"Whereas I am declared an enemy to my native country, God be so propitious to me, as my thoughts towards it have been always public, and tending to the good and honour there of! I do profess, since the first time I had the honour of that noble marquis's acquaintance, I have been a favourer of his desigus, knowing them to be both loyal and honourable: Beside that I knew his affection towards his country to be eminent in this especially, that he did ever show himself passionate to vindicate the honour of this kingdom, which suffereth every where, by this strange combination of theirs with the Rebels of another kingdom against their own but God in his merciful providence hath to do prince; wherein I concurred in judgment with

it, but by setting up a party of true and loyal-
hearted Scots men for his majesty, whereby it
might be seen that it is not a national defec-
tion, but only stirred up by a Faction therein,
who for their own ends have dishonoured their
native kingdom, and disturbed the peace
thereof. In enterprizing and prosecuting of
which heroical design, God hath so favoured
that noble lord, that he hath righted our coun-
try in the opinion of all the world, and disco-to
vered where the rottenness lieth.

tion, labour to draw your hearts unto the condemnation of Core. God Almighty look upon this poor miserable Church and kingdom, and relieve you out of the intolerable servitude you lie under, which I do heartily wish for in your behalf! So let me have the assistance of your prayers, that God would be pleased to pardon all my sins in Jesus Christ, and gather my soul with the saints and martyrs that are gone their rest before. So I bid the world and you farewel."

Sir Robert was not disturbed at the unmannerly interruption he met with, when he was about to address himself to the people; so that turning from them, he wholly bestowed himself in devotions and prayers to Almighty God. The same Minister having asked, if he would have him and the people to pray for the salvation of his soul, he made answer, That he desired the prayers of the people, but was not solicitous for his prayers, which he believed were abominable unto Ged: for, added he, of all the Plagues with which the offended majesty of God had scourged this nation, this was much the greatest (greater than the Sword, Fire, or Pestilence), that for the sins of the people, God had sent "a lying spirit into the mouths of the Prophets." With which saying this preacher finding himself touched, grew so extremely in passion, that he could not forbear scandalous and contumelious language against sir Robert's father, who had been long dead, and against himself, who was now a dying: which this mild gentleman took no notice of, having his mind fixed upon higher matters. At last with an undaunted air he advances towards the instrument of his Exé

"Thus far I am content to be accounted a Traitor, in their opinion that have condemned me, being fully assured that God, the righteous Judge of all, who knoweth the uprightness and integrity of my intentions, will impute no fault to me in this kind; since to my knowledge I have carried myself according to the direction of his Word, and the practice of all good Christians before these miserable times we are fallen into. My Exhortation therefore (which coming from one at the point I am at, will, I hope, have some weight) shall be this unto you; That you will break off your sins by repentance, and above all, free yourself of this master sin of Rebellion that reigneth in this land: whereunto most part are either forced, or drawn unawares, chiefly at the instigation of those who should direct you in the way of truth. It cannot be but a great judgment upon a land, when God's singular mercies towards it are so little valued. He hath not given us a king in his wrath, but one for piety, bounty, and all virtues both Christian and moral, may be a pattern to all princes besides. How thankful we are to God | for so great a blessing, our respect towards him manifesteth. Yet I fear there is a greater judg-cution, and shewing no alteration either in ment than this upon it, which occasioneth all the mischiefs that afflict this poor land, such as was sent upon Ahab: God hath put a lying spirit in the mouths of the most part of your Prophets, who instead of the doctrine of Salva

voice or countenance, he laid down his neck to the fatal stroke, and uttered these his last words: "Merciful Jesu, gather my soul unto thy saints and martyrs, who have run before me in this race."

