small and slighte matters as these when it neither â— will nor can beleue these thinges here meÌ„tioned to be counterfeited And thus is laid open and discouered the craftie and fraudulent dealing of the Discouerer Discouerer Lastly it is to be obserued pag 292. than Darlinge after he had continued a while in his first pretended fits many supposed and gaue it out that he was buta dissembler as it maye appeare by the depositions following vz Iesse Bees and Edw. Bakers Darrell This is his other argument to proue Darling a counterfeit The verye same he vsed before to proue Sommers a counterfeite A worthy one it is sure and in effect the same with this many supposed and gaue it out that Paull was a God therfore he is a God Thus we see what a blasphemous conclusion would follow vpon such an Antecedent 〈◊〉 14. 11. if it were true when the Disc hath put this argument of his denyed by me into moode and figure and proued the proposition vz. whatsoeuer many suppose and giue out in speech is true I will then yelde him the conclusion and resigne him the conquest and acknowledg both Sommers and Darlinge to be counterfeites And this maye suffice for answere to the Discouerie concerning Darlinges counterfeytinge and my teaching of him OF CHAP. 6. Discouerer A briefe of Katherin Wrights confession touchinge the beginning of her dissimulation and of the reasons that moued her so to doe The generall cause it selfe touching the late attempts of castinge out the deuill is of great importance otherwise it is not vsuall that matterâ— so long past vz. about 13. or 14. yeares should be searched into Darrell There is a cause then wee see of our attemtiinge he meaneth pretendinge to cast out Deuils but what this cause should be that is a secret forsooth we shall heare more of that another time for the presente we must contente our selues with a generall notize of a genrall cause and that saith he of a greate importance It is to be thought therfore and presumed that he meaneth the same cause which he speaketh of Pag. 14. 15 that is the setting vp of the Presbiteriall couceits or discipline so long contended-for by some nehemiah 6. â— VVhere-vnto we answerer yf he meane so as Nehemiah sometime did to Sanballat the enemie of the Iewâ—s It is not done according to these wordes that thou saiest for thou fainest them of thine owne harte Discouerer Katherin Wright being examined pag. 27â— confesseth vpon heroath that in all the course of her pretended possession and dispossession and of her fytts both bâ—fore and since whatsoeuer shee did that semed to be extraordinarie it was all dissembled Darrell To get this confessioÌ„n from this poore simple maide which is all that the Disc hath to proue Katherin Wrights dissimulation weâ— must know that the Commissioners who were sent downe by the B. of London for the same purpose the president or principal where of for sooth was S. Harsnet this Disc kept her with theÌ„ two halfe dayes and a nighte and in the said time threatned to burne her sete if shee would not confesse that she had dissembled as shee affirmed forthwith after shee came from the commissioners bewaylinge her saide periurie And herein S. Harsnet a commissioner was a principall agent But be it granted that this her confession was voluntarie and not extorted as the contrarye is manifest Yet therein is she not to be beleiued because in so affirminge shee reporteth those thinges to haue bene done by her selfe which she possiblye coulde not doe although aspirit 〈◊〉 be felt 〈…〉 cause 〈…〉 shu◠〈…〉 down 〈…〉 was 〈…〉 com 〈…〉 For K. Wrighte 〈◊〉 â—yts did swell excedinglie in her body necke whence it came to paâ—â—e that the wente daylye with her petitioaie slacke laced to the length oâ— one hande somethinge also was senâ—blye felt to stir vp downe in her bodye as if it had bene some quicke thinge shee was 〈◊〉 of extraordinarie and supernaturall strength and of such excedinge waâ—gnâ— that 5. stronge men by reason of her waighte she not strâ—â—ing oâ—â—â—ugâ—inge at aâ— could scarcelye carrye her a little waye 〈…〉 deposâ—ng 〈…〉 est 〈…〉 you 〈…〉 aâ—beit 〈◊〉 were then but of some 16. or 17. yeares of age To thesse I maye add this one pretie toye of the deuill which I doe not see how it could possibly be counterfeite She being at one M. Edwarde Beresfordes house desirous to drinke but could take none M. Beresford him seiâ—e came and called for drincke but as they held it to her mouthe beâ—olde the drincke spirted vp out of the peice to the roofe of the parlour Discoverer And this course she confesseth she hath helde from the time she began it vntiâ— the time almost of her examination vzabout 13. or 14 yeares partely because shee was by that occasion much made of and for that she feared that if she had shewed her selfe to haue bene perfectly well for any long season