bearing them with Christian-like Patience living in his House in Glamorgan was very much troubled one Night with a great Noise much like the sound of Whirl-wind and a violent beating of the Doors or Walls as if the whole House were falling in pieces And being in her Chamber with most of her Family after praying to the Lord accounting it sinful Incredulity to yield to Fear she went to bed and suddenly after there appeared unto her something like her Husband and asked her whether he should come to Bed She sitting up and praying to the Lord told him he was not her Husband and that he should not He urged more earnestly What! Not the Husband of thy Bosom What! Not the Husband of thy Bosom Yet had no power to hurt her And she together with some Godly People spent that Night in Prayer being very often interrupted by this Apparition The next Night Mr. Miles a Godly Minister with four other Godly Men came to watch and pray in the House for that Night and so continued in Prayer and other Duties of Religion without any interruption or noise at all that Night But the Night following the Gentlewoman with several other Godly Women being in the House the noise of Whirlwind began again with more violence than formerly and the Apparition walked in the Chamber having an unsufferable Stench like that of a putrified Carcase filling the Room with a thick Smoak smelling like Sulphur darkening the Light of the Fire and Candle but not quite extinguishing it sometimes going down the Stairs and coming up again with a fearful noise disturbing them in their Prayers one while with the sound of Words which they could not discern other while striking them so that the next Morning their Faces were black with the Smoak and their Bodies swollen with Bruises Thereupon they left the House left they should tempt the Lord by their over-bold staying in such Danger and sent this Atheist the sad News of this Apparition who coming to England about May last expressed more Love and Respect to his Wife than formerly yet telling her that he could not believe her Relation of what she had seen as having not a power to believe any thing but what himself saw and yet would not hitherto go to his House to make trial but probably will e'er long for that he is naturally of an exceeding rash and desperate Spirit August 1656. Mr. Samuel Jones's Letter in relation to Lieutenant Col. Bowen together with an inclosed Letter from Mr. Maur. Bedwell on the same Subject Worthy and much Honoured YOU may be pleased to remember that when I waited upon you at the Sherift's House in Sallop in August last amongst your other Enquiries touching the State of that poor Country where the Lord hath cast my Lot for the present you desired me then to impart what I had received by Relation concerning the Apparitions in one Col. Bowen's House and upon my return to procure you some further Intelligence touching that Tremendous Providence Whether it be by Time or Familiarity with the noise hereof or rather the no less to be admired Blockishness of the Spirits of Men that the Horror of that terrible Dispensation be allay'd I know not but surely the thing it self was very Stupendous and the remembrance of it carries much Amazement with it still to them that have any thing of Tenderness or Understanding left them By the inclosed from an Honest and Godly Hand not far from the Stage where these things were acted You may understand the Substance of that matter the Party being a Minister of the Gospel perfectly knew Colonel Bowen and hath often conversed with him both before and since his House was haunted If you are pleased to command any further Satisfaction herein I shall take a Journey my self into the place and endeavour to gratifie your desire as to any further particular that you desire the knowledge of If any publick use be made hereof you may conceal my Friends name and mine own lest any offence should be taken by some of the Parties Relations in Parliament and Council Of the receipt of this Paper I desire to hear with all convenient speed At the Throne of Grace vouchsafe to remember your weak and wretched Brother who yet desires to be found in the number of them that are Sir Yours in the surest Bonds to Honour and Serve you Samuel Jones Coedreken Nov. 28. 