manner of life they followed adding that he was not ignorant how their Order was hated by many because of their Dr. St. Thomas whom they followed in that Opinion that the Virgin Mary was conceived in Original Sin Nevertheless many of their Enemies were grievously tormented by the vengeance of God and the Town of Berne would perish if it did not expell the Franciscan Friars who were of opinion that the Virgin was conceived without And that particularly Dr. Alexander Dr. Ales and Iohn Scotus the subtil Doctor both Franciscan Fryers were grievously tormented in Purgatory for inducing the people to hold that opinion At last the said spirit did counterfeit the Virgin Mary herself assuring him she was conceived with sin and certified him also in many other things he desired to know from her She made also in his right hand a mark of her Son Jesus Christ by peircing his hand with a very sharpe Naile then to appease the pain she put Lint into it made of the clouts she wrapped her Child with in Aegypt But not contented alone with this the said Friers gave him to drink a certain Magick Liquor by which he lost his sence and understanding and then with Aquafoŕtis made four more wounds upon him Afterwards when by means of a second Liquor he came to himself he was much astonished at his wounds but they perswaded him they came from God and put him afterwards into a little Cell all hung with the Pictures of the passions of Christ they gave him also a drink that made him froath at the mouth and perswaded him that he was then fighting against death as Christ had done To conclude they play'd so many pranks with this poor Monk that at last he began to perceive the delusion and escaping out of their hands discovered all their devillish practises Whereupon the actors of this wickedness Iohn Vetter Prior Steven Boltzhorst Preacher Francis Ulchi under-Prior and Henry Steniecker receiver of the Rents were condemned to be burnt alive in a field before the company of the Franciscans There is a pleasant relation amongst the Narrations Mundi Fortuitas which I shall not omit in this place how in a Village of France inhabited by rude country Boors a Man fitter for the Cart than a Pulpit yet as being the best Scholler in the Town was made Vicar and according to custome nothing was done nothing thought upon but the Vicar was ever present among the good women Insomuch that by such frequent familiarily he grew to be well acquainted with one Lisetta a Parishioners wife Her Husband was not so blind but he could perceive his horn a growing and from that time permitted not the Vicar to come any more to his house Thus was all the fat in the fire and their hopes cancelled had not love found out another way for according to the Vicars instruction Lisetta counterfeited her self possessed with the Devil turning her eyes arms and legs in strange postures froathing at the mouth and ratling in her throat The simple neighbourhood astonished at these actions cry'd she was possessed and her poor Husband not a little troubled at it forgot what was past and goes for the Vicar to exorcise the Spirit Alas my friend saith the other thy Jealousy and suspition I fear of our holy Order hath been the cause of this misfortune for asmuch as the Chastest Matrons have ran mad and have been possessed upon this account Then taking his Robes Book and what was fitting on this account he goes along with him to his wife and the usual ceremony in such cases being performed he askes the spirit who it was Lisetta as she was before instructed answered in a small voice I am the father of this young woman who am to do Penance for ten years space in one body or other Her Husband thinking it to be her Fathers spirit my Father said he I desire thee for Gods Sake to come out of her Then the spirit reply'd I will indeed come out of her but I shall enter into thee to compleat the rest of my time alloted for my Penance The poor man was so terrified at this that falling at the Parsons feet my friend said he do you not know some way to avert this heavy Judgement either by Prayers Fastings Alms or other Charitable deeds then Lisetta perceiving all things to succeed according to her desire thou art too poor said she to hinder thy fate by Alms or charitable Deeds and instead of these thou must go visit forty Religious places and pray in every one and entreat God to forgive thee thy sins otherwise never look to escape what Heaven hath ordained Moreover the spirit went on concerning his false Jealousy and suspition of Holy Men insomuch that he fell at the Vicars feet asking forgiveness and shortly after began his Pilgrimage In the mean time the Vicar was always with his wife under pretence to lay the spirit but 't is questionable whether he raised not a worse In the year 1534. The Praetors wife Aurelia had taken care before she dyed that she might be buried privately without Pompe and Ceremonies for then it was a custome in Erance that when any Noble person dyed the Heralds should call the people together by Cymbals and such like instruments and then rehearse the Nobility and worth of the person deceased desiring the people to pray for them many mendicant Fryars also attended the Corps with an infinite company of lights So that by a kind of emulation the more the Pompe was and the greater the concourse of people the nobler the Family was esteemed But her Husband obeying her last desire gave no more to the Franciscans that buryed her than six Crowns whereas much more was expected and afterward when he cut down wood and denyed them some they were so incensed that they resolved in revenge to make the people believe his wife was damned in Hell To which purpose they placed a youth upon the roof of the Church who at night in Prayer-time made a great noise there and notwithstanding their exorcisms and conjurations would answer nothing then being commanded to give some sign that he were a dumb spirit for a sign he made a great noise the next day the Franciscans related to the people what hapned but desired them not in any wise to absent themselves for that So the next night when Prayers began the spirit also made a noise in the former manner but being asked what he was made a sign that he was not to speak he was commanded therefore to answer by signs for there was a hole made where the youth could hear what the exorcists said and he had a Tablet in his hand by striking upon which he gave signs that could be heard beneath first therefore being asked if he were any of those that had been buryed there he made a sign he was then many names being recited of all the persons buryed there when they came to the Praetors wife he knoc'd for a sign