her â—ather in lawe would haue fallen to his former hard vsage of her Darrell Yf K. Wright haue counterfeited pag 208. she hath theirin spent the prime of her 〈◊〉 from the age of 17. vntill about 30. theirby depriueing her selfe of many if not of all the comforts of this life as societie marriage c. who can now in any reason thinke that a younge damsell to my remembrance of a comely feature and personage deâ—irous enough if not to much of the pleasures of this life would wittingly and willingly depriue her selfe of them all and that for so many yeares together and to such an end as heere is pretended I deny not that K. Wright hath deposed that this was the reason of her counterfeitinge But I trust S. Harsnet did thervnto by his slyghtes and deuises draw her entiâ—e her Neuertheles who of vnderstandinge will beleiue eyther him or her seeing there were more easie and honest wayes to haue avoyded the hard
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
then sure there was somethinge besides her laughing which so affected the women met at her aforesaide trauaile pag 323. Discouerer The authour of the Breife Narration writeth in this sorte what goodly stuffe they meaninge the Discouerer and his fellow Commissioners haue returned time and mallice will make knowne vnto vs. The stuffe such as it is vile indeed his Maistershippe may be pleased now to pervse and theirby reape some profite if he read it with no greater mallice then it was written Darrell The Narrator I dare saye was neither Prophet nor the sonne of a Prophet and yet herein he did foretel that which after cam to passe The stuffe that S. Harsnâ—t and his fellowe commissioners haue returned him selfe confesseth is vile indede and sure so it is yea as vile I am perswaded as euer was returned since England was a nation for what is that stuffe but an heape of false foolish ridiculus and absurde thinges witnessed vpon the oathes of men â—ome few depontions excepte â— But is this all that doth make this stuffe vile no hereby it is made more vile in that this vile stuffe was compassed by the cunning perswasions and threates of the commissioners men for the present and this acte in authoritie and such as â—hold rather haue done their indeuours to haue preserued then drawen the deponents to periurye But is here all no the stuffe returned and publyshed to the worlde is made more vile by the Discouerer his additions detractions and alterations being therby made farr worse then at the first it was delyuered But is this all that maketh this stuffe vile no no all this stuffe hath bene compassed and produced not against man but against the Lorde himselfe not indeede to finde out any counterfeiting and teachinge to counterfeite whereof there is no more question or doubt to be made then whether it be daye light at noone in the fayrest sun-shine daye in somer but to obscure the workes of god and to keep his people from beleuing them to be such because they were brought to passe by such as the Discouerer despisetn and hatetn and woulde fame haue al men to hate and despise And this is it that maketh this stuffe out of measure vile execrable and abominable in the sight of god and therefore ought so to be reputed of all his people Yea if we the inhabitantes of England be the lords people or inheritance as we professe we can not but so account hereof will therfore by al good meanes accordinge to our places further thire puniâ—hment and our vice Godes which are here on earth in Gods steade will take vengance of these traitors rebels against God for this vnspeakable dishonor done to him and this treason or rebellion of theires in takinge parte with sathan his enemie the God and prince of this worlde who in some extraordinary manner in risen vp against these workes of God against the Lorde himselfe 〈◊〉 Yf it be said by some in authoritie that if it may be made to appeare that these thinges are true they will not endure them but seuerely pvnnish these commissioners I in all humillitie offer to make profe of these thinges I doe not sâ—v oâ— every â—erticulaâ— because it may be somâ— witnesses will faâ—le to witnes that thâ—â— know to be true haue formerly confessed and generally of whatsoeuer I haue set downe in this my Apollogie or defence of the workes of God and of my selfe and if herein I fayle I refuse no punnishment In the meane season it is to be remembred whereof these worthy commissioners examined such as were by them deposed surely for the most parte of such thinge as might serue to proue theire foolish absurd and ridiculus cirâ—nâ—stances and to this end vsualy they deposed them concerning the speaches that I should vtter in the hearing forsooth or presence of Sâ—n. And how long before should I haue spoken theâ—e thinges 〈◊〉 a yeare yea some of them about 14. yeares then past were