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
vnto me much worse then the deposition but being examined concerninge Ka. Wright I looked to heare of mysaid lying and to be examined thereof and that the world should be borne in hande that it was in an vncleane desire and thervnto inded inclined the article The reason whereof was because I knew Sathan would bringe to light and spread abroade this rash and vndiscret acte of mine if god did permit him and that the same through the greate folly of man and prones to beleue any thing reported thovgh neuer so false espetiaily against a preacher and minister of the word would tend to my reproach and not rest there but thorough the false perswation thereof keepe many from beleuing the workes of God wherein the Lord had vsed me as an instrument among others This greiuing me inwardly in my soule and in that my greife these wordes burstinge forth the Disc wold faine here vpon inferr that I made bolde with my oath because I sayd that I was examined vpon the sodaine To this I answere and it is true that I was on the sodaine examined of this facte and yet loked for the same after that the Bishop began to examin me as touching Ka Wright for before he came to this article there were diuers other articles proposed vnto me concerning this said Katherin about the which the Bishop was a good space in examining me In which interim I looked to heare of that which now the world you see through the charitie of this chaplaine and his good Maister thus infamously heareth As touching this deposition of Ka. VVrights he is verie simple that knoweth not who taught or perswaded her so to depose and that it came not of her selfe if so be shee haue so deposed Discouerer VVe see that Ka VVright waâ— dispossessed but not by the ordinarie meanes of prayer and pag 303. fasting that Christ appoynted and so Darrell must be driven to confesse that he wrought a miracle Darrell I haue shewed els where that Deuils are or may be cast out by prayer or by prayer aâ—d fasting according to the kind of spirit wherwith the partie is possessed and that this is the ordinance of Christ K VVright then being by prayer dispossessed was healed by the ordinary meanes as wel as those which be deliuered from Sathan by fast inge and praier and therefore not by miracle Discouerer It being obiected to M. Darell by her maiesties Commissioners that he knowing the saied Katherin VVright to dissemble in her prâ—tended fitet at Mansfield pag. 303. had priuat conference with her and taught her how to order her selfe in the manner of her counterfeiting wherby he encouraged her in that her lewd course he doth deny it but hereof Ka VVright deposeth thus Ans â— M. Darrell after his coming to me at * Mansfeild did tell and teach me alone 2 the towne wher I then dwelt to one Edward Loades to be helped by his father in law M. Beckingâ—ans how to use and order my selfe in my fites Darrell Ka VVright saied this for feare least her feete should haue bene burned 2. K. VVright came to Mansfeild bvt two dayes before her dispossession before which time she had bene for many weekes handled after a strange and greiuous manner euen after the same manner as shee was at Mansfeild and after at VVhittington vpon her repossession as it euident by pag. 3 pag. 305. then sure theire was either counterfeiting or els â—possession before which indede is false neither is the same deposed by the 3 witnesses but onely this that shortly asâ—â— her return from Mansâ—â—lde she was as cuill as before 〈◊〉 after her wonte 〈◊〉 manner 〈◊〉 to her former fites which needes must be so because she was repoâ—essed pag 298. 305. where-vpon shee was first had to one Arthur a coniuere to be holpen yf it might be and after by the appoyntment of the now Ladie Bowes then Mistres Fovliam to Chesterfeild a market towne thereby whether by her meanes also repared sundrye neighbour ministers which seing her in diuers fits suspected her to be possessed wherevpon the same was bruted in those quarters and this was before she came to Mansfeilde as the aforesaid Ladie with many others can witnes It can not be then were K. VVright a counterfit that I did teach her at Mansfield seing whether she couÌ„terfeited or was possessed it was so with her long before she was seÌ„t by M. Beresforde to Mansfeild before which time God he knoweth I neuer saw her neither doth Ka VVright nor yet the Disc say any thing to the contrarie 3. I was saith Ka. VVright when I parted from M Darrell in the very same case that I came to Mansfeild And for the streÌ„gthening * here of are produced the depositons of three wherevpon the Disc pag 305 concludeth thus By which conference of the time it appeareth directly that KaWright was not at all in any sorte releiued by M Darrell And in another