that is contained in the Discouery which seemeth to make more or selfe against the cause or my selfe least passing by some of this kind it might be thought I therfore did it and purposly because I were not able to answere Againe I coÌ„sidered that many haue already giuen an eare to counterfeitinge and verily beleiue our Demomakes to be counterfeits for their sakes therfore that I might draw these preiudicate persons from their error to the imbracinge of the truth it was requisite to answere all that in the face made for counterfeitinge which could not be performed in fewe wordes Secondly I knewe the credit of the aduersarie was great my owne little beinge a base contemptible person in the eyes of the world That my selfe then and that which I contend for might be beleiued even of this dotinge and blind generation It was necessarie I should not onely cracke or diminish the credite of the a duersarie even with his best frendes which might haue bene done in afew wordes but take all credit from him by detectinge all his filthines for in makinge his name to rotte and stinke and the counterfeit cause he hath in hand their is hope that men will giue some eare vnto me and that I striue for be I neuer so meane Now this would be best performed in the larger pursuite and stirringe deepely in the falshods lyes and absurdities of the Discouerer which coulde not be donne without the multiplyinge of wordes For the more one stirreth in that which is stinkinge and filthy the more stinking sauor it sendeth forth And so shall we find it to be in the ample ripping vp of this foule Discouery to the Detection wherof we will now proceed God assistinge vs. If the falshood of some be detected and thou find out the truth by this our Detection then open thy mouth in the defence of that truth and assist me with thy prayers Thine in the Lord Iohn Darrell As in all ages there haue bene some which haue gainsaid the holy doctrins of god reuealed in his word so likewise there haue not wanted such as haue resisted the works which he hath wrought befor the children of men Exod. 7. 11. Against the wonderfull works wrought in Egipt by Moses did those sorâ—erers Iannes and Iambres rise vp and set themselues with all their diuelish arte and power VVhen the holy ghoste fell vpon the Apostles in the forme of clouen tongues like fire euen of those which were eye eare witnesses thereof there were some that mocked them act 2. 13. saying that they were full of newe wyne The Apostle Paule hauing cast the diuell out of the Pythonisse her maisters were offended therewith caught him Sylas his associate and drew them before the maiestrates who vpon theire incensinge commaunded them to prison act 16. 18. and to be beaten with rods wherevpon they were beaten fore cast into an inward prison or dungeon and theire feete made fast in the stockes VVhen there was brought to Christ Iesus one possessed with a diuel blind and dumbe and that he had healed him so that hee which was blind and dumb math 12. 24. both spake and sawe all the people it is said were amased and said is not this that sonne of Dauid And vpon the same worke wrought vpon an other at an other time the multitud marueiled saying The like was neuer seene in Israel But the Pharises resisted as other workes of his math 9. 23. so both these and said he casteth out diuels through Beclzebub the prince of diuels In a word the mockinges and scourgings the banishments the bonds and imprisonments the puttinge to death of Christ Iesus the Prophets and his Apostles doe testify how the word and workes of god haue bene from time to time resisted Euen so it is now God hauing wrought diuers rare and greate workes there haue bene some found to withstand them and to bear the world in hand that all is but connterfeyting and notorious cofenage Among these the chief are D. Banâ—xoft B. of London and Samuell Harsnet his chaplaine and Examiners whose labour day and night it hath bene for the space almost of two yeares and in that time haue they applyed and abused theire wit and authority to perswade this to the world and to this end haue they published a booke called a Discourie 2. tim 3. 8. But as Paule saith of Iannes and Iamhres that withstood Moses and of certaine men in his time of corrupt mindes reprâ—bat concerning the faith which did then resist the truth euen so the same say I oâ— these men They shall preuaile no longer for their madnes shall be euident vnto all men as theirs also was Herevnto serueth as the former treatise wherein the truth is declared and these workes published and made knowne to the world for the declaration of the truth is a conviction of the falshood so the treatise following wherein the DISCOVERY is fully I trust answered and the euill name raysed vp and giuen out againste thease workes viz. of counterfeyting and my teaching the some or twoe parts of that booke taken away And when the sord shall yet further pursue the manifestation of these workes disclosing that which is now couered and making that knowne which now is hyd which I doubt not but in due time he will psal 10. 14. mark 4. 22. 1. tim 5. 24. verse 25. Then will their filthines and madnes be euident indede And for our further assurance â—crein we may remember it is written Thou Lorde behouldest mischeif and wrong that thou maist take it into thine handes And againe There is nothing hyd that shal not be opâ—ned neyther is there a secret but that it shall come to light And againe to this purpose it is said by the Apostle Some mens sinnes are open before hand and goe before vnto iudgment but some mens followe after Likewise also the good workes are manifest before hand they that are otherwise cannot be hyd wherby it is playne that howsoener the sinnes of some men are for a time in this world vnknowne as hauinge bene committed in secret and in the darknesse yet the Lorde in his time will bring them to light and manifest them to the world and on the other side though the good workes of some be not for a time through the slaunders of some manifest and knowne to the world to be such yet it shall not alwaies be soe they shall not alwayes be hyd but in an other time god will reueale them to be that indede they are It is in the second place to be obserued that as sathan hath euer vsed by his instruments to resist the doctrines workes of god that thereby he might kepe god from his glory and prayse and man from beleuing and profiting by them so the principall meanes wherby he hath preuayled in all times hath bene the slaundering of those whom the Lord hath therein vsed as instruments for
not therefore to be reformed in particuler admit that it was lawfull for men to reepe carnall things of those congregations where they sowe not spirituall thinges to eate of the milke of the flock though they feede not the flock for these kind of * souldiers to haue wages albeit they goe not a warfare and that it were not the Lords ordinance that they only which preach the gospell 1 tim 2. 3 1 cor 6. 14 16. should liue of the gospell and that necessity lyeth not vpon euery minister to preach the gospell but that the reading thereof sufficeth and that men may liue of the gospel although they be not able to preach the gospell or if they be able preach little or not at all or not to the people from whome for their said preachiÌ„g sake they receaue their maintenance also that weomen may baptise in the case of danger or necessity as they call it c. Admit this I say yet notwithstanding forasmuch as those whom men call â—uritans doe seeke the reformation of these things and others of the same kinde in a zeale of god as is hereby manifest in that for this cause they doe are ready to forsake father and mother wife and children house and land liberty with all the comforts of this life yea life it selfe it god cal them therevnto and are contented in and during this life to be of all men the most miserable there is small cause why the Discouerer and the world with him should hate scorne so contemptibly vse them as if they were the oâ—â—cowring of the world and refuse of the people S. Iâ—aule in the 9. to the Roma calleth God to witnesse to his conscience that he had great heauinessâ— and continuall sorrowe in his heart and that he would wish himselfe to be seperated from god vers 1. for his brethren