The Sinful Shameful Lying and Ridiculous Discourse of Samuel Harshnet, Treatise · Book 2 · Chapter 2, 3
OF CHAP. 2. & 3.
Diſcou
OF M. Darrells priuate directions to So. whilſte he was at Not. with him,pag. 9…. how he ſhould from time t… time be hauehave himſelfe in his counterf…ting
Diſco.
In this 2. Chapter So. chargeth me that comming to Not. vponupon the 5. of Nouember, the two next morninges beinge the 6 and 7. of Nouember, I came vntounto him and had certaine ſpeaches with him priuatlye, as touchinge the a…ling of his ſitts vponupon the day of his diſpoſſeſſion, the ſaid 7 day of Nouember: and alſo what he ſhoulde doe in his remouall (& vponupon the very motion therof) from the houſe where he was, pag. 100.to the place where the faſt appoynted was held for his diſpoſſing, which laſt part of his accuſation is ſett downe in theſe wordes after many other. And even ſo ſaid M. Dar. (the ſecond morning being the 7 of Nouember) the like order ſhal be taken with thee this morning. An…ne one ſhall be ſent to ſee if thou be readie: at what time thou ſhalt ſhewethy ſelfe to be much troubled in thy fitts: vponupon ſignification wherof, ſixe or ſeuen ſhall come to bringe thee vponupon there ſhoulders, whom thou maiſte greatlye troubl… in their carriag of thee, by ſtrugling with them, as other, that were poſſ…ſſed did: and a… though the diuell had compelled thee ſo to doe, being very loth to come to ſo godly an exerciſe. Shortly after M. Darrels departure, all thinges were done accordingly. One Langſord was ſent to ſee if I were readie… at whoſe comming I did make ſhewe of my greateſt fits, in an vnquiet manner, Thervpon the ſaide Lan… forde returning to M. Darr. by and by ſeuen came to carrie me, whom (I thinke) I did very much trouble & whervpon it was giuen out, that I was ſo heavie in my ſitts, as ſeuen was ſcarſe able to carrie me.
Darrell.
If this accuſation were indeede true, who ſe…th not, how eaſie amatter it were by ſound and infallible teſtimonies to manifeſt the truth thereof. For as certaine nights and dayes, before my comminge to Nott. this pretended counterfeyte had diuers perſons of honeſt report abidinge with him, partly by reaſon of his greuous and lamentable affliction, and partly to preſerue him from deſtroying himſelfe, which by as manye wayes as he could, hee attempted to hauehave done, (which argueth alſo that he was no counterfeit, but indeed really poſſeſſed, for what counterfeite, did euer ſeeke willingly by all meanes to murther himſelfe) ſo after my comming to Nott. vntill his diſpoſſeſſion, he had much more company with him then before, both day & night, ſo that he neuer beinge by himſelfe alone after my comminge, it is not poſſible that I ſhould hauehave ſuch, and ſo longe …riuate conſerēe with him as is here pretended. And if I could not be with him, & c…nferr with him in an inuiſible manner, how commeth it to paſſe that ſo many eye witneſſes being preſent, ther is not one produced to proue this conſerence? or did I at my comminge put all forth of there place where he remained, and where we had conference? why then are not …ome of the… produced, ſworne and examined to depoſ… this theire thruſtynge out? ſythence by the rules and maximes of the eccleſiaſticall lawe, by which I ought to hauehave bene ludged, onus probandi incumbit agentiſuae accuſanti, and that acbore ſiue accuſatore non probante, abſoluendus eſt reus: I appeale to all the doctors of the Ciuill lawe, whether the teſtimonye of So. being as himſelfe confeſſeth a counterfeyt, beinge ſocius crimmis obiecti, being a vagarant ruuagate from his M. ſhould in this eaſe be a good teſtimonye to proue this priuat conſerēe yea or no. But to let theire opinion paſſe touchinge this poynt: I am readie. and able by ſundy credible and honeſt perſons in whoſe companye alltogether I remayned thoſe two morninges, to make good proofe, that I was neither of theſe morninges with Som at all, neither alone,that …. nor yet with others (a) If then Somers was neither of theſe two mornings priuatly by himſelfe alone: If alſo as wel by ſuch perſons as were at that time with him beinge not a few, as by ſuch perſons with whom I remained in aplace far diſtant from Som. lodging, I be able to proue, my ſelfe not to hauehave bene preſent, but all to gether abſent, frō the partie with whom this pretended priuate conference ſhould be: Let the reader Iudge whether theſe two falſe witneſſes Som. I meane & the Diſc. the one principall the other acceſſary as graund confederat… and conſpirators againſt the good name of an Innocent, be not worthely of all good men to be exploded and hiſſed at.
Diſcou.
Yea but quoth the iſ… M. Dar: himſelfe conſeſeth ſomwhat which tendeth to the confirmation of this his ſecond conſerence with Somers:pag 10…. For beinge depoſed he acknowledged, that he ſent William Langford that morning t… take order for the preſēt bringing of So. to Smales houſe, & that M. Lang ſorde brought him word, that as ſoone as he ſpeake of the boyes …emouinge, he was preſently caſt into aſore fit. And againe, in his hiſtorie be hath theſe words: The boy was brought by 6 or 7 ſtrong men, who had all of them enough to doe, to bringe him to the next conuenient and ſeemlye roome, to th… place of his aboade.
