Chapter XVIII: Part 18

5. The arguments that he bringeth to prove penetration of dimensions to be in nature, or something equivalent thereunto, seem to be strong and convincing. For in the generation of things, whosoever shall seriously and strictly mark, shall find (as he alledgeth) that the spirit of the Archeus (though not altogether incorporeal) doth in the seeds of things penetrate it self, and their parts one another, which he further maketh good by the instance of Gold generated of water; for it must of necessity be, that more than fifteen parts of water must fall in or penetrate one another, that from thence one part of Gold may be made, for weight is not of nothing, but argueth the matter ponderous in the Ballance. Therefore naturally the water must so oft penetrate its body as the Gold doth preponderate the water. And though it be granted that the water hath pores, yet notwithstanding it cannot contain so much as fourteen times, it whole. And therefore he irrefragably concludeth: _Est ergo ordinarium in natura, quod aliquæ partes aquæ se penetrent in unicum locum_. And this he backs with an unanswerable story of a Woman that longing for Muscles, did in greediness eat some of them with the shells twice or thrice broken with her teeth, and that she brought forth a child with the same half eaten shells, and a wound in the belly; therefore those shells had penetrated the stomach, womb and secundines, or otherwise the force of the Archeus had opened the pores and letten them pass in an unconceiveable manner. So that if these things be granted to be true (and we confess we know not how they can be answered) then there need no diabolical power be brought to solve the injecting of strange things into mens bodies, seeing nature is sufficient of it self, and therefore we can allow no power at all unto Devils in effecting these things (if they be truly done, and be not delusions) but only in drawing the minds of the Witches to these wicked and mischievous courses; and therefore the Lord _Bacon_ said profoundly and wisely these words: _Ut in operationibus illis earumq; causis error cavendus est, ita quoq; danda vel imprimis opera est, ne effecta nobis imponant, temere judicantibus talia esse, quæ eousq; nondum processerunt. Sic prudentes judices, præscripta velut norma, fidem haberi temere nolunt confessionibus sagarum, nec etiam factorum contra illas probationi. Sagas enim turbat imaginationis vertigo, ut putent se illud facere, quod non faciunt, populumq; hîc ludit credulitas, ut naturæ opera imputent fascino._

[Sidenote: _Observ. 6._]

6. And to confirm this point he addeth far more stupendious matters of fact than the former, of things that were within, being taken to without or invisibly conveyed away, as the woman at _Mechlin_ that saw the Souldier in a conflict lose his hand, and forthwith brought forth a Daughter wanting an hand, which was never found, and the wench died of the Hæmorrhage. Another at _Antwerpe_ seeing a Souldier begging with his right arm shot off and bloody, forthwith brought forth a Daughter wanting the right arm whose bloody shoulder the Chirurgeon cured, and she was married after; and that the arm was never found, neither did there appear any bones or putrefied matter into which the arm might waste. Also another Woman going to see the Decollation of thirteen men; did soon after bring forth a mature Child with a bloody neck, the head no where appearing. I confess it would rack the judgment even of the most credulous to the highest pitch to believe these unparallel’d Stories; but the Author relating them as of his own knowledge, and being a person of unquestionable veracity, I cannot conceive how they can rationally be denied, especially finding M^r _Boyle_ to affirm, that in those experiments (much more relations of matters of fact) that _Helmont_ avouched upon his own knowledge, he durst be his Compurgator. Who would not believe but that these things could never have been done, but by a supernatural and Diabolical power, but that this Author (to which all judicious persons in reason may adhere) doth utterly deny, that the arm was either pull’d away or conveyed none can tell whither, by Satan, and therefore that in such a strange Paradox, trivial reasons are not to be allowed; and it were too much sloathfulness to ascribe all effects unto Satan, of which we are ignorant. And therefore if an hand, an arm, nay an whole head, could be separated from the rest of the body, and conveyed forth of the Womb by the _Archeus_ or natural spirit, thereunto excited by the impression of horror and terror in the Women: In like manner by the same power of the natural spirit of man or woman, excited by a vehement and fierce imagination to revenge and to do mischief, may strange things be injected (if there can be any sound proof of such a matter of fact) into the bodies of such men or women as the Witches intend to do hurt unto, and yet Satan hath no more hand in it, but only as a spiritual agent to move the wills of those wicked and malicious people to do mischief unto those that they hate, though without cause. And the great secret of that which may be called Witching, is the learning of others, who likewise have had it by tradition, the great force of imagination, and the natural spirit with the ways and means how to excite it and exalt it; herein stands the mystery of all Magick, and it becomes only evil in the use and application, and they are to be condemned that use it to such devillish ends, even as those that use those good Creatures that nature doth produce to poysonous, wicked, and destructive purposes. And lastly, here we may note, that if things or bodies that are without may be injected into the bodies of others, by the force of exalted, imagination and a vehement desire, then the same power that doth inject them through skin, flesh and bones, must also be able to bring them near to the place, and need not at all the assistance of Satan, because it is far easier to carry them near the place, than to thrust them into the body; and so this Author hath here introduced the Devils aid to bring them to the place to no purpose, and never yet proved either by reason or matter of fact, that ever Satan did any such thing, and so is a meer supposition without proof.

[Sidenote: _Observ. 7._]

[Sidenote: _De occult. nat. mirac._ _l._ 2. _c._ 40. _p._ 325.]

[Sidenote: _De Tumor._ _l._ 6. _c._ 19. _p._ 158.]

