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
the old serpent knoweth full well that the credit good name of men being taken away be the doctrines they teach neuer so true and wholsome the work wherein they were vsed neuer so profitable and to be admired they will not be receaued Neither is he ignorant hereof that let the slander be neuer so manifestly or palpably salfe yet the world will beleue it and runâ—e away with it as currant if once it be raysed vp spread abroad for he knoweth that there is not one wise man of a thowsand who vseth to consider of a thing and heare what can be saide of both sydes pro. 14. 15. before he imbrace it as a truth and that the foolish will beleue euery thinge act 24 5 act 17. 6. Hence it is that in these cases it is his first and chiefe labour to raise vp and spread abroad slanders By this meanes he preuailed aganst Paule stirring vp some to affirme that he was a pestilent fellowe a moouer of sedition that he subuerted the state of the world and was an enemy to the state as we spake now of some a traâ—tor doing against the decree of Caesar Yea of Christ himselfe the diuell by his instruments gaue it out that he was a Deceauer and worse then so a Coniurer castinge out diuels through the prince of diuels By the same meanes that auncient slaunderer matâ— 17. a 3. Râ—tâ—â— 12. 9. and accuser of the bretheren day and night both to god and men who thereby deceaueth all the world hath hitherto mightely prevayled against the workes of god wee speake of spreadinge abroade that Maister More and I especially my selfe are Deceauors Imposters cozoning marchants that I haue taught some I knowe not yet howe many to counterfeyt But as S. Paule notwithstandynge the aforesaide accusations was nither seditious nor traytor but one that practised and taught the contrary and Christ was no Deceauer but one in whose tongue was found uo guile neither caste out deuilles by the prince of diuels but came to destroy the works of the diuell eueÌ„ so we in lik maÌ„ner notwithstanding that we are thus accused to be deceiuers cosoners and I knowe not what and my self to haue taught Somers and others to counterfeyt yet it shall by gods grace appeare by the sequell that we are no such men indeede and that my selfe is not I thanke god guilty of any such abomynation as mine aduersaryes most vniustly lay vpon me where by the way we may learne thus much that it is not inough for one to be accused for then innocency it selfe Christ Iesus I meane should not goe vncondemned Therefore as in all other accusations and euill reportes of our neighbours brought vnto our eares so in this concerning Somers and mee if we desire to auoyde the iustifying of the wicked and condemning of the iust both which are an abomination vnto the Lord we must examine whither the things alleadged to that end by the Discouerer doe throughly proue the same or no otherwise they be but empty words discouering the mallice of the Discouerer To the furtherance wherof this may serue that heere followeth wherevnto we will now by gods grace proceede OF THE EPISTLE This casting out of diuels is saith he now discouered to be but a pure play conteyning two principall parts of a vyce and a diuell one shift deuysed to to helpe this vyce of the stage that he might not be hissed at of all the world is that to cast out a diuel is no such great matter as men make account of beinge but mirandum et non miraculum in the nature of a wonder and not of a miracle Thinkest thou Christian Reader that this Discouerer or rather Masker comminge thus to play his part on the stage meaneth good sooth that behaueth himself so ridiculously in the very entrance of so waighty a matter or that his intent is to bleare thy eyes of vnderstaÌ„ding with his colours of rhetorike fyne quipps multitud of wordes depositions least you should se these works of god to his glory your comfort But to come to the point S. H. is very ignorant if he caÌ„not see a difference betwene mirandum miraculum for by mirandum is ment only athing admiratione dignum worthy admiration or to be admired of which number who knoweth not therbe many works which be not miraculous Ther was smal cause then why he should sport himselfe therewith and call it heere a shift a miserable shift and a little after a slysilly shift August liber 3. de â—â—râ—ta Dâ—neus opus 39 p. 1. c. seinge Augustine and after him Danaeus a man of great learning put an apparant difference betwene mirum miraculum a wonder a miracle According to whose iudgments I may well terme that election of spirits we speake of mirum a wonder and deny it to be miraculum a myracle Now if it so fall out that the Discouerers procedings be answerable to his begining his booke to his epistle his dealing concerning the matter of faâ—t to this in matter of doctrine then may his booke be rightly called a Discouerye not of a pure play but of his owne inward and secret corruption aswell mallice as ignorance which no doubt he greatly desireth shoulde be couered But let vs heare what he saith further against this silly shift of mine What dull conceites saith he had the rulers of the Iewes that they could not see this slysilly shift to depraue the miracles of our Sauiours Christ and to tell the people there was no iust cause they should beleeue pag. 4. that our Sauiour was the sonne of God in doing such mighty miracles among them the cheif one whereof was casting out of diuels by reason that action was but mirandum et non miraculum a strange thing for silly people to wonder at and not a myracle to inforce them to beleue The Discouerer might haue remembred that I doe not affirme that the casting out of diuels performed by Christ was by fasting prayer and so miranda et non miracula but the contrary euen there where I treate hereof to both these in my apologie To cast out diuels say I by aword so as one no sooner commaundeth the spirit to goe out but forthwith he departeth as Christ and his Apostles did is not only a myracle but of them the greatest but by the meanes of prayer and fasting to dryue out Sathan or rather to intreat Christ to whome all power is giuen in heauen and in earth to cast Sathan forth is mirandum non miraculum Had these words of mine bene spoken to the Pharises could those dull conceyted Rulers of the Iewes haue theâ—ce taken occasion to haue depraued our Sauiour his casting out of diuels Sure one wold thinke they serued rather to the magnifying thereof Now if the Discouerer could proue that Christ did cast forth wicked spirits by fastinge and prayer or yet his Apostles then indeede for as much