Darrell:
My confeſſion tendeth nothing to the confirmation of any ſuch pretended conſerence: For what though I ſent W. Langford, that W. Lang …ord did bring me word et: and that he was brought by 6 or 7 doth this proue that vponupon the 6 and 7 of N…uember in the morning, I had ſpeach priuatlye with Somer…? marke the Diſc: argument.
Darrell dothe confeſſe that theſe and theſe thinges were done by Lengſ…d, et. therefore Darrell had priuate conference with Somers about counterfeiting which argument if it be good, why then not this followinge alſo?
W… Langford confeſſeth theſe thinges to be true:
therefore W. Langf…rd had priuat conference with Somers the 6 and 7 of Nouember about counterfeyting.
Now if this argument hold not againſt W. Langſurd why ſhould it holde againſt me… Idenye not that it fell out as is here ſaide with So. vponupon the motion to rem…ue him, and in the remouing of him, but that I vponupon the 7 of Nouember 97, (or yet at any other time) directed or aduiſed him ſo to doe I deny. which fact beinge thus denyed the Diſ. confirmeth or proueth thus. So. did thus and thus, (as appeareth by D. orels owne depoſition, and his hiſtorie) …rgo Dar. inſtructed him ſo to doe. If this be a good argumente, it is a verie eaſie matter to proue that I hauehave taught So. to counterfeyte: and had So. accuſed the … as he hath done me, and be but ſent M. Langford or ſome other to … that he was remoued, leſt that ſhould be to doe when the people were aſſembled: I could with great facilitie proue him guiltie of teaching him to counterfeite. And here we may ſee what the diſc. proueth or confirmeth by this his worthy confirmation: and how herein (as often elſe where) be buiſieth himſelfe to proue that which is or will be graunted, and omiteth that which is by me denyed: 2. we muſt heere vnderſtand, that the diſc. knowing theſe things to be true, hath inſerted them among S…. lyes, therby hoping to dazel the eyes of men, and deceiue the ſimple, or over haſtie and vnaduiſed reader: who ſeeing theſe thinges, being agreat part of his accuſation to be true, may thervpon imagine that the reſt is likewiſe true. And this is the maine fallcie and deceit he vſeth in ſetting downe S…. accuſation.
For the preſeruinge of ſome from beinge thus be guiled by this deceauour we muſt knowe, that when one is accuſed of a matter capitall or criminall, to proue the accuſe I guiltie, it is n…t ſufficient that certaine circumſt…nces or perticulers conta…ned in the accyſation be true for it is an ea…e matter for him that careth not with the diſc…. how fooliſh an… ridiculous, beſides, falſe, the accuſation be, to frame ſuch an accu…ation (a limit of high treaſon) is ſhalbe true in 19. cir…u… ſtances or ſe…erall pointes of the accu…a…ion, an… very falſe in the 20. being the treaſonable a…tor intent it ſelfe, as may ea…ly be conie…iured by the inſtance giuen before concerninge S. Ha…net. Even ſo it is in S…. whole accuſation, and this p…te therof, wherin notwithſtan… ing …undrie circumſtances (not materiall) are true, …et that wherof I am accuſed, … of him to count…teit…. is … falſe and nothinge proued nor yet produced that probabile mi…ht conſi…me the ſame. And thus hauehave I anſweared the accuſation of Som. or principall points therof, concerning my teaching him to counterfeite and truſt the falſhood of it is made euidente to all men. Let vsus …ow proceed to the circumſtances, that is, certaine ſpeaches of myne, whereby alſo the diſc. will proue that I hauehave ſcholed Somers. where by the way we muſt obſerue, that the accuſation beinge falſe, (wherof I thinke hardly any chriſtiā that hath read the premiſes doth once doubt) no circumſtāces can ever make it true. In this reſpect it is a thinge needles to vſe any more wordes about them. Yet that my innocencie may be the more manifeſt, and leſt in not anſwering them, ſome ſhould imagine that I were not able to anſwere, I will ſay ſomthing to them, but with what breuitie I can, Leauing So. who hath ſo accuſtomed his tongue to lying, that he ſcarſlye vttereth a true worde in all that followeth, to the diſc. to beleiue his lyes: who calleth falſhood truth, a…d truth falſhod.
The firſt circumſtance prouing (as is pretended) my inſtructing him, is ſet downe in theſe wordes.
Diſcouerer.
M. Dar.the 1. circumſtance. pag 107. hauing neuer ſcene Som. (as he pretendeth) did affirme, that he was certainlye poſſeſſed by a wicked ſpirite, vponupon the rude report of a ſimple man,…art 9. p…g. 16 one Hugh Wilſon, and vponupon a letter receaued by wilſon from his ſiſter in law miſtris Wallis. This M. Dar. confeſſeth in theſe wordes. Being certified in myſiſters letter and by the meſſengers further ſpeaches, of the manner of So. fits: I did ſend them worde, that thoſe thinges being true he was poſſeſſed, and this I did before I ſawe Somers.
Darrell.
