A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac, Account
Some few paſſages, which I took notice of all along from the firſt, as to the Caſe of young Dugdale of Surey, near Whally in Lancaſhire, aged about 19 or 20 Years.
Upon the 29th of April 1689, in the Morning, came Richard Dugdale to my Houſe, he deſiring the liberty, and I having granted it; he had ſignified his Mind to that purpoſe a quarter of a Year before: But the Meſſenger fail'd, to give me notice, until a day or two, before he come.
He and his Relation that came along with him, gave ſuch an account of his Caſe, that I ſaw cauſe to ſuſpect he was poſſeſſed by an Evil Spirit; and I was further ſatisfied concering it, whilſt we were at Family-duty, at which he was preſent.
The Fit did then ſeize on him, partly whilſt I was reading, and opening the word: But much worſe whilſt I was at prayer. His motions in his Fit were very ſtrange, particularly turning the ſight of his Eyes in ward, and ſo making him ſtark blind, whilſt his Eye-lids were open, with other motions preternatural. He had alſo ſuch ſtrong motions, as were above his natural Ability and Agility; but I was more confirmed by that rage he was in, againſt the Ordinance of God, eſpecially then Chriſt was more ſolemnly named, and his condition was earneſtly commended to the Lord: Then he raged as if the Devil had been in his bodily Shape; tho' he manifeſted otherwiſe Inclinations to the VVord and Prayer, when he was not in his Fit. And he was in health of Body to all outward appearance, at the ſaid time.
Other Means he had uſed, both lawful and unlawful, ſo that Prayers, and Faſting ſeemed to be the proper and only Means in this caſe: Accordingly he deſired that we would keep a Day of Prayer on his behalf.
Accordingly we met at the Sparth, upon the 8th of May, before we begun to exerciſe (the Paſtor of another Society being preſent to aſſiſt in the work) we examined the Parents and the young Man himſelf; as to the occaſion of the ſad Affliction they at that time confeſſed, that both Father and Son, were in drink at Whally Ruſh-bearing, upon the James-Tide before; that they then had a Scuffle with a young man, whom they ſuſpected, or his Partakers to be inſtrumental of his harm.
VVe alſo enquired as to the means they had made uſe of already, and convinced them of the evil of ſome unlawful means they had made uſe of. One Inſtrument they had made uſe of, was mr. Crabtree. VVe alſo ſhewed them that theſe means we were about, were appointed by Chriſt in this caſe; and that they might hope for a Bleſſing in this way;Pſa. 1.11. to 25. they repenting of their Sins, and expecting Mercy in God's own way. Multiplying of Prayers, and other Services, being in vain, if there be not Repentance, and Reformation withal. God regards not to anſwer in Mercy where there is a ſecret regard to any Iniquity.Pſal. 66.18. VVe ſee to whom the promiſe of Mercy belongs, Prov. 38.13. viz. Thſe who conſeſs their Sins, and forſake them, through Divine Grace.
We then proceeded to the Word, and Prayer; the Scripture inſiſted on was Acts 26.18. To turn them from the Power of Satan to God. The Power which Satan hath in particular, and in general, is matter of Lamentation and Supplication: The Lord rebuke Satan, and reſcue Sinners from his Power. He had two dreadful Fits in the time of the Exerciſe: he alſo conſeſſed ſeveral Appatitions he had upon the Riot at James-Tide, and Offers of Gold to him, &c.
One Sabbath he was quiet under the Ordinances all the while; another Sabbath he was extream rude all the while: He ordinarily attending at our Meeting under this Affliction.
Upon their deſire we kept another day, the 28th Inſtant, on his behalf; the concourſe of the People was much greater: He was extream rude in his Fits all the while; yet we continued in the Word, and Prayer, as before. Thus the Providence of God puts his Servants to it; and withal puts his Spirit in them, that they may be more inſtant, and importunate with him, in Prayer. He needs not intreating,Luke 18. it's we that need exciting: And we are humbly bold to ſay, the Lord did graciouſly help us.
