the Lord by his almightie power opened his mouth and he boldly sayd I charge thee Sathan in the name of the Father and of the Sonne At which word his mouth was fast closed againe yet was it not long before the Lorde by his power opened it againe So he proceeded saying I charge thee tell mee what is thy mistres name Saist thou thou wilt not and doost thou say thou wilt torment me ten times more No sooner wer these words spoken but he was tormented aboue measure Next day betwixt ten and one of the clock he had two ordinarie fits and at the loose of those one extraordinarie in the which beeing ouerthrowne vppon his back with his accustomed torments he vttred these words Wouldll thou haue me worship thee thou liar thou wicked wretch thou art the father of all lies I charge thee get from me away away These words he vttred disdainfully shaking his hands at him And after he had paused a while he said Dost thou promise me all my desire If I will worship thee Ah wicked tempter I charge shee in the name of the Father c. to tell me thy Mistres name These words he vttred with an interrupted voyce but repeated them presently verie couragiously saying also And dost thou say thy Mistres hath giuen thee a draught of her blood I am glad of it for then shall I knowe her shortly And dost thou say thou wilt torment me twice more At these words he was cast into two sore fits so that sathan kept promise with him His torments caused him skreame verie lowd and groane pittifully slinging out his hands as though he fought with sathan and stamping fiercely as if he trode him vnder foote This combat ended he lay stil about a quarter of an houre then hauing been a while tormented lying on his backe he said Dost thou say because I vex thy mistres thou wilt torment mee more Which words being spoke he was cast into such torments as wer grieuous to the beholders And hauing ouercome the extremitie of the same he spake with his eyes shut saying What doost thou saye I shall worship thee thou hast no faith sathan I will fight with thee with the word of the euerliuing god Auoid auoid I charge thee in gods name to get thee hence Again after more fits he said what dost thou say thou wilt make mee as strong as a Giant and as rich as the greatest Potentate in y e world if I will worship thee the Lord my God can make me strong giue mee all good things Hauing paused a litle be spake again saying dost thou say if I wil not worship thee thou wilt make me a four-footed beast that lieth not in thy power since God hath made me a reasonable creature my faith sathan is strong And doost thou say thou wilt torment mee grieuously for thy mistres sake Forthwith he was grieuously tormented crying out A beare a beare his mouth was stretched out and he rored fiercely like a beare crying out he teareth me he teareth me These torments ended he lay amazedly with the sweat running downe his face Being againe tormented hee spake saying wilt thou giue mee a land full of all frutes if I will worship thee the Lord in heauen hath goods enough for me thou didst send a be are thy helhound to torment me thou didst tell mee I should heare newes within 2. or 3. daies dost thou say thy mistres hath commanded thee not to be an hower from tormenting me because I vex her is that thy newes At these words he was presently cast into grieuous torments starting amazedly and crying out Flames of fire flames of consuming fire he threw away all things he could finde by groping for his eyes were shut and wownd himselfe close in the bed clothes Scarcely had these torments an end but others began wherein being grieuously afflicted he cryed out A fierie dragon a fierie dragon These torments continuing hee said now thou foule fiend now thou shewest thy self in thy likenes Presently he strooke both his hands vpon his face shriking and crying fearfully A flye a flye Being asked what he had seene in these conflicts hee answered manie fearfull things but remembred them not neither could tell he spake thogh he cald to minde a thing spake to him The 24 day about 11 of the clock he fell in to an extreame fit which sâ—ooke him pittiâ—ully in all parts of his bodie making him to are like a beare Being asked after the fit what he had seene he answered a great beare came roaring vpon him Foure fits more he had before 4. of the clocke at which time Ma. Edw Cockin came into the house and finding him well bade him read the 12. of Iohn which he did till he came to the 15. verse I am glad for your sakes that c and then was he cast into a fit presently Upon this there came in another disiring to see the like triall so the Boy read till he came to the 25 ve I am the resurrection c. at which words he was againe ouerthrowne This desire that manie had to haue the boy read that they might see him in his fits sauouâ—d but of a tempting curiositie and is not warrantable But to goe on The Boyes torments continuing Rob Toone being altogether without hope of his recouerie both because the Witch confessed nothing and the man that promised help failed whereat he greeued exceedingly Manie perswaded him to send to diuers Witches which he refused but hys wife purposed to attempt it and sent for a messenger who had before been imployed by others in the like busines He found the Boy in a fit when hee came and thereupon vttered these words who would suffer him to lye thus not seeke anie helpe hee could get Whereuntoo an honest man not acquainted with their purpose answered To seeke helpe at a Witch is wicked and dangerous The messenger was pricked in conscience with his speech and would not goe Ro Toone was not a litle glad they were stopped in so vnlawfull an enterprise This day also another had been with widdow Worthington the Witch of Hoppers vnknowen to the Boyes Frends and brought this aunswere that vnlesse the Boye and his Frends beleeued her she could do him no good which thing they detested The sixe and twentieth of Aprill after nine fittes in the morning about one of the clocke he was ouerthrowne into a verie sore Fitte and in the same was greeuouslye vexed and tormented At the last hee spake thus What doost thou saye if I will worship thee thou wilt make me a God but if I will not thou wilt make me a toad It lieth not in thy power sathan to make me what thou wilt but in the power of my Creator And doost thou say thou wilt torment me twice do thy worst the Lord is my trust and I know he can and wil deliuer me Being then sodainly tormented he did struggle most fiercely roaring fearfully like a beare
