taken with extream cold which usually settleth in this part are seemingly speechless or at least speak with little or low voice so this boy being more vehemently afflicted under so sad a cold planet could not speak at all And likewise he seemed to be foolish for there was a great cold defect in the brain and head so well as in the Vvula Now having by the Rules of Art discovered the cause so well as the distemper it self the friends of this boy and my self agreed upon a price for the cure which I performed in less then a months space The cure was effected as followeth having in the first place by the rules hereafter mentioned endeavoured to afflict the Witch that so she might be discouraged to act any further in her mischief I used herbs antipathetical unto the afflicting planet being Saturn viz. Herbs under the dominion of the Sun and Jupiter according unto their numbers and virtues being gathered at their right planetary hours three of which hetbs being under the domion of the â—un I caused him to wear about his neck it being in virtue answerable unto gold and a number which properly belongeth unto the Sun as I have shewed elsewhere and as gold is a metal under the dominion of the Sun and hath a virtue to withstand all kinds of evils and to comfort the heart arteries and vital spirits so likewise hath these herbs under his dominion the like properties as also the ruby amongst stones Generally all those pains aches distempers or afflictions which are caused by Witchcraft are called Evils and sometimes these kinds of Evils will turn into white kernels swellings proceeding from some extraordinary distemper in the nerves as I have elsewhere expressed and then it s usually called the Kings Evil. Having collected my herbs together according unto their numbers and virtues being under the dominion of the Sun and Jupiter as aforesaid and caused a mixture then out of these herbs we usually make diet drinks ointments and suffumigations of the diet drink I gave him three times a day viz. Morning afternoon and night also every morning we usually give them water-grewel made with some of those herbs about an hour after they have taken the diet drink by which means through Gods blessing the boy within a month was cured and hath so continued ever since I believe it will be a warning unto him how to meddle with such Creatures in a morning without prayer I shall relate one passage which happened between the Boys Unkle and my self as followeth The month being expired wihich was the time set for the Boys cure he came to see whether the Boy could speak or no whereupon I called in the boy and bad him speak to his unckle which he did desiring to know how all his friends did whereupon his Unkle seemed to be much troubled and sad for as he told me afterwards he did verily believe that I had infused a spirit into the boy to make him speak and his reason was because the Doctors and others who had undertaken to help him but could not said he would never be cured as they verily believed by any man whatsoever whereupon the boys Unkle desired me to keep him somewhat longer and then he would come and bring money for the cure The reason why he brought no money with him was because he did not believe I could help him and he made his bargain so that if I did not cure the boy I was to have nought for my charge and pains And about a week after he came privately to my Servants desiring to speak with the boy which he did and then but not before he was satisfied for the boy could both pray and readily give answers unto questions After which about a week following he came again with one of his Neighbours who both heard the boy speak and pray again and was fully satisfied paying me what we had agreed upon for the cure It seems they were not onely disheartened by Physitians but also hearing that I did many times set figures concerning Nativities thefts strays and fugitives c. As though I had wrought the cure by unlawful means But before we parted I gave them both such ample satisfaction that they went away well contented and satisfied being joyful that it was their good hap to come unto me Now whether this Boy was by this woman bewitched or whether it pleased God to lay such an affliction upon the Boy It may be a question worthy of answer unto which I shall briefly reply in point of art That in regard the only afflicting planet was Lord of the twelfth and an evil planet I did conclude that the infirmity might proceed from fascination or witchcraft but not without Gods permission for as I have elsewhere declared if we neglect daily prayers we lie lyable unto the assaults of Sathan and his Instruments for the time being especially in our bodies For our Saviour Jesus Christ taught us to pray daily not only for bread but also to deliver us from evil wherein if we fail the fault is ours How to make the Sympathetical Powder with the way to apply the same for the curing of wounds and sundry distempers Especially such which any way concern the blood or vital spirits TAke of Roman vitriol six or eight ounces beat it very small in a morter then search it through a fine search do it when the Sun enters Leo which is about the twelfth of July then spread it finely upon an earthen glased pan set it daily in the heat of the Sun during forty days and keep it warm at night and be careful it takes no wet or cold afterwards you must continually keep it dry with this powder alone kept dry and warm great cures may be done I shall instance one Example A Brother of mine living in Southcote near Reading in the time of the late war had a Mastiffe Dog shot into the neck and head with a brace of bullets The dog being very much swell'd lay pining away and was in appearance near unto death A Gent. who came by accident having some of this powder in his pocket was desirous to make some tryal thereof upon this Dog whereupon with a linnen cloth we took some of the corruption which was about his neck and immediately applyed a small quantity of the powder unto it keeping it very warm whereupon presently the Dog revived stood up and wagged his tail then presently for further tryal we laid the powder with the corruption to the air and then the Dog fell down as dead again shivering and then immediately we closed it up again and ever afterwards kept it warm and the Dog in a short time recovered The Way to apply this Powder for the curing of distempers and infirmities especially such wherein the Blood and vital Spirits are concerned VVHen you are minded to cure any disease or infirmity you must by the help of this Book take notice what herbs are good to be used to cure