[Sidenote: _Hist._]

7. The other matters of fact that he relateth are prodigious, and are brought to prove that Satan is an actor to convey these strange things into the bodies of men, and are these. A piece of an Oxe Hide taken forth of a mans Arm, so also that _Equuleum_, a Wood-Horse, or a four-footed board with a wheel and ropes twice as broad as the gullet. Another that vomited up perhaps two thousand pins conglomerated together, with filth and hairs; another that vomited up, he being present, wooden Chips that had been cut off with the Hatchet in smoothing of wood, with much slime to the bigness of two fists, of which we shall note these Conclusions. 1. It doth no way appear (if these things be granted to be true, both for matter and manner) neither doth he offer to prove it, that these are any more than the former Diabolical, but only in the end, because they are for the hurt and destruction of mankind and not otherwise; and there being no proof of the Devils Cooperation any further but in working upon the minds of those that are agents and instruments to bring these things to pass, we may very well reject those things that are supposed, but not proved. 2. The ejecting or voiding of such strange things as here he hath related, doth not necessarily suppose their injection or thrusting in, because they may be bred there by natural Causes, so Worms of many sorts and strange Figures, also Frogs, _Dracunculos_ and Askers have been voided, and doubtlesly bred there by natural causes, and were not injected or thrust in, and for proof of this I refer the Reader to the relations of learned _Schenchius_ _lib._ 3. _p._ 363. of those strange sorts of Worms and other Creatures that he from divers Authors sheweth have been vomited up, which without all scruple, were not injected, but bred there. To confirm this and to prove what strange things are sometimes bred in Apostumes and Tumors, we shall translate a passage or two, and first take this from _Levinus Lemnius_ that learned and famous Physician of _Zeland_, who writeth thus: “Also forth of sordid Ulcers and Impostures (he saith) we have known that the fragments of nails, hairs, shells, little bones and stones have been taken forth; which were concreted and grown together forth of putrid humours: As also little creatures, worms with tails, and little beasts of an unaccustomed form, cast up by vomiting, especially in those who were oppressed with contagious diseases, in whose urines I have often discerned to swim little Animalcles like to Pismires, or to those creatures we observe in the estival months to move in the celestial dew here in _England_ we call it Woodsoar, or Cuckow-spittle.” Take another from that learned and expert Chirurgeon _Ambrosius Paræus_ where he is speaking of strange tumors, in these words: “Also in these tumors being opened thou maist see bodies of all kinds, and far differing from the common matter of Tumors, as stones, chalk, sand, coals, cockles, ears of corn, hay, horn, hairs, flesh as well hard as spongious, grisles, bones and whole Animalcles, as well living as dead. The generation of which things (by the corruption and alteration of the humors) will not much astonish us, if we consider, that even as nature hath framed Man as a Microcosm forth of all the seeds and elements of the whole great world, that he might be as it were the lively image of that great world: So in that Microcosm, nature hath willed, that all the species of all motions and actions might be manifest, nature being never idle in us, as long as matter is not a wanting to work upon.” So that it is most plain that these strange things may be bred within, and so the opinion of injecting them, is but a meer figment. 3. Neither can the vomiting up of such strange things as he relateth, conclude necessarily that they were injected either by the power of Satan or the Witch, because they may be performed by jugling, sleight of hand, confederacy and the like, as was manifest in the Boy of _Bilson_, and diverse that we have known, that had made some numbers of others to believe that they had voided strange things, as pins, needles, crooked-knitting-pricks, moss, nails, and the like; but upon a strickt search, have but proved delusions and sleight, such as our common _Hocus Pocus_ Men use, when they make the people believe they swallow a long pudding of white tinn, and again pull it forth of their mouths, or in pulling ribbins, or laces of diverse colours forth of their throats. 4. And again the most of these relations are but commonly taken upon trust from the affirmations of the by-standers who might be confederate parties, or ignorant persons, and so easily deceived; and it appeareth not that _Helmont_ was by at the very instant when the children vomited up the wooden horse, or four-footed board, but that it was the by-standers that drew it forth, who might be parties to the cheat, or be themselves deluded, and so aver it pertinaciously to others. For I have in my practice known a young Wench about 9 or 10 years old, who that she might be pittied and have an idle life, had made her Father and Mother believe that quick worms came forth at her ear, and also I taking her into mine own house she had perswaded all the family that it was true, and did often open her head-cloaths, and holding down her ear a quick worm would drop forth of the hair, who notwithstanding by diligent watching, was found out to get them privately from under stones or wood, and so did cunningly convey them into her hair, but being discovered, was by due correction reclaimed, and so the wonder ceased. And it is as common to mistake things, either by absolute judging them to be such a thing indeed, when it hath but some slender resemblance of it, or by judging a thing to be really so, because of such a name but metaphorically given unto it; so it is usual to call a _Carcinoma_ in the highest degree _Lupus_ or a Wolf, because as a Wolf is a most voracious creature, so this ulcer is the most devouring of all others; and therefore have we known after that such have been by incision eradicated by our selves and others, and exposed to the view of the vulgar people, they would presently most earnestly affirm to others that they had seen it, and that it was a living creature, and had mouth, eyes and ears; so far will ignorant mistake induce credulity.

[Sidenote: _Observ. 8._]

[Sidenote: _Syl. Syl._ _Cent._ 10. _p._ 583.]