place thus And this course sher confesseth she hath held from the time she began it vntill the time almost of this her examination vZ. about 13. or 14 yeares This consydered I desire to know of the Discouerer wherefore I did teach Ka. Wright to counterfeit If to glorye in the dispossession of her as is to be intended for the gayne of one peny is not sayed to my charge how cometh it to passe that Ka Wright fayned not her selfe to be dispossessed so continued well euer after that I with others vsed prayer in her behalfe but not withstanding the prayers vse to the end to make shew that she was therby dispossessed and a secret a grecement theirof betwene vs if the Disc say truly yet contiâ— the very same counterfeiting a possession after in like manner as before This tended to the shame of me her master and not to my prayse all the glorie had bene in the fained dispossession whervnto the dissemblinge of a possession onely serued if their had bene any such iniquitie and theirefore would in no case haue bene omitted who can be so grosse as once to imagine that I did teach K Wright to counterfeit a possession and giue her not instruction concerning the dissembling of a dispossessions speciallie seeinge I did affirme and beare the world in hand that shee was dispossessed vpon the prayers vsed by my selfe others what in common sence would K. Wrights sayninge to be possessed advantag me Had K. VVright dissembled to haue had the deuill cast out of her by me and then must she haue remained well after I pretended to dispossesse her in carnall reason ther was somthing to haue induced me theirvnto but their was nothing in reason to leade me to perswad and teach her to couterfeite only to bepossessed with the deuill and the sam for many yeares to dissemble As this could not procure me in particular the prayse of men and to be reputed to haue some rare and odd gifte in casting out deuils but rather
be said to haue which can best discerne betwene those who though they preach the truth 1 tim 1. 4. 4. 7 6. 20 2 tim 2. 14 16 23. titus 3. 1. tim 6 3 4. 5. yet they mingle the same with vayne and vnprofitable doctrines which Paule calleth fables prophane ould wyues fables prophane vaine bablings folish vnlearned questionâ—câ— bidding vs to stay such doctrines to put away such to auoyd such and to seperate our selues from such teachers and those which be good and profitable vnto men the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ the doctrines which be according to godlynes This is it that the spirit of god meaneth by the discerning of spirits and not a guift or measure of god's spirit whoreby to discerne betwene counterfeyts and such as were inder depossessed which neuer any dreamed of before the. Discoâ—erer And no maruaile For there is no such difficulty to discerne betwene counterfeyts and the possessed indeede VVhosoeuer looketh into the gospell and considereth of the manner of their vexation by Sathan who are there saide to haue bene possessed may easily knowe when one is possessed No phisitian can so easily and surely discerne the disease of his patient by pulse vryne and other signes as a christian man of vnderstanding may by the signes of Sathan his possessing one discerne of possession And reason will teach men to discerne of counterfeyting viz. whether those thinges they behould can possibly come â—â—ther from nature or arte It is also to be obserued that the Dis speaketh of the time past and not of the time present I would be knownâ— saith â—e what that guift WAS he doth not say what that guift is and againe 〈◊〉 to discerne betwixt counterfeyts and such as WERE possessed he saith not such as are possessed whereby it is playne that in his opvnion thâ—â— guift whereof he speaketh is gone so that none is now able to discerne betwene a counterfeyt and one possessed Howe is it then that the Dis taketh it vpon him to iudge that Somers and the rest be counâ—terfeyts VVhat fooles doth the Dis make of men and what a difficult thing is it forsooth to iudge in this case Surely he thinketh thâ— none can be now possessed and then no maruaile though his guift bâ— withered for to say men at this day being possessed that none 〈◊〉 descerne whither they counterfeyte or no it is too absurd to speakâ— of OF CHAPTER 6. Of M. Darrell's knowledge who sent the diuell into Somers and the rest All the diuels that M. Darrell hath hetherto encountred page 36 were sent by witches as it seemeth into his patiens Whether witches can sende diuels into men or weomen as many doe pretend is a question among those that write of such matters and the learneder and sounder sort doe holde the negatiue against whome Thyreus opposeth himselfe and with Thyreus Mâ— Darrell It is the Lorde if we speake properly that sendeth diuels into men Shall