Our third Meeting, on his behalf, was at Surey: Becauſe of its Vicinity to Whally, we acquainted Mr. Jea the Vicar, with the occaſion, that he might take no offence. All the while the Evil Spirit did work in the Demoniack, yet it brake not out into a Fit; but afterward the Evil Spirit did hurry him in a moſt violent manner and manifeſted more than ordinary Rage againſt Mr. waddington: And the Subject inſiſted on, was Eph. 6.12. The Rulers of the Darkneſs of this World: ſhewing the dark Regions where the Devil rules.
This Surey, the place of the Parties Habitation, was recorded and certified according to Law. Providence ſet us upon the publick Stage, that the thing might not be done in a Corner.
On the following Sabbath there was yet a greater concourſe of People: Many came to ſee him, but heard ſomething which affected them withal: The Sermon being to ſhew, that many are under the Power of Sin and Satan, in a leſs ſenſible, and therefore in a more dangerous manner. We were without Diſtractions from the Demoniack all the while.
Another Sabbath he was very ill, through all the time of the Exerciſe; and afterwards, as I ſtood by him, he ſpurned at me with great violence, grinting and ſpitting at me in a ſtrange manner; but he hurt me not. I could little think of any ill intent of his herein: I took it only as the Devil's ſpite at me.
With reference to the Sabbath before: God hath his ends, as Men have theirs; we deſign'd it not to draw the People to our Meetings, nor (it may be) di… many d…ſign chiefly to hear the Word; much leſs to get good thereby. It was fa… …rom Oveſimas's diſign in fleeing to Rome, that he ſhould there be converted by Paul's Miniſtrs. Chriſt's end for the Converſion the Woman of Samaria, John 4.was not her Errand to Jacob's-well.
The next day upon this occaſion was at Surey, upon the 5th of July, The Lord was gracious to the Aſſembly, and Party alſo, in freeing us ſometimes from thoſe grievous Diſtractions, which at other times we had upon this occaſion. The Lord pitty'd us particularly with reſpect to the Lord's Day, that day of Reſt, Iſa. 58.13, 14.that we might the better ſanctiſy it. Yet had we Spiritual Reſt, whilſt in our way, and at our work, when he was at worſt, we were helped to wait on the Lord without inward Diſtraction however: He was very preſent help.
The next Meeting on this occaſion was upon 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 upon the ſaid Lord's Day, he foretold of this day, and told of the number of Miniſters, viz. five, when as none of the Miniſters themſelves knew it would be ſo. The Devil raged exceedingly at this Meeting; it may be the great Confluence of the People, on this occaſion enraged him the more; had not the Lord helpt us mightily, we had been run down by him. He play'd upon the younger Miniſters very ſore, until they got above him.
At the Evil Spirit fill'd the Jews with Envy, contradicting, and blaſpheming, when they ſaw the Muleitudes flocking to hear the word of God: So in this caſe. Yet were not the People affrighted, but followed on: Yea, the Concourſe was ſtill greater.
On the Sabbath following we were mereifully freed from Diſturbance by the Demoniack, until the cloſe of the Exerciſe.
We were in our place, at our work, we ſhould not hinder the People from coming, nor give place to the Devil; but the Lord was pleaſed, as he ſaw meet, to make him to give place to us,Zech. 3. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. being met together in the Name of Chriſt. 'Tis he that rebuked Satan; it's through him only that the Weapons of our Warſare are mighty. Alas! we are meaner, weaker than others, than any.
Upon the 25th Inſtant, we had another opportunity on this occaſion; the young Man was detain'd from us much of the time, by reaſon of ſeveral Trances he was in: The multitude of the People was very great, that it cauſed great Diſtraction, and Danger; alſo a Hay-loſt in the Barn being broken down, by the weight of the People; Yet was their (through God's ſpecial Providence) no further harm done: This Meeting was in Altham.