8. That the force of imagination accompanied with the passions of horror, fear, envy, malice, earnest, desire of revenge, and the like, is great upon the body imaginant, as also upon the _fœtus_ in the womb, is acknowledged by all. But that it can at distance work upon another body, though denied by _Fienus_ and the whole rabble of the Schoolmen, yet is strongly proved by this learned Author, and allowed of by all others that truly understood the operations of nature, which we also take to be a certain truth, and do assert that if those people that are esteemed Witches, do really and truly (of which we utterly doubt) inject any of these strange things into the bodies of men, that they are brought to pass meerly by the imagination of the Witch, and the Devil acteth nothing in it at all, but the setting of his will upon that mischief. As for the handling the dispute concerning the manner of the injecting of these strange things, so strongly pursued by this Author, _Sennertus_ and others, we shall totally supersede and suspend our judgment, until the ὅτι be sufficiently proved (which yet lies under water, and unseen) and then it will be time enough to dispute the manner, when the matter is certainly made evident. Therefore we will shut up this with that modest and grave advice of the Lord _Bacon_ in these words: _Ideo cogemur in hac inquisitione ad nova experimenta confugere; ubi directiones tantùm eorum præscribi possunt, non ulla positiva in medium adferri. Si quis putet subsistendum nobis fuisse, donec tentamentis res penitus innotuisset, (ut fecisse nos ubiq; probant alii tituli) sciat dubia nos fide amplecti quæcunq; imaginationis effecta circumferuntur, animum tamen esse illa per otium exigere ad Lydium veritatis lapidem, id est, experimentorum lucem._

CHAP. XIII.

_That the ignorance of the power of Art and Nature and such like
things, hath much advanced these foolish and impious opinions._

The opinions that we reject as foolish and impious are those we have often named before, to wit, that those that are vulgarly accounted Witches, make a visible and corporeal contract with the Devil, that he sucks upon their bodies, that he hath carnal copulation with them, that they are transubstantiated into Cats, Dogs, Squirrels, and the like, or that they raise tempests, and fly in the air. Other powers we grant unto them, to operate and effect whatsoever the force of natural imagination joyned with envy, malice and vehement desire of revenge, can perform or perpetrate, or whatsoever hurt may be done by secret poysons and such like wayes that work by meer natural means.

And here we are to shew the chief causes that do and have advanced these opinions, and this principally we ascribe to mens ignorance of the power of Nature and Art, as we shall manifest in these following particulars.

1. There is nothing more certain than, that how great soever the knowledge of Men be taken to be, yet the ultimate Sphere of natures activity or ability is not perfectly known, which is made most manifest in this, that every day there are made new discoveries of her secrets, which prove plainly that her store is not yet totally exhausted, nor her utmost efficiency known. And therefore those Men must needs be precipicious, and build upon a sandy foundation, that will ascribe corporeal effects unto Devils, and yet know not the extent of nature, for no Man can rationally assign a beginning for supernatural agents and actions, that does not certainly know where the power and operation of nature ends.

2. And as it is thus in general, so in many particulars, as especially in being ignorant of many natural agents that do work at a great distance, and very occultly, both to help, and to hurt, as in the weapon salve, the Sympathetick powder, the curing of diseases by mumial applications, by Amulets, Appensions and Transplantions, which all have been, and commonly are ascribed unto Satan, when they are truly wrought by natural operations. And so (as we have sufficiently manifested before) by many strange, and secret poysons both natural and artificial, that have no bewitching power in them at all, but work naturally, and only may be hurtful in their use through the devilishness of some persons that use them to diverse evil ends.

3. There is nothing that doth more clearly manifest our scanted knowledge in the secret operations of nature, and the effects that she produceth, than the late discoveries of the workings of nature, both in the vegetable, animal and mineral Kingdoms, brought dayly to light by the pains and labours of industrious persons: As is most evident in those many elucubrations, and continued discoveries of those learned and indefatigable persons that are of the Royal Society, which do plainly evince that hitherto we have been ignorant of almost all the true causes of things, and therefore through blindness have usually attributed those things to the operation of Cacodemons that were truely wrought by nature, and thereby not smally augmented and advanced this gross and absurd opinion of the power of Witches.

[Sidenote: _De occult. Philos._ _l._ 1. _c._ 2.]

4. Another great means in advancing these Tenents hath been Mens supine negligence in not searching into and experimenting the power of natural agents, but resting satisfied in the sleepy notions of general rules, and speculative Philosophy. By which means a prejudice hath been raised against the most occult operations of nature, and natural magick (which is (as _Agrippa_ truly said) “The comprizer of great power, full of most high mysteries, and containeth the most profound contemplation, nature, power, quality, substance and virtue of most secret things, and the knowledge of all nature) to be condemned, as the work of the Devil and hellish fiends, which is the handmaid and instrument of the Almighty.” And from this diabolical pit of the ignorance of the power of nature (especially when assisted by art) have sprung up those black and horrid lies in the mouths of _Erastus_, _Conringius_ and above all of _Kircherus_, denying the possibility of the transmutation of metals, by the power of Art and Nature, and ascribing the performance thereof by _Paracelsus_, _Lullius_, _Sendinogius_ and others to the Devil; so malevolent do men grow when they are led by nescience and ignorance.

[Sidenote: _Vid. Theatr. Chym._ _Vol._ 5. _p._ 943.]

