Narration of the Strange and Grievous Vexation by the Devil, Part 1
THE HISTORY OF THE 7. IN LANCASHIRE.
At Cleworth in Lancaſhire within the pariſh of Leigh, ther dweleth one Nicholas Starchie gentleman who having only two children it went thus with them in the beginning of februari 1594 firſt Anne his daughter being 9 Yeares olde, was taken with a dumpiſh and heauie countenaunce and with a certaine fearefull ſtarting and pulling together of her body▪ about a weeke after Iohn Starchie his ſonne of the age of 10 yeares, as he was going to the ſchoole was compelled to ſhout, neither was able to ſtaie himſelfe. after the waxed worſe and worſe, falling into often and extreame fits, M Starchie ſeeking for remidy, after 9 or 10 weekes, heard of one Edmund Hartlay a coniurer to whom he repaired, made knowne his greife, & with large profers craued his helpe. Hartlay comes, and after he had vſed certaine popiſh charmes and hearbs by degrees, the children were at quiet, and ſo continued, ſeeming to be well almoſt a yeare and halfe. all which time Hart. came often to viſit them. at length he fained as thought he would hauehave gone into another country, but wether M Star. might not know: when he begane to goe his way, Iohn fell of bleedinge, then preſently he was ſent for again, who affirmed that if he had bene 40 rodes of, no man could hau ſtanched him. & thus it fell out at other tims
M Starchie herevpon feareing leſt his children would be troubled in his abſence, & he vncertaine where to find him, offered to giuegive him his table to tarie with them, and ſo he did for a certaine ſpac… but after couenaunted with him to giuegive him an annuel penſion of 40s for his aſſiſtance in time of neede: which penſion was aſſured him in writing, and began at Michaels day 1598. wherwith Hartlaye not beinge ſatiſfed, deſiered more, an houſe and ground: whervnto becauſe M Starchi would not accord, he threatened in a fume (M Starchie being abſent but in the heareing of diuers) that if he would not fulfil his minde, he would make ſuch a ſhout as neuer was at Cleworth and ſo therwas indeed, not only vponupon the day and at the inſtant of there diſpoſſeſſion, but alſo the day before: when 7. of them both the afternoone and in the euening, ſentforth ſuch a ſtrange ſupernaturall, and fearfull noyſe or loud whupping, as the like vndoubtedly was neuer hard at Cleworth, nor it I think in England. this he ſaid in September 1596. & one the 17 day of Nouember folowing they both began to be troubled againe after ſo long reſt.
On a certaine time Hartlay went with M Starchy to his fathers houſe in Whally pariſhe, where he was tormented ſore all night. The next day, beinge recouered, he went into a little wood, not farr from the houſe where he maide a circle about a yarde and halfe wyde, deuidingit into 4 partes, making a croſſe at every Diuiſion: and when he had finiſhed his worke, he came to M Starchie and deſiered him to go and tread out the circle, ſaying, I may not treade it out my ſelfe, and further, I will meete with them that went about my death. when M starchie ſaw this wreched The 1. or. 2. weeke of Lent Miſtres Starchie required them all. 5. to tell her how they were handled, that certaine knowledge might be had thereof to the preachers:this ſheweth that the deuill tranſformed himſelfe, and appeared vntounto them like an angell of …ight they all; anſwered, that an angell like a doue was come from god, & that they muſt follow him to heauen, which way ſoeuer he would lead them, though it were through neuer ſo litle a hole, for he toulde them he coulde drawe them through, and ſoe they ran vnderunder the beds, And Elizabeth Hardman was vnderunder a bedde making a hole, and beinge aſked what ſhe did? ſhe ſaid that ſhe muſt goe through the wall for ſhe on the one ſide, and her lad on the other would ſoone make a hole. ſhe would (on a time) hauehave leaped out of the caſement through the glaſſe windowe.
