The Sinful Shameful Lying and Ridiculous Discourse of Samuel Harshnet, Treatise · Book 1 · Chapter 1
THE 1. CHAPTER.
The nomber of ſuch perſons as are ſaid to hauehave bene diſpoſſeſſed, by M. Darrels meanes.
M. Darrell growing into ſome ſmal credit with the ſimpler ſort:pag. …. became very peart & proud. Somthing to this purpoſe he confeſſeth ſome thought that I did glory ſomwhat tomuch in the action of caſting forth diuels.pag. 3. And a little after There are added in the end of the hiſtory of the boy of Burton theſ words uiz. ſhortly you ſhall hane the true ſtory come forth of thoſe 7. in Lancaſhire that were poſſeſſed with vncleane ſpirits, and all ſeauen deliuered at one time by this man, meaning M. Darrell as he himſelf confeſſeth.
Hereby the Deſcouerer laboreth to perſwade the worlde that I did glory in the caſting out of diuels as is playne by theſe words: what M. Darrell tooke vppon him after this his ſecond exployt, it may be ſurmy ſed by glorying in the firſt.
To the firſt of theſe I anſwere that I hauehave not altogither ſo depoſed, as appeareth by page 277. of the Diſcouery. But admit it were ſo, and that ſome hauehave ſo thought of me as is ſayde, yet it followeth not theirvpon, that I gloryed &c. for many hauehave miſe conceaued the ſbeaches & actions of men. when Eliab Dauids eldeſt brother, heard the words of Dauid concernninge the killinge of Goliah he theirvpon thought, and ſaid vntounto him, that he was com downe to ſe the battle of pride and the mallice of his hearte: and yet it was nothinge ſo. How oft did Ioſephs brethren conceaue amiſſe of his ſpeaches and actions? To the ſecond I anſwer, that beinge examined by the B. of L. vponupon my oath, whither I thought that by theſe wordes this man, with the reſt were ment my ſelfe: I anſwered affirmatiuely. And it being playne that he did meane me, (for who els had to doe with Darling & the 7 in. Lancaſhire) how could I anſwer otherwiſ without periuery? Theſe words alſo we muſt remember are not mine but the printers, as I tould the Byſhop at my examynation, & at the ſame time condemed them greatly (both which the Diſcouerer I warrant you concealeth) how then doe they or my anſwer vntounto them argue my glorying in the actiō of caſting forth de uels? Let the Diſcouerer fram his argumēt & it may be he wil be aſhamed of it. Moreouer were it that I did glory ſomwhat toomuch herein the ſame maketh not againſt the cauſe, but argueth only my corruption.
Darrell being ſent for into Lancaſhire by one M. Starchy diſpoſſeſſed in the ſaid M.pag. 2. Starchyes houſe ſeauen perſons at one clap: viz: Iohn Starchye, Margaret Hardman:pag. 323. Elianor Hardman: Ellen Holland: Margaret Byrom and Iane Aſhton. And in the end of the diſcouery the Diſcouerer hath theſe wordes: vntounto theſe notable exployts of Darrells, concerning Mary Cowper, Katheryn Wright the boy of Burtou: and William Somers ſomething might be added of his pretended diſpoſſeſſing the ſeauen (ſo often mentioned) in Lancaſhire, out of one M. Mores examynation and confeſſyon touching that matter: his ſayd examynation is in the Registers office to her Maieſties Comiſſioners. And if any will take the paynes to pervſe it, he ſhall finde that M. Darrels, and M. Mores courſe held with thoſe in Lancaſhire, was as vayne & ridiculous as with any of the other.
VVe heare of M. Mores dealing and mine, about the (pretended) diſpoſſeſſing of 7. Lancaſhire and in generall termes of the courſe we held with them therein, but from theſe firſt words vntounto theſe laſt we heare not what they for their parts did, ſaue what is intimated by theſe aforeſaid words: ſo as the reader knoweth not well what to mak or thinke of them, of whom notwithſtandinge there is oft mention made, and wither he ſhould account them counterfeyts, yea or no. I deſire therefore to knowe of the Biſhop of London & Harſnet what theire iudgments of theſe ſeauen whither they counterfeyted a poſſeſſion or were indeede poſſeſſed: for one of theſe ſure they did, becauſe they were handled ſo like to thoſe that are poſſeſſed, both in & during the time of their trouble (or ſo fayned) and at the time and inſtant of their deliuerance (or diſſembled deliuerance) eueryevery one of them crying aloud, being rent ſore, and lyinge as dead, or ſeeminge ſo to be,math 12. 43. which are the ſignes of diſpoſſeſſion: Yea after alſo as wee hauehave heard in the ſtory, either the vnclehne ſpirits being gone out, returned vponupon them all, ſeeking to reenter into them againe, according to the Scriptures, or ſome ſuch thing they fayned. Theſe thinges duly conſidered, it cannot be denyed but that either they were poſſeſſed or diſſembled a poſſeſſion. Yf poſſeſſed: it is to be hoped that they are now diſpoſſeſſed, conſidering the ſignes of diſpoſſeſſion mentioned in the goſpell were heard and ſeene at the time and inſtant of their amendment, and that ſince that very time, (being three yeares paſt) they hauehave continued free from being vexed by Sathan, as before they were, one excepted that is repoſſeſſed. The returne alſo of the ſpirits doth confirme their eiection. Yf thus it goe & hauehave gon with the 7. in Lancaſhire: then we ſee men may be poſſeſſed in theſe dayes and diſpoſſeſſed, yea that the greateſt part of the perſons controuerted were ſo indeede, and did not faigne ſo to be as is pretended.
