Possession by, and casting out, Devils--The Church and
Exorcisms--Earlier Exorcists--‘The Strange and Grievous Vexation by
the Devil of 7 Persons in Lancashire.’
The New Testament, especially the Gospels, decidedly and authoritatively
teach that the Devil, or Devils, had power to enter into and possess men,
and Jesus not only cast them out, but gave His disciples power to do the
same; and, in order that this possession by the Devil should not be
ascribed to disease, it is expressly classified apart, Matt. iv. 24: ‘And
they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with divers
diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and
those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy, and He healed
them.’ And even the Revised Version does not materially alter the text:
‘And they brought unto Him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases
and torments, _possessed with aevils_ (or, _demoniacs_) and epileptic and
palsied; and He healed them.’
[Illustration]
The early Christian Church fully believed in its powers of casting out
devils, and holy-water, accompanied with the sign of the cross, was very
efficacious in this matter. Now, in these latter days, it seems to be of
no effect of itself. In Addis and Arnold’s ‘Catholic Dictionary,’ a work
which has received the _imprimatur_ of Cardinal Manning, we read, under
the heading ‘Holy-water’: ‘Water and salt are exorcised by the priest, and
so withdrawn from the power of Satan, who, since the fall, has corrupted
and abused even inanimate things; prayers are said that the water and salt
may promote the spiritual and temporal health of those to whom they are
applied, and may drive away the Devil with his rebel angels; and, finally,
the water and salt are mingled in the name of the Trinity. The water thus
blessed becomes a means of grace.... The reader will observe that we do
not attribute to holy-water any virtue of its own. It is efficacious
simply because the Church’s prayers take effect at the time it is used.’
But this was not the belief of the Roman Catholic Church of the sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries, as we may read in Boguet[13]: ‘But it was a
frightful thing to hear the Demon cry and yell when the priest had
pronounced the holy name of Jesus, and when he invoked the assistance of
the holy Virgin Mary, or when he approached the Demoniac with the Cross,
or when he sprinkled him with holy-water, or made him drink some. For he
said sometimes _that they were burning him_, and at others, _that they had
given him enough holy-water, and that if they persisted in throwing any
more over him, he would not go out, and would torment Roland’s body still
further_.’
But, before the Church took up this good work, it would seem that there
were more or less effective agents for the purpose in existence, for
Reginald Scot tells us, in ‘A Discourse upon Diuels and Spirits,’ chap.
xv.: ‘But when Saule was releeued with the sound of the harpe, they say
that the departure of the diuell was by meanes of the signe of the Crosse
imprinted in _Dauid’s_ veines. Whereby we maie see how absurd the
imaginations and deuises of men are, when they speake according to their
own fansies, without warrant of the word of God. But methinks it is verie
absurd that _Josephus_ affirmeth: to wit, that the diuell should be thrust
out of anie man by virtue of a root. And as vaine it is that _Ælianus_
writeth of the magicall herbe _Cynospastus_, otherwise called
_Aglaphotis_; which is all one with _Salomon’s_ root, named _Baaros_, as
hauing force to driue out anie diuell from a man possessed.’
Nowadays we put some of those possessed with devils into prison, and we
endeavour to purify them by work, diet, good counsel, and the absence of
temptations--a course which is sometimes, but not always, effective; but,
then, the character of devils has certainly changed during the last four
or five centuries.
The reading of cases of possession is somewhat dreary work, and some are
evidently catch-pennies, extremely goody-goody, consisting of long-winded
theological discussions between the possessed and the Devil, in which the
former invariably gets the best of the argument, so that I shall not tarry
long on this branch of my subject, giving only three or four cases in
illustration.
‘A TRUE NARRATION OF THE STRANGE AND GRIEVOUS VEXATION BY THE DEVIL OF 7
PERSONS IN LANCASHIRE, BY JOHN DARRELL, MINISTER OF THE WORD OF GOD. 1600.
‘At _Cleworth_ in _Lancashire_, within the parish of _Leigh_, there
dweleth one _Nicholas Starchie_, gentleman, who, having only two children,
it went thus with them, in the beginning of februari, 1594: first, _Anne_,
his daughter, being 9 Yeares olde, was taken with a dumpish and heauie
countenaunce, and with a certaine fearefull starting and pulling together
of her body; about a weeke after, _Iohn Starchie_, his sonne, of the age
of 10 yeares, as he was going to the schoole, was compelled to shout,
neither was able to staie himself. After, they waxed worse and worse,
falling often into extreame fits, M. _Starchie_ seeking for remedy, after
9 or 10 weekes, heard of one, _Edmund Hartlay_, a coniurer, to whom he
repaired, made knowne his greife, and with large profers craued his helpe.