room and viewing the books he perceived a Manuscript of Agrippa's amongst the rest as it were a compendium of them this he reads and in short space raises an ill favour'd Devil who entring the study asked what he would have that he call'd him so the young man unexperienced frightned and ignorant what to say was choaked by the Spirit and left dead on the ground Agrippa not long after returns home and finds the Devil dancing and shewing tricks upon the house top at which astonished he goes into his Study and finds the dead body which he commands his spirit to enter and carry to the place where the Students used to meet this being done and the spirit quitting the body it fell down and was buryed for dead having some marks only of strangulation about the Throat But not long after the matter was discovered and Agrippa for safty fled to Lorrain There was in the Emperor Maximilians Court a famous Negromancer as Authors affirm who at his command and promise of pardon and reward took upon him to shew the shapes of the three great Warriers Hector Achilles and King David upon condition of silence when they appeared and the Emperor he places in the midst of his Magick Circle seats him in his Throne and afterwards reading and murmuring certain Charms out of his Pocket-Book he desires silence Hector then knocks at the door so vehemently that the whole house shook and the door being opened he came in with a bright Speer in his hand his Eye fiery and his Stature exceeding other mens Not long after in the same Majestical postture came in Achilles looking fiercely towards Hector and often shaking his Speer as though he would have invaded him Thus having thrice passed by the Emperor and made Obeysance they vanished Afterwards came in King David in his Crown and Princely Robes with his Harp in his hand His countenance was more gracious then that of the other two and he passed likewise thrice by the Emperor but wiâ—…hout Reverence to him and went away The Magician being asked by the Emperor why King David denyed him the respect the other two gave answered that all things were subject to his Kingdom for asmuch as Christ sprang from him Saint Augustine writes of Pythagoras that whether by natural Magick or some secret agreement with the Devil it is doubted by Authors he kept a Bear of prodigious greatness with him many years and at last making him swear never to hurt any Beast gave him liberty and sent him into the Woods The same Magician being near Tarent and seeing an Ox eating in a field of Beans called to the herdsman to drive the beast from eating the Beans But the surly clown made answer he might chastise him himself if he would as he used to whip his Boys Whereupon Pythagor as making certain magick Characters on the ground and muttering some Charms to himself caused the beast to come out of the Beans as if it had been endued with reason and ever after it refused the Yoke and retired to Tarent living among the inhabitants and taking her food from the hands of Men Women and Children A certain Magician at Madeburg was us'd to shew a little Horse to the people in the Market place for money commanding it to do many rare things which always it performed But complaining one day to the people in the end of his shew that he had got very little that the times were very hard and the like he wisht that he were in heaven then throwing up the bridle into the air the horse followed it and he as if he would have stayed it by the tail was carryed up also his wife catched hold of him his maid of her and all fly up into the air like so many links of a chain Now while the people were looking and wondring at it a certain Citizen came to the multitude and understanding the matter affirmed that he met but a little before the Magician going to his Inn. To this purpose Niderius also reports that in the year 1045 a certain Magician in England was seen to mount on a black horse on a Sabbath day and to be carryed away through the air Henry the third King of France had a brother called the Duke of Allenzon who came to England formerly to be a suiter to Queen Elizabeth in whose retinue was the Valiant Busidamboyes who took the Dukes part between whom and the King was a perpetual sued The King therefore by nature timerous and suspicious was always afraid of this valiant person and after his return into France devised several means to take him out of the way Amongst the rest coming by night out of the Louure he was set upon by seventeen armed and appointed men yeâ—… behaved himself so stoutly that he killed five of them and made his escape The King seeing he had mist of him and that ever after he stood upon his Guard put in tryal another way For there being a constant report at Court that Bussidamboyes was in favour with the Earl of Monsurrous wife he sent for an Italian Negromancer famous at that time and called â—…riscalino Of him he enquires if he could shew or declare to him what Bussidamboyes was then doing which the Magician after certain conjurations shewed him in a Glass where was Bussidamboyes in bed with a Lady Hereupon the King sent for his Courtiers amongst whom was the Earl of Monsorrou at that time and aâ—…ked if they knew that Lady The Earl much abased replyed it was his wife Then said the King I will have no Culckolds to be my Courtiers To which the Earl made answer that to hinder what was done was not in his power but that it was in the Kings to give him leave to avenge himself which he earnestly requested The King glad to be any ways rid of Bussidamboyes gave his assent and the Earl posted away immediately to his own house and coming betimes in the morning to his wife as she lay in bed offered her the choice of three things either a draught of Poyson a Dagger to kill her self or to write such a Letter as he would dictate to her The miserable woman terrified with the thoughts of death consented to the Latter and according to her husbands dictating sent for Bussidamboyes who suspected nothing to come unto her In the mean time the Earl concealed himself in the house armed with six more and behind the Curtains in her chamber Bussidamboyes came not long after and offering to go up stairs in his accustomed manner was desired by a Page set for that purpose to leave his Spurs and his Sword below because his Lady was ill and the least noise disturbed her This he did not mistrusting what would follow but as soon he entred the Chamber the Lady gave a sign and all rusht in upon him Nevertheless being of an undaunted courage he took the first chair he found and so behaved himself with that weapon by reason of his great
they unlockt the door and entered the Chamber with a great company of lights and saw by their Daughter a most horrid Monster more terrible in shape then what can be described believed The beholders of this strange Spectacle all run away save an holy Priest that staid began to read St. Johns Gospel and when he came to this passage The Word was made Flesh the evil Spirit with a horrid noise flew away with the window of the chamber And the woman at the fright was delivered of a horrid Monster which the Midwives least it might be a reproach to the Family burnt upon a pile of wood immediately In the year 1480. as the same Author affirms a Merchants Ship was going to Flanders to Traffique when on a sudden there arose so vehement a Storm that the Mast was broke and great damage done to the rest of the Tackling insomuch that nothing could be expected but present destruction The Master wondring at this unclemency of the Air for it was then about the Summer Solstice when he could attribute it to no natural cause concluded it was rather by some evil spirit Which as he related to the Passengers comforting them forasmuch as he trusted God would not suffer them to perish by those means of the Devil a pittiful voyce was heard from the bottom of the Ship of one of the passengers a woman accusing her self that for many years she had had familiarity with a Devil in mans shape and that he was then with her and that she deserved to be thrown into the Sea to save the rest from the imminent danger The Minister therefore was sent down to this distressed creature who pray'd by her and after her confession earnestly entreated her to repent and ask of God forgiveness for what she had done This the poor distressed woman no soâ—…ner began to do but a black and thick mist seemed to rise up out of the pump of the Ship and with a great noise flame smoak and stink threw it self into the Sea after which the Tempest ceased and the Ship got safe to harbour Vincentius writes that a certain