If they counterfeyted, why was not M. Starchy and ſome other about them, being ſo many, fetched to London by Purſeuants or war rants, as well as ſundry from Nottingham about Somers, & diuers out of St affordſhire about Thomas Darling? And why was there no commiſſion directed to ſome in Lancaſhire, for the better inquirye into this counterfeyting, and ſifting of thoſe counterfeyts (if ſuch they be) being 7. as well as one into Darbyſhire, an other into Leceſterſhire, & 3. or 4. (I take it) to Nottingham, for the finding out of the counter feyting of thoſe foure there? Yf theſe hauehave counterfeyted with Somers and Darling, why were not they or ſome of them fetched vp and receyued into the Biſhop of Londons houſe, and by his Lordſhip and S. Harſnet depoſed and examined about their counterfeyting, as well as Somers and Darling their fellowe counterfeyts were? for marke what the Diſcouerer himſelf ſaith in the end of this chapter:pag. 4. touching all theſe (ſauing thoſe in Lancaſhire) examynatiōs hauehave bene taken, & as well by the confeſſions of the parties, as by diuers other circumſtances, it doth playnlye appeare, that all which was done betwixt M. Darrell and them was meerly counterfeyted. I demaund now why theſe Lancaſhire perſons were omitted? why their examinations were not taken, and they tried what confeſſions they would hauehave made, as well as Somers. Darling. Kath: Wright, and M. Couper. if theſe likewiſe me…rely counterfeyted. Surely me thinketh that if theſe 7. were counterfeits, the Biſhop and Harſnet doe hereby greatly preiudice the cauſe they hauehave in hand, and them ſelues. for admit one or two of them were obſtinate, and would not confeſſe a counterfeytinge, yet it may be ſome of them would. There are ſundry of them, and they are not all ſure made of one moulde. Some of them alſo very yong, and it is likely they wold tel the truth moreouer it cannot be that the Biſhop and Ha…ſnet taking ſuch great and long paynes about two yeares, day and night, to find out 4. counterfeyts, would …aue paſſed by ſuch a number of counterfeytes, ſo greate a pray as … was, if ſo be they were counterfeyts. And much leſſe would they …aue ſought out one ſingle counterfeyt Kath. Wright by name, hauehave depoſed and examyned her (with ſundrye others) for counterfeyting 14. yeares paſt, and let all theſe alone with theire counterfeyting about three yeares agoe, if theſe were counterfeyts as well as ſhe (is pretended to be) Againe if thoſe 7. hauehave counterfeited ſo that we hauehave not 4. but 11. counterfeyts, conſidering I dealt with theſe 7. as well as the other 4. why is there no mention made (not ſo much as in generalty) of my fraudulent practiſes and procedings concerning the pretended poſſèſſion and diſpoſſeſſion of theſe 7. nor any word vſed tending therevnto, as well as or Will. Somers Thomas Darling & the reſt euen in particuler and by name? Surely the Diſcouerer did greatly forget himſelf to mention my (pretended) diſpoſſeſſing of 4. only in the tytle of his booke, and in the firſt chapter of the booke wherein he treateth of the number of ſuch perſons as are ſaid to hauehave bene diſpoſeſſed by my meanes to name 11. Beſides if thoſe hauehave counterfeyted ſeing then they are the greateſt part of the counterfeyts, and hauehave not at all bene dealt with for their counterfeyting, it is playne that the Biſhop and Harſnet hauehave but ſlightly ſhuffoled and ſlubbered ouer the matter of counterfeyting wherewith they hauehave bene wholy taken vp a long time, and left their worke vnperfect: much like to an vnwiſe builder who not firſt ſitting downe and caſting with himſelf what his houſe will coſt him, falleth of building: but perceiuing after he hath builded a while, that he is not able to fyniſh that he began, is conſtrayned to giuegive ouer his building, whervpon all that behold it begin to mock him: or that fooliſh man which vnawares buildeth his houſe vponupon the ſands, but afterwards perceiuing the ſame to be no ſure foundation, ceaſeth to build any further: for this cauſe I aduiſe them either to confeſſe the truth & giuegive glory to god, or els for ſhame to proceede on in finding out more counterfeyts, and add to the 4. they hauehave already thoſe 7. for all eleuen were handled alike: and their condition the ſame, yea ſomuch is in effect acknowledged by the Biſhope and Harſnet in this whole firſt Chapter of theirs, and in very manye places of ther booke: otherwiſe all that heare therof will laugh at thē, and their doting partiallity, that would be ſo hot and ſweat ſomuch about 4. and let 7. of the ſame counterfeyt condition paſſe & eſcape vntouched. Furthermore, if theſe 7. hauehave likewiſe counterfeyted, I deſire to knowe of the Diſcouerer