Sunday being the xxi of March That day besides that his wonted fit tooke him he began in other and more strange manner to bee vexed for hee sweyed downs as one in a swound Foorth with they tooke him vp and layd him vpon a bed where hauing layne some smal space he arose vp sodainly striuing and strugling in such sort that it was enough for two or three to hold him Then fell hee sodainly vpon his backe and lying in such manner raysed vp his leggs one after the other so stifly that the standers by could not â—â—ow them in the hamme and thus continuing a whyle with greeuous roaring at last he raysed himselfe vp on his feete and his head his belly standing vp much aboue hys head or feete continuing so a little space he fell downe vpon his backe groning verie pittifully Then rising vp he ran round on his hands and his feete keeping a certaine compasse after that striuing and strugling with groning he fel a vomiting and then comming to himselfe saide the Lordes name bee praised This was the first fit that hee had and after this maner was hee ordinarily handled during the time of his possession saue that hee did seldome runne round in that manner that is aforesaid which being thus ended he fell vpon his knees sodainely to prayer and that so pithily that the standers by wondered thereat as much as they did at his strange visitation beeing no lesse comforted by the one than they were before greeued at the other The next day bee hadde many fittes in the whith hee woulde often point at a greene Catte that troubled him and still intreated his friends that were preitut to pray for him Betweene his fittes he requested them to reade the scriptures which when they could not doe for weeping to behold his miserie they sent at the boyes request for one Iesse Bee that doth dwell in Burton vpon Trent who tooke the notes of the whole matter and him the Boy after some speeches intreated to read where he would who read the xi Chapter according to Sa. Iohn till hee came to the fourth verse at which time the Boye was ouerthrowen into a fit like the fâ—â—â—ntes iÌ„ which hes lasted commonly about halfe a quarter of an houre Iesse continued reading the xi xii and xiii of Iohns Gospell and the first second of the Reuelation During which time his fitts continued one in the necke of another Which ending with a vomit hee vsed to saye The Lordes name bee praised and manie times Lord Iesu receiue my soule When Iesse either ceased to speake of anie comfortable matter or to read the scriptures the Boy was quiet from his fits but when he was so religiously occupied they came thicke vpon him which Iesse Bee considering and obseruing told the Boyes Aunt he suspected that the Boy was be witched Upon which occasion though she doubted of the matter she told him as before both her going to the Phisition and the Phisitions iudgement concerning the Boyes sicknesse which he ouer-hearing yet said nothing The next morning he said vnto the maide that made him readie I heard my Aunt tell Iesse Bee that I was bewitched the same Saterday that my sicknes tooke me I lost my Uncle in the Wood and in the Coppice I met a little old woman she had a gray gown with a black fringe about the cape a broad thrumd hat and three warts on her face I haue seene her begging at our doore as for her name I know it not but by sight I can know her againe As I passed by her in the Coppice I chanced against my will to let a scape which shee taking in anger sayd Gyp with a mischiefe and fart with a bell I wil goe to heauen and thou shalt goe to hell and forth with she stooped to the ground I stood still and looked at her viewing euerie part of her meruailing what shee stooped for so I came home and she went to Winsell Hereupon a more vehement suspition arising some iudged it to be the Witch of Stapen-hill others because she was olde and went little abroad rather thought it to be Alice Gooderidge her daughter who was had in great suspition of manie to be a dooer in those diuellish practices as afterward it proued Thus the boyes fits continued daily from the 23 of March till the eight of Aprill to the great trouble of his Aunt in looking to him and attending on such as came to see him whereof manie were of verie good account When in his fittes hee was depriued of the vse of speach hee would make signes of praying with folded hands sometime lifting them vp and sometime striking them vpon his breast oft times also in these fits he wold sodainly and amazedly open his eyes stating and shriking most pittifully clapping both his hands vpon his face not being able to indure the sight of such fearfull obiects as he beheld On this manner was he tormented in the day and had reasonable good rest in the night except through some fearfull dreames whereunto he was much subiect Being asked if hee could remember what hee did when hee made such signes He answered that somtimes he prayed and somtimes the Cattossed him vp downe in a string And thus for a good space he could remember readily make relation of his troubles The Thursdaye before Caster beeing the 8. of Aprill there came to see the Boye Mistresse Walkeden of Clifton his Grandmother and Mistres Saunders his Aunt to whom when it was told what the Boy sayd conterning the meeting of a woman in the wood Mistres Walkeden vpon the Witches cursing the Boyes sodaine sicknes his strange handling the Phisitions iudgement thoght it more than probable that the Boy was bewitched and by the markes that he had taken perceiued that it was Alice Gooderidge which had thus bewitched him yet making conscience to accuse her till it appeared vpon sure proofe sent for her into the Towne to talke with her priuately When with much adoe she was came they brought her into the chamber where the Bay was at which time the Boy fell sodainly into a maruellous sore fit which being ended Mistres Walkeden asked her if she knew that boy She answered she knew him not Manie other questions were asked but in vaine for she would not confesse anye thing Some of the standers by perswaded the Boye to serateh her which he did vpon the face and the back of the hands so that y e blood came out apace she stroked the back of her hand vpon the child saying take blood enough child God helpe thee To whom the Boy answered praye for thy selfe thy prayer can do mee no good Here by the way touching this vse of scratching the witch thogh it be commonly receiued as an approued meanes to discry y e witch and procure case to the bewitched yet seeing that neither by anie naturall cause or supernaturall warrant of Gods word it hath anie such vertue giuen vnto it