that were his kinâ—men according to the flesh and in the begining of the Chapter follwing he vseth these wordes Brethren my harts desire and prayer to god for Israell is that they might be saued his reasoÌ„ therof followeth For I beare them record that they haue the zeale of God but not accordinge to knowledge â—ceâ— 1. If Paule were thus affected towards the Iewes who were so exceedingly violent and outragious in whatsoeuer they went about in their blynde zeale as at large appeareth by the story of the Actes of the Aposties because they had in them a zeale of god woulde hee were he now liuing among vs be so affected as the most are towards the puritanes as they are tearmed in whome it is manifest there is a zeale of god be it that it were not according to knowledg seing they doe nothing in their said zeale in a tumultuous but all peaceable manner as by prayer to god and humble petition to her Maiestye the heade and the body of this Realme met and ioyned togither in Parliament either would S. Paule trowe wee call these men in scorne as the Disc doth * men of the ouerworne consistorian faction men of the humâ—ur of reformation men more pure then the rest of their brethren that is puritanes or with others precisians phantasticall men c. yea of Sathan Sathanistâ— as my self haue heard them called because of they re zeale admit it were a blinde zea el who for the blinde zeale that the Iewes had called them so louingly brethren It is not possible As from some thinges which might be obserued so from these two places and some other especially that page 15. where vpon certaine worthy premises he collecteth that in all likelihood seing neither by learning nor sufficient arguments they of the over-wâ—rne Consistorian factiâ—n could heeretofore preuayle pag. 15. for the setting vp of their presbyteryall conceyts they thought to supply their wants therein by this deuise of castiÌ„g our diuells It may very probably be gathered that the thinge which hath vexed the Disc and made him sweate somuch about counterfeyting is not the counter feyting and teaching to counterfeyt a possession nor his hatred and abomination to sinne and in particular to this detestable cousenage but his hatred against the instrumentes which god vsed in these great workes of his whome together with alsoâ— the same stamp as from his soule he hath of long hated so hereby was the same mightely increased in that these kinde of men should be thought to haue such interest in Christ Iesus as that at their falsly termed verball prayers and hypocriticall fasting he should as it were visibly descende from heauen and tread downe Sathan vnder their feete This said the Narrator before the Disc came forth cannot be indured whereby we may se he coniectured aright And mark what he therevpon out of the Apostle addeth But god hath chosen the foolish thinges of the world to confound the wise and the weake thinges of the worlde to â—onfound the mighty As if he had said in that the Lord hath vsed in these rare and great workes of his such weake and contemptible meÌ„ we should rather considering the lordes manner of dealing be confirmed thereby in these workes further assured that they are of god then kept from beleuing and embracing the same These are not dealt with but there must be a great assembly gathered togither in one corner or other all of them such persons as they knowe to be their frendes pag. 6â— or at the least as their said frends doe bring with them and are thought fit to be peruerted The falshood of this is heereby manifest in that M. More and I knewe not those persons in Lancashire who ioyned with vs in prayer to god for the casting out of Sathan of the persons possessed as they can witnesse nor yet any one of them being meere strangers of them alâ— and they to vs and at Nott. also they were generally vnknowne to me neither was their any choyce made by some of our frendes At the 〈◊〉 on of the 7 in Lancashire there were present about 40. of â—o at Nâ— 15â— and procuring of men to come as is well knowne to them that did come who were not a few as the Disc suggesteth Besides this partly argueth that were there a counterfeytinge indeede these our sayde frendes were confederates therein which I think hardly any will sauour It is maruaile that the Disc affirmed not likewise that all those which haue seene Somers Darling and the 7. in Lancashire in their pretended fitts were not my freâ—dâ— so should I haue some stoare of frends or at least that my frendes he speaketh of did bring them or procure them to come knowing them to be such as were like to be peruerted for this he might as truly haue affirmed as the other this had bene to some purpose indeede whereas the other is to none It is strange therefore that he strayned not himselfe a little further but though he doe it not heere yet he saith something els-where bendâ—g this way for speaking of the
any thing he knew sathan after his repossessing of So. might percase be departed Surely the Disc was not wise in producing those depositions which euery childe may see maketh not for him but against him And as vnwise was he to tell vs that M Ireton his credit wrought somâ— inconvemence through his facillity in beleuing those things which were tould him albeit his speaches still did rely vpon this supposition that if those thingâ— which he heard were true then thus and thus For M. Ireton is known as to be of singuler learning so of great wisdome and therefore as it is said of svch in the prouerbes will consider before he beleue as the things reported so the credit of the reporter prou 14. 15. with other circumstaunces and none of those foolish ones which will beleue euery thing 2. prou 14. 15. M. Ireton was not only tould and heard of the strange and fearefull operations of sathan in and vppon the body of Somers but was also an eye witnesse thereof the daye of the commission he beinge one of the Commissioners so that this silly euasion of the Disc will not serue his turn And hereby as partly also in that M. Ireton being by the B. of London deposed concerning So. counterfeyting possession dispossession repossession as well as the two former for he came not sure to London dwelling an hundred myles of for nothinge neither beinâ—e come was he kept by the Bishop sundry dayes deposed and often examyned about nothinge but in all likelihood the very same that M. Browne M. Brinsley were that of the said depositions or answers of his to the same articles we heare nothing in this volume of depositions it is a very easy thing for men to conieâ—ture what M. Ireton thinketh of Som. For had there bene but a lyne for the Disc purpose all the world should haue heard of it The same may be sayd by M. Euington a great scholler likewise Commissioner who togither with M. Browne and M. Brinsley was deposed and examyned of whose answers also and what he an eye witnesse hath said to So. counterfeiting or not his possession dispossession and repossession we heare not a worde The secret testimony of these 4. so reuerent deuines and open also by theire speaches from time to time the wise and discreetr will regarde more then all the depositions the Discouerer to the contrary produceth Discou Vpon M. pag. 151 or rather as the Disco saith Dar. report preaching that So. was repossâ—ssed there was then greater resort vnto him then before M. Dar. still perswaâ—ing euery on that came as a So. saith that he the said So. was repossâ—ssed that he remayned in all his sits vtterly senceiesse Darrell This is a manifest vntruth for the next day after I first saide he was repâ—â—eded anâ—â—efore I preached â—o I wenâ— to Ashby wherâ— my 〈◊〉 remayned and before I returned being the â—ater day â—oâ—loâ—ing â—e was had to S. Ioanes and said he councerte ted whether alâ—o I neither did noâ— might repayre vnto him one only time excepted when the Maior was present And after the Discouery of sathan before the 12. Commisioners I was â—itâ— him only the next morninge with diuers ministers at Edmund Garlands house departing presently home to Ashby from whose house he was departed 〈◊〉 the dog turned to his vomyt I meane his former confeâ—sion of counterfeyting which he had disclaymed for a season before I returned to Nott. and both these I can dyrectly proue But now doth the Disc proouâ— tâ—at