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
but by prayer and fasting Yea the Disc himself confesseth the same but the leafe before this page 43. Thus in a word we see his collection and boastinge to be meerely in vayne Yet for our better vnderstanding and further answer we must remember that two kindes of expulsion of sathan are heere spoken of one extraordinary wherein the miraculous faith is required verse 20. and an other by an ordinary meanes viz. praier or prayer and fasting verse 21. and here howsoeuer the iustifyinge faith is to be wished and is best yet the faith temporall or historical may suffice for the expelling of sathan after this manner or by the ordinary meanes which standeth not somuch in the saith of the person therein vsed as in the mercye of god obteyned man vsinge the meanes which to that end he hath ordeyned And as this faith may suffice so it should seeme that it hath or shall for we reade that in the day of the lorde some workers of iniquity shall say for themselus lord haue we not in thy name cast out diuels math 7. 22. why should we vnderstand this of Iudas only and such as he who by a word cast out diuells seing that manner of eiection continued so small a time in the church And not as well of the sonnes of Sceua and such as they who it is probable cast out diuells by the ordinary meanes where-with they had mixed some adiurations where-vpon they were called Exorcistes added thereto in that and former time when all things almoste were corrupted and as it is very likely vpon some imitation of the prophets who had no doubt cast out diuels by adiuring or commaunding the spirits to goe out in the name of the lorde as the papists doe nowe in the ymitation of Christ and his Apostles both of them forgetting that they had not receaued any such power ouer vncleane spirits and therefore should haue refrayned from commuanding or adiuring them True it is that they were far from casting the euill spirit out of the man mentioned Acts 19. the reason I thinke was because they entred upon that where-vnto they were not at all called of god for not contented with that manner of eiection they had formerlye vsed because it shewed no such authority ouer diuells as that perfâ—rmed by the Apostles and by consequent did commend them nothiÌ„g somuch to the people which was the only thing they desired they at tempted to cast euill spirits out of sundry in the name of the lord Iesus nâ— maruaile therefore though they had no better successe therein albeit they percase after an other manner I meane the ordinarye meanes both before after that dispossessed diuers And why doth this â—eme so strange and incredible to some as I known it doth why may not a wicked man be as well an instrument to cast out diuells after the ordinary as the extraordinary manner and out of the body as well as the soule of man seig especially this latter is a far more worthy work If we obiect as I thinke we can obiect nothing else that god heareth not the prayers of such nor regardeth their humiliations that is answered already They powerfull preaching is annexed for a meanes to prayer and fasting Wherevnto may be added the word of God as the story saith which the dâ—â—lls forsooth could not indure to heare pag. 50 but would be gone And so you see them fall into the said popish follies makinge the signes of possession the meanes and causes of dispossession VVee doe not neither euer did affirme that these are the meanes ordeyned of god for the castinge of sathan out of the bodyes of men for we doubt not but that without the vsinge of either of these he may be expelled as it was in the dispossession of Kath. Wright and Darling Yet notwithstanding we thinke that in this said worke theris good and holy vse thereof First because in this case men wrestle not against â—lâ—sh and blâ—ud but against principallityes and powers and against the worldly gouernours the princes of the darknes of this world against spirituall wickednesseâ— which are in the high places â—ph 6. 10. It standeth them therefore vpon to take vnto them the whole armour of god that they may be able to resist so strong an enemy and hauing finished all things staÌ„d fast Now part yea a principall part of this armour is the word of god euen the sword of the spirit math 4. And herein we haue our blessed Sauioure for an example to imitate who when the deuill in an extraordinarye and visible manner appeared vnto him speaking also vnto him he resisted and ouercame him by the word of god Secondly because the reading â— pâ— 5. 9. interpreting applying of the holy scriptures serue to streÌ„gthen our faith whereof there is neede for resist saith S. Peter the diuell stedfast in the saith 3. to stirr vp whatsoeuer guift of prayer is in vs or feruency therein and to worke the true humbling of vs vnder the mighty hand of god But admit we hould readinâ— expoundig of the word of god were meanes of dispossession yet that followeth not there vpon which the Disc from thence collecteth viz. that wee make the signes of possession the meanes causes of dispossession Did weeuer hould the reading and preaching of the word to be signes of posession surely not for these signes are nothing else but the feaâ—efull effects and operations which sathan beinge within the body of man sendeth forth in which nomber to place the worde of god and preaching thereof is a most sottish and impious thinge and simple men though we be yet I trust wee were neuer so absurd which beinge so the Disc collection is not worth a strawe But saith he it is most apparant by M. Mores conceite who thinketh prayer more necessary pag. 50. then the signes of possession mentioned in the scriptures for the true discerning of those who are possessed It appeareth that M. More doth not say altogither so as is here mentioned But be it graunted doth he therâ—ore make prayer a signe of possession â—8 so one the same thing a signe of pâ—ssâ—ssion meanes or cause of dispossâ—ssion Behould how the Disc argueth By prayer a man may discerne of those that are possessed ergo prayer is a signe of possession If this be a good argument then are these also By the guifte called the discerning of spirits the Apostles trulye discerned of those that were possessed as the Disc affirmeth pag. 28. â—rgo that guift is a signe of possession By the knowledge of the signes of sathan possessing one mentioned in the gospell wee may trulye discerne of those that are possessed ergo that knowledge is a signe of possession And so the Apostles were possessed all indued with this said knowledg for where the proper signe of a thing is there is also for certainty the thing signifyed thereby Againe by good skill in phisick one may trulye