it is to be receaued amongst the witchcrafts whereof there bee great store vsed in our Land to the great dishonor of God But to our matter When Robert Toone the Boyes Uncle and his Schoolmaster saw that mistres Walkeden could nothing preuaile with this bad woman they took her aside to whom after many questions she granted that she was in the Wood that Saturday which the Boy spake of and that she saw no boy but Sherrats boye Further they demanded of her when she receiued the Communion She sayd a twelue month agoe And asking what she receiued She answered her damnation They asked her whether she knew what she said She answered againe what shuld I receiue but my damnation They caused her to say the Lords Praier and the Creed which she huddled vp wyth much adoo but when she came to these words in y e Lords Praier And lead vs not into temptation and in the Creed either to Iesus Christ The Holy Ghost or The Catholicke Church she would not say anie of those words After these examinations she departed to her owne house The next day he had manie sore fits in the which because he would clap his hands on his face and shrike pittifully they asked him the reason thereof at the end of his fit He answered that the greene Cat which hee saw had eyes like flames of fire and that caused him thus fearfully to hide his eyes that his paine which he indured was very greeuous like the pricking with daggers or stinging of Bees which caused his crying As this his vexatioÌ„ moued many that came to see him to shed teares so did it not a little greeue hys Uncle Toone who seeing these fits to increase thought it good that the Witch were brought before a Iustice and so went with Iesse Bee the 10. of Aprill before M. Tho Graysley Esquire and Iustice of Peace crauing his Precept to that purpose which he granted directed it to the Constable of Stapen-hill to bring both this Alice Gooderidge which was almost 60. yeres of age and old Elizabeth Wright also mother to this Alice who had bin 4 or 5. times before him on suspition of many such crimes The Precept thus graunted forth they were brought before Ma Graysley to whom shee would confesse nothing saue that she met a Boy which she thought to be Sherats boy who had broken her a basket full of egges in Abels Cloase and sayd shee if my wordes did him anie hurt I am sorry but that word Bell shee did not remember that she vsed The next morning when the Boy should rise his shirt was knit on diuers knots betwixt his legs and beeing asked how that came He said be could not tell All that day he continued in senseles fits with grieuous groaning and fearfull skreaming crying out looke where the Witch standeth with three warts vpon her face The next morning being Saturday about six of the Clocke at which time his Keepers thinking not the hower of his sits to be come tooke no great care of looking to him he was vpon the sodaine throwne vnder the bedde crying fearfully Flames of fire flames of fire Forthwith he got vpon the bed being fearfull and amazed in his countenance About foure of the clocke at which tyme his fittes were wont to leaue him they did now take him in wonderfull fierce manner till midnight with greater extremitie than at anie time before hauing sildome more intermission than to vomit and saye as it was his vsuall manner in most extreamities The Lord bee praysed In these fits he shriked pittifully and fearfully desiring them to take away the blacke Cat. Both now and most times be made signes of prayer with folded hands striking vpon his breast The 14. of April Sir Humphrey Ferrers and Master Graysley met at Robert Toones who caused thether to bee brought Elizabeth Wright and Alice Gooderidge together with her husband and daughter Master Graysley after some questions concerning his fits commanded that the Bible should be deliuered into the boyes handes who began to read the first Chap. of S. Iohns Gospel till he came to the 4. verse at which place when he read hee was ouerthrowne into a most cruell Fit Presently after which the old woman Eliza. Wright came into Robert Toones house which so soone as M. Graysley vnderstood he caused her to be broght into the parlor where the Child was but she was verie vnwilling to come in crying Alas that euer I was borne what shall I doo M. Graysley spake loud to her asking if she could do the boy anye good She answered that her daughter had that at home that she should doo good with He caused her with much adoo to looke vpon the boy which as soone as euer shee did he fell into a strange and cruell fit Lying vppon hys backe his eyes standing staring open in fearfull manner his teeth set in his head his armes clapped close to his sides and all the parts of his bodie quaking verie fearfully M. Graysley bad her kneele downe and pray for him which shee did but so as no bodie could vnderstand what she sayd Whilest she prayed the fit continued and therefore they thrust her out of doores which beeing done the boyes fit ended presently S. Humphrey and M. Graysley agreed that certaine women should search the mother the daughter seuerally to see if they could finde any such marks on them as are vsually found on witches The old woman they stript found behind her right sholder a thing much like the vdder of an ewe that giueth sucke with two teates like vnto two great wartes the one behinde vnder her armehâ—le the other a handfull off towardes the top of her shoulder which when they had found they put on her cloths againe leauing the place bare that it might be seen both of sir Humfrey maister Graisley and diuers others of good worth as indeede it was They bade her say the Lords prayer which she hudled vp after her manner leauing out these wordes still vnsaide And leade vs not into temptation being then demanded how long she had those teates she aunswered she was borne so Then did they search Alice Gooderige and found vpon her belly a hole of the bignesse of two pence fresh and bloudy as though some great wart had beene cut off the place The Iustices examined her concerning the bewitching of the Boy but she would confesse nothing Then sir Humfrey tooke her to the boy and asked him whether this were shee that thus bewitched him he answered that it was surely shee then did sir Humfrey did him scratch her which when the boy offered to do his hand was presently benummed and pluckt to his side and he tormented in euery part foure seuerall times he assaied to do this but stil with like succes he was bidden to lay his hand on the standers by which he did without difficultie Then proceeded they in examining her concerning her hurt she said that she went to fetch