be affirmeth why thus So. saith it and then the Reader may be suâ—e it is a lye Discouerer It might grâ—atly be maruayled what estimation credit M. D ar got by thos new sorgery of So. pretended repossessâ—on pag â—â— Howbeit many of the wiser sâ—rt that werâ— not possâ—ssed with the giddy humoure of nouelâ—yes couered forsooth with zeale sighings did laugh this to scorne as they did the rest Darrell The wiser sort the Disc calleth those which did laugh to scorne the worke of god Of such scorners the world was neuer without some when a far greater worke then this we treate of and more wonderfull was wrought and that ymediatly by the Lorde himselfe whereof we reade in the 2. pâ—lmâ—â—1 of the Acts it is said some mocked There is a generation and euer will be that sitteth in the seate of the scornfull But who are those wisâ—men he speaketh of forsooth M. Walton Arch-deacon of Darbyshire and M. Sales officiall both nonresydents and the latter a man of no learning and as lâ—ttle wisdome and gouernment He woulde neuer else as I haue credibly hearde haue bene the ryngleader in the setting vp of a may-pole the last sommer with pypinge and dancing and that vppon the Lordes day Out of the ministery are of these wise men M. Peter Clarke Maior then of Nott. M. Freman and the other Nott. Commissioners For beesides these there were sâ—arslye any some papists only excepteâ— which were knowne to wag the tongue against the worke of god the multitude not only acknowleding it but reioycinge in it and magnifyinge the name of god And in the ministery none were knowne to be for counterfeyting aâ—ainst the possession and dispossession of Somers but the two former vpon occaâ—yon that M. Walton did rise vp and that openly against the manifest worke of god after one publique meeting about Som. there was an other at the same time agreed vpon VVhen the appoynted day was come there were mett togither many ministers and learned men all which were for possessio no maÌ„ heard to speake a word for counterfeyting this arch deacon and officiall excepted Now all thes the Disc accounteth to be men possâ—ssed though not with diuells yett with the giddy humour of noueltyes VVell my brethren it is farr better to be one of the foolish of this world and for that folly to be laughed at and scorned then of the wise princes of this world for the same to be laughed at by him that dwelleth in heauen and of the lord to be had in derisyon 1 cor 1 2â— 1 cor 2. 6. psa 2. 4. But I desire to know of the Disc who can so well discern of spirits with what spirit M. Walton was possessed when beefore the Commissioners after all this contention he renounced counterfeyting and confessed it to be the finger of god as both M. Euington M. Iohn Strelley with others can witnesse and whether at that time he also were not possessed with the giddy humour of noueltyes couered with zeale and sighings Discou So. grew weary of this his said relapse after he had continued therein about sixe weekes pag 15â— said to Iohn Cooper that he should be quyet if he might get out of M. Darrell fingers and be at S. Ioanes And againe in the next leafe Cooper signified to some of the Aldermen what So. had said vnto him touching his desire that
and entering into his house againe fell to his olde byas for thus it was The aduersaryes especially M. Freeman and â—â—l Gregory hauing contended for counterfeyting about 11. weekes but not preuayling it so fell out that one Sterland of Snenton neere Nott. hauing bene one day in the maâ—kett at Nott. fell there sick whereof he dyed but before in his sicknesse said aâ— his wise and others affirmed that So. had trode vpon his heeâ—e wheÌ„ he was last at the said markeâ—t and had certainly bewitched him as appeareeth by page 149. Herevppon it was bruited throughout Nottingham that Sâ— was a witch and not possessed and so all that he had before done or suffered came â—rom himselfe and his familyar spirit This rumour spreading it selfe the matter was inquired into fouÌ„d out that he dyed as the phisitian saith of a bastard plurisy in his rauing saying as is aforeâ—aid which is confessed page 149. his wife also affirming that she would not for any thing say that So. had bewitched her husband Heerevppon the aforesaid rumor suddenly vanished and came to naught But M. Freman and M. Gregory comming from London abont ten dayes after reuâ—ued the same and of iuâ—t nothinge made a haynous matter and would needes haue So. to be a witcn M. Freeman got to his owne howse Sterlands wiâ—e and some of her neighbours and so wrought them that the poore wife her neighboures said forthwith after openly in the towne hall somuch as wherevppon for the bewitching Sterland her husband to death So. was imprisoned and they bound to giue euidence against him at the next aâ—sises And heereof So. was not ignorant being a matter notoriously knowne to the inhabitants of Nott. Thus wee see how So. came to be in feare danger of hanging and by whose meanes or procurement what was now to be done by Somers or what was the safest courie for him to take whereby to free himselfe from the daunger he was in to saue his life Surely to say and stand to it that he counterfeyted in all that he had done before for who would then accuse him of witchcraft or giue eare to such accusation If he would affirme that he himselfe did all by art in disseâ—nulation no body would beleeue that he had either diuell or spirit or any thing to doe with spirit or familiar this I say waâ— an easâ— and sure way to saue his life anâ— so it proued Agayne Sâ—â— might thus thinke with himselfe M. Freeman and M. Gregory who would faâ—ne haue me to be a counterfeyt are they whoe haue caused me to be accuseâ— of witchâ—â—aâ—â— and they are able to take that order with M. Maior and the other Aldermen they specially ioyninge 〈…〉 matter shall 〈◊〉 stood to the truth and had neuer acknowledged any counterse 〈◊〉 for any â—â—ing man could see he had bene as certaynlye arraigned of 〈◊〉 as â—e â—as accuâ—ed and ymprisoned for the same â—â—rlands wise anâ—â—her neigâ—bours had giuen euidence against him aâ— such a lury 〈◊〉 trust caâ—â—ed out to haue gone on him as it 〈◊〉 be wold haue found 〈◊〉 guilty as well as one at the â—ame aâ—â—nes that found 〈…〉 not guilty of murmering or be 〈◊〉 to death the childe of 〈◊〉 Coâ—per 〈◊〉 to â—omers pag 200. VVhether So now were dâ—awne to say he haâ—â—â—ssembled for feare oâ— hanging as I aâ—firme or the care of hangig 〈…〉 as the Disc aâ—â—irmeth â—et the â—â—eader iudge Put the Disâ— proceedetâ— yet a little â—urther in 〈◊〉 proofe of that â—e aâ—firmeth Discouerer 〈◊〉 after that So. vpon that oâ—caâ—im and sâ—me others fell to his 〈◊〉 in them about six weeks pag 199. and did 〈◊〉 make 〈…〉 knowne â—or all that time anâ— his 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 that So. for 〈…〉 againe to 〈…〉 byâ—s of 〈◊〉 Darrell 〈…〉 only about ten daâ—es 〈…〉 which the Disc mâ—erieth the 〈◊〉 viz. that 〈…〉 fell againe to his dissimulation Discouerer Assuredly quoth the Disc this fellow through his acquaintance with sathan as it should seeme is graâ—vne to extraordinary preâ—â—np tuous bâ—uldnâ—sse pag 199. not shaming to say any thing that may serue his turne Darrell VVhether this latter parte may be truly said of himselfe and he be iudged out of his owne mouth let him that hath hearde vs both speake iudge Discouerer So. fell into his sits bâ—fore the Commissioners at Nott. vppon a former compact 〈…〉 and for fear â—shanging chiefly then affirmed that he had not dissembled This is by â—egrees made manifest vnto you Darrell But how by So. depositions which are strengthened by the depositions of others these latter I will for a season spare and wee will heare what So saith the principall deponent heere as also throughout the 2. 