About a fortnight or. 3. weekes before their deliuery, Elinor Hollande and Elizabeth Hardman foretould how many fits they ſhoulde hauehave before they ſlept. and to morrowe quoth El. Hol. in the forenoone I muſt hauehave a fit of 3 howers long. when the tyme came ſhee bad them ſet the hower glaſſe. they ſet it behind her out of her ſight, her eys alſo was cloſed. ſhe was ſencleſſe, & ſpeachleſſe, ſaue the noting of the time, which ſhe truly noted: ſaying, ther is a quareter, the halfe hower, and as the glaſſe was runne out, ſhe ſayd turne the glaſſe, & thus did ſhe 3. tymes or 3. howers. after comming to herſelfe ſhe ſaid Ieſus bleſſe mee. which all of them vſually ſaid at the end of ther fites. In like manner did El. Hard. for 2. howers, who beinge demaunded how the knewe this, anſwered that a white Doue told them ſo.
About the 19 of march the 4 youngeſt went on ther knees all morning vntil afternoone, … the fleed from all the familye & neighbours into other chambers, calling them deuils with hornes creeping vnderunder the bed. when they had the vſe of theire feete, their tongues were taken from them.
when Maiſter Hopvvood a Iuſtice of peace came of purpoſe to take their teſtimony againſt Edmond Hartley to Lancaſter Aſſiſes and had them before him to that end, they were ſpeachleſſe, and that daye he gott no anſwer of them, being called out of one chamber into an other, they ſank down by the way ſpeachleſſe. when they ſpake they complayned that Edmonde would not ſuffer them to ſpeake againſt hym.
At the ſame time Iane Aſhton a maid ſeruant in the houſe (the. 7. poſſeſſed perſon of the age of. 30. yeares) began to bark and houle when ſhe ſhold hauehave gon to bear witnes againſt Edmund Hartley. whervpon one of them in her fit ſaid ah Edmond doſt thou trouble her nowe when ſhe ſhold teſtify againſt thee? This was the ſecond time that ſhe was troubled. Almoſt a yeare before, it firſt tooke her in her throat, as if ſhe had a pyn ſticking there, whervpon ſhe ſtrayned her ſelfe ſo ſore that ſhe got vp bloud, & for two dayes was very ſicke, Miſtirs starchie ieſt gly ſaid, Iane is ſicke of the hooke, nay quoth Hartlay I aſſure you it is no hooke for if your owne daughter or any other had bene in the ſame place the had bene ſo ſerued. As I remember I hard them ſay that Iane Aſhton had gone into Hartlays chamber & looked into his cheſt.
About the 21. of March El. Hol. & El. Hard. for 3 daye & 3 nights to gether could nether eate nor drinke, nor ſpeake to any except it were on to another, & to ther lads. ſaue that their lads gaue them leaue (as the ſaid) the one to eate a toaſt & drink, the other a ſower milk poſſet. And it. notwiihſtanding that permiſſiō thei ſaid he was angry that thei had eaten. & told them that thie ſhould not be quiet, vntil the had caſt it vp a gaine ſo the vomited ſaying, take it to thee, here it is againe, for thou gaueſt vsus liſence to eate it, & nowe thou art angry. & if the went about to ſwallow a litle drink the were ſo taken by the throat, that the pict … vp againe. The 3 night about 8 a cloke El H…l: being aſked when ſhe would or could ſlepe, anſwred, that ther were 4 houers it to come. before ſhe could ſlepe. about an houre & halfe of that time ſhe tooke a diſtafe, & ſpane both faſter & finer then at any tym before. when ſhe had done ſpinnīg ſhe ſaid vntounto them, now ſhall I worke you all. and thencforth was ſo extreamly handled, that tvo could ſcarcely rule & hold her. at lengh reuerting ſhe ſaid I hauehave bene ſleeping 3 daies & 3 nights, and now I faint with hunger.
About a weeke before there deliuerance ſome of the youngeſt vſed theſe kind of ſpeaches: thou naughtie lad, thou makeſt vsus ſicke. for thou knoweſt the preachers will come ſhortly.