alittle meale on Easter euen foorth of the chamber and comming downe a ladder her foote slipped and she hauing a knife in her hand thrust herselfe into the bellie they asked the iudgement of a Surgeon whose aunswere was that it was like to haue beene so a long time for it was not festered and seemed to be sucken Sir Humfrey charged her with Witchcraft about one Michaels Cow which Cow when shee brake all thinges that they tied her in ranne to this Alice Gooderige her house scraping at the walls and windowes to haue come in her olde mother Elizabeth Wright tooke vpon her to help vpon condition that she might haue a peny to bestow vpon her god and so she came to the mans house kneeled downe before the Cow crossed her with a sticke in the forehead and prayed to her god since which time the Cow continued wel With this she was vrged by the Iustices and with the hurt vppon her bellie howe it coulde be so and her cloâ—hes not cutte whereto she made shifting answers to no purpose Then put they her aside and examined Oliuer Gooderidge her husband and her daughter also who were found to disagree in their tales concerning that matter whereupon sir Humfrey committed her to Darbie Gaole but dismissed her mother The next day the boy had a very greeuous fit in which lying still a while hee beganne to throw vp both his feete sodainely beating them against the ground with great vehemencie and at length being in a traunce he spake saying Doost thou say thou art my god and that I am thy sonne Auoyde Sathan there is no God saue the Lord of hosts Pawzing a while at last he said againe And wouldest thou haue me worship a moulten calfe I will worship nothing but the Lord God and him only wil I serue Againe being silent awhile he saide Wilt thou giue mee three townes if I will worship thee Auoyde Sathan it is written I shall worship the Lord God onely And dost thou say that if I wil not worship thee thou wilt torment me three times more if thou torment me three hundred times yet canst thou not touch my soule After this hee was tormented three seuerall times ouer euery part of his body which being ended he desired to go to the windowe to refresh himselfe being hote and faint there he praysed God for his mercies telling them that stoode by If Sathan came againe hee would aske him many questions and charge him with many things for he remembred what he had spoken aswel as any that was present hauing thus rested about a quarter of an houre hee was throwne into two seuerall fittes matchable with the former in crueltie and at the last spake saying I charge thee by the liuing God to tell me who sent thee Doost thou tell me thy mistris sent thee What is thy mistris name Doost thou say thou wilt not tell mee before to morrow And why I pray thee wilt thou not Dost thou say thou wilt torment me twice more Do thy woorst my hope is in the liuing God and he will deliuer me out of thy hands hauing spoken these words he was cast into two seuerall fittes like to the former which being ended he desired the standers by to ioyne with him in humble and heartie prayer and so fell vpon his knees praising God for that he had somewhat reuealed his enemie Sathan vnto him and beseeching him to continue his goodnesse in manifesting him more plainly The standers by askt him what he heard saw in these sharp conflicts for they neither saw nor heard any thing but him replying answering he told them that the great Cat tossed him vp and downe in a string and that a thing spake to him with a voice small and shrill The next daie about nine of the clocke he was cast into a greeuous fitte and being cast vpon his backe was bereft of al vse of anie part of his bodie and at the length spake saying Doost thou say I am thy sonne I am none of thine I am the poore seruant of the Lord of hostes and pauzing a while he said Dost thou offer me a kingdome if I will worship thee I will none of thy kingdome for it is but earthly The Lord hath reserued for me a kingdome in heauen I charge thee thou diuell In the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy ghost to tel me what is thy name Dost thou tell me that thy name is Wrythe I charge thee tell me what is thy mistresse name Dost thou say anone thou hast alwayes bene a liar and the father of lies and doost thou say that vnlesse I will â—â—â—ship thee thou wilt torment mee three times more than thou diddest before if thou torment me 3000. times more my faith is so strong that I will worship none but the liuing God These wordes being finished he was cast into three seuerall fittes with all the former torments drawing together his ioynts and sinews and writhing him with tossing and turning him very round most pittifully these fits and speeches continued about halfe an houre After this hee was cast into another fit his eies closed vp his legges lifted vp as stiffe as stakes and al his senses taken from him which fit ceasing he was well till twelue of the clocke at noone and then was cast into another fit lying flat vppon his backe and lifting his feete vp at last he saide Doost thou say thou wilt giue me a pallace aud make me a king if I will worship thee Auoyde Sathan I will worship the Lord onely Doost thou say thou wilt mittigate my torments if I will worship thee Auoyde Sathan I will worship none saue onely the Lord God my Sauiour my sanctister and redeemer Doost thou say that if I will not worship thee thou wilt torment me thrice Do thy worst Sathan my faith standeth sure with my God at whose hands I looke for succour Hauing vttered these and some other such wordes hee was cast into three seuerall cruell fittes after the which he had rest till two of the clocke at which time there came diuers worshipfull personages of purpose to behold the maner of the childes so strange vexing they caused him to reade vpon the bible which caused Sathan to rage so that he was cast into a fit terribly tormented and vexed as that it did much humble the beholders and mooue them to commiseration and pittie for the childes so distressed estate While these things hapned it was reported that the old witch Elizabeth Wright was in the towne a thing somewhat rare for it is thought that except at the time of her former examination shee was not so farre in halfe a yere before presently they sent for her In the meane season came in maister Bagot the yonger of Blithfield wishing to be an eie witnes of these strange reports requesting the boy to take the Bible and reade he being unwilling to reade himselfe wished Iesse Bee to do so much which