176. The several Informations, Examinations, and Confessions of the WITCHES,* arraigned and condemned at the Sessions holden at Chelmsford, in the County of Essex, before the Right Hon. Robert, Earl of Warwick, and several of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, the 29th of July: 21 CHARLES I. A. d. 1645.†

labours to ensnare souls, and at last to bring them to utter ruine; who being that grand impostor, soone began this worke, even in the morning of the creation, in the body of a serpent

committed on the bodies of men, women, and children, and divers cattle, are fully discovered. Published by authority. London, printed by M. S. for Henry Overton and Benj. Allen, and are to be sold at their shops in Pope's-bead-alley. 1645.'

† See the Case of Mary Smith, A. D. 1616, ante, vol. 2, p. 1050, and the notes to that case: and the Trials of Amy Duny and Rose Cullender, A. D. 1604; of Lloyd, Trembles, and Ed13 c

miraculously, to reason, dispute, speake, and conferre with Evah; and never ceased till he had laid the honour of those glorious creatures in the dust: and therefore is called that old serpent, that deceiveth all the world, by whose deceitful promises and subtil devices, for his own end, and desire of their destruction, hath ensnared and drawne these poore silly creatures, into these horrid and detestable practices, of renouncing God and Christ, and entering into

wards, A. D. 1682; and of Jane Wenham, A. D. 1712. post. Witches seem to have abounded in Great Britain more than usually about the middle of the 17th century. The passages of Howell referred to in the Note to Mary Smith's case may amuse, though they should leave the extent of the writer's faith in witches doubtful:

4

To the Hon. Sir Edward Spencer, kt. at his 'House near Brentford.

a solemn league and contract with the Devil; the thought whereof is sufficient to cause a mar to be filled with horror and astonishment, The lawe and expresse command of God doth allow of no familiarity or inquiry of any other spirit, but from himselfe ; as Isa. 8. 19. And when they shall say unto you, seek ye unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards, that peep and that mutter, should not a people seeke unto their God,' &c. Under this inter

meaning witches, because they are enemies 'to nature, let them be punished. And the acts of parliament in England are against 'those that invoke ill spirits, that take up any 'dead man, woman or child, to take the skin or bone of any dead body, to employ it to sorcery or charm, whereby any one is lamed or made to pine away, &c. such shall be guilty of flat felony, and not capable of clergy or sanetuary, &c.-What a multitude of exam'ples are there in good authentic authors of divers kinds of fascinations, incantations, pre

6

I return you the Manuscript you lent me of Dæmonology, but the author thereof and I are two in point of opinion that way; for hestigiations, of philtres, spells, charms, sorce

'ries, characters, and soch like; as also of 'magic, necromancy, and divinations? Surely the witch of Endor is no fable; the burning ' of Joan d'Arc the maid of Orleaus in Rouen, and of the marchioness of d'Ancre of late 'years in Paris, are no fables: the execution of Nostredamus for a kind of witch, some fourscore years since, is but a modern story, who among other things foretold Le senat de Londres tuera son roy,' the senate of London shall kill their king. [N. B. This letter bears date Feb. 20, 1647-8.] The best historians have it upon record, how Charlemain's 'mistress inchanted him with a ring, which as long as she had about her, he would not suffer her dead carcase to be carried out of his chamber to be buried; and a bishop taking