We were forced many times to meet in Out houſes, the Crowds of the People being to very great;Mat. 131.2.18, 20. our Chappel alſo being rather at an outſide from the ordinary Congregation: We did for their eaſe ſometimes meet elſewhere, having Chriſt's example, and encouragement thereunto; all the places of meeing being laſo licenſed according to Law.
The next day upon this occaſion was at Surey, the 1ſt of Auguſt, then the Youth was quiet all the while. Here the voung Man dwelt with his parents: His Father and he were Gard'ners: It is about a mile from Whally. Should there not have been ſome reſpite ſometimes, it had ſcarce been peſſible for the young Man, or we to have held out. We montion, that others alſo may ſee the Lord's Mercy, as well as our Infirmity. VVe would not ſo far offend others, as to meet at Surey upon any Lord's Day, it being ſo nigh Whally; yea, all our Meetings are order'd as inoffenſively as may be.
Again, at the ſame place, upon the 13th Inſtant, then the Devil raged in the young Man exccedingly; diſcovering himſelf more then ever by the Demoniack's diſcovery of ſeveral things in his Fus, which could not be diſcover'd, but by a Diabolical Means; that Subject John 16.8, 9, 10, 11. was ſeveral days inſiſted on there, and alſo at our Lord's-day Meetings.
In my anſence Mr. Waddington, and the reſt of our Society, had a day in Read, upon this Dugdale's account, tho' he was not preſent. Indeed he was moſtly preſent at the Meetings, whether on his account, or not; tho' not always. I was abſent at this time only, and ſo I have a further advantage in giving account of this Affair.
Upon the 3d of September, we again met at Shrey on young Dugdale's account: As I went to the place of the meeting, he gave me notice by a little Paper, which he put into my Hand; that, as his Spirit told him in his Fit, 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 that the Exerciſe continued. Note, That ſometimes, he did out of his Fit, tell what he heard, or ſaw in his Fit, being done at a great diſtance,2 Kings 6.8. to 12. at the ſame time: As the Prophet could by the means of good Angel, tell what was done at ſuch diſtance. But in ordinary, he, out of his Fit, did not know what happen'd in his Fit. We would deal plainly on the one Hand, as well as the other.
We were but few to carry on the work, ſo that we continued not ſo long as at other times. They ſhew'd us at that time a large Button, and a Curtain-Ring: But eſpecially a large corner'd Stone: All which the young Man had vomited to the Aſtoniſhment of all. Alſo we had account of ſeveral Latin Words, and Phraſes, which he utter'd tho' he knew nothing of them; his natural and acquired Abilities being but ordinary.
Upon the 5th Inſtant, we met at the ſame place, upon the ſame occaſion. The Lord brought in more Miniſters for our help; and the Meeting was very full; Satan was chained up, and the Demoniack gave us not much Diſturbance.
We met at the ſame Place, in the ſame mauner, upon the 10th Inſtant; the concourſe of People was great, tho' the Weather was very bad: Satan we filenced this Day alſo. It ſeems the Demoniack was told by his Spirit in his Fits, That he moſt not be delivered as yet: But as Lot's Wife, be for a Warning to others.
Mr. Waddington and my Self, were on the 19th Inſtant call'd to Surey; The occaſion was, the Devil in one of the young Man's Fits, had … ſomething of a Contract, which the Youth had made with him, for a certain t…me, … ſubſcribi… to a Parchment. A Jade (as he ſtiled her) taking his …and out of B…d, and put in one or two of his Fingers to the Writing. VVe were alſo informed, that the Youth h… written to Sir E. A. their Landlord, to signify that he got no good by our pra…ers; and ſo ſeem'd to grow weary of our Pains. It concern'd us to clear theſe two things, but he was then in a Fit, and as long as weſt id; ſo that we could not examine him as to the former: As to the lat or he dealt very unworthily with us, conſidering the Caſe, and Charge alſo. we had been at for their Relief every way. Had he not manifeſted himſelf free, and forward for our proceeding thus far, we ſhould have deſiſted before this: VVe had hereupon deſiſted, but that the Youth conſeſſed his Fault, and his Father beſought us to go on.