out diuells and the simple euerie where noted it as a great discredit to the Ministers of the Gospel that they do want this power yet did he professe there was no such gift in them that thogh the Lord oft in these daies by the praiers of the faithful casts eut diuels yet could he not assure them to cure him To holde this faith of myracles to remainestill in the church is an opinion dangerous That seeing to be passessed is but a temporall correction such as whereby both the glorie of God and the saluation of the partie may be furthered it can not without sinne be absolutely prayed against al which notwithstanding that there is a good vse of praier in such a case and of fasting also to procure that the iudgement may be sanctified to the beholders and the possessed himselfe yea to obtain that he may be deliuered also from it if the Lord see it be best for his owne glorie In which perswasion hee being the mouth of the rest they all prayed during which time the childe was not interrupted Whereas Alice Gooderige said her familiar was like one William Gregories dog of Stapenhill there arose a rumor his dog was her familiar wherefore hee with his neighbour maister Coxe went the next day to examin her concerning this report and she saide my diuel I say was like your dog Now out vpon thee saide Gregorie and departed she being further examined saide she had her familiar of her mother The sixt of Maie hee had xii fits in the forenoone and x. in the afternoone these last were as greeuous as anie before After one of them taking the chamber pot he started sodainely saying looke where a man commeth out of the chamber pot In another fitte he cried out Flames of fire flames of fire and in another he said I see the heauens open In the most of these fits hee bleared out his tongue very blacke hauing his face wrythen towards his backe groaning and shriking lamentably being asked if he remembred what was done he said it seemd to him he was wroong and tossed vp and downe after these fits he remained wel til next morning On friday he was by 7 a clocke cast into a fit but about 8 he fell into maruellous strange torments both for continuance and extraordinary cruelty his tong thrust out of his head his mouth drawn awry first toward one eare then to another his face very strangely disfigured In his extreamitie he made signes to the standers by to pray and himselfe by folded hands and other gestures gaue testimony that the spirit of God was mightily laboring against his infirmities By and by his eies opened what euer he catcht he as it seemd threw it against sathan and strait they being shut vp again so that he could not open them with his fingers which he indeuoured his mouth was opened he said O pray pray neuer more need to pray so the company ioynd in humble harty praier but he hearing them not thogh they praied lowd saide whie do you not pray Presently his mouth being shut and his teeth set fast in his head he stampt as it were in triumph of Sathan and lifting his hands towards heauen stroke them with reuerence on his breast Sathans raging against him did increase in such maner as caused the beholders to shead tears abundantly for they could no sooner imagin a ceasing but strait his fit began againe and this conflict lasted long in which space he oft vttered these words do what thou canst sathan this shal doe thee no good Is it so and such like And after obtaining the vse of his tung he proceeded saying Auoyde sathan I haue vpon my head the helmet of saluation and I am girded about with trueth Iesus Christ hath shead water and bloud for my sins I sweat but water O Lord thy apostles were whipt scourged for thy trueth they departed reioycing that they were accounted woorthy to suffer for thy names sake And now O Lorde I reioyce that thou accountest me woorthie to suffer these cruell torments Presently he fel into torment againe at the last lying on his backe quietly he desired the standers by to sing the sixt psalme and so they did he singing with them verie cheerefully While they were singing he oft was interrupted and ioynd with them againe toward the ende hauing laine in a trance so that they could scarcely perceiue anie motion he said I see the heauens open hearken I heare a heauenlie noise and lying still a while he met with them at the 10. ver And now my foes that qd he is sathan and so continued singing til the psalme was ended all the psalme throgh he sweat exceedingly dried his face as if he had not bin in his fit After this he desired them to pray for him whilst he lay down slept and so fell into a trance hauing laine stil a while he fel to quaking starting fearefully saying Dost thou say my sinnes are great Sathan The Lamb of God hath taken them awaie diuers other interrupted speeches he vttered and slumbered againe At length he cried out Wild horses wild horses they teare me they teare me and then was he tormented ouer al the partes of his bodie After that he slept somewhat slumberingly hauing a most heauenly and ioyfull vision When he awaked he looked cheerefully and being asked what he saw in these trances he could not call anie thing to minde This daie he was cast into seuen cruel fits exceeding all he had before for besides that his mouth was drawen awrie and he in euerie part vexed his shoulder bones were thrust out of ioynt with other torments most lamentable thus they ended for he remained til xi a clocke grieuously vexed and almost without intermission In these his torments being for the most part senslesse he vsed to vtter diuers interrupted speeches some fearefull others comfortable the standers by beeing requested of him to sing psalmes and pray be many times had his eares shut and his mouth stopt so that he could neither heare 〈◊〉 speake yet he would ioine with them in praier and singing so long as he could without interruption When he was fully recouered he looked very cheerefully giuing God thankes for his assistance they asked him many questions concerning his trances but he could remember nothing that was done On the nineteenth day of Maie he fell into trances mixed with torments in which as hee suffered grieuous paines so did he vtter many strange speeches somtime he was so wrested that no beholder thought it possible for him to liue sometime he lay so stil that there scarce appeared any signe of life in him After he had laine a while in a trance he saide Mr Sauiour Christ Iesus was tempted and why then should not I bee so Pawzing a while hee said I heare a voyce from heauen the Lorde speaketh to me and pawzing againe he held vp his handes his eies being fast closed and