seems to be on the negative part, and truly he writes as much as can be produced for his purpose. But there are some men that are of a mere negative genius, like Johannes ad oppositum, who will deny, or at least cross and puzzle any thing, though never so clear in itself, with their but, yet, if, &c, they will flap the lye in Truth's teeth, though she visibly stand before their face without any vizard: 'such perverse cross-grained spirits are not to be dealt withal by arguments, but palpable " proofs; as if one should deny that the fire burns, or that he hath a nose on his face; there is no way to deal with him, but to pull him by the tip of the one, and put his finger into the other. I will not say that this gen'tleman is so perverse; but to deny there are any witches, to deny that there are not illit out of her mouth, the emperor grew to be as spirits which seduce, tamper and converse in divers shapes with human creatures, and impel them to actions of malice; I say, that he who denies there are such busy spirits, and such poor passive creatures upon whom they work, which commonly are called witches; I say again, that he who denies there are such spirits, shews that he himself hath a 'spirit of contradiction in him, opposing the 'current and consentient opinion of all antiquity. We read that both Jews and Romans, with all other nations of Christendom, and our ' ancestors here in England, enacted laws against witches sure they were not so silly as to waste their brains in making laws against Chimeras, against non-entia, or such as Plato's Kterismata's were. The judicial law is apparent in the holy Codex, Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live: the Roman law, which the 'Decemviri made, is yet extant in the twelve tables, Qui fruges incantassent, pœnis dento:' they who shall inchant the fruit of the earth, let them be punished. The Imperial law is known by every Civilian; Hi cum hostes naturæ sint, supplicio afficiantur: these,

<much bewitched with the bishop; but he being cloyed with his excess of favour, threw it into a pond, where the emperor's chiefest pleasure, was to walk till his dying day. The story tells us, how the Waldenses in France 'were by solemn arrest of parliament accused and condemned of witchcraft. The Malteses took St. Paul for a witch. St. Augustin speaks of women who could turn men to horses, and make them carry their burdens: Danæus writes of an inchanted staff, which the Devil, 'summoner-like, was used to deliver some 'market-women to ride upon. In some of the Northern countries, it is as ordinary to buy and sell winds, as it is to do wines in other parts; and hereof I could instance in some examples of my own knowledge. Every one knows what Olaus Magnus writes of Erich's (king of Sweethland's) cornered cap, who could make the wind shift to any point of the compass, according as he turned it about.

rogative is understood this affirmative, a people should inquire of no other spirit, but of their God onely. By which also it is evident, that all spirits that doe suffer themselves to be inquired at, are evill spirits, and therefore devills. And though these devillish practices were frequent and common amongst heathens and infidells, who usually held familiarity with these spirits, and many inquired of them in their oracles; and therefore called those spirits

that gave answer by them, Dæmons, of their skill and knowledge in foretelling things to come: yet now when the light of the gospel shineth so gloriously, that such a generation of poore deluded soules, and to such a number as hath of late been discovered should be found amongst us, is much more matter of admiration and astonishment. I doubt not but these things may seeme as incredible unto some, as they are matter of admiration unto

but being displeased, she contracted with the Devil (who conversed with her in form of a

'those children, out of mere malignity and thirst ' of revenge.—But since the beginning of these ' unnatural wars, there may be a cloud of witnesses produced for the proof of this black tenet: for within the compass of two years, near upon 300 witches were arraigned, and 'the major part executed in Essex and Suffolk only. Scotland swarms with them now more than ever, and persons of good quality exe'cuted daily.—Thus, Sir, have I huddled toge'ther a few arguments touching this subject; because in my last communication with you, 'methought I found you somewhat unsatisfied, and staggering in your opinion touching the 'affirmative part of this thesis, the discussing whereof is far fitter for an elaborate large treatise than a loose letter.'

pices, who used to make their predictions 'sometimes by fire, sometimes by flying of 'fowls, sometimes by inspection into the en-cat, whom she called Rutterkin) to make away 'trails of beasts, or invoking the dead, but 'most frequently by consulting with the oracles, to whom all nations hath recourse except 'the Jews. But you will say, that since Christianity displayed her banner, the Cross bath 'scared away the Devil, and struck the oracles 'dumb: as Plutarch reports a notable passage ' of Thamus an Italian pilot; who a little after the birth of Christ, sailing along the coasts of Calabria in a still silent night, all his pas'sengers being asleep, an airy cold voice came to his ears, saying, Thamus, Thamus, Thamus, The great God Pan is dead, who was the 'chiefest oracle of that country. Yet though the light of the gospel chased away t y those great ' owls, there be some bats and little night-birds, that fly still abroad, I mean petty spirits, that by secret pactions, which are made always without witness, enable men and women to 'do evil. In such compacts beyond the seas, the party must first renounce Christ, and the 'extended woman, meaning the blessed Virgin; he must contemn the Sacrament, tread on the 'cross, spit at the Host, &c. There is a famous story of such a paction, which Fryar Louis made some half a hundred years ago with the 'Devil in Marseilles, who appeared to him in shape of a goat, and promised him the enjoy-ninnies to them. We have likewise multiment of any woman whom he fancied, with other pleasures, for 41 years; but the Devil <being too cunning for him, put the figure of