VVee muſt knowe that other proofe the Diſc. hath not of this his circumſtance, then this my confeſſion: and it is apparant that my confeſſion proueth it not: for in the circumſtance it is, that I ſaide So. was certainly poſſeſſed, and I write vncertainly and vndoubtedly therof, as appeareth by my wordes. And conſidering that in the letter (which is ſett downe before) there are diuers ſignes of poſſeſſion mentioned, and that Hugh Wilſon tolde me further of So. foaming, of his extraordinary ſtrength, caſtinge into the fire, with other ſignes of ſathan his poſſeſſinge man, mentioned in the goſpell, as I can proue: and that where the proper ſigne or ſignes of a thing is, there is the thing ſignifyed thereby: why might I not well write as I acknowledge heere I did? and what did I therin ill beſeeming me? And how abſurdly doth this conclude my inſtructinge of So. to counterfeite? Let the reader frame here the argument, and he will eaſilie grope and finde out the abſurditie.
Diſcouerer
Darrell ſaide, … pag 108.that he purposed to hauehave a faſt for Som. diſpoſſeſſion, & that he doubted not of good ſucceſſe, by that meanes to procure the boyes deliueraunce. Heerevpon the diſc. collecteth as followeth. This M. Dar. confident bragging that he doubted not of good ſucceſſe, as it argueth his ignorance: ſo the ſame being ioyned to his raſh credulitie, doth make it probable that eyther he had layde his plotte with the boye before, or els that he kn…we very wll, h…w by his cunninge to drawe one the boy for the ſeruinge of his turne as he himſelfe liſt.
Darrell.
VVhat and how great my confidence in this caſe is, and wherevpon the ſame is grounded, appeareth els where, where I treate of the meanes of diſpoſſeſſion. But marke how the Diſc. argueth thervpon: Darrell doubted not of good ſucceſſe, ergo it is probable that he had plotted before with the body about counterfeiting, or elſe knewe very well et. By this reaſon had M. Ireton or M. Browne, who were writ vntounto, and there counſell and paines deſiered about So. as well as mine, hoped of good ſucceſſe a faſt being vſed for his diſpoſſeſſion, and ſo affirmed: they had eyther plotted with him about counterfeiting, or elſe et. Againe if this be a good circumſtance, & that out of it one may probablie conclude as you heare, then can I tell and proue to the Diſc. who taught the 7. in Lancaſhire, for I am ſure he will hauehave them counterfeites too. Surely M. More, For when he went and came into Lancaſhire, he was very coufident of good ſucceſſe, a faſt being vſed for there diſpoſſeſſion, and his ignorance and raſh credulitie concerninge there deliuerance equal to mine as touching So. this alſo he did affirme to others, as I knowe he will confeſſe: therefore he either had layde his plotte with them before, or elſe he knewe very well how by his cunning to drawe them on for the ſeruing of his turne, as he himſelfe liſt. The abſurditie of the Diſc. firſt collection concerning my plotting with Somers to counterfeite, becauſe vponupon iuſt occaſion I writ that he was poſſeſſed. with ſuch a caution as you hauehave heard, eueryevery child may eſpie… and ſurelie his ſecond collection is no leſſ abſurd. for how could I knowe & that very well that he woulde be drawne on by me to counterfeite, before I had ſpeach with him or yet did ſee him? It might be for any thinge I knewe to the contrary, hauing then neuer ſeene him, that if the boy was not poſſeſſed, yet he was otherwiſe greuiouſlye aflicted whervpon the letters & meſſenger came vntounto me) and ſo would hauehave ſmale liſt to ſerue my turne againe, were it not ſo, yet percaſe he was not apt to doe ſuch rare feits as in that caſe are requiſite. Moreouer, admittinge both theſe to fall out patte as he would hauehave it, yet how could I knowe before I ſett eye of So. that he would be willing to counterfeite a poſſeſſion with the diuil, and that he was altogether graceles, for otherwiſe he neither would nor durſt commit ſuch an abomination.
Diſcouerer.
The chiefeſt meanes whereby M. Dar. did ſeduce the people, and cunninglye in fruct So.p…g 102. without ſuſpition in any that beleiued him, were theſe two falſe gr…undes, (wherof in the firſt booke) vz. that thoſe who are poſſ…ſſed, hauehave in there ſitts no vſe of there ſenſes or ſaculties of there mindes, and that whatſoeuer they either d…e or ſay at ſuch times, it is not they but Sathan that doth both ſay and doe it.