saide Looke where my brother Iob is Then opened he his eies but his mouth was fast shut he would haue opened it with his handes but could not Then pawzing a little he said no no I will not The Lord hath flatly forbidden it in his word so lying a while he saide heauen openeth heauen openeth I must goe thether then clapping his hands for ioy he said I see Christ Iesus my Sauiour his face shineth as the Sunne in his strength I will goe salute him and indeede he did rise going apace with such strength that his keepers could scarsly stay him presently he fell a trembling and stamping crying a dog a dog for Gods sake take away this dog away with this filthy dog that came out of hell and after a pittifull skreaming he saide Oh Maister Hildersham I thought he would haue torne me in peeces preach iudgment against all sinners flames of fire flames of fire See Maister Hildersham preach and teach Oh fast and pray night and day After these speeches he clapt his handes looking cheerefully though his eies were closed saying Christ Iesus my Sauior commeth clothed in purple then seemed he by his gestures to imbrace him saying Holy is thy name thy name Lorde Iesus is to be exalted for euermore I haue seene such sights O Lord Iesus blesse me from them Presently he was ouertaken againe with feare saying Doost thou say this is the bottomlesse pitte where the damned be Maister Hildersham we had need to pray O preach and pray strait after he looked cheerefully euen with admiration saying Thy name O Lorde Iesus is to be exalted aboue all things thy name is to bee blessed for euer Lying a while in a trance he clapped his handes saying Oh oh Christ Iesus my sauior and his Apostles Then seemed hee to embrace the Apostles and worship our Sauiour saying O Lorde Iesus thou sufferedst for my sake thy name be praised yea I say from my heart thy name be praised By and by turning his head he pointed saying Looke where Iudas is frying in torments After this he fell againe into a traunce and lay as hee had bin dead but spake fearefully thus Ah looke in this place of torments where drunkards are hanged by the throats swearers and filthie talkers by their tongues and hauing spoken of other torments for other sins he saide O great iudgements great iudgements which wordes he vttered so wofully as if he had beene in the iawes of hell and on the contrary so comfortably as if he had beene in heauen After this falling into a traunce hee started sodainely and saide Yonder comes mother Redde Cap looke how they beate her braines out see what it is to be a witch see how the toades gnaw the flesh from her bones O pray pray looke what wailing and weeping and gnashing of teeth yonder is Lord shew vs thy mercie take me by the hand Maister Hildersham and let vs goe to heauen thus this fit ended after halfe an houre being asked what he had bin doing he answered he had beene sleeping for he remembred nothing Hauing beene well about a quarter of an houre be fell into a quiet traunce and at length saide O Maister Hildersham looke where Gods chariot is come to fetch you and me see how God loueth vs by and by he beganne to quake and cried Lo lo the greene Cat comes out of hell then falling into a quiet trance he saide looke where the 7 churches be and presently he skritched saying Lo lo 7 vgly diuells looke they goe downe to the bottomlesse pit Pauzing againe he faith See see how many kings and rich men go to hel euen they that were so braue and fared so daintily and were so stowt After this hee fell into a trance saying come M. Hildersham the Lord bids vs come let vs go and so he went on and could hardly be staid but straitway his ioy turnd into heauines for he seemed to haue bodily combats with his spirituall enemie These fits ended he remained well a quarter of an houre then falling into a sodaine trance he said with trembling Ha ha ha I tolde you of this before that after ioy commēth sorrow Looke you how I am tormented O that I could see my sauiour Christ Iesus Foorthwith hee arose clapping his hands with great ioy and saide Looke where he commeth thy name be praised thy name be praised Anone he had a comfortable vision of the day of iudgement crying alowd The trumpets sound see fee the graues open the dead arise and al men come to iudgement harke how the Angells cry Holy holy holy Lord God of Sabaoth Then pauzing a little he saide Looke looke how the wicked slie away like a flocke of doues yet see a flame of fire ouertaketh them After much varietie of fits he cried a fierie Dragon a fierie Dragon teareth me in peeces oh hee teares me he teares me and with these torments did this fit end betweene twelue and one About three hee fell into a trance and torments like the former for after he had spoken fearefully of the torments of the damned he burst into pittifull speeches quaking saide Looke where seuen diuels are looke where a roaring lion is Then he fel into a quiet trance and foorth with clapped his hands saying I see a milke white doue flying towards me see where my Sauior commeth his face shineth as the Sunne These wordes vttered he was againe terrified and so with some more torments and trances this fit ended The two daies following he had many fits and some trances vttering the like speeches as before The xii of Maie he was remoued from his vncle M. Saunders house at Caldwall being 3. miles distant where he had sixe fits From the 13. to the 23. he was handled after his accustomed maner The 23 of Maie he was cast into eighteene fits worse than the former for his shoulder bones were thrust out of ioynt his mouth drawne awrie and amongst other complaints hee cried out of his legs saying they thrust pinnes into them And this is worthie the obseruation that commonly vppon the Sabboth when the boy was remembred by praier in godly Assemblies Sathan did shewe his extremest crueltie The 24. and 25. he was tormented much like the day before The 26. he was assaulted more fiercely both in respect of the number and qualitie of his fits torments in which he did oftentimes crie out saying Looke where sathan commeth from vnder the bed oftentimes Thunder thunder Lightening lightening Flames of fire flames of consuming fire A beare a beare A dragon a dragon looke where sathan comes downe y e chunney looke looke for Gods sake take me from him And thus in these terrible fits this daye passed The next daye there came one Iohn Dorell a faithfull Preacher of the Word to him who seeing him in diuers of his fits assured his Frends and him he was possessed with an vnclean spirit telling him out of S. Iames 4 chapt vers 7. that the onely