_Hartlay_ comes, and, after he had used certaine popish charmes and
hearbs, by degrees the children were at quiet, and so continued, seeming
to be well almost a yeare and halfe, all which time _Hartlay_ came often
to visit them. At length, he fained as though he would have gone into
another country, but wether, M. _Starchie_ might not know. When he begane
to goe his way, _Iohn_ fell of bleedinge; then, presently, he was sent for
again, who affirmed that if he had bene 40 rodes off, no man could have
stanched him, and thus it fell out at other times.
‘M. _Starchie_ hereupon fearing lest his children would be troubled in his
absence, and he uncertaine where to find him, offered to giue him his
table to tarie with them, and so he did for a certain space; but, after
couenaunted with him to giue him an annuel pension of 40s. for his
assistance in time of neede; which pension was assured him in writing, and
began at _Michael’s_ day 1598; wherewith _Hartlay_ not being satisfied,
desiered more, an house and ground: whereunto, because M. _Starchie_ would
not accord, he threatned in a fume (M. _Starchie_ being absent, but in the
hearing of diuers), that, if he would not fulfil his minde, he would make
such a shout as never was at _Cleworth_; and so ther was indeed, not only
upon the day, and at the instant of their dispossession, but also the day
before: when 7 of them, both in the afternoone and in the evening, sent
forth such a strange, supernaturall, and fearfull noyse, or loud
whupping,[14] as the like, undoubtedly, was neuer hard at _Cleworth_, nor
it, I think, in _England_. This he said in September 1596, and on the 17
day of Nouember folowing, they both began to be troubled againe after so
long rest.
‘On a certaine time _Hartlay_ went with M. _Starchie_ to his father’s
house in _Whally_ parishe, where he was tormented sore all night. The next
day, beinge recouered, he went into a little wood, not farr from the
house, where he maide a circle about a yarde and halfe wyde, deviding it
into 4 partes, making a crosse at euery Diuision; and when he had finished
his worke, he came to M. _Starchie_, and desiered him to go and tread out
the circle, saying I may not treade it out my selfe; and further, I will
meete with them that went about my death. When M. _Starchie_ saw this
wreched dealing of his, and his children still molested, he waxed wearie
of him, howbeit he sought other helpe for his children.
‘Then he tooke his sonnes water to a phisitian in _Manchester_, who sawe
no signe of sicknes; after, he went to _Doctor Dee_, the warden of
_Manchester_, whose helpe he requested, but he utterly refused, sayinge he
would not meddle, and aduised him that, settinge aside all other helpe, he
should call for some godlye preachers, with whom he should consult
concerning a Publicke or Privat fast. He also procured _Hartlay_ to come
before him, whom he so sharply reproved, and straitly examined, that the
children had more ease for 3 weekes space after; and this was upon the 8
of December.
‘About Newyeare’s Day, the children (being in good case, as it seemed)
went to _Manchester_, invited to a kinsman’s house, whom _Hartlay_
accompanied as their overseer, and in their returne homewardes, they were
desirous to see _Doctor Dee_, according to their promise, and his request.
But _Hartlay_ withstood them, and, because they went to his house,
notwithstanding his prohibition, he told them, with an angri loke, that it
had bene better for them not to haue chaunged an old frend for a new, with
other menacinge speaches, and so went before them in a rage, and neuer
came neare them all the way home.
‘Upon the Tuseday after newyeares day Ianuarie 4. _Iohn Starchie_ was
readinge, somethinge gave him such a blowe on the necke, that he was
soddenlye stricken downe with an horrible scryke,[15] saying that _Satan_
had broken his necke and laye tormented pitifully for the space of two
howres. The same day, at night, being in bed, he lept out on the sudden,
with a terrible outcry, that amased all the familye. Then was he tossed
and tumbled a long tyme, was very feirce like a mad-man, or a mad dogge,
snacted at and bite euery one that he layde hold on, with his teethe, not
spareing his mother, smiting the next, and hurling Bed-staues, Pillowes,
or whatsoeuer at them, and into the fire. From this day forwarde he had no
great ease until the day of his deliuerance.
‘His sister _Anne_ likewise began againe to be troubled, and 3 other yong
children in the house, of whom M. _Starchie_ had the education and
tuition, with there portiones committed unto him by ther parentes. The
first was _Margaret Hardman_, of the age of 14 yeares, the 2. _Elizabeth_
her sister of 10 yeares age, and the 3. _Ellinor Holland_ of 12 yeares.
The same day, at night, _Hartlay_ himself, was also tormented, and the
next day in like manner, where many held him, among whom one _Margaret
Byrom_ of _Salford_, by _Manchester_ 33 yeares olde, a poore kinswoman of
_Mistris Starchies_, was one; who beinge come thither to make merrie, was
requested to sit downe behind _Hartlay_ to hold him, and did so; but, when
he was out of his fit, she endeuored to arise, was so benumb and giddi,
that shee could not stand, yet, being lifted up shee stroue to goe, but
being unable, fell downe, and was sencelesse, and very unruly.