1656. The Reasons why forbearing Names was desired being now over yet Mr. S. Iones still living I think my self disobliged as to that Restraint R. B. Mr. Maur. Bedwell's inclos'd Letter Dear Sir GLad I am of your safe return and gladder should I be to be instrumental according to my weak Capacity of nayling you to these parts I hope if my desires are agreeable to the Lord you will meet with some directing Providences from him which will answer all Objections As to Col. Bowen's House I can give you some brief Particulars which you may credit as coming from such who were not so foolish as to be deluded nor so dishonest as to report an untruth What I shall write if need were would be made good both by Eye and Ear Witnesses The Gentleman Col. Bowen whose House is called Lanellin in Gowersland formerly was famous for Profession of Religion but this Day is the saddest Man in his Principles I know living To me in particular he hath denyed the Being of the Spirit of the Lord His Argument thus Either 't is something or nothing if something shew me tell me what it is c. and I believe he gives as little credit to other Spirits as the Sadduces At his House aforementioned he being then in Ireland making Provision for removing thither these things happened About December last his Wife being in Bed a Gracious Understanding Woman and one whom little things will not affright one in the likeness of her Husband and just in his Posture presented himself to her Bed-side proffering to come to Bed to her which she refusing he gave this answer What refuse the Husband of thy Bosom and after some time she alledging Christ was her Husband it disappeared Strange miserable Howlings and Cries were heard about the House his Tread his Posture Sighing Humming were heard frequently in the Parlour in the Day time often the Shaddow of one walking would appear upon the Wall One Night was very remarkable and had not the Lord stood by the poor Gentlewoman and her two Maids that Night they had been undone as she was going to Bed she perceived by the impression on the Bed as if some Body had been lying there and opening the Bed she smelt the smell of a Carcase some-while dead and being in Bed for the Gentlewoman was somewhat Courageous upon the Tester which was of Cloth she perceived something rolling from side to side and by and by being forc'd out of her Bed she had not time to dress her self such Cries and other things almost amazing her but she
by the way I heard a voice say You shall die and not pass your five and thirtieth Year of Age which Voice astonished me greatly and looking round about me seeing no body put me into great Consternation and Sweat all over me such as I never felt though I dare not compare it to drops of Blood yet I cannot express how dreadful it was You know Madam my Principles and that I am no Enthusiast and how cautious I am as to Revelations But I am sure this was no Melancholy Fancy but an auricular Voice After I had a little recovered my self I begg'd of God to discover to me if this were from him or a Delusion from Satan but still the Impression remained though I sought God by Prayer most part of that Night and you may remember in my next Visit I told you I should die shortly but I did not tell you of the Voice I heard And then he added This is my five and thirtieth Year of Age in Iuly next I shall be so old And many other Expressions he added which is too much for a Letter but he died in Ianuary 1690. I cannot omit Sir to let you know how much he desired the happiness of a personal Converse with you though he did write to you formerly when he was under great trouble of Conscience and you were pleased to write to him again though his Name was unknown to you and God made you instrumental to his Relief and Comfort He told me whenever he heard you preach there was such a Presence of God accompanied your Ministry that he felt both Fear and Trembling and Joy possess him at once He reading some Book of yours daily whilst he was in my House especially your Dying Thoughts which on his Death-Bed he sent as the best token of his Love to his Schoolmaster at Hackney Mr. Odely and shed many Tears upon it calling it The sweet and dear Companion of his Life charging the Messenger to bid his Master read it and prepare to follow him shortly I beg your Pardon for this long trouble I could do no less than express this Kindness to the Dead who yet speaks out your great Worth to me desiring your Prayers that his loss to so dark a Corner as ours is may be Sanctified And that your Life may be prolong'd in time and you may have a full Reward in Eternity is the Prayer of SIR Your obliged and affectionate Servant Eliz. Rich. Stondon-Hall near Ungar in Essex May 13 1691. But it is not my Business to mention all things that are strange and unusual but such as prove the Operations of Spirits Lycosthenes de Prodigiis vel Mirabilibus will tell you in Folio of Wonders The Falling or Raining of a Grain at Bridgeâ—orth like a dried Rye-Corn in a thin whitish Husk about 1639. And of a Grain at Shrewsbury almost like a small Parsnip-Seed about three or four Years ago seem strange But Exhalations might raise them from Sea or Land though the Marvel lieth in the strangeness of the Grains neither of them being such as are here known by any that I shewed them to I had the last from Dr. Iackson a Physician in Shrewsbury my dear Friend now with Christ who told me that it fell there in many places especially about St. Mary's Church The former coming to live at Bridgenorth 1640. I had of Mr. Madstard the Minister and old Mrs. Grey of Envile a Godly Woman who assured me