On the 26th Inſtant, we again met at the Surey, upon the ſame account: The Reverend Mr. O. Heywood came in alſo for our help on that Day: The Lord ſent us that fuitable VVord by him, 1 John 3.8. I thought it requiſit ay ſome hing alſo, as to our Call to the Work, and Conduct therein; as to the Caſe and preſent Circumſtances alſo. The Truth is, we were then in great doubt and diſtieſs; for as we are men ſubject to like Infirmities with others: So our Temprations were then more than ordinary. Inſomuch that we needed to look very narrowly inon the Caſe, our Courſe, and Carriage alſo. VVe had need to be ſatisfied from our ſelves, when we had ſo little ſatisfaction from others.
Upon the deſire of young Dugdale, the Junior Miniſter of the Company ſtaid with him that Night. The Devil (it ſeemed) in the Demoniack ſtill did further declare, that there was ſuch a Contract; that the firſt hold he got him, was upon a vain Wiſh he had in he Abbey-hall, That he might evccel all others in Dancing: That the Contract was for 18 months. Out of his Fits he would conſeſs what a fancy he had to Dancing; and that he cou'd not refrain from Dancing, after the aforeſaid Jams-Tide was a Twelve month, that he danceth moſt artiſicially in his Fits we ſaw: Tho' he ſaith, and others teſtiſy, he could not dance at all beſore, nor then out of his Fits. The Youth out of his Fit, would not confeſs any thing of a Contract with the Devil that he knew of: But it's too probable that there was a Conſederacy;At leaſt wt did thenſuſpect ſuch a thing. becauſe the Devil was ſo ready to gratify him, not only in ſuch artiſicial dancing, but to tell many things which could not be known without ſuch helliſh help; yeathoſe diſcoveries being frequently, upon whiſpering with ſomething in a certain Corner. That it is the Devil which ſpeaks in him, ſeems very plain, ſpeaking ſtrange Langugges which the Youth never learned, and with another Voice than his own: Yea, with two Voices at once, and ſometimes ſpeaking when the Organs of Speech were nor made uſe of. Alſo his ſaying that he was God, and requiring to be worſhipped; yea uſing many ſuch VVords, and Geſtures, as are moſt dreadful; tho' the Youth can tell nothing of them, when the Fit is over: Yet at ſome other times in his Fits, he deelaimed much againſt the Sins of the Place, and Time.
Upon the 11th of October, we again met at the Surey, in the ſame manner, and upon the ſame account; the People ſtill flocked to the meeting very much, and many were much convinced, and wrought upon all along; the Lord working by, Providence and Ordinance together: Being deſired, I ſtayed to ſee his Fitover, tho' that was till about & of the Clock in the Evening; ſome of the time was ſpent in diſcourſing, expounding, ſinging, and praying; the Youth was very attentive all the while, and at the cloſe of the Exerciſes, his Fit began, and laſted about an hour; in which Fit the Spirit ſaid that the young Man was his own; declining any diſcourſe with me, and inſulting at Mr. Carrington's not appearing that Evening, as he had done the Night before: For then Mr. Carrington had baited the Evil Spirit ſufficiently. His Language in his Fit ſeemed to me to be but a ſort of Gibberiſh, at that time, or he ſpake his words ſo thick that I could make nothing of them; there was a great multitude of People even in the Night, and they were very rude, ſo that ſome harm was done to the place, and to ſome Perſons.