9. Exodus 19. 4. Zech 2. 8. Romans 3 2. Romans 9 4 god washed and clensed and made them his peculiar people and * cheif treasure aboue all people so as they were the lordâ—s portion and Iacob the lot of his inheritance and hath * carryed them vpon eagles winges being so tender ouer them that * he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye and * hath committed to them his oracles so as * to them apperteyneth the adoption and the glory and the couenants and the giuing of the lawe and the seruice of god and the promises if this people now hauing bene made partaker of these and many other vnspeakable mercies of god shall returne to their former filthinesse for their intollerable vnthankfulnes their last estate shall be very miserable and worse then their first which scripture as our fathers before vs so we at this day see fulfilled before our eyes in that as it was said to Cain they are cast out froÌ„ their owne land which flowed with mylke and honney and are vagabonds and runagates in the earth so their estate farr worse euen seauen folde worse then euer before From this scripture I collect these things First and cheifly that the diuell beinge cast out of men seeketh to enter agayne into them 2. That he desireth the recouery of that pray he hath lost that is the possessing againe of the said party aboue many other prayes 3. that he doth recouer and repossesse such as giue themselues to the seruice of sintâ—e and otherwise can not 4. That in this case the vncleane spirit en reth not in alone but with more and worse 5. that the end or last estate of such iâ— all be worse then their fist Nowe what though this seripture be vsed by the Lord as a metaphor or similitude to illustrate and thâ—r thing may we not therefore gather these things from hence or is there no truth trow we in the metaphors themselues vsed by our Sauiour Yf the salt saith Christ haue lost his sauâ—â—er math 5. math 13. 3â— gal 5. 9. pron â— â— pron 728. it is good for nothing men doe not light a candle and put it vnder a bushell but on a caÌ„alâ—stick and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house * The kingdome of heauâ—n is like vnto leauen which a woman taketh and lydeth in three pecks of meale till all be leauened In like manner S. Paule * A little â—auen haueneth the whole lump * Goe to the pismire O sluggard sayth Salâ—mon behould her wayes she prâ—â—pareth her meate in the summer gath reth her soode in the haruest He that goeth vpon coales his feete shall be burnt These are metaphors and yet in them and a thousand more in holy scripture there is a certaine and vndoubted truth That is sayde heere of going vpon coales of the Pismire leauen and the rest with infinite more of the like kinde is very true notwithstanding the same is metaphorically spoken yea let the Disc shew but one metaphor in all the scriptures wherein there is not a certaine and vndoubted truth how can it then possibly be that this spoken of the vncleane spirit going out of a man should be vntrue because it is metaphorically That this is spoken metaphorically hindreth not at all the truth therof And wheras the Disc pretendeth as though I did only rely vpon the metaphoricall place and had no other proofe for that I so confidently affirme as touching the returne of the diuell and seeking to enter againe into him out of whome he is gon he is deceaued for a moste pregnante proofe hereof there is as hath bene already shewed in the 9. of Mark where Christ Iesus being about to cast the diuell out of one and knowinge the aforesaid metaphore to be most true and that the vncleane spirit being gone out of man will returne and seeke to enter into the same man againe forbiddeth him so to doe I meane the reentring or repossessiÌ„g of the said party it may be the rather because he was a child I charge thee saith he to the spirite come out of him vers 15. and enter no more into hiÌ„ Albeit then one testimony of the Lord Iesus might aboundantly suffice yet behould a double testimony of his for the further confirmiÌ„g of vs in this truth why then doth this seeme some strange or newe doctrine or odd conceite not onlye to the Disc but to manye other that abhorre the counterfeyting he contendeth for seeinge it hath such warrant and is so playnlie set downe in the scriptures me think 〈…〉 we tooked into the nature of the diuell and how hestâ—d 〈…〉 towardes god and man this should not 〈…〉 that he 〈◊〉 the possession thereof yet will he not preâ—ently giue ouer all 〈◊〉 thereto and seeke no 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 or any 〈…〉 he can compalle the possession againe 〈…〉 doe he 〈…〉 it not yet it is cleare he will 〈…〉 genâ—rally true so specially if it be a 〈…〉 the vsurper taketh great pleasure to 〈◊〉 in and he also one oâ— great 〈…〉 and hating dead 〈…〉 and much more wicked and 〈…〉 are 〈◊〉 and powers being as vsurpers cast out 〈…〉 mea the gloribus temples for the holy 〈…〉 all possible meanes to enter into them 〈…〉 VVe all knowe and confesse that sathaÌ„ 〈…〉 of the soule of man which he possesseth so long as we continue the 〈◊〉 of disobedience he doth more egerly besett it and 〈…〉 of it then euer he did before and this beside 〈…〉 the holy scripture teacheth vs euery conuert knoweth to be true 〈◊〉 owne experience Nowe why should not the same spirit take the same course presently after his election out of that other part of man his body 〈◊〉 meane seing not only the scriptures but the parties 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 out of their owne experience signifye 〈…〉 there was iust cause I thinke to per 〈…〉 as I did and is set downe before And 〈…〉 there for the Disc to condemne the reason among others of the 〈…〉 required of them viz. because 〈…〉 And yet behoulde how he boasteth as if the truth were firmly vndoubtedly of his side and as if he had answered all that men haue to say in two wordes pag. â— viz. that the scripture wee relye vppon is a metaphoricall place But M. Darrell saith he and his frendes will peraduenture be better prouided in this poynt heereafter How Dar. is prouided he nowe seeth And by that time S. H. is prouided for obiections I trust Dar. will be sufficiently prouided for answers vnto them And thus much for answer to the obiections made against my opinions which somtimes I deliuered to the B. of London little thinking that the same shoulde haue bene published to the worlde It remayneth that I proceede to the matter of fact charged against mee in which two poynts the discouery consisteth OF CHAP. 11. How those that tooke vpon them to cast out diuels doe get themselues work and of their deuises