strong young man well skilled in Swimming was bathing himself by Moon-shine in the Sea and that a woman swimming after him took him by the hair as if it were one of his companions that would have ducked him to whom he spoke but no answer was made nevertheless she followed him to shoar and the youth taken by the great excellence of her beauty covered her with some of his garments and brought her to his home and not long after marryed her But being jeered often by his companions that he had marryed a Phantasm forasmuch as she would never speak he drew his Sword one day and threatned he would kill the Child she bore if she would not speak and tell her Original Alas poor man said she that loosest a good wife by forcing me to speak I had remained long with thee and done thee much good had I not broken the silence enjoyned me and therefore henceforth thou shalt see me no more and then she vanished But the child grew and began to use himself much to swim till at last as he swimmed one day in the Sea many people admiring him he was taken way out of their sight by his Mother Hieronymus reports the like of a Monk invited to uncleaness by a Succubus in the shape of a very fair and beautiful woman but when went to embrace her she sent forth a great cry as she was nothing in reality but a meer shade and Phantasm vanished out of his arms deceiving and deriding the foolish Monk that had by his Lust rendred himself like the horse and bruit beasts without understanding CHAP. VI. Of Familiar Spirits Goblings and Pharies GIlbert writes in the eight Book of his Narrations that a young Gentleman of Loâ—…rain of a good Family but corrupted by ill company frequenting often Ordinaries and such like houses of Debauchery was one day walking in the fields melancholy by himself for want of money To whom a Spirit appearing in mans shape asked the reason of his solitariness profering to do him service in whatever troubled him providing he would stedfastly believe all that was in a little Book he would give him and swear never to open or shew it to any body This when the young man had promised the other produced a little Book in his left hand and shaked 60. Crowns out of it into his right bidding the young man do the like who produced the same effect But at last when he wanted for nothing being overcome with curiosity he resolved to see what was contained in it and opening it he saw in the midst a round Circle divided with certain lines in form of a Cross on which was painted a horrible face of a Devil At this sight the young man was so frighted that his Eyes became black and his Brains turned that he thought to have some heavy load on his shoulders He was forced therefore to confess the matter to his friends who perswaded him to through the Book into the fire which although there was nothing in it but Paper yet remained an hour in the fire before it consumed A certain Souldier travelling through Marchia a country of Almaigne and finding himself weary in his journey abode in an Inn till he might recover his strength and committed to his Hostesses custody certain money which he had about him Not long after when he was to depart he required his money but the woman having consulted with her Husband denyed the Receit and return thereof accusing him also of wrong in demanding that which she never received the Souldier on the other side fretting amain accused her of cousenage which stir when the man of the house heard though privy to all before yet dissemblingly took his Wives part and thrust the souldier out of doors who being throughly chafed with that indignity drew his Sword and ran at the door with the point of it whereat the Host cried Theeves Theeves saying that he would have entered his House by force so that the poor Souldier was taken and put in Prison and by process of Law to be condemned to death but the very day wherein this hard Sentence was to be pronouncâ—…d and executed the Devil entred into the prison and told the Souldier he was condemned to dye nevertheless if he would give himself body and soul to him he would promise to deliver him out of their hands the prisoner answering said that he had rather dye being innocent then be delivered on such conditions Again the Devil propounded to him the great danger his life was in and also used all cunning means possible to perswade him But the other resolutely withstood his temptation that at last he promised to revenge him of his enemies for nothing advising him moreover to plead not guilty to declare his innocency and their wrong and to entreat the Judge to grant him one that stood by in a
blew Cap to be his Advocate the Souldier accepted this offer and being called to the Bar and indicted there of Fellony presently desired to have his Attorney who was there present to plead for him then began the fine and crafty Doctor to plead and defend his Client very cunningly affirming him to be falsly accused and unjustly condemned and that his Host did withhold his money and offered him violence and to prove the Assertion he reckoned up every circumstance in the Action yea the very place where they had hid the money The Host on the other side stood in denial very impudently wishing the Devil might take him if he had it at these words for the subtil Lawyer waited for this advantage the Devil laid hold on the Host and carrying him out of the Sessions house hoisted him into the air so high that he was never after seen or heard of A Gentleman neer the City of Torga who got his living by roâ—…bing and ranging the fields met one day with a Spirit in form of a horseman who saluted him and profered him his service the other accepting of it made him his Groom and ever when he went out gave him special charge of a certain horse which he esteemed very much of the Devil finding he could never please his Master concerning this matter and that notwithstanding all his double diligence his Master never thought him well enough look't after took the horse one day when â—…is master was abroad and carryed him to the top of a high Tower put his head out of the window The horse seeing his Master come home began to neigh and stomp as though joyful of his return but the servant never came again to fetch him down and left all the neighbourhood in great admiration Froissard reports that a certain Priest going to Law with a Parishioner was cast by him and that resolving not to stop there for he had skill in Magick he raised a Spirit whom he sent to torment him upon promise of such a reward The spirit posts immediately to the Gentlemans house and there by his noise and the pranks he play'd soon manifested what he was The gentleman upon this strange vexation got his neighbours good Religious men to watch with him and when at midnight the spirit came it was resolved he should speak to it The Devil according to his agreement with the Priest never mist his hour but came as he used to do that night throwing the chairs and stooles up and down the house making a noise and great disturbance Whereupon the gentleman boldly asked in Gods Name what he was Ah quoth the Devil and laught do you not yet know that I am a spirit yes said the Gentleman again but who sent thee hither the Priest said the Spirit because thou overthrewst him at Law and hath promised me also ten Crowns for my pains Away said the Gentleman for shame art thou so bare as to serve such a pittyful Rascal for so little money I will give thee forty Crowns to serve me and all thy business shall be only to bring me News from all parts of the World I 'le do 't said the Devil but if ever you desire to see me you shall certainly lose me Thus did this