A strange and true RELATION OF A young WOMAN possessed with the devil. By name Joyce Dovey, dwelling at Bewdley near Worcester.  
With a particular of her actions, and how the evil spirit speaks within her, giving fearful answers unto those Ministers and others that come to discourse with her.  
As it was certified in a Letter from Mr. James Dalton unto Mr. Tho. Groom, Ironmonger over-against sepulchers Church in London.  
ALSO A Letter from Cambridge, wherein is related the late conference between the Devil (in the shape of a Mr. of Arts) and 〈…〉 e Ashbourner a scholar of S. John's college, near Trinity Conduit-Head, a mile from Cambridge, who was afterward carried away by him, and never heard of since, only his Gown found in the River.  
Imprinted at London by E. P. for Tho. Vere at the upper end of the Old-Bailey. 1647.   

A Letter sent from Mr. James Dalton to Mr. Tho. Groom, Ironmonger, over against sepulchers Church, London.  
IT is the property of human nature to desire news, and therefore having seen the last diurnal (out of which I could pick but small crumbs of comfort) I afterward saw a Letter imparting good news, which should come by the Post to Birmingham, that the two kingdoms were reconciled, and a peace concluded. I pray you send me what news you have, which I shall endeavour to requite by this ensuing Relation, which although I received it but at the second or third hand, yet by such persons, as I nothing doubt the truth hereof: Sir 'tis thus:  
At Bewdley, seven miles from us, there is a young