that much of it sell in the Church-yard and on the Leads of the Steeple I kept both long The former I once before mentioned whence the Author of the Second Part of The Mischiefs of Separation seconding Dr. Stiâ—ingsteet's First Part samed commonly to be Mr. Long of Exeter a Member of the Convocation took occasion to feign me to say that it rained Maenna at Bridgenorth when I came thither Men and Books of such Veracity are they that poor England and the Christian World suffers by and I fear is yet like to suffer more by while Demons are so powerful There are many things that Ignorance causeth Multitudes to take for Prodigies I have had many discreet Friends that have been affrighted with the Noise called a Death-Watch whereas I have since near threescore Years ago oft found by trial that it is a Noise made upon Paper by a little nimble running Worm just like a Louse but whiter and quicker And it is most usually behind a Paper pasted to a Wall especially to Wainscot and is rarely if ever heard but in the Heat of Summer But who can deny it to be a Prodigy which is recorded by Melch. Adamus of a great and good Man who had a Clock-Watch that had layen in a Chest many Years unused and when he lay dying at Eleven a-Clock of it self in that Chest it struck Eleven in the hearing of many Because many have spoken and written of a Thorn at Glastenbury in Sommersetshire that flowreth just on Christmass-Day I thought it a thing worthy my best Enquiries And lest Men proceed to think that there is more in it than there is I annex these following Letters from credible Persons that were well known in that Country Mr. William Thomas's Letter concerning the Glaston-Thorn Together with two other Enclosed Letters to the same purpose SIR UNderstanding by my Son your Desire to enquire about Glaston Thorn I did immediately being not able to travel my self in such a Season send to such as I thought might best inform me whose Information you have in the two inclosed Letters the one from the Minister of Glaston the other from Mr. Cheâ—wind Pastor at Wells both of them understanding and Godly Men. I was not satisfied with Mr. Winney's Letter because he wrote not of the Graff taken from this Thorn now growing when the old Thorn is gone Something it seems there was in the nature of the Plant for that Graff shoots forth much sooner than any other Thorn and about that time though iâ— do not the Feat in blossoming just on the Day but after it which may be because the Soil is not so suitable to it as that was to the other I should have thought this had been all the Wonder viz. the natural rare and rath Blossoming of that Thorn got perhaps from Foreign Parts made by Fame to cry Christmass but that the Information in the first Letter and Testimony is so punctual that it seems to evince more But howsoever that which we call christmass-Christmass-Day is not to gain its Estimation from such a Providence but from Scripture from Reason at least from a due Demonstration that that was indeed the Day of Christ's Birth which perhaps nothing will prove unless it be the Thorn I speak not against the Custom of the Church in remembring the Birth of Christ though I conceive Christ's own Day is better for it than any other I mean the Lord's Day unto which when Men's Days be added the Lord's Day and the Lord of that Day suffer by
a Book called the Reasons of the Christian Religion And after added a small Discourse called More Reasons for it provoked by one that called himself Herbert in which also I answered the Lord Herbert de veritate And since then a nameless Sadduce hath drawn me to publish an Answer to him And in my Life of Faith and other Books I have handled the same Subject All which I tell the Reader that he may see why I have taken this Subject as so necessary why I am ending my Life with the publication of these Historical Letters and Collections Which I dare say have such Evidence as will leave every Sadduce that readeth them either convinced or utterly without excuse Surely the certainty of so great a change of our place State Company and Works as Death will certainly and quickly make should possess every Man that hath the use of Reason with such serious Thoughts Affections and Diligence as is quite contrary to a Diverted Careless Sloathful Worldly Sensual and stupid Mind and Life How speedily shall I see the World that I have read of and Preached and talkt and written of O! What a difference will there be between my now hearing of frightful Apparitions and prodigious Acts of Spirits and that sight or knowledge of all their State and Affairs which I shall have and now am going to The sight of Devils and Damned Diveses and unholy Souls will hereafter be no Rarity and if my Soul must pass through the airy inferior Region where these Miserable Spirits now inhabit it will not be as dangerously Assaulted by them but in Triumph For I know whom I have trusted and into the hands of him do I commit