Gentleman know before any Post could come of all the Transactions in the World and had news from the remotest parts of it insomuch that he began to be sought after by every one for News since nothing in the whole world was done of which he had not intelligence But at last perceiving this familiarity would bring him into the trouble and strict inquiry of the Law and fearing least the Spirit might shew him some slippery trick for his forty Crowns he resolved to put him away And thereupon the next time he came Artan said he for so the spirit called himself since thou hast been so punctual hitherto in thy service I would now â—…ain see thee in some shape or other You shall replyed he and the first thing you see upon the floor of your Chamber to morrow morning shall be me The morning being come the Gentleman lookt on his floor but could see no body Wherefore when he heard the spirit next did you not promise said he to appeaâ—… to me in some shape this morning in my chamber well and did you not see reply'd the Devil two Straws tumbling over each other that was I. But I minded them not said the Gentleman and have not as yet seen thee as I desire Mind better then answered he and the first creature you see to morrow out of your window shall be me So the next morning when the Gentleman rose to the window he could see nothing in his yard but a great leaner and uglier Sow then can be described insomuch that calling to his servants he commanded them to hunt that ugly creature out of the yard which as they were doing it vanished in a tempest and the house was troubled no more Olaus relates that a Gentleman passing by a Forrest with his servants was belated in the way and forced to stay in the Woods all night having nothing to eat at which he said merrily to his Retinue would Sir Hubert of whom so many stories pass would provide us some food in this solitary Wood. Which words he had no sooner spoken but a great Wolfe rushed by them and returned immediately with Sheep on his back which he let fall in their sight and vanisht leaving them to dress the meat the Devil had sent them Alexander ab Alexandro writes that a Monk of the Monastery of Ardens going early in the morning through the Forrest to a Town thereby overtook a man of a stern countenance loose kind of vesture and very tale stature with whom he travelled till at last they came â—…o a great wash where the man profered the Monk being a Religious person and of lesser stature to carry him over on his back The Monk glâ—…d of this profer got up but casting his Eyes down toward the water that was very clear and seeing his Porters feet of a strange and deformed shape he blessed himself with the sign of the Cross at which the Devil hasted so fast away in a whirlwind that it toar up a great Oak by the roots which gave the poor Monk cause to think that if he had not in time perceived the Devil to be his Porter he should have been stifled in the waters by him Fincelius reports that in the year 1532. a certain Gentleman to torment a poor Tenant that owed him rent commanded him with threats to bring to his house that night for fuel it being the Christmas tide a certain great Oak out of such a wood which if he failed to do he would turn him out of his House The poor man although the thing was impossible nevertheless to shew his willingness went with his Ax towards the Wood much afflicted at the hard commands of his Lord. Thus as he is going he is
treachery Many such like services did the young Blackmoor to Siarra and his companion the last was as followeth As these two with four more were travelling up a certain Mountain to view the subjacent places they perceived a man of prodigious stature walking up and down very melancholy who often cast such terrible looks upon them that as well by a certain fear caused by the extenuation of the air when Spirits are near as by a conception they had that he was so they were much astonished and afraid whereupon the young Blackmoor that served Siarra's companion ran towards him and kneeled down and as it were entreated him whereupon he immediately flew up into the air out of their sight This caused greater astonishment then what ever had hapned before and therefore his Master never left examining his boy what he was till at last he confessed after this manner I am though otherwise I have appeared to you in form of a boy a Spirit of this Region subject to the great Master Agnan whom you just now saw ascend into the air after he seemed to bewail the loss of his people and his Worship which the Spaniards have destroyed he was certainly come to do you mischief as formerly he had done to some of your company but my intreaties disswaded him having told upon what account I served you nor shall any of his ministers torment you as long as you stay in this place as you may beleive by what is already past For when the Five hundred set upon you I caused above a Thousand Spaniards to appear before their sight which was the cause of their suddain flight Now the reason why I serve you for according to the charge laid upon me I was to declare it before I left you is because you spared formerly a Moor whom you took with your own hand in flight a tall person with a Hawks nose the same was a Priest to our great Master and had a Spirit granted him to attend on him by his charge I was sent to protect you as long as you stay in this Countrey for the favour you shewed him in sparing his life Having thus said he ran a little from them and beating the ground thrice with his foot he was carryed into the Air out of their sight Not long after as they returned to Spain a great storm arose during which it was so dark that none of the Heavenly light appeared and all hopes of safety were taken away till at last Siarra perceived as he thought the young Moor in the Shrouds after which that dismal Storm ceased and their Voyage became Calme and pleasant Pharies OF Pharies also those little Mimick Elves that appear alwayes very small of stature and busy themselves chiefly in imitating the operations of men we read in Georgius Agricola that great searcher of Subterraneal mines that they appear frequently in those places whence precious Metals are dug and from their manners are called Cobali or Imitators of men these seem to laugh to be cloathed like the workmen to dig the earth and to do many things that really they do not mocking sometimes the workmen but seldome or never hurting them The Latins have called them Lares and Larvae frequenting as they say Houses delighting in neatness pinching the Slut and rewarding the good housewife with money in her shoe Siarra hath left us this notable Relation that there lived in his time in Spain a table and beautiful Virgin but far more famous for her excellence at her Needle insomuch that happy did that Courtier think himself that could wear the smalest piece of her work though at a price almost invaluable It hapned one day as this admirable Semstress sate working in her Garden that casting aside her Eye on some fair Flower or Tree she saw as she thought a little Gentleman yet one that shew'd great Nobility by his cloathing come riding towards her from behind a bed of Flowers thus surprised how any body should come into her Garden but much more at the stature of the person who as he was on Horseback exceeded not a foots length in height she had reason to suspect that her eyes deceived her But the Gallant spurring his Horse up the Garden made it not long though his Horse was little before he came to her then greeting the Lady in most decent manner after some Complements past he acquaints her with the cause of his bold