This generally was obſerued in the 5 youngeſt, that when the gaue themſelues to any ſporte, the had reſt & were pleaſaunt though the time was longe. their parents report beyng at a playe in a neighbour gentlemans houſe many houres together, the were quyet all the tyme (Hartlay boeſted that he had kept them ſo longe quyet) but one the contrary as ſoone as the went about any godly exerciſe the were trobled. And thus much brifly touching thoſe 6 at Cleworth, & the ſtrange accedents which fell out there, as alſo how in all probabilitie it came to be ſo with them. now let vsus returne to Marg Byrom of Salford, who came to be vexed in like ſort, by the appoyntment of God, & by the ſame mediat hand, the devil, and Hartlay the coniurer.
The 10 of Ianuary (beyng the 4 day after her trouble begane) as ſhee ſate by the kitchyne fyre, ſhee was throwne towardes the fire, lyinge alonge hard by the chimneye barres as though ſhee ſhould hauehave bene roſted. Thence the drwe her and hauinge continued a longe tyme in the fitte and recouerynge, about halfe an houer after, as ſ…ee ſatte in a Chaire, ſhee was throwne headlonge vnderunder the boarde but had no harme, and thus was ſhe ſuddenly and violently caſt ſundrie times after.
She being deſired to tel how her fits held her, ſaid that ſhe thought, ſomthing rouled in her belly like a calfe and laye euer on her left ſide & when it roſe vp from her belly towardes her hart, ſhe thought the head and noſe therof had bene full of nailes, wherwith being pricked ſhe was compelled to ſcrike aloud with veri paine and feare. when her belly was ſwollē, it lift her vp, & ſo bounſed that it would picke of the hand of him that held her downe, & ſomtyme the parti himſelfe that held her farr of. when her belly ſlaked there went out of hir mouth a coulde breath, (that made her mouth very coulde) which cauſed her to barke and houle, then plumpte it downe into her body like a colde longe whetſtone on her left ſide when her belly was ſmale, then was the reſt of her body be numed with colde, wherwith ſhee ſo quaked, that her teeth chattered in her head, and if ſhe went to warme her, ſhe was preſenly pickt backward.
About the end of Ianuary from M Starchies, hom ſhe wēt to Salford, a towne adioyning to Mancheſter, accompanyed with Hartlay and on other. the next morninge as Hartlay prayed ouer her in afite, came one M Palmer a preacher of Mancheſter, who aſked him what he was doinge: he anſweared prayinge thou pray, thou canſt not pray, quoth he. what prayer canſt thou ſay, none ſaide he, but the Lordes prayer. ſay it, quoth he the which as I remember he coulde not ſay. he then as a priuat man examined him, and after had him before two Iuſtices of peace: from whom he brought him by ther appointment to Marg. Byr: to heare what ſhe could ſay againſt him: but as ſoone as ſhe ſaw him ſhee ſtraightwaye became ſpeachleſſe, and was caſt downe backwardes, and ſo did the 2 tyme. and 5. tymes was dumbe when Hartlay came in her ſight, this morning as ſhe came to the fier, ſhe ſawe a great blacke dogge, with a monſtrous taile, a long chaine open mouth comming apace tawardes her, and running by her left ſide caſt her on her face hard by the fier, houlding her tounge for halfe an hower, but leavinge at libertie her eyes and handes. a litle after a bygg blacke catt ſtaringe fearfully at her came runinge by her left ſide and threwe her backward taking from her the vſe both of her eyes and handes, which with yeſ king were euer loſed. about halfe hower after that fit: it came like a bige mouſe and lept vponupon her left knee, caſt her backward, took a waye her tongue, eyes, and ſences, that ſhe lay as dead, and when ſhe came to any feeling, it puft vp her bellye as a fore. theſe viſions and fites ordinarely troubled her for 6 weeks every day on the day time as is ſaid. & commōly everi night it ſat (as ſhe though) on her head very heavi laying (as it ſemed to her) 4. great figers on her browes, that ſhe was not able to opē her eies. otfē times ſhe cried to her mother, that the ſhould ſit from of her Head, aſking who it was that held her …oe ſtraight. & though ſhe could not ſter her head, it hir kerchefe was pulled of her head thrice commōly, ſhe notwithſtandīg lying ſtill as a ſtocke from 9 to 3 in the morning, about which time it departed in departing ſomtimes gaue her a great thumpe, on the hinder parte of her head, that it was verye ſore for 2 Dayes after.