‘Which, _Hartlay_ seeinge, saide, I feare I haue done her harme. Then she
nicknamed and taunted all that were present, though she wyste not what she
saide, nor knewe or sawe _Hartlay_ onlye, whome she both knewe and saide
she sawe, albeit her eyes were shut close, that she could see nothing: at
him she rayled, and angerly smote. After her fit, _Hartlay_ came to
comforte her, for hee pretended to bere a louinge affection towards her:
and it was thought he had kissed her. Nowe they iudged in the house that
whomsoeuer he kissed, on them he breathed the diuell. He often kissed
_Iohn_ for loue, (as he saide) he kissed the little wenches in iest, he
promised _Margaret Hardman_ a thrane[16] of kisses. He wrastled with one
_Iohan Smyth_, a maide seruaunte in the house to kisse her, but he fayled
of his purpose; whereupon _Elinor_ in a fitt saide, if hee had kissed her,
3 men coulde not haue helde her. When he cam to comfort _Margaret_, she
could not abide his companye. He demaunded of her, why? She said for that
she thought he had bewitched her. He asked the reason why she thought so?
Shee answered, for thou art euer in myne eyes, absent and present.
‘But let us returne to the other 5, who were first possessed, of whome we
will say very little, seeing we have much to say of _Margaret Byrom_: and
it is sufficient to heare at large of one of them, and were too much to
discourse fully of euery of them, considering the number.
‘The 2. of February, in the night, _Iohn Starchie_ had verie shorte
fittes, and thick; and at the recouery of euery one, gaue 3 Knockes with
his hand on the seeling, and said that he must haue 20 such fits. The next
day he left knocking, and fell to washing his hands after euery short
fitt, and when so euer he washed, he would have newe water; if it were the
same wherewith he washed before (for he could tell) he refused it. About
the 14 of Januarie, these 5 beinge in theire fits, one of them began to
barke and howle (according to theire custom); after that 2. then 3, lastly
they were all in, like a ring of 5 bells for order and tune, and so
continued almost a quarter of an houre. After theer howling, they fell to
a tumbling, and after that became speachlesse, sencelesse, and as dead.
‘On the 1. of February, 4. of them fell a dauncing; _Elizabeth Hardman_
singing and playinge the minstrell, whome _Anne Starchie_ (the 5 being
well) followed, laughing at their toyes; but, after a while, she fel down
as dead. All the time of their dauncing, they wist not what they did. If
others called to them, they heard them not, answered not, and yet talked
one to another.
‘The 1. or 2. weeke of Lent, Mistres Starchie required them all 5. to tell
her how they were handled, that certaine knowledge might be had thereof to
the preachers: they all answered that an angell like a doue was come from
god, and that they must follow him to heauen, which way soeuer he would
lead them, though it were through neuer so little a hole, for he toulde
them he could drawe them through, and soe they ran under the beds. And
_Elizabeth Hardman_ was under a bedde making a hole, and beinge asked what
she did, she said that she must goe through the wall, for she on the one
side, and her lad on the other, would soone make a hole.
‘About a fortnight or three weekes before their delivery, _Elinor Holland_
and _Elizabeth Hardman_ foretould how many fits they shoulde haue before
they slept, and, tomorrowe, quoth _Elinor Holland_ in the forenoon I must
haue a fit of 3 howers long. When the tyme came shee bad them set the
hower glasse: they set it behind her, out of her sight; her eyes also was
closed. She was sencelesse and speachlesse, saue the noting of the time,
which she truly noted, saying, there is a quarter, the halfe hower, and,
as the glasse was runne out, she sayde, turne the glasse; and thus did she
3 tymes, or 3 howers. After comming to herselfe, she said _Iesus, blesse
mee_, which all of them usually said at the end of their fites. In like
manner did _Elizabeth Hardman_, for 2 howers, who beinge demaunded how she
knewe this, answered that a white Doue told them so.
‘About the 19 of March, the 4 youngest went on ther knees all morning
until afternoone, and they fleed from all the familye and neighbours, into
other chambers, calling them deuils with hornes, creeping under the bed,
when they had the use of their feete; their tongues were taken from them.
‘When _Maister Hopwood_, a Justice of peace, came of purpose to take their
testimony against _Edmund Hartlay_ to _Lancaster Assises_, and had them
before him to that end, they were speachlesse, and that daye, he gott no
answer of them. Being called out of one chamber into another, they sank
down by the way speachlesse. When they spake, they complayned that
_Edmund_ would not suffer them to speake against him.