Darrell
Howſoeuer the Diſc. doth not onelyonly here but (I knowe not how oft) els where as pag. 30. 69. 111. 289. 306. prattle and floriſh with emptie words as though theſe were the two principall and falſe grounds wherby I am ſaid to hauehave bewitched all the beholders: wee muſt firſt knowe that he proueth not the former of theſe (whereto I will firſt anſwere) no not ſo much as by a falſe witnes. For his 4 witneſſes here following, and two pag 111. doe only depoſe that I ſaide So. was ſen… leſſe in his ſits, and thoſe two pag. 306. that I ſaide the ſame by Kat. … which ioyned together proue not that I ſaid th…ſe who are p…ſſ…ſſ…d are ſen…leſſ…, p. 41. 30.or as he ſaith elſe where and meaneth heere (a … is p…ſſ…ſſed, is in his fitts altogether ſen…leſſe 2. I hauehave vponupon myoath denyed,pag …06. that I ſaid this of So. vz. at the times articulated againſt me…at another tyme I deny,p…g 289. that affirmed Kath. Wright was ſencles, and a thrid time being here about depoſed, I anſweared thus: (a) I b…leiue that Th…. This is the eight ….Darlinge had not his ſences or memorie in his fits: but I (c) thinks that Satan might ſo order the matt…r, as that he eith…r had or might … had his ſences in his ſaid ſitts. And ſurelye I muſt needs thinke ſo, except I were ſo groſſe as to imagine, that ſathan being entered into man, is bound (as I may ſay) hand and fote to depriue eueryevery ſuch perſon of ther ſences, and cannot otherwiſe doe: and ſecondly ſhould mundi forget my ſelfe, who hauehave in experience ſeene the contrary in … Aſhton, and alſo in W. S…mers, as I hauehave ſhewed before, where I treate of the ſignes of poſſeſſion. I or this reaſon confirmed by ſome experience, I am as far as any other from ſaying that the Diſc. pag 50.ſo oft inclucateth and fathereth upon me, vz. that wh…ſoeuer is p…ſſ…ſſed is altogeth…r ſ…n…les in all there ſits, yet notwithſtandinge I hould that the poſſeſſed ordinarily are ſeneles in theire fitts, not onl… becauſe my ſelfe an… others hauehave obſerued this in experience, but ſpecially becauſe the ſame may be probabile colle red out of the ſcriptures. For did not the deuill depriue them (at leaſt) of ſome of theire ſence,ma…h 12 12. … 5. … 5. 5. … blind and …aſe? wherevpon the ſpirite was called by Chriſt Ieſus (d) leaſe ſpirit? and may we not well thinke that the… were without feeline, who ſto…ke themſelues with ſtones? and … of there mindes, both of their vnderſtanding and memory (for it is playne by the context that they were (k) out of their right mynde) hauehave wee not then good cauſe to iudge that they were depryued of all their ſences internall & externall? And that thus it went not alwayes with them,mark 5. 15. Luk 8. 35. but in theyre …ytts, that is in the time of their vexation by Sathan, may be gathered out of the 8. Marke, where it is ſaid of one of them, inſteade of both that b…ing often bound with ſetters and chaynes he brake them: and then it was, that no man could tame him, and made his aboade (naked) in the mountaynes and graues, and ſtroke himſelfe with ſtones, ſo as there were other times viz. when they were out of their fitts, when he liued and conuerſed among men, cloathed & in his right mynd. And that not only theſe, but generally the poſſeſſed in Chriſts time were ordinarily for the time of their fitts without their ſences, we may probablye thinke, becauſe it is euident that they had not their vnderſtandynge: otherwiſe they would neuer hauehave cryed outmmark 1. 24, what hauehave wee to doe with thee, O Ieſus of Nazareth? art thou come to deſtroy vsus? and that not only theſe but many poſſeſſed with diuells vſed theſe kynd of ſpeaches, appeareth by Marke 1. 34. Thus we ſee that one of theſe which the Diſc. calleth my falſe grounds wherewith he chargeth me to hauehave ſeduced the people, and (a) iugling ſticks wherevppon my Legerdemayne (as he calleth it) did conſiſt. is warranted by the holy ſcriptures. Beeſides, this hath bene obſerued and reported of ſome, who it ſhoulde ſeeme were poſſeſſed.pag 30. In an hiſtory printed 86. concerning the afflictions of Margaret Heriſon of Burnham Vlpe in Norfolke, and the ſpeach the ſpirit had with M Robinſon miniſter at the ſame place, it is ſaide that ſhe was of all ſences both internall and externall, to the iudgment of thoſe that were preſent, vtterly depryued, and in an other place, ſhee comming to her vnderſtanding cryed &c. And in the booke printed of the bewitchinge of M. Robert Throckmortons 5. daughters, who as I take it were poſſeſſed, it is reported that they were depryued of all vſe of their ſences duringe their fitts, and that they could neither ſee, heare, nor ſeele any body: and to this effect there are ſcattered very many ſpeaches throughout the ſaide booke: yea it is playne there that two of theſe gentleweomen, Miſtris Ioane and Miſtres Iane had not theire ſences in theire fitts before the Iudge and Iuſtices.
And where the Diſc. by way of preuention hath theſe wordes: The lunatick in the ſcriptures was in his ſitts dombe,page 30. but it cannot be ſh…re. that he wanted the reſt of his ſences:
Hee ſeeth now more may be ſhewed by other perſons then poſſeſſed: and truly it is an eaſye matter to ſhewe, that the lunatick …anted one of the externall ſences he ſpeaketh not of,mark 9. 25. viz. hearing: for Chriſt in healing the lunatick ſayd: Thou dombe and deafe ſpirit I charge thee ….
…
… in their …, it is not th…y, but Sathan … it.