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
the rest saue that none of them were charged with taking away the life of any Yea lett all men iudge of Milliâ—ent Horslayes owne confession who beinge by M. Perkynâ— Iustice of peace examyned and denyinge that euer shee hurt any body acknowledged that she had helped divers but it was forsooth by good prayers whereof she then said one Discouerer But this deuise of Dar. pag 142. pag 143. concerning the detecting of witches is almoste laide asleepe and againe This deceipt of Dar. is so dasht as it is supposed wee shall heare no more of it Darrell It is a practise of Sathan and no deuise of myne to disclose the acquaintance he hath with some of his familiars This hath bene seene beesides in Tho. Darling and the 7. in Lancashire in Margaret Heryson of whome beefore M. Throckmortons children many others And where the Disc supposeth we shall heare no more of this surely we had not if he had not giuen cause thereof and before I ende I must once againe tell him and all men that it was not So. but the diuell by his tongue that detected the witches For first it is not likely that he coulde haue disclosed so many 2. As Sathan was during this Discouery sensibly about So. body vnder the couering to our sight hearing and feeling as is aforesaid so was he also sensibly vexing him in his boâ—y as was manifest to the great multitude that duringe that tyme beheld him In probabillity therefore might not the diuell vse his tongue and other instruments of speach although that be very rare and extraordinary as well as perform other things as rare yea more rare about him and also molest him in his body some other parts therof 3. He knew nothing more or lesse of the infinite speaches he then vttered and namely of his calling for and naming certaine persons to be witches as himselfe then affirmed when there was some beleuing of him and in reason to leade others to beleeue him as wil appeare by the reason following 4. whiles he was discouering these persons he vttered those thinges which passâ—d his knowledge and vnderstanding For now it was that he expounded the Creed by the space of an howre when Alice Freeman and widdowe Higgit were searched by diuers weomen a good way from his fathers houâ—e he tould therof euen as they were searching and that Alice Freeman haâ—a mark of such a shoulder and the other none found of her which was euen so VVhen Milicent Horslay was had before the abouenamed M. Perkins 4. or 5. myles distant from Nott. he tould the very time she was examyned the words she then vsed for herselfe and of the stripping searching of her In like sort he tould of the speaches and actions of her sister a myle of Nott. euen when the same fell out And were it not to auoyde tedyousnes much more of this kinde mighâ— heere be said Seeing then it is cleare that these speaches were vttered by the diuell why should we not thinke that the other speaches which concerned and accompanyed the same were vttered as it were with the same breath came from the same spirit OF CHAP. 6. Of M. Dar. course from about the seauenth of December vntill the fourteenth of Ianuary whilest Somers refused to dissemble any longer Discou M. Dar. bent his chiefe force to perswade his auditorye pag 145 that sathan would lurke sometimes about one out of whome he had bene cast suffering the party to be well for a good space but that he was verily pâ—â—swaded that Sathan would not giue him ouer vntill in the end he had repossâ—ssed him About 8. Darrell weekes after the time the Discouerer heere speaketh of and after Somers had giuen it forth that he counterfeyted I did openlye affirme that Somers had not counterfeyted and 2. that he was repossessed and that it came from the subtlety of sathan then lurking in him that he vexed him not but I woulde haue bâ—ne ashamed to haue saide that Sathan would lurke sometimes about one or that Sathan would not giue So. ouer vntil he had repossessed him as the Disc chargeth me to haue done but proueth none of them not so â—uch as by a salfe witnes no not by So. owne testimony who staÌ„deth him in great stead at other times for the proofe of many worthy things But that which the Disc saith heere he thwarteth and ouerthroweth else-where for heere from the 7. of December vntill the 14. of Ianuary he will haue me pratling to my auditory that Sathan lurketh sometimes about one that sathan wold not giue ouer vntill in the end hâ— had repâ—ssessed Somers in the whole Chapter following also affirming that he began to be repossessed about the 14. of Ianuary and in page 127. he telleth vs that â—o supposed repossession was about the 21. of Nouember If I held and gaue it out about the 21. of Nâ—uember that So. was repossessed it is not credible that I should from the 7. of December till the 14. of Ianuâ—râ— iaâ—gâ—e as the Disc affirmeth And this is the 9. tyme that the Discouerer is conuinced by his owne Discouery Discou The author of the Narration writeth thus vpon So. pag 147 dispossâ—ssiâ—n M. Dar. was retayned preacher in Nott. that populous towne hauing hâ—d no setled preacher there before this time since the begining of her maiestyes raigne â—yther M. Aldridg or his companion are in danger of an hard imputation except it may be thus holpen M. Aldridg is vâ—â—ar of S Maryes in Nott. wheras this fellow peraduenture accounteth neyther persons nor vicars nor any that bear such popish names for preachers the Doctor to be chosen by the parrish as M. Dar. was is the preacher forsooth that must beare the beil Darrell The Narrator denyeth not that they haue had a preacher but no setled preacher or standinge mynisterie for that M. Aldridg hath flocks or congregations beesides to attend vppon as well as that whereby it hath corne to passe that his people of Nott. haue hearde his voyce oft times but once in a monneth sometimes sildome which many besides the Narrator account no setled ministery OF CHAP. 7. How So. about the 14. of Ianuary fell again to the acting of certayn fittâ— wherein he continued at times till about the 24. of Febauary how M. Dar. pretended that he was possessed Discouerr M. pag â—48 Dar. spent about 4. or 5. weekes next going before the 14. of Ianuary in preaching and reuiling those that helde So. for a counterfeyt Darrell Had I carryed my selfe in the pulpitt and worke of the ministery aâ— the Disc beareth the world in hand I had bene more fytt and worthy to haue sitt at the plow tayle and guided it then in the chair of Christ Iesus and to haue bene a guide to his people I published the worke of god presently after the dispossession of Somers then â—nd as in duty I ought make mention openly of So. and at other