Sixe times within thoſe 6. weekes the ſperit would not ſuffer her to eate or drincke, it tooke awaye alſo her ſtomake. if ſhee offered to drincke (at the earneſt motion of others) it caſt her and the drincke downe to gether. At other tymes ſhee did eate greedily, ſloſſinge vp her meate like a greedy dogge, or hogge, that her mother and her freindes, weare aſhamed of her. ſtyll ſhee was hungrye and cryed for more, ſaying ſhee had nothing, though ſhe ſpared no kinde of meate: allwas fiſh that cam to nett. After abundance of meate her belly ſemed neuer the fuller, that ſhe marueiled which waye it went.
The 10 of febuari it pulled her as ſhe thought in an hundred peeces. ther came out of her mouth ſuch a ſtincking ſmoke, and breath that ſhee could not endure it her ſelfe. her voyce and crying were quite altered, and ſo continued till night. But her breath ſtank ſoe yll a day and a nyght after, that her neighboures could not enduer to come neare her.
Often her ſences were taken a way, and ſhe maid as ſtyfe as iron, and oft as dead even breathleſſe. it made her ſpeake ſharplye, haſtely, and by ſnatches: ſomtimes it made a loud noyſe in her bellye, like that in the bellye of a great troting horſe.
The two next nights before the day of her examination concerning Hartlay, appeared the deuill in the likneſſe of Hartlay requeſting her to take heed what ſhe ſayd, and to ſpeake the truth, for the time was come promiſſing her ſiiluer and gould. ſhe anſwered (thinking it to be Hartlay) that the truth ſhe had ſpoken already, & that ſhe would not favour him neither for ſiluer nor gold: the 2 night he departed ſaying doe as thou wilt. the day before Hartlay his execution was a ſore day vntounto her, after which eueryevery day ſhe went to morning prayer, & was neuer troubled in the Church ſave the 1 day, wheron it took her about the middeſt of the ſermon, in heaving vp her ſhoulders, depriuing her of her ſences after the recouery of her ſences, it tooke away the vſe of her leggs: and thus it moleſted her in the Church, to the admvration of the people, about an hower and halfe.
At the a…ices at Lancaſter was Hartlay condemned and hanged the making of his circle was chefly his ouerthrowe which he denyed, but breaking the rope he after confeſſed it.
After this time ſhe had more eaſe in the day then ſhe was wont, but in the night ſhe lay ſtif and ſtark quaking and trembling, till the day ſhe came to Cleworth.
It going thus with the. 6. at Cleworth and the. 7 at. Salford, M. Starchye according to the counſel before giuen him, procured firſt one preacher then an other to ſee them: but they knew not well what to ſay to their affliction. After hauing intelligence by D. Dee his butler of the like greuous affliction of Thomas Darling his vncles ſon, an recouery vponupon the aduice giuen by my ſelf, he requeſted D. Dee his letter vntounto me (though vnacquainted) and obteyned it, wherwith he ſent his owne alſo, which preuayled not with me.
Thervppon he procured other letters wherof one was from a Iuſtice of peace therby, and ſent the ſecond time vntounto me. Then I crauinge firſt the aduice of many of my brethren in the miniſtery, met togither at an exerciſe: yealded to M. Starchyes requeſt, & about 3. wekes after went thither.
On the 16. of March. 96. M. George More paſtor of Cawlke in Dar byſhire, and my ſelf, came to Cleworth. VVhither when we were come M Starchy tould vsus, that his ſonn had bene well, about a fortnight, and his daughter 4. dayes: and ſurely to ſe to they were at that inſtant as well and free from any poſſeſſion by Sathan, as any other: which we ſuſpected to procede, from the ſubtilty of the diuel, & ſo it proued. Shortly after our comming, as we ſat at dinner, came in Margaret Hardman and hir ſiſter, & El: Holland on after another like players to bid vsus welcom: foraſmuch as no body ſent for me ſaid one of them, I am come of my owne accord. And hauing thus ſpoken ſhee was throwen backward on a forme, and ſo all 3. were frangely & greuoſly tormented. Their faces (as I remember) were diſ…igured, their bodyes (I am ſure) greatly ſwelled, & ſuch a ſenſible ſtiring & rumbling within their bodyes, as to ones ſight and feling they had ſome quick thing within each of them: and not only ſo, but ſuch a violent mouing there was alſo in their inward parts: (eſpecially in M. Hardman) as was eaſily harde of vsus that were preſent. I remember alſo among the manifold pleaſant ſpeaches they vſed, one or moe of ſpake iocondly conſcerning Edmond Hartlayes hanging, who was thē newly executed, and it was to this effect. Do they thinke they coulde hang the diuel? I wis no: they might hang Ed: but they conlde not hang the diuel: no maruel though the rope brake: for they were two Ed: and the diuel. By that which I hard of his fits (wherof wee hauehave partly hard before) I for my part then thought, & doe ſo ſtill that in the end he who had ſo ſweetly (by kiſſes forſooth) ſent the diuel into ſo many, had by the iuſt iudgment of god, the diuell ſent into him.
Then harde we Iane Aſhton howling, and perceiueing it was ſupernaturall, and hearing alſo other ſtrang things concerning her, eſpeciall ye that which was new fallen out of the ſwellīg of her belly wherof you ſhall heare: we affirmed that we thought that ſhe alſo was poſſeſſed, which neither the family, nor the mayd her ſelfe miſtruſted or feared. and it ther was cauſe. for beſides her firſt taking with the hoke and the wordes Hartly vſed thervpon, and kiſſes before with promis of mariag (which all were perhaps forgottē) ſhe was takē with barkīg as the reſt were, when M Hopwoode cam to examine them. againe the children ſaid no leſſe in their fits, for when ſhe cam in their ſight they would ſay, come and helpe vsus for thou art one of our company. And though they neither knew nor ſpeake to any other, yet Iane they knewe, and ſpeake to her onlye in theſe wordes, thou wilt ſhortlye come in amongſt vsus. And ſhe her ſelfe acknowledged that ſom times as ſhecarien vp hot Ianoks, ſhe thought that ſhe could ihaue eatē vp a Ianoke, & often did eat much by ſtealth, being paſſyng hungry like M Byrom, and the children, who likwiſe were ſometymes exceedinglye greedye of meate. This day alſo an hower or two before we came, her belly began to ſwell greatly, ſo that ſhe compared her bellye to a womans great with child. when it abated a little, a breath came vp her throat, which cauſed yelling, after it fell downe into hir body like a cold ſtone, as it did with M By. and as ſone as tydings came that we were come, preſently her belly was fallne, and as litle as in former time and ſo continued.
Not long after our comming all 7. being had into a chamber, the one of vsus applyed his ſpeach according to the preſent occaſion: and then behold all of them even Iane Aſhton, and M Starchies children were preſently moſt greuiouſly tormented▪ Yea, Satan in Iohn Starchie exceeded for crueltye.
And thus they contynued all that afternoone. 3. or 4. of them gaue themſelues to Scoffing and Blaſphemy, calling the holy Bible being brought vp bible bable, bible bable. and thus they did a loud and often All or moſt of them ioyned together in a ſtrang and ſupernatural loud whupping that the houſe and ground did ſound therwith againe by reaſon wherof we were dryven (as I maye ſay) out of the chamber and keept out for that daye.
This evening we did vſe ſome words of exhortation, for the ſanctefiyng of our ſelues and the family, againſt the next dayes ſeruice: immediately before which they all ſent forth as they had before) a ſupernaturall loud whupping and yellyng, ſuch as would hauehave amaſed one to hauehave gone into the roome wher they were, but as one of vsus opened his mouth they were preſentlye ſilent and ſo continued.
The next morning all 7. being had into a faire larg parlor, & laid theron couches, M. More. M. Dickens (a preacher and their paſtor) and my ſelf with about. 30. more aſſembled togither, ſpent that day in prayer with faſting & hearing the word, all the parties afflicted remayninge in their fits the ſaid whole day. Towards the end wherof, they all of the ſudden began to be moſt extreamly tormēted, beting vp & downe with their bodies being held by others, crying alſo (6 of them) aloud in ſtrang and ſupernaturall manner, & after they lay as dead. wherewith they which were preſent were ſo affected: that leuing that good order which all the day had ben kept, confuſedly eueryevery on with voice and hands lifted vp, cryed vntounto god for mercy in their behalf, and the lord was pleaſed to heare vsus, ſo as. 6. of them were ſhortly delyuered, wherin we with them reioyced, & praiſed god for the ſame.
The firſt that was diſpoſſeſed was M. Byrom, then all the reſidu (ſaue Iane Aſhton) one ſhortly after an other, betwen. 5. and. 6. at night. ſhe began to be vexed by ſathan about. 4, or. 5, in the morning and neuer had reſt vntill her deliuerance. All that day ſhe hard only a humming and a ſound but knewe nothing what was ſaid: ſhe could thus heare but not ſee. Somtime ſhe ſawe & then marueyled what the company did ther, and how ſhe got thither: howbeit ſhe heard eueryevery idle word that the children poſſeſſed had, ſhe was more extreamly handled that daye then any before, though ſhe had had many ſore daies. She was euer full of payne, and it ſemed to her as though her hart would hauehave burſt▪ ſhe ſtrayned vpmuch fleamy and bloudy matter Laſtly ſhe lay as dead for the ſpace of half an houre, taking no breath. Then ſtart ſhe vp moſt ioyfully, magnifying god, with ſuch. a cherefull countenance and voyce, that we all reioyced with her, but were ſomwhat amazed at hir ſuddayn lauding of god, with ſuch freedome & earneſtnes in ſpeach and geſture.
Iohn Starchy the next was ſo miſerably rent that aboundance of blod guſhed out both at his noſe and mouth. As the day before, ſo that day he gnaſhed fearfully with his teeth, he alſo lay as dead about the like time, ſoe that ſome ſaid to vsus, he ſeemeth to be dead. Then ſtart he vp likwiſe on the ſuddain, & prayſed god in moſt cherful & comfortable manner. And ſo did the reſt, who alſo made ſundry tymes greate ſhewe of vomyting and nowe and then vomyted indeede, ſomthing like fleam thick ſpettle. Theis. 4. eſpecially. 3. of them vſed much light behauinur and vayn geſtures, ſundry alſo filthy ſcurrilous ſpeaches, but whiſpering then for the moſt part among themſelues, ſo as they were no let to that holy exerciſe we then had in hand. Somtimes alſo they ſpake blaſphemy calling the word preached, bible bable he will neuer hauehave done prating, prittle prattle
M, Hardman why leſt M. More was praching vſed theſe wordes, I muſt goe I muſt away: I cannot tarrie, whither ſhall I goe? I am hot, I am too hot. I will not dye, iterating them all. which wordes did greatly incourage vsus.
VVhen theſe 6 were deliuered, ſome deſired to know how they aſſuered themſelues therof, and they anſwered as followeth. M Byr: ſaid that ſhe felt it come vp from her bellye towardes her breſt, thence to her throat:in like ſort William Somers had aſore throat after the departur of the ſpirit: when it left her throate it gaue her a ſore lug, and all this whyle a darke miſt dazeled her eyes. Then ſhe felt it to go out of her mouth, but it left behind it aſore throat & afilthy ſmel, that aweke after her meate was vuſauary. It went out in the liknes of a crowes head rounde, (as to her ſemed) and ſate in the corner of the parlor, with darknes about it a whyle. Then went it with ſuch a flaſh of fyer out of the windowe, that all the Parlor ſemed on fyre, to her onlye.
Iohn Starchie: ſaid it went from hym lyke a man with a bulch on his blacke very yll fauored. and preſently he returned to hauehave reentered, but he withſtood hym ſtrong in faith. the ſame in effect ſaid M Hard. Anne Starchy ſaid, he went like a foule vgly man, with a white beard and a great bulch on his breſt as big as a mans head. and ſtraitway returned to hauehave reentered, but ſhe faithfully reſiſted, Euen ſo ſaid El. Hol. the whit beard excepted.
El. Hard ſaid, it was like an vrchin, and went through a very litle hole (as ſhe thought) out of the parler, but out of hand returned a gaine in a very foule ſhape promiſing her golde, and whatſoeuer ſhee would deſier, if ſhe would giuegive him leaue to enter againe, but ſhe yealded not. then he threatened to caſt her into a pit, ſaying ſomtime thou wilt go a lone. he ſaid alſo, he would caſt her into the fyre, and breake her neck, but ſhe reſiſting he departed like an vrchine.
And thus the firſt dayes worke was happily ended. But behold the ſlight of the wyly ſerpent, for when we were all at reſt, the ſperits ſett vponupon the 5 little children, like ſo many wulues the ſeely Lambes. the poore children being newly recouered, and ſuddenly inuaded, wereſo frighted that they claſped faſt about their middles that lay with them and hid their faces with ther bed clothes. M. Dickons was called down who comming ſaw them reſiſting, and encouraged them to ſtandfaſt neuer to yeald, but to pray and reſiſt with faith. & ſhortly they were well and fell a ſlepe.
The next day we inquired how the were aſſalted. M. By. ſaid it cam to her like an vgly black man with ſhoulders higher then his head, promyſing her enought if ſhe wold conſent, and that he would lye ſtill when ſhe vtterly denyed him and prayed againſt him, he threatned to caſt her into apitt as ſhe went home. But when ſhe reſiſted he caſt her to the ground, and departed twiſe as byg, and foule as hee came, with two flaſhes of fyer, one before & another after him, making a noyſe like a great wynd among trees. She was not aſſaulted at midnight with the 5 but after ſupper before ſhe went to bed.
Iohn Starchy ſayd he came in the former likenes, making many large proffers, baggs of gould &c. But when he ſawe he nothing preuayled with ſugred wordes, he vſed terrible menaces, ſaying he wold breake his neck &c. Anne Starchy ſaid he came in the former likenes.
M. Hard. ſaid he came in the ſame forme he went out proffring golde but ſhe refuſing, he threatned to breake her necke, caſt her into a pyt, and drowne her and ſo departed.
El. Hard. ſaid he came like a beare with fyer in his mouth wherwith ſhe was ſo terrifyed that ſhe lept quite out of her bed, and rann from him, ſhe wiſt not whither: but one of the company ſtayed her. Then he deſyred her to open her mouth, as he opened his, ſhewing her two bagges, one of ſiluer an other of gold, promiſing her 9 times as much but not preuayling he ran away as a beare that breakes looſe from the ſtake when ſhe was layd downe and prayed, he came agayn like an ape, promiſing her golde &c, at her pleaſure. Then he menaced to caſt her out of the windowe, and into the fyer if euer ſhe ſtood neare it, and ſo departed: very foule & with an horrible ſcryke.
El: Hol. ſaid he came like a great beare with open mouth vponupon her, & preſently turned it ſelfe into the ſimilytude of a white doue: but ſhee reſiſted, and it departed.
Thus we hauehave hard of the diſpoſſeſſion of 6. & what thinges fell out therein, as alſo preſently after the ſame: it reſteth that we conuert our ſpeach to Iane Aſhton the 7. Sathan vponupon the aforeſaid day towardes euening put her to extreame payne, and continued the ſame longe very neare 2. houres after their deliuerance, intiſing her to ſay he was gon and to make ſhew of welfare, promiſing that he would not moleſt her at all. She to be at eaſe conſented, and pretended in wordes to be as well as the reſt, but we thought otherwiſe, becauſe the ſignes of diſpoſſeſſion were wanting. After ſhe had herein yelded to the diuell (which ſhe concealed vntill after her deliuerance) ſhe was as free frō any vexation by him as the reſt: notwithſtanding we prayed or ſhee prayed: wheras before for 3. houres togither, her fyt beinge ended the ſhorteſt prayer that might bee being vſed, ſhe wold be in an other moſt greuous to beholde.
All night ſhee was very well, the next morning alſo, vntill we 3. (who were to be leaders that day alſo, in that holy action we had in hand▪ hauing ſhut our dore) had caſt doune our ſelues before the throne of grace, to craue the direction & aſſiſtance of gods ſpirit in the worke we were to enter vponupon this) I ſay) we had no ſoner don, but behold the chamber wher we were, yea the whol houſe did ring of her a gaine, wherby we were not a litle comforted & incouraged, to enter the ſecond tym into the feild. for therby we were aſſured, that we were not deceiued, and that ſatan was certainly in her. after we can downe into the parlor, whether many more reſorted that day then the other to the number of about 50. we all being exerciſed as the day aforeſaid. This morning ſhe was ſore tormented. ſhe often ſemed, to vomyt vp all, and it got vp only alitle, fleame. and when ſhee hanged downe her head to vomyt, often the ſperit would all to ſhake her as an angrie maſtife a litle cur dogg, ſo that after her deliuery ſhe was very hoarce & weake. About on of the clocke ſhe being very extreamly tormēted, fel a wepīg that teares, trickled downe, & after lay as dead alitle ſpace reuerting ſhe ſaid, he is gon, and gaue thanks for her deliuerance. it went out like a great breath, vgly like a toad, roūd like a ball & within an houer after it returned like a foule big blacke man, but ſhe reſiſted, & it departed. when we ſaw clearly that ſhe was diſpoſſeſſed, we aſked her why ſhe diſſemled the other night. ſhe told vsus that the ſaid euening it was com vp from her belly to her breſt, thence to her throat, wher it held her as at her firſt takīg, thence to her head. then ſhe ſaid, it deſired her to tell vsus that he was gon, & promiſed her not to moue or hurt her, & that ſhe ſhould lack nothing, why ſaid we, would you harken to the deuill? becauſe (ſaid ſhe) I was very ſore, and he promyſed me eaſe, but he hath deceaued me. quoth M Dickons beleue the deuil againe. beware of lying, he teacheth to lye, and you are taught for lying.
This day & 2 or 3. following, the vncleane ſpirits returned euer & anone in viſible formes vponupon all 7. throwing ſome of them violently downe before vsus all, depriuing others for a little ſpace of the vſe of ſō member of thir bodies, as arme or legg: ſekīg alſo both by godly promiſes, of ſiluer, gold, ſilks, veluit, which they thought verily they ſaw) & ſuch like, & fearful threats their conſents to reēter, without which it ſhould ſeeme ſatan cannot reenter, though he cane firſt enter. But from giuing ſuch conſēt and yealding vntounto ſatan therin god in mercy keept 6. of them: who ſince that tyme (prayſed be God therfore) were neuer more nor leſſe, they nor any of them moleſted by ſatan vntil this day, neyther it the 7 Iane Aſhton vntill a good ſpace after, when ſhe leauing M Starchies houſe, went and dwelt in a place of ignorance & among papiſts,Luke 11. 26. & became popiſh herſelfe, as I hauehave hard. for which opertunitie & aduātag the deuill watching, & noe doubt compaſing, he then recouered her, & now dwelleth their whoſe laſt eſtat with Kat: wrights & Will. Somers, ſhall be worſe then their firſt.
Here followeth, the story of William Somers.