when by sympathy it shall reflect upon the man or beast whom they intend to hurt or destroy it being done by thorn pin or needle prickt into that part of the image which answereth unto that part of the body of man or beast wherein they are pained or grieved An Example hereof I have already mentioned concerning the Woman lately taken at the Devises in Wiltshire But that which I conceive is the most usual way practised by Witches is most properly called Sorcery For by the help of the Devil some poysonous matter is prepared and mixt with some blood and vital spirit of the Witch and so by smell or taste infused into the body of man or beast bewitched or rather by which they are infected For its observable in Philosophy Si acceperis terram cadaverosam cujuscunque viri mulierisve qui notabili quocunque morbo moriebatur eandemque des ullo masculo aut foeminae eodem morbo contaminabuntur in morbis aliquibus odore tantùm hoc efficitur Exempla gratia in peste Lue Venereae seu morbo Gallico Elephantiasi sive Lepra Those who are thus wrought upon by sorcery may be infected with most kinds of diseases whatsoever As I have sufficiently discovered in my Practice of Physick Besides I have known many things which through sorcery have been so infected and spoiled as instance bear cream and milk whey and such like that neither Housewife or Dairy Maid could make any good use thereof I shall relate one Example hereof when I was a Boy my Father kept a Dairy at a place called Shenfield near Reading and one of my Sisters had the charge thereof upon a time my Father desired her to make some wilde curds and to send them home which she did endeavour to do but could make none The reason was as she conceived because an Old woman suspected for a witch was at that time denyed whey who went muttering away discontented The next day my Father came with one of his Brothers named John Blagrave a man of great knowledge in Astrology and Philosophy as appears by his many works in print Now my Father askt her why she sent him no curds she told him she could make none notwithstanding she had used her best skill and related what is aforesaid concerning the Woman suspected Now my Fathers Brother aforesaid being desirous to make further tryal hereof went into the House and caused the whey to be hung over the fire again which no sooner was done but presently it rumbled and made a noise as if many bullets had been in it whereupon he caused the Kettle and whey to be taken from the fire and caused a greater fire to be made He also called for a cord and an iron wedge he took the cord and bound the Kettle round about and wrested it very hard and then caused the Kettle with whey to be set over the fire again and having heat the wedge red hot put him into the whey and immediately there was abundance of curds rose up after which my Unckle sent a messenger to the suspected Witches house to know how she did who brought word that after much knocking at length she opened the door where he found the Witch or suspected person shrunk up like a purse or leather put into the fire By which it appeareth that part of the vital spirit of the Witch was infused into the whey for otherwise it could not have wrought so violently upon her for should the poysonous matter or thing be given or used alone without some blood or vital spirit of the Witch mingled with it the burning of the patients blood or urin would not hurt them or the putting this red hot wedg into the whey could no way have afflicted her which it did by Sympathy as appeared by her body being shrunk up as aforesaid The true way to Cure both Witchcraft and Sorcery according unto the Authors experience and Practice THe curing of such who are bewitched is not done only by such who are called white Witches as many foolish do imagine for the white Witch and the black Witch are all one as I have elsewhere expressed they are but confederate Witches the one Witch by thorn pin or needle pricks into the Image through the subtilty of the Devil causeth the infirmity pain or lameness the other Witch giveth forth that she can cure and so when the friends of the bewitched cometh unto the white Witch or cunning woman they divide the gain and the cure is quickly done it s but pulling forth the thorn pin or needle and the Patient is cured and I have been credibly informed by some who have gon to these cunning women or white Witches that their Cattle or the Patient afflicted have been perfectly well before they have gotten home but as I have already declared after either man or beast have been bewitched above moneth they cannot cure them especially if the pain continue in one place all that time but sometimes they will move the thorn pin or needle into some other part of the body that so they may have remedy when they come unto them for after the pain or infirmity have been of above a moneth standing the grief will get into the flesh blood and vital parts and then the pulling forth of the thorn and the rest