We met again at the Surey, on the 18th Inſtant; the Crowd of People was very great tho' the Seaſon was very wet; it was ſome Diſtraction among our ſelves, that one of the Miniſters, whilſt he was praying, turned his Speech to Satan, as we thought; which ſome took to be an unwar…antable Apoſtrophe: Tho' the diſſatisfaction was privately managed, yet the Deviltook notice of it, and did reſlect upon ſome for it.
Upon the 22d Inſtant we met again at Altham, upon this occaſion, a great Conſluence of People was there alſo tho' we divulg'd not the opportunity, but changed the place, on purpoſe to conceal it the more, He had a Fit in time of the Exerciſe, in which Fit two Voices ſpake in him at the ſame time; and in a ſtrange manner the Devil threamed what he would do this very day, and ſaid, how narrowly the Youth eſcaped being hoiſted quite away in the Air, as he came to the Meeting. Some would ſay that it's a bodily Diſtemper, or a Cheat: Alſo that there was an Agreement of Themas Dugdale the Father, with a Popiſh Prieſt; but Thomas diſown'd it, and the Event diſprov'd it: Tho' ſome will not believe, yet it's an evident Teſtimony angainſt the Vanity, and proſanity of the Times (whereof this Family had been very guilty): Alſo againſt the Saduciſm and Atheiſm of many: yea, ſome teſtify their Envy againſt God's Servants, and their Enmity againſt his ways, as others are much convinced, and their prejudice quite removed, upon this occaſion. VVe could do no leſs than, with the good Samaritan, take compaſſion, when the Prieſt and Levite paſſed by. However,
Upon the 31ſt Inſtant, we met again at Surey, upon this occaſion; the Evil Spirit had ſo tormented him the Night before, that his Limbs were taken from him, as to the uſe of them; and he continued in great Anguiſh: So that before we begun the Exerciſe, he broke out into a Fit of Impatience, reſolving that this ſhould be the laſt Prayer-day and that he would take another courſe for his help; had his Patents been in the ſame mind, we had then deſiſted: But the Father with Tears entreared us to go on; the Youth was ſome what eaſed, and very quiet all the time of the Exerciſe. In the cloſe he thanked us, and wiſhed us to go on in the ſame courſe.
So that it ſeems altogether improbable by this, and ſeveral other Paſſager, that their was any ill Deſign, or Cheat, in the Party, or in his Parents: who' ſome have been apt to cnarge them to that purpoſe. Charity would rather offend on the other Hand, eſpecially when the charge is ſo criminal.
Upon the 7th of November, we met again at Surey, upon the ſame account, then we ſound young Dugdale in a much better Frame, and carrying it better then formerly; the young Man all along ſeem'd to us be naturally of a plain Spirit, nei her having the Art, not being apt to diſſemble the worſe, nor the better: Here a Chriſtian Candour appeared to us.
Again at Surey, upon the 14th Inſtant, ſince our laſt meeting, a great Stone about 14 Pounds weight, as I ſuppoſe, was laid upon him in one of his Fits, yet without harm to him: Neither the Family, nor the Spectators, knew whence it came; nor how it came there; none ſuch Stone being thereabout.
The day after he was extreamly hurried in his Fits, ridden about, and chafed on his Head, as it were the Form of an Horſe hard ridden, and of a very rank ſmell. Yet the Spirit confeſſed in his F…t, there was good news for Dick (as he call'd the Youth) but ill news for it ſelf viz. The Spirit meaning ſome reſpite, the Demaniack ſhould have for ſome conſiderale time. The Youth faſted for 3 or 4 days together; being always full, when he ſhould come to his Meals; this ſeems unaccountable to us in anatural, ordinary way.
Upon the 21ſt Inſtant we met again at Surey, upon the ſame account: Our number of Miniſters, and of others, was but ſlender; the Lord's aſſiſting of us (without any abatement of our other Exerciſes about home, and abroad) appear'd both as to our Spirits, and Bolies: For ſome of us did find that we could well faſt 24 Hours, not withſtanding extraordinaly p…ins beſides, upon this occaſion.