Darrell
That the diuell v…eth the tongue of th…ſe he poſſeſſeth, & ſpeaketh … it is an … by theſe ſcriptures among others (u) what is thy … I … many. …(a), And the … me: If the … out, ſuffer … into the hearde of ſwyne. (p) … thy … and come out of him. (h) … many diuells, and … not the diuell to ſay that they knew him. (…) And diuells came out of … crying, and ſaying, thou art that Chriſt that ſonne of God. Heerevpon … affirmeth, Diab…um e…us lingua vti, m…uues … at the diuell vſeth his tongue, into whoſe bodye he is entred. yea in the manifold ſpeaches of the poſſeſſed mentioned in the goſpell, we read… not of any one which was not vttered by the diuell. It is cleare the that … if not alwa…es in the fitts of the poſſeſſed, Sathan …. and not they. And as the vncleane ſpiritts vſe the tongues of … whome they are, and ſpeake what they will by them, ſo doe … vſe the other parts or members of their bodyes to performe other actions: as their …eete to goe with their hands, to ſmite with, &c. ſo the diuells …ent with the …eete of the man poſſeſſed with the …, carrve… them into the mountaynes and granes, went with the ſa…e ſeete (…) …, and with the means hands offered … no doubt to diuers,… ſo that N… man might goe by that way: (I … in peeces, wherwith the… were … with their owne … And … Peſides, the parties poſſeſſed we treat …f … time their ſitts being ended, … or did, … you … nights and … euer, … as freel, as at other times, an … yet … of that they had ſaid or d…ne all that time, nor of anythinge … bene … or done to them. And of M. … it is written thus:… when it pleaſ…dge…d … … as this is reported of the 5 daughters generally and … the ſame is ſaid of 7. … in theſe words: … and a …ions. … in their … and did come from the diuell, … they … the ſame time otherwiſe vexed, and not from … or … iuſt came to beleue them thus affirming, w…en we ſee it …, that ſome things are vttered by them, which pa…eth theire … ledge, and reach, and done which are impoſſible to be done by then. And ſeeing it is euident that whatſoeuer theſe perſons poſſeſſed ſaid and did in their ſittes, the ſame was ſpoken and done not by … but by the d…uell, and that ſomuch is manifeſt by the ſcriptures in part, though not in the wh…le; why may not I … owne parte … or be of opyni…n, that whatſ…uer the … (…ina …) … the time of their ſ…tts, it is not they, but Sathan that … ſay and …, as the Diſc. chargeth me (but falſly) peren…t…tily to … And yet the Diſc. proueth not thus much as n…we voluntarily … but onelyonly that I hauehave ſaid to this effect in particular, … So. …nd …. And thus much as … my ſec…nde … ſed falſe …, and iugding ſtick wherevpon ….
Now let vsus conſider what the Diſc. …gather…th or concludeth of … two ſuppoſed … groundes of myne. Firſt, that … the people, and draw them to thinke and ſay, that the, … trouerte ſwere poſſeſſed. Alas poore ſill… …ules, whi…h w…re ſo … by theſe few wordes of myne ſe…uced & blynded. VVhy … all were not hereby ſeduced, and drawne to think and giuegive … theſe were poſſeſſed, for ſundry weekes before I … (a … I did ſpeake then,) …, many thought and … (as I can pro … wherevpon there as a rumour thereof in th…ſe …?
… how can this be, ſeing all the counterfeytes, had their leſſons at theire fyngers endes, ſome about a monethmonth, ſome a quarter of a yeare, ſome two yeare; before? and againſt this the Diſc. ſaith not any thing ſaue about So. Beſides if this be a good reaſon to proue my inſtructing of So. why doth he not vſe the ſame to proue thereby my teachinge of the 7. in Lancaſhire? which howſoeuer he would hauehave the worlde to thinke is true, yet for ſhame he dare not publiſh it to the world. Laſtly, this being a good argument of one his teaching to counterfeyte, the Diſ…. ſhall doe well to inquire after him who ſaid as much heretofore of M. Throckmortons children (and of others) as I concernynge So. Darling and Kath Wright yea the very ſame with me, that being found out he might be puniſhed for ſuch inſtruction as well as I. For albeit it be ſome yeares ſince ſuch inſtructing, and counterfeyting was, I meane of M. Throckmortons children yet it is little more then half ſo …ong as it is ſince Kath. Wrights counterfeyting and my teachinge of her, and therefore may mvch better be inquired into, then this other fact done ſu…dry yeares before. And thus the Diſc. hauinge made a way to that which followeth, and layd this as his foundation, wherevpon his whole Diſcouery reſteth, as whoſoeuer hath read & obſerued that worthy worke cannot but ſee, he proceedeth to build therevpon, proportionably to the rotten and worſe then ſandy yea ridiculous foundation, to the ouerthrowing and caſting downe whereof I alſo will procede, and ſo come to the reſt of the Diſcouerers circumſtances, whereby he procedeth to proue my teaching of Somers to counterfeyt.
Diſcouerer.
VponUpon the aforeſaid hare relation of Hugh Wilſon and before he had thē ſcene So.The 3. circumſtance pag 108. Dar. ſent word by him to Nott. that Somers was in his fits ſence leſſe. It is vntrue.
M. Darrell at his comming to So.The 4 circ…m … p…g …. 9. to Nott. ſaid he was poſſeſſed before he had ſeene him in any ſitt, eſpecially ſuch a fytt as might not eaſilye be counterfeyted. falſe.
M. Dar. vponupon his firſt comming vntounto Som.The s…en … pag 11…. affirmed, that it was not So. that ſpake in his ſitts, but the diuell by him. I graunt, what followeth?