we receaue good at the handes of God saith Iob and not receaue euill meaning Iob 2 10. the euill of punishment And the Prophet Amoâ— Shal ther be euil in a citty the Lord hath not done it chapterâ— 3 6. That then I mean and assirme is this that Sathan being sent of god and so permitted to enter into one as sometimes he was into Darling Somers c. the diuell being thus sent stirreth vp the corrupt affections of some with whome as I may say he hath some familiarity and laboreth to briÌ„g them to hate that same persoÌ„ and in that hatred after their accustomed manner by him or his ministery to be reuenged of the party And whereas without this he is to enter into and possesse the said person and will yet taketh he oft this course that thereby he may draw men to synne which is the very worke and labour of his handes and as by his practise it should seeme to shame and punishment withall for not only with our afflicted persons but others also as one Margaret Herison of Burnham vlpe concerninge whose vexation by Sathan there is a booke printed M. Throgmortons children with sundrye more either possessed or otherwise vexed by him the diuell so ordered the matter as that the party or partyes whome he had before stirred vp to ioyne with him in the afflicting of them he discouered and made knowne to the worlde and this wee may well thinke hee doth to this second end because it is his manner to bring one first to synne and the synne being perfected to chasten them to shame and punishment as he did by Iudas neither is it to any purpose to obiect that witches are very simple folkes and know not what belongeth to possession for that they direct not the spirit therevnto but speake only to their spirit or familiar of tormenting the party whome they hate as appeareth by their confessions the diuell of his owne accord entring into the parson to be possessed vnto which fact and sertuice the lord himself hath indeede appoynted him And where the Dis saith that the learneder and sounder sort doe holde that witches cannot send diuels into men if he vnderstand not by that he calleth sending as is aforesaide he saith nothing against me nor to the matter but if so as I ymagine he doth then I demaund of him who I know consenteth heerein with these greate learned men why witches and their familiar spirits may not aswell agree togither in this speciall case as in others where Sathan killeth men or beasts or strangely vexeth them by some externall operation which we call witcheryes seeinge all is meerely a tormenting of the body by Sathan the difference lying in the manner of it which I trust is by the witch left to the will and discretion of the diuell as this latter we all knowe is confirmed by the confessions of thousands of witches and that in all ages from time to time so is this other also by the confession of some Yea but saith the Dis to obiect the confession of the witches is to no purpose and is already answered by the former learned men His words be these And touching the confession of the witches themselues pag. 3â—â— that may be lefte well inough to such learned men as haue written sufficiently of it I desire now to know of the Discouerer who haue made answer to the confessions of the witches themselues but they that hould that there are no witches as Wierus and Scot which are the sound and learned men he here speaketh of for these men maintayning this false position that there be no witches must needes answer to the confession of the witches themselues which euery one would obiect And this saith he these lerned men haue done sufficiently whereby it is playne that this man is of the sâ—me opinyon with them But he thought it wisdome not to say soâ— playne termes least he should prouoke the reuerent Iudges of the
this very fact and no other committed to Darby gayle by a lustice of peace found guilty thereof by the iury and by my Lord Anderson adiudged to ymprisonment where since she dyed Nor yet Edmond Hartley who after he was found guilty by the iury was adiudged by the Iudge to death and accordingly executed Now if this concerning Alice Goodrige and Darlyng which was the very euidence giuen at Darby against her be a meere iest ridiculous matter as the Dis maketh it and that indeed there was no such thinge this Darling being as M. Harsnet would haue it a very counterfeyt boy and in that respect also the case nothing so in truth who seeth not that to make the best we can he doth thereby condemne Iudge Iustice Iury of simplicity and he is the only man forsooth that hath had a true and thorough insight into this matter VVhether this man be in the Premunire that hath so directly and publiquely impeached the iudgment giuen by the Queenes Iustices against the salde Alice for bewitching of Darling specially sentence beinge