The Youth being lighter by more than the half, and as heavy again as at other times; yea, this in the ſame dead Fit, is alhing altogether unaccountable, when the Sadducees of the Times have ſtudied, and ſaid their u?m ſt.
Upon the 28th Inſtant we met at my Houſe, this being one main occaſion of the Day; the Youth was quiet and attentive all the while; yea, very devout both now, and at other times. Indeed ſometimes his carriage under the Ordinances, and at other times, gave us ſome hopes towards a Change, as to his ſpiritual Stats; which would he much better to him, and ſo the more deſirable to us: Yet a partial Change as to that, and a perfect Cure as to his Body, are ſignal deſirable Mercies: As to our Repute in the World, what is that to ſome of us, who are ſo near our going out of this World?
As he return'd from the Meeting, on the Lord's Day following, he had a Fit, in which, as ſome creaible Perſons ſaid, who were with him, he repented the Heads of the Sermon, and the Proofs withal. The rerurn of his Fits after many days of diſcontinuance muſt needs much exeriſe us; but Pſal. 37.3. to 8. was of good uſe to ſome of us in that caſe: Yea, we were as friſh to work, as at firſt, the Lord anointing us with freſh Cile of his good Spirit.Pſal. 92.…
Upon the 5th of December we again met at Surey; we were but two Miniſters to carry on the work. He told one, of ſome private Diſcourſe, and Paſſages, betwixt him, and Sir E. A.
Upon the 12th we met at the Sparth, upon the ſaid occaſion: We were but few, the Demoniack was detain'd at home by a Fit; in that Fit the Devil told him he would find him ſomewhat elſe to do then to eat Bread and Cheeſe, with Cottom Laſs at Sparth, as he had done 25. Weeks before; he alſo told what Diſtreſs Ireland was in, and that Fagla nd muſt pay the Piper, as he phcaſed it, notwithſtanding its preſent Security. We have by ſad experience found the truth of the Demon's Predictions in this, and other Inſtances; the falſe Prother could foretel Evil. Deut. 13.18. O that any warning, any ways did awaken us: That tho' our iniquity have brought us very low, it may not be our ruin.
In his Fit upon the day following, he told us of ſome Money to come, before the meſſenger came, by whom I ſent ſome for their Relief; the Family being taken of their Callings, put to Charge, and very much impoveriſh'd upon this occaſion.
Upon the 20th Inſtant, our Meeting was again at Surey, upon this account: We had but little Company; his Fits were not ſo frequent, and violent, as formerly. Several Scriptures, beſides thoſe before mentioned, had been inſiſted on at theſe Meetings, no this occaſion, viz. Eph. 6.12. Mat. 17.21. 1 Tim. 5.15. 1 Tim. 1.13, 14, 15, 16, Mt. 11.28, 29 30 All which were directed for the ſanctifying this occaſion to the Family. and Country; that all might be ſanctified to us by the Word, and Prayer: Not only that the Devil might be driven from the Demoniack.
January the 1ſt, at Surey. My brethren of the Miniſtry being all taken off by other ur…ent occaſions; I turned this Meeting to an Exerciſe, there being a likelyhood of a Tempta…n. As to the ſucceſs of Prayers, in this and other caſes, I took occation (from Heb. 5.7.) to clear the Providence of God, concerning that point of the anſwer of …yers.
It was near Twelve-months we were almoſt Weekly employ'd upon this occaſion, in moſt ſolemn Prayer, with Faſting; ſome of us coming many Miles: H…d not ſome of us been long enu…ed to hard Service, it could not have been ſo ….