my Spirit who hath conquerred Death and Devils and is now the Glorified Lord of all and can use them at his pleasure And those Angels that rejoice at the Repentance of of a Lazarus and now are Ministring Spirits for his safety will be ready in Obedience to our Lord to convey his Soul to Abrahams bosom Yea to be that day with Christ in Paradise He that chaineth up these Devils that they molest us no more as their Malice doth desire will make our passage safe through all their envy and defiled Regions But seeing it is the free will of Man that giveth the Devils their hurting power and they can do us no harm nor maâ—e us sin without our own consent or yielding O! With how careful and constant and resolved watchfulness should we live And how deservedly may every prayerless ungodly Family and person bâ— left for a prey to this devourer And indeed he hath already hurt them more by blindâ—ng and hardening their Hearts than a thousand haunting Apparitions could of themselves have done And when Excellent Zanchy hath said so much to proâ—e that it is by hâ—s very contigâ—ous Substance that the Devil doth work on Soul and Body how dreadful should Temptations and Sin be to us if we would not have the very substance of Devils dwell in us And why do any think it strange to read so much of Possessions and Dispossessions in the Gospel Lord Iesus let me Finish my Course with joy And then receive my Spirit Amen Iuly 20. 1691. Richard Baxter The CONTENTS Chap. I. Of the great and weighty Vses of the Histories of Spirits and their unusual Apparitions and Actions Ch. II. § I. Instance I. The Devil of Mascon 2. Collonel Bowen ' s Story in divers Letters 3. My Friend and Neighbour Collonel John Bridge ' s Story 4. One in London yet living 5. One at Belfast 6. One at Ilchester 7. Mr. Mompesson ' s Story 8. iAt Lutterworth 9. Mary Ellins of Evesham 10. One in Dorsetshire 11. Nathan Crab of Exeter 12. The strange Story of the Devil of Genluce in Dr. Sinclare 13. The Witches hanged in Suffolk and Essex 14. The Brightling Story 15. Lord Breghill ' s Story of one at St. James ' s. 16. Simon Jones of Kiderminster 17. Richard White of Wilden-Hall 18. Mr. Hopkins of Bewdley 19. An Instance now in London 20. Another as strange 21. Mr. White at Lambeth 22. One from Cambridge 23. One at Hunniton 24. Another there 25. Mr. Ch Hatt ' s Story Ch. III. The strange Story of Mr. May Hill Minister of Beckington in Somersetshire Mr. Increase and Mr. Cotton Mather ' s Instances The Story of Mr. Pacy ' s Daughters at Lesto Ch. IV. Many Histories sent me by Duke Lauderdale and one that taught a Minister to speak true Latin and his Detection of some Popish Frauds Ch. V. Of Witchcraft Inst. 1. Alexander Benedictus 2. Benevenius 3. Langius 4. Cornelius Gemma 5. Sidelicus in Skenkius 6. Wolphius 7. Sebastian Brand. 8. Fabricius Hildanus 9. Faelix Platerus 10. Hollerius 11. Petrus Forestus 12. Scribonius Many Instances of the Concubitus of Daemons with Women 13. Many struck by Daemons Scribonius 14. Witches raising Storms 15. Erasmus ' s Story of an Apparition that burnt the Town 16. The Selling of Winds in Lapland and Iseland 17. The Bleeding oâ— muâ—derâ—d Bodies 18. Scriboniusâ—s strange Story 19. Mr. Farmworth of an Indian Sacrifice to the Devil 20. Ludovicus Vives Testimony 21. Zanchy ' s Testimony 22. Melancthon ' s Testimony 23. A wonderful Story of Dr. Henricâ—ab Heere 24. Merik Causabone of Sir Theod Meyerne 25. Divers Instances from Fernelius 26. Sir Theod. Meyerne ' s prudent Iudgment 27. Gerh. Vossius ' s Testimony 28. Lavater 29. Bishop Jos. Hall 30. Cyprian and a strange Story in him from Firmilianus 31. The New England Instances on Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Dyer published by Mr. Thomas Weld 32. Zanchy ' s Opinion that the Devil's Substance is in them that they move 33. Luther ' s Testimony 34. More of Melancthon ' s. Ch. VI. Mr. John Lewis and Mr. John Davis ' s Multitudes of Instances of Apparitions in Cardiganshire and near it of Knockers and Death-Lights Ch. VII Inst. 1. Mr. Tilson ' s Narrative from Rochester 2. Mr. Woodcock ' s Letter and four strange Stories One of Mr. Mun and one of Dr. Lamb and Mr. Barber and one of Mr. Herlakenden ' s House and of the Oundle Well Ch. VIII Of good Angels and some doubtful Spirits Inst. 1. Mr. Tate ' s Case 2. The Bolton Instance 3. The Afric Bishops whose Tongues were cut out 4. Somewhat from De la Cerda 5. Mr. Ketilby Woodhouse ' s Testimony of some saved from Sir Richard Greenvile 6. Of the Books of Prodigies 1662. 7. Of Lightnings tearing Churches 8. Of Whirlwinds and Hurricanes 9. Of Mrs. Britton s Apparition 10. More from De la Cerda 11. Hildanus ' s strange Story of Lightning Ch. IX Inst. 1. Of melancholy Persons Case 2. Of Enthusiasts Instances named of divers sorts Ch. X. Other strange Providences observable on my self on R. C. on Tho. Giles on J. D. Of Death fore-told Instance of Mr. Tiro Colonel Rich and his Lady's Letters of it Of the Glastonbury Thorn divers Letters Of the Kings of England and France Touching