he might remayne with him that so at the lâ—ngth he might be in quyet Darrell In these wordes the Disc telleth vs how So. by the meanes of Iohn Cooper got himselfe from his father in lawes house to S. Ioanes The reason mouiug him there-vnto was that being weary of counterfeyting through is long continuance therein viz. for 6. weekes togither he could not tell how to giue ouer his dissembling because of me To helpe himselfe therefore in this straight he bethought hiÌ„ of this course we heare of For answer herevnto first the Disc doth not proue that So. was the cause of his going to S. Ioanes no not by So. deposition but onlye saith so him selfe 2. By the deposition of Iohn Cooper page 177. the contrary doth appeare as we shall presently heare 3. we may hereby coniecture how false this is in that S. Ioanes is a house in Nott. whether vagrant and ydle persons are sent and kept verâ— straight to worke beinge seuerely corrected if they fayle therein Now who can thinke that So. who had runn away first from M. Grayes and after twise from Tho. Porter was a yong fydler singing boy had also playd the counterfeit boy as the Disc saith first at M. Brackenburyes then at Nott. should offer voluntarily his neck to the yâ—ake I meane of toyâ—esome labour and his back to the rod of correction And wherefore shoulâ—◠〈◊〉 this â—ecause forsooth otherwise he coulde not be qâ—yâ—t â—â—tt himselfe â—ut of my fâ—ngers but must neades will he â—â—ntinue â—is câ—untâ—rfeyting whereof alaâ— he grâ—w wâ—ary An â—st riduculous 〈◊〉 all 〈…〉 â—ell consydered which I leaue to tâ—e 〈…〉 him of Yea but the Disc is of an other mynde for marke what he telleth vs and that very solemnly in an other place If any saith be doâ— surmise these practisâ—s to be improbable as beinge much subiect to danger pag 7. in that the said parties that are so â—unningly drawn on in those courses may vpon many occasions detect them they must know that these fellowes are well enough furnished in that behalfe For first amongâ—st the Papistes it were sufficient to bringe a suspition of â—eresye that should but doubt that one wâ—re not pâ—ssâ—ssâ—d if their preists affirmed the contrary And we see amongst our selues how hardly it is indâ—red that 〈◊〉 pretâ—nded Exorcists are called into question but be it that the worst should fall out yet they haue such rules as if you will allow thâ—m they are safe enough For if any doe once fall into their handes or yealde thâ—msâ—lues vnto their practises they can neuer be ridd from them by any meanes so loâ—g as they are pleased to worke vpon them Considering these wordes of the Disc and that he saith that câ—unterfeytes can neuer be rid by any meanes from their teachers so longâ— aâ— they are pleased to worke vâ—on them it is no maruaile though Som. weâ—e glad to get himselfe euen to S. Ioaues the worst place for his case of a thousand that so he might 〈◊〉 himselfe of me but rather a maruell that he could so berid of me â—eeing the Disc saith that such schollers can neuer be rid of then maisâ—â—rs no not by any meanes If â—i is be true S. H. how came it to passe that So. rid himselfe out of my â—andes onâ—e before whâ—n he was weary of counterfeyting as now he is saiâ—e to be So. quoth the Disc beginning to be werie of counterfeyting for ought that M. Dar. could doe altogither refused to continue his dissembling cours any longer and so made no shew of any of his pranks for the space of S. weekes And agayne So. growing weary of his disâ—mulation contrary to Dar relis perswasions gaue ouer all his tricks practises And this he prâ—â—th substantially by So. testimony Hereof saith â—e So. in this sâ—rt About the beginning of December pag 144. pag 11â— I did grow very weary of all my former practises and there vpon did wholly leaue them contrary to M. Dar. good liking who endâ—uâ—red to perswad me still to continue 〈…〉 could not preuaylâ— with me so farr â—us 1. Here by the way we 〈…〉 is coÌ„trary to himselfe And this is the 10. 〈…〉 â—inced by his owne Discouery But I wâ—uld 〈◊〉 I say 〈◊〉 Disc why So could not as well gett himselfâ—â— is latter tin cout 〈…〉 without the conueying of himselfe to S Ioanes as well as before Others will thinke though the Disc be of an other minde that were it so that I had taught Sâ— to counterfeyt as he will haue it and he had but in secret tould me that being weary of counterfeyting he wolde counterfeyt no more and rather then so he would discouer all I woulde haue bene willing enough to haue rid my selfe of him if nedes I must busy my selfe in this worthy art â—aue â—ather sought out a newe scholler then haue troubleâ— my sâ—lfe with â—ne so lazy so way warâ—e wauering and pâ—ruerse wherein also was such daâ—ger For how 〈◊〉 euer amongst the papists there is no danger to the prâ—st teaâ—â—t ge one to counterfeyt though the counterfeyt bewray all so long as the priest affirmes the contrary if we may beleeue the Iâ—scouerer yet I trust he will not say the same of the ministers of Christ Iesus amonge vs and yet he doth say somthing bending that way Moreouer if S. m. saide thus to Cooper and went by his owne proâ—urement to this said â—nd to S. Ioanes why when he was come thither diâ— Cooper â—â—reatâ—n to whip him if he would not leaue his â—ricks as Cooper â—imselfe conâ—esseâ— vppon his oath to tâ—e 12. Commissioners but more for the câ—nuincing of this followeth forthwith And where the Disc pretendeth that So. grew weary of his relapse meaning counterfeyting to be repossesâ—eâ— because he had continuâ—â— thâ—râ— about sixe weeke◠〈◊〉 is therein greatly deceaued for it was but two weeâ—es So. Leâ—an to be repoâ—â—essed at or about the time of his yn prisâ—â—nâ—ent as appeareth by the beginninge of tâ—is chapter page 49. but that was â—ot about the 14. of 〈…〉 as the Disc saith in the argument of this câ—apter and So. also a little after â—ut tâ—e 14. of â—â—ruary as I caâ— prâ—â—e by many witnesse the 24. of I 〈◊〉 â—e went to S. Iâ—anâ—s as is 〈◊〉 where â—ee was prâ—â—ntly quyet and confessed his dissiâ—â—ulatiâ—n By tâ—is that hath here said we may partly see that So. remoued not â—imselfe for tâ—e cause heere alledged to S. Ioanes but they inâ—eed cauâ—ed â—â—is râ—mâ—uall whâ—me Sathan vsed as his instrâ—â—ents to get from tâ—e boy that â—ursed confession of counterfeyting which soone after he was there â—ee made the meanes first being vsed which serued there vnto viz. promises and threats as â—eereafter will appear And those were our Nottingham Commissioners who caused him to be carried thither greatly against the boyes and his parents will vnder coullour to fynde out some counterfeytinge where it was as manifest as the daye-light at noon