Upon the 9th Inſtant, we agian met at Surey, as formerly▪ Before the Exerciſe beg…n, …, and plainly, with the Family. We had app…rent cauſe to judg … work did ſtick on their part; conſidering how Popiſhly they had been brought up; what profane Lives they had led: Yea, how … ſome of them had of their ſad Caſe; and how ſlow they were a conſeſſing what might be hte Cauſes thereof. Some of my Brethren thought it requiſice yet, to ceal more roughtly wiht ſhem, the elceting ſome ſuſpition of a Contract with the Devil, or of VVichcract, even among themſelves. I confeſs I was ſomewhat ſhy as to further proceeding leſt we had not around to go upon; leſt we ſhould exceed the bounds of our Calling; leſt we ſhould give the man occaſion of Offence; yet they offering themſelves to trial; ſome trial was made, and further, as in ended, that the thing, and themſelves might be cleared. And in Caſe of grouned ſuſpicion, as to VVitcheraſt, or Impoſture the matter muſt be put into the Magiſtrates hards. who is the Judg in that Caſe, and muſt do as he ſees cauſe: VVe in the uſe of Spiritual Means are concemed ſo far as it is a Poſſeſſion: VVe would have proper means uſed; and we would keep our place: VVhatever other judge of us.
Upon the 23d Inſlant we again met at Surey, on the ſame occaſion, and in the ſame manner; I thought the work muſt be wholly devolved upon me; but one of my Brethren came in for my help about the middle of the Exerciſe. I had laboured to work to me Serſe upon the Youth, as to his Caſe: But alas! to little purpoſe: So that I much feared the total, and find giving of him up to Satan in the worſe ſenſe. The D…i… did … him very ſtrangly in his Fits; ſo that he did Feats above his own Skill, and Strength, undoubtedly; yea, it's altogether worderful that his Head was not daſht in pieces, and his Spirits quite ſpen; yet then his Body was in as good a caſe, if not better than ever. The Doubt and Diſtraction about our Duty in this Caſe, did much exerciſe me; L…w S…veri…ies being ſo foreign to my Spirit and Calling: So that the Morning after I was preſſed more than ordinary concerning it; yea, in ſome Agony about it: O the wreſtlings I then had! more eſpecially.
Upon the 6th of February we again met the Surey, upon the ſame account. I was then wholly faild by my Brethren, through their other occaſions, as I ſuppoſ; but the Lord he ped in aſi the Work: The Youth had been free from any cnſiderable Fit for a Fortnight; ſo that they ſeem'd to be wearing off. In his laſt Fit he further ſpake of things done at a diſtance; and at the ſame ime when a doing.
Upon the 20th Inſtant, there was again a more full meeting of Miniſters at Surey, upon the occaſion aforeſaid: Tho' the D'ſcouragements from many others were very great. I then finiſh'd that Diſcourſe upon 2 Cor. 11.3 At the cloſe of the Exerciſe, we found the Youth ſome what mroe ingenuous towards us, tho his Father bewrayed more Diſingenuity. The Youth took occaſion ro confeſs further to me, that after the aforeſaid drunken Fit, upon James-Tide was Twelve-month, and the Dancing Humour he was then in, he had the Apparition of a Man's Head, all along in the way as he went to Weſtby hall (as it's commonly call'd) the Week after. When he came thither, he wrought hard at the Hay, and was taken with an unuſual Merrineſs, in the Evening of the ſame Day: He made himſelf drunk again, as he confeſſed, and in his Drink he was tranſported into ſuch an heighth of Profaneneſs, as did aſtoniſh the Byſtanders: So that they did conclude the Devil had then ſome extraordinary Power over him. He alſo, as himſelf ſaid, had an Apparition of the Devil, pointing at ſomething he had lately done: So that then we concluded, that the Devil, in his Drink, drew him into a blind Conſent, and Compact, to ſarisfy his Curioſity, and Dancing Humour. He alſo confeſſed to me ſince, that when he had thought to confeſs ſomething to this purpoſe, his Mouth was ſtopped, that he could not; and then he had a Check for confeſſing ſo much. Sometimes he refuſed to do what the Devil moved him to; and then it appeared, he was toſſed ſtrangely.