convince them than the Assertions of the Scriptures But they take all such Reports to be but the effects of Error Deceit and easie Credulity For the sake of such I have recited many Credible Instances in this Book and my Saints Rest and in my Vnreasonableness of Infidelity and I shall here add some more I doubt not but abundance of Reports of such matters have no better causes than are here mentioned even the mistake of the Ignorant but that there are true as well as false Reports of such things is past all reasonable cause of doubting I. I will begin with that most convincing Instance which you may read in a Book called The Devil of Mascon Above twenty Years ago the now Earl Orery then Lord Broghil a Person of well known Understanding and not inclined to weak Creâ—ulity told me much of what is written in that Book and more and said That he was familiar with Mr. Perreaud a Reverend Worthy Protestant Minister in whose House all was done and had his Son for his Servant in his Chamber many years and from Mr. Perreaud had the Narrative Not long after Dr. Peter Moulin Prebend of Canterbury and Son to the famous Peter Moulin Printed the Book as having it from his Father who had it of Mr. Perreaud And Mr. Robert Boyle Brother to the Earl of Orery a Man famous for Learning Honesty and Charity and far also from weak Credulity prefixeth an Epistle to it owning it as undoubted Truth being acquainted with the Author Mr. Perreaud as his Brother was All these three worthy Persons the E. of Orery Mr. Boyle and Dr. Pet. Moulin through God's Mercy are yet living I hear some report that this History of Mascon is denyed by some that say they have spoken with some that have been at Mascon and knew nothing of it And what wonder if such things that are talkt of but a few days be forgotten after fifty or sixty Years They that will not believe the Narrative from such Men as the Famous Peter Moulin Senior and Dr. Peter Moulin Junior that Printed it and from the Earl of Orery that told me he was Familiar with Mr. Perreaud and had his Son many years his Chamber-Servant and his Brother Mr. Robert Boyle yet living that hath attested it by a Preface may read all the History with many more of Witchcraft printed in French and Published by Mr. Perreaud himself And if they cannot get it they may go to my Kinsman William Baxter now Schoolmaster at Newington where they may see it Could it be Counterfeit and never Contradicted in fifty or sixty years I remember not just the year that in a City so many of both Religions for so many Months together might croud at a certain hour into the Room and hear a Voice answering their questions and telling them things far off and to them unknown and Disputing with a Papist Officer of the City and the Whirling him oft about and casting him on the ground and sending him home Distracted I say if this and all the rest there written so attested be not sufficient Evidence I know not what is The said Earl of Orery told me of many effects of Witchcraft or Devils Men carryed about near him in Ireland which I shall not particularly recite though many Witnesses were named This was written while they lived Now only Mr. Boyle Surviveth II. My next History shall be that of Lieutenant Colonel Bowen which I will give only in the words of others as I received it Only telling you what they are 1. Mr. Samuel Iones is a Man of known Learning Piety and Honesty though a Silenced Minister now living in Glamorganshire by whose Mediation I had the other 2. Mr. Bedwell was also a Credible Faithful Minister 3. Mrs. Bowen her self either is or lately was living a Woman very much praised for True Piety and Courage Sister to Colonel Philip Iones once one of Cromwells Council 4. Here is a Letter also from Colonel Wroth Rogers late Governour of Hereâ—ord I think yet living and a Credible person though then not willing the Story should be published I suppose his Reasons are now over 5. I sent into Ireland in his Life-time to enquire what effect it had upon him of which I had the Letter of Mr. Samuel Foley and Credible Persons yet living 6. And Colonel Iohn Bridges then in Ireland purposely enquired and could learn no more but that he immured himself privately with one Servant in a Castle who reported that he used to rise in the Night and walk about the Room talking as to some one with him and more I could not hear 7. I desired lately a Worthy Minister in Swansey to enquire whether ever since any thing had abated â—the Belief of the Fact who tells me as others do that it is as fully believed by those that were in the House and others as ever Several Letters to Mr. Richard Baxter in relation to an Apparition in the House of Lieutenant Colonel Bowen in Glamorganshire in Wales in the Year 1655. Colonel Rogers the Governor of Hereford his Letter Together with an enclosed Relation of an Apparition c. Dear Sir BY the Enclosed you will find something of the Business you expected from me It is certain and true I have received it from very good Hands More there was but they did not think it convenient to put it in Paper My Request is that you will not expose it to publick View it may rather do harm than good I know that God hath given you Wisdom and you will make good use of such things It may harden others This with the Enclosed is all at present from Your Cordial Friend and Servant W. Rogers Hereford Aug. 23. 