3. witnesses or theire abouts FINIS THE FOVRTH BOOKE The impossibilitie of Som. counterfeiâ—ing beinge manifest enough by the last chapter in the eyes of any vnpartiall and indifferent iudge were ther nothing els said nor to be said then theiris allready said I thinke it shall be wisdome to vse few words more concerninge the same Besides I am afrayd the reader is wâ—â—rye in turninge over such patched and ridiculous stuffe as this when my selfe am not a litle greiued to see my time which ought to be more pretious to me theÌ„ the gold of ophir thus vainly and idlie consumed in turnninge and rakinge vp such filthy and vnsaurie dunge and were it not that I am perswaâ—ed that the Lord hath called me heerevnto both for the defence of mine owne innocency and speciallye the setting forth of that wonderfull worke of his which wretched vngodly men doe seeke by all meanes to deface I wouâ—d in that regard haue buryed all in silence longe agoe For these causes most christian reader albeit I purpose by thy patience gods assistance to make the case more cleare and playne vnto thee in that which remaineth to be answered of the obiections surmisses of the Discouerer yet will I theirin be as brefe as possible I can and as the vnreasonablenes of the aduersarie wil giue me leaue the rather in that whatsoeuer he coineth and breatheth out against the cause rather then me heereafter cometh out of the very same forge and shope with the former wherof I am content to make thy selfe Iudge in the pervell OF CHAP. I. Discouerer How M. Dar. laboured from time to time to make those thinges that So. did were but very toyes to be thought both strang extraordinary Darrell VVhether the thinges deposed to be done by Som. done indede by the Diuell were very toyes and nothing strange and extraordinary in them and further whether the things done by So. were such as he did or could doe of himselfe and so argue a counterfeitinge or whether the did passe his reach skill and power and so argue a supernaturall power namly the power of the diuell within him let the christian reader himselfe Iudge by my answere to the last chapter OF CHAP. 2. Discouerer How M. Dar. would not suffer as nere as he could any to deale with So. pag 225. in his fiets to try whether he were senselesse or dissembled Darrell The ground of this chapter is this assertion fathered vppon me vz. that Som. or whosoeuer is possessed is senselesse in all theire fites wherevnto I haue sufficiently answered in my answere to the 3. chapter of the 2. booke OF CHAP 3. How M. Dar. indeuoured to excuse So. when he was taken short and did such toyes as did argue him sufficiently to be a counterfeit Discouerer It is obiected that his foaming came from a peece of blacke lead he had in his mouth pag â—93 I put saith Somers a peece of blacke lead into my mouth that therby I might foame in more abundant manner Darrell It is true that one a time he had a litle blacke lead in his mouth ans 1. but as I verily take it he did not then foame as partly appeareth by Edmond Garlands deposition following who was then present But be it that he did his foaming came not nor was because of the said blacke lead for then another puting blacke lead into his mouth shall their by be made able to foame also which I thinke non of vnderstanding will affirme and triall therof may soone be made 3 we speake of a â—â—ming in the time of his first possession now foaming and then foaming specially in great abundance the day of his dispossession and this blacke lead from whence his foaming should come he had onely once in his mouth when he was at Garlands house as is plaine by the depositions concerning the same which was almost 20. weekes after the foaming wee speake off Now although blacke lead may peradventure haue such an odd mysticall qualitie as is pretended yet it could not sure cause him to foame so long and so many weekes before he had it For theiris no body that deposeh to any blacke lead then and if he had had any we should no doubt haue heard of it nay So. himselfe deposeth no such thinge but by this deposition we may rather coniecture that if the diuell caused not his foaming but himselfe then it came by rolling a stone or soape in his mouth for so saith he I taught him to doe that he might the better foame But how doth the Discouerer proue that Somers foaming came of blacke lead besides Somers testimonie by the depositions of two witnesses In one fitte I saw William Somers saith Edmond Garland froath at the movth very much so as the foame roaped downe into his necke pag 23â— and at on time I found a peece of blacke lead in his mouth He doth not say and at the same time vz. that he foamed I found a peece et but and at one time I found et meaninge another time So that by this deposition it should seeme that Somers foamed not when the blacke lead was in his mouth From hence then we can no more conclude that So. foaming came from this peece of blacke lead in his mouth then from the morsels of bread and gobbetes of fleshe which he likewise hath had in his mouth But George Richardson deposeth more fully pag. 235. In a fitt he foamed saith he excedingly and I hereing akind of grating of some what betwixt his teeth tould Garland the boyes keeper whervpon Garland taking him by the heaire of the head and I by his mouth we shooke out of his mouth a pecce of blacke lead Darrell I will not stand heare to shew the falshod of mans deposition but onely I aske what and if So. instead of the black lead had in his mouth a stone or pine had the same caused his foaming both at that time loâ—ge before For I doubt not but that either of these hath as weâ—â— that vertue and workinge quallitie in it as blacke lead hath I am truâ—e ashamed to vse so many wordes about that which deserueth rather to be laughed at then answered but the folly of these who beleeiuinge this haue in good earnest obiected it against me as a matter of â—oment hath thus farr constrained me OF CHAP. 4. Discouerer How contrary to M Darr pag. 235. assertion Somer had his senses and vnderstanding in his fitts Darrell In my answere to the 8 chap of my 2 booke I haue shewed that howsoeuer Sathan doth no doubt ordinarilie depriue those he possesseth in their sites of their internall and externall senses yet not all wayes but can and doth by his slyghts so order the matter as that the possessed haue many times their senses vnderstanding in as good measure as those that are not possessed a thinge that I haue allwayes held and neuer sence I came to