M. Dar. the firſt night of his comming vntounto the b…y affirmed in the preſence of the ſaid b…y,The … umſtance p…g 111. …7. cu…cumſta…e. pag 113. the 8 circumſt…nce. Pag 113. that he was in his fitts ſenceleſſe. falſe.
M. Dar. ſpecifyed the ſame night in the preſence of So. & diuers others, the manner of ſuch fitts as the poſſeſſed had in the ſcriptures, and of thoſe wh…h were ſeen… (as he ſaid) in Kath… Wright, the boy of Burton, and th… ſeauen in Lancaſhire. what of this?
M. Dar. then ſaid to the perſons preſent in the heareing of Som. that be the ſaid So. would doe the like. falſe.
M. Dar. tould them in So. hearing, that he the ſaid So. was not ſo much noubled for his owne ſinnes,The 9. …circu… ſtance pag 114. as for the ſynnes of the people, or of the inhabitants of Nott. falſe.
M. Dar. affirmed in the preſence of the boy, that ſathan did vſe to ſhew by geſtures in thoſe that were poſſeſſed,The 10 circum… ſtance pag 115. the particuler ſinnes that raigned in thoſe places where they dwelt. falſe.
M. Dar. affirmed in the hearing of So. and preſence of many, that he verily thought the diuell would doe the like in So.The 11. circ… ſtance. and declare by ſignes & geſtures the ſinnes of Nott. and of others. falſe.
So. acting thoſe geſtures, M. Dar. did expound them very learnedlye,The 12. circu… ſtance pag 116. the 13 circumſtance. pag 120. the 14 circumſtance. Pag 122. to ſignify this or that ſinne that raigned in Nott. falſe.
The next day (being Sonday) M. Dar. comming to So. vſed the like ſpeaches then in the preſence of others that he had done ouernight: viz. that So. was in his fitts ſenceleſſe &c. falſe.
M. Dar. did take vponupon him to foretell many things that woulde happen the day appoynted for the faſt: as that they ſhould ſee very ſtrang thing, that Sathan would wonderfully torment-the boy, and that he doubted not but that they ſhould perceaue by the ſignes of poſſeſſion and diſpoſſeſſion, that the boy was poſſeſſed, and that then he ſhoulde be deliuered from Sathan. falſe.
M. Dar.the 15. circu… ſtance. pag. 124. the day of the faſt affirmed in his ſermon, that they ſhould euidently perceaue by the ſignes of poſſeſſion, that So. was poſſeſſed, and by the ſignes of diſpoſſ…ſſion that So. ſhould be diſpoſſeſſed, if god woulde: and comming to intreate of the particular ſignes of poſſ…ſſion, and ſo of diſpoſſeſſion, he vſed ſuch pawſes, as that the boy had leaſure to act them in order as he named them. The latter part of this circumſtance is falſe: It is proued by So. depoſition only.
In the declaring of theſe ſpeaches depoſed by many, conteyninge in them ſo many circumſtances, conſiſteth my inſtructing of So. by ſpeaking to others in his hearing,pag 126. thoſe things which I mens that he ſhould practiſe: wherein I dealt ſo cunningly as that albeit I had neuer ſeene him at Aſhby, nor dealt with him priuatly at Nott. yet this ſaide courſe which I held with him there, and with thoſe that cam… to ſee him in his ſ…tts, was ſo contryued as might caſily in forme So. what he had to doe, and did indeede blynde and miſleade many of the people.
Darrell.
I anſwer generally to theſe and all the former circumſtances firſt that all theſe circumſtances with the reſt of the depoſitions in the Diſcouery. my p…ſt peneralan… … the circumſtances.were taken by Commiſſioners choſen and appointed by them which are againſt me, I not being ſuffered to ioyne with them therein: neither hauehave I had nor poſſibly could gett any coppy of them, or Commiſſion graunted for me, to re-examyne theſe witneſſes. Now theſe proceedings are contrary to the Queenes lawes, and the ordinary practiſe of the high Commiſſion court… and for that cauſe (had I nothing elſe to ſay) theſe circumſ…ances (with the other depoſitions in the Diſ…uery) are of no force, neither prouing anything, nor yet proued againſt me.
2. Theſe Commiſſioners were and are my mortall enemyes,… anſwere & therefore very partiall, one of themſelues alſo M. William Gregory by name, being their clarke or notary. And as it cannot (almoſt) other wiſe be, ſo I am able to proue, that they hauehave carr…e themſelues very corruptly in the execution of theire ſeuerall Commiſſions: And therefore in all equity and indifferency, the things heere and through out the Diſcouery depoſed are to be more then ſuſpected, euen to be reiected.
3. I affirme that many of theſe circumſtances are falſe,…y … anſweare. and offer to bring at leaſt an hundred witneſſes (if ſo many were needefull) to de poſe otherwiſe for the falſifying of them.
