WILLIAM SANDS, _Maior of Lancaster_, IAMES
ANDERTON, _Esquire, one of his Maiesties Iustices of
Peace within the Countie of Lancaster: And_ THOMAS
COVEL, _Gentleman, one of his Maiesties Coroners in the
same Countie._ viz.
_Iames Deuice_, Prisoner in the Castle at Lancaster, saith, That
his said Spirit _Dandie_, being very earnest with him to giue him his
soule, He answered, he would giue him that part thereof that was his
owne to giue: and thereupon the said Spirit said, hee was aboue CHRIST
IESVS, and therefore hee must absolutely giue him his Soule: and that
done, hee would giue him power to reuenge himselfe against any whom he
disliked.
And he further saith, that the said Spirit did appeare vnto him after
sundrie times, in the likenesse of a Dogge, and at euery time most
earnestly perswaded him to giue him his Soule absolutely: who answered
as before, that he would giue him his owne part and no further. And
hee saith, that at the last time that the said Spirit was with him,
which was the Tuesday next before his apprehension; when as hee could
not preuaile with him to haue his Soule absolutely granted vnto him,
as aforesaid; the said Spirit departed from him, then giuing a most
fearefull crie and yell, and withall caused a great flash of fire to
shew about him: which said Spirit did neuer after trouble this
Examinate.
_William Sands_,
_James Anderton._
_Tho. Couel, Coroner._
The said _Iennet Deuice_, his Sister, in the very end of her
Examination against the said _Iames Deuice_, confesseth and saith,
that her Mother taught her two Prayers: the one to get drinke, which
was this. _viz._
_Crucifixus hoc signum vitam
Eternam._ Amen.
And shee further saith, That her Brother _Iames Deuice_, the Prisoner
at the Barre, hath confessed to her this Examinate, that he by this
Prayer hath gotten drinke: and that within an houre after the saying
the said Prayer, drinke hath come into the house after a very strange
manner. And the other Prayer, the said _Iames Deuice_ affirmed, would
cure one bewitched, which shee recited as followeth. _viz._
_A Charme._[K_b_1]
_Vpon Good-Friday, I will fast while I may
Vntill I heare them knell
Our Lords owne Bell,
Lord in his messe
With his twelue Apostles good,
What hath he in his hand
Ligh in leath wand:[K_b_2]
What hath he in his other hand?
Heauens doore key,
Open, open Heauen doore keyes,
Steck, steck hell doore.
Let Crizum child
Goe to it Mother mild,[K_b_3]
What is yonder that casts a light so farrandly,[K_b_4]
Mine owne deare Sonne that's naild to the Tree.
He is naild sore by the heart and hand,
And holy harne Panne,
Well is that man
That Fryday spell can,
His Childe to learne;
A Crosse of Blew, and another of Red,
As good Lord was to the Roode._
Gabriel _laid him downe to sleepe
Vpon the ground of holy weepe:[K2_a_1]
Good Lord came walking by,
Sleep'st thou, wak'st thou_ Gabriel,
_No Lord I am sted with sticke and stake,
That I can neither sleepe nor wake:
Rise vp_ Gabriel _and goe with me,
The stick nor the stake shall neuer deere thee.[K2_a_2]
Sweete Iesus our Lord, Amen._
_Iames Deuice._
What can be said more of this painfull Steward, that was so carefull
to prouide Mutton against this Feast and solemne meeting at
_Malking-Tower_, of this hellish and diuellish band of Witches, (the
like whereof hath not been heard of) then hath beene openly published
and declared against him at the Barre, vpon his Arraignement and
Triall: wherein it pleased God to raise vp Witnesses beyond
expectation to conuince him; besides his owne particular Examinations,
which being shewed and read vnto him; he acknowledged to be iust and
true. And what I promised to set forth against him, in the beginning
of his Arraignment and Triall, I doubt not but therein I haue
satisfied your expectation at large, wherein I haue beene very sparing
to charge him with any thing, but with sufficient matter of Record and
Euidence, able to satisfie the consciences of the Gentlemen of the
Iury of Life and Death; to whose good consideration I leaue him, with
the perpetuall Badge and Brand of as dangerous and malicious a Witch,
as euer liued in these parts of Lancashire, of his time: and spotted
with as much Innocent bloud, as euer any Witch of his yeares.
After all these proceedings, by direction of his Lordship, were their
seuerall Examinations, subscribed by euery one of them in particular,
shewed vnto them at the time of their Triall, & acknowledged by th[=e]
to be true, deliuered to the gentlemen of the Iury of Life & Death,
for the better satisfaction of their consciences: after due
consideration of which said seuerall examinations, confessions, and
voluntary declarations, as well of themselues as of their children,
friends and confederates, The Gentlemen deliuered vp their Verdict
against the Prisoners, as followeth. _viz._
_The Verdict of Life and Death._
Who found _Anne Whittle_, alias _Chattox_, _Elizabeth Deuice_, and
_Iames Deuice_, guiltie of the seuerall murthers by Witchcraft,
contained in the Indictments against them, and euery of them.
[Illustration: decoration]
THE WITCHES OF
SALMESBVRY.[K3_a_]
_The Arraignement and Triall of_ IENNET
BIERLEY ELLEN BIERLEY, _and_ IANE
SOVTHWORTH _of Salmesbury, in the County of
Lancaster; for Witchcraft vpon the bodie of_ GRACE
SOWERBVTS, _vpon Wednesday the nineteenth of
August: At the Assises and generall Gaole-deliuery,
holden at Lancaster._