5. The ignorance of the strange and wonderful things that Art can bring to pass hath been no less a cause, why the most admirable things that Art bringeth to pass by it are through blind ignorance ascribed unto Devils, for so have many brave learned Artists, and Mechanicians been accused for Conjurers, as happened to _Roger Bacon_, Dr. _Dee_, _Trithemius_, _Cornelius Agrippa_, and many others, when what they performed was by lawful and laudable art. The strange things that the Mathematicks and Mechanicks can perform are hardly to be enumerated, of which were those most wonderful catoptrical glasses mentioned by _Nicero_, _Aquilonius_, _Baptista Porta_ and many others, those wonderful engines in the shape of Birds, Men, Beasts, and Fishes that do move, sing, hiss and many such like things mentioned by _Heron_ of _Alexandria_, and our Countryman Dr. _Fludd_; and those that would have more ample satisfaction concerning the stupendious things that are produced by art, may receive most large satisfaction in reading that most learned and elaborate Epistle written as a preface before the Book of _Johannes Ernestus Burgravius_ called _Biolychnium vel de lampade vitæ et mortis_, by _Marcellus Vranckheim_ Doctor of both laws, as also in reading that profound and mysterious piece written by _Roger Bacon_, _de admirabili potestate artis et naturæ, et de nullitate magiæ_, with the learned notes of Dr. _Dee_ upon it, of which he saith this: _Ut videatur quod omnis potestas magica sit inferior his operibus et indigna_. And therefore there can be nothing more unworthy, than for any man, that pretendeth to any portion of reason, so far to dote, or suffer himself to be led with ignorance and rashness, as to ascribe those strange things that Nature and Art, or both joined together do produce, unto Devils: And yet there is nothing that is more common not only by the blind vulgar, but even by those that otherwise would be accounted learned, and wise enough; pride and folly attendeth the most of the Sons of Men.

[Sidenote: _Hist._]

6. Another gross mistake there is, in supposing those strange things that are performed by vaulters, tumblers, dancers upon ropes, and such like, not possible to be done but by the assistance of the Devil, when they are altogether brought to pass and effected by use, custome, exercise, nimbleness and agility of body. And yet we have known some not only of the popular rank, but many that thought themselves both wise, learned and religious that have been so blind as to father these things upon Devils and seriously to seem to believe, that the actors of these things had made a league and compact with the Devil, by whose help they performed them. And I do remember that a pretty active young man, within these few years went about in this North Countrey with a neat Bay Mare for money to shew tricks, which were very odd and strange, for if she had been blindfolded, and several pieces of money taken from several persons, and wrapped in a cloath, the Mare would have given every one their own piece of money; and this and many other feats she plaid, were not only by the common people, but by others that should have been more wise, judged to be performed by no other means but by the Devil, and some were so stark mad as to believe and affirm that the Mare was not a natural one, but that it was the Devil that plaid those strange tricks in the shape of a Mare: when more sober judgments knew that they were performed by the masters eye, and rod directing the Mare. _Error & credulitas multum in hominibus possunt._

7. In like manner are often both those that are learned, as well as the vulgar most wofully imposed upon by the odd and strange feats performed by Legierdemain, sleight of hand, and by wonderful things brought to pass by subtile and cunning Impostors that act by confederacy, and the like, of which we have given some instances before in this treatise. And it was no evil piece of service, that Master _Scot_ did in his book of the discovery of Witchcraft, when he laid open all the several tricks of Legierdemain and sleight of hand, thereby to undeceive the ignorant multitude; and that is no less praise-worthy that is performed by the Author of that little treatise called _Hocus Pocus junior_, where all the feats are set forth in their proper colours, so that the most ignorant may see how they are done, and that they are miracles unknown, and but bables being discovered, which treatise I could commend to be read of all Witchmongers and vain credulous persons, that thereby their ignorance may be laid open, and they convinced of their errors.

8. The ignorance or mistaking of these things, joyned with the notions Men have imbibed from their infancy, together with irreligious education, are the true and proper causes, that make so many ascribe that power to Devils and Witches, that they neither have, or ever had, or can ever bring into act. And therefore it behoveth all that would judge aright of these abstruse matters, to labour to understand the secret operations of nature, and the strange works of art, to divest themselves of their false imbibed notions, and truely and rightly to understand the Articles of the Christian Faith, to be daily conversant in reading the Scriptures, they will then be more fit to judge of these things, and not to call light darkness, nor darkness light.

CHAP. XIV.

_Of diverse Impostures framed and invented to prove false and lying
miracles by, and to accuse persons of Witchcraft, from late and
undeniable authorities._

In the treatise preceeding we have often made mention of delusions and Impostures, which we shall largely handle in this place: and though Mr. _Glanvil_, and others do object, that though many pretended possessions or Witchcrafts have been proved to be meer couzenings and impostures, yet therefore it will not follow that all are so. To which we shall render these answers.

1. If it do not necessarily conclude, that they are all impostures, yet it gives a most shrewd cause of dubitation that they may be so. And the objection depends not upon a necessary connexion betwixt the subject and predicate, for some being direct and palpable Impostures, it is not of necessity, but by contingency or accident that the others are not so, and ought first to have been proved, which never yet was performed.

2. But we affirm that a general conclusion drawn from an inductive argument is good and sound, where no instance can be clearly made out to the contrary. But as yet no true instance, really and faithfully attested, hath ever been brought to prove that any of these things that we deny, were ever effected by diabolical power. For who were ever by and present, that were persons of sincerity and sound judgment, that could truly testifie and averr that the Devil in a visible and corporeal shape made a contract with the Witch, or that he suckt upon his, or her body, or that he had carnal copulation with them, or that saw when the Witch was really changed into a Dog or a Cat, or that they flew or were carried in the air? Seeing no instance can be given to prove any of these to be undoubted truths, it must needs follow that they are meer figments, or at the best all but absolute Impostures. And again it is but precarious, and _petitio principii_, to imagine that any persons have vomited up or voided strange things that saw or knew that they were injected by Devils, for they were either naturally bred there, or else were meer Impostures and delusive Juglings.