could not perceuie any such strangnes in the thinges I saw the boy doe and Iames Alwood vpon the 5 of Nouember at night I obserued that any body naughtily disposed might haue done the same And lastly saith Rich. Newton I neuer saw Somers doe any thing but that aboy of his yeares might easilie doe Darrell Because these men were either blind 〈◊〉 1â— or seeing would not see shall wee therfore put out the eyes of others of the 17 deposed first and of sundrie others deposed since as also of hundreds besides readie to depose the same if they were thervnto called by authoritie All men are not like to Peter and Iohn who said vnto the faces of the hie prists and Elders act 4. 20. that they could not but speake the things which they had seene heard 2. wher almost al thes 10 witneses which saw So. in many fits depose that they themselues could do the like others that any body might doe the same yea easily how can it be but that they be periured if they haue so deposed indeede for their be almost 30 which haue deposed to about 20 thinges impossible to be done by any naturall or artificiall power Besid by the depositions of So. others deposed examined by the B and the Disc and alledged in this booke to proue counterfeiting and so by the Discouerie it selfe it is manifest that it is not so very easie a matter for one much lesse for any body naughtily disposed to doe the same So. did Seven came to carrie me saith Somers whom as I thinke I did very much trouble wherevpon it was giuen ouâ— that I was so heavie in my fittes as 7 were scarce able to carie me By this reporte it should seeme that 7 could hardly carry him not because of his strugling and yet euery boye can not so struggle but for the exceedinge great weaight of his body which is by some deposed whervpon this report did rise pag. 180. 18â— It is also confessed and deposed that he made his belly to swell and did hide his tongue vz so as no parcell of it could be seene with a candle for not longe before and in the presence of the Maior with some 50 others his mouth was by 12 persons or their aboutes looked into with a candle pag. 23. 5 pag 215. pag 201. pag 233. pag 189. but no tongue nor parcell therof was their to be seene saue the roote in his throate Againe Som thrust his tonge backwarde into his throate speake with his mouth wyde open pricked with pinnes endured it foamed exceedingly that the foame ran downe on both the sides of his mouth pag 2â—3 and about his chinne roaped downe into his necke These thinges confessed by the Disco himselfe and the frendes of counterfeiting yea deposed by his owne deponents can not any body naughtely disposed easily doe yea hereby it is euideÌ„t that no body can by art doe the like and theirfore So hath not counterfeited Let the Disc then and frendes of counterfeiting be iudged out of there owne mouthes And this is the 12. time the Discouerer is convinced by his Discouery Before we haue hearde that the Disc in his Discouerie hath discouered my innocencye heere we playnly see that he hath done as much for the cause it selfe Yf now hereby the impossibilitie of So. counterfeitiug doe appeare how much more when herevnto we shall add the rare and supernaturall accidents mentioned in my answeare to the last chapter of the third booke Discouerer Whether these depositions will satisfie M. Dar and his frends pag 257. it may be doubted but to any reasonable men they will be sufficient to shew the vanitie of the foresaid pretended imposibilities Darrell The Disc may now be out of doubt that these his depositions doe not satisfie me as also why neither doe they or can they satisfie I trust any reasonable men but must needes appeare vnto them to be as generally vaine friuolous so most of them manifestly false the deponeÌ„ts plainly periured if they haâ—e so deposed Farr therfore are they from shewing any vanitie in the aforesaid imposibilities witnessed by a cloud of witnesses And thus is this supposed vanitie of the aforesaid impossibilities quite ouerthrowne made lighter then vanitie it selfe OF CHAP. 10. How contrarie to M. Dar. and his frend assertions W. So. was accounted by many in Nottingham for a dissembler from the time that he begane his practises there pag 259 Tho. Porter Roâ— Cooper Ed Garland M. Barnard vntill be coufessed the same himselfe Discouerer This he proueth by sundrie depositions One deposeth I told M. Dar. it was reported that the boy did counterfeite Another I did verilie thinke that he did but dissemble A third many still hold opinion that the boy did dissemle A fourth I thinke that So. dissembled and thus doe 3 moe depose Darrell The people of the Iewes said of Christ that he was aglutton and a drinker of wine and that he had a diuill yea the pharises said of him that he was aconiurer math 11. 19. Iohn 7. â—0 math 9. 34. and 12 24. casting out deuils through Belzâ—bub the Prince of deuils And yet behold there was neuer any thinge more false Many yea generally all the people of the Iewes did thinke and report that the disciples did steale Iesus away by night whiles the soulders sleept and I warrant you math 28 13. 15 had the hie priests who raysed vp this slaunder of the resurrection of Christ sent forth Commissioners enow would haue deposed the same and yet loâ— exceeding false yea not only so but abhorring to common sense For what more absurd and senseles thinge can be vttered then that which the souldires affirmed that while they sleept his disciples stole him away yf Chrst was gone while the souldiers sleept as they reported and was generally beleeued a monge the Iewes how knewe the souldiers that the disciples stole him away and whether he raised vp himselfe and went away yea or no as his disciples affirmed Thus we see theris nothing so false and absurd specially if it be against the glory of god and the good of his church but if Sathan once gette any to giue it out in speach many will beleiue it and report it Even so albeit it be palpable false abhorring from reason and sense and vtterly impossible to be true that Som. did counterfeit yet not withstanding it may be beleâ—ued reported and deposed by many So in considerate and foolish is man to beleiue euery thing prou 14. 1â— This the old serpent hath in long experience knowne to be true that therby yea by nothing more he hath in all ages preuailed greatly against the Lord and his servants Otherwise he would neuer spread abroad so manifest slaunders as vncessantly he doth And as generally in other cases he doth thus without faile euer will so hath he done in these particulâ—r workes of god