3. and 4. bookes of the Discouery Discouerer Concerning the first So. deposeth thus pag 200. It being knowne that I was to appeare before the Commissioners Nich Shepheard and others moued me that when I should come before them I should shew some of my trickem such manner and forme as I had before done them not rise againe vntill M. Maior should call me that thereby say they it may plainly appeare to the Commissioners that whatsoeuer thou hast done before was done of thine own accord meerely counterfeyted This counsell being agrecable to M. Maiors desire as I was informed I did willingly yeald vnto it Now for the second poynt pag 201. lett So. proceede vpon the aid agreement I appearing saith So before the Commissioners and after some speaches had with me by some of them fell downe and playd diuers of my tricks as I was accustomed to dâ—eâ—m my pretended fitts There I continued tumbling acting my tricks for a long time still expecting when M. Maior woulde call me whiâ—est I was thus tumbâ—ng two did prick me with pynnes one in the hand and an other in the legg which although I felt most sencibly yet I endured it because I still wayted that M. Maior should call â—ne but beforgetting 〈◊〉 I being no longer able to continve in that sort I did risvp my selfe as I was wont to doe in the end of other my dissembled fits Darrell VVhether there was any compâ—ct betwene the Maior and Somers it mattereth not If there were not their sin is at the dore will one day finde them out that haue so deposed If there were it came doubtlesâ—e from the 〈◊〉 of the diuell who hauing for sundry weekes beefore lurked in Somer that so he might the better rayse vp the euilâ— name of counterfeyting of the greate worke of godâ— and beinge by the appoyntment or commaundement of god as is to be supposed at this time to manifest himselfe thought tâ—eâ—â— by to helpe â—â—mselfe and perswade the world still notwithstanding this his â—â—câ—uery that So. was a counterfeyt If any demaund why should the Lord commaound the spirit to discouer himselfes I answer tâ—at at is a secret â—nly knowne to the lorde yet it may be because the Lord
then sure there was somethinge besides her laughing which so affected the women met at her aforesaide trauaile pag 323. Discouerer The authour of the Breife Narration writeth in this sorte what goodly stuffe they meaninge the Discouerer and his fellow Commissioners haue returned time and mallice will make knowne vnto vs. The stuffe such as it is vile indeed his Maistershippe may be pleased now to pervse and theirby reape some profite if he read it with no greater mallice then it was written Darrell The Narrator I dare saye was neither Prophet nor the sonne of a Prophet and yet herein he did foretel that which after cam to passe The stuffe that S. Harsnâ—t and his fellowe commissioners haue returned him selfe confesseth is vile indede and sure so it is yea as vile I am perswaded as euer was returned since England was a nation for what is that stuffe but an heape of false foolish ridiculus and absurde thinges witnessed vpon the oathes of men â—ome few depontions excepte â— But is this all that doth make this stuffe vile no hereby it is made more vile in that this vile stuffe was compassed by the cunning perswasions and threates of the commissioners men for the present and this acte in authoritie and such as â—hold rather haue done their indeuours to haue preserued then drawen the deponents to periurye But is here all no the stuffe returned and publyshed to the worlde is made more vile by the Discouerer his additions detractions and alterations being therby made farr worse then at the first it was delyuered But is this all that maketh this stuffe vile no no all this stuffe hath bene compassed and produced not against man but against the Lorde himselfe not indeede to finde out any counterfeiting and teachinge to counterfeite whereof there is no more question or doubt to be made then whether it be daye light at noone in the fayrest sun-shine daye in somer but to obscure the workes of god and to keep his people from beleuing them to be such because they were brought to passe by such as the Discouerer despisetn and hatetn and woulde fame haue al men to hate and despise And this is it that maketh this stuffe out of measure vile execrable and abominable in the sight of god and therefore ought so to be reputed of all his people Yea if we the inhabitantes of England be the lords people or inheritance as we professe we can not but so account hereof will therfore by al good meanes accordinge to our places further thire puniâ—hment and our vice Godes which are here on earth in Gods steade will take vengance of these traitors rebels against God for this vnspeakable dishonor done to him and this treason or rebellion of theires in takinge parte with sathan his enemie the God and prince of this worlde who in some extraordinary manner in risen vp against these workes of God against the Lorde himselfe 〈◊〉 Yf it be said by some in authoritie that if it may be made to appeare that these thinges are true they will not endure them but seuerely pvnnish these commissioners I in all humillitie offer to make profe of these thinges I doe not sâ—v oâ— every â—erticulaâ— because it may be somâ— witnesses will faâ—le to witnes that thâ—â— know to be true haue formerly confessed and generally of whatsoeuer I haue set downe in this my Apollogie or defence of the workes of God and of my selfe and if herein I fayle I refuse no punnishment In the meane season it is to be remembred whereof these worthy commissioners examined such as were by them deposed surely for the most parte of such thinge as might serue to proue theire foolish absurd and ridiculus cirâ—nâ—stances and to this end vsualy they deposed them concerning the speaches that I should vtter in the hearing forsooth or presence of Sâ—n. And how long before should I haue spoken theâ—e thinges 〈◊〉 a yeare yea some of them about 14. yeares then past were not here good memories that could remember the very wordes they hearde so long before speciallie the same little or nothing concerning them and being not worthy tâ—e remembring yea the iust 〈◊〉 wheâ— they were spoken In the masse oâ— depositions I thinke we scarsly haue six times thâ— worde or any 〈◊〉 this effect and that â—o perfectly as they nede not to 〈◊〉 cause so 〈◊〉 they remember or other to this effect One would thinke it had bene fitter men should haue bene examined concerning the actions of Somâ— then of my speaches and oâ— the strange and extraordinarie thinges they had seene in him 〈◊〉 happenly they had sene any as 〈…〉 commissioners did for thereby only it would be made 〈…〉 out of controuersie by the 〈◊〉 of men whether Som. 〈…〉 It is be obiected that here of they did depose such as were examined by the 12 Commissioners I answere and confesse that they did so indeed by diuers of them but the Disc hath kept back and buried all that some of them affirmed the seconde time vpon their oathes and in manner all that the rest then deposed as is made manifest by my answere to the 8. chapter of the 3. booke so that the cause is not bettered there 〈◊〉 the Disc is made the more sinâ—ull Concerninge the depositions published to the worlde vnder my name this is it we must knowe that howsoeuer for the substance of 〈◊〉 they â—e mine yet many of them as they be produced by the Disc are not mine some he hath fathered vpon me I hauing deposed 〈◊〉 thinge wheâ— I deposâ—d doubtfully with there wordes 〈…〉 or other to 〈◊〉 effect which vsually I did the Discouerer 〈…〉 seth pâ—duceth me 〈…〉 times â—geâ— mâ—â—n depoâ—â—nge dâ—â—nfully 〈…〉 as I beleiue nor yet neuer bene examined thereof others â—e hath corrupted sometimes adding sometimes omitting or keeping back that which is verâ—â—ateriaâ—â— and by this his corrupt dealinge with my depositioâ—s on the one syde and the like with the depoâ—itions of his owne depoâ—â—ts on the other syde he maketh greate shewe to the world of 〈◊〉 wâ—ere none is Now this perâ—ury he meaneth to me for why Iâ—â— but one and the Disc produceth ordinarily 3. or 4. or more deposing the contrary And are not diuers to be beleued before one I answer not alwayes and in all cases Against Paul Anaâ—â—as the higâ— preist with the Elders and sertuilus and I know not nowe man â—ewes besides witnessed before the iudgment seate an I would no doubt haue â—eposed that he was a pâ—stilent â—edow and a â—ouer of sedition the coÌ„trary only Paul a pore prisoner affirmed yet the truth was with this sole man 〈…〉 Euen â—o it may be and I would be sorrie it were not in this our present case And here it is not to be forgotten that my selfe being first deposed S. Harsnet weâ—t down with his commission after his intergatories being framed according to the things I had formerlie deposed and there endeuoured