will do the Patient but little good and cannot possibly help them wherefore in this condition the Patients friends must of necessity repair unto such who are well skilled in Astrological and Philosophical way of cure as I shall declare in order hereunto but before we proceed unto the way of cure it will be necessary to shew how to afflict the Witch that so she may be discouraged to act any further in her mischief for notwithstanding their witchcraft by image as aforesaid yet I seldom find especially where the Patient hath been above a moneth bewitched but that Sorcery is wrought so well as Witchcraft upon the Patient and sometimes immediately together with the Witchcraft especially where there are no confederate Witches for the white Witches cannot help where Sorcery hath been wrought upon the Patient by reason it breaketh forth immediately into some Poysonous or infectious inward grief or infirmity which can no way be cured except by accident but by the Astrological Philosophical way of Physick Here followeth some experimental Rules whereby to afflict the Witch causing the evil to return back upon them 1. ONe way is by watching the suspected party when they go into their house And then presently to take some of her thatch from over the door or a tile if the House be tyled if it be thatch you must wet and sprinkle it over with the patients water and likewise with white salt then let it burn or smoke through a trivet or the frame of a skillet you must bury the ashes that way which the suspected Witch liveth It s best done either at the change full or quarters of the Moon Or otherwise when the Witches
significator is in Square or Opposition to the Moon But if the Witches house be tiled then take a tile from over the door heat him red hot put salt into the patients water and dash it upon the red hot tile until it be consumed and let it smoke through a trivet or frame of a skillet as aforesaid 2. Another way is to get two new horseshooes heat one of them red hot and quench him in the patients urine then immediately nail him on the inside of the threshold of the door with three nailes the heel being upwards then having the patients urine set it over the fire and set a trivet over it put into it three horse nails and a little white salt Then heat the other horshooe red hot and quench him severall times in the urine and so let it boil and waste until all be consumed do this three times and let it be near the change full or quarters of the Moon or let the Moon be in Square or Opposition unto the Witches Significator 3. Another way is to stop the urine of the Patient close up in a bottle and put into it three nails pins or needles with a little white Salt keeping the urine alwayes warm If you let it remain long in the bottle it will endanger the witches life for I have found by experience that they will be grievously tormented making their water with great difficulty if any at all and the more if the Moon be in Scorpio in Square or Opposition to his Significator when it s done 4. Another way is either at the new full or quarters of the moon but more especially when the Moon is in Square or Opposition to the Planet which doth personate the Witch to let the patient blood and while the blood is warm put a little white salt into it then let it burn and smoke through a trivet I conceive this way doth more afflict the Witch then any of the other three before mentioned by reason the blood hath more life in it then the urine for the urine is accounted but as the excrement of blood The reason why the Witch is tormented when the blood or urine of the patient is burned is because there is part of the vital spirit of the Witch in it for such is the subtlety of the Devil that he will not suffer the Witch to infuse any poysonous matter into the body of man or beast without some of the Witches blood mingled with it as appeareth by the whey before mentioned For 't is the Devils policy either by this means to detect them or otherwise by torment to bring them unto their ends for the devil well knoweth that when the blood or urine of the patient is burned that the Witch will be afflicted and then they will desire to come to the place for to get ease for by the smell thereof their pain is mitigated by sympathy even as by sympathy when the blood and urine is burning they are tormented yet sometimes they will rather indure the misery of it than appear by reason country people oft times will fall upon them and scratch and abuse them shrewdly I conceive the onely reason the devil doth suck the Witches blood is mearly to detect them or otherwise one way or other to bring them to their ends and sometimes they are discovered by their tet at which place the Devil usually sucketh their blood whereby to mix with the poison which they by their wicked ways do infuse into the body of man or beast and so infect them I do find by practice and experience that few or none are bewitched by Image or Moddel alone but that there is Sorcery wrought with it for otherwise the burning of the blood or urine of the patient could no way afflict them in any sympathetick way as aforesaid having by the rules aforegoing set forth the way how to afflict the Witch I shall in the next place discover the general way of cure The way to cure both Witchcraft and Sorcery commonly called Evils or Takes HAving by a figure discovered under what planet the Patient is afflicted and in what part of the body the grief or pain lyeth whether outward in any limb or part of the body or throughout the whole body as it will sometimes fall out when the Nerves or Arteries are oppressed proceeding from the heart and brain or whether inward in the bowels guts liver lungs heart breast or stomack or be it what other disease or distemper whatsoever for as I have already declared