giuen heerein I desire the reuerend Iudges of the Common Lawes of England who can best iudge heereof and whome it cheifly concerneth deliberately to consider And if it fall out so that he be not in case of Premunire yet sure it is such and so notorious an abuse as they I trust in theire wisdomes will see redressed VVhere in this chapter the Disc calleth Thirens my Maister in this whole first booke of his semeth to match vs together Pag. â—â— as maister and scholler and in many places doth pretende as though I had learned I knowe not what from him surely he greatly forgets himself for wel he knoweth that in other doctrines I dissent a litle more from the Iesuite and the rest of that generation then he for all his glose and faire shew in this his booke and therfore it is very vnlikly that I should so throughly agree with him in the doctrines of possession and dispossession as vsually the master and scholler doe neither can he be ignorante here-of who is so well studied in Thireus that Thireus his treatife from which I should learne forsooth all my skill came to light an 1598. which was after all our 10. persons were dispossessed and the saide booke not to be had in Englande vntill after I was in in the Gatehouse that I knowe of and therfore it can not be that I learnâ—â—d any thinge for my practise hitherto from him except I wente beyond the seas vnto him and had it from his owne mouth But I maruell where this first booke of the fiue had bene if Thireus booke had not come to the Disc handes before this Discouerie came from them for whosoeuer hath read Thireus may easily see how that as wind filleth a bladder and so maketh it bigg which in it selfe is little so hath Thyreus treatise of Demoniakes made the first booke of the Discouerers to swell greatly OF CHAP. 8. Of the meanes alleaged by M. Darrell and others whereby men are dispossessed The ordinary meanes ordiyned to continue in the church for the casting out of diuells M. Darrell maketh to be very ancient Pag. 42. For he saith that it hath bene in the church since the fall of Adam Seing this meanes hath not only continued in the Church since Christs time but was before as may be collected out of the * Scriptures and that we reade not of the first ordeyning of any such meanes why may we not well thinke math 12. 27 actes 19. 13. that as god in mercy left and ordeyned meanes in nature for the curing of the naturall diseases and infirmityes of mens bodyes euen from the time mans body was subiect vnto them so he did appoynt this supernaturall meanes for the healing of this supernaturall disease from the time it also was subiect thervnto which is the fall of Adam But saith the Dis Heerein Darrell hath no great certainty for he confesseth that there is no mention in the olde testament of the institution of that meanes And so of likelihood men were possessed from time to time during the space almost of 4000. yeares God himself hauing ordeyned no wayes to cure them Out of my own mouth and confession he pretendeth to conuince me But marke how vnskil fully he doth it pag 42. Darrell himself confesseth that there is no mention in the olde testament of this meanes which he saith hath bene in the church synce the fale of Adam by his saying then it is likely that men being possessed about 4000. yeares god ordeyned no way to cure them He should haue inferred of my said confession men therefore being possessed about 4000. yeares god in writinge left no specyall or peculiar meanes all that time for the curinge of them but instead therof he concludeth as we heare But let vs take the argument as he himselfe hath framed it In the olde testament there is no mention of this meanes or medicyne to cure the possessed Therefore from Adam to Christ ther 's was no such means or medicine ordeyned of god to heale them I answer that the argument followeth not as may appeare by that which followeth In the olde testament there is no mention of speciall means or medicines to cure feuers or other diseases therefore God hath ordeyned no meanes or medicines to heale men so diseased And heere I might proceede to a thousand 〈◊〉 The reason why this consequâ—ce is not good is because many yea almost insinyte thinges are decreed in the secret and aeternall counsell of god and knowne so to be of man which are not set downe in his reuealed will so that although there be no ordinance as touching the healing of the possessed by prayer or fasting and prayer mentioned in the ould testament yet notwithstandynge the same might well be a meanes ordeyned of god for the cutinge of such Secâ—nâ—ly we may assure our selues that god reuealed many of his ordinances to them which liued vnder the lawe which were not set downe in the scripture of the olde testament because how soeuer now to vs vnder the gospell and in the last dayes * god speaketh only by his sonne hâ—b 1. 