And therefore we shall propose some Histories of strange and prodigious cheats and Impostures from late and unquestionable authorities, whereby all the rest may be judged and discerned; of which take this for one.

[Sidenote: _Hist. 1._]

[Sidenote: _Vid. Stat. Pulton, 25. year Henr. 8._ _c._ 12.]

[Sidenote: _Vid Chron._ Hollingshead. Stow _An. Hen. 8._ 25. _p._ 1013.]

[Sidenote: The Pope.]

“1. _Elizabeth Barton_ of _Kent_ (by those that laboured to cry up her horrible cheats for miracles, otherwise called the holy Maid of _Kent_) and others were in the twenty fifth year of King _Henry_ the Eighth attainted of High Treason, for that under colour of hypocrisie, Revelations and false Miracles practised by the said _Elizabeth_, they conspired to impugne and slander the divorce between the King and Queen _Katherine_ his first Wife, and the last Marriage between him and Queen _Anne_ his second Wife, to destroy the King, and to deprive him of his Crown.” Her false and feigned miracles, and the subtile and cunning contrivances that were brought to pass by the help of her confederate accomplices, and her and the others open confession of them may be found at large in _Hollingshead_, _Stow_, and the writings of Mr. _Lambert_, whither for brevities sake I remit my reader, and shall only give it here in the words of _Speed_, which are these: “The Romanists (he saith) much fearing that _Babel_ would down, if Queen _Anne_ might be heard against wicked _Haman_, sought to underprop the foundations thereof with certain devices of their own: and that the same might pass without note of suspicion, they laid their forgery even upon Heaven it self; whose pretended oracle _Elizabeth Barton_ (commonly called the holy Maid of _Kent_) was made to be; and the pillars of this godless Fabrick were _Edward Bocking_ a Monk by profession, and Doctor of Divinity, _Richard Masters_ Parson of _Aldington_, the Town wherein she dwelt; _Richard Deering_ a Monk, _Hugh Rich_ a Friar, _John Adestone_ and _Thomas Abell_ Priests, put to their helping hands; and _Henry Gould_ Batchelor of Divinity, with _John Fisher_ the reverend Father of _Rochester_ imployed their pains to dawb these downfalling walls with their untempered morter. The Scribes that set their pens for her miracles, were _Edward Thwaites_ Gentleman, and _Thomas Lawrence_ Register, besides _Haukherst_ a Monk, who writ a letter that was forged to be sent her from Heaven; And _Richard Risby_ and _Thomas Gould_ were the men that dispersed her miracles abroad to the world. This holy Maid _Elizabeth_ made a Votaress in _Canterbury_, was taught by _Bocking_ her Ghostly Father, and suspected Paramour, to counterfeit many feigned trances, and in the same to utter many virtuous words for the rebuke of sin, under which more freely she was heard against _Luthers_ doctrine, and the Scriptures translation, then desired of many: neither so only, but that she gave forth from God and his Saints by sundry suggestive Revelations, that if the King proceeded in his Divorce, and second Marriage, he should not raign in his Realm one month after, nor rest in Gods favour the space of an hour. But the truth discovered by Gods true Ministers, this oracle gave place as all other such did, when Christ by his death stopped their lying mouths: For her self and seven of her disciples were executed for Treason at _Tiburn_, and the other six put to their fines and imprisonment.” To which he subjoineth this story of the like nature. “With the like counterfeit Revelations and feigned predictions this generation of hypocrites had brought _Edward_ Lord _Stafford_ Duke of _Buckingham_, unto his unhappy end, by the working of _John de la Court_ his own Confessor, together with _Nicholas Hopkins_ a Monk of the Carthusian Order in the Priory of _Henton_ in _Somersetshire_, who by his visions from Heaven forsooth, heartned him for the Crown; But before his own Coronet could aspire to that top, he worthily lost both head and all upon _Tower-hill_ for his Treason, _Anno Domini_ 1521. Unto such sins the world was then subject, and into such conceits their reputed holiness had brought them, not only among the simple and unlettered, but even with them that seemed to be learned indeed: For by certain predictions foreshewing a great deluge, Prior _Bolton_ of S. _Bartholomews_ in _London_, was so fearful that he built himself a house upon the height of _Harrowhill_, storing it with provisions necessary to keep himself from drowning in _Anno Dom._ 1524.

[Sidenote: _Hist. 2._]

[Sidenote: Stow’s _Chron._ _p._ 678.]

2. And that we may be certified how frequent and common these counterfeited Impostures have been, and yet are practised, take this other from undoubted authority. “The 15 of _August_ being Sunday in the 16 of the raign of Queen _Elizabeth_, _Agnes Bridges_ a Maid about the age of 20 years, and _Rachel Pinder_ a Wench about the age of 11 or 12 years, who both of them had counterfeited to be possessed by the Devil (whereby they had not only marvellously deluded many people both Men and Women, but also diverse such persons, as otherwise seemed of good wit and understanding) stood before the Preacher at _Pauls-cross_; where they acknowledged their hypocritical counterfeiting with penitent behaviours, requiring forgiveness of God and the world, and the people to pray for them. Also their several examinations and Confessions were there openly read by the Preacher, and afterwards published in print, for posterity hereafter to beware of the like deceivers.” From whence we may take these two Observations.