there is no disease or distemper whatsoever but may be brought upon man or beast by witchcraft and Sorcery as I have already in several examples demonstrated If the grief pain or distemper be in the outward parts limbs or members of the body then the cure must be by bathes and ointments made antipathetical unto the afflicting planets As instance if Saturn be the afflicting planet then herbs must be used under the Sun and Jupiter If Mars be the afflicting planet then herbs must be used under the dominion of the Sun and Venus Alwayes provided that the herbs be gathered at the right planetary hours according unto their virtues and numbers If the â—rief lieth inward at the breast stomach and heart then you must chuse such herbs which are under the dominion of that planet which is antipathetical unto the afflicting planet and are good to open obstructions and to comfort the heart and arteries ever remembring in all cures to use a select number of herbs under the dominion of the Sun in regard he governeth the heart and is fountain of life aâ—d sole Monarch of the heavens It the grief lie in the bowels and guts then sometimes glisters must he used made with such herbs especially which are good to expel poyson being under the dominion of Sol which this book will sufficiently instruct you in together with such herbs which are of a contrary nature unto the afflicting planet but if the afflicting planet is more strong than the planet which is a contrary nature then you must chuse a small select number of herbs of his own nature which are good to cure the infirmity and mix them with the other herbs before mentioned concerning the way to make glisters bathes oyls decoctions or diet drinks and what else is meet to be used in all cures whatsoever I have already elsewhere in this book expressed Note That in the curing of all kinds of evils I do usually cause the patients to wear a select number of solary herbs gathered at the hour of the Sun the reasons I have shewed elsewhere in this book I could have been more copious in setting forth the way of curing both witchcraft and sorcery but that I have sufficiently treated thereof in the way of curing all kinds of evils before mentioned for I conceive that generally those evils before mentioned came from witchcraft and Sorcery onely some particular evils may proceed from some extraordinary distemper of the nerves
know how any kinsman friend or acquaintance doth during their absence being traveled into any far Country YOu must cause your Kinsman or Friend to be let blood and while its warm infuse a small quantity of the Spirit of Wine into it and keep it close stopt up in a glass from ayr now if your friend be well and contented the blood will look lively and fresh accordingly but if he chance to be ill or discontented the blood will be changed and the â—ore ill or discontented your friend is the more will the blood be changed accordingly if he be much perplexed vexed or fevourish the blood will be high coloured if melancholy weak and faint the blood will be pale and wan And after sickness if he recover health the blood will look lively and fresh again as at the first but if they happen to dye the blood will putrify and stink accordingly as doth the rest of his body How to know each others mind at a distance it being done by Sympathy of motion as followeth LEt there be two Needles made of one and the same Iron and by one and the same hand and touched by one and the some Load stone let them be framed North and South when the Moon is in Trine to Mars and applying unto one of the fortunes the Needles being made place them in concave boxes then make two Circles answerable unto the Diameters of the Needles divide them into twenty four equal parts according unto the number of letters in the Alphabet then place the letters in order round each Circle now when you desire to make known each others mind the day and hour being first concluded on before hand you must upon a table or some convenient place fix your boxes with the Needles fâ—â—â—d therein then having in readiness pen ink and paper and with each party a Load-stone those who intends first to begin must with his Load-stone gently cause the Needle to move from one letter unto another until a word is perfected according unto which motion the other needle will answer and then after some small stay they must begin another word and so forward until his mind is known which being done the other friend with his Load-stone must do as before moving gently from letter to letter until he hath returned answer accordingly this will hold true if rightly managed Here followeth some Practical and Experimental Rules whereby to give judgment Astrologically either upon Thefts Strayes Fugitives Decumbitures of sick Persons or Vrins or any other Horary Question Whatsoever IN regard it hath been my custom together with my daily practice in Physick for many years past by the rules of Astrology not only to give Judgment upon Decumbitures and Urines of sick persons but also upon Nativities and to resolve all Horary Questions as Thefts Strays amongst Cattle and Fugitives and by reason whereof many foolish and ignorant people and other who think themselves wise also hath rashly and unadvisedly judged my ways and actions of this nature to be Diabolical and thereupon hath not only themselves refused to come or send unto me for help in case of sickness but hath also diverted others upon the like occasions whereupon to satisfie both my friends and others Antagonists I have inserted these Judgments following according unto the rules of Astrology which may serve together with other directions in this Book elsewhere expressed if well heeded not only to satisfie the learned in this Art concerning the legallity of my way of Practice herein but