4. Admit that I had ioyned in theſe Commiſſions,my 4. anſweare. and that all were true which is depoſed: I affirme that theſe circumſtances are to weake and inſufficient to proue that I taught him to counterfeyt ſuppoſing he were a counterfeyt: for if we will proue a thing in controuerſy or matter criminall by circumſtances, as they muſt be diuers, ſo they muſt be ſtrong, eueryevery one probably concluding that whervnto they ſerue, bearing the name and nature of a preſumption, as we very well call it: the etimology of which worde teacheth, that the preſumption being true, it is thence to be preſumed, and in all likelihood thought, that that is true whereof it is a preſumption And thus diuers preſumptions meeting togither, being ſo many probable arguments, (ſpecially hauing reſpect to the other preſumptions) they make among them a ſound and ſubſtantia…l proofe, and neceſſarily conclude that whereof they are preſumptions. As for example, and for the better vnderſtanding thereof: Let vsus vmagine that in Grayes Inne feildes I S a gentle man of Grayes Inne is ſlayne, no body being eve witneſſe thereof, ſo that I. S being deade, and none preſent at the murther, the murtherer is to be founde out by circumſtances, or not at all If againſt I. N. being apprehended vponupon ſuſpition, it ſhould be obiected, that he was of Grayes Inne as well as I S. that he knew him well, and was a…quainted with him, and the place alſo where I. S. was ſlayne that hee was ſeene walking with him the day before in the city, that he was …nown to be of greate vallour, and therefore able to performe …, & that he was his owne, and to goe wher he would at his … and ſo had ſuffi…ient opportunity to goo and ſight with him and ſlay him: theſ circumſtances (I ſay) and an hundred more ſuch, are not auaileable to proue I. N. guilty of the ſaid murther: for notwithſtanding theſe circumſtances were moſt true, and many more of this kinde, I. N. might be as innocent and free from the murther as the babe in the won be: yea by ſuch like circumſtances a thouſand ſeuerall perſons might be as well condemned as I. N. And if in this caſe vponupon the aforeſaide or no ſtronger circumſtances, a Iuſtice of peace ſhould commit I. N. to priſon, the Iury finde him guilty of murthering I. S the Iudge pronounce ſentence of him, and he therevpon be (a) executed, woulde not all men that ſhould heare thereof wonder at it… and ſay with one conſent:This … my caſe, … Surely the gentleman was innocent for any thinge that appeared to the contrary. But if againſt I. N. it ſhould be giuen in euidence, that the ſame morning I. S. was ſlayne, they two falling out, challenged one the other, naming time and place, where and when, after I S. was killed, that ſhortly after the murther committed, …e was ſeene comming from the ſaide place ſprinkled with bloud, that …is ſw…rde was bloudy, and his dagger found where this murther was done: by theſe and ſuch like circumſtances or preſumptions, it was as manifeſt he ſlew him as if there …ad bene ſome preſent at the mutther. And marke I pray, how eueryevery of theſe circumſtances and ſuch l…ke which we very aptly call preſumptions, do probably conclude I N. to hauehave done this murther, yea the leaſt and weakeſt of them the other preſumptions conſidered therewith: which the former circumſtances doe not at all. Euen ſo it is in the matter of teaching to counterf…yt, whereof I being accuſed, the …iſ…. would proue me guilty by circumſtances… but they being all of the ſame k…nde with the firſt of the aforeſaid circumſ…ances alleadged againſt I. N. that is friuolous, vayne, and ridiculous, not one of them deſeruing the na…e of a preſumption, d…e not proue me guilty of ſuch inſtruction, no more then the firſt aboue na… med circumſtances prooue I. N. guilty of murthering I. S.
That theſe are ſuch friuolous circumſtances will appeare to him that ſtanding in doubt thereof ſhall marke how hand…ml… the… conclude my inſtructings of So. to counterf…yt, wherevnto they ſerue … …rcumſtances, and otherwiſe doe their maiſter the Diſcouerer no ſeruice at …ll. As thus for example… Darrell before …, of the ſignes of …oſſ…ſſion were ſ…ne in … was … bable therf…re that Dar. taught him to counterfeyt a p…ſſ…ſſ…on. A air…, …ar. aff…m…d that it was not So, that ſpake in his fitts, but the … him, it is therefore pr…bable that Dar. inſtructed So. … Dar. aff…med in the …re…nc… of So that he was in his …itts ſenc…l…ſſ…, … to be pr…um…d therefore that he ſaught …im to …unterfeyt. Dar ſaid ( … the Diſc. and his falſe witneſſes tell vsus) that So. was not ſomuch trou… led …r his ow… ſinnes, as for the ſinnes of the people: ergo he taught him to c…u…terfey: If thus we ſhould goe through the Diſc. circumſtances and weigh them in the ballance of reaſon, we ſhall fynde them as light or lighter then vanity it ſelfe Truly I thinke ſince the worlde was m…de, there were neuer more vaine, ydle, and ſottiſh circumſtaunces obiected againſt any m…n liuing.