1656. The enclosed Relation of the late strange Apparition in the County of Glamorgan IN the beginning of the late War a Gentleman of that County being oppressed by the King's Party took Arms under the Earl of Essex and by his Valour obtained a good Repute in the Army so that in a short time he got the Command of Lieutenant Colonel But as soon as the heat of the War was abated his Ease and Preferment led him to a careless and sensual Life insomuch that the godly Commanders judged him unfit to continue in England and thereupon sent him to Ireland where he grew so vain and notional that he was cashiered the Army and being then at liberty to sin without any Restraint he became an absolute Atheist denying Heaven or Hell God or Devil acknowledging only a Power as the antient Heathens did Fate accounting Temporal Pleasures all his expected Heaven So that at last he became hateful and hating all civil Society and his nearest Relations About December last he being in Ireland and his Wife a Godly Gentlewoman of a good Family and concluded by all the Godly People that knew her to be one of the most sincere and upright Christians in those Parts as being for many Years under great Afflictions and always
know and that that Prince of Darkness lurking under the thick Cloudiness of that black Humour immixeth himself in divers Diseases and that he exciteth cruel Troubles or Storms in divers Subjects I HAVE BY MANIFOLD EXPERIENCE FOUND but I am not of so facile a Mind as to be struck at the meeting of every Phantasm though portentous nor is my Reason like Wax to receive every Impression By two signs I can know Demoniacks If a person untaught and without Philosophy speak in divers and strange Tongues and nervously and solidly dispute of Sciences and Arts never studied And if a weighty Body rapt up on high hang long in the Air and fall not with their weight Black Choler in the Spleen Brain Womb may move a thousand Symptoms which by the Ignorant pass for Miracles There liveth in this City an Irish-man who with unmoved Lips maketh a long Oration and deceiveth those near him as if one spoke to them far of I my self discovered a notable Cheat in a Servant in my own House and many such are detected by which the Ignorant Undiscerning and Incredulous are drawn to disbelieve those that are most fully proved Read of Cheats De Loier a Frenchman XXVIII The Learned and Judicious Gerh. Vossius saith de Samuele in Beverovicii Epist. Pag 203. I know there were many fabulous stories and of Fraud c. but by Men both Learned and Quick-sighted and Grave and Honest in many Ages past there are reported and at this Day remembred and told innumerable Instances in which it is not possible but that with the endeavour of man there concurred the Illusion or Force of the Devil a malignant Spirit supplying that which was beyond the power of Man XXIX Lavater de Spectris is a Book so common and well known by him a Learned Godly Protestant Divines that I will suppose the Learned Reader to have read it and will not recite what is therein XXX Pious and Peaceable Bishop Ios. Hall saith Soliloq 15. P. 53 54. Satan's Prevalency in this Age is most clear in the marvelous number of Witches abounding in all places Now hundreds are discovered in one Shire and if Fame deceive us not in a Village of 14 Houses in the North are found so many of this Damned brood Heretofore only barbarous deserts had them but now the Civilest and Religious Parts are frequently pestered with them Heretofore some silly ignorant old Women c. now we have known those of both Sexes who professed much Knowledge Holiness and Devotion drawn into this damnable Practice XXXI I have elsewhere cited divers Passages to this use out of Holy Cyprian but that in the Epistle of Finnilianus to Cyprian Ep. 75. Pag. 238. seemeth strange like that of Magdalena Crucia and others among the Papists A Woman pretending to have the Holy Ghost proved a Witch and did many Wonders She had a Gift of Prayer and did Baptize and Administer the Lords Supper in the ordinary way c. XXXII This is so like to the well known Case of Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Dyer in New England with Mr. Wheeler and the rest in the time of Sir Henry Vane's Government detected by the Wondrous Monsters that I intreat the Reader to get the History of all in Mr. Tho. Weld's Book one of their Ministers called The rise and fall of Antinomianism