also to instruct others who are young students in this Art I could have inserted Figures for every question having many hundreds lying by me but being unwilling to spend time or blot paper therewith presuming that what I have written will be sufficiently satisfactory unto each friendly Reader yet for farther satisfaction I shall refer the desirous herein unto my Ephemeris for the year 1658 Wherein I have not only by Scripture and reason vindicated the Art of Astrology but also have inserted therein three Schemes with judgments Astrological thereupon The one concerning strays amongst Cattle The second concerning Thefts The third concerning Sickness I confess I have denyed many concerning questions of Thefts for it neither brings credit nor yet much gain to the Artist for let a man be never so exact herein what will they for the most part say If by the Art we discover the theef and way of the goods surely he doth it by the Devil how could he so exactly else discover the Theef and way of the goods but if we chance to miss as sometimes we may do by taking a wrong ascendant and more especially when a wrong time is given for the time of loosing then they will assuredly say we do but cozen and cheat people of their mony besides it oft times brings trouble to the Artist I shall relate one accident which besel me herein Once a Butcher of our Parish having lost some linnen and linnen Cloathes came with his wife to my house desiring me to Erect a Figure and thereby to inform him who had it or what became of the linnen Now by the Figure I did discribe a Maid servant who lived in the house when he came home he unadvisedly caleth his Maid theef saying she had stoln his linnen whereupon she goeth to the Justice for a Warrant to bring her Master before him pretending that he had done her much wrong in defaâ—eing her now her Master to excuse himself layeth the fault on me whereupon I was sent for by Warrant to appear at a day set which accordingly I did where I met with a Minister of Reading who was a great enemy unto Astrology who as I was informed came on purpose to aggrevate the matter against me maintaining that the Art was Diabolical whereupon having heard all my accusations with many vile reproaches with so much patience as possibly I could I at length desired the Justice that I might be heard and not interrupted until he had fully heard what I could say which was granted whereupon in the first place as touching the Maid I told the Justice that what I said unto the Butcher was no more than what I discovered by the Art of Astrology which Art was known and allowed in all Schools of learning through the World and that I could both by Scripture and reason prove it to be Lawful it I might be heard the Minister replyed he would maintain the contrary I askt him if he would argue it with me in point of Art which I thought he understood not or in Divinity that which he professed he said by Divinity I answered that I was content after some arguments I desired his answer concerning the 1. of Samuel the 9 Chapter Where we find that Saul together with one of his Fathers Servants was sent forth to search for his Fathers Asses that was lost who after three days search in the Wilderness could not find them whereupon they communed together what to do
are possessed with the true way and manner how to do it according unto the Authors experience and performance thereof with some observations whereby to know whether they are possessed or no. THe occasion which first moved me to undertake the casting forth of Devils was as followeth One Goodman Alexander a Turner by trade living at Basing-stoke in the County of Southampton had a Daughter who was not onely perplexed with very strong fits which usually took her every day near the same hour every fit lasting above twelve hours being very terrible to behold during which time with many shrieks and cries and through extream torment she was brought so low both in body and Spirit that she could not move or wag any part of her body or limbs from the middle downward her Father told me he had spent much money upon several Doctors and others but they could do her no good whereupon hearing by some what great cures I had done he came and told me what her condition was as I have in part related desiring me to undertake the cure I desired to know at what hour and time her fits usually did begin which he told me according unto which time I did erect a Scheam and according to the Rules of Astrology in this book elsewhere expressed I did find she was either bewitched or possessed Her Father was very earnest with me to undertake the cure and I could not blame him she having been in this condition above twelve months and besides he made his bargain so that it I did not effect the cure I was to lose all my pains and charges upon which agreement being made the Maid was brought to my house whereupon observing and taking notice of her kind of sits and having made some tryal upon her by way of questions and her answers for she could not say or once name God Jesus Christ or Deliver us from Evil or the like but that immediately she would be tormented falling into strange fits whereupon I told her Father that she was possessed by the Devil and that it would be impossible to cure her except the Devil were first cast forth I also advised him to get one godly Minister or other to try what he could do by his means and devotion whereupon and not before he told me â—hat he had done that already For the Minister of the Parish whose name was Mr Webb one reputed to be a very honest godly and Learned man did undertake to do it and came to his house two several times to that purpose but could not prevail notwithstanding he spent about three hours time in tryal thereof at his first coming yet he was forced