6

6

'Here are started up some great knowing men lately, that can shew the very track by which our Saviour went to hell; they will tell you precisely whose names are written in the book of life, whose not. God deliver us from spiritual pride, which of all sorts is the most dangerous. Here are also notable star-gazers, who obtrude on the world such confident bold predictions, and are so familiar with heavenly bodies, that Ptolemy and Tycho Brahe were

tudes of witches among us, for in Essex and Suffolk there were above 200 indicted within these two years, and above the one half of them

this island bred since the creation, I speak it with horror., God guard us from the Devil, 3 for I think he was never so busy upon any 'part of the earth that was enlightened with the beams of Christianity; nor do I wonder at it, for there is never a cross left to fright him away.'

A great collection of such Legends as those mentioned by Howell may be found in "Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy,” part 1, § 2, memb. 1, subsect. 2, 3.

1 before, and made it 14 years in the con-executed more, 1 may well say, than ever <tract, (which is to be seen to this day, with the devil's claw to it) at which time the Fryar was detected for witchcraft, and burnt; and all those children whom he had christened during that term of 14 years, were re-baptised: the gentlewomen whom he had abused, ⚫ put themselves into a nunnery by themselves. Hereunto may be added the great rich widow that was burned in Lions, because it was proved the Devil had lain with her; as also the history of lieutenant Jaquette, which ⚫ stands upon record with the former: but if I should insert them here at large, it would make this letter swell too much.-But we need not cross the sea for examples of this kind; we have too too many (God wot) at home. King James a great while was loth to believe ⚫ there were witches; but that which happened to my lord Francis of Rutland's children convinced him, who were bewitched by an old woman that was servant at Belvoir-Castle;

Whitelocke, in his Memorials, bears frequent testimony of the state of Witchcraft about this time: thus, July 25th, 1645, "twenty witches in Norfolk were executed." December 13, 1649, "many witches apprehended of late about Newcastle: the Witch-tryer thrusting a pin into the skin in many parts of their bodies, they were insensible of it, which is one circumstance of proof against them." Same year, July 2d, "five witches were burned at Edin

gines and mysticall craft of the devill in the machinations of witches and sorcerers; but soberly, modestly, and discreetly so far forth be contented to pursue the trial and just way of their discoverie, as with sense, with reason, with religion, is just and righte ous; knowing, that whatsoever is beyond these lists, is reasonlesse, senslesse and impious. The greatest doubt and question will be, whether it be in the power of the devil to perform the skin." Again, under date Nov. 28, 1653, he tells" of divers witches examined and sent to prison, some of them called Black Witches, who killed men, women, and children, and cattle, by their witchcrafts; and others of them called White Witches, who healed them that were bewitched by the other, and that this was confessed by them." See also under dates July 3rd, Sept. 3rd, and Oct. 4th, 1649; Jan. 22nd, and Feb. 15th, 1649-50. While witchcraft thus flourished, it will not excite wonder that Astrology was respected. The predictions of Lilly (the Sidrophel of Hudibras) are respectfully mentioned by both Rushworth and Whitelocke, sec 7 Rushw. Coll. 1263, 1264. Whitelocke's Mem. 144, 329, 332. Lilly, who as an Astrologer, appears to have been consulted by Charles the First, published in 1651, a Collec tion of predictions, under the title of "Monarchy or No Monarchy in England," to prove that there would never be another king in England. Some nonsense of king James's about witching and unwitching is to be found in the Case between Lord and Lady Essex, A.D. 1613, ante, vol. 2, p. 800, 801, 814. See, too, the Case of Anne Turner, for Overbury's murder, vol. 2, p. 929. Arnot in his "Collection and Abridgement of celebrated Criminal Trials in Scotland," distinctly mentions upwards of $0 prosecutions for witchcraft, in most of which capital punishment appears to have been inflicted, besides alluding to many others.