‘At the same time _Iane Ashton_, a maid seruant in the house (the 7th
possessed person, of the age of 30 yeares) began to bark and houle when
she should haue gon to bear witnes against _Edmund Hartlay_, wherupon one
of them in her fit said, Ah _Edmund_, dost thou trouble her now when she
shold testify against thee? This was the second time she was troubled.
Almost a yeare before, it first tooke her in her throat, as if she had a
pyn sticking there, whereupon she strayned herselfe so sore that she got
up bloud, and for two dayes was very sicke.
‘About the 21 of March. _Ellinor Holland_ and _Elizabeth Hardman_ for 3
dayes and 3 nights together could nether eate, nor drinke, nor speake to
any except it were one to another, and to ther lads, saue that their lads
gaue them leaue (as they said) the one to eate a toast and drink, the
other a sower milk posset. And, notwithstanding that permission, thei said
he was angry that thei had eaten, and told them that thei should not be
quiet, until they had cast it up againe. So thei vomited, saying, take it
to thee, here it is agayne, for thou gauest us lisence to eate it, and
nowe thou art angry. And if thei went about to swallow a little drink,
thei were so taken by the throat, that thei pict it up againe. The 3
night, about 8 a cloke, _Elinor Holland_ being asked when she would or
could slepe, answered that ther were 4 howers yet to come before she could
slepe. About an houre and halfe of that time she tooke a distafe and spane
both faster and finer than at any tym before. When she had done spinning,
she said unto them, now shall I worke you all, and thenceforth was so
extreamly handled, that two could scarcely rule and hold her. At length
reuerting, she said I haue bene sleeping 3 daies and 3 nights, and now I
faint with hunger.
‘About a weeke before there deliverance some of the youngest used these
kind of speaches: thou naughtie lad, thou makest us sicke, for thou
knowest the preachers will come shortly.
‘This generally was observed in the 5 youngest, that when they gaue
themselves to any sporte, they had rest and were pleasaunt though the time
was longe. Their parents report beyng at a playe in a neighbour
gentleman’s house many houres together, they were quyet all the tyme
(_Hartlay_ boested that he had kept them so longe quyet); but on the
contrary, as soon as they went about any godly exercise, they were
trobled. And thus much brifly touching those 6 at _Cleworth_, and the
strange accedents which fell out there, as also how in all probabilitie it
came to be vexed, in like sort, by the appoyntment of God and by the same
mediant hand, the devil, and _Hartlay_ the coniurer.
‘The 10 of Ianuary (beyng the 4 day after her trouble begane), as
_Margaret Byrom_ sate by the kitchyne fyre, shee was throwne towardes the
fire, lyinge hard by the chimneye barres, as though shee should have bene
rosted. Thence she drewe her, and hauinge continued a longe tyme in the
fitte, and recouerynge, about halfe an houer after, as shee satte in a
Chaire, she was throwne headlonge under the boarde[17] but had no harme,
and thus was she suddenly and violently cast sundrie times after.
‘She, being desired to tel how her fits held her, said that she thought
something rouled in her belly like a calfe, and laye euer on her left
side, and when it rose up from her belly towardes her hart, she thought
that the head and nose thereof had bene full of nayles, wherwith being
pricked, she was compelled to scrike aloud with veri paine and feare.
When her belly was swollen, it lift her up, and so bounded, that it would
picke off the hand of him that held her downe, and sometyme the parti
himself, that held her, farr off. When her belly slaked, there went out of
hir mouth a could breath (that made her mouth very coulde), which caused
her to barke and houle; then plumpte it down into her body like a colde
longe whetstone, on her left side, when her belly was smale, wherewith
shee so quaked, that her teeth chattered in her head, and, if she went to
warme her, she was presently pickt backward.
‘About the end of Ianuary, from M. _Starchie’s_, she went home to
_Salford_, a towne adioyning to _Manchester_, accompanyed with _Hartlay_
and one other. The next morninge as _Hartlay_ prayed ouer her in a fite,
came one M. _Palmer_, a preacher of _Manchester_, who asked him what he
was doinge: he answeared, Praying. Thou pray, thou cans’t not pray, quoth
he, what prayer cans’t thou say? None, saide he, but the Lorde’s prayer.
Say it, quoth he; the which, as I remember, he coulde not say. He then, as
a privat man, examined him, and, after, had him before two Iustices of
peace; from whom he brought him by ther appointment, to _Margaret Byrom_,
to heare what she could say against him; but, as soone as she saw him shee
straightwaye became speachlesse, and was cast downe backwardes, and so did
she the 2 tyme; and 5 tymes was dumbe when _Hartlay_ came in her sight.