I will stop thy mouth I will stop thy mouth at which instaut hee was so stopped in his throate that the Companie thought he had been strangled In another fit a voyce said Your praiers preuaile not they are not heard Wherunto M. Rampam Schoolmaster of Burton replied Thou art a liar sathan for it is written Wheresoeuer two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the middest of them c. About two of the clocke hee had a meruailous strange fit tormenting him most pittifully in the ende whereof he strained to cast with great vehemencie and got vp some fleame and choller at which time if he were possessed with two spirites as it is probable he was one of them went out of him So from 2. till 4. his fits continued but decreasing in strength and beeing without speeches About 3. the Companie perceiuing him to bee faint perswaded him to eate somewhat to refresh him which he did hauing touched neither meate nor drinke of all the whole day before but before after his meate he said the Lords Praier and other Praiets in the Booke which hee before had assaied to read and could not without anie interruption About 6 a clocke being carried on his Keepers back for he had no vse of his legs of three months before his fit came vpon him verie sodainly he cried out like a beare The standers by betooke themselues to Praier During this fit hee had manie miserable torments causing him to roare and shrike extreamly Many such senslesse trances on this daye of his deliueraunce he had as yeelded no signe of life saue that his heart might be discerned to pant a little At last being laid vpon his bed anone hee began to heaue and lift vehemently at his stomacke and getting vp some fleame and choller poynting with his finger and following with his eyes hee said Looke looke see you not the Mouse that is gone out of my mouth and so poynted after it vnto the furthest part of the parlor Then hee fell into a quiet trance which ended he was well till 7. a clocke at which time he and 2. or 3. more went to supper and as he sate at the table he fell into a trance and was thence caried to bed as he lay there a Uoice was heard saying My Son arise vp and walke the euill spirit is gone from thee arise and walke Upon this accident his Keeper said let vs see if he can goe betwixt vs. But he answered no I can goe of my selfe I thanke God and so standing on his feete went presently forward without anie difficultie And considering with himselfe this blessed change of his miserable estate of his owne accord he fell flat vppon the ground giuing God thankes for his wonderfull deliueraunce and that in such excellent manner as was to bee admired in a childe But no doubt the same Spirite which armed hym with faith and patience in the time of his torments instructed him how to giue thankes and pray Being thus fully recouered he went presently into the towne that it might appeare what Iesus had done for him to the praise of his glorie and admitation of those that had been acquainted with his meruailous visitation The next morning Robert Toone went to the Gaole and demanded of the Witch how she did O master quoth she neuer worse i for I haue had such an Ague this night that I had thought my ioints would haue been torn in sunder They that dwelt by the prison could not sleepe for the noyse that was there that night so that it is like the diuell was as good as his word when he said he would torment her After he was thus meruailously deliuered he stayd the next day at Cawdwall from thence went to his grandfathers M. Walkedens at Clifton whether the aforesaid Iohn Dorell repaired vnto him and counselled him to be now most heedfull least the vncleane spirit returning and his heart emptie of faith bring 7 worse than himself with him as our Sauior expresseth assuring himselfe Sathan would striue to repossesse him Iohn Dorell departing the Boy abode at Clifton till the 5. of Iune which day he returned to Burton There the 6. day beeing the Sabaoth and the 7. hee spent in religious excrecise The 8 the went to Schoole from whence sathan had long kept him In the afternoone sitting at his book he said vnto his fellowes if you will goe with me into the Church-yard I will show you a strange thing Wherevpon they went into the Schoole Porch which their Master disliked not because they had their Bookes in theyr hands where after he had walked a while hee sate downe and said he was wearie and presently complained of one of his legs euen crying out which his Master hearing came to him and remembring his former trialls prayed moouing the Childe to say after him O Lord for Iesus Christes sake haue mercie vpon me But he most cried O my legs my legs Here is to bee noted that how euer sathan greeuously assaulted him yet did he not once torment him because he was not as before in him which also some of the Boyes words confirmed Being brought home to his Uncles manie following and flocking after him hee groaned pittifully crying also Daggers daggers and at length he said with a fearfull countenance I am afraid of Sathan The companie did incourage and comfort him against such temptations perswading him to prayer which thing he perfourmed wyth great difficultie crying as before O my legs O my legs They being instant vpon him to pray he poynted with his finger saying What woman is that which standeth there Still they vrged him with praier and while they expected it he said what a thundring is here I cannot abide this thundring Then fell he into a trance and hauing layne a while a voyce was heard from him saying He fel a little and I caught him By and by awaking hee rose vp amazedly and said Where am I I was euen now in the schoole but they told him what had happened so he came down from his bed and feeling himselfe well he prayed read a chapter quietly and so remained well all that night The next morning the Boyes Uncle thought it verie conuenient to labor by Praier to remooue this heauie displeasure of God and the danger of these temptations wherewith the Boy began agains to be assaulted to that end sent for two of his neighbors spent an houre in praier reading the Scriptures At last as the Boy was reading be stopt saying what woman is that which stands there They perswaded him to goe on and not regard the illusions of sathan So he read on and was presently cast into a trance and after he had laine a while said Behold I see a Lambe hearke what the Lambe saith Thou didst fall he caught thee feare not the Lord is thy buckler and defender After this hee read on and within a little space fell againe into