the contrary all things well considered so neither in generall could it further the setting vp of the Presbyteriall conceites pag. 15. seeing heere was no deuill cast cut by a Presbiterâ—all man to commend him his conceits to the world And this is the 14. time the Discouerer is convinced and shamed by his owne Discouery 4. It is to be remembred ans 4. that K. wright setting downe the cause of her dissimulation forsooth doth not mention any profite or benifite shee should receiue from me or that I did beare her so in hand but mentioneth the hard vsage of her father in lawe Iohn Mekin in beating brusing her very sorâ— to deliuer her selfe from which she fell of countering wherevnto the Disc addeth pag â—97 1298 313. a desire to liue at some case and to he much made of by her parentes If these were the reasons or causes of K Wrights dissimulation as K. VVright and the Disc tell vs then she did not dissemble for Darrels sake not for any profite or benefite she was to receiue from him And this is the 15. time that the Discouerer is convinced by his Discouery except you will say these were not the onely causes oâ—ner counterieiting which we can not in any reason thinke seeinge neither K. VVright nor Disco who betwene them I trust haue omitted none haue named any other cause Hauing answeared that which is said to proue K. VVright a counterfeite and my selfe to haue taught her the rest in this chapter beinge of leâ—â—e moment 〈◊〉 as not worthy the answearinge and so will proceed to Maâ—y Cooper the fourth counterfeite OF CHAP. 8. OF M. Darrels proceedings with M. Cooper the sister of william Somerâ— Discouerer First M. Cooper saith thus many times M. Darrell would call me vnto him alone I being in my fathers house and tell me that he doubted that I would proue in tune to be possessed pag 315. 316 and theirfore bad me looke vnto it His particular speaches with her were nothing else but a cunning proiect to put Mary Cooper in mind that she might counterfeite such a matter and so shee tooke it Hereunto also that apoerâ—aineth which she deposeth thus I often times â—xard M. Darell say before my pretended euilnes that it was the deuils custome when he had possessed one in a familie to seeke to possesse more of the same familie likewâ—e This as arguinge too plainly his cunning packing M. Darrell denyeth but it is some what strengthened by Somers deposition in this behalfe before time saith he that I fell againe into this course c. Further more whiles the saide Mary Cooper was meditating as it seemeth vpon M. Darrels former speaches it fell out that a child of hers died a little before Christinas which she tooke so heavilie as it made her as shee saith indeed and truly euill at ease and somwhat weake wherevp in certaine wâ—omen and others in the towne comming vnto me tould me saith shee that I was worse then I knewe my selfe to be and that I would be as evill as my brother william was These wordes added to M. Darrells former speaches that he doubted she would proue to be possessed and that Sathan was not content with one in familie together with her experience of the signes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of M. Darrell made her as shee saith to doe that which she neuer thought to haue done that is as she addeth to tomble and tosse to talke idely and to laugh Darrell In this last chapter of the Discouery the Disc telleth vs of the counterfeitinge of one Mary Cooper of Nottingham wife of Robert Cooper the younger and sister to William Somers and of my teachinge of her or cunninge and fradulent practises vsed to the said end And this he proueth by her deposition strengthened by Somers deposition other prooâ—e hath he none She counterfeited a possession And to the end she might be deemed by the world to be possessed shee did tumble tosse talke idely and laugh Surely these thinges are easily done neither need thee to haue any helpe to teach her them or I to haue vsed any great cunning theirin but of her selfe without me she was able to haue tumbled c. And were not they wise people trow ye which vpon the doinge of those to yes would deeme her to be possessed we must knowe then and may in reason assure our selues that were Mary Cooper a counterfeite to make shew theirof she did something one beside tumble and tosse talke idely and laugh yea by the words of the Disc so much may be coniectured in that he saith Mary Coopers experience of the â—ignes of possession which she had seene in her brother and often heard of me made her c. whence it is to be gathered that she to be â—nought to be possessed with the deuill as well as her brother was did 〈◊〉 some at least of the signes of possession as W. Soâ—ers her brother had to the said end done before her Let vs then I say conâ—â—der what counterfeit trickes she did and whether they be such as I could teach and she learne and practise 1 She constantly affirmed that vsually in the nightes she was troubled with strange â—ights and visions and namely of Alice Freman som thinge also now and then speaking to her and by some circumstances this might be made probable 2 It is certaine that on the daye she was handled after a strange manner by fâ—tes and that by course or turne with her brother Somers for â—e no sooner ended his fites but presently in the twinkling of an eye she begane hers and when she ended immediatly begane her thus they did though they were in seuerall roomes 3. In theâ—e fites she speake very much wherof she knewe nothing after and that this is true it might be made very probable by diuers circumstances also 4. In some of her fites she was of that strength that 4. or 5. coulde scarslye rule her 5. She was of supernaturall kâ—owledge tellinge of diuers thinges done a good way of her and that at the same instant they were done 6. In her fites she was in the Iudgment of men without feelinge As to her brother so to her a little thinge in appearance was done to make triall theirof which notwithstandinge vndoubtedly will suffice theirvnto And that was this her little finger was bended withall the force of a man inward so as presently after it swelled much and great payne had she theirof many dayes after yet their at stirred she not at all no more did Somers 7. her belly was in the midest as it were deuided and raysed vp of either side 8. Out of her belly was sensibly heard a kinde of whupping also a noyse much like to the whurring ofâ— catt 9 her bellye on the sudden swelled and was in estimation of the bâ—gnes of a woman somewhat more then haife gone with child and so