‘This morning as she came to the fier, she sawe a great blacke dogge,
with a monstrous taile, and a long chaine, Open mouth, comming apace
towardes her, and, running by her left side, cast her on her face hard by
the fier, houlding her tounge for halfe an hower, but leauinge at libertie
her eyes and handes. A litle after, a bigge blacke catt, staringe
fearfully at her, came runinge by her left side, and threwe her backward,
taking from her the use both of her eyes and handes, which with
yesking[18] were euer losed. About halfe hower after that fit, it came
like a bige mouse, and lept upon her left knee, cast her backward, took
away her tongue, eyes, and sences, that she lay as dead, and when she came
to any feeling, it put up her bellye as before. These visions and fites
ordinarely troubled her for 6 weeks every day, on the daytime, as is said;
and commonly everi night (as she thought) it sat on her head, very heavi,
laying (as it seemed to her) 4 great fingers on her browes, that she was
not able to open her eies. Often times she cried to her mother that she
should sit from off her Head, asking who it was that held her soe
straight, and, though she could not ster her head, hir kerchefe was pulled
off her head commonly, she, notwithstanding, lying still as a stocke from
9 to 3 in the morning, about which time it departed. In departing, it
somtimes gaue her a great thumpe, on the hinder parte of her head, that it
was verye sore for 2 dayes after.
‘Sixe times within those 6 weekes, the sperit would not suffer her to eate
or drincke; it tooke awaye, also, her stomake. If she offered to drincke
(at the earnest motion of others) it cast her and the drincke downe
together. At other tymes shee did eate greedily, slossinge up her meate
like a greedy dogge, or hogge, that her mother and her friendes were
ashamed of her. Styll shee was hungrye and cryed for more, saying shee had
nothing, though she spared no kinde of meate: all was fish that cam to
nett. After abundance of meate her belly semed neuer the fuller, that she
marueiled which waye it went.
‘The 10 of februari, it pulled her, as she thought, in an hundred peeces.
Ther came out of her mouth such a stincking smoke and breath, that shee
could not endure it her selfe. Her voyce and crying were quite altered,
and so continued till night. But her breath stank soe yll a day and a
nyght after, that her neighboures could not endure to come neare her.
‘Often, her sences were taken away, and she made as styfe as iron, and oft
as dead, euen breathlesse: somtymes it made a loud noyse in her bellye,
like that in the bellye of a great troting horse.
‘The two next nights before the day of her examination concerning
_Hartlay_, appeared the deuill in the likenesse of _Hartlay_, requesting
her to take heed what she sayd, and to speake the truth, for the time was
come: promising her siluer and gould. She answered (thinking it to be
_Hartlay_) that the truth she had spoken already, and that she would not
favour him, neither for siluer nor gold. The 2 night he departed, saying,
doe as thou wilt. The day before _Hartlay_, his execution, was a sore day
unto her, after which, euery day, she went to morning prayer, and was
never troubled in the Church, saue the 1 day, whereon it took her about
the middest of the sermon, in heauing up her shoulders, depriuing her of
her sences. After the recouery of her sences, it tooke away the use of her
leggs, and thus it molested her in the Church, to the admyration of the
people, about an hower and halfe.
‘At the assises at _Lancaster_, was _Hartlay_ condemned and hanged. The
making of his circle was chiefly his ouerthrowe, which he denyed; but
breaking the rope, he, after, confessed it.
‘After this time, she had more ease in the day, than she was wont; but, in
the night, she lay stif and stark, quaking and trembling, till the day she
came to _Cleworth_.
‘It going thus with the 6 at _Cleworth_ and the 7 at _Salford_, M.
_Starchie_ according to the counsel before given him, procured first one
preacher, then an other to see them, but they knew not well what to say to
their affliction. After hauing intelligence, by D. _Dee_ his butler, of
the like greuous affliction of _Thomas Darling_, his uncle’s son, and
recouery upon the aduice given by myself, he requested D. _Dee_ his letter
unto me (though unacquainted) and obteyned it, wherwith he sent his owne
also, which preuayled not with me.
‘Thereuppon, he procured other letters, whereof one was from a Iustice of
peace therby, and sent the second time unto me. Then I, crauinge first the
aduice of many of my brethren in the ministery, met togither at an
exercise, yealded to M. _Starchie’s_ request, and, about 3 weekes after,
went thither.
‘On the 16 of March ’96 M. _George More_, pastor of _Cawlke_ in
_Darbyshire_, and myself, came to _Cleworth_. Whither when we were come,
M. _Starchie_ tould us, that his sonn had bene well about a fortnight, and
his daughter 4 dayes: and, surely, to see to, they were, at that instant,
as well and free from any possession by Sathan, as any other; which we
suspected to procede from the subtilty of the _diuel_, and so it proved.