1. bidding vs * hâ—are him in his word * and ministery so as at this day for our information in the Lordes will and pleasur with man maâ—â—h 17 â— â—uke 10 16. we are to goe to the holy scriptures only and the ministers of Christ deliueringe that which from them they haue receiued yet at sundry times and in diuers manners god spake in the olde times to our fathers besides by the scripture of the old testament as by his prophets by dreames and hâ—b 1. 1. visions and by vrim well therefore might prayer and fasting be not only the ordinance of god for the castinge of Sathan out of the bodyes of men but also reuealed and made known to be such to the Church of god then albeit the same
more credulus then wise OF CHAP. 5. How Darling confesseth his owne dissimulation How beit true it is that within a fortnight after he was sett at libertie pag 285. and had conferred with M. Darrell in the gathouse and with some others he writte a letter to the B. of London affirminge that he had bene drawen on by subtilties to make the said confession and addeth these wordes what is all this to the purpose if I of frailtie should say Discouerer that all was dissemblinge was it therfore so if I say that this paper is blacke is it so therfore Those articles which I was sworne vnto before I will stand vnto them and iustifie them but concerninge the other I will neuer consent vnto them The maine and in a manner sole thing Darrell the Disc alleadgeth for proofe of Darlinges counterfeiting is his owne confession sett downe before in this chapter I answeare negatiuely Darling neuer made any such confession Thus it was S Haâ—snet examininge Darling on a time to 3 or 4 articles he hauing answeared them vnaduisedly and like aboy as he was beinge then also his scholer forsooth put his hand as Harsnet his tutor did bid him at the lower end of the leafe theire beinge a great space betwene his answeares and the place where he subscribed his name In this space Harsnet did insert that absurd and ridiculvs confession mentioned in this chapter which was of Harsnets foâ—sting faigning but neuer confessed by Darling as Darling after deposed and iustified the same before the L. Archbishop to Harsnetes face 2. But admite he had made such a confession seeing it is evident it had bene done of frailtie and humane infirmitie which yet god be praysed hed id not what is this as the boy himselfe saith to the purpose If I of fraultie should say c. Heere it must not be forgâ—tten how Darling a youÌ„g stripling of those teÌ„der vnsettled yeares was dealt with and ensnared He was for the space of a moneth in the Bâ—shâ—ps house duringe which time the Bishop and his Chapline with all theire fetches and deuises weare dayly and howerly in hand with the boy to wringe this confession from him which they beinge not able bâ— any meanes to obtaine and dispairing theirof as it should seeme Harâ—net his scholemaster vndertooke to doe this feait when they two were in his chamber together and did effecte it accordinglye but in such manner and by â—uch a worthy deuise as we heare and then presently perceiuinge him not to be for there purpose as Somers was they retayning Somers turned him out of the dores But before and to the end aforesaide I meane the gettinge of a confession of counterfeitinge which notwithstanding they went without he was kept so straight that none of his frendes no not his mother might haue any accesse vnto him sometimes he was not alittle fawned vpon somtimes mightily threatened S. Harsnet they two being in his chamber alone offered to thrattle him and threatened to whyp him if he would not confesse Darrells practises sheewinge of him two roddes diuers other threatnings I omite He was imprisoned in the Bishps house sundriâ— letters also as is before mentioned were framed and deliuered to him as sent from me from whom answeares to them were obtayned theirby likewise to haue entangled the boy and to haue gotte some thing from him if possibly the could Admit now that Darling a boy of 15. yeares of age beinge thus sore layde at for a confession had at length of frayltie and in a desire to be at libertie and ridde out of theire handes yeelded them that sorie confession that is thus fathered vpon him had the thinge confessed by him bene theirfore true Men sometimes of greater yeares and riper iudgment haue in such case ben too easily drawne from the truth to affirme that which is fals and erronious How easily then might such a weake boy be peruerted and seduced 3. Suppose that he had voluntarily and of his owne accord confessed that in all thinges he dissembled yet the same suffieed not to proue him a counterfeit seeinge it is evident some thinges were done or suffered by him