[Sidenote: _Observ. 1._]

1. We may from hence note, how subject the nature of man is both to deceive and to be deceived, and that not only the common people, but also the wiser and more learned heads may most easily be imposed upon. And, that therefore in things of this nature, and the like, we cannot use too much circumspection, nor use too much diligence to discover them.

[Sidenote: _Observ. 2._]

2. We may note, that when such strange Impostures or false Miracles are pretended, there is commonly some sinister and corrupt end aimed at, under the colour of Religion, and that those that are most ready to publish such things as true Miracles and Divine Revelations, are generally those that did complot and devise them. And therefore the greater number they be that cry them up, and the more esteem the persons are of that blow abroad such things, the greater suspicion we ought to have of the falsity and forgery of them. Always remembring that the greater the fame and number of the persons are that conspire and confederate together, the greater things they may bring to pass, and be more able to deceive, as was manifest by the Priests attending the Oracles; who, though they laboured to father their predictions upon some Deity, yet it was manifest that it was nothing else, but their own Confederacy, Impostures and Juglings.

[Sidenote: _Hist. 3._]

[Sidenote: _Vid._ A Book called, _A discovery of fraudulent practices
concerning pretended possessions_.]

[Sidenote: _Vid. ibid. Dialog._ 11. _p._ 352.]

3. But these Diabolical Counterfeitings of possessions, and the maintaining of the power of dispossession and casting forth of Devils, was not only upheld and maintained by the Papists to advance their superstitious courses; but also in the said time of Queen _Elizabeth_, there were divers Non-Conformists, to gain credit and repute to their way, that did by publick writing labour to prove the continuation of real possessions by Devils, and that they had power by fasting and Prayer to cast them out. Of which number were one M^r _Darrell_ and his Accomplices, who not only writ divers Pamphlets in the positive defence of that opinion, but also published certain Narrations of several persons, that they pretended were really possessed with Devils, which were cast forth by their means in using Fasting and Prayer. Which writings were answered by M^r _Harsnet_ and others, and their Theory not only overthrown, but their practice discovered to be counterfeiting and Imposture. Whereupon there were divers persons suborned to feign and counterfeit possessions, as _William Sommers_ of _Nottingham_, who by the Exorcists was reported to have strange fits, passions and actions; which are at large described and set forth in that learned Treatise, _Dialogical Discourses of Spirits and Devils_, written about the same time by _John Deacon_ and _John Waller_, Ministers, and of divers other persons who likewise pretended the same counterfeit possessions. And though the said forged and feigned possessions were strongly maintained by their Abettors, and the matters of fact audaciously asserted to be true; yet after the said _Darrell_ and his Accomplices were examined by the Queens Commissioners, all was made apparent to be notorious counterfeiting, cheating and imposture, both by the confession of _Sommers_ himself, and by the Oaths of several Deponents. Neither was that discourse containing the certain possession of seven persons in one Family in _Lancashire_, at _Cheworth_ in the Parish of _Leigh_, in the Year 1594. (though believed by many for a truth, because of the streight tale told by the said _Darrell_ in that Narrative) of any better grain, but full of untruths, impossibilities, absurdities and contradictions.

[Sidenote: _Hist. 4._]

[Sidenote: _Vid._ The cunning of the Boy of _Bilson_, _p._ 55.]

4. Our next instance shall be a most strange imposture acted in the time of King _James_, and in a manner known unto the whole Nation; that is of the Boy of _Bilson_ in _Staffordshire_, in the year 1620. by name _William Perry_, whose condition as he had been taught, and so left by the Popish Priests, take as followeth. “This Boy being about thirteen years old (but for wit and subtilty far exceeding his age) was thought by divers to be possessed of the Devil, and bewitched, by reason of many strange fits and much distemper, wherewith he seemed to have been extreamly affected. In those fits he appeared both deaf and blind, writhing his mouth aside, continually groaning and panting, and (although often pinched with mens fingers, pricked with Needles, tickled on his sides, and once whipped with a Rod, besides other the like extremities) yet could he not be discerned by either shrieking or shrinking to bewray the least passion or feeling. Out of his fits he took (as might be thought) no sustenance which he could digest, but together with it, did void and cast out of his mouth, rags, thred, straw, crooked pins, _&c._ Both in and out of his fits his belly (by wilful and continual abstinence defrauding his own Guts) was almost as flat as his back, besides, his throat was swoln and hard, his tongue stiff and rolled up towards the roof of his mouth, insomuch that he seemed always dumb, save that he would speak once in a Fortnight or three Weeks, and that but in very few words.

“Two things there were which gave most just cause of presumption that he was possessed and bewitched; one was that he could still discern when that Woman (which was supposed to have bewitched him) to wit _Jone Cocke_ was brought in to any room where he was, although she were secretly conveyed thither, as was one time tryed before the Grand Jury at _Stafford_: The second, that though he would abide other passages of Scripture, yet he could not indure the repeating of that Text, _viz._ _In the beginning was the word, &c._ _Jo._ 1. _ver._ 1. but instantly rolling his eyes and shaking his head, as one distracted, he would fall into his usual fits of groaning, panting, distraction, _&c._ In which plight he continued many months, to the great wonder and astonishment of thousands, who from divers parts came to see him.” Thus much of his cunning.