to desist but withal told her father that at the next coming he would be better prepared and accordingly he did come the second time but could not prevaile then neither during all the time that he was in action about this business the Maid was extreamly tormented it being as before near three hours before he â—nded who then said to her Father Lord have mercy upon me I cannot do it wherefore I advise you to look out farther per adventure you may meet with one another who may have strength of faith and a gift to do it and likewise to cure her distemper I confess when I heard by her Father what the Minister had done I began to be somewhat danted but when I considered that it would much reflect upon my reputation to send the Maid home again uncured and farther considering that by Prayers and strength of Faith it might be done more especially where it pleased God to give any one that gift which gift is obtained by Prayer and strength of Faith I also farther considered that both before and since Christs time Devils were cast forth out of such who were possessed as appeareth by the answer of our Saviour Jesus Christ unto the Jews who taxed him saying He casteth forth Divels through Belzebub the Prince of Devils If I say our Saviour cast forth Divels through Belzebub by whom did your Fathers cast them forth by which words it appeareth that the Jews had done it before Christs time And further telleth them That a Kingdom divided cannot stand c. Considering these reasons aforesaid according unto the method hereafter expressed I did undertake and through Gods blessing perform this great work unto whom be ascribed all honour Power and Glory with Thanks-giving for ever more Amen Before I proceed to set forth the way and manner how I did through Gods blessing perform this great work I conceive it will be necessary to say somewhat concerning the tryal of the Patient whereby to know whether they are possessed or no which is as followeth If they can without stop or starting say the Lords Prayer also pronounce God Jesus Christ and likewise say I defie the Devil and all his works and other such like Godly expressions then 't is probable they are not at that time possessed and then you must try them again at another time for as we find in Scripture there are some which are possessed at certain times and at other times the Devil leaveth them But as concerning this Maid in question the Devil did never forsake her from the time he first entred into her Also some are possessed with Devils which speak within them at certain times as instance this Maid was others are possessed with dumb Spirits which will not speak nor yet many times suffer the Patient to speak nor yet to pray or pronounce God Jesus Christ the holy Trinity or any other such like expressions for fear of being tormented with fits I have cast forth of both kinds out of sâ—â—h who were possessed as shall be shewed in order I shall first begin with this Maid in question whose fits began about nine a clock at night and lasted until eight a clock the next morning during which time she was most sadly afflicted making many kinds of noises as sometimes crying sehritching howling also sometimes using strange actions and gestures of her body as twisting and twyning her self about sometimes crawling about the room with many other strange passages Now from eight a clock in the morning until noon she would resolve all questions whatsoever and give true answers unto them as have many times been proved more especially if propounded by her Mother for she did not desire to talk with any other body except by accident during this four hours they did usually put many questions unto her as sometimes asking what became of any one that was dead whether they went to Hell or to Heaven and she would instantly resolve them and so far as they could guess she answered truly for those who had been evil livers she would tell all their faults and misdemeanours and how they lived and dyed and what disease and where they were buried likewise such who were godly persons she would say they went to heaven and point upwards although they were such whom she never saw or knew
happened constantly in the time of her fits there was alwayes brought unto her three pins and but one at a time at the receipt thereof she seemed to rejoyce and smile saying ah and then presantly she would put the pin into her mouth which when her Father and Mother perceived they would instantly get it from her fearing she should choak her self with it sometimes they were much troubled to get it from her for she would be very unwilling to part with it they shewed me a box near full of them for she had three brought her every night during twelve moneths and that night when I cast the Devil forth of her she had two brought her in my presence but no more ever afterwards also 't was observable that during the time that I was imployed about this business there was seen by my people and servants three Women to walk about the house and more especially near the Window where I was imployed which women her Father did judge were three suspected witches who had spake some words and were afterwards prosecuted by the Maids Father one of them dyed as I was informed at the Prison in Winchester and weat became of the other two I knew not for I never inquired more after them I shall now proceed to set forth the way and manner how I did cast forth a dumb Spirit out of one who was possessed as followeth THat which confirmed me and others of this Maid now in question of her being possessed of a Dumb Spirit was in regard that she could not say or once name God Jesus Christ nor yet endure to pray or suffer any one else either to pray or repeat any Sacred words or expressions but that immediately she was tormented and sometimes would fall