‘Shortly after our comming, as we sat at dinner, came in _Margaret
Hardman_ and hir sister, and _Elinor Holland_, one after another, like
players to bid us welcom. For as much as nobody sent for me, said one of
them, I am come of my owne accord. And, hauing thus spoken, shee was
throwen backward on a forme; and so all 3 were strangely and greuosly
tormented. Their faces (as I remember) were disfigured, their bodyes (I am
sure) greatly swelled, and such a sensible stiring and rumbling within
their bodyes, as to one’s sight and feling they had some quick thing
within each of them; and not only so, but such a violent mouing there was
also in their inward parts, (especially in M. Hardman) as was easily
hearde of us that were present. I remember, also, among the manifold
pleasant speaches they used, one or moe spake iocondly concerning _Edmund
Hartlay’s_ hanging, who was then newly executed; and it was to this
effect. Do they think they could hang the diuel? I wis no. They might hang
_Edmund_, but they coulde not hang the diuel. No maruel though the rope
broke; for there were two, _Edmund_ and the diuel. By that which I heard
of his fits (whereof we haue partly heard before) I, for my part, then
thought, and doe so still, that in the end, he who had so sweetly (by
kisses, forsooth,) sent the diuel into so many, had, by the iust iudgment
of god, the diuell sent into him.
‘Then hearde we _Iane Ashton_ howling, and perceiueing it was
supernaturall, and hearing also, other strange things concerning her,
especiallye that which was new fallen out of the swelling of her belly,
whereof you shal heare: we affirmed that we thought that she, also, was
possessed, which neither the family, nor the mayd, herself, mistrusted or
feared; and ther was cause, for besides her first taking with the hoke and
the wordes _Hartlay_ used thereupon, and kisses before, with promis of
mariage (which all were, perhaps, forgotten), she was taken with barking,
as the rest were, when M. _Hopwoode_ cam to examine them. Againe, the
children said no lesse in their fits, for, when she cam in their sight,
they would say, come and help us, for thou art one of our company. And
though they neither knew nor speake to any other, yet _Iane_ they knewe,
and speake to her onlye in these wordes, thou wilt shortlye come in
amongst us. And shee, herself, acknowledged that somtimes, as she carrien
up hot Ianoks,[19] she thought that she could haue eaten up a Ianoke, and
often did eat much by stealth, being passing hungry like _Margaret Byrom_
and the children, who, likewise, were sometymes exceedinglye greedye of
meate. This day, also, an hower or two before we came, her belly began to
swell greatly, so that she compared her bellye to a woman’s great with
child. When it abated a little, a breath came up her throat, which caused
yelling: after, it fell downe into hir body like a cold stone, as it did
with _Margaret Byrom_. And, as soone as tydings came that we were come,
presently her belly was fallne, and as litle as in former time, and so
continued.
‘Not long after our comming, all 7 being had in a chamber, the one of us
applyed his speach according to the present occasion: and then, behold,
all of them, even _Iane Ashton_, and M. _Starchie’s_ children were
presently greuiously tormented. Yea, Satan, in _Iohn Starchie_ exceeded
for crueltye.
‘And thus they contynued all that afternoone. 3 or 4 of them gaue
themselves to Scoffing and Blasphemy, calling the holy Bible, being
brought up, _bible bable, bible bable_; and thus they did aloud and often.
All, or most of them ioyned together in a strange and supernatural loud
whupping, that the house and ground did sound therwith againe; by reason
whereof we were dryven (as I maye say) out of the chamber, and keept out
for that daye.
‘This euening we did use some words of exhortation, for the sanctefying of
ourselues and the family, against the next daye’s seruice: immediately
before which, they all sent forth as they had before, a supernaturall loud
whupping and yellyng, such as would have amased one to haue gone into the
roome wher they were, but, as one of us opened his mouth, they were
presentlye silent, and so continued.
‘The next morning, all 7 being had into a faire larg parlor, and laid ther
on couches, M. _More_, M. _Dickens_ (a preacher, and their pastor) and
myself, with about 30 more, assembled together, spent that day in prayer,
with fasting, and hearing the word; all the parties afflicted remayninge
in their fits the said whole day. Towards the end wherof, they, all of the
sudden, began to be most extreamly tormented, beting up and downe with
their bodies being held by others, crying also (6 of them) aloud, in
strang and supernaturall manner; and, after, they lay as dead, where with
they which were present were so affected, that, leuing that good order,
which all the day had ben kept, confusedly, euery one with voice and hands
lifted up, cryed unto god for mercy in their behalf, and the lord was
pleased to heare us, so as 6 of them were shortly delyuered, wherein we,
with them, reioyced, and praised god for the same.