Yet notwithstanding, this most devillish and cunningly contrived counterfeiting and dissimulation was discovered and fully detected by the sagacity of that pious and learned person, D^r _Thomas Morton_ then Bishop of _Coventry_ and _Lichfield_: To whose memory I cannot but owe and make manifest all due respect, because he was well known unto me, and by the imposition of whose hands I was ordained Presbyter when he was Bishop of _Durham_, and also knew his then Secretary, M^r _Richard Baddeley_, who was the Notary, and writ the examination of this crafty Boy. The manner how such a doubtful and intricate piece of Imposture was found out and discovered, you may read at large in the Treatise called _a Discourse concerning Popish Exorcising_. And his publick Confession we shall give in the Authors own words: “He was finally brought again to the Summer Assizes held at _Stafford_, the 26. of _July_, _Anno_ 1621. where before Sir _Peter Warburton_ and Sir _Humfrey Winch_ Knights, his Majesties Justices of Assize, and the face of the County and Country there assembled, the Boy craved pardon first of Almighty God, then desired the Woman there also present to forgive him; and lastly, requested the whole Country whom he had so notoriously and wickedly scandalized, to admit of that his so hearty Confession for their satisfaction.

“And thus it pleased God (he saith) to open the eyes of this Boy (that I may so say) _luto_ with the Clay of the Romish Priests lewd Impostures, and _sputo_ with the spittle of his own infamy, to see his errors and to glorifie the God of truth. And though many such Impostures as this have in several ages been hudled up in darkness and recorded for true stories, by those that were Partisans to them and Confederates with them, yet doubtless were but of the same stamp with this, and might all as well have been discovered, if the like care, skill and industry had been used.

[Sidenote: _Hist. 5._]

[Sidenote: _Vid._ The arraignment and tryal of Witches at _Lancaster_,
1612.]

5. No less villanous, bloody and Diabolical, was the design of _Thompson alias Southworth_, Priest or Jesuit, against _Jennet Bierley_, _Jane Southworth_, and _Ellen Bierly_ of _Samesbury_ in the County of _Lancaster_, in the year 1612. the sum of which is this. “The said _Jennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_, and _Jane Southworth_, were Indicted at the Assizes holden at _Lancaster_ upon _Wednesday_ the nineteenth of _August_, in the year abovesaid, for that they and every of them had practised, exercised, and used divers devillish and wicked Arts, called Witchcrafts, Inchantments, Charms and Sorceries, in and upon one _Grace Sowerbutts_. And the chief witness to prove this was _Grace Sowerbutts_ her self, who said that they did draw her by the hair of the head, and take her sense and memory from her, did throw her upon the Hen-roost and Hay-mow; did appear to her sometimes in their own likeness, sometimes like a black Dog with two feet, that they carried her where they met black things like men that danced with them, and did abuse their bodies; and that they brought her to one _Thomas Walsham_’s House in the night, and there they killed his Child by putting a nail into the Navil, and after took it forth of the Grave, and did boil it, and eat some of it, and made Oyl of the bones, and such like horrid lies.” But there appearing sufficient grounds of suspicion that it was practised knavery, the said _Grace Sowerbutts_ was by the wisdom, and care of Sir _Edward Bromley_ Knight, one of his Majesties Justices of Assize at _Lancaster_, appointed to be examined by _William Leigh_ and _Edward Chisnal_ Esquires, two of his Majesties Justices of peace in the same County, and so thereupon made this free confession. Being demanded “whether the accusation she laid upon her Grandmother, _Jennet Bierley_, _Ellen Bierley_ and _Jane Southworth_, of Witchcraft, _viz._ of the killing of the child of _Thomas Walshman_, with a nail in the Navil, the boyling, eating and oyling, thereby to transform themselves into divers shapes, was true? She doth utterly deny the same, or that ever she saw any such practises done by them. She further saith, that one Mr. _Thompson_, which she taketh to be Mr. _Christopher Southworth_, to whom she was sent to say her prayers, did perswade, counsel and advise her, to deal as formerly hath been said against her said Grandmother, Aunt and _Southworths_ Wife.

“And further she confesseth, and saith, that she never did know, or saw any Devils, nor any other visions, as formerly hath been alledged and informed.

“Also she confesseth, and saith, that she was not thrown, or cast upon the Hen-roust, and Hay-mow in the Barn, but that she went up upon the Mow by the wall side. Being further demanded whether she ever was at the Church, she saith, she was not, but promised hereafter to go to Church, and that very willingly; of which the author of the relation gives this judgment.

“How well (he saith) this project, to take away the lives of three innocent poor creatures by practice and villany, to induce a young Scholar to commit perjury, to accuse her own Grandmother, Aunt, _&c._ agrees either with the title of a Jesuit, or the duty of a religious Priest who should rather profess sincerity and innocency, than practise treachery! But this was lawful, for they are Hereticks accursed, to leave the company of Priests, to frequent Churches, hear the word of God preached, and profess religion sincerely.”