who taught them ſo to doe, & that he make him knowne to the world, as he hath done the teacher of the other foure, for why ſhould we not think that they likewiſe had an in ſtructor, ſpecially ſeing 5. of the 7. were very yong, and their fevts as admirable & hard to be done as thoſe of the 4… my ſelf (we heare) ſcholed Somers Darling Kath: Wright and Mary Couper, and ſeinge the … were handled alike to theſe 4. counterfeyts, and that I dealt with the 7. as well as the other 4. and that 3. of the 4. were helped by the ſame meanes, viz. by prayer and faſting, or diſſembled the ſame with theſe, it is in all reaſon likely, that if I inſtructed the 4. to counterfeit then I hauehave done the like to the 7. in Lancaſhire alſo: but conſidering I am not accuſed thereof, and if I were I truſt they would cleare me themſelues: it is to be thought that this notwithſtandinge, I am free from teaching Iohn Starchy Anne Starchy, and the other 5. who he is then that inſtructed them, it would be knowne. Iohn and Anne Starchy with the reſt would be depoſed and examined by the L. Biſhop of London, and made to tell who it was, what his name is, that beinge knowne the world might be better ſatiſfied as touching their counter feyting, and he whoſoeuer he is, might partake with me in puniſhment, ſeing he hath committed the like or the ſame fault. Laſtly if Io. and Anne Starchy: Margaret Hardman Elianor Hardman &c. be counterfeytes, why are they not puniſhed for counterfeyting, conſidering it is a fault deſeruing very ſeuere puniſhment, and not to be tollerated or borne with in any, much leſſe whē ſo many conſpire & ioyn togither in committing this ſaide abomination. Thus you ſee (Chriſtian Reader) in what ſtraits the Biſhop and his Chapline hauehave brought themſelues on which hand ſoeuer they turne them, whither to the right or left. If they ſay the 7. in Lancaſhire were poſſeſſed, then wee heare what followeth thervpon: if they affirme they counterfeyted a poſſeſſion, (and the one of theſe as is afore ſhewed it is very certaine they did) we ſee they are little or nothing holpen thereby:…lence is beſt where anſweare cannot be made without a braned conſience. the onlye thinge I feare is that they will not be drawne to returne any anſwer herevnto at all: though I hauehave multiplyed my wordes, and enlarged my penne, and thereby wold prouoke them therevnto.
Iane Aſhton is ſince fallen into the handes of certaine Seminary preiſts, and hath bene carryed by them vp and downe that country to ſundry recuſants houſes (as certaine ydle men were wont to carry puppets) and by cunning counterfeiting of certaine fits & ſtaying of hirſelf by the ſecret dire …ti…ns of the ſaid preiſts,…. 2. ſhe hath gotten god knoweth what: they by ſuch leu dnes hauehave wonne great credit, but hir Maieſties ſubiects hauehave in the meane time bene ſhamefully abuſed.
Thus it is Iane Aſhton being with ſix other diſpoſſeſed as wee hauehave heard, was after (embracing the popiſh religion) repoſſeſſed, & therevpon fell into the hands of certaine preiſts, who hauehave carryed her vp and downe the country, exorciſing and adiuring the diuell in her after their manner.…o … fauor to preiſts then to miniſters of the goſpell. Now I demaund of the Biſhop of London why theſe Seminari… preiſts hauehave not bene in all this time committed to priſon and puniſhed as well as M. More and my ſelfe, for beſides that they are preiſts, it is acknowledged (and it is moſt true) that thereby hir maieſties ſubiects hauehave bene ſhamefully abuſed, and further it is ſaid that ſhee ſtayeth herſelf vponupon their ſecret directions, whereby it ſhoulde ſeme (if one may beleue the Diſcouerer) that theſe preiſts hauehave taught… her to coūterfyt, at leaſt in part, why alſo is not this notorious coūter feyt puniſhed, that hath had a principall hand in this abuſing of hir ma…ieſties ſubiects? but it may be ſhe is no counterfeit, for it is ſaide that through the directions of the ſaid prieſts ſhee hath gotten god knowes what: Imagine that it is the doing of ſome tricks, or as is ſaide heere the counterfeyting of certaine fits whether ſhe will or not as Mary Couper is brought forth depoſing, that certaine ſpeaches of mine (principally) and of certaine women, togither with her experience of the ſignes of poſſeſſion in her brother, made her to doe that which ſhee neuer thought to hauehave done, and this whether ſhe would or no, ſo as ſhe could not refrayne: no maruaile then though ſhe hauehave not bene puniſhed for counterfeyting,pag. 3. 1… and this is the very reaſon why of 11. counterfeyts (as ſome call them) none hauehave bene puniſhed for counterfeyting: no not Somers: who if it were ſo was an horrible blaſphemer, and otherwiſe moſt abominable.