not here good memories that could remember the very wordes they hearde so long before speciallie the same little or nothing concerning them and being not worthy tâ—e remembring yea the iust 〈◊〉 wheâ— they were spoken In the masse oâ— depositions I thinke we scarsly haue six times thâ— worde or any 〈◊〉 this effect and that â—o perfectly as they nede not to 〈◊〉 cause so 〈◊〉 they remember or other to this effect One would thinke it had bene fitter men should haue bene examined concerning the actions of Somâ— then of my speaches and oâ— the strange and extraordinarie thinges they had seene in him 〈◊〉 happenly they had sene any as 〈…〉 commissioners did for thereby only it would be made 〈…〉 out of controuersie by the 〈◊〉 of men whether Som. 〈…〉 It is be obiected that here of they did depose such as were examined by the 12 Commissioners I answere and confesse that they did so indeed by diuers of them but the Disc hath kept back and buried all that some of them affirmed the seconde time vpon their oathes and in manner all that the rest then deposed as is made manifest by my answere to the 8. chapter of the 3. booke so that the cause is not bettered there 〈◊〉 the Disc is made the more sinâ—ull Concerninge the depositions published to the worlde vnder my name this is it we must knowe that howsoeuer for the substance of 〈◊〉 they â—e mine yet many of them as they be produced by the Disc are not mine some he hath fathered vpon me I hauing deposed 〈◊〉 thinge wheâ— I deposâ—d doubtfully with there wordes 〈…〉 or other to 〈◊〉 effect which vsually I did the Discouerer 〈…〉 seth pâ—duceth me 〈…〉 times â—geâ— mâ—â—n depoâ—â—nge dâ—â—nfully 〈…〉 as I beleiue nor yet neuer bene examined thereof others â—e hath corrupted sometimes adding sometimes omitting or keeping back that which is verâ—â—ateriaâ—â— and by this his corrupt dealinge with my depositioâ—s on the one syde and the like with the depoâ—itions of his owne depoâ—â—ts on the other syde he maketh greate shewe to the world of 〈◊〉 wâ—ere none is Now this perâ—ury he meaneth to me for why Iâ—â— but one and the Disc produceth ordinarily 3. or 4. or more deposing the contrary And are not diuers to be beleued before one I answer not alwayes and in all cases Against Paul Anaâ—â—as the higâ— preist with the Elders and sertuilus and I know not nowe man â—ewes besides witnessed before the iudgment seate an I would no doubt haue â—eposed that he was a pâ—stilent â—edow and a â—ouer of sedition the coÌ„trary only Paul a pore prisoner affirmed yet the truth was with this sole man 〈…〉 Euen â—o it may be and I would be sorrie it were not in this our present case And here it is not to be forgotten that my selfe being first deposed S. Harsnet weâ—t down with his commission after his intergatories being framed according to the things I had formerlie deposed and there endeuoured
by tareats and other wise to drawe many of those which came before him and his fellowâ— commissioners to depose the contrary to that I had formerly deposed that so he might make me â—atfull to the world because I was for sooth so notorious a periured person to the great greife alas of the poore soules and trouble of theire consciences the most of them not so much deposinge willingly that which they knew to be true as what the Disc against their willes would haue them to depose perswaded to be true saying I trust Darrell himselfe hath confessed it vpon his oath c. when I had deposed otherwise and that the same wâ—re false as my selfe doe assuredly knowe and am able and offer to make direct profe theirof by some of there depositions and of many of them could by the power of reason shew the same and would but for breuitie sake The Disc telleth vs that the reader shall reape some profit by his Discouerer if heread it with no greater mallice then it was written The profit is in stead of glorifiyng God for the greate workes he hath wrought and making that right and holy vse of his works wherof at large we haue heard elswhere to receiue an evill name false and vile report of the same and to iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous which is an abomination before the Lord. And looke what reward is due to him that sendeth forth such cursed fruite that may the Discouerer expecte and in iustice is to receiue at the handes of the christian Magistrate for all the paynes he hath taken For doth not nature it selfe teach vs that the labourer is worthy of his hire and reason this that the hire or reward should be proportionable to the labour or paynes man taketh VVhether this corrupt and worse then rotten stuffe and whether S. H. Discouery detected now I trust to be a very sinfull shamfull slaunderous and lying treatise came from charitie as the Discouerer preteÌ„deth or from mallice which he denieth as it belongeth to god the