Arival that forasmuch as he was a Prince amongst the Pharies and did intend to celebrate his Marriage on such a day he desired she would work him Points for him and his Princess against the time he appointed The Lady consented to his demands and he took his leave but whether the multitude of business caused the Lady to forget her promise or the strangeness of the thing made her neglect the work thinking her sight to have been deceived I know not yet so it fell out that when the appointed time came the work was not ready The hour wherein she had promised the Phary Prince some fruits of her Needle hapned to be one day as she was at dinner with many Noble persons having quite forgot her promise when on a suddain casting her eye to the door she saw an infinite train of Pharies come in so that fixing her eyes on them and remembring how she neglected her promise she sate as one amazed and astonished the whole company But at last the train had mounted upon the Table and as they were prancing on their Horses round the brims of a large dish of white-broth an Officer that seemed too busy in making way before them fell into the dish which caused the Lady to burst into a suddain fit of laughter and thereby to recover her sences When the whole Phary company was come upon the Table that the brims of every dish seemed fill'd with little Horsemen she saw the Prince coming towards her hearing she had not done what she promised seemed to go away displeased The Lady presently fell into a fit of Melancholly and being asked by her friends the cause of these alterations and astonishments related the whole matter but notwithstanding all their consolations pined away and dyed not long after 'T is reported likewise of a countrey girl being sent out dayly by her Mother to look to a Sow that was then big with pigs that the Sow alwayes stray'd out of the girls sight and yet alwayes came safe home at night this the maid often observing resolved to watch her more narrowly and followed her one day so close till they both came to a fair green Valley where was layd a large bason full of milk and white bread the Sow having eaten her Mess returned home and that night pigg'd eleven pigs the good wife rising early the next morning to look to her beast found on the threshold of the stye ten half Crowns and entring in saw but one pig judging by these things that the Pharies had fed her fow and bought
end of what he was writing But the spirit began again to shake his chains at which the other left off writing and taking the Candle in his hand followed the Ghost who proceeded slowly as if he were very aged and much loaded with his chains till he came into the yard where he vanisht The Phylosopher being left alone left a mark upon the place and the next morning caused it to be dug up where were found the bones of a man chained for the flesh was putrified and eaten away these being gathered and buried publickly the house was never haunted afterwards Sabellic lib. 10 Exempl cap. 3. Erasmus in his Epistles writes that on the tenth of April 1533. in an Inn of Sciltac a town in Switzerland there was a certain hissing heard about night time which seemed to come out of one of the chambers of the house wherefore the Host fearing their might have been Thieves ran thither immediately but could find no body yet still heard the same noise in the Garret and not long after upon the top of the Chimney then supposing that it was an evil spirit he sent for the Priest to exorcise him who no sooner began his conjuration but the spirit answered he cared not for them since one was a twhoremaster and both were theeves and herefore he would in spight of them burn the town as he had undertaken all this was thought afterwards to proceed by the means of a Familiar Spirit which the maid of that house confessed on her death-bed to have had familiarity with for the space of fourteen years the Spirit therefore took this maid to the top of the chimney and commanded her to spread such fire as he gave her which she did and in less than an hours time all the town was consumed notwithstanding the great abundance of water the inhabitants brought to quench it Here we may observe the reality of it as also that the fire was real that the Devil brought but of another nature than the common or any Artificial fire is and that it did not fall from above as lightning which burneth only very little unless it happens on matters easily combustible as it hapned in the year 1500. at Paris when the lightning fell upon the Tower of Billy where the powder was and since that at Venice Furthermore Philippus Camerarius saith of it that the fire fell here and there upon the Houses in form of burning Bullets and if any one went to help his Neighbour he was presently call'd back to help his own Moreover I have heard saith Camerarius the relation of this woful visitation from the Vicar of that place and many others worthy to be beleived forasmuch as they were Spectators of all things according to the former relation The Vicar also had as it were a Crown about his hair which he wore long after the Graecian manner of all sorts of colours which he said hapned by the same Spirit who threw a Hoop at his head Moreover the same Daemon asked him once if ever he heard a Raven crâ—…ak and thereupon croaked so horribly that they were almost dead for fear The Curate also did affirm though not without blushing that he often told him and many others of their private sins so exactly that they were forced with shame to quit the place CHAP. IX Of Devillish Impostures ABout the year 1545 hapned at Corduba a famous City in Spain a most wonderful Imposture of Satan A young girle of a poor Family named Magdalene de la Croix being but five years old was put by her Parents into a Monastery of Nuns whether through Devotion or Poverty 't is unknown since her years were so few Nevertheless as the Judgements of God are unsearchable and his ways past finding out the Devil appeared to her in shape of a Blakamore and although she was at first sight much afraid yet the Fiend did promise her so many Toyes wherein children delight that he brought her to discourse with him ever injoyning herstreightly that she should never disclose ought of their private Conversation About that time the Girle began to show a very quick and apprehensive wit and a nature different from others which gained her no small esteem from the rest of the Nuns both old and young Being come to the age of Twelve she was sollicited by the Devil to marry him and for her Dowry he promised her that for the space of thirty years she should live in such a reputation of Holiness through all Spain that the like was never before Thus while Magdalene under this contract passed the time in her Chamber with this wicked Spirit that entertained her with his Illusions another Demon took her shape and resemblance and constantly resorted to the Church to the Pulpit and to the Cloysters and all the Assemblies made by the Nuns with a great deal of seigned Devotion he told Magdalene also after he had gone to Church in her place all that was done in the world of which she giving notice to those who had her already in great Reputation began not only to be accounted an Holy Virgin but to bear the name of a Prophetess wherefore although she was not yet come to full age yet she was elected Mother Abbess by the consent both of the Monks and Nuns Now when the Nuns went to Communion on Easter day and other great Festivals among them the Priest alwayes complained that some body had stolen one of the Hosts from him which was carryed by this Angel of darkness unto Magdalene who