as I houlde all eiection performed by them to be miraculous and yet houlde that it is no myracle when Sathan is expelled by prayer and fasting he shoulde conuince mee otherwise he doth but tryfle and abuse his Reader in causing him to spend his houres in such vayne ydle and vnprofitable discourse as concerneth nothinge the matter in question neyther toucheth his aduersary any thing at all Hee procedeth There is a place saith hee in the last of S. Mark wherein they mightely please themselues and taking it as a rod of defence to mayntayne their cause it proues in handling a serpent that deuoureth them vp the wordes are these These signes shall followe them that beleue in my name they shall cast out dyuells and shall speake with newe tounges c. This is a meere slaunder for it is as farre from mee and euer was from alleadging this scripture in my defence as it is from takinge vpon me to worke myracles and I will as soone doe the one as the other Howe this scripture is to be vnderstood of svch as had the myraculous faith I haue shewed before against Thyreus and the papists peruerting it to their disposiessinge of diuels and that it cannot be vnderstood of all beleuers as he expoundeth it But to procede In steede of the author his name wee haue in the end of the Epistle these twoo letters S. H. so that men may onely gesse who hath made the discouerie VVere the truth on the discouerers side he woulde sure in playne and full letters haue sett to his nam withont staggeringe and thereby intimated thus much Looke what I haue sayd of counterfeytinge and by Darrell or any other I such a one am ready to iustifie the same but the discouerer beinge priuie to his owne false and corrupt dealinge and fearinge least that woulde be descryed and come one day to light thought it wisdome to conceale his name who can tell also how the christian magistrat will take this when he shall perceiue how greatly God is dishonored hereby and see the intollerable iniurie that is done first and chiefely to the Lord himself who hath wrought these greate workes and to whom greate glory and prayse is due for the same secondly to those whom God amonge others hath vsed herein and those vpon whom these workes were wrought takinge away the good name both of all those and of others that I could name as mnch as in him lyeth besiâ—es the greuious and causelesse molestation of many subiects in the land and the wrong doune to them both in their substance and good name In this respect also there is cause why the Discouerer shoulde sett downe two letters rather then his name for it is good pollicy to preuent a mischief and cast for the worst There is no doubt but that S. H. stand for Samuell Harsnet chap line to the Bishop of London but whither he alone or his lord hee haue discouered this counterfeyting and cosonage there is the question Some thinke the booke to be the Bishops owne doing and many thinke it to be the ioynt worke of them both Of Harsnet I think men doubt not consideringe the two first letters of his name be subscribed As touchinge his Lord and maister it is probable seeing the booke is commonly called the Bishop of Londons booke that all or part of it was made by an high Commissioner such as the Bishop is as appeareth by these words The author of the breif narration to drawe VS peraduenture from dealing with M. Darrell pag. 14. nowe other Commissioner in no reason can it possibly be For the Bishop of London it is that hath deposed and examyned I know not how many and that is acquainted with euery quirk and corner of this cause that hath managed this matter that hath perswaded not only the rest of the high Comissioners but the whole land also as much as in him lyeth that all is but counterfeyting and knauery but how truly he and his chapline say so and what reward they both deserue at the hands of god and men for all the greate paines they haue taken in this behalfe dooth partly appeare by the premisses and will I trust more fully be made manifest by that which followeth THE FIRST BOOKE THE 1. CHAPTER The nomber of such persons as are said to haue bene dispossessed by M. Darrels meanes M. Darrell growing into some smal credit with the simpler sort pag. â— became very peart proud Somthing to this purpose he confesseth some thought that I did glory somwhat tomuch in the action of casting forth diuels pag. 3. And a little after There are added in the end of the history of the boy of Burton thes words uiz shortly you shall hane the true story come forth of those 7. in Lancashire that were possessed with vncleane spirits and all seauen deliuered at one time by this man meaning M. Darrell as he himself confesseth Hereby the Descouerer laboreth to perswade the worlde that I did glory in the casting out of diuels as is playne by these words what M. Darrell tooke vppon him after this his second exployt it may be surmy sed by glorying in the first To the first of these I answere that I haue not altogither so deposed as appeareth by page 277. of the Discouery But admit it were so and that some haue so thought of me as is sayde yet it followeth not theirvpon that I gloryed c. for many haue mise conceaued the sbeaches actions of men when Eliab Dauids eldest brother heard the words of Dauid concernninge the killinge of Goliah he theirvpon thought and said vnto him that he was com downe to se the battle of pride and the mallice of his hearte and yet it was nothinge so How oft did Iosephs brethren conceaue amisse of his speaches and actions To the second I answer that beinge examined by the B. of L. vpon my oath whither I thought that by these wordes this man with the rest were ment my selfe I answered affirmatiuely And it being playne that he did meane me for who els had to doe with Darling the 7 in Lancashire how could I answer otherwis without periuery These words also we must remember are not mine but the printers as I tould the Byshop at my examynation at the same time condemed them greatly both which the Discouerer I warrant you concealeth how then doe they or my answer vnto them argue my glorying in the actioÌ„ of casting forth de uels Let the Discouerer fram his argumeÌ„t it may be he wil be ashamed of it Moreouer were it that I did glory somwhat toomuch herein the same maketh not against the cause but argueth only my corruption Darrell being sent for into Lancashire by one M. Starchy dispossessed in the said M. pag. 2. Starchyes house seauen persons at one clap viz Iohn Starchye Margaret Hardman pag. 323. Elianor Hardman Ellen Holland Margaret Byrom and Iane Ashton And in the
rest To which purpose he proceedeth to the dispossession of Margares Byrom and the siges thereof wherein he dealeth more playnlie and lesse corruptly I meane especially in that he telleth in the argument from whence 〈◊〉 had the same not from M. Mores deposiuons mine but from the history of the 7. in Lancashire Margaret Byrom saide that at her reuertingâ— after shee had lyen as dead half 〈…〉 her belly towards her brest 〈…〉 thence to her throat c. as followeth the history before It leâ—t behinde it said â—heea 〈◊〉 throat and a filthy 〈◊〉 that a weeke after her meate was vnsauâ—ry Heere wee haue the Iesuite stinche And besides the must infallable mate amongâ—e I. 〈…〉 dipossâ—ssiâ—â— viz. â—ying for dead is heere confuted for this party was 〈…〉 was gone This obiection ariseth onlye of the misplacinge of one worde which the writer of this story M. Dickâ—n 〈…〉 which being placed in his right place the obiection is eaâ—â—y an 〈◊〉 for wheras it is thus set downe This word 〈…〉 â—etto M. 〈…〉 a that at her 〈◊〉 after shee had lyen as dead 〈…〉 c. it shoulde haue bene thus Margaret Byronsay 〈…〉 had lye as dead 〈◊〉 an houre that she felt the spirit come vp c. neither can the firste in any sence or reason be Byron as they must needes it we take the wordes as they are 〈…〉 reported for she knew not how long â—he lay dead no more then a deade body But very 〈◊〉 they belong to the writer of 〈◊〉 as appeareth by the right placing of the word that From Margaret Byroâ—â— he proceedeth to the 〈…〉 and out of the Lancashiâ—â— story setteth downe at large the seuerall thapes that the euill spirits as it shoulde seeme caused presently vpon their egresse from them and presented themselues into theire eyes as if they had gone forâ—â— of them indued with such bodyes and there-vpon plaâ—eth vppon Darlynges mâ—â—wse And all this to make their dispossession odiouâ— or ridiculous if he could whereas indeede it confâ—ometh the same But he saith neuer a word of their most extrame torments for renting sore their cryinge 〈◊〉 their lying all 〈◊〉 they had bene starke deaâ—e which in the 〈…〉 downe with their seuerall circumstaunces Theâ—e thinges he thougt good to omitt 〈…〉 all the signes of dispossession and therein the dispossession of oâ—r Demnia â—k◠〈…〉 confirmed by the signes thereof hee 〈…〉 they may shewe them and yet not 〈…〉 〈◊〉 cap. 