searcher of the hartes to iudge so it is no hard thinge for man to coniecture For as out of the abundance of the hart the mouth speaketh so the hand writeth Howbeit peraduenture when he hath better considered the contentes of this treatise Discouerer pag 3â—4 he wil not be so peremtorie Otherwisâ— he hath here matter sufficient to shew his skill in for the iustification of it Darrell As in these wordes the Discouerer very valiantly challengeth the Narrator so pag 58. doth he challeng me likwise saying after his scoffinge manner that I will peradventure be better prouided hereafter and that it were convenieÌ„t also that I furnished my selfe with some better profs This chalenge considered there is smale cause why any should be offended with me for answering the Discouerie and producing the best proofes I haue for the prouinge that William Somerâ— the 7. in Laâ—â—cashire Thomas Darling and Katherine Wright were indeed possessed with deuils and dispossessed of them and did not counterfeit the same as is vntruly affirmed by the Discouerer some others And if it be so that here in I haue deliuered the truth as I trust it is manifest by this and my other treatise me thinketh no christian should be displeased therwith but rather reioyce in this publishing manifestation of these workes of god and remouing of the blocke that lyeth im the way hindering the Lordes people from magnifiyng of him for them and profitinge by them Can the child of God be offended with that which tendeth to the prayse and glorie of God his father or the louer of the truth with the contendinge for the truth and conviction of the falshood Haue I committed any thinge herein but that which in dewtie I did owe vnto God and could not without sinne haue left vnperformed The Prophet Ieremiah complayneth that the people in his time had no courage for the truth Ier. 9. â— Had not I bene guiltie of this sinne and had not this reprofe reached it selfe to me if base and vile man publiklye defacing the truth and workes of God I should not as publikly haue maintayned the same and shewed some courage for the truth beinge a principall witnes of these workes and called also to suffer for them If S. H. had published a slaunderous and reprochfull booke against me meerly concerning my owne person and not against the Lord also as this his Discouery concerning my teaching to counterfeit is pro. 22 1. I could haue bene contented in silence to haue passed by it and yet a good name is a pretious thinge aboue siluer and gould and such as one would be loth to lose or suffer to be taken from him but to see S. H. slaunder and bringe vp an euill name of the workes of God and spread the same farr and neare and for feare of punishment or desire of libertie or other carnall respect not to gaynsay S. H. and to iustifie the works of God against him and all gainsayers was apoynt of great cowardlines and ill beseeminge the souldier of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 3. Râ—n 21. 8. and indeed to feare man more then God Such fearefull ones shall haue their parte in the take which burneth with fire and brimston which is the second death The scope and drift of all that hath bene saide concerninge both the cause and my selfe is that the mouthes of all men being stopped and the worke of God beinge acknowledged The Lord may haue his glorie and prayse and man receiue his profite theirby Secondly that mine owne innocency and fellow prisonners appearinge we may not only being restored to our ministerie and people obtayne libertie for our bodyes but also for our tongues they which haue caused all this sturr in our church and vniust molestations vnto vs and in vs beinge ministers to the câ—ngregations we â—elâ—erge and â—aysed vp this vile slaunder of the great and rare worke of God and free sâ—eated to vphold and maintaine it beinge on foot and theirin sought against God and his glorie and the good of his people may be inquired iâ—â—uired after and being found out delt with as the enimies of God 〈◊〉 church and receiue theire â—uâ—t recompence or rewarde The â—â—â—dnes of 〈◊〉 cause the inâ—onerable inâ—urâ—e done to vs the seruants an◠〈◊〉 of the Lord of 〈◊〉 cry a â—ouâ— and shirâ— vnto the 〈◊〉 of men 〈◊〉 meane the honorable and in niâ—â— place and 〈◊〉 for a â—peaâ—â— execution theirof 〈◊〉 â—â—wes and of our land and the authoritie when â—rom her most excellent Maâ—estie is deriued to 〈…〉 trust memâ—e and most 〈◊〉 supâ—â— our 〈◊〉 Gods â—s that they would â—ender the cause 〈…〉 zeaâ—ous if euer ye Princes â—ud 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 nor Gods cause to be thâ—s 〈…〉 or menâ— Remember and forget not thus â—aying 〈…〉 I will 〈◊〉 they 〈…〉 〈…〉 then you our 〈◊〉 and honorable perâ—◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 right honorable indeed be you careâ—ull