and Familism in New England Though I find no proof of Witchcraft in their Case there is much of Satanical Delusion joined with Humane Self-conceit and Pride XXXIII I have before mentioned Zanchy's Judgment and his excellent Books de Deo de Angelis de potentia Daemonum than whom no Man hath given us a more full Testimony in general of Diabolical Operations I shall here only repeat his Opinion of the Manner of Satan's Working He thinketh Tom. 3. l 4. c. 10. p. 188. that it is the very Substance of the Devil that entereth into Men and that they have Bodies more Subtile than the Air. The doubt is 1. Whether it be only other Causes that enter by this moving of them by Devils 2. Or whether they Operate and enter only Virtute by some force sent from their Substance 3. Or Operate by Contiguity of their Substance it self in Men. 1. The first way no doubt they work as by moving Winds and Fire and Water and our Blood and Humours and our Tempters and Enemies c. but not that way alone 2. What Energy or Force he can send that is neither his own Substance nor any other Substance I cannot conceive 3. That his very Substance entereth into the Possessed I see no cause to doubt for he can penetrate any part of our Bodies as he is a Spirit And if we knew that he Operate only in some Body or Vehicle Air or Air and Fire mixt yet what part of our Bodies cannot Air and Fire penetrate And this Supposition would countenance Dr. More 's Opinion that all Spirits are the the Souls of some Bodies And Scripture saith so much of Devils entring into Men and being in them and being cast out of them that I see not how we can deny it to be their Substance And how else should they move us besides by Instruments Is it any more wonder that Devils permitted can enter than Air Or how else work they on Mens Souls I must say it to humble us that I fear that in most Temptations that sollicit our Thoughts and our Wills and Affections and Passions if not sometimes our Tongues and Hands it is the very present Substance of Evil Spirits that by Contiguity move us even true Christians when they Sin And that it is no unseemly thing to pray God to cast Satan out of our Thoughts and Hearts Oh that we better knew what cause we have to fear letting him in and by yielding and custom to give him advantages to tempt and rule us But yet his Substantial Presence and his Operations are to be distinguished He hurteth not all that he is present with but those that he hath Power to work upon and that are prepared to receive his Operations God himself doth not work Life or Grace on all that he is present with and that what he doth he doth it by his Substantial Presence or his Essence XXXIV I have elsewhere cited Luther's Testimony and how the Devil appeared to himself at Coburge And Melancthon's and Peter Martyr's I have cited here and elsewhere See Pet. Martyr Loc. Com. Clas I. c. 9. and cap. 8. § 8. pag. 39 40. XXXV The most Judicious Credible Melanchthon in his Epistle to Hubert Languetus the Author of Iunius Brutu's Vind. con Tyran Epistolar l. 2. p. 550 551. saith Though there be sometimes Natural Causes of Madness yet it is most certain that Devils enter into the Bodies of some and cause Madness and Torments to them either with Natural Causes or without them for it is manifest that such persons are oft delivered without Natural Remedies And these Diabolical Spectacles are oft Prodigies
a Human Soul and Body And so that Christ hath three Natures a Divine a Superangelical and a Humane But of this oft elsewhere This opinion is reconciling as to the Artans who have affirmed Christ to be a Creature above Angels And if God made such a Creature methinks it should be easie to perswade them that he that is as the Center and more than a Soul maketh all the World to be One though of unlike parts doth primarily unite himself with the first and Noblest of his productions Objection But Scripture saith that Abraham called one of these Lord. Answer That Name both Adonai and Elohun are oft given to Creatures And if the Name of Iehovah be sometimes used as to Angels it is only meant to God speaking by them whom Abraham knew to be present though Invisible and to know all that was said Yet further it was an Angel that appeared to Mâ—ses in the burning the Bush and so that sent him on his work to deliver the Israelites from Egypt and Fortified him with power of Miracles and made him his great promises of Success And yet no doubt it was God and the Text is true that affirmeth both Therefore it must be God speaking and acting by the Ministry of an Angel Commissioned to use his Name It was Angels that gave Mâ—ses the Law in the Mount Sinai For so saith the Scripture But it was God by them who were his Voice and Finger that made and wrote the Tables and spake all the words these were all Great and Wonderful Ministrations God promised Moses that his Angels should go before the Israelites to conquer their Enemies and bring them into the promised Land And he chargeth them not to provoke him for Gods Name was upon him and he would not forgive their Iniquities What greater things could be said than that an Angel shall bear Gods Name and be their Captain and Conquer their Enemies and be their Governour and not forgive their wilful Sins In Ioshuahs War at Iericho an Angel appeareth and professeth himself the Captain of the Lords Hosts Josh. 5. 