Providence now ſeem'd to call us off from attending upon this Surey-Caſe, as formerly; laying before us occaſions and opportunities of more publick Concernment: It ſeem'd alſo to take us off from meeting at that place, the Landlord thereof being ſtirr'd up againſt the Family there, becauſe of the harm to his Hedges thereby: So that if we had perſiſted in meeting there, it might be great prejudice to them; they having much dependance on him, as to their outward condition. In thoſe circumſtances the Miniſters, and others, generally rather halting in their work alſo; as Jacob, even when he prevail'd for the Bleſſing. The Lord was pleased to give ſome viſible Encouragement, as to a good iſſue of this Affair in ſome ſort: For upon the 24th of March, he had a moſt terrible Fit, and therein the Evil Spirit took it's leave of him: As it's ſaid by ſeveral Witneſſes, it left him with a ſtrange kind of vomiting, yet nothing viſible appearing. After that time he told me, he did not find that manner of working in his Body, as heretofore: So that he hoped he was deliver'd. I told him, tho' at preſent we did not meet at his Father's Houſe, as formerly, for the Reaſons aforementioned yet we did coutinually remember his Caſe, both privately and publickly. He own'd the Spititual Means, as the means whereby he had this help, and deſired our continuing of the uſe thereof. He hath been altogether freed for many Weeks, (now Years) ſave that once he had ſome Threatnings again, as to a Fit, being then in Drink: This he was troubled for. He had cauſe to be troubled, remembring what advartage Satan got againſt him by that Sin, at firſt, dreading leaſt the unclean Spirit return, and his laſt Eſtate be worſe than the firſt, Luke 11. And the Lord ſmote him with his immediate Hand, which I endeavoured to ſet in with. Thus far are the Minutes in my Diary, as to this caſe.
This ſhort account of the ſaid Affair, I thought meet to give becauſe the Impreſſion of the former Narrative is ſold off: Beſides the Reprinting of that at large, with this would make this too bulky, and ſo too coſtly for the ordinary ſort of Buyers. Some ſuch account alſo ſeems neceſſary to thoſe, who have not ſeen the former Narrative: And indeed this was the firſt Draught, tho' it came forth laſt.
FINIS.
Poſtſcript.
IT may be thought a little unaccountable by ſome, that the Book entitul'd the Surey-Impoſtor (which ſo baſely reflects upon the Candour, and Ingenuity, of thoſe Worthy Perſons concerned in the Surey Affair, and which ſo inſolently attempts to invalidate Matter of Fact, atteſted upon Oath by ſo many credible Witneſſes, and even by ſuch as are of Mr. T's own Communion) has not been anſwered long 'ere this.
The Worthy Author of theſe Papers, is not accountable for this delay; he having drawn up, a Vindication of Matter of Fact, ſo far as he was concerned therein ſeveral Months ago; and the Copy of theſe Sheets has been out of his Hands, with a deſign that they ſhould be ſpeedily printed, for above theſe eight Months: But the expectation that Mr. C. would alſo draw up his Anſwer, to come forth with this, has been one Principal Reaſon hereof; together with the Author's great diſtance from the Preſs, that he could not ſo haſten it's publiſhing, as otherwiſe, he might.
But however, it's to be hoped, that the candid, and unprejudiced Reader will not ſuppoſe the Author's cauſe to be the worſe; or Mr. T's, the better; for his Book not having a more ſpeedy anſwer.
ERRATA.
PAg. 27. lin. 6. for Phyſicial, read Phyſical. P. 29 l 6. for Deaboll, r. Diaboli. P. 34. l. 40. for Magicial, read Magical. Ant P. 35. l. 2. the ſame. P. 40. l. 33. for ſtrick, r. ſtict. P. 49. l. 24. for as, r. that.
End of the text · Thomas Jollie, A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac (1698)