down dead This Spirit would not answer to any question as the other speaking Devil did not yet suffer the Maid in her fits she was alwayes dumb and silent her fits usually began about five a clock in the morning and lasted four hours during which time she would not utter one word but would sometimes leap about with her arms and legs like a Frog sometimes she would play cop-head over and over sometimes with all the might she had she would knock her head against the Beds-post or Wall which was nearest Also being in a Chamber she would strive to get to the stairs that so she might through her self down Now the way which I used to cast forth this dumb Spirit was as followeth In the first place the room being made so close as I could with conveniency I made a fume of such solary ingredients as is before expressed which fume I continued all the time I was in this action the time which I took to cast forth this dumb Spirit or Devil was between the hours of nine and twelve a clock upon the Sabbath day the prayers which I used was according unto what I have already related in casting forth the speaking Spirit and likewise I oft repeated the same wayes as aforesaid But this dumb Spirit would not come forth until the third Sabbath day Notwithstanding I was near three hours every time in action during all the time I was implyed in this business she would be much afflicted upon the third Sabbath day between the hours aforesaid this dumb Spirit came forth in a kind of vomit no shape or form of any thing appearing after which by dyet drink and oyntment made of Planetary herbs antipathetical to the afflicting Planet she was soon recovered and never had any more fits after the third Sabath day before mentioned Note That dumb Spirits are far more difficult to be cast forth than those which speake and that was the only reason why I took the benefit of those hours upon each Sabbath day it being the usual hours of Prayer in all Churches and Congregations I know there are some foolish people who being ignorant of the Scripture that do and will judge unrighteously concerning this great work unless they are convinced and truly I need not use any other arguments then what we find written by the holy Evangelists and Apostles as first the answer of our Blessed Saviour to the Jews as is before mentioned Secondly we find that our Saviour gave that especial gift unto his Apostles and Disciples and without question unto all other Believing Christians who may through strength of Faith do it as appeareth in Mark Chap. 16. ver 17. And when the Apostles told our Saviour that they did forbid some who did undertake to do it our Saviour said forbid them not c. But unto such who presume to do it who wanted Faith and did not Believe nay although they used the very words of the Apostles yet the Devil would not obey nor yet be commanded forth by them as you may find in the 19. Chap. of the Acts of the Apostles there you shall find that one Sevah a Jew had seven Sons who were exorcists or Conjurers these following Paul and the Apostles and hearing the words which they used assayed to do the like presuming to cast forth a Devil out of one who was possest saying I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul Preacheth to come forth but the evil Spirit answered and said Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye and the man in whom the evil Spirit was fell upon them heat them and tore all the cloathes from their backs and without question put them into a great fright for we find that they all seven ran out of the house wounded and naked and glad I warrant you that they escaped so this act of theirs was noised abroad and also known throughout all the City of Ephesus and fear fell on them all insomuch that I believe never any Jew durst to attempt any such thing afterwards unto this day for St. Mark saith plainly These Signes shall only follow those that believe in Christ Jesus in his name shall they cast out Devils wherefore unto those who believe not in Christ Jesus it plainly appears they shall not do it And whosoever doth or shall undertake this business his faith and belief must be strong without doubting otherwise he may fail in the performance for although some ceremonies may be used herein as I have before related yet without Gods especial blessing upon the words wayes and means used together with strength of Faith believing no man can prevail herein as plainly appeareth by those seven Exorcists or Conjurers aforesaid Concerning all kinds of Agues and quotidian Infirmities with the Astrological way of Cure THere are three kinds of Agues viz. Qutidian Tertian and Quartaâ— of all which kinds I have Cured many And to my knowledge and best remembrance I never failed where I have undertaken I once cured a Woman who had a Tertian Ague nine years being brought so low therewith that she was not able to go without help she had without question as she told me taken many things for it but without success I find