being in the mid'st of her Sisters shewed it unto them and put it in her mouth as a great Miracle Moreover it is said that when she was not present at Mass though there were a wall between her and the Priest yet at the Elevation of the Corpus Christi the wall did cleave that she might see it It is also very well known that if at any Festival day the Nuns carryed her in Procession with them to make the action more venerable by some extraordinary action she carryed a little Image of Christ newly born which she covered with her hair that grew down to her feet Many more such illusions she used chiefly on solemn dayes that they might be the more recommendable By this time the Pope the Emperor and the Grandees of Spain did write to her and by their Letters intreated her to remember them in her Prayers and asked her advice and councels in all matters of great concernment as by several Letters found in her Closet was manifested Many Ladies also and Gentlewomen would not wrap their new-born children in Swadling clothes till they had been blessed by the Abbess Magdalene But God permitted not this Diabolical cheat to lye longer concealed for Magdalene after she had spent about thirty years in this acquaintance with the Devil and had been Abbess twelve years repented of her former life and detesting these abominable Acts and the horrid society of Satan she freely discovered when every
that he was her spirit then they asked if she were damned and for what fault whether for Covetousness Lust Pride or for the new Heresie and Lutheranisme and what she desired by her unquietude whether that her body should be removed into another place to which questions the spirit by its signs did give either its affirmation or negation and when it had signified that it was tormented for Lutheranism and desired to be removed from that place then they desired the people to bear witness of it but the people fearing the Praetors displeasure would not do it Nevertheless the Franciscans removed thence their bread and water and all the sacred vessels till at last the Bishops Vicegerent to be better certified concerning this matter came in person with many Honourable and Religious men and commanded them to exorcise the spirit in their presence and to send some body to the roof of the place to see if they could perceive any thing This the Authors of this villany withstood saying the spirit was not to be troubled and although he was very urgent yet could he not prevail with the Franciscans to permit any one to go up The Praetor in this time went to the King and because the Franciscans standing upon their priviledges hindred a strict inquiery into the matter the King sent some of his Councel with full power to examine all things Those of the Franciscans therefore that were suspected were laid hold on yet for fear of a shameful death confessed nothing But at last the King promising them Pardon they disclosed the whole business nevertheless they were condemned to be sent again to Aurelia and put in Prison till they had publickly before all the people confessed their crime in the place that Malefactors used to be Executed CHAP. X. A true and admirable process of a Witch that wrought Miracles by the help of the Devil Mr. Iosse Donhoadere a learned Lawyer of Flanders in his Book Intituled Practique Criminal writes to this purpose There was in the time that I was Counsellor in the Town of Bruges an old woman that in carriage clothes and manner of life was in appearance irreprehensible insomuch that she gained an esteem from all and every one had a reverence for her forasmuch as she healed as it were miraculously the children of many Honourable Families straightning the crooked and setting broken joynts instantly in their places not by Art or Physick but certain words and ceremonies of Devotion as to fast three dayes with bread and water to say so many times the Lords Prayer to go on Pilgrimage to Nostre Dame d' Ardenbourg or to St. Arnoul d' Audenbourg or to St. Iosse or to St. Hubert of Ardennes or to say a Mass or two in a day or to say other certain Prayers and Anthems These Devotions being exactly performed the sick people were healed through the faith they and their relations had in this woman The carriage and miracles of this woman being published through the Countrey the Counsellors and Magistrates that had more wit than the vulgar sort caused her to be apprehended one night to be put in Prison and examined by what authority and means and by what confidence she performed such Cures To which she answered alwayes confidently that she did them upon good intentions and that there was no reason they should torment and persecute her for doing good Nevertheless the Councel being moved by manifest signs condemned her to be Rackt gently exhorting her to declare the truth but still she persisted in her first answer affirming there was nothing unlawful and that all was done without any compact or agreement with the Devil There was then present at the Examination the Bourgomaster of Bruges a man very much tormented with the Gout that of times he cry'd out as if he had been rack'd himself which the old woman perceiving and turning her self to him said Mr. Bourgomaster have you a mind to be rid of the trouble of your Gout if you have I shall cure you and that very soon if it were possible replyed the Bourgomaster I would willingly give two thousand crowns to be whole and you shall have them if thou performest what thou saist Then the other Judges and Registers that were present told him Sir pray have a care what you say and what you do believe us and let us send back this Witch into her chamber and hear patiently what we shall declare unto you the woman being carryed back see said they what danger you put your self into by a vain perswasion that this woman should be equal to the Apostles and can cure you of your Gout by lawful means All indeed that she doth seemeth apparently Holy and Divine but if you look more narrowly into the matter there is much to be said against it Let us call for her therefore again and inquire how she pretends to cure you if she promise to cure you miraculously as the Apostles have done the Diseases of their time and that she followes the means they have made use of we shall not be against her knowing that the hand of God is not straigntned but if she make use of unlawful means and puts her trust in them there is reason that all her proceedings should be suspected both by you and us also Therefore when she was sent for back again one of them said if thou presumest to cure the Bourg Master of the Gout what remedies and means will you apply none other said she but that the Bourg-Master believe and be perswaded for certain that I have power to cure him so shall he be sound and set upon his feet Hereupon she was sent out back to her Chamber then the Judges with one accord told the Bourg-Master and standers by You see Gentlemen by the answer of this woman that she doth nothing but by the power of Satan and that she undertakes to cure the Bourg-master by unlawful means for in her way she doth not follow the Holy Apostles who cur'd the sick by Divine Faith and Power saying to the Lame man In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ rise and Walk and to the Blind In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ recover thy sight so that one was set upon his feet and the other recovered his sight not by humane help but by the Divine Power in the Name and Faith of Jesus Christ. Now this Witch boasteth only to cure if the Patient put his trust in her and believe that she can do it such faith or rather perfidicusness is directly against the practise of the Apostles This answer being well apprehended and digested the Bourg-Master was sorry for what he had done gave no more credit to woman and ever after repented him of his levity But to return to the Witch because she did persevere in denying those things she was accused of it was concluded she should be put to the Rack where being stretch roughly she acknowledged some light faults but as for Witchcraft she