〈◊〉 sect 4. I answer 〈◊〉 and graunte that 〈…〉 as the putting out of a câ—â— die the breaking of a quarry in the glasse-windowe and such like ridiculous signes it is most true the signes also which of their owne accord they giue as the sensible and viâ—â—â— as I may say going out in such 〈◊〉 as we heare vomiting c. I doubt not but they may at theire luntâ—â— pleasure omitt but that they may shew them and keepe their possession especially the signes mentioned in the gospell as the â—esuite will haue it and that also after the meanes is vsed arigâ—â—t which god â—â—ath orâ—e neâ— for the casting out of diuells I deny â—or it cannot be that god will suffer the spirites thus to delude mock his people which shall be heereabouts occupied in faith and obedience to his owne ordinance wherein as the wicked spirits would delight exceedingly thus I meane to diâ—â—emble an egresse in handling the persons possessed in such manner as some times they did when they wente out of men and especially at the time we speake of so woulde they vse the same full often yea I trust if it were so left to then pleasure and that the diuells were not in this case ouer ruled brydled by that ouer allrusig had of god all England shold haue heard of it before this Againe were it thus that the spirits might giue these signs tarrie in men or that the spirits might omitt all the signes metioed in the scripture wheÌ„ they goe forth of men we could not know that the possessed were dispossessed as hath bene shewed but must needes stand in doubt therof at least for a time that time wherin we are affected with the works of god it euer whereby it would come to paste that when this wonderfull worke of god sholde at any time be wrought the lord should neither be hattely praysed for the same and receaue that glory that otherwise would be giuen him nor man receaue sound profit therby And it is a wonderfull thing to consider how ready the papists are to affirme that their Exorcisâ—s can doe compell the spirits to giue such signes as they pleaseof their departure and neuer once thinke of gods compellinge them to giue the signes mentioned in his word at their egresse for the aâ—s surance of his people that they are gone out who without the same cannot possible knowe 〈◊〉 much nor of his restrayning them to shewe the said signes wheÌ„ yet they remaine within them OF CHAP. 10. Of M. Dar. and M. Mâ—res conceit that Sathan being cast out of one doth presently after seeke to repâ—ssâ—ss him M. Darrell like a kinde 〈…〉 with the dispossâ—sion of any pag. 53 but for 〈◊〉 Care therein he may be thought to haued 〈◊〉 â—â—mmendation For his perswasion to such 〈…〉 that they should vse all diligence and circumpâ—â—lim that sathan did not againe reenter in to 〈◊〉 Thâ—â— his perswation hath eur bene drawne from a position which he 〈…〉 that Sathan beinge expelled out of man doth seeke prsently after to reenter into him againe pag â— and that it is commonly a very hâ—rd matter to withstand him by reason of his subtâ—tly alluiâ—ng 〈◊〉 by promiseâ— and terrifying of them by threatnings And a little 〈…〉 in the scriptures 〈…〉 saith Christ math 1â—43 is 〈…〉 from where I came and when he is come he 〈…〉 Then he goeth taketh vnto then 〈…〉 and they enter in and dwell there and the end of that man is wisse then the begning Euen so shall all it be with this generation This place of scripture is indeede metapharicall as appeareth by theâ—e wordes euen so it shall be with this wicked generaâ—â— and is vsed by our Sauiour to illustrate and plainly set forth the miserable future estate of the Iewes if they continued in their sinns The metaphore is this As it is with a man which hath an vncleane spirit cast out of him if notwithstandinge that great mercy of god receyued he continue in or returne to his former sinnes whereby it coÌ„e to passe that the diuell returning and seeking to enter into him again doe indeede enter in which he certainly will if he finde his old guest such and that with seauen other spirits worse then himselfe the end of that man shall be worse then his begining miserable therefore and fearefull euen so shall it be with this people of the Iewes who being in their bloud and filthynes Exodus 1925. Deut. 32
that there was no possibillity of coâ—nterfeytinge The end of the second Book THE THIRDE BOOKE OF CHAP. 1. How Somers confessed his dissimulation at S. Ioanes in Nottingham as soone as he was out of M. Dar. disposition Discouerer Concerning the occasion of So. pag 1â—7 remouing from his father in lawes hous to S. Ioanes in Nott. a place where the poore are sett to worke Iohn Cooper the keeper there deposeth thus Being oftâ—ntimes with So. in his fits dilligently behoulding the course of his carriage in them I grew very suspitious that he did but dissemble and there vppon was well content to haue the tuition of him to make tryall of the matter the rather for that the boyes kepers and frendes that were about him were willing to pleasâ— him in all his humors Darrell The true occasion or rather cause of Somers remouing was neyther the former whereof I haue spoken nor yet this latter here mentioned but first and chiefly the mallice of M. Freeman Alderman because his kinswoman Allice Freeman was by So. detected for a witch which could not stay it selfe in accusing So. vniustlly of witchcraft imprisoning him after vppon bayle byndinge him ouer to answer it at the Assises but proceeded neuer gaue ouer vntill So. confessed that he had counterfeyted he hoping therby as it should seme to recouer the good name of his kinswoman and partly to disgrace and so consequently to be reuenged of me whome in regarde of that discouery and the counterfeyting he then strove for and I gaynsaid he hared extreamely so as at the length he could not indure to come to the â—hurch when I exercised my ministery 2. the mallice of M. Gregory the towne clarke a popish mate against the work of god that is the dispossession of Somers and this because of his religion being in hart a papist as is playn in that for the space of eleuen yeares before he had not receaued the lordes supper Now the papists their adherents albeit the learneder sorte of them doe acknowledge a reall possession and dispossession of Sathan in and out of the bodyes of men cannot yet in patience indure that any such worke should be wrought in our church and by our ministery by fasting and prayer performed bâ— vs. This forsooth theâ— will haue peculiar to their own synagogue tâ— their own portusse to their owne Te rogamus muÌ„bled prayers processions coniuâ—ings ceremonyes as else-wher hath bene manifestly shewed To these came M. Morey an Alderman one also reputed to be vmound and popish these three did draw with them M. Hart Alderman and M. Clarke then Maior a man very easy because of his simplicity to be â—â—ulled which 5. assembled in the towne hall sent for me signifying vnto me that they purposed to take So. and comit him to the custody of two honnest men because they suspected him to counterfeyt which accordingly they did 3 dayes after saue that the men tâ—ey prouided to be So. keepers namely Iohn Cooper Nich. Shepherd were scarsely honnest and of good name as we shall heare hereafter Discouerer The day after that So. Pag 178. came to S. Ioanes he did counterfeyt himselfe saith Nicholas Shepherd to be in a fit because as I think certain weâ— men were come thither vnto him to see him who did greatly bemoaâ—e him where vppon I remouing the said weomen from him tould him whilest hee was in his tricks and in Iohn Coopers presâ—nce that if he would not leaue rise vp I would set such a payre of kâ—p-knaps vpon him as should make hiÌ„ to rue it there