‘The first that was dispossessed, was _Margaret Byrom_, then all the
residu (saue _Iane Ashton_) one shortly after another, between 5 and 6 at
night. She began to be vexed by Sathan about 4 or 5 in the morning, and
neuer had rest until her deliuerance. All that day she heard only a
humming and a sound, but knewe nothing what was said: she could thus
heare, but not see. Sometime she sawe, and then marueyled what the company
did ther, and how she got thither: howbeit, she heard euery idle word that
the children possessed had spoken: she was more extreamly handled that
daye than any before, though she had had many sore daies. She was euer
full of payne, and it semed to her, as though her hart would haue burst:
she strayned up much fleamy and bloudy matter. Lastly, she lay as dead for
the space of half an houre, taking no breath. Then start she up most
ioyfully, magnifying god, with such a cherefull countenance and voyce,
that we all reioyced with her, but were somwhat amazed at hir suddayn
lauding of god, with such freedome and earnestnes in speach and gesture.
‘_Iohn Starchie_, the next, was so miserably rent, that aboundance of blod
gushed out, both at his nose and mouth. As the day before, so that day, he
gnashed fearfully with his teeth; he, also, lay as dead about the like
time, soe that some sayd to us, he seemeth to be dead. Then start he up
likwise on the suddain, and prayed god in most cherful and comfortable
manner. And so did the rest, who also maide sundry tymes greate shewe of
vomyting, and nowe and then vomyted indeede, somthing like fleam, thick
spettle. These 4, especially 3 of them used much light behauiour and vayn
gestures; sundry, also, filthy scurrilous speaches, but whispering them,
for the most part, among themselves, so that they were no let to that holy
exercise we then had in hand. Somtimes, also, they spake blasphemy,
calling the word preached--_bible bable; he will neuer haue done prating;
prittle prattle_. _Margaret Hardman_ whylest M. _More_ was preaching, used
these wordes. _I must goe, I must away; I cannot tarrie, whither shall I
goe? I am hot, I am too hot, I will not dye_; iterating them all: which
wordes did greatly incourage us.
When these 6 were deliuered, some desired to know how they assured
themselues thereof, and they answered as followeth. _Margaret Byrom_ said
that she felt it come up from her belly towardes her brest, thence to her
throat; when it left her throate it gaue her a sore lug, and all this
whyle a darke myst dazeled her eyes. Then she felt it to go out of her
mouth, but it left behind it a sore throat and a filthy smel, that a weke
after, her meate was unsauary. It went out in the likenes of a crowe’s
head, round, (as to her semed) and sate in the corner of the parlor, with
darknes about it a whyle. Then went it with such a flash of fyer out of
the windowe, that all the Parlor semed on fyer, to her onlye.
‘_Iohn Starchie_ said it went from him like a man with a bulch[20] on his
backe, very yll fauored, and, presently, he returned to haue re-entered,
but he withstood hym strong in faith. The same, in effect, said _Margaret
Hardman_. _Anne Starchie_ said, he went like a foule ugly man, with a
white beard, and a great bulch on his brest as big as a man’s head, and
straightway returned to have re-entered, but she faithfully resisted. Euen
so said _Elinor Holland_, the white beard excepted.
‘_Elizabeth Hardman_ said, it was like an urchin,[21] and went through a
very little hole (as she thought) out of the parler, but, out of hand,
returned againe in a very foule shape, promising her gold, and whatsoeuer
shee would desier, if she would giue him leaue to enter againe, but she
yealded not; then he threatened to cast her into a pit, saying, somtime
thou wilt go alone. He said also, he would cast her into the fyre, and
break her neck, but she, resisting, he departed like an urchine.
‘And thus the first dayes work was happily ended. But behold the
slight[22] of the wyly serpent, for when we were all at rest, the sperits
sett upon the 5 little children, like so many wolues the seely Lambes. The
poore children being newly recouered, and suddenly inuaded, were so
frighted, that they clasped fast about their middles those that lay with
them, and hid their faces with their bed clothes. M. _Dickens_ was called
down, who comming, saw them resisting, and encouraged them to stand fast,
neuer to yeald, but to pray and resist with faith, and shortly they were
well, and fell a slepe.
‘The next day we inquired how they were assalted. _Margaret Byrom_ said it
cam to her like an ugly black man with shoulders higher than his head,
promysing her enough if she would consent, and that he would lye still;
when she utterly denyed him, and prayed against him, he threatened to cast
her into a pitt as she went home. But, when she resisted, he cast her to
the ground, and departed twise as byg and foule as hee came, with two
flashes of fyer, one before and another after him, making a noyse like a
great wynd among trees. She was not assaulted at midnight with the 5, but,
after supper, before she went to bed.
‘_Iohn Starchie_ said he came in the former likenes, making many large
proffers, baggs of gould &c. But, when he saw he nothing preuayled with
sugred wordes, he used terrible menaces, saying he wold breake his necke
&c. _Anne Starchie_ said he came in the former likenes.