utterly deni'd it Whereupon she was released for that time and lockt in her Chamber A while after being again accused by new Evidences brought against her she was the second time put to the rack where again she confessed some small faults as before But finding her self tortured she began to cry and say takeme away hence or I shall stink you all out of the Room for I can hold my exâ—…rement no longer There was a house of office neer whither the standers by would have her carryed others more judicious were of opinion she should not fearing some greater difficulty might arise but by plurality of voices she was untv'd and carryed thither and having staid there half an Hour and more although she were called twice or thrice she was at last compelled to come forth and was put to the Rack again and was tortured more vehemently then before But she without crying or lamenting as she had done before fell a laughing and derided and mocked the Judges bidding them do what they would their cruelty could prevail nothing against her Hereupon the standers by thought the Devil had made her impassible for she would confess nothing that was charged against her but being stretcht on the Rack she either laught or slept Therefore by the councel of some more judicious in such matters than the rest she was taken and shaved in all parts of the body where hair used to grow and was searched by divers woman who found ty'd about her arms certain small Parchment notes containing the names of evil Spirits with some crosses intermixed These Bills being presented to the Magistrate she was again stretched on the Rack where at the first pull she began to roar and confess all whereof she had been accused and being examined concerning her former obstinacy in her denials she said that if she had not been wholly shaved and deprived of those Bills the truth had never came out of her mouth This being brought to this pass the Judges proceeded to condemnation some were of Opinion she should be burnt alive others for the most part that she should only be put to a rigorous fine to be banished from the Countrey and never to return upon pain of being burnt according to this last opinion she was set upon a Scaffold with a false Periwig made on purpose which was taken off her head by the Hangman and thrown in the fire kindled to that end Afterwards she was conducted by two Judges and the Attorney of Bruges out of their Territory Thus out of Flanders she went into Zealand and dwelt some time at Middlebroug where she presently fell to her former trade The Lord Florent Dam Judge of the town was advised by us of what was past concerning this woman and in favour of justice the Copies of her Accusations and Confessions and Sentence was sent him which made him strictly observe her and finding by undeniable truths that she persevered in her diabolical Witchcraft caused her to be apprehended and put in Prison and having narrowly examined her by her wilful confessions and according to her former Sentence he condemned her to be burnt alive After which he sent a Letter with the whole Relation to Bruges whereof Danhoudere hath given us this relation CHAP. XI The horrid end of Witches and Negromancers ZAcoes and Arfaxad the great Persian Magicians at the very hour St. Simon and Iude suffered Martyrdome were struck dead with Lightning Cynops the Prince of Negromancers was at St. Iohn's Prayers swallowed up with waters and Methotin who by his Diabolical illusions got to be High-Priest was stoned Several have been taken away alive by the Divel but one more wonderfully as we may read in Spec. Hist. lib. 26. c. 26. after this manner There hapned one day that a certain Daw that an old Witch kept spoke at which the woman let fall the knife out of her hand as she was at dinner and grew extream pale till at length after many sighs and groans she broke out into these words This day my Plough is come to its last Period and I shall certainly suffer some great evil Whilst she thus spoke a messenger brought word that her Son was dead upon which newes she fell immediately sick and sending for the rest of her children which were two a Monk and a Nun I have by my wretched Fate said she with grief these many years followed Witchcraft and given my self body and soul to the Devil that perswaded me to this wickedness and will be the punisheâ—… as well as the Author of it I desire you therefore that you would not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me to asswage my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 struction of my soul is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall also â—…ew up my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 skin and put it into a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ing fast the top waâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall bind it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if I lye securely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye shall bury me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sung for me fifty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prayers said All these things her two children obeyed after the death of their mother but prevailed not for the first two nights when the Monks began to sing Hymns about the body the Devils opened the Church doors that were shut with a great barr and broke two chains but the middlemost being stronger remained whole the third night the noise was so great of those Demons that came to fetch the body that the very foundation of the Church was shaken But one Devil in shape more terrible than the rest broke down the doore and went toward the Coffin commanding the body to arise which answered it could not for the chain thou shalt be delivered replyed he from that hindrance and going to the Coffin he broke the Chain and with his foot thrust off the covering then taking the woman by the hand lead her out of the Church in presence of them all to the door where stood a black horse ready and proudly Neighing upon which the woman was placed and all the company of Devils went away with her through the Air their noise being so great that the Inhabitants thereabouts were no less astonish'd then the beholders CHAP. XII The difference between good and evil Angels with an admirable relation of a good Genius HAving hitherto in some manner declared the acts of evil and cursed Spirits 't will be reasonable that before I conclude this Treatise I give you some account of those blessed Angels which God oft times for reasons best known to himself hath caused to appear unto men and to distinguish the one from the other there are three ways of discovery The first is according to Jamblicâ—…s d' Mysterijs that the good never appear in any phantastical shape nor strive to deceive us or offer to councel us in wicked matters Evil angels on the contrary appear always in strange shapes and although sometimes they strive to imitate the Children of Light to be thought Angels of God yet because of their evil nature if desired to