vpon So. did presently rise and left his said tricks had no more fits whilest he continued there being the space almost of a monneth The next day I falling into some better acquaintance with him be vppon my promise that I would be his frend and procure him fauour from M. Maeior his brethren did confesse vnto me that all he had done in the course of his former tricks were but counterfeyted and said that when I woulde I should see all his said tricks and how he did them The same day I tould Iohn Cooper what So. had confessed vnto me and willed him that when they were in bed togither he should talke with him thereof sayinge that I verily thought he would confesse all vnto him at large And accordingly it fell out For as Iohn Cooper hath deposed So. tould him that all the tricks he had done in his said possession and repossession were all of them counterfeyted Darrell It is very true that is said here of a fit that So. had before certaine weomen and is as true that the same day or day before he had an other in the garden before M. Freeman and some other vpon the sight whereof because of his greuous beating of himself with his face groueling and tongue thrust into the moulds wallowing foming he the said M. Freeman affirmed that he had the falling sicknesse and this was presently bruited throughout Nottingham If So. were weary of his relapse or pretending to be repossâ—ssed that is of counterfeyting said vnto Cooper pag 152. 178. that his desire was to be at S. Ioanes and that so at the lâ—ngth he might be quiet anâ— giue ouer his counterfeyting as is said in this very page and in the leaâ—e before why did he fall to the doinge of his tricks againe after he was at S. Ioanes It is absurd to say that he did thus because the weomen did bemone him for the weomen being remoued or as Cooper deposeth page 193. put â—ut of the house and so departed he was stâ—ll at his tricks It cannot therefore be that he did at this time his tricks because of the â—eomen neither becaus be thought men tooke some pleasure to behold him and for that cause himself in the aâ—tiâ—ge of them Neither can it be that Shepheard and Cooper did threaeÌ„ him that the weomeÌ„ or any other might see that they could make him leaue his tricks and all his knauery seeinge the weomen were gone home and they two alone with Som. in his fit when they did threaten him Moreouor it is confessed that So. at Sâ—m Ioanes in a fit being threatned by Coâ—per to be whipped and by Shepheard to be pinched with a paire of knipknaps pag. 19â— See then good reader 〈◊〉 this Disâ—o crosieth entangleth himselfe for yf this â—â—pposed countâ—rfeyt did giue oueâ— his trickes for thâ—eates oâ—feare how then did he grow we arâ— of them or did voluntaâ—â—ly reuâ—e himselfe to be quiet did therevpon presently leaue his tricks and had no more fits whilest he was at S. Ioanes It cannot therefore be that So. left his counterfâ—yting because he grew a weary thereof and did of himselfe goe to S. Ioanes to be a quyet and that he confessed somuch to Cooper before he came to S. Ioanes as the Disc affirmeth page 152. and 178. And this is the 11. time the
Discouerer is conuinced by his Discouery VVe are besides to obserue heere first that this confession of counterfeyting was got by one Nich. Shepheard and Iohn Cooper two very dissolute and infamous men I remember in a certificate made by one of Nott. to the Arch-bishop of York wherevnto many of the chief of Nott. subscribed there were these wordes vsed concerninge these honest men that tâ—ey were two o and yet 〈◊〉 good â—uough against Darrell rakâ—shames the better of them hauing bene twise o araigned 2. that these were fit instrumentes for Sathan to worke by 3. that Som. confession of counterfeytinge was not voluntary but extorted by threats compassed Discouerer The 26. of February being Sonday So. was desirâ—us to goe to the church and I tould him that if he should so doe then fall againe to one of his ould tricks pag. 193. the people would be much troubled Wherevpon quoth So you know what I haue confessed vnto â—ou and I will giue you my hande and doe promise you â—aithfully that I will not then fall into any sit And so I went to the church with him both in the forâ—noone and in the afternoone he kept his promise with me Nâ—c Sheppearde pag 207. Darrell By this deposition of Shâ—â—hâ—ards it is playne that â—otwithstanding Sâ—m câ—nâ—ession and shew of câ—unterâ—eâ—tinge â—ettle deponent did not hastily beleue him but made 〈…〉 at least at his counterfeyting or else why should 〈◊〉 vse thâ—se such like words if â—â—u should â—all 〈…〉 wold be much trâ—ubled c. hence also it was that both 〈…〉 all the time he was at S. Ioanes were euer both or one of them at his elbow giuing their diligent attendance vppon this counterfeyt where soeuer he was in church or else-where as is well knowne to the inhabitants of Nott. In that likewise the Maior with the Aldermen aforesaid and Gregory hired this couple of honnest men and gaue them their wages to wayt at an inch vppon Somers and that not only vntill he had confessed he counterfeyted but after also for the space of a moneth all one as if he had denyed that he dissembled and stood to the truth present possession in which state whosoeuer is it is verye requisite he haue a keeper or keepers because of the danger he is in to be destroyed by the diuell it argueth that they also doubted he was no counterfeyt notwithstanding his confession suspectinge the truth thereof OF CHAP. 2. How M. Darrell dealt with So. for the reuocation of his saide confession that he had dissembled Discouerer M. Dar. pag 185. pag 186. was charged by her Matesties Commissioners to haue sought many wayes to haue withdrawn So. from his said confâ—ssion haue sluck vnto it that he was possessed And againe when M. Dar. perceaued that So. by no pryuate meanes that he could vse would be drawne c. Darrell Here is a whole chapter consumed and many words vsed about iust nothing I once and only once vsed a few wordes to So. whyles he remayned at S. Iones and that in the presence of the Maior som others reprouing him of the haynous sinne he had committed and the great scandall he had giuen in affirming that he counterfeited his own conscience accusing â—im thereof neither is any more â—eposed against me And what herein did I ill beeseeming me or that I ought not and in duty was bound to doe I confessed being examyned that So. in saying he had in the whole course of his former fits dissâ—mbled lyed therein greuously against his owne câ—nscience pag 186. to the dâ—shonor of god and lurt of his church Therevpon saith the Discouerer Consider the gentle zeale of benefiting the church by his faculty and skill in casting out diuells My meâ—ning â—as that the people of god beleeuing and meditating of the worke of god wrought vpon Somers woulde no doubt receaue thereby great profit wherof many though not all through this lye of his and cursed confession of counterfevting are depriued anâ— not only so but thereby drawne to receaue a false report and euil naÌ„e against the worke of god and by consequent against the Lorde himselfe and to iustify the wicked which is an abomynation before â—he lord And this tendeth to the dishonour of god and hurt of his church 〈◊〉 people OF CHAP. 3. Hâ—w M. Dar. deuised two or three shifts to haue auoyded So. confession that he had dissâ—mbled Discouerer Being examyned I confessed pag 187. that I had said at sometimes that So. affirming that he counterfeyted was a confirmation that he was repossessed Darrell Mâ— reason is math 12. 