‘_Margaret Hardman_ said he came in the same forme he went out; proffering
golde, but she refusing, he threatned to breake her necke, cast her into a
pyt and drowne her, and so departed.
‘_Elizabeth Hardman_ said he came like a beare with fyer in his mouth,
wherwyth she was so terrifyed that she lept quite out of her bed, and rann
from him, she wist not whither, but one of the company stayed her. Then he
desyred her to open her mouth, as he opened his, shewing her two bagges,
one of siluer, an other of gold, promising her 9 times as much: but not
preuayling, he ran away as a beare that breakes loose from the stake. When
she was layd downe and prayed, he came agayn like an ape, promising her
golde &c, at her pleasure. Then he menaced to cast her out of the windowe
and into the fyer, if euer she stood neare it, and so departed very foule
and with an horrible scryke.
‘_Ellinor Holland_ said he came like a great beare, with open mouth, upon
her, and presently turned it selfe into the similytude of a white dove;
but she resisted, and it departed.
‘Thus we have heard of the dispossession of 6. and what thinges fell out
therein, as also presently after the same. It resteth that we conuert our
speach to _Iane Ashton_, the 7. Sathan, upon the aforesaid day, towardes
euening, put her to extreame payne, and continued the same longe very near
2 houres after their deliuerance, intising her to say he was gon, and to
make shew of welfare, promising that he would not molest her at all. She,
to be at ease, consented, and pretended, in wordes, to be as well as the
rest; but we thought otherwise, as the signes of dispossession were
wanting. After she had herein yelded to the diuell (which she concealed
untill after her deliuerance) she was as free from any vexation by him, as
the rest, notwithstanding that we prayed, or shee prayed: whereas before
for 3 houres togither, her fyt beinge ended, the shortest prayer that
might be, being used, she wold be in an other most greuous to beholde.
‘All night shee was very well, the next morning also, untill we 3, (who
were to be the leaders that day, also, in that holy action we had in hand,
having shut our doore,) had cast doune our selues before the throne of
grace, to craue the direction and assistance of god’s spirit, in the worke
we were to enter upon. This (I say) we had no soner don, but, behold, the
chamber wher we were, yea, the whol house did ring of her againe, whereby
we were not a little comforted, and incouraged, to enter the second tym
into the field, for thereby we were assured that we were not deceiued, and
that satan was certainly in her. After we cam downe into the parlor,
whither many more resorted that day, than the other, to the number of
about 50, we being all exercised as the day aforesaid. This morning she
was sore tormented. She often seemed to vomyt up all, and it got up only a
litle fleame; and when she hanged down her head to vomyt, often the sperit
would fall to shake her, as an angri mastife, a litle cur dogge, so that,
after her delivery, she was very hoarce and weake. About one of the
clocke, she being very extreamly tormented, fel a weping, that teares
trickled downe, and after, lay as dead: a litle space reuerting, she said,
he is gon, and gaue thanks for her deliuerance. It went out like a great
breath, ugly like a toad, round like a ball, and within an houer after, it
returned like a foule big blacke man, but she resisted, and it departed.
When we saw clearly that she was dispossessed, we asked her why she
dissembled the other night? She told us that the said euening it was com
up from her belly to her brest, thence to her throat, wher it held her as
at her first taking, thence to her head. Then, she said, it desired her to
tell us that he was gon, and promised her not to moue or hurt her, and
that she should lack nothing. Why, said we, would you harken to the
deuill? Because, (said she) I was very sore, and he promysed me ease, but
he hath deceaued me. Quoth M. _Dickens_, beleue the deuil againe, beware
of lying, he teacheth to lye, and you are taught for lying.
‘This day and 2 or 3 following, the uncleane spirits returned euer and
anone in visible formes upon all 7, throwing some of them violently downe
before us all, depriuing others for a litle space of the use of som member
of their bodies, as arme or legg; seking also both by goodly promises, of
siluer, gold, veluit, (which they thought verily, they saw,) and such
like, and fearful threats, their consents to re-enter; without which, it
would seem satan cannot re-enter, though he can first enter. But from
giving such consent, and yealding unto satan, therein god, in mercy, keept
6 of them: who, since that tyme, (praysed be God therfore) were neuer more
nor lesse, they nor any of them molested by satan until this day. Neyther
the 7 _Iane Ashton_ untill a good space after, when she, leauing M.
_Starchie’s_ house, went and dwelt in a place of ignorance and among
papists, and became popish herselfe, as I have heard. For which
opertunitie and advantage, the deuill watching; and noe doubt compasing,
he then recouered her, and now dwelleth there: whose last estat with
_Katherine Wrights_ and _Will. Somers_, shall be worse than their first.’
The learned (!) divine, John Darrell, then follows on with the case of
Will Somers, which is too long and prosy for reproduction.