found under what Planet the Patient is most afflicted as instance Mars then take herbs under Venus if under Saturn then take herbs under Jupiter if both Saturn and Mars afflict as sometimes 't will fall out then let your herbs be under Jupiter and Venus but if Saturn and Mars be strong in the Heavens and more strong than the fortunes Jupiter and Venus then their own herbs will do it alwayes provided that one of the smallest numbers of herbs under one or both the fortunes together with herbs of the Sun be used together with the rest but if the infortunes be weak then the smallest number attributed unto them and the greater number of the fortunes together with a select number of herbs under the Sun will do it for the Dyet-drink you may together with the herbs aforesaid add Raisons Currants Liquorish Aniseed Sweet fennel-seed or Coryander-seed to make the Dyet-drink nutrative as also more pleasant and good to expel wind the Dyet-drink is made by way of decoction and given to the Patient three times a day viz. morning afternoon and night I have cured many only by Dyet-drink and herbs suitable as aforesaid laid to the hand-wrests made up by way of Cataplasm The herbs which you lay to the hand-wrests must be shred very small and pounded in a Morter with Raisons and white Salt you may add a little Venus-Turpentine to make it hold together you must use the quantity of two walnuts it must be laid on hot and bound fast to the hand-wrest if the Patient doth not mend after one or two fits tryal then you must give the Patient a vomit just when the fit doth begin as followeth Take one dram of Stibium more or less according unto the strength and age of the Patient beat it into a very fine powder with a Pestel and Morter then warm a quarter of a pint of white wine and put the powder into it keep this in a glass twenty four hours and shake it often and when the Ague is ready to come put forth the wine into so much new milk but leave the dregs behind and give it the Patient blood warme and let them take posset drink after every vomit if the Patient doth not amend after one or two fits tryal then you must let the patient blood for after the Patient hath been afflicted above a Moneth 't will get into the blood also if need require you must give the Patient another vomit more especially if the Ague have been of long continuance and I have sometimes been inforced to let blood more than once you must â—â—ill give them dyet drink until they are well If you heed well what I have written you need not doubt of curing all kind of Agues although of long continuance as also from what cause soever it had its beginning By the Rules aforesaid I cured a Woman who had a Tertian Ague nine years as aforesaid Another way whereby to Cure all kinds of Agues Astrologically together with other infirmities which are in the Blood or Vital Spirits as I have oftentimes proved is as followeth VVHen you let the Patient blood take a small thimble full of Sympathetical powder and the like quantity of the powders of such herbs which are sutable to the cure as aforesaid mix them well together and put a small quantity of the blood into this powder and be careful that it take no cold for both the powder and blood must be put together warm and let the Patient wear it next their skin you must be careful that the herbs used be gathered at the right Planetary hours according unto their numbers as formerly mentioned by this way I have cured both Agues and other infirmities There is yet another way whereby to cure Agues THis way is performed only by a certain writing which the Patient weareth Now whether there were any such words passed between our Saviour and the Jews as the writing mentioneth who can tell for without question there were many memorable actions things and words said and done by our blessed Saviour which are not recorded in holy writ and we find words in Scripture tending unto that purpose The words are as followeth When Jesus went up to the Cross to be Crucified the Jews asked him saying art thou afraid or hast thou the Ague Jesus answered and said I am not afraid neither have I the Ague All those which beareth the Name of Jesus about them shall not be afraid nor yet have the Ague Amen sweet Jesus Amen sweet Jehova Amen I have known many who have been cured of the Ague by this writing only worn about them and I had the receipt from one whose Daughter was cured thereby who had the Ague upon her two years Concerning several kinds of madness with the true Astrological way of Cure as followeth I shall not enter upon any large discourse hereof nor yet take notice of Authors who without question have written Learnedly hereupon My intent being only to write what I find by my own daily Practice and experience herein according unto which I find that there are several causes of madness and several kinds of madness I mean in relation to their actions and behaviour whilst they are in this condition First concerning the Cause for except it be known its impossible except by accident to work a cure which for to find you must erect a Figure either for the time of the first fit or any other more than ordinary strong fit and to be sure so to vary your ascendant that it together with its Lord may exactly personate the sick and then by the Rules of Art examine whether the grief be Natural or otherwise from Witchcraft or Sorcery if Natural then from what original cause as whether from love loss of honour friends estate or any other more than ordinary vexation and such like for then the distemper will be wholly in the Animal and vital spirits for we may be assured that whatsoever the external or internal sences do comprehend which proceed from the brain the Vital spirits which proceedeth from the heart doth immediately put into action be it mirth or sorrow in curing these kinds of madness you must heed the Complexion and Temper of the Patient for as in Drunkenness so in Madness you will assuredly discover their Elementall Qualities and Natural Conditions If Choler abounds then they will be violent in their Actions and very apt to quarrel If they are by nature Sanguine then they will be inclined unto mirth as singing dancing and the like And such who are by nature Melancholy and Mad usually are given unto sadness sighing and much silence seldom pleased And those who are by nature Flegmatick mad are usually sluggish and idle not careing to do any thing except forced thereunto and much given to sleep they will lye in bed two or three days together if not disturbed The way to cure all these kinds of distempers before mentioned must be by decoctions made of such