[Sidenote: _Hist. 6._]

6. But we shall shut up the relating of these prodigious and hellish stories, of these kind of couzening and cheating delusions and impostures, with one instance more that is no less notorious than these that we have rehearsed. About the year 1634 (for having lost our notes of the same, we cannot be so exact as we should) there was a great pretended meeting of many supposed Witches at a new house or barn, in _Pendle_ Forest in _Lancashire_, then not inhabited, where (as the accusation pretended) some of them by pulling by a rope of Straw or Hay, did bring Milk, Butter, Cheese, and the like, and were carried away upon Dogs, Cats or Squirrels. The informer was one _Edmund Robinson_ (yet living at the writing hereof, and commonly known by the name of _Ned_ of _Roughs_) whose Father was by trade a Waller, and but a poor Man, and they finding that they were believed and had incouragement by the adjoyning Magistrates, and the persons being committed to prison or bound over to the next Assizes, the boy, his Father and some others besides did make a practice to go from Church to Church that the Boy might reveal and discover Witches, pretending that there was a great number at the pretended meeting, whose faces he could know; and by that means they got a good living, that in a short space the Father bought a Cow or two, when he had none before. And it came to pass that this said Boy was brought into the Church of _Kildwick_ a large parish Church, where I (being then Curate there) was preaching in the afternoon, and was set upon a stall (he being but about ten or eleven years old) to look about him, which moved some little disturbance in the Congregation for a while. And after prayers I inquiring what the matter was, the people told me that it was the Boy that discovered Witches, upon which I went to the house where he was to stay all night, where I found him, and two very unlikely persons that did conduct him, and manage the business; I desired to have some discourse with the Boy in private, but that they utterly refused; then in the presence of a great many people, I took the Boy near me, and said: Good Boy tell me truly, and in earnest, did thou see and hear such strange things of the meeting of Witches; as is reported by many that thou dost relate, or did not some person teach thee to say such things of thy self? But the two men not giving the Boy leave to answer, did pluck him from me, and said he had been examined by two able Justices of the Peace, and they did never ask him such a question, to whom I replied, the persons accused had therefore the more wrong. But the Assizes following at _Lancaster_ there were seventeen found guilty by the Jury, yet by the prudent discretion of the Judge, who was not satisfied with the evidence, they were reprieved, and his Majesty and his Council being informed by the Judge of the matter, the Bishop of _Chester_ was appointed to examine them, and to certifie what he thought of them, which he did; and thereupon four of them; to wit _Margaret Johnson_, _Francis Dicconson_, _Mary Spenser_, and _Hargrieves_ Wife, were sent for up to _London_, and were viewed and examined by his Majesties Physicians and Chirurgeons, and after by his Majesty and the Council, and no cause of guilt appearing but great presumptions of the boys being suborned to accuse them falsely. Therefore it was resolved to separate the Boy from his Father, they having both followed the women up to _London_, they were both taken and put into several prisons asunder. Whereupon shortly after the Boy confessed that he was taught and suborned to devise, and feign those things against them, and had persevered in that wickedness by the counsel of his Father, and some others, whom envy, revenge and hope of gain had prompted on to that devillish design and villany; and he also confessed, that upon that day when he said that they met at the aforesaid house or barn, he was that very day a mile off, getting Plums in his Neighbours Orchard. And that this is a most certain truth, there are many persons yet living, of sufficient reputation and integrity, that can avouch and testifie the same; and besides, what I write is the most of it true, upon my own knowledge, and the whole I have had from his own mouth more than once.

Thus having brought these unquestionable Histories to manifest the horrid cheats and impostures that are practised for base, wicked and devillish ends, we must conclude in opposing that objection proposed in the beginning of this Chapter, which is this: That though some be discovered to be counterfeitings and impostures, yet all are not so, to which we further answer.

[Sidenote: _Reas. 1._]

1. That all those things that are now adayes supposed to be done by Demoniacks or those that pretend possessions, as also all those strange feats pretended to be brought to pass by Witches or Witchcraft, are all either performed by meer natural causes (for it is granted upon all sides that Devils in corporeal matter can perform nothing but by applying fit actives to agreeable passives.) And miracles being long since ceased, it must needs follow, that Devils do nothing but only draw the minds of Men and Women unto sin and wickedness, and thereby they become deceivers, cheats and notorious impostours: so that we may rationally conclude that all other strange feats and delusions, must of necessity be no better, or of any other kind, than these we have recited, except they can shew that they are brought to pass by natural means. Must not all persons that are of sound understanding judge and believe that all those strange tricks related by Mr. _Glanvil_ of his Drummer at Mr. _Mompessons_ house, whom he calls the Demon of _Tedworth_, were abominable cheats and impostures (as I am informed from persons of good quality they were discovered to be) for I am sure Mr. _Glanvil_ can shew no agents in nature, that the Demon applying them to fit patients, could produce any such effects by, and therefore we must conclude all such to be impostures.

[Sidenote: _Reas. 2._]

2. It is no sound way of reasoning, from the principles of knowing, either thereby to prove the existence of things, or the modes of such existence, because the principle of being is the cause of the principle of knowing, and not on the contrary, and therefore our not discovering of all Impostures that are or have been acted, doth not at all conclude the rest that pass undiscovered, are diabolical or wrought by a supernatural power; for it ought first to be demonstrated that there are now in these days some things wrought by the power of Devils, that are supernatural, in elementary and corporeal matter, which never was nor can be, as from the testimonies of all the learned we have shewed before. And therefore a man might as well argue that there are no more thieves in a Nation, but those that are known, and brought to condign punishment, when there may be, and doubtless are many more; so likewise there are many hundreds of impostures, that pass and are never discovered, but that will not at all rationally conclude that those must be diabolical that are not made known.

CHAP. XV.

_Of divers Creatures that have a real existence in Nature, and yet by
reason of their wonderous properties, or seldom being seen, have
been taken for Spirits, and Devils._

[Sidenote: _Hist. 1._]