14 15. and Joshua fell on his face to the Earth and Worshipped him and prayed to him to tell him his Message If Angels be not the Generals or Captains of our Armies we are unlike to Conquer It was by an Angel that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt Numb 20. 16. It was an Angel that chose a Wife for Isaack Gen. 24. 7. 40. The Angel of Gods Presence saved the Israelites Isa. 63. 9. An Angel delivered the three Men Dan. 3. from the Fire and Daniel from the Lions Dan. 6. Angels Preached Christ to the Shepherds An Angel made the pool in Ierusalem healing Io. 5. 4. An Angel Preacheth to Cornelius An Angel delivereth Peter Act. 12. The Angel of the Lord Encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them Ps. 34. 7. God giveth his Angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways They bear us up in their Hands lest we dash our Foot against a Stone Psal. 91. 11 12. Rev. 1. Tells us that God first Revealeth his Will to Christ and Christ to Angels and Angels to Iohn and Iohn to the Churches and the Churches to Posterity Yea Angels Ministred to Christ himself when he was hungry Mat. 4. 11. And appeared in his Agony strengthening him Luke 22. 43. Legions of Angels are at his Service And all the Holy Angels will come with him at Judgment and they will be the Reapers at the end of the World Above 260 times are Angels mentioned in Scripture and yet how little notice do we take of their help But is it only our Bodies that they help Can they reach or help our Souls Answ. If Devils can touch our Souls with their Temptations are Angels farther from us or less able to move us to our Duty But are they ordinarily present or know our Case Answ. They rejoice in our Conversion and therefore know it They are present in our Assemblies as Paul intimareth 1 Cor. 11. 10. Say not before the Angel that it was an Errour Eccl. 5. 6. which intimateth the Angels Presence Every Believer hath his Angel beholding the Face of our Father in Heaven Matth. 13 10 and they are not Strangers to their Charge We feel that the Devil is present with us by his Temptations continually in all our Duties molesting or hindering us And are Angels less intent upon their Work It is Michael and his Angels that fight against the Dragon and his Angels to save the Church While such Texts make the Papists think that Angels are always or ordinarily present if they give them not Divine Worship but such as we would do a Prince though I have said before why I approve not of their Doings I dare not as some late Expositors of the Revelation judge the Catholick Church to have become AntiChristian Idolaters as soon as they gave too much Worship to Angels and to Saints We are come to the New Ierusalem to the Innumerable Angels Heb. 12. and must honour them that fear the Lord Psal. 15. And we know that we are translated from Death to Life becauâ—e we love the Brethren And is it so damnable Idolatry to love and honour Angels and Saints a little too much while they give them nothing proper to God I blame their Irregularities but I dare not judge so hardly of them and the ancient Church for this as some do nor think them much better that love and honour Angels and Saints as much too little Some now would call a Man an Idolater that should say as Iacob Gen. 48. 16. The Angel which redeemed me from all Evil bless the Lads They say This Angel was Christ. Answ. Scripture saith it was an Angel Hos. 12 4. saith He had power over the Angel I dare not call God an Angel though Angels may be called Gods as Princes be If Christ had then no Nature but the Divine I should suspect it is Arianism to call him an Angel or Messenger of God If he had a Body then was it Ubiquitary Or had he infinite numbers of Bodies Or could he be but with one in the World at once For my part I have had many Deliverances so marvellous as convinceth me of the Ministry of Angels in them not here to be recited But I am satisfied that there is no less of the Presence and Efficacy of the Father Son and Holy Spirit when he useth and honoureth any Instruments Angels or Men than if he used no Means at all As I will not desire so to alter the stated Government and Order of God as to expect here visible Communion with Angels nor will offer them any unrequired Worship so I would not unthankfully forget how much we receive by them from Christ and how much we are beholden to them and to God and our Redeemer for them And I hope they will shortly be a Convoy to the Soul of this poor Lazarus to Abraham's Bosom or to the Paradise