My 5. and laſt anſwer is,… that if there were a poſſibillity of counterfeyting, as there is not, and theſe circumſtances were a little ſtronger in appearance then they are: yet in this caſe of teaching So. I can not be proued guilty by circumſtaunces. for how can it poſſibly bee made true by any circumſtances that I hauehave taught So. to counterfeyt, ſo long as he cannot tell where nor in what place I taught him, nor when? can any action be done, but there is a p…ace and time wherein and when the ſame is done? Euen ſo it is in this my ſchooling of Somers. HaueHave I taught So, to counterfeyt? I deſire to know where and when. In A…bby parke (for other place as yet there is not any named) I hauehave ſhewed it cannot be, and it is as cleare as they day light at noone, where then… It would be knowne: So. heereof can not be ignorant if there were any ſuch thing performed. Let him then tell the place where, the weekes, monethes, or yeares wherein the ſame was doing with other circumſtances therevnto apperteyning. If this So. cannot doe (as hitherto he hath not truly and men may well thinke he cannot, for if he could he had done it before this) we may be moſt aſſured it is becauſ there was neuer any ſuch inſtructing of him. It is not in this our caſe as it is in murther and ſuch like offences, Som. is not deade, but aliue, he is not abſent and to ſeeke, but at hand, neyther can he but know that which I deſire he ſhould make knowne, if any ſuch thing be. And vntill this be done by So, the aforeſeid circumſtances and a thouſand ſuch more are not ſufficient, or any whit at all auaileable to prooue me guilty of teachinge him to counterfeyt. yea to what purpoſ… are my circumſtances in this caſe of ours, except this I ſpeake of be firſt performed… truly to none at all: except it be to dazell mens eyes, and ſo to keepe them from ſeeing that which otherwiſe they could not but ſee moſt clearly. If Som. had once done this I ſpeake of, and ſo as I were not able to conuince him, then indeede there would be ſome vſe of circumſtances to ſtrengthen his accuſation. They had neede alſo to be very ſtrong ones, conſidering the vnworthynes of the accuſer, and the rare and wondetfull feyts I ſhold teach him. But that being not done, I maruaile how any man of reaſon and iudgment, ſhould hould me guilty vponupon thoſe aforeſaid poore and empty circumſtances.
For where the Diſ…, ſaith that I did ſo cunningly inſtruct Som. by ſpeaking to others in his hearing thoſe things that I meant be ſhoulde practiſe, pag 106. This is the argument of the 3… chapter.as that albert I had neuer ſeene him at Aſbby, nor dealt with him priua…ly at Nott. yet the courſe that I had held with him there was ſo contryued a… it might eaſily informe So. what he had to doc… it is moſt abſurde. For who can be ſo voyde of reaſon as to thinke, that I could no ſooner ſpeake of the ſignes of poſſeſſion mentioned in the goſpell, as foming, caſting into the fyer, extraordinary ſtrength ect. and of othere very admirable feyts, as of a greate ſwelling in the body, and of a little ſwelling to run along the body betwene the fleſh and the ſkyn, of making the armes and legges heauy as yron, of retorting the tongue into the throat, ſo as no part of it could be ſeene in the mouth, of induring the pricking with pynnes, and keeping in the bloud ſo as none not a drop ſhould iſſue at the places pricked, with many more ſuch like but that So. preſently could and did therevpon doe the ſame? was there euer ſo nimble a boy and ſo apt a ſcholler heard of beefore ſince the world began? It is no maruaile then though the Diſc. terme him an apt ſcholler, So. ſaith he being an apt ſcholler for M. Darrell to practiſe vponupon, pag 11…hearing by M. Dar. ſpeaches what was to be done at his handes did &c. wherewith all that were preſent were much amazed.
But admitt this were poſſible, as me thinketh none ſhould ſay ſo beſides the Diſc. yet out of queſtion it is impoſſible, that the ſpeaches I vſed to others at Nott. in So hearing vponupon the fift of Nouember & after, before which time my voyce was not hearde in the preſence of So.: ſhould inſtruct So, in thoſe things he practiſed for the ſpace of 4. ahow can the Diſ… avoyde this without bluſhinge.weekes at the leaſt before that time. which being ſo, and withall mani…eſt and notoriouſly knowne, confirmed alſo by the depoſitions of the 17. That So. or the diuell did the very ſame things before the 5. of Nouember and my comming to him at Nott. which he did after, wherevppon I was ſent for and requeſted to come: it cannot be that So. was inſtructed of me by ſpeaking to others in his hearing, thoſe thinges that I ment be ſhould practiſe. Beeſides, it is againſte common ſence that I ſhould inſtruct him after this manner, if that were true that the Diſc. and So. affirme to be true, I meane that I had bene ſcholing of him beefore at Aſhby, and pryuatly alſo inſtructed him at Nott. For he hauing bene (as they ſav) foure or fyuo yeares learning his tricks and hauing had them alſo in writing from me, he coulde not (ſure) be to learne them when he ſhoulde act them. Againe it had bene extreame folly or rather madnes in vsus both, that hauing ſo long time & opportunity to teach and learne in, could finde out none, but deferr it vn…ll the very inſtant they were to be practiſed.
Thus the Diſcon. himſelfe may ſee, that his circumſtances albeit they be many, are too weake and inſufficient to proue my teachinge of his counterfeyt, and t…erefore S…. accuſati…n muſt doe the deede, or elſe it will not be… which (as appeareth by the premiſſes) is palpable falſe,The 2. …hap. co… … parte of the former … and …. hauing n…it…er face nor poſſibilli…y of truth in it. The beſt way then for the Di…couerer, I meane the B…ſh. of London and Samuell Harſnet is, to confeſſe the truth and publiſh it, and ſo giuegive glory to god: ſeeing the ſalſhood of this Diſc…u…ry is nowe made manifeſt in the eyes of the Sunne.