which can by no possibilitie be counter feited whence may be drawne an unavovdable argument to craze the credite of him and Somrrs and of the rest of the supposed counterfeites For no man confessinge or reportinge an impossibilitie of himselfe ought to be credited But Somers Darling Katherine Wright and Mary Cooper confesse report impossibilities of themselues in saying they counterfeited if so be they haue so saidâ— Ergo they ought not to be credited Now concerning this Darling to pase by sundrie other strange actions or rather passions of his he oft times in aday in his sittes had a great swelling in his body by reason whereof diuers times the buttons of his dublett did brust off and his aglet holees breake albeit they were purposly made and sett on the stronger 2. He beinge but of 13. yeares of age was of that strength that two strong men coulde not hold hi downe or rule him a thing impossible to be couÌ„terfeited for no man can add to his strength by counterfeiting 3. In his tâ—aÌ„ces he vttered sundrie continued speaches with his mouth wyde open as appeareth by the booke that is printed of him 4. his armes shoulder bones were in many of his fites thrust out of ioynt seene selt sundrie times by diuers Now beside the paine and anguish of the ioyntes senowes in this case I would faine knowe for my learning how it is possible for a man to put his bones out of ioynte and in againe at his pleasure and then immediatly use and occupy his armes in as gooÌ„d plight as if no such thinge had happened vnto him Yf M. Discouerer with his sweet Iewell W. Somers can with all their nimblenes packinge and dexteritie but deuise to counterfeite such prettie trickes as these then indeede the say somethinge to Darrell and for Darlingâ— counterfeiting Furthermore Alice Goodridge the witch sundrie times confessed that she mistaking Tho. Darling for one Sherrat a boy sent her familiar or spirit in the liknes of a dog partie coloured redde and white called Minny to torment him in his body and that she had caused his vexarion by the diuel And further at her sendinge of him she strained all her bodye and vomited bidding her minny to goe and doe the like to the boye who returning said that he had done so Now the truth is that besides the childe was most fearefully tormented in and through all the partes of his bodye he was much troubled with vonâ—iting with often prouocations therevnto pag 276. as yf he had striuen and stiained to vomit and could not It is also to be remembred that shee named the time when the place where the occation wherevpon and the wordes she vsed when she sente the deuill to torment him as appeareth in the 26. page of the
printed booke Herevpon Alyce Goodriâ—g was committed to Darbye gaole indited and arraigned and founde guiltie thereof and by my Lord Andeson sentence giuen vpon her to imprisonmente where since she died These thinâ—es considered to saie and publish thus confidently that Darling 〈◊〉 what is it els but presumtuosly to condemne both Iury and Iudge eyther of â—iustice or simplicitie or both And these thinges are so notori of yâ—knowen to an the Cuntrye that an hundred such shameâ—eâ—se Discâ—uâ—ryes as â—as are not able once to bringe then I meane the impossidâ—ites afore-â—arâ—e into doubte or question there For the further conâ—â—rmation where of we are ready to proue and auerie the same by the oathe of many suâ—ficient witneâ—â—es and there-by make it most euident and plaâ—ne to the worâ—d that it is impâ—ssible that Darlinge shoulde be a counterfeit In the meane season we may remember that two 〈◊〉 of peace and quorum and aboue fortye of the inhabitantes of Burton neyghbours there-vnto which were eye wyâ—nesses of Darlinges vexations haue vnder theire han les in twoo seuerall testimoniaâ—s witnessed that his fitts torments or betakinges were such and sosu pernaturall as they are fully perswaded no man is possiblie able to counâ—erfeite and for this and some other reasons are perswaded and doe verily thinke that Darlinge did not dissemble as appeareth by the tenure of their letters testimoniall here followinge The former wher of the Bishop hath and a coppie of the latter as I take it To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine wee whose names are vnder written Iustices of peace and quorom within the countes of Staffâ—râ— and Darby amongest others send greeting whereas we haue bine râ—quested and dâ—sired to câ—â—tifie our knowledges concerninge the straunge bandling or bâ—takeing of one Thomas Darlinge of late greuously handled and tormented and that in such strang manner as was wonderfully to behould whereof we weare eye witnesses we therfore for the better satisâ—ing of all those that are desirous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Thomas Darling did