do evil they willingly consent to it and are unconstant and unstable in all their actions The second rule to distinguish them is that the works of unclean Spirits profit no body as to make a starue walk an image speak and the like as Simon the Sorcerer it said to have done but those of Divine Powers allway contribute to mans good thus our Saviour made the Blind see the Lame walk cast out Devils and the like did the Apostles which Simon Magus could not do Thirdly they are discovered according to Athanasius by St. Antony from their manner of appearing For the aspect of evil spirit is terrible their noise horrid their speech â—…ordid when it hapâ—…eth that our mind is terrified at their sight and our sences stupified At their departure likewise they terrify us most and alway leave a noysome scent behind them But the Holy and blessed Spirits appear with a meek and gentle countenance for they never scold nor brawl but bring joy and hope to a penitent sinner forasmuch as they came from God the Author and Fountain of joy nor is our mind troubled much at the sight but is rather illuminated and desires forthwith to leave this earthly Tabernacle and to hasten with what it sees to an eternal mansion and as the Angel that saluted the Virgin that spoke to Zacharias that told the Shepherds concerning our Saviours birth that they should not fear so they remove all fear from us and leave us in a joy unspeakable An admirable History of a good Genius or Guardian Angel BOdin makes mention of a friend of his that had alwayes a Spirit accompanying him which he began first to perceive at the age of seven and thirty not but that he thought the same Spirit had alwayes been with him in his life-time by reason of many dreams and visions by which he had been forewarned to shun many imminent dangers and vices but that he never perceived it so plainly as he did at that age and upwards which hapned after this manner 'T was his custome to Pray so continually that for above a year he had not ceased to desire of God morning and evening that he would be pleased to send him a good Angel to guide and direct his actions He spent also certain houres after his Prayers in contemplating on the works of God meditating and reading the Bible to find out among the multitude of Opinions which was the true Religion and to this purpose he often repeated the 143 Psalm Me Deus informa quae sit tuasancta voluntas Morrigerasque manus praesta gressasque sequaces Namque eris ecce Deus semper mihi tramite recto Spirituus ille tuus divinaque virgula ducat And reading many Holy Authors he found in Philo the Jew de sacrificiis that a good and perfect man could offer no better sacrifice to God than himself whereupon he offered his soul to God from which time forward he had dreams and visions full of admonition sometimes to correct this or that vice sometimes to give notice of ensuing dangers other while to solve some great dificulty as well in divine as humane affairs Amongst the rest of his dreams he heard a voice saying to him I will save thy soul I am the same that hitherto hath appeared unto thee Afterwards dayly about three or four a clock in the morning the Spirit knock'd at his door but when he rose and opened it he saw no body Thus the Spirit continued every day and never ceased knocking till he arose this put him in fear it might be some evil spirit wherefore he never ceased in his Prayers to desire God to send his good Angel singing Psalms and Prayses to God continually Upon this the spirit manifested it self to him as he watched one night by striking gently upon a glass vessel that was in the room which very much astonished him two dayes after he hapned to entertain his friend the Kings Secretary at dinner who was much affrighted to hear the Spirit knock on a bench that was near him insomuch that he was forced to declare the whole matter to him and from that time ever after the spirit waited on him admonishing him alwaies by some sensible sign sometime by pulling his right ear if he had done any evil as also it any one came to deceive or cheat him his right ear was pulled and the left if good men on honest designs likewise if he went to eat and drink any evil he was admonished to desist if good to proceed And as often as he went to praise God in Psams and Hymns or to meditate on his wonderful works he was strengthned and confirmed by an extraordinary and spiritual power And to the end he might discern the better his inspired dreams from those that proceeded either from the temperament of his body or perturbation of his mind he was wakened by the same spirit about two of the clock after which time he slept again and dreamt those that were true which admonished him of what he was to do and believe concerning those things of which he doubted So that from that time forwards nothing hapned to him of which he was not forewarned nor did he at any time doubt of any thing to be beleived or rejected but he was certified concerning it Wherefore he chose one day in the week particularly to prayse God and seldome went out if pâ—…radventure he did he was alway seen to be of a joyful countenance according to the Scriptures Vidi facies sanctorum laetas but if in discourse and conversation with others there passed any evil or if at any time he omitted his Prayers he was admonished of it in his sleep if he read in any evil book he was pulled softly by the ear till he laid it down and was hindred from doing any thing prejudicial to his health but chiefly he was admonished to rise early and if at any time he slept late he heard a voice say who will rise first to prayer he was warned also to give Alms which the more he did the better did things prosper under his hand once when his enemies came by water to take away his life he dream'd his father bought him two horses a red and a white one therefore he gave order that two horses should be bought and although he had said nothing to his servant concerning their colour nevertheless he bought two of those colours Now the reason why he never spoke to this spirit was because he had once desired it and on the suddain it struck so vehemently against the door as if it had been with a Mallet whereby he shewed it was unpleasing to him the spirit also never permitted him to read or write long and often he could hear a small shrill voice but not distinguish what it said nor did he ever see this spirit in any shape but of a certain clear light in a round square or circle once only when he was in great danger of his life and he had incessantly pray'd to God to save him about morning as he lay in his bed he saw a boy in white garments of excellent countenance and form Another time being in great danger and going to lye down he was often hindred by this good Genius till such time as he arose and passed the night in prayers after which he escaped death miraculously and heard in his sleep a voice saying Qui sedet in latibulo Altissimi c. Thus in all difficulties he received councel and in all dangers he was assisted and saved by his Guardian Angel Now the truth of this relation we may gather from several circumstances as well that the person said his ear was struck by the good Angel to admonish him what was to be done according to that of Esaiah Dominus saith he vellicavit mihi aurem diluculo as also that he said the good Angel manifested himself by knocking as it were with a hammer for we read in the book of Judges concerning Manoah that the Angel began to knock before him the Original of the word whereby it is expressed being tintinabulum or tympanum But whether every one hath his Genius Good or Bad attending on him 't is hard to determine although it hath been an old and received Opinion according to these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS