A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac, Vindication

A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac · Vindication

p. 7A Vindication of the Surey Demoniack as no Impoſtor, &c.

I Said before that I am not accountable for every thing in the Book called the Surey Demoniack, ſo neither am I to anſwer all the Book called the …urey Impoſtor, Mr. T. hath engaged Hands enough beſides: now I add that, through the Grace of God, I ſhall not deal with Mr. T. in the way and manner he hath dealt with me. Indeed I muſt now deal with him in a publick way; but as he the firſt Printing Aggreſſor might have ſaved the trouble of ſo ſpeedy publiſhing the Surey Narrative, if he had in a Chriſtian Brotherly private way ſought an opportunity for ſatisfaction as to that caſe at firſt: ſo might he, it may be, have ſaved himſelf the pains of Preaching and Printing againſt us afterward, if he had when he was ſo near ſome of us ſought to be ſatisfied in the ſaid way, as to the ſaid Narrative.

Mr. T. is very liberal in his Title Page and all along to beſtow on us at random the Imputation of Fanaticiſm and Enthuſiaſm: But let him take heed leſt he brands not the Experiences of God's ſpecial Grace, and the ſpecial aſſiſtance of his Spirit, (tho human Infirmities do accompany the ſame) with the odious Name of the Diabolical Enthuſiaſm of Heatheniſh Fanes: And ſo be found guilty of a Sin, if not the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt.

As to the manner of my dealing with him, I hope to deal with him in ſuch a Spirit as becomes my Profeſſion and Age, however he hath dealt with me.

Mr. T. chargeth me as declaring it to be as real a Poſſeſſion as any in the Goſpel; Pre…this he ſaith, without any Proof that I ſaid it. Yet I ſhall be ſo ingenuous as to give it him now under my hand that it ſeems probable to me, according to all the Indications I meet with in approved Authors, on that Subject, that it was a Poſſeſſion, or an Obſeſſion, as commonly called: For what more probable ſigns thereof can any one aſſign? Yea may I not modeſtly ſay that there ſeem'd to be as many ſigns of Poſſeſſion, or Obſeſſion, as in moſt, if not in any, of thoſe recorded in the Evangelick Hiſtory? Indeed in the manner of diſpoſſeſſing there is a vaſt difference.

p. 8That this doth any way diſadvantage the cauſe of revealed Religion, I underſtand not; for we give that Glory to divine Miracles which our Bleſſed Lord did in his own, and his extraordinary Miniſters did in his name, that they were wrought not only in the immediate effecting of what might poſſibly in proceſs of time be done by ordinary Means (as when he cured Feavors), but of what could not be done by any means but by his own Divine Power (as when he raiſed the dead, gave ſight to thoſe born blind, &c.) This I ſuggeſt to ſhew upon what Baſis true Miracles do ſtand: But that any Impoſture is foiſted in, or that there are clearer Indications of Poſſeſſion in all or any of thoſe ſtiled Demoniacks in the Goſpel is yet unproved, ſo that we firmly believe the Goſpel Revelation of the Miracles, and the Confirmation thereof thereby: And as to Demoniacks (and Diſpoſſeſſions in particular; tho the Poſſeſſion might be mediante morbo, (viz. through Lunacy or a Mania) yet it was certainly immediate ſometimes, as in the Pythoniſs, Acts 16. and ſo we ſuppoſe in this caſe.

Concerning Dr. Heylin's Story about Mr. Darrel mentioned in Mr. T's Preface — how little regard is to be had to him as an Hiſtorian in general, eſpecially wherein his opinion is concerned; Arch-Biſhop Ʋſher, Dr. Barnard, and Biſhop Burnet have ſufficiently ſatisfied the World.

And as to this particular caſe of Mr. Darrel's, take the words of the Reverend Dr Hall, Biſhop of Norwich, in his inviſible World. — Whence it is plain that as there are ſeveral kinds of Devils one worſe and more powerful than another, ſo the worſt of them are to be vanquiſhed with Prayer ſharpened with Abſtinence. What a difference then is there of Times and Means? At the firſt it was a greater work to diſpoſſeſs Devils by Prayer and Faſting than by Command; now it's far greater to do it by a meer Command than by Prayer and Faſting: That which was then ordinarily done would be now ſtrangely miraculous, and that which is in the ordinary courſe now was then rare and unuſual: The Power of an adjuring Command we ſee ceaſed▪ the Power of fervent Prayer can never be out of date. This and this only is the remedy of both bodily and mental Poſſeſſion: Thus if we will reſiſt the Devil he ſhall flee away from us: Now upon the ground of the Scripture it was (AS MY SELF WAS WITNESS) that in our Age, Mr. Darrel a Godly and Zealous Preacher, undertook and accordingly through the Bleſſing of God upon his faithful Devotion performed thoſe famous Ejectments of Evil Spirits both at Nottingham and Lancaſhire, which exercis'd the Preſs and raiſed no ſmall Envy from the Gainſayers.

p. 9Before we enter upon the examination of Particulars, I ſhall premiſe three things which anſwer to the threefold deſign of Mr. T's Book.

1. That whereas he would ſometimes have Dugdale's ſtrange Fits to be the Effects of ſome bodily Diſeaſe, as Epilepſy or Convulſion, the Party not only utterly and ſolemnly denies any ſuch bodily Diſeaſe before, as the natural cauſe of the ſaid Fits; but the contrary cannot be proved, nor is it attempted: that his Body was diſtemper'd by the Fits, and had relief by Phyſick afterward, is all along acknowledg'd, but various Effects muſt needs give place to their ſeveral proper Cauſes: He had no ſuch Diſeaſe before to be the cauſe of ſuch Fits. What Diſtemper he had after was plainly the Effect of his ſaid ſtrange Fits. Idem non pateſt eſſe cauſa & effectus ejuſdem.

2. That whereas Mr. T. would otherwhile have the buſineſs to be a cheat, (for he knows not on whether to ſix) here alſo not only the Parties immediatly concerned do utterly and ſolemnly deny it, but the Teſtimonies as to Matter of Fact, do demonſtrate the contrary, when Mr. T. and all his Accomplices have done their utmoſt; the Witneſſes the not at all tampered with, do ſtill ſtand to their Teſtimony, and upon further tryal may ſo explain themſelves, as to put the Caſe further beyond all diſpute: So do the Parties immediately concerned, they ſtill perſiſt in their diſclaiming any ſuch thing.

3. Mr. T. ſays their was a Popiſh Combination: Here again thoſe immediately concerned do not only utterly and ſolemnly deny it, but the Proofs to the contrary are altogether deficient as to Mr. T's deſign of a Combination with the Papiſts. As to any Combination among the Papiſts I know nothing: I leave that to Mr. T. to find out, who doth ſo vainly boaſt of his Talent in diſcovering ſuch Intriegues. As to us Diſſenters, himſelf clears us from having any hand in the Contrivance, only he would fain have us to be the Papiſts diminutive Ʋnderlings and their Fools. As to the Dugdale's it's not denied, but diſcovered by us that the Popiſh Prieſts would have been tampering with them: Yea, it may be the poor ignorant People might in their great Diſtreſs, and through their Infirmity have a Tempatation, when they ſaw not the deſired Succeſs ſo ſoon as they expected, to ſeek to ſuch unlawful Means, as they had ſought to other unlawful Means before, and as one King of Iſrael did indeed run to the Witch at Endor, another ſent to the God of Ekron; but theſe Dugdale's did afterward decline ſuch Temptations, and do ſtill diſclaim any Combination with the Papiſts in this caſe. Can a meer Sollicitation by the Tempter be call'd p. 10a Combination with him: Nay, tho the Temptation have got ſome hold, and there be ſome hankering after it? Yet doth it not amount to a Combination with Satan: So here.

Pag. 6 Mr. T. charges me with Diſingenuity, firſt in that I brought a Paper along with me and would have had the Juſtices to have ſworn the Witneſſes to the things therein contain'd, not leaving them to the liberty of their own Words — I only ſhewed the Juſtices what the Informants ſaid to me, that the Juſtices might examine them thereupon and take their Oaths alſo; that things might be cleared publickly one way or another: So that others, it may be, will call this Ingenuouſneſs and fair dealing on my part, tho Mr. T. will not

2. He charges me with concealing part of the Evidence that was at Darwin atteſted before the Juſtices — In anſwer. I am loath to make publick the Carriage of ſome who tock upon them the Management of that Affair with the Witneſſes more privately in the Chamber, as I was informed by one Preſent: Nor would I expoſe the Scribe's Reputation eſpecially, as concerned in ſuch a caſe: Nor their Carriage more publickly, when I made bold to come into the Room, and ſo ſaw their Behaviour both to the Witneſſes and my ſelf: Which I ſay I am not wi…ing to inſiſt upon, unleſs there be further neceſſity for it, them yet there is. I have a due deference for the ſaid Perſons, I would not exaſperate any, Neither is there any need here to ſhew the co…s;tency of the Informations: There may hereafter be a more proper place for it, if there be occaſion. However the Caſe be is it not more fit to acquieſs in the Teſtimony of Witneſſes upon their Oath, to reſtify the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in thoſe at Holcomb (I ſay) where they had their full Freedom, than their meer Informations at Darwin, where they had not that Freedom, tho the one of the Juſtices was at both places, and ſo heard both the Informations and Affidavits, to which we have his own hand.

Pag. 7 3. Mr. Jolly is not over much christian in preſſing the Witneſſes to inform further than their Knowledg allowed them. I ſay ſtill I would have the Witneſſes examin'd as … ſuch things they had ſaid elſewhere: But to ſwear to it would not be admitted by one of the Juſtices at Darwin, elſe the Matter might have gone no further: But Perſons are ſo unbelieving that they muſt have an Oath to end the Controverſy. Indeed the ſaid Juſtice alledged the danger of a Vremunire: But whether there was not another reaſon he beſt knows: If ſo, he may ſee how he is fruſtrated in his Deſign, and that he cannot ſuppreſs the Truth Opprimi, non ſupprim… po…ſt.

Pag. 9 4. He charges me with feigning and framing D's Certificate, and falſifying p. 11his Hand. — As to the buſineſs of R. D's Certificate before me, and James Gregſon, under his own Hand July the 10th 1695, I dare take mine Oath upon it, that he did in all outward appearance do it voluntarily; I doubt not but James Gregſon will do the ſame: I am ready alſo upon Oath to teſtify to a true Copy of the Certificate.

Here alſo follows William Seller's, and my Certificate drawn up ſhortly after, and ſigned by us, which we are ready to take our Oath upon.

Whereas Richard Dugdale, upon the 27th of July 1695, was called before Juſtice Braddel, and ſeveral others, to give account as to ſome particulars relating to his ſtrange Fits; we whoſe Names are ſubſcribed being then and there preſent upon that occaſion, do certify than the ſaid Dugdale did at the ſaid time own the Certificate which he had ſubſcribed with his own Hand, not diſowning his freedom in the ſubſcribing of it: Moreover we do certify that the ſaid Dugdale did then ſay to this purpoſe, That he could not certainly judg up … his own knowledge what the nature of h… ſaid Diſtemper was, becauſe when he was out of his Fits, he could not tell how was with him whilſt he was in his Fits: Moreover, he did not deny the benefit he had to his Body …y Phyſick, ſo far as his Diſtemper was Bodily: But that the ſaid Dugdale was guilty of any Confederacy, in order to getting of Ga…, or any their ſiniſter end by his being in that condition, he utterly denied.

Thomas Jolly.

William Sellar.

So he ſtill doth with Indignation deny thoſe falſe and unworthy Imputations.

Pag. In Mr. Baily's Certificate, on the 20th of July 1695, which was nor ſubſcribed by Dugdale, he confeſſeth his ſubſcribing the ſaid Certificate before me and J. Gregſon; and in that he ſaith, he thought his Di…temper was from ſome natural Cauſe, and not ſupernatural or divine: Tho D. doth not deny what he is charged with in Baily's Certificate.

How any have wrought upon him ſince in his Circumſtances, I know not: for what D. is ſaid to expreſs before Mr. Baily, in the Gallery of the Old Hall, in Whally, was but ſaid by one Witneſs, and we are two againſt him.

As to what Mr. Nowel, &c. ſay they had lately from his own Mouth; I ſuppoſe lately muſt refer to the publiſhing Mr. T's Book, for this Information hath no date; it's likely that R. D. might have forgot what was ſo long ſince done: but I have it upon Record, ſufficiently p. 12atteſted, that the words, (viz. That my former ſtrange Fits were not any Cheat or Art of Man that I know of, but as I do verily believe were cauſed by the Devil) are in the ſaid Original Certificate: There was no other Paper offer'd to D. by me or any other to this purpoſe that I konw of.

As to any thing of forgery or feigning in this or any other Caſe, as Mr. T. moſt falſly chargeth me, I think there is none who knows my Temper and Converſation will ſo much as ſuſpect me to be guilty thereof;; therefore to charge me with putting D's Hand to a Paper which he refuſed to ſign, and then to have the impudence to tack it to the Narrative, is, to ſay no more, to ſhew Mr. T. not only to be altogether a Stranger to me, but to be of a very ſtrange Spirit, and a notorious Slanderer.

I will not recriminate, but heartily deſire he would reflect upon himſelf, and know what Spirit he's of. Yet muſt Mr. T. excuſe me (however others will) if I treat him now and then with ſome gaulleſs Acrimony, tho I would not be leavened with his Spirit.

Pag. 23 That the Demon (as I ſuppoſe) in his Fits ſaid this Affliction was througn Obſeſſion in a Combination, is atteſted upon Oath; but betwixt whom this Combination was, Mr. T. doth not here declare: That which ſeemed moſt probable to others as well as my ſelf, was that it was ſome blind Contract with the Devil, in ſome of D's Drunken Fits, to gratify his vain humour; but I could not be poſitive in this, I now hope better.

The Name of the Party whom D. ſaid he ſaw in his Fit, and was then in ſuch a beaſtly poſture ten Miles from Surey, his Name was purpoſely conceal'd leſt we ſhould ſeem to reflect on Perſons of Mr. T's Profeſſion and Communion: Therefore alſo the faithful and charitable reporting of an Inſtance of his knowing what happened in his Fit, would with Perſons of Ingenuity be a good Evidence, both of his and our Sincerity.

Pag. 24 Nameleſs Authors and Groundleſs Reports as are brought in here methinks ſignify but very little the Demon in D's Fit might ſay as Walmſly depoſeth, do not Gameſters do ſo? Without any import that he enquired for his own Information, and ſo the Queſtion might not be impertinent. Walmſly might well have opportunity to know what Expreſſions Gameſters uſe, and yet be none of thoſe Gameſters himſelf; the Devil might perſonate D. when he ſaid People think this is laid on me for my Sins.

Pag. 25 There was no deſign in me as Mr. T. here inſinuates, to condemn the lawful Recreation of Bowling, nor to reflect on the …entlemen who uſe it lawfully; if Mr. T. will judge me guilty of ſuch evil Thoughts, p. 13it is worſt for himſelf: I now purge my ſelf from having ſuch evil Thoughts, I hope henceforth Mr. T. will be my Compurgator.

As to the Paſſage about ſhortening of his Fit, I am not concerned;Several Perſons a… ready to witneſs againſt Mr. T. as to D's acting his Kuttery in a Blanket. and as to that about his wrapping of himſelf in a Blanket, I never knew any thing of it until now that I have it from Mr. T. now I underſtand the meaning of the Frontiſpiece. If there be no truth in it a to this caſe, as I think there is not, Mr. T. deſerves to ſtand in a Sheet for it.

If Mr. T. had brought ſome Witneſs (which he doth not) that D. did take up ſuch Stones, &c. and put them in his Mouth, Pag. 26.he had done ſometing to prve Roguery: But ſure Mr. T. knows that a poſſe ad eſſe non valet conſequentia.

His diſclainming of ſuch words as to their being in the Certificate, of which I ſpoke before, and the Inference Mr. T. makes thereupon, viz. that D. own'd his Fits to the a Cheat, methinks holds not at all, for the might not after ſo long time intervening remember, and ſo not acknowledg thoſe words in the Certificate, and yet be far from charging himſelf as a Cheat. It ſeems alſo by the words in the beginning of this Paragraph, that he was ſurprized to ſay ſomething that he was not aware of what uſe would be made of it, as Mr. T. doth plainly intimate. I perceive by poor D's own Confeſſion, that he hath been hectored by ſome on this occaſion; it would make one ſuſpect that other ways have been taken with him by others.

Pag. All that which Mr. T. ſaith from D's anonymous School Fellow comes up but to little to what is depoſed; beſides there's a plain intimation, that then the Devil might be pampering with him by the means of Faſcination: Who knows what advantage the Devil might then get againſt him, to draw him to further Folly and into this future Snare!

But how can he do ſuch Feats; or who can hire him or threaten him into the doing of ſuch now, as are depoſed that he did in the ſaid Fits? I defy all the World as to this thing, unleſs the evil Spirit ſhould make a re-entry, which God forbid.

As to E. Slayter's Certificate, it is as follows —

When the Maſter was out of School, I have ſeen him go up and down the School upon his Hands and Feet, leaping to and fro'like a Dog; and when the Maſter had been preſent in the School, he would have come running in gazing up and down as if he had been frighted; and telling the Maſter his Pockets were full of Money, bidding him feel if what he ſaid was not true, but the Maſter asked him how he came by that Money, which he pretended he had, and he told him his Mother gave it him; but no Money there was. Many a time I have ſeen him come into the School, gazing as before, and pretended p. 14that he had ſeen a Woman, which he called by the Name of Sadler's Wife, who had grievouſly frighted him. Many other Tricks I have ſeen him play at the School which were very like thoſe he acted in the time of his pretended Poſſeſſion: And having known him ever ſince he was a SchoolBoy, and ſeen many of the Tricks he then played, I am fully perſuaded that what was ſaid to be a Poſſeſſion, was nothing elſe but a Cheat. In witneſs whereof as a Chriſtian and one that deſires the Truth may be known to the World, I here Subſcribe my Name

Edward Slayter.

The ſame anſwer may ſerve as to this Teſtimony, who might not ſee nor believe ſo much as might make him think it a Poſſeſſion, but rather a Cheat or by Witchcraft, as is before hinted.

Both theſe his School-Fellows ſpeak but of what they ſaw of his ſaid Fits, and are pleas'd thereupon to call it a Chear. I muſt confeſs Sadler expreſſeth himſelf Chriſtian-like, I verily think that Mr. T. did not draw up his Certificate: but the further following Informations may clear this point.

Pag. 28 Mr. T. doth almoſt ſuſpect whether D. had any natural Diſeaſe; yet ſince, as he ſaith, he ſeemed to be afflicted with an Epilepsy joined with Convulſive Motions. For this he conſults the Phyſician, and ſo muſt I for an Anſwer; but it ſhall be ſuch as have the Surey Book by them to conſult that withal: that they ſpeak not without Book, as it ſeems Dr. R. doth. At preſent I ſhall leave with the Doctor what Pſellus ſaith of Obſeſſion, firſt of the means of Cure — Neque diſcedit ab occupatis, Pſellus de Daemon. Interpret. Marſil. Fiein.niſi divina poteſtate propulſum, or arione, viz. jejunioque accedentis. And he adds — Sed ego O Ma…ce inquam, retentior a quaedam ſupere nos medicorum ſectatores adducunt, aſſerentes paſſiones ejuſmodi non eſſe effectus daemonum, ſed humorum vaporumque & venti male ſeſe habentium. It aque Pharmacis & diaeta non carmintbus incant antium expiationibuſque curare haec aggrediſilent. Tum …le nihil mirum eſt haec medicos dicere, qui nihil noverint praeter ſenſum, ſed corporibus tantum incubuerint cognoſcendis. Illa fortaſſe decebat malorum humorum putare incommoda capitis ſomniferam gravitatem, atrae bilis anguſtias, phreneſis dilirimenta, quae lavacris putionibuſque, vel evacuationibus, vel emplaſtris ſedare conſuerunt. Inſpirationes autem occupationeſque, quibus qui obſeſſus eſt, agere nihil poteſt, non intellectu, non ratione, non phanteſia, non fenſu. Aliud vero eſt quod movet atque ducit, dicitque inſuper quae non noverit occupatus, & futura nonnunquam praedicit, quo inquam pacto dicemus; hac eſſe erraticas materiae motiones.

Let Mr. T. alſo at preſent take notice of what may be obvious to any one in this particular caſe, in reference to what Mr. T. with his Teſtimonies, ſay thereupon.

p. 15Tho the caſe be otherwiſe ſolved, yet let us ſay ſomething as to what Mr. T. alledgeth from the Phyſitians, and would thence prove D's Fits to be an Epilepſy, Convulſtion, or the like.

As to Dr. Willis the Inſtances brought out of him; all together do not near reach this caſe: Beſides the Doctor doth not deny Poſſeſſion in ſome of them: Neither doth he according to Mr. T. tell us the means of their Cure.

As to Dr. Radcliffs Letter to Mr. T. upon this occaſion the Doctor is not very ingenuous in ſaying that the Non-conformiſts do engroſs any thing to themſelves in this caſe: For if he do but peruſe Mr. Burton's Collections under this Head, he may have his anſwer.

And as to our averring that the Devil ſometimes tells the truth, the Doctor, if he be well acquainted with the Scripture of Truth, may eaſily find ſeveral Inſtances, both in the Goſpels and in the Acts, to ſhew that the Devil ſometimes ſpeaks great Truths tho he be forced to it, and beſure ſpeaks them for no good end. The truth is many in this Age are more Atheiſtical than the Devil himſelf, as wicked as he is, for he believes a God to make him tremble — he profeſſeth Chriſt in his deſperate way — he makes uſe of Scripture Words and Truths to pervert them.

As to Dr. R's Inſtance out of Galen, concerning the fore knowledg of his Fit, it's nothing to the purpoſe, for D's fore-telling was in the fore-going Fit, and not when the preſent Fit was coming on him: this latter is eaſy enough in ſeveral ordinary natural Diſtempers: But why doth he not bring us one Inſtance in that caſe of a Perſon always in ſo many Fits exactly fore-telling the time of the following Fit, and ſtill hitting; his Fit being greater or leſſer? His telling and fore-telling other things alſo, the Doctor doth wholly wave; this is not fair dealing.

His Teſtimony out of Leiſelius doth not come up to this caſe: Had the Doctor haa the Surey Informations by him, and conſulted them, he might have ſeen it, to be, as I ſay.

His account as to D's Gravity and Levity in the ſame Fit ſeems rather ridiculous; for both were in the ſame dead Fit, and he continued in the ſaid Fit a conſiderable time after the Witneſſes had ſeveral times tried his weight: This many Perſons do teſtify upon Oath, and others inform to the ſaid purpoſe.

I think we may challenge all the Doctors in England, to bring us a ſingle Inſtance, out of any approved Author any ſuch, under a meer natural Diſeaſe; to parallel the caſe.

Pag. That Paſſage of Satan's puſhing D on to ſuch Words and Dees, &c. refers to him then as being out of his Fit, ſo I find it to be in thoſe p. 16Minutes which I took all along: not to his Fits wherein he was ſo long dumb as I ſuppoſe: And I may well ſuppoſe it, tho Mr. T. would ſo diſingeniouſly, without any Proof, inſinuate the contrary.

Pag. 34 I am not able to remember particulars, but muſt refer to my Memorials in my Diary upon that occaſion, where are all and only theſe Words about that called the Lord's Day cry, viz The next meeting on this occaſion will be on the 16th Inſtant. Tho the Youth knew nothing of it upon the Lord's Day before (nor any of the Family) concerning this Meeting: Yet in a Fit on the ſaid Lord's Day, he foretold of this day and told of the number of the Miniſters viz. Five, when as none of the Miniſters themſelves knew it would be ſo, then none elſe was likely to know, what can the moſt critical Wit, and moſt captious Spirit make of this?

Pag. 36 The Family's being ſo impoveriſht as to ſell two head of Cattle, was before we had any thing to do with them as to this affair, or any other ways; it was by the charge, whilſt Dugdale was with Mr. Crabtree. Our eating and drinking with them, upon their importunity, when the exerciſe was over, is far from devouring Widdow's Houſes as Mr. T. would ſuggeſt; eſpecially if that be true, which Robert Clark teſtifies, viz. That he had it from William Sellars that they had got above 20 l. by us: And if it be true as their Neighbours ſay, that the Family hath lived in a better condition ever ſince, tho they have had but little from us ſince: We did not ſo eat with them as to devour them, nor ſo relieve them as to bribe them.

His Prediction as to England paying the Piper (as he phraſed it) notwithſtanding its preſent Security, whilſt Ireland was in ſuch Miſery, is much veriſied by ſad Experience; and I think few did then think that the War would continue ſo long, and that the charge of it would have been ſo great. I mention this without any murmuring thereat.

Pag. 37 I muſt confeſs that I do pen down all the Heads of my Sermons and the moſt of the Proofs to the ſeveral particulars before hand ordinarily, ſo that the Devil might diſcover the ſame to D. tho Mr. T. judgeth very hardly, that therefore we have our Sermons from the Devil. The Lord judg betwixt us, whether we have our Sermons from the good Spirit, according to the written word in a way of Prayer, or elſe from the evil one. Unleſs Mr. T. be of a better Spirit than appears in his Writing and Preaching againſt us on this occaſion: His ordinary Readers and Hearers will ſay he ſpeaks from his own Spirit at beſt, which is bad enough.

Pag. 38 Why doth he manifeſt more virulence and violence againſt us, p. 17than againſt the Papiſts? What Combination hath Mr. T. proved as he hopes: I dare not ſo much as think that he hath ſo little Charity for us, as to think that we combined with them upon any ill deſign of cheating, tho I confeſs ſome in their Paſſion have been too cenſorious that way: But the Reverend Mr. W. was pleaſed in his diſcourſe with me, to clear Mr. C. himſelf from ill deſigning in this matter, and ſome of his People have teſtified under their hand, their ſenſe of the ſincerity of my Endeavours therein.

Pag. I will not foul my Paper, and offend my Reader with thoſe ſcurrilous and ridiculous Paſſages in this Page. O the Eructations of an exulcerated Heart! How deſperately wicked is the Heart of Man!

Pag. 41 As to the Marginal Notes upon the Affidavits, I muſt mind the Reader, that the Witneſſes Teſtimony upon their Oath muſt needs carry the cauſe: Beſides I ſuppoſe there will be nothing found in the Informations at Darwin that interfereth with the Affidavits at Holcomb. I cannot but obſerve how little notice Mr. T. take of Juſtice Egerton, who fate with Mr. Braddil at Darwin, it may be it's becauſe he afterward joined with the Lord Willoughby at Holcomb. Let it be here alſo noted, that the moſt of the Witneſſes as well as D's whole Family are Conformiſts, which doth rather advantage our cauſe; for otherwiſe Mr. T. might have had more colour to ſuſpect us of ſome ſelſiſh deſign, which we carryed on by and among our ſelves; Beſides if they be Cheats and Falſe-witneſſes why are they not dealt with accordingly, if there be any Diſcipline among thoſe of that Communion? They do indeed confeſs a want of the Primitive Diſcipline.

There was the ſtrangeneſs of the Stone's paſſage through his Jaws and Throat, that it ſhould only cauſe ſome ſtreaks of Blood: Yet that it was ſo voided, the Oath confirms: That it was not poſſible in an ordinary way Dr. B. acknowledgeth: Therefore there was a cauſe extraordinary, ſome inviſible Power.

As to Too. D's Information at Darwin, before Mr. Braddil, that after I and the reſt had left him, his Son had ſeveral Fits. It's true we had left off meeting at the Surey, becauſe their Landlord on whom the Family had moſt of their dependance for Subſiſtance, was ſo offended upon account of that breaking down of his Hedges by ſome rude People: But I am ſure we left not off the buſineſs in hand; for as I then told R. D. the Son, that tho we did not meet at his Fathers Houſe, as formerly, for the reaſon aforeſaid, yet we did continually remember his caſe both privately and publickly. Should we tell of our ſecret as well as open Agonies, about this Affair, it would not be well taken by ſome, and it's no Pleaſure to me to ſpeak of them. p. 18I am ſure that young D. did then own the Spiritual means, as the means whereby he had this help, and deſired the continuing of the uſe thereof, as there was occaſion; and they were ſo. That he ſaid his Son anſwered him he could not tell what his Diſtemper was, nor how it came: This ſeems to me to evince that it was no ſuch Combination nor Cheat, as Mr. T. would have it to be. And as to the Paſſage of Walmſly at Darwin, as to his Fits continuing, it's owned, and might well have been expreſt upon his Oath at Holcomb, if he had remembred; for it's very true, that D's Fits did continue for ſome ſhort time after we had leſt meeting at Surey, on the occaſion aforeſaid, and that his laſt Fit was moſt violent alſo.

Pag. 42 I will not be ſo diſingenuous as to paſs by Mr. T. his once taking notice of any Moderation in any concerned as Witneſſes in this caſe; I think he doth once acknowledg our Ingenuity alſo: I wiſh I had occaſion to acknowledg his Moderation and Ingenuity oftner.

Pag. 43 The Experſſions are likely to be to the ſame purpoſe when the Deponents witneſs to the ſame thing, tho Mr. T. reflects on them for it: Mr. T's unfaithful uncharitable Inſinuations and Reflections, do not affect me further than to pity him, and pray for him too; tho I fear leſt my telling him this doth but occaſion his lifting himſelf up into the Seat of the Scornful.

I muſt confeſs I have more Charity for the Mother of young D. I do not, I did not ſuſpect her of Witchcraft: I thought ſhe was the moſt ſenſible Perſon of the Family in ordinary. I neither then, before, nor ſince, ſaw or heard any thing that gave me juſt ground of Suſpicion, and now that ſhe can ſay the Lord's Prayer decently, it ſeems ſhe's recta in curiâ.

As I ſaid before, let any get him now to make ſuch Noiſes and do ſuch other Feats, this may be ſomething towards a real Demonſtration that he did counterfeit, and that the charge upon him was right. But our Antagoniſts who roll all other Stones away, attempt not this, becauſe as Siſiphus's Stone it's likely to recoil upon them.

Pag. 46 In Whitehead's Information there is ſome difference from what he ſaid to me, but no claſhing at all, yet muſt this be a Crime? Muſt it alſo be a Crime, when their ſeveral Informations at ſeveral times, do ſo agree almoſt in the ſame words? It muſt it ſeems be wrong, if they be conſiſtent with themſelves and inconſiſtent with Mr. T's deſign. To call the Witneſſes my ſworn Creatures, and to tell of my prompting them, is very untrue and unworthy: Did Mr. T know how many of them are meer Strangers to me, of a different perſwaſion from me, how little I have done to oblige any of them in p. 19this concern, further than their own veracity and ingenuity did oblige them? I ſay did Mr. T. know this, it would have put a ſtop to him in his Career, as forward, as reſolute a Spirit, as I hear him to be of. Canis feſtinans caecos parit catulos.

As to what Mr. T. ſaith in his Inſtances to prove Perſons fancifulneſs, by ſuch as are ſerious, will be rather judged invective, than argumentative: This is Mr. T's way, hard Words but weak Arguments, inſtead of ſoft Words and ſtrong Arguments.

Pag. 47 I will not take the Liberty Mr. T. doth, it looks too like Buffoonry, when he comes to treat Robert Shaw, upon his Modeſty in his Information, why he ſaid not all he could ſay: His reaſon might be, becauſe there was ſo much ſaid by others as to what he had to ſay, that he thought it not requiſite, to multiply words, and therefore he thought not himſelf bound to mention all the Paſſages, unleſs the Juſti…es put him upon it. I have occaſion to ſay, that tho the ſubſtance of what was ſaid and done might be reported, yet it might have been (and may if need be) enlarged to much more, than hath yet ſeen the Light: Tho we were then, and are ſtill under ſpecial diſadvantages in this Country, the MANY and the MIGHTY not favouring this way.

Pag. 48 Mr. T. hath done nothing as yet to prove a Combination as he would inſinuate, that I can find: Neither is any thing argued from D's Activity, nor from the Symptoms of ſuch a Diſeaſe to his purpoſe, tho he ſpeak ſo confidently: But that is his way, to ſupply the defect of his cauſe. It's plain to all that know R. D. that he hath neither the common Activity, nor Ingeny of others, and ſo very unlikely to act a part, as Mr. T. would have it. Had Mr. T. managed his matter with more Humility and Modeſty, he might have conſulted better for the credit of himſelf, and cauſe too, among conſidering ſober Perſons.

I muſt leave Mr. T. to his own Sentiments, not only when he tells us of D's counterfeiting the Symptoms of ſuch a Diſeaſe, but when he tells us of ſpecifick venoms, that will produce ſuch a Diſeaſe, and ſo all theſe Feats; I muſt confeſs theſe are Myſteries beyond me. Thus do Perſons ſet their own and others Wits on the Rack, not always to make them tell the truth, but ſometimes to tell untruths.

Mr. T's diſtinction betwixt his real and counterfeit Fits (as he calls them) from their being natural when they were more rare, anc counterfest when they came more thick, this alſo is a ſtrange ſtretch beyond my Capacity. To the ſame purpoſe is the little Story of R. C. theſe things may humour ſome ſort of People, and it may be ſubſerve towards ſome ends.

p. 20Here Mr. T. and Dr. B. differ as to the various cauſes of the various Noiſes and Voices, the former imputes them to his Activity, the latter to the Diſeaſe: But if Reaſon may be the Umpire, they are to be imputed to a third cauſe, whoſe Award is like to ſtand till the two Parties be better agreed. Some Perſons are ſo taken up with viſible Powers, that they regard not the inviſible; are ſo taken up with ſecond cauſes, that they neglect, if they don't deny the firſt cauſe.

Pag. 49 Did I, as Mr. T. would ſuggeſt, leave any thing out of the Depoſitions? Did I make them? Or were they made to me? Mr. T's next Paragraph we muſt take his word for, what are the Effects of his Convulſions, and what are Symptomatical of his approaching Fit, as alſo the way of counterfeiting of foaming at the ending of his Fit It ſeems Mr. T. is Maſter of theſe Arts alſo: So that poor D. might have learnt of him this Art, which I am apt to think he knew nothing of.

Had all the Witneſſes jumped in the ſame Expreſſions, about his Heavineſs and Lightneſs, it might have looked like a Conſederacy: Had they all referr'd to the ſame Fit, there might have been an appearance of an obſervable difference: Theſe things conſidered, all is eaſily ſolved when the Witneſſes explain themſelves, as to the circumſtances of their trying his weight, the matter is put beyond all queſtioning: But of this more hereafter.

As to what Dr. R. ſaith upon this, gives no ſatisfaction, nor as to the reaſons of moſt of his Fits, neither was he likely to know the manner of his Fits, ſeeing he had not the Narrative.

Sellar's, Walmſly's Waddington's and Booth's Teſtimony in particular, concerining D's Heavineſs and Lightneſs, muſt needs import that they held him up long enough to give a true Judgment of his weight. Upon enquiry how long they mitht each hold him up, they did, as themſelves teſtify, hold up his whole Body ſo long, and that when he was in a dead Fit, as they could truly judg of his weight; yea, that they lifted him ſeveral times, and that his Fit cntinued a conſiderable time after.

Pag. 50 The Story of Sommers as to this particular of Gravity and Levity reacheth not to the Depoſitions in this caſe, if in any other, and comes off only with an it was ſaid to be ſo heavy in his Fits, that ſeven Men were ſcarce able to carry him; but it ſaith nothing by Mr. T's Relation, as to his extream Lightneſs in the ſame Fit: Tho I muſt be better ſatifyed as to the truth of the Story it ſelf, than from Mr. T. Dr. Heylin, or Dr. Harſnet, before I can believe it: Thoſe two Doctors are pretty well made known to the World, we ſee too much of their Sprit now a-days, as if there were a Pythagorean Metempſichoſis.

p. 21Mr. T. is ſtill pleaſed to reflect upon me, as to my Sincerity about the Predictions concerning ſending of Money: It's well that the aſſault and battery is on that ſide, where through Grace, even common Grace, I am beſt armed: For I have a natural averſeneſs to, and antipathy againſt Inſincerity or Ʋnfaithful dealing, as was hinted before, His murus aheneus eſto — Therefore as to giving ſecret Intelligence, it is ſo groſs a Calumny, that I doubt not it will recoil on Mr. T. there's no ground at all for his ſaying, there's ſufficient Teſtimony to the contrary. As to my affectation to be thought capable of diſpoſſeſſing the lurking evil Spirit, Mr. T. is very much miſtaken: God knows I had higher and other ends in my Eye, viz. the Glory of God, in the ſpiritual and eternal good of thoſe many who came to hear and ſee what was done amongſt us, and wherein I might warrantably look at D's deliverance, the Searcher of Hearts knows my ſincerity in it: Mr. T. muſt not meaſure all others by himſelf.

Will Mr. T. neither prove that R. D. had ſecret Intelligence of our coming to his Father Houſe, nor believe us that he had not; this is very unfair dealing. As to his jeer about the Leather-Bottle, if it become him, it doth not become me to take further notice of it, than to mind him that he muſt give account of idle words, much more of ill ones.

Pag. 51 O the Malignity that is in the Heart of Man! Is there no doubt but I told D. that I would ſend him Money? Was Sellars frequently employed by me on the ſame Errand? Was Sellars acquainted with any pious Bribery among us? Did Sellars tell R. C. that T. D's Family had above 20 l. from us and our company? Whenas upon enquiry W.S well remembers that R. C. told it him ſo. Is there not a lying Spirit ſent forth, beſides that Lie-ſpeaking Spirit that all are born with? Becauſe it was not ſaid, that no ſecret Intelligence was given, muſt it be concluded that there was, and that we were conſcious of it? Let Mr. T. know that I utterly deny any ſuch double dealing, and utterly deteſt it. Was Mr. T. ſo familiar with the Demoniack. that he knew him to be diſpleaſed becauſe no more Money was ſent? whenas the next words plainly import that it was want of Meat that probably he was diſpleaſed at.

Some of the Informants not ſwearing at that time, had, it's reaſon, ſome ſuggeſting that if they did ſwear they might be called up to London, yet they tell you are ready to atteſt thoſe things upon their Oath, when required; what if they ſcruple taking an Oath when not required to it, as Mr. B. before ſcrupled the adminiſtring of an Oath in ſuch a caſe, tho the Parties voluntarily offered themſelves to take their Oath: It was much that ſuch Perſons p. 22went ſo far, conſidering what Diſcouragements they had from ſome.

As to Abbot's Information who is a Conformiſt alſo (as moſt of the Informants are) and Mr. T. ſhould, one might think, have the more charity for him, he is ſure he had no acquaintance with D. and he verily believes D. had no knowledg of him; who now diſproves this? Or that all the Country knew of his deficiency in his Trade? Or that he had an Unkle at Knotsford? I am ſure I never heard of theſe things before now, tho I have lived ſo long in the Country, and have travelled ſo much up and down in't. Beſides D. ſpeaks of his going into Staffordſhire alſo: But Mr. T. leaves that out, that this is a reaſon why Abbot ſware not, is altogether falſe: Some diſcouraging them, by telling of ſome danger of further trouble if they did ſwear, was the true reaſon of their not ſwearing. But Abbot's further Teſtimony clears this more fully.

Mr T's uncharitable Surmiſes, reproachful Reflections, and falſe Inferences as to Liveſay's and Grimeſhaw's Informations deſerve not to be taken notice of by me, but they cannot but be taken notice of by them who alſo are conformable. This is not the way to keep Perſons in his Communion but rather to drive them f…m it. Mr. T. hath ſo overſhot himſelf, and ſo overdone his buſin…ſs, that he hath done his Cauſe but little ſervice, and his Party much diſervice.

As to R. …. his cer…ifying, that William Sellars told him that D's Family had above 20 l. from us: W. S poſitively ſaith, that it was R. C. that told him ſo. However that there may be truth in the thing, then are we far from devouring Widows Houſes, as was before ſaid. And as to the hear-ſay Teſtimony that it was commonly reported that D. ſaid in his Fit that R. C. was hearkenting about the Barn when he was in his Bed; Mr T will not allow of hear-ſay Teſtimonies to ſerve againſt his own deſign; nor doth R. C. tell us of any one in particular that reported it.

Pag. 53 If ſome things came into the minds of the Witneſſes afterward, which they could not call to mind, when they were before the Juſtices, or that which the Juſtices might not have time to her, if I did take, and give account hereof, I hope there's no Villany in all this as Mr. T intimates. Hath not Mr. T. ſince committed ſuch Villany? If ſome will not believe that ſuch things were indeed informed by the Witneſſes, and truly repreſented by me, I am not accountable for their Ignorance and Incredulity: But thoſe who have any true knowledg of me, and charity towards ſuch Perſons, will eaſily believe that I have not dealt unfaithfully in this Matter of Fact: As to others I dare challenge them to diſprove me. I would have things p. 23ſtand upon their own bottom and in their true light: So let uprejudiced Perſons judg: Thus I ſay as to all, and as to the following Particulars of Webſter's Knife, and the ſuppoſed Cat or little Dog. Methinks it's a very ſorry occaſion of branding poor Fletcher with the Epithite of Boggard Fletcher, and that all the World muſt know this. Mr. T. is hard put to it that he muſt rake up ſuch things as theſe.

Why ſhould not Waddington conceal the Name of the Gentlewoman, who made a deſign to try D. as well as Mr. T doth in his Informations, whenas the Parties concerned might be offended at the divulging thereof without their conſent? By the way alſo, why may not I receive Informations, that come to my hand, yea ſeek to be informed as to the truth of Reports, as well as Mr. T. who neither hath one Affidavit, nor ſo much as one Information before a Juſtice that we hear of, to countenance his cauſe? It's evident that he had ſeveral Agents behind the Curtain, who have ſome more Modeſty or Policy, ſo may be aſhamed or afraid openly to own Mr. T's cauſe and carriage in it.

Pag. 54 It's likely that Mr. T's Report concerning Fielding's Stealing is meer hear-ſay, for they live 16 or 17 Miles aſunder and there is no Proof of F's Stealing or Lying: But we muſt take his word, whoſe apparent deſign is to brand us and the Witneſſes, as others before him have attempted to brand me and baffle them. Fortiter calumniare aliquid haerebit. As to Fielding's we ſhall hear of it hereafter.

As to the Inſtance of Grace Whally, Mr. T's Inſinuations are ſo unlikely, ſo unjuſt, and ſo unworthy, that they deſerve not inſiſting upon, as any impartial Perſon, I ſuppoſe, will eaſily judg. As I would not be ſo diſingenuous as to paſs by any thing that is material, ſo I would not be tedious in taking up time in every trivial matter.

As to the Inſtance of Smally's Teſtimony, Mr. T. might have ſatisfied himſelf, when he came to Whally upon deſign to expoſe the Surey caſe: Whether T. D. would not teſtify to his part of the Evidence, tho I have not ſeen T. D. of a long while: Yet I doubt not but he will ſtand to what he ſaid.

Might not Smally eaſily diſcern his Shoes to be buckled, without being conſcious or confederate to any ſuppoſed Tricks of D. ? How the flying of his Shoes to ſuch a diſtance, as indeed it was, could be by the force of ſome ordinary Diſeaſe, or by Knavery, is the thing in queſtion as to Mr. T. tho not as to me: See his further Teſtimony afterwards.

Pag. 55 Concerning Haworth's Information, I am ſure I had it ſo, and can ſhew the original, ſo its no Lie of mine. As to Haworth I doubt not but he will own the Information. What miſtake there might be betwixt p. 24Haworth and Turner I know not: It was not for me to enquire of every particular Perſon concerned, ſeeing I had a probable thing by other Evidences from a credible Perſon.

What temptation Turner might ſince be under to deny it, I know not; but I am ſure Haworth was under no temptation to affirm it, that I know of: Neither is he ſo much as one of my Hearers that I know of. Mr. T's Iffs and Gueſſes, of which we have ſo many in this Page, ſignify but little, unleſs he was an otherwiſe Perſon than he appears to be in Print: See what Haworth ſaith afterward.

Concerning Waddington's Teſtimony here, he may be excuſed from naming the Party, as well as Mr. T. in a parallel caſe: Tho Mr. T. pronounces the Story falſe upon his meer Suppoſition, he had as good have been altogether ſilent, as to charge the Informations with things notoriouſly falſe; tho there might be ſome miſtake in another thing.

The Informations, as is expreſſed, were voluntarily offered, and declared to me, and others of ſufficient Credit and Cautiouſneſs. My Yea will ſtand againſt Mr. T's Nay, unleſs his time and trial in the World had been more.

The Miniſters of Chriſt under the Croſs, whoever they be, may comfort themſelves in being made conformable to their Lord and Maſter: When their ſayings, and doings are ſo perverted, when they are laden with mock Titles, and ſcourged by the looſe Tongues of others, who yet have their hands bound in ſome meaſure, as the High-Prieſts, and Elders had, by a ſuperior Power: Tho they may boaſt themſelves Maſters of the Art of Scurrility, but no Preachers of Chriſt the King of Kings, nor of our Gracious King William, who according to the Signification of his Name, and of his Title, is indeed the Defender of the Faith, and of the truly Faithful.

My Nephew who is baſely belied, will take his Oath that the Particulars were ſaid by the Dugdale's to him, and that he did read the ſaid Particulars to them, before they put to their Marks. This alſo is cleared afterwards.

Pag. 56 Here's nothing to invalidate, or weaken Fletcher's Teſtimony, that I can diſcern, but rather to confirm it. For F. doth not inſinuate that he was the great Inſtrument of finding D. in the River and helping him out, he owns others concernment in it, as well as himſelf. But Mr. T. doth very unjuſtly inſinuate that F. was taught to call it, a dumb Fit which D. fell into when he came out of the Water. Fletcher will anon ſpeak for himſelf as to this.

Obſerve alſo that the Gentlemen did not deny, that they had been abuſing D. in the Buttery, at the Abby, when D. in his Fit charged p. 25them with it. Any one may think that Mr. T. would have let us known, if it had been ſo. So that Mr. T. hath furniſhed us with a further Teſtimony againſt himſelf. Aliqando bonus dormitat Homerus.

As to Mr. T's reaſon of that extravagant Whim (as he calls it) it proves but his own imagination: So I may let it evaporate as an uncharitable Surmiſe.

Alas! What pumping for occaſions of Reflections, as we ſee in the Inſtance of M. S. yet how little comes! I am very loath to emprove that Hint of the near Neighbourhood of M. S. now, and of R. C. before; alas what Influences may wordly Intereſt, and ill Company have upon Perſons otherwiſe ingenuous and ſober!

A plain repreſenting of the Truth, which I do here and all along, as in the Preſence of God, will I hope manifeſt that Mr. T. is but foaming out his own Shame, and that all his Falſities and Virulencies ſhall vaniſh as to us: I do not wiſh that the guilt, ſtain, and recompence, may ſtick upon him. Should I tell him how I have pittied and prayed for him, he would but ſcorn, and ſcoff, at it (I fear, as I hinted before) and do what I ſay more than once. Yea, through the Grace of God, I will do it till I know Mr. T. hath ſinned the Sin unto Death.

Neither I, nor any other, that I know of, did ever promiſe D. deliverance, as Mr. T. is pleaſed to ſay, but encouraged him from the Word of God in the way of his duty; this we did and ought to do.

It's not ſaid in the Narrative that there was a Faſt-day at Surey, on the 24th of March, 1689.

I ſaid before, we had left meeting at Surey a little before, for the cauſe aforeſaid; but ſome of us, I am ſure, carried on that work of ſolemn ſeeking the Lord on that occaſion, as diligently as formerly, according to the beſt of my remembrance: I may truly and will humbly ſay through the Lord's help, we did not let fall our Hands, till we had got the Victory, nor let go our hold, till we had got the Bleſſing, (tho ſome may blaſphemouſly call this canting:) I am ſure as to my ſelf, I hope as to others.

As to the caſting out of the Devil, we do not know of any ſuch gift of Miracles, as to command the Devil in the name of Chriſt to depart, and that he ſhould immediately thereupon depart, as in the Primitive Times: Yet we believe that Diſpoſſeſſion may be, and frequently hath been in tract of time, according to Mat. 17.21. Even in theſe latter Ages (as Dr. Hall Biſhop of Norwich teſtified, in his diſcourſe with Coſterus the Jeſuit; ſee his Life) even among Proteſtants; p. 26tho Dr. Heilin, and ſuch like, will by no means admit it among the Non-conformiſts, if others can give us Inſtances thereof, we would gladly hear of them, to ſtrengthen our common Cauſe, againſt the Papiſts.

I am told there is a Canon of the Convocation, which prohibits the attempting this way of diſpoſſeſſing Satan, without the Licenſe of the Ordinary; which neceſſarily implies that the Epiſcopal Clergy did believe there then was ſuch a thing as Poſſeſſion, and Diſpoſſeſſion: Yea we find in Mr. J. Bruen's Life, that ſuch a Licenſe was granted upon ſuch an occaſion. I am told Mr. T. was informed of the ſaid Cannon, and thereupon reformed the firſt Leaf of his Preface.

Alſo as to means of diſpoſſeſſing, and their ſucceſs now a-days, Dr. Willet in Synop. Papiſ. P. 92. owns not only the extraordinary means, but this of Faſting, and Prayer; whereby ſaith he, we doubt not but even in theſe days, when it pleaſeth God, Satan is chaſed from the Poſſeſſion of Chriſt's Members.

Pag. 57 But to limit the holy one of Iſrael, to anſwer Prayers, in accompliſhing his work, juſt whilſt we are at Solemn Prayer, were a great preſumption, and tempting God indeed; yea would be found contrary to the ordinary Experience of thoſe, who know what belongs to the anſwer of their Prayers, or the benefit of any Ordinance, or Providence; which uſually comes after ſome time of waiting. This alſo we take to be the meaning of thoſe Scripture-Phraſes, of looking up, and hearkening what the Lord will ſay.

As to what I judg in this caſe, I ſhall with all plainneſs, and modeſty declare my ſelf afterwards, according to clear Scripture Warrant, without any appearance of tempting the Holy Ghoſt, as Mr. T. would charge upon us: I hope we ſhall be found far, as from tempting the Spirit of the Lord, ſo from lying to him. It's true of ſome, on the on hand, in impoſing on the holy Spirit, that they may offend; ſo on the other hand, in Quenching, Grieving, Vexing, Reſiſting, yea denying of Him, his Office, Operatinons, and deſpiting the Spirit of Grace: Some would have called Caleb's other Spirit an odd Spirit, as well as Mr. T. calls ours ſo.

All the Extremity D. endured, his impatience and fleeing to Sir E. A. for relief, muſt argue to impartial Perſons, that there was nothing of Cheat, or of Popiſh Combiantion in the caſe; the Effects of his Fits were ſometimes ſo grievous, that (to uſe his own Expreſſions) he would not for all the World, wiſh that Miſery to the vileſt Creature in the World.

The Miniſters diſcouragement becauſe of the ill Frame, and Carriage of of D. ſometimes, as to the ſucceſs of their Endeavours (which Mr. T. p. 27objects againſt us) is nothing but what there's cauſe for, and it may be others in the like Circumſtances would have thought ſo too. As to the Lord's giving up D. alſo. We are but Men, and ſo ſubject to like Infirmities with others; yet upbraiding in this caſe is very unbecoming.

As to the trying of Phyſicial Means, this might have been better taken by Mr. T. as our deſigning the diſcovery of the caſe, and doing the Party good by any lawful means. But things are it ſeems — ad modum recipientis. How will Mr. T. reconcile this to his cenforious charging us with an ambitious deſign of a Power to caſt out the Devil?

The Phyſicians we conſulted with, were judicious, conſcientious Perſons, Licentiates by the Colledg of Phyſicians, they honeſtly declined intermedling as Phyſicians (tho they might have made conſiderable advantage by it, apprehending that his afffliction was not mainly a bodily Diſemper; yet theſe muſt needs be my Tools, and leſs ſincere than Mr. Crabtree; the Spider will have Poyſon, even where the Bee will gather Honey.

As to the ſuſpicion of Witchcraft in the Family I have already cleared my ſelf ſo as to ſearching any of them upon that account: I cannot hinder others Jealouſy, nor moſt I hinder what may heal it; that all might be ſatisfied and the innocent cleared, I did not oppoſe it.

As to the meeting at Read, I was not there, nor near the place, as is falſly and invidiouſly ſuggeſted: Yet Mr. T. confeſſeth that there was no ſearching of any. It was well they were not ſearched by any of us; yet it was well they were willing to be ſearched, and offered themſelves to it.

The diſingenuity of Father and Son were not both at the ſame time, elſe it's likely we had deſiſted, and good reaſon for it, particularly as to the Father; for tho the place was licenſed, it was not fit we ſhould intrude our ſelves, and obtrude our labour; they cry out in a pang of impatience that they got no good by us, as if we could do it by our own power, little looking to God, and to their Duty; no marvel he exerciſed them with ſuch delay and diſcouragement, whilſt they were ſo unprepar'd for the Mercy: Surely things and times, are in the Lord's Hand, not in ours. If the Apoſtles Peter and John check't the People, for looking ſo earneſtly at them, and at their Power or Holineſs, much more may we.

That Mr. T. will tell of their having another Game to play, was this, the Game the poor ſilly People had to play, viz. to ſpend ſo much Money with Mr. Crabtree! It ſeems by this, that their Game p. 28was to throw away their Moneys, inſtead of getting Money by the ſuppoſed Artifice: For there's no mention of us, till Dr. Chew (ſo called) had tried in vain, and ſo much Money, and Time was ſpent with Mr. Crabtree; all this while Mr. T. is contending againſt common Reaſon and Senſe. I am apt to think that Mr. T. not only looſeth this Caſt, but the whole Game, he's playing, if Praiſe and Preferment be what he plays for.

Pag. 58 It ſeems Dr. Chew (ſo called) gave Phyſick, on March 25. after his laſt Fit upon March 24. (which in that Fit he ſaid muſt be his laſt) but our Spiritual Means were before the laſt Fit. Now whether is likely to be the means of his Cure, that which went before his laſt Fit, or that which followed? Mr. T's charge of our vain Ambition, and ſiniſter Aim is moſt cenſorious (it's well if there prove not a Beam in his own Eye to be caſt out) it's high time for me to be dead to all ſuch things.

As to our letting the Narrative ſleep, until thoſe Gentlemen were in their Graves, as if we ſuffer'd it to be ſo upon ſuch a deſign, it is another among the many other of Mr. T's Falſehoods and Calumnies.

What doth Dr. C's Certificate ſignify? Not only that it was after the Fits left D. but here is not one Witneſs to the Certificate; beſides he only ſaith, that his Phyſick had good ſucceſs, which we deny not in its place and time; and for that afterwards obſerving my directions, as Dr. C. ſaith, he never ſince had any more Fit. It's pitty the Doctor is not alive to explain and prove the Inference; but that it's left to ſuch a one as Mr. T. to do it: I think Dr. Chew, (or rather Edward Chew as he ſtiles himſelf) as bad a name as he went under among many as to ſome things, yet he would have been more candid than Mr. T. Becauſe he lays ſuch ſtreſs on this Certificate: Let me a little Syllogize upon it, and ſee whether there be not a groſs non ſequitur.

1. I ſhall prove that Dr. C. did not the Cure: (is it not rather a meer trick to elude the right means, to pretend that Dr. Chew did the Cure?)

If the Cure, as to D's Fits, was effected upon the 24th of March, and Dr. Chew gave him not Phyſick till the 25th of March, then Dr. Chew's Phyſick did not effect the Cure; but the firſt is thue: therefore the latter; that he was freed upon the 24th of March is fully teſtified; that he took not the Phyſick till the 25th of March is freely confeſſed. Here take notice that D. in his Fits did tell he muſt be killed, or cured, before the ſaid 25th of March: Obſerve alſo how politickly the Gentlemen order'd it to give D. the Phyſick, juſt when the Term was expired, and after his laſt Fit.

p. 292. That Dr. C's Phyſick could not cure him at all, as poſſeſs'd which is here ſuppoſed.

Where there is no proper Vehicle, as to natural cauſes to conveigh the evil Spirit into him, there can be no Phyſical Means to diſlodg it: But here was no proper Vehicle, Ergo.

Dugdale was not Melancholly, which is called, Vehiculum Deaboli, nor Lunatick, nor Epileptick, before the ſaid ſtrange Fits: If there was any of theſe, or any other Diſtemper afterward, it was rather the Effect of his ſtrange Fits, than any way the cauſe thereof. As to his Boyiſh Tricks and Childiſh Fancies, moſt of which he peremptorily denies, theſe were long before, and prove nothing to the purpoſe. The Tricks he is charged with, when he was a School-Boy, are not only denied by himſelf, but by other of his School-Fellows.

3. That the Spiritual Means were the only Means of his Cure, as to his ſtrange Fits. I prove thus,

The Means muſt needs go before the End, as to Execution; but theſe Spiritual Means were the only Means that went before the ſaid Cure, therefore — finis eſt prior in intentione, poſterior in executione.

Pag. 58 However it may not be amiſs to make ſome remarks upon what Mr. T. ſaith, ſo far as I am more immediately, and eſpeciallly concerned; for my main buſineſs is not to diſprove any tampering of the Papiſts, with the D's, but to ſettle the caſe, as a Poſſeſſion, upon a ſure Baſis: Which I ſuppoſe is done already, and not likely at all to be ſhaken by all Mr. T's Combination, to prove a Popiſh Combination.

Let it be remembred all along, that tho Mr. T. is pleaſed to call us the Papiſts Tools, yet withal he confeſſeth that we would not give way, that they ſhould handle us nor the D's neither: So that there was no great danger of the Papiſts doing any harm by us, as their Tools. But let Mr. T beware how he meddles with edged Tools, or rather in Scripture-Phraſe, how he kicks againſt the Pricks. Indeed Mr. T's Ignorance and Infidelity, as in the Apoſtles caſe, may by ſome be taken as an Extenuation of the Fault of his furious Zeal; 1 Tim. 1.13. Yet others will take it as an Aggravation thereof, eſpecially if we conſider whoſe Son he was, and what Education he had.

I wonder what Mr. T. means, by our having moſt Plots, and the worſt luck in Plotting that ever Men had Have we had more Plots and worſe Succeſs than the Papiſts? Was there in all his remembrance any but that of the Meal-Tub, and will Mr. T. vindicate that to be a Presbyterian Plot.

p. 30I pray Sir, what Plot have any others diſcover'd, or what Talent have you to boaſt of, as to further Diſcoveries, unleſs it be of your own folly? Let not him that puts on his Armour boaſt as he that puts it off. If you had as good a Talent at diſcloſing Secrets as the Demoniack had in his Fits, it will not be for your credit. In that you call D's Devil our Friend, you too much diſcover the Spirit you are acted by. I pray what friendſhip did the Devil ſhew us, or we him? Mr. T. will ſay the Devil was not in D. I wiſh he be not entered into, if ever he went out of others, in a worſe Senſe.

I ſhall not envy Mr. T. the excellency of his Talent, in belching forth his venemous Rancour againſt us, in his preamble to his pretended diſcovery of the Combination, nor ſhall I much heed the reproaches he would caſt upon us; for by this time, neither his Tongue, nor his Pen, will be accounted a Slander.

To call us the conſtant Tools of Propery, when it is ſo well known by the many Popiſh Plots, that the Papiſts have made uſe of another ſort of Tools, as ſome of Mr. T's own Communion have ſo well diſcover'd: Whenas ſuch Champions as Ames, Baxter, Owen, Pool, and many more have ſo well acquitted themſelves againſt the Papiſts; and whenas it's ſo well known how much of the Non Conformiſts Arguments, is made uſe of againſt Popery: So that the Non Conformiſts have as good Hands, and better Tools againſt the Papiſts. If the diſtinction of Obſeſſion from Poſſeſſion, be uſed among the Papiſts; is ever, diſtinction among Papiſts, a Popiſh Diſtinction? The Truth is, both Ancient and Modern Writers only make uſe of the Term Obſeſſion as more proper.

Doth not the afor ſaid Biſhop Hall, Vye with his Antagoniſts upon this Point, as may be ſeen in his Life? Is it any diſadvantage to the Proteſtant Intereſt, if there be ſuch a Power in the uſe of lawful means among us? What Glory is therein the contrivance of ſuch a Combination to be emulous, if there be ſuch a Combination according to Mr. T's Pretentions? Are we not much beholding to Mr. T. that he will excuſe us from being the orignal Authors of the pretenaed Combination, but who can vield to his reaſonleſs Reaſons?

Might we not have been cunning enough to combine, tho we had no more Learning than the D's, who are pretended to be in the Combination? Who will queſtion Mr. Carrington's Ability to reply upon the Demon either in Greek or Latin, if they knew him? But that he thought it not convenient to diſcourſe him in another Language, as the Prieſt did for the reaſon aſſedged. I would the two Maſters of Art might try Maſteries in any of the Arts (tho Mr. T. may be the Seniour) to clear it, that Mr. C. hath more Learning than Mr. T. can p. 31gueſs at by the Narrative. Some of Mr. T's Brethren might have ſatisfied him as to Mr. C's Learning. O how is Mr. T. ready to burſt with his fullneſs of that Spirit which dwells in him, whereby he had conceived us to be the diminutive Ʋnderling-Slaves, to the Papiſts in the Farce, as he calls it. Parturiunt montes, &c.

Note that our diſproving of a Combination, in Mr. T's Sence, is exabundanti; for it's the Poſſeſſion that we defend: And we are cleared from having any hand in the pretended Combination.

As to Mr. T's 1ſt Ground for his ſuppoſed Combination, it will prove Sandy, whether in reference to what himſelf or Dr. B. ſaith. For from T. D's having been a Papiſt and his Children having been Popiſhly brought up, Mr. T. might as reaſonably and charitably have infer'd, that the Papiſts would never entruſt ſuch a ſuppoſed Intreague, in the hands of ſuch, who had proved ſo unfaithful to them, and who have approved themſelves true Proteſtants ever ſince. But Mr. T. is apt to take things by the wrong handle. And as to the conſideration of the then Scene of Publick Affairs, it's probable theſe poor People in that blind Corner, were very far from ſuch Policies, which might better beſeem thoſe who would ſecure their beneficial places, or ſought great things for themſelves: Theſe were more likely to ingratiate themſelves with thoſe, who then had got the Aſcendant.

Who this Dr. B. is I know not, nor is there any ones word to witneſs that theſe words were his; however he's made to ſpeak very like to Mr. T. but why ſhould any be bound to believe the imputation of they know not who, when the accuſed had no opportunity to anſwer for themſelves, As ignorant as the D's are, I doubt not but they are ready to anſwer to any, who will buſy themſelves to ask them of theſe things.

Tho I am not ſo immediately concerned as to the 2d Ground Mr. T. lays for a ſuppoſed Combination, yet muſt I take notice how he calls the Diſſenters, the Papiſts conſtant Apes in ſuch Juggles, as before he call'd us their conſtant Tools. Who would think that Mr. T's Father was a Diſſenter, but he's dead, and forgotten too. It's commonly ſaid, It's an ill Bird that bewrayes its own Neſt.

I am not, neither are my Reverend Brethren accountable, neither for the Typographical Errors, nor for thoſe Miſtakes that were in the uncorrected Copy; which, through I know not whoſe weakneſs, is printed: The ſame I muſt ſay for my Reverend Brother Mr. C. S. who many years ago was deſervedly commended, chief Maſter of the Free-School in Blackburn, as Mr. T's Father was at Ratchdale. As to my Reverend Brother the truly Orthodox and p. 32Eminently Learned Academick, Mr. R. F. he was but once at the Surey, nor ſo much as once did ſee the Narrative (that I know of) that is printed, as it's printed, before it was printed. I will here alſo, by the way, do Mr. Rinſhaw the right to tell the World, that he was but once at the Surey-Meeting upon the ſaid occaſion, and there were ſome ſmall miſtakes in the uncorrect Copy, which he took notice of, and ſhould have been corrected. I wiſh the Surey-Book had had the Errata's annexed.

My Brethren who are more immediately concerned, are of age to anſwer for themſelves, and when the worſt is made of it, that Pride and Malice can make of it, what is this to prove Mr. T's Combination; but only whilſt he, in his malevolent way, would, with the Devil clear us from Forgery; yet muſt he trample on his Betters for ſome inculpable, at leaſt pardonable weakneſſes; as where Mr. T. upbraids Mr. C. ſo baſely with the natural Infirmities in his Sight, or other Infirmities. I have tried D. and find him altogether a Stranger to thoſe Latin and Greek Sentences which Mr. W. and Mr. C. alledg as ſpoken in his Fit. Mr. T. might have tried him too, had he been ſo ingenuous.

I ſhall not henceforth give my ſelf, and the Reader that needleſs trouble as to follow Mr. T. in his Meandrous Paſſages, towards proving a Papiſtical Combination, it would be a laborious loſs of time on our part, as his is labour in vain: for I hope to cut the work ſhorter, and to clear all fully before Mr. T. and I part, if it be not done already.

Pag. 60 Mr. T's ſcornful way of clearing us from having any hand in the ſuppoſed Contrivance, is below me to take notice of, neither am I immediately concerned in the matter in hand; but I confeſs it affects me to ſee poor D. ſo beknaved and berogued, when I am abundantly ſatisfied, that the poor Man had neither ſo much cunning, nor ſo little honeſty, as to be criminal either way.

Pag. 61 As to the pieces of Latin in D's Letter to Sir E. A. we neither have any account what they were, nor who teſtifies the ſame, but Mr. T's ipſe idxit; whenas D. himſelf doth not own any ſuch thing, but doth again and again diſown his ever learning any further than the Nouns and Pronouns in the Accidence. Poor Dugdale had no Latin at all that I can hear of, neither from one or another, nor doth Mr. T. at all prove that he had.

Mr. T's third Argument, as he calls it, about the Incubi and Succubi, ſeems only to make way for his abominable Calumny, upon ſome ſlanderous Report, as to the whoring of the Surey Hearers; **Several Neighbours are ready to teſtify that they never ſo much as heard, upon juſt ground, that there was any ſuch uncivil Behaviour:all ſorts of People coming thither on one account or other, and whom p. 33we could not hinder from coming. Let Mr. T. take heed of coming too near the imitating of the Heathens falſe Charge, upon the pious Meetings of the Primitive Chriſtians. But if there were any dallying under the Hedges, when they might have been better employed, it's more likely they were ſome of Mr. T's Communion, who might take the filthieſt Actions to be leſs culpable, than hearing a Nonconformiſt preach or pray. As among the Papiſts a tranſgreſſing of God's Laws is venial, when tranſgreſſing one of their own Laws is a mortal Sin.

Pag. 62 We muſt ſtill take Mr. T's word without any mention of his Witneſſes, where he ſpeaks of an ingenious Perſon walking to Surey, when as it's too well known how many notorious Falſehoods he's guilty of. Surely the ingenious Perſon Mr. T. ſpeaks of, whoever he is, is not very ingenuous to conceal his Name, otherwiſe others might ſatisfy him, or themſelves in this matter. Neither is it fair dealing to judg the poor Mother, before ſhe be heard, what ſhe hath to ſay for her ſelf. What wreſting of the poor ignorant Woman's Words, which Mr. T. ſaith, that the Diſſenters muſt do, whenas ſhe might, if ſhe ſaid the Words, probably mean that the Devil ſaid ſo; whenas withal, preſently after, ſhe named three Popiſh Prieſts, which the Demon in D's Fit had hinted to be the Perſons who muſt help him: It's very probable by this, that the Devil would have had it out of our Hands into the Prieſts Hands, and ſo ſerved his ends by them better than by tormenting D.

As to the Letter mentioned in this Page, I am loth to queſtion the Fidelity of the ſuppoſed Author; yet muſt I animad vert a little upon it. In my Minutes Verbatim, it's thus. Upon the 3d of September, we again met at Surey, on young D's account; as I went to the place of meeting, he gave me notice by a little Paper he put into my Hand, that as his Spirit told him, he muſt be dumb, and deaf, whilſt we prayed; immediately upon his delivery of the Note to me, he became both dumb and deaf, all the while the Exerciſe continued: By this it's plain that the meaning was, as to that Exerciſe, not that he muſt be ſo all the while we came to him; this the event did evidently diſprove.

What he means by no ſatifactory Anſwer, I know not; it might be ſatisfactory to others, tho not to him, who might be otherwiſe prepoſſeſt.

Pag. 63 Again, there ſeems to be no good conſiſtency betwixt a Paſſage in D's Letter to Sir E. A and that the report of a Letter to Mr. T. to Sir E. A. he only ſaith, that they did him no good; in his Letter to Mr. T. he ſaith, thoſe ſix, meaning the Miniſters, muſt do him no good. p. 34This looks not like faithful dealing; he might ſay in that Fit of Impatience, we did him no good; but it's more to ſay, we muſt do him no good: This looks liker what Mr. T. will have the Mother to ſay, than what ſhe did indeed ſay.

Again, as to what he infers for a Confederacy, there might be a Combination among the Popiſh Prieſts, yet no Combination of young D. with them, nor among the Family; nay, nor of any of the D's with the Devil: ſure it becomes you to have more Charity towards thoſe of your Communion, or to proſecute them if you will have them guilty of Witchcraft, or Cheating.

The cloſe of that Paragraph ſeems to be rather Mr. T's, it is ſo very magiſterial, and cenſorious.

Mr. T's, and the Letters (muſt do him no good) muſt not ſtand good, by what was before obſerved.

If the Devil in one of D's Fits ſaid, that the ſaid Popiſh Prieſts might help him, and that one of them be a Doctor; what is all this to the purpoſe of proving a Combination of any of the D's with them? It rather infers, as was ſaid before, that the Devil would have it out of our Hands, who only ſougnt the Glory of God, and the Good of others, to have it into the Prieſts Hand, who ſerved the Devil's Intereſt, and their own Ends, as we have cauſe to ſuſpect, as to ſome of them.

Mr. T's telling of D's tacking over to the Popiſh Prieſts, tatcheth not very well with a former Combination with them, no more than his application to Sir E. A. let not us be too rigid towards ſuch Perſons in ſuch Extremities: We know not how we our ſelves may be tempted.

Pag. 64 I am perſwaded that none but ſuch as Mr. T. will judg that the Popiſh Prieſts had inſtructed D. all along, unleſs it was by ſome ſecret Diabolical Means, unknown to him; otherwiſe who can think but he would have, on ſome occaſion or other, in all this time, confeſt it to ſome Conformiſt or Non-conformiſt. Tho the Devil and his Inſtruments would not have it diſcovered, yet poor D. either for fear, or favour, would have diſcovered it, if he could.

Mr. T's Story here of R. D. is ſo much upon Suppoſition and Imagination, whereupon he founds he Belief, that it deſerves not inſiſting upon: The truth of things, ſo far as it concerns the matter in hand, I have given faithfully, as it's taken from his own Mouth, the Subſtance whereof is in the Narrative.

The Paſſage of the other Paper of ſome Magicial Charm, mentioned in the Narrative, is ſo plainly reported, and ſuch uſe is made of it, the our indifferent Perſon would thereupon, not only vindicte us, p. 35but the D's alſo, from the Cheat or Combination; ſeeing we all declined the uſe of any ſuch Popiſh, Magicial, Diabolical Means.

As to Mr. T's moſt untrue, and uncharitable charge of our promiſing our ſelves a rich Harveſt by the Miracle we ſhould work, — It's well for us, Mr. T. muſt not be our judg, and that our own Conſcience is as a thouſand Witneſſes for us. His other Reflections here are like the opening of ſome ſtinking Grave, which I would rather cover.

Pag. 65 Mr. T. is void of all Reaſon, as well as Modeſty, in ſaying that we were guilty of ſuperſtitious Credulity, were coming Creatures to the Prieſts, ſwallowed all that was offer'd by them, when he at the ſame time ſaith, it's true we declined the reading of the Paper over D. that the Prieſts ſending the Paper to D. is an unanſwerable Argument of his correſponding with them, when himſelf acknowledgeth that the D's declined it alſo, Where's Mr. T's Religion or Reaſon. Sed perit judicium quandores tranſit in affectum.

Mr. T. dare eng age for the Devils vaniſhing, upon our reading that Paper over D. It was wiſely done to paſs his word for the Devil on ſuch hard Conditions, as were never likely to be performed.

I ſhall leave the buſineſs of the Commiſſion here mentioned to others to canvaſs. I ſhall only hint here, that the Papers which came into D's hand, when he ſtretch't it forth, were undoubtedly from an inviſible hand, as the Spectators teſtify; ſo as to thoſe Papers and other things which he committed; it is atteſted that he was not near any Wall, nor could any one viſible, convey them to him For I took little notice of what the Devil ſaid, concerning his commiſſion, nor of the date of it: I had a higher to look at, from whom he had his Commiſſion, or Permiſſion, and who alone could determine the time, and cancel the Commiſſion, as he pleaſed.

As to that Poyſon of Aſps, and Gall of Bitterneſs, in charging us with vain-glory all along, our being ſo full of our ſelves, and of the Spirit we had to deal with: It ſerves but to fill up his own meaſure, and that of his Partakers, which ſeems to be almoſt brimful.

I confeſs I did from ſeveral Circumſtances fear, that the Devil in ſome drunken Fit, had drawn D. into ſome blind Contract with him, or Conſent to him, not becauſe the Devil might ſay to that purpoſe, but becauſe he was ready to gratify D's Humour ſeveral ways; yet if the Devil be found a Lyar herein, I am not ſorry for that; and if I did miſtake, I hope their needs no very large Charity to cover it.

Pag. As to Mr. T's reproachful Term of a Farce, and reproaching us with wearineſs becauſe we could do no good, in the former he is profane, if he refer to the Ordinunce; in the latter he doth ſome of us wrong, p. 36I am ſure: we may be weary in our work, but not weary of it. How little any threatning with Warrants did affect D. towards accepting of the Phyſician, will appear by further evidence, and the event, in that he was cured of his ſtrange Fits, before he took the Phyſick: tho it's evidenced already that he had his Fits as formerly, after the Threatning.

As to the Paſſage of Satans ſpeaking ſeveral Noiſes, and Voices, out of the Lump which roſe up, I do not remember any thing, but that T. Core, teſtifies to that.

Dr. B's Teſtimony will but ſignify a little in this caſe, with thoſe who knew what his Faith and Practice was; but he's dead — de mortuis nil niſi bonum: And as to his Profeſſion as a Phyſician, what Judgment could he paſs upon D's Fits, whenas he ſaw him but once, and had not ſeen the Depoſitions at all, as I ſuppoſe; I cannot be poſitive, for his ſuppoſed Letter bears no date, neither can I tell when it was, that Dr. B. died.

Beſides, what he is ſuppoſed to ſay, is not to the purpoſe, for what is it as to the riſing of the Lump from his Foot upward, when he tells of convulſive Twitchings? How doth he prove his being before inſtructed, to improve thoſe Motions to ſuch a purpoſe? Might not a Spirit move ſuch parts, tho it have neither Fleſh nor Bones, ſo could not be felt? What ſilly work is here? But when Men loſe their Religion, they loſe their Reaſon alſo. What rational Perſon will deny a Spirits acting, tho not animating, as the Soul doth the Body?

Concerning the Expreſſions in Prayer which I am charged with, by I know not who, at ſecond or third Hand; this is my conſtant comfort, amidſt my acknowledged Infirmities, in all my Duties, that I hope I have the Holy Spirit to help my Infirmities, Jeſus Chriſt to bear them, the Father to pitty them; that I ſtand not to the Mercy of ſome Men's Miſconſtructions, and Miſrepreſentations, nor to the Wreſting, and wiredrawing of my Words, by ſuch as Mr. T. to their evil Ends; but take the words which they inſinuate me guilty of, and as they are reported by Mr. T. the former part of them, (viz. that Satan might appear, or ſeem to be in thoſe, that did not believe him to be in that young Man, by way of Poſſeſſion) are potentially expreſſed; ſuch a thing might be, I wiſh it were not ſo: The latter part of the words, (that others might take Warning and thereby Learning) are expreſt optatively, as praying that others may take warning, and learn by this Example. The Reader will pardon the Incoherence of the Expreſſions, and rather impute it to the Ignorance of the Reporter, and the Imperfection of the Report. Where now is the Profaneneſs and Curſe of the Petition? Where is the p. 37Juſtice of any being ſcandalized? What occaſion hath Mr. T. ſo Sarcaſtically, and Blaſphemouſly, to reflect upon praying by the Spirit, and Spiritual Sacrifices offer'd up to God? But it's according to the Evil Spirit that Mr. T. I doubt is led by, and walks after.

Pag. 67 Whenas Mr. T. would inſinuate againſt us words of Blaſphemy, or near bordering thereupon; were not my Soul filled, and fortified with ſuch firm Faith, in dear Love to, and deep Veneration of the moſt precious Perſon of Chirſt, his moſt glorious Goſpel; and truly Miraculous Works: Yea, his moſt Holy Spirit, and Converſation too, then might Mr. T's Scorpion Language, tho thy ſuch a feeble Hand, wound me to the quick; but through the Grace of God, it is but as Laſhes upon Armour, in this caſe.

Whenas alſo he would inſinuate, that a Tongue which ſpeaks ſuch words, ought to be boared through with an hot Iron; but we muſt ſpare the Phanaticks, ſaith he: Bleſſed be God who hath made our Officers Peace, and our Exactors Righteouſneſs; yea, thanked be our Rulers, which are ſuch Shields of Defence to us, elſe we yet ſee what ſuch as Mr. T. would be at, right or wrong.

And what is all this bitter Zeal, as the Apoſtle James calls … for this I muſt refer the Reader to what is expreſt, and expla… … fore, concerning the Indications of Evangelick Poſſeſſio… … theſe: Where I do modeſtly declare my own, and I think others Sentiments alſo, But Mr. T. is very unfaithful in inſerting … words (tho in a Parentheſis) viz. and conſequemly diſpeſſeſſed by them. as if they were my words; indeed it's the conſequence that is ſo hateful to him, which makes him ſo furiouſly to militate againſt … Premiſſes.

But why doth not Mr. T. deſcend to Particulars, and Inſtanc… … the Indications of a Poſſeſſion, and ſhew us wherein the Indication, in D. did come ſhort of any, or many, in the Evangelick Hiſtory. Still remember how we reſerve the due Honour to the Cures, and Diſpoſſeſſions, as done by the immediate Power of Chriſt; or in his Name, in a miraculous manner; ſuch effects immediately to follow: tho all is done by his Marvellous Power, whether it be without Means, or with them; whether the means be more ordinary, or extraordinary; whether the Effect be ſooner or later; yet are not at all Miraculous. Had not ſome of Mr. T's Brethren been wiſer than he, I ſuppoſe, he would have denied all Poſſeſſions, at leaſt in latter Ages, from the Preſs, as he had done from the Pulpit.

Seeing Mr. T. would make the World to believe, that we ſeek vain-Glory, and worldly Intereſt, by the account of our many certified places for Meeting, and ſo our being Pluraliſts; I muſt humbly ſay the Truth, p. 38and ſhame the Devil, (as they ſay) had he any Shame. I am concerned, and conſtrained to vindicate the Truth, and my ſelf; for I think I and my People have more certified Places, than any one Miniſter, and People in the County; being ſo ſcatter'd in the Country as we are: So it may be Mr. T. may point at me more than others.

Should I tell how long I have laboured among this People, how much I have ſuffered for them, how little this poor People have been able to do for me, what offers I have had as to worldly advantages, Mr. T. would charge me with vain-glory, tho he clear me from ſeeking my worldly Profit: But it's enough to me that God knows all, tho theſe things are pretty well known in the World; and I do not deſire to make them more publick than they are; it is a Mortification to me, to ſpeak of them more than needs: Nor would it be a Pleaſure to Mr. T. unleſs to droll upon them.

It's true, we have ſeveral Places beſides my Chappel certified, yet ſome of them are only for our more private Days of Prayer; but they all belong to the ſame People, diſpoſed as aforeſaid, and the moſt of what I have from them all, is but about 12 l. per An. out of which I maintain an Aſſiſtant alſo, to ſupply on the one hand, when I am at a more remore diſtance on the other: Yet do we ordinarily all meet at our Chappel. Now let Mr. T. himſelf judg, where are the Pluralities, and Worldly Intereſts; Do I not rather ſpend what I have, and am I not almoſt ſpent in ſerving a Poor, yet willing People, theſe 48 Years? Tho I confeſs I am now, through Age and Bodily Infirmity, confined about home? Let theſe Hints ſuffice in theſe Streights Mr. T. reduceth us into: If we vindicate our ſelves, he'll have us to be vain-glorious; if we do not, we muſt be Pluraliſts, like to themſelves: So that on our part it proves to be only a Plurality of Labours (in Labours more abundant.)

As to the Hearers not taking the Oaths to the Government, and ſubſcribing the Declaration againſt Popery, tho Mr. T. will charge it upon their Old Spirit of Contempt of Authority: Yet let him know that the Government hath as hearty Subjection, and as fervent Prayers from Diſſenters, as from the Conformiſts, who have all the Dignities and Benifices. So that the Diſſenters not doing as aforeſaid, is not out of the leaſt unwillingneſs to do it; but becauſe that they judged that the Magiſtrate ſhould call them to it, if they ſaw occaſion.

Pag. 68 As to what Mr. T. doth moſt unworthily and immoderately inſinuate concerning us, who ſome of us it may be, might for our Age be his Grand-Fathers: I do moſt ſolemnly proteſt for my ſelf, and I p. 39hope for my Brethren alſo, that it's altogether falſe, that we had leſt off the caſe, tho we had left off meeting at Surey, for the reaſon aforeſaid; that the deferring of the publiſhing of the Narrative was with any Reference to the ſaid Gentlemen's death, we alſo do utterly deny. And as to the forgetting of ſeveral Paſſages, by reaſon of the diſtance of time, the ſame may be ſaid on our part alſo. That there were ſeveral with R. D. when thoſe words were expreſt, and ſuch things happen'd on the 24th of M. 89. we aſſirm, tho none of the Miniſters were preſent: For John Walmſly was preſent and depoſeth as to the Paſſages, and ſeveral others preſent, teſtify to the ſame purpoſe.

That what we did in this affair, was out of the Pride of our Hearts, and in affectation to be thought Miracle-Mongers, and ſuch as caſt out Devils; the Searcher of Hearts, knows it to be otherwiſe, and that we lay little ſtreſs on theſe things. Our rejoicing is this, that we hope our Names are written in Heaven, and that our Record is on high: Yet we may ſay that the Lord hath done greater works, than caſting out Devils out of Mens Bodies, by his faithful Servants: Particularly the effectual Call, and ſaving Change of Souls, which in Scripture Senſe is raiſing the ſpiritually dead, opening the Eyes of ſuch as are born ſpiritually blind, yea a new creation out of nothing, and worſe than nothing. This Doctrine may not go well down with thoſe who have no Experience of it, and ſo make light of ſo great a work.

Yet tho we are moſt Unjuſtly, and Uncharitably, charged by Mr. T. as deſpairing of the Succeſs, and as deſerting the Work: However our Weakneſs is ingenuouſly acknowledged in the Narrative, which is no ſign of vain-Glory: Tho our acknowledged Weakneſs, is invidiouſly objected againſt us. Yea, I will ſay further, tho Mr. T's Spirit may be heightened, and others hardened thereby: That much Weakneſs did appear among us, not only in the Management of ſo great a Work, and after as to our non-acknowledgment of the Succeſs, as we ought: But as to ſome few things publiſhed in the Narrative, and as to the manner of the Publication thereof, (if it was through inadvertency of any of us:) Yet whilſt we deny our ſelves, we dare not deny the Grace of God in pittying us, and pardoning, in helping, and bleſſing us. Yea, we muſt own the Lord's Goodneſs in his helping of us under, and bleſſing to us Mr. T's evil dealing with us; much is to be learned, and got by others Envy and Enmity. Bleſſed be God, I may ſay, tho no thanks to Mr. T.

Pag. 69 That ſome might ſuſpect Witchcraft in the caſe, doth not at all weaken the cauſe: For it's ordinary that Poſſeſſions are by Witchcraft, as Inſtances in Old and New England confirm. But that Mr. p. 40Pendelbury, who was ſometime aſſiſting in the work, did afterward take it as a Cheat, neither is, nor can be proved. The Teſtimony put upon Elizabeth Mills, of Ratchdale, is not ſo much as pretended to be under her own Hand: So Mr. T. muſt be only on ſome-bodies hearſay, which ſort of Teſtimony he will not allow to others; neither doth Mr. T. tell us who the Reporter is: So that we are bound up from ſifting this Matter. Mr. P. and E. M. being dead, as Mr. T. ſaith, the Reporter being unarmed, and we having little reaſon to take Mr. T's word: Thus Mr. T's Ground-work fails, and his Superſtructure falls.

Beſides it's likely Mr. P. would have ſuggeſted it to ſome of us, if he had ſuſpected it to be a Cheat: But I never heard that he ever hinted any ſuch thing to any of us, or any other.

I will do that worthy Perſon, now deceaſed, this right, that he is only mentioned as one, who was ſometimes aſſiſting in the work: Let the Cauſe ſtand upon it's right bottom, and let not the Bleſſed Memory of ſuch a one ſuffer, on either hand.

I now have it from good Hands, that indeed Mr. P. firſt was not fatisfied whether it was a natural Diſtemper, or what to call it: But afterward when he heard two Voices from R. D. at once, &c. and heard what account others gave of other Particulars, then he was ſatisfied that D. was acted by a Diabolical Power.

As to the Teſtimony of Dr. Whittaker, who was a faithful Witneſs all along to what paſſed in this Affair, Mr. T. might have ſpoken more civilly of him: For Dr. Whittaker is both a Gentleman and a Schollar, as Mr. Townly well knows: That he did teach ſome few Youths to perfect them for Univerſity Learning, before he came to his Eſtate, this is no more Diſparagement to Dr. Whittaker, than to Mr. T's Father, who made School teaching his Calling; nor are the Youths which Dr. W. taught any Diſparagement to Dr. W. I wiſh Mr. T. be no greater Diſparagement, to his Father.

Mr. T. might have been more civil to Dr. Whittaker as a Phyſician, than to call him a Medicaſter, when as he underwent the ſtrick Trial of the Colledg of Phyſicians, and hath his Diploma from them to ſhew. No ſuch unlearned Emperick, as Mr. T's Dr. C.

Pag. But as to Mr. Townly's Letter, Dr. Whittaker doth acknowledg ſome looſe diſcurſe he had with Mr. Townly, about the Surey-Caſe, and doth remember that Mr. Townly, himſelf did then own the Signs of Poſſeſſion in young D. and Mr. Townly might juſtly ſuſpect, and ſuggeſt, the Politick Intrigueing of the Popiſh Prieſts, which, I may ſay, they fruitleſly attempted: But Dr. Whittaker doth peremptorily deny the words, as he is charged in the Letter: Of which Letter alſo, p. 41we have but part ſet down by Mr. T. breaking off at a Comma, and cloſing it with an, &c.

Yet if all were granted, that Mr. Townly ſaith of the diſcourſe betwixt the Doctor and him, the Doctor's Certificate under his own Hand will ſtand good, and he will ſtand to it. For let it be obſerved that Mr. Townly's Letter to Mr. White gives us no account particularly when that diſcourſe was, and tho the Doctor might then alſo be jealous of the thing and of it's iſſue; yet upon further obſervation of his own, and hearing the Depoſitions, he was fully ſatisfied, as other Non-conformiſts preſent, before the Juſtices at Holcomb in like manner were; tho they very much doubted the thing before.

As to the Paſſage of D's being Dumb and Deaf ſo long, I have declared the Truth before, and I was likelier to know the Truth, the Paper being delivered to me; that he ſometimes was ſenſible out of his Fit, of what was in his Fit, is not denied; but we affirm that ordinarily he was not ſenſible: See as to this Origen. de Principiis cap. 3.

Concerning the Reſerves that Mr. T. pretends to, and threatens us with, (through the Grace of God) I fear them not at all, nor any thing that any one can ſay or do, in this caſe, as to me. I hope I am on a ſure bottom, and under a ſtrong guard; ſo that I need not fear this Shock, after all the reſt.

As to all that impudent inſolent Language, which Mr. T. gives us, in the cloſe of this Page: I do humbly, and meekly, yet cordially, and confidently retort it upon himſelf, as Arrows ſhot againſt a Brazen-Wall: Religion is not abuſed by us, but by himſelf; we are not an ambitious deſigning Party, whatever he is: We could have ſate down content ſooner or later, if Providence had not led us from firſt to laſt: We have not ſeen our ſelves baffled, neither in danger of it, by the Ʋltimi Conatus, the dying Efforts of ſuch Men; we can through Chriſt ſtrengthening us, hold up our Heads in the World: Yea, lay down our Heads in Peace, and lift up our Heads before the Judg of all at laſt: (Tho he may do ſomewhat towards judging in this matter, even in this World) it is no Spirit of Infatuation nor Vanity that led me to, and through this work, ſo far as I am concerned; and I ſhould know the Spirit of Chriſt as well as Mr. T. Surely I do know my ſelf better than he knows me; it was neither Wickedneſs, nor Weakneſs, that concerned me thus far: I ſuppoſe that to all ſerious ſober Perſons it will be chargeable elſewhere, it is no Superſtitious Popiſh piece of Prieſt craft, on our part beſure: At other times Mr. T. will rather judg us to be too far from Superſtition and Popery, both Name and Thing, we may alſo retort upon him his p. 42Terms of audacious Wickedneſs, the ſcarce to be parallel'd Inſolence of a young ſcoſſing Iſhmacl: It is Mr. T. that the Inconſiſtencies and Ʋntruths will be found with, upon peruſal of our reply and examining the caſe further: That the Father of Lies doth ſometimes tell the Truth, as Doeg did of David, tho for an evil End, and the Lord turns all againſt himſelf as appears in the Goſpel-Hiſtory: That we do not credit Satan any further than we have it conſirmed other Ways, or by the Event. That there is no affront to God Almighty, or Preſumptnous attributing that to his Spirit, and his Ordinances, which is wholly owing to the Sins and Chea's of Men: Neither is there baſe Inſincerities, nor lying Legends and Forgeries, nor a Spirit of Fanaticiſm and Diviſion ſanctified with Prayer and Faſting. The Lord is coming to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of their ungodly Deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard Speeches which they have ſpoken againſt him. We have ſome of us ſeen ſomething in our time of the Lord's handling ſuch Sons of Zerviah, or Sons of Belial, even in this World. Lege Hiſtoriam ne ſis hiſtoria.

I only ſay the Lord rebuke the foul Spirit in this Man, and the Lord give him Repentance: Elſe I am afraid the Lord will ſoon reckon with him for what he doth ſay, and would do. It's not the warmth of Fancy, but pious Zeal, it's not the bare Opinion, but good Aſſurance, that we ſerve God: It's not Will-worſhip, but Goſpel-worſhip: However, Surely they are not the groſleſt Miſtakes, the worſt of Errors, and the vileſt Superſtitions, that are poſſible for Chriſtians to be enſnared in, as Mr. T. would have them to be. How is this Man even burſting aſunder (without any Provocation) and falling headlong with his Rage and Rancour; the Lord judg betwixt us, as to the cauſe: Yet let him not enter into Judgment with, to proceed in Execution thereof upon, the Offenders.

We acted according to the Meaſure of Grace, and Gifts, that we have received; whereof we dare not, will not boaſt; but as to conſulting with the conforming Clergy, we muſt needs differ from them in this, as in other things, if they preach ſuch Doctrine as M. T. did in this Country: If we had conſulted them it's very likely they would have expected, that we alſo ſhould have paſſed by the miſerable Man, on either ſide, as the Prieſt and Levite did, but he lay in our way, and we had Mercy on him: Bleſſed be the Name of the Lord for it.

If the Popiſh Prieſts were playing a Game, it was ſoon at an end, without our going to any, to learn to read, and underſtand the Papers which were vomited up by D. We need not fear Rivalſhip of thoſe, p. 43in ſuch a caſe, who deny all Poſſeſſions in latter Ages, or give us no Indications thereof: Nor of thoſe who are ſuch Strangers to the right uſe of Goſpel-Means in this caſe, and therefore ſet on ſoot Means of their own deviſing, as ſome have done of late, as I am credibly informed.

For my part I am more ſatisfied in the thing than ever, ſince I have further enquired into it, ſince alſo I ſee with what a Spirit, in what a manner Mr. T. hath managed the matter. As to our People alſo, they are better inſtructed, and ſpirited, than to give heed to ſuch raſh Heads, as Mr. T's, who abandons himſelf to his unmortiſied Paſſions, and unbridled Expirſſions: Enough to turn the Spirit of any true Chriſtian againſt ſuch Men, and their Cauſe too.

As to our Injudiciouſneſs, and Inſincerity, our People, who hear you ſometimes, and live amongſt you, who hear us ordinarily, and converſe ſo much with us, are likelier to judg in the caſe, than Mr. T. and ſuch like who I ſuppoſe never hear us, nor ſcarce know us at all: Yet theſe our People dare not adventure their precious and immortal Souls, under the way of Preaching, nor in the way of Living, which too many go in.

Conc…rning the Church, Mr. T. doth, Laodicea like, ſo boaſt of, we do heartily acknowledg there have been many, and we hope are ſome of the Epiſcopal Perſwaſion, who are ſound, according to the true ſenſe and intent of the Doctrinal Part of the 39 Articles, who are of a right Chriſtian Temper, of a Holy Converſation, and are for Parochial Diſcipline, and Reformation: Theſe we honour and conſent with ſo far.

But as to this Faction, who ſo vainly boaſt of their Purity, and Perfection, whenas the Lord Jeſus knows their works: Yea any one, even with half an Eye, if indeed open'd, may ſee, even by Mr. T's Scurrilous, Slanderous, Scandalous Pamphlet, and look no further, that they are wretched and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked: By this time of God and Religion: Yea have, by their implacable oppoſition to the Truth, and way of the Goſpel, with the Preachers, and the Profeſſors thereof, block't up, as much as in them lies, the Courſe of Reformation alſo, by their unfaithful Preaching, and ungodly Practiſe, with the countenancing ſuch as partake with them, how bad ſoever, have open'd the Flood-Gates to Atheiſm, and Profaneneſs, conſequently to Superſtition and Idolatry, as woful Experience doth teſtify beyond all contradiction.

O that there were indeed ſuch a Zeal for revealed and real Religion, for Proteſtantiſm and Reformation, againſt Atheiſm p. 44and Profaneneſs, Superſtition and Idolatry, as is pretended.

After all this I muſt ſolemnly profeſs, that ſuch an heap of groſs Lies, notorious Slanders, unworthy Inſinuations, reproachful Reflections, and baſe Language, did I, to my remembrance, never meet with, as in this Pamphlet of Mr. Ts, and this againſt thoſe, who not only may I hope be reckon'd among the leaſt of Chriſt's little Ones, but who, through his Grace, have in ſome meaſure approved themſelves as his Miniſters, according to 2 Cor. 6.3. to 11. ſo that my Heart akes, and I even tremble to think what guilt this Man hath loaden himſelf with, and what judgment he hath expoſed himſelf to, according to Mat. 18.6, 7. Luk 17.1, 2.

The reſult of all as to the Caſe and it's Signs, the Cure and it's Means; Mr. T's invidious, odious Repreſentations, of perſons and things, being waved, as meer Folly and Falſity; yea, wiped away as Filth, and Froth; too like that of the Demoniack in ſome of his Fits: I ſhall plainly and calmly expreſs my ſelf.

1. Negatively.

1. It is not to be denominated a Mania, or Diſtraction, a Spaſma, or Epilepſy, Convulſion, or any ſuch bodily Diſeaſe; tho there might ſeem ſometimes to be ſomething Symptomatical thereof: for the Affidavits, and Informations, do plainly demonſtrate, that it was a further thing which continued after Mr. Chew's firſt phyſicking him, and Mr. Crabtree's ſecond phyſicking him ſo ſtrongly; which ſtrange Fits alſo were removed, before he took Mr. Chew's Phyſick the latter time; obſerve here that Mr. C. ſaid that he would ride an 100 Miles to help him: Alſo that D. in ſeveral of his Fits ſaid, he might be kill'd or cured before the 25th of M. when Mr. C. gave him his Phyſick the latter time.

2. It could not be any Art of Man, eſpecially in this D. for all who know him, muſt ſay that he is but of a very ordinary aptneſs, or capacity, as to Intellectuals, and not ſo much as of an ordinary Agility or Activity, as to his Body. Any one would judg him very unſit as to the inventing of ſuch things, and a very bungler as to the acting of them

3. Neither ought it to be called a Counterfeiting, or Cheat, to get Money, or for any other Siniſter End; ſeeing they are things that could not poſſibly be counterfeited; ſeeing alſo that it was ſo chargeable to them, whilſt they were under Mr. C's Hands; alſo in the hireing of a continual Keeper, and other ways; ſeeing alſo that any ſuch Cheat is ſolemnly diſowned by the Parties concerned; as appeared before in the Informations, Affidavits, Certificate, which p. 45himſelf ſigned, and doth further appear. Beſides if the Gentlemen look't on it as a Cheat, why did they make uſe of Phyſicial Means? if they look't on it as a Diſeaſe, why did they threaten him?

4. Nor can it be juſtly charged to be any Combination amongſt the Parties themſelves, nor with the Papiſts: As to Combination with us, or amongſt us Diſſenters, Mr. T. himſelf, as little Charity as he hath for us, doth clear that. As to a Combination among the Parties themſelves or with the Papiſts; this is utterly diſowned by the Dugdale's, nor is there any Proof of ſuch a Combination, nothing but meer Surmiſes, ſorry Suggeſtions. That there might be a Combination among the Popiſh Prieſts, before, or under the ſtrange Fits of D. is not denied; but their tampering with him is ſignihed in the Narrative. Now if Mr. T. who is ſo good at the diſcovering of ſuch Intriegues, can make any thing of it, we have furniſhed him with ſomething to work on: Some of the Papiſts have been formerly expoſed for their Magical Charms, Sorceries, or Withcrafts moſt deſervedly, of which I doubt they have not repented, or reformed.

2. Affimatively. To thoſe who have frequently ſeen, and heard D. in his Fits, it is more evident that it was a Diabolical Poſſeſſion, and that it was a righteous Judgment of God upon him, for his Profane and Debauched Life: But we cannot ſay, whether it was by the immediate Hand of God, or by Witchcraſt. Yet others, who did not hear him, and ſee him, as we did, are ſomething doubtful whether it was a real Poſſeſſion: But the Signs of a Poſſeſſion, which Divines give, and the Teſtimony, as to Matter of Fact, do make this probable, at leaſt, as we think to thoſe who are unprejudiced, and unbiaſſed.

1. His telling, and foretelling of things in his Fits, which he could not poſſibly know by any ordinary mans. In his Fits he always, ſo far at we can learn, told when his next Fit would come, tho he had no external direction at all; yet ſtill his Fits came at that time exactly, as thoſe who had Watches, and obſerved, can aver in manifold Inſtances: He could tell of Perſons coming at a conſiderable diſtance, who they were; and whence they came; and what they did by the way; with many ſuch like Inſtances. Can thoſe who call this a Cheat, hire, or threaten him to the doing of theſe, and of the following Feats as formerly?

2. His Ability of Body in his Fits, beyond the Joint Strength of many Luſty Men: His Agility alſo, beyond any Art, he had at other times: Yea, beyond the Lawful Art of any other. Whenas his Ability was but ordinary, and his Agility leſs than ordinary, at other times.

p. 463. The ſpeaking in him of another Voice, beſides his own, ſometimes ſpeaking many Words, and Sentences, in which were Dental and Labial Letters, when he made no uſe of the Organs of Speech: Yea, two Voices at once have been heard from him, the one being of a very hideous ſound: And his words, as in his ordinary diſcourſe, diſtinctly heard at a Mile and a half diſtance.

4. His being in the ſame Fit, one while as heavy as a Lump of Lead of that bigneſs, and other while as light as a Bag of Feathers of 14 or 16 Pound weight. Alſo as to the ſtiffneſs of his Body, it being inflexible in ſome part of his Fits, as a Bar of Iron, yea Breathleſs, Senſeleſs, and Lifeleſs to others apprehenſion, for a conſiderable time.

5. His Diabolical Rage and Blaſphemy againſt God, and Chriſt, and the things of God, tho under no Feveriſh Frenzy that we perceived; there being no ſuch Behaviour in him at other times: Yet would Satan ſometimes in his Fits, transform himſelf into an Angel of Light; yea, ſometimes in his Fit he would tell the Heads of a Sermon, that he never heard.

6. His ſpeaking ſeveral Languages, which he never learned, nor underſtood any thing of (tho at other times it ſeemed to be a ſort of Gibberiſh, to ſome of us; or a Language which the Hearets underſtood not) and ſometimes ſinging in Latin Verſe, whilſt in his Fits.

7. Sometimes ſomething like a Mouſe appearing about him, and in him, atiſing like the bigneſs of a Man's Fiſt, up and down under his Clothes; ſomething about the bigneſs of a little Dog in Bed with him, that was not one: Alſo the forcible riſing of the Lump and Voices out of it.

As to this we may take notice of theſe Teſtimonies. King James the Firſt. Doemenol.

There are divers Symptoms whereby that heavy Trouble, may be diſcerned from natural Sickneſs, and eſpecially three.

1ſt. The incredible Strength of the poſſeſſed Creature, which will exceed the Strength of ſix of the wighteſt and woodeſt Men, not ſo troubled.

2dly. The holding up ſo far of the Patients Breaſt, and Belly, with ſuch unnatural ſtirring, and vehement Agitation, within them, and ſuch an Irony hardneſs of the Sinews, ſo ſtifly bended out, that it were not poſſible to prick out, as it were, the Skin of any other Perſon ſo far.

3dly. The ſpeaking of ſeveral Lan…uages, which the Patient never learned, and that with an uncouth hollow Voice; and all the time of his ſpeaking, a greater motion being in his Breaſt, than in his Mouth.

Cudworth's Atheiſm, p. 704.

When Maniacal Perſons diſcover Secrets, declare things paſt, and future, p. 47ſpeak Languages they never learned; this puts it out of doubt, and queſtion, that they are not meer Mad-men, but Demoniacks. For Inſtances, ſee Pſellus, de oper. Daemon. Alſo Fernelius, de abditis, &c. There are many other Inſtances of this kind, recorded by Modern Writers unexceptionable, of Perſons either wholly Daemoniacal, or ſo affected, or infected by them, as to have certain unuſual and ſupernatural Symptoms; which for Brevity Sake we ſhall here omit.

See alſo Mr. Mather's Eſſay as to remarkable Providences, Chap. 6.

So that other Symptoms of Poſſeſſions either muſt be found out, which are yet unknown to us, or theſe and more ſuch-like muſt be diſproved, which we think can never be done; or diabolical Poſſeſſions muſt be utterly denied, which is ſo abſurd, that few but Inſidels (and Mr. T.) will ſo deny.

As to the means of Cure.

That this D. is delivered as to his outward Man, from this direful Judgment, we ſuppoſe none need to queſtion, being now freed from ſuch Fits for many Years. The only Queſtion now with ſome is, whether it was not a meer bodily Malady, and ſo ſome Purges or Vomits, which he took might be the means of his Cure.

If we ſhould ſuppoſe that to be the caſe, yet Spiritual Means being ſo much uſed withal, theſe muſt needs have the preference among Chriſtians. And God muſt be acknowledged in all, as in Hezekiah's Caſe. Surely Prayer had more Influence towards his Recovery, than the Lump of Figs.

But if it was a meer Spiritual Malady, or a Diabolical Poſſeſſion, and Sin the immediate Cauſe thereof, as Judicious Conſcientious Perſons, who are unprejudic'd, and unbiaſſed, do judg; then the only Means muſt be Spiritual, and the Bleſſing which follows, muſt needs be Supernatural. So in that caſe, Mat. 17.21. all other means are excluded. Yea, tho that Demoniack was a Lunatick,See Dr. Stillingſt. his opinions as to this, in his Origin. Sacr. pag. 263. as appears by Mat. 17.15. Luk. 9.39. compared: The Devil taking advantage by his Lunacy, to get Poſſeſſion of him, as we call Melancholy, Vehiculum Diaboli. In this caſe there was not ſo much as Melancholy Lunacy, nor any ſuch bodily Malady, as we ſuppoſe, to be the Evil Spirit's Vehicle, into D's Body, that Phyſical Means ſhould carry it out; he being of an healthful Conſtitution before theſe Fits begun with him. Corporeal things have no direct Phyſical Influence on Infernal Spirits, as Mr. . obſerves.

Even in caſe of immediate Diſpoſſeſſions by our Bleſſed Saviour, they imputed them unto wrong Cauſes: Let not us run into the ſame Error.

p. 48If the Malady was complicated, viz, in part Supernatural, and in part Natural, that being cauſal of this, and this being conſeqential of that: Then both ſorts of Means muſt be acknowledged in their ſeveral places: Yet muſt Spiritual Means have the Precedency, as having moſt of God in them; tho Phyſical Means are not to be neglected, or deſpiſed. So in thoſe Caſes, Job 33.14. to 31. Jam. 5.14, 15, 16. It's evident that the young Man was ſomething diſordered in his Body, by his ſtrange Fits: It's a wonder that his Body was no more diſtempered. He needed Phyſical Medicines to open, and eaſe his Body, being adviſed thereto, he made uſe of Mr. Chew, whom he had formerly, without ſucceſs, applied himſelf unto: His Medicines were now uſed, and bleſſed, to the ſaid purpoſes. We dare not ſlight the Bodily Mercy, nor the Phyſical Means, but would own each in their place, giving all the Glory to God, whoever were the Inſtruments, whatever were the Means. What a diſturbance, and diſtraction, would it have been to all about him, if he had not been delivered.

After all this, we are too tim'rous acknowledging, this ſignal anſwer of Prayers, and too backward in ſolemn Thankſgiving for ſuch a deliverance: Inſomuch as it is alſo a Reformation of the young Man in ſeveral things: O that we could ſay in every thing! Yet is he now more devout in his way, and of the more ſober ſort among his Neighbours, as they themſelves confeſs.

As to ſome others alas! They will not believe, tho they ſee ſo many Signs and Wonders in this Age of Wonders. It's well if it happen not to them, that as Deſpiſers they wonder, and periſh; the Lord working a work in their Day, a work which they ſhall in no wiſe believe, tho a Man declare it unto them. If they be a little affected, yet they ſit down in more ſecurity, either in their Senſuality or Formality. Tho others regard not the Works of the Lord, nor conſider the Operations of his Hands: Yet the Wiſe ſhall underſtand his works, and walk in his ways. Not being ſcandalized at others ridiculing this; ſeeing Men dare to deal ſo now a-days with the great Truths, and Things of God.

We muſt conclude not only with the ſincere Acknowledgment of our own Weakneſſes, and Failings, for which we beg Pardon, but alſo with this ſolemn Recognition of the Lord's Aſſiſtance, upon this occaſion: Yea, alſo this his anſwering of Prayers in the perfect Recovery of this D. as to his outward Man, and in part, at leaſt, as to the Reformation of his Converſation, which Publick Teſtimony of our thankfulneſs to God for this ſignal Publick Mercy, and the Praiſe to his Name alone for it, we hope he will graciouſly accept p. 49in Chriſt; notwithſtanding our ſlack and ſlender Returns to him. That the Lord will further appear in pleading this Cauſe ſo far as it is his own, to the vindicateing and glorifying of his Name however: Yea, that he will further bleſs his Word, and Works to the ſpecial ſpiritual advantage of many, is the earneſt deſire as well as deſign of.

Thomas Jolly.