not dissemble or counterfeit in any those his fittes or stâ—ange betakinges and the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thinke is First for that the manner of those his fittes torments or betakeinges weare such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded no man is possible able to counterfeite the like And also for that their was one Alice Goodâ—eridge the wise of one Oliuer Goodderidge of Stapâ—nhill within the counâ—â— of Darby who long before that time had bene suspected for a witche and being for that cause brouâ—ht before vs did vpon her examination before vs cousâ—sse that shee did mistake the said Thâ— Darling and thought it had binâ—oâ—e Sherratte a boy who had done her some wronge as she saith and 〈◊〉 we haue bine informed by some of good creditt to vs well knowne that the said Alice Goodderidge did confesse that she did call her 〈◊〉 for so she tearmâ—d it which waâ— â—s she said in liknes of a little dog and called it Minnie and bâ—d it goe after the said Darling thinkinge it had 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 in all the partes of his body wâ—ich said 〈…〉 retourned to her agame and sould her he has done aâ— shee bade him and further shee did confesse that after that time she neuer sawe the said little dogge but once that it came to her in the Gayole at Darby whether shee was committed for the said facte and she being in the sayde Gaâ—ie was brought before the Iustices of Assise and Gaole deliuerie and their desiered the said Iustices to be good to her and forgiue her she would neuer doe so any more In testimonie wher of we here vnto severally sett our handes and seales dated the First daye of October 1598. Humserye Ferrers Thomas Gresley To all those to whom it doth or may appertaine we whose names are vnder written aswell resiantes and inhabitantes of the towne of Burton vpon Trent in the counâ—ie of Stafford as others greetinge whereas wee haue bene requested and desired to certifie our knowledges concernninge the strauÌ„g handâ—â—ng or be taking of one Tho. Darling of late grieuously handled and tormented and that in such strange manner as was wonder fully to be bould whereof wâ— weare eye wâ—tnesses we therefore for the better satisfiyng of all those that are desierous to know the truth in that behalfe haue thought good to signifie that we are perswaded and doe verily thinke that the saide Tho. Darling did not dissemble or counterfeite in any of those his fiâ—â—es or straâ—ge betakeinges And the causes or reasons which moue vs so to thâ—nke be many whereof for avâ—yding of over tedious matter we will onely herâ—â—n alledge some few as namely first for that we haue knowne the said Tho. Darling from his childhood to be of an honest and gratious disposition and both himselfe and his freads in whose keepinge he was duringe his said fittes to be such as we are well assured would haue no hand incounterfeit or lewâ—e practises and also the manner of those his fittes tormentes or betakeings were such and so supernaturall as we are fully perswaded that no man is possibile able to counterfeit the like And also for that their was one Alice Gooddridge c. To the effect in the afore said Testimoniall And their vpon this Alice Gooddridge being brought before the Iustices of assise and Gaole deliuery was by dewe course of lawe then convicted of the same fact in testimony wherof we haue herevnto severally subscribed our names dated at Burton aforesaide the fifte daye of October 1598. Peter Eckersall minister at Burton I. Grainger VV. Caldwall VV. Hawes I. Hawes H. Blackwall R. Turner VV woodcocke I. Fichit I Finney E wrightman V. Palmer R. Moore R. Hyde I. Debanke I. Bridgett E. Hudsonne T Dutton R. watson I. Horbyne R. Baker H. Clarke E. Goodcole R. Taylor I. Simpson T. Hasten the elder constables of Burton T. Hasten the younger R. Hayes w. Harresen I. Taylor R. Shenten H. wackfeild R. Tomson T. Saunders I. Alsoppe R. Teale w. Clarke T. Stanly R. Hendlye I. Henworthe I. Butler R. Bradlye Raphe Teate Thus we see that howsoeuer darlinges vexation by Sathan is not confirmed by the oâ—thes of men as Somers is Yet by the testemoniâ— of many witnesses of good credit who render 3. forcible reasons agaynst counterfeitynge He nowe that is so filthye as to beleiue this Discouerer vpon his bare reporte without any proofe or reason of Darlinges counterfeiting before the testimonye of so manye alleaging such effectuall reasons against counterfeytinge let him be fylthye still and yet more filthye The matter contained in these testimonials makinge against Darlings coounterfeitinge I haue sufficiently pressed and vrged before in my Apologie wherevnto the Disc teturneth no manner of answere at all and yet beareth the world in hand that he hath dispatched and wiped