42. because the same inioyned with his obstinacy is 〈◊〉 certaine argument that he is empty swept and garnished and therefore if he were possessed and dispossessed he is repossessed Discouerer M. Dar. pâ—g 188. breathed out his second oracle which is my second shift to auoyd So. confession saying that it was no maruaile though he coulde the his sits considering that he had more deuills in him then before Hereof M. Dar hath not bene examyned because it was one of the interogatoryes whervnto he refused to answer For true it is that after that he had bene examyned diuerâ— times about this matter he found himselfe so perplexed as that he refused to be any further examyned saying that his conscience was troubled in that he had answered somuch already wherein he is not greatlye to be be blamed For although a lyar must haue a good memory yet by many crosse questions he may be taken short as it hath happened to him in many particulers Darrell Heerein appeareth manifestly the mallice craft and peruerse wrestinge of this Discouerer For as I knewe not what the interrogatoryes were I refused to answer vnto so did I not therefore refuse becaus I was taken short as he would haue it or for that I was not able sufficiently to answer them neither I thanke god was I therefore in my self perplexed or my conscience troubled but for that hauing yealded to somuch before as men with any modesty or conscience could require at my hands yea to more and hauing answered already to no lesse I thinke then to 190. or 200. interrogatoryes I perceaued euidently by lamen table experience thaâ— my said answering albeit it were by oath did not at all helpe to purge or cleare me as an innocent and to put an ende to the controuersy wherevnto the Lord hath sanctifyed an oth and which was the thing I expected and hoped for â—ea that this was not the scope and drift of this my examynation and multitude of Interrogatorâ—es howsoeuer the B. of London did so pretend but to entrap me cunningly if happely they could to make me my owne appeacher and accvser when they were wholly dectitute of other me aues to prove that which they did so eagerly and earnestly stryue to boult out against me namely this counterfeiting as now is manifest to all men a thing
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
by tareats and other wise to drawe many of those which came before him and his fellowâ— commissioners to depose the contrary to that I had formerly deposed that so he might make me â—atfull to the world because I was for sooth so notorious a periured person to the great greife alas of the poore soules and trouble of theire consciences the most of them not so much deposinge willingly that which they knew to be true as what the Disc against their willes would haue them to depose perswaded to be true saying I trust Darrell himselfe hath confessed it vpon his oath c. when I had deposed otherwise and that the same wâ—re false as my selfe doe assuredly knowe and am able and offer to make direct profe theirof by some of there depositions and of many of them could by the power of reason shew the same and would but for breuitie sake The Disc telleth vs that the reader shall reape some profit by his Discouerer if heread it with no greater mallice then it was written The profit is in stead of glorifiyng God for the greate workes he hath wrought and making that right and holy vse of his works wherof at large we haue heard elswhere to receiue an evill name false and vile report of the same and to iustifie the wicked and condemne the righteous which is an abomination before the Lord. And looke what reward is due to him that sendeth forth such cursed fruite that may the Discouerer expecte and in iustice is to receiue at the handes of the christian Magistrate for all the paynes he hath taken For doth not nature it selfe teach vs that the labourer is worthy of his hire and reason this that the hire or reward should be proportionable to the labour or paynes man taketh VVhether this corrupt and worse then rotten stuffe and whether S. H. Discouery detected now I trust to be a very sinfull shamfull slaunderous and lying treatise came from charitie as the Discouerer preteÌ„deth or from mallice which he denieth as it belongeth to god the searcher of the hartes to iudge so it is no hard thinge for man to coniecture For as out of the abundance of the hart the mouth speaketh so the hand writeth Howbeit peraduenture when he hath better considered the contentes of this treatise Discouerer pag 3â—4 he wil not be so peremtorie Otherwisâ— he hath here matter sufficient to shew his skill in for the iustification of it Darrell As in these wordes the Discouerer very valiantly challengeth the Narrator so pag 58. doth he challeng me likwise saying after his scoffinge manner that I will peradventure be better prouided hereafter and that it were convenieÌ„t also that I furnished my selfe with some better profs This chalenge considered there is smale cause why any should be offended with me for answering the Discouerie and producing the best proofes I haue for the prouinge that William Somerâ— the 7. in Laâ—â—cashire Thomas Darling and Katherine Wright were indeed possessed with deuils and dispossessed of them and did not counterfeit the same as is vntruly affirmed by the Discouerer some others And if it be so that here in I haue deliuered the truth as I trust it is manifest by this and my other treatise me thinketh no christian should be displeased therwith but rather reioyce in this publishing manifestation of these workes of god and remouing of the blocke that lyeth im the way hindering the Lordes people from magnifiyng of him for them and profitinge by them Can the child of God be offended with that which tendeth to the prayse and glorie of God his father or the louer of the truth with the contendinge for the truth and conviction of the falshood Haue I committed any thinge herein but that which in dewtie I did owe vnto God and could not without sinne haue left vnperformed The Prophet Ieremiah complayneth that the people in his time had no courage for the truth Ier. 9. â— Had not I bene guiltie of this sinne and had not this reprofe reached it selfe to me if base and vile man publiklye defacing the truth and workes of God I should not as publikly haue maintayned the same and shewed some courage for the truth beinge a principall witnes of these workes and called also to suffer for them If S. H. had published a slaunderous and reprochfull booke against me meerly concerning my owne person and not against the Lord also as this his Discouery concerning my teaching to counterfeit is pro. 22 1. I could haue bene contented in silence to haue passed by it and yet a good name is a pretious thinge aboue siluer and gould and such as one would be loth to lose or suffer to be taken from him but to see S. H. slaunder and bringe vp an euill name of the workes of God and spread the same farr and neare and for feare of punishment or desire of libertie or other carnall respect not to gaynsay S. H. and to iustifie the works of God against him and all gainsayers was apoynt of great cowardlines and ill beseeminge the souldier of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2. 3. Râ—n 21. 8. and indeed to feare man more then God Such fearefull ones shall haue their parte in the take which burneth with fire and brimston which is the second death The scope and drift of all that hath bene saide concerninge both the cause and my selfe is that the mouthes of all men being stopped and the worke of God beinge acknowledged The Lord may haue his glorie and prayse and man receiue his profite theirby Secondly that mine owne innocency and fellow prisonners appearinge we may not only being restored to our ministerie and people obtayne libertie for our bodyes but also for our tongues they which haue caused all this sturr in our church and vniust molestations vnto vs and in vs beinge ministers to the câ—ngregations we â—elâ—erge and â—aysed vp this vile slaunder of the great and rare worke of God and free sâ—eated to vphold and maintaine it beinge on foot and theirin sought against God and his glorie and the good of his people may be inquired iâ—â—uired after and being found out delt with as the enimies of God 〈◊〉 church and receiue theire â—uâ—t recompence or rewarde The â—â—â—dnes of 〈◊〉 cause the inâ—onerable inâ—urâ—e done to vs the seruants an◠〈◊〉 of the Lord of 〈◊〉 cry a â—ouâ— and shirâ— vnto the 〈◊〉 of men 〈◊〉 meane the honorable and in niâ—â— place and 〈◊〉 for a â—peaâ—â— execution theirof 〈◊〉 â—â—wes and of our land and the authoritie when â—rom her most excellent Maâ—estie is deriued to 〈…〉 trust memâ—e and most 〈◊〉 supâ—â— our 〈◊〉 Gods â—s that they would â—ender the cause 〈…〉 zeaâ—ous if euer ye Princes â—ud 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 nor Gods cause to be thâ—s 〈…〉 or menâ— Remember and forget not thus â—aying 〈…〉 I will 〈◊〉 they 〈…〉 〈…〉 then you our 〈◊〉 and honorable perâ—◠〈…〉 〈◊〉 right honorable indeed be you careâ—ull