others. Nolle nimis sapere, saith the poet, it is true wisdome not to be too wise; that is, not to know nor desire to know more then is allowed or needfull; needfull not in our desires, but in Gods decree: Here then let reasonable men be persuaded not too much, as is usual to swell with indignation, or to be puffed with impatience, where God doth not appertly reveale and plainly, as they desire and thinke needfull the subtile enburgh, who had the marks upon them which they had from the Devil." April 15th, 1650, 66 at a little village within two miles of Berwick, two men and three women were burned for witches, and nine more were to be burned, the village consisting but of fourteen families, and there were as many witches." Same year, July 24, one man and two women, about Boston, committed for witches: the man confessed he had a Familiar sucked him at some paps, which he then shewed. He had signed a writing to the Devil, to deny God and Jesus Christ, and the Familiar drew blood from those paps and appeared to him in the shape of a white chicken: that he signed the Devil's covenant with a piece of a stick, with the same mark he now made at the bottom of his examination; and both the women confessed the like." Under date October 4, 1652, he tells us, that "sixty men and women were accused before the commissioners for administration of justice in Scotland, at the last circuit, for witches; but they found so much malice and so little proof against them, that none were condemned." But again, Oct. 29th, of the same year, after mentioning, That "the commissioners for administration of justice in Scotland sat at Edinburgh, and had many criminal matters brought before them, sixty in a day, for adultery, incest, &c. (he had on a former occasion made mention of the frequency and malice of such charges, and of the antiquity of the facts alleged) in the court, and proofs against few of At Huntingdon, Spring assizes, 1593, bethem, and the malice of people against one fore Mr. Justice Fenner, the three Witches of another so great, that they brought accusations Warboyse (John Samuel, Alice his wife, and for facts done 20 years past, and the greatest Agnes their daughter) were arraigned and conproof against them, was a forced confession be-victed (they were afterwards executed) for be fore the Kirk." He proceeds to tells us, "That some accused for witches, had been tortured to make them confess, by tying their thumbs behind them, and then hanging them up by their thumbs, while two Highlanders whipped them; after which, they set lighted candles to the soles of their feet, and between their toes, then burned them, by putting lighted candles into their mouths, and then burning them in the head: That six of them were accused, of whom four of them died of the torture. The judges resolved to examine the business, and to find out these Scots tormentors; that another woman being accused for a witch, was kept 28 days with only bread and water, and stripped naked and laid upon a cold stone, with only hair-cloth over her; that among the accused, others had hair shirts dipped in vinegar put over them, to fetch off

66

witching five daughters of Robert Throckmor ton, esq., and divers other persons with sundry devilish and grievous torments, and also be witching to death the lady Cromwell. See Complete History of Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft," vol. 1, p. 49 et seq. On March 11th, 1619, Margaret and Philip, daughters of Joan Flower (who died marvellously while in custody) having been convicted at the assizes at Lincoln, held before Chief Justice Hobart and Mr. Baron Bromley, of bewitching the earl of Rutland his wife and children, were executed. See their cases in the same work.

In the year 1441, Eleanor Cobham (the wife of Humphry, duke of Gloucester, uncle of Henry the sixth) together with other persons, were convicted of Witchcraft. Hall in his Chronicle, p. 202, ed. 1809, briefly mentions the transaction. Stow in his Annals, P.