a quiet traunce saying Dost thou say if I wil worship thee thou wilt make me vnderstand the secrets of all mens hearts Anoyd Sathan it is hid from thee the Lord onely is the searcher of the hearts and reynes Then did he read againe and foorthwith was cast into a traunce saying What faire woman is this that is so gorgeously apparailed Dost thou say thou wilt giue her mee if I wil worship thee Auyod Sathan I neither care for her nor thee the Lord is my comfort and him onely will I worship the Lamb and the Doue desire not to be worshipped but thou alwaie desirest worship Againe he read fell in a trance saying Doost thou saye if I will sweare an oath thou wilt giue me a hundred pounds Auoyd sathan wouldst thou haue me take Gods name in vaine I wyll not He read againe aud at the third word was snatched into his trance saying wouldst thou giue me a bag full of gold and siluer if I will neuer read nor pray vnto God anie more Auoyd sathan I neither regard thy gold nor siluer the Lord and his Word is better to mee than all the gold and siluer in the world They offered him the booke againe and he falles presently into a traunce saying wouldst thou haue mee teare the booke I will not teare it doe what thou caust wilt thou teare him in peeces that continueth reading he meant Richard Teate who read forward when the boy was interrupted Sathan thou canst not touch him the Lorde will not suffer thee to hurt a haire of his head Hee was strait after these wordes snatched into his trance and said Dost thou bid me open my mouth what if I do open my mouth dost thou say thou wilt enter into me Auoyde sathan thou canst not enter into me except the Lorde giue thee leaue and I trust hee will not Againe after this hee falleth into a traunce saying come maister Hildersham let vs sixe goe to heauen at which time there were iust six in the parlour Then fell he againe before hee could reade two wordes into a trance and said what Sathan wouldst thou haue me become a traitor God defend These words proceeded from him with great vehemencie and earnestnesse of spirite Then pawsing a while he saieth againe Doost thou say that when I am asleepe thou wilt plucke out my throat I care not for thee thou canst not touch a haire of my head except God giue thee leaue Againe being in a traunce hee saide doost thou say thou wilt set the house on fire and burne vs all do thy worst Sathan thou canst not touch our soules Then he read againe and at the second word started amazedly saying looke where the Beare commeth looke looke do you not see how he commeth against vs with open mouth harke how he roareth then saide he Auoyde Sathan and get thee hence yea I charge thee in the name of the euerliuing God to get thee hence They offer him the booke againe and he read not three wordes but he was ouertaken with a quiet traunce wherein lying a while hee saide Oh I see a milke white Doue the Doue saith Feare not you shall haue better newes Againe he beganne to reade and againe hee was snatched into his trance and saide Dost thou say the Lord hath giuen thee leaue to enter into mee Auoyde Sathan thou art a liar I know he will not suffer thee to enter into me Againe after he offered to reade he was cast into a trance and lying very quietly he saieth hearke ho looke what a faire Doue is there the Doue saith the diuell vseth enemies towards me hearke hearke what the Doue saith thou hast an enemie heere vpon earth that saith thou art a dissembler he shall frie in hell torments thine eies shall see his iudgements for his sinnes doe smoake vp into the elements and do pierce the heauens Then pawzing againe a while he saith harke what the Doue saith whersoeuer the glorie of God is shewed there is alwayes some enemies to resist it He beganne to reade againe but at the third word fell into a traunce saying what doost thou say thou wilt torment me doost thou say thou wilt carry me into a wood and cast me out at the window My Redeemer liueth the Lorde of hostes is his name I feare thee not remember that Sathan and pawzing a while he saith M. Hildersham see see how the world passeth away yea it must passe away it hasteth on apace Then beginnes he to reade againe and at the third word is cast into a trance at length he saith See what a little of Gods word doth how it chaseth him away see see how Sathan flieth away Againe being about to reade he started sodainely and said this booke is a flame of fire and presently hee fell into a trance saying Wouldst thou haue me teare the Booke Auoyde Sathan I will not teare it Then lying stil and pawzing a while he saide at length Looke where the doue commeth harke what the doue saith The Lord thy God hath tied thy enimy Sathan fast in a chaine vnles thou fall againe he shall neuer tempt thee hold fast and forget not the childe continued his speech saying O Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world thy name be praised thy name be magnified and extolled for euermore Forthwith he opened his eies and taking the Booke he read very cheerefully a good space Then did hee aud all the companie ioyning with him humble themselues before the Lord God glorifying and praising his holy name for his comfortable presence gracious assistance in this myraculous worke and so hauing continued in prayer a good while the boy at last arose finding the doues words true and himselfe very well both in mind and bodie and so thankes be to God he hath remained euer since which the Lord continue to his owne glorie the ioy of the godly and the childes comforte Amen Now the Witch is dead had she liued she should haue bin executed FINIS Shortly you shall haue the true storie come foorth of those seuen in Lancashire that were possessed with vncleane spirites and all seuen deliuered at one time by this man LABORE ET CONSTANTIA Printed at London for Iohn Oxenbridge dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Parrot 1597.