A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac, Title page – Preface
A VINDICATION OF THE SƲREY DEMONIACK as no Impoſtor: OR, A REPLY to a certain PAMPHLET Publiſh'd by Mr. Zach. Taylor, called The Surey Impoſtor.
With a further clearing and confirming of the Truth as to Richard Dugdale's Caſe and Cure.
By T. Jolly.
One of the Miniſters who attended upon that Affair from firſt to laſt: but replies only as to Matter of Fact, and as he therewithal is more eſpecially concerned.
To which is annexed a brief Narrative of the Surey Demoniack, drawn up by the ſame Author, for the ſatisfaction of ſuch who have not ſeen the former Narrative.
— In all things approving our ſelves as the Miniſters of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in neceſſities, in diſtreſſes, in impriſonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in faſtings; by pureneſs, by knowledg, by long-ſuffering, by kindneſs, by the Holy Ghoſt; by love unfeigned, by the word of Truth, by the power of God, by the armour of Righteouſneſs on the right Hand and on the left; by honour and diſhonour, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true, &c. — 2 Cor. 6.4. to 11.
London, Printed for Nevill Simmons, in Sheffield, Yorkſhire: And ſold by G. Conyers at the King in Little Britain, London, 1698.
THE PREFACE.
AS I am well aſſured and many can witneſs that the Surey Affair was at firſt laid before me by a ſpecial hand of Providence without ſeeking it, or my Self in it: So was I by the ſame Hand of God led through it from firſt to laſt. It is alſo apparent to ſeveral, both in City and Country, that a Narrative of the Caſe and our Carriage in it, was called for by Perſons of great Note in order to their Satisfaction: That thereupon I drew up my ſhort plain Account thereof, extracted out of my Minutes all along, according to mine own certain Obſervation and others credible Information.
When it was urged that it would not ſatisfy unleſs there was Proof, and that upon Oath, as to Matter of Fact; I was neceſſitated for the clearing of the Truth and of our Selves; to gather up Informations, which are Printed, and the Affidavits, before ſuch as were unprejudiced and would adminiſter an Oath in the caſe.
As to the Printing of the Narrative at all, the Sollicitations of ſeveral Worthy Perſons were the occaſion, and the Reflections in a certain Book, call'd the Devil turn'd Caſuiſt, I confeſs did haſten it's Publiſhing: but I did not conſent to the Publiſhing of it as all, but according to the Authentick Copy, and with the Approbation of ſeveral noted London-Miniſters their nominated. Therefore I muſt not undertake in vindicate the Printed Edition as it's publiſhed, much leſs every particular Paſſage in it: I muſt leave that to theſe who are immediately concerned. The Typographical Errors and the not adding of the Errata's will be eaſily excused as to the Editor by the ingenuous.
As to the ſubſtantial part of the printed Narrative concerning Matter of Fact, I muſt ſtill own it however: Tho it doth not ſo much affect me whether it prove a Poſſeſſion, and ſo a Diſpoſſeſſion or no; for my main ends are very much attain'd through the good Hand of God upon us as I humbly hope: Not but that I humbly conceive it was a Poſſeſſion (and ſo a Diſpoſſeſſion) or as the Ancients call it an Obſeſſion. That the Ancients own'd Poſſeſſion under the Term of Obſeſſion is plain from Juſtin Martyr, in oratione ad Gent. p. 88. Cyprian p. 70 and 166. Edit. Pamel. The Centuriators 4th Cent. p. 419, 440. and Origen on Mat. 17.21. owns faſting and praying as the means of diſpoſſ…ſſing.
If any ask what thoſe ends were, I anſwer that the miſerable Creature might be delivered from the lamentable Malady which he was under, whether Spiritual or Corporal, and by what means lawful ſoever to be uſed: It's evident that this end is attained, for as to his bodily Condition, he's heal'd; and better I hope as to his Spiritual Condition.
Another great end was, that we might take the opportunity to ſerve the ſaving good of thoſe Multitudes that reſorted to the Meetings upon this occaſion: However that it might be a Testimony for God and againſt the Impenitent; this end we hope is in ſome meaſure attain'd alſo. Whilſt we approve our Hearts to the All-ſeeing God, and appeal to him as All judging, let none be cenſorious, nor judg before the time, leſt attempting to ſtep into his Tribunal, they haſten and aggravate their own Judgement: Yet are we of thoſe who acknowledge our Infirmity as well as profeſs our Integrity before God and Man. Veniam petimus dabimuſque viciſſim.
That we did drive at ſuch holy and bleſſed ends, the Sermons preached on the occaſion will manifeſt, which Sermons my Reverend and Ingenious Neighbour Mr. R. W. thought might be more to Edification than the Diſcourſes in the printed Narrative: Which Sermons may ſee the Light if it be judged convenient, and be deſired.
In all this we are greatly concerned to look to our Hearts and ſee what Spirit we are of, to look to our way and how we walk in it, that we be led by ſound Judgment rather than fond Affection; by unfeigned Faith rather than fooliſh Fancy, in theſe things. Far be it from any to ſhut their Eyes againſt the Evidence, and to harden their Hearts againſt the Power of Truth, which ſome may be tempted unto from a Spirit of Envy againſt the Perſons concerned, if not from a Spirit of Malignity againſt the good ways of God: Others may be tempted unto from a Spirit of Sadduciſm and Atheiſm which now works powerfully in the Children of Diſobedience or Unperſwadableneſs. Yea God forbid that on either hand we ſhould any of us give ahvantage to the common Adverſaries of the great Truths and good Ways of Chriſtianity; or that we ſhould expoſe our ſelves and each other to humour them and make them ſport. If there have been any thing hereof in any who are concerned in theſe matters, ſure they have cauſe to be humbled for it and to take ſhame to themſelves: If any do think that we kept not within our Province, let them take notice that not to ſuccour in ſuch like caſes is to ſlay: Mar. 3.4. We cordially pity, ſolemnly pray for thoſe who are not of our particular Communion, as we have occaſion. Here was Miſery, ſo the object of our Mercy, Luk. 10.33. according to that caſe Mar. 9.22. They cried to us that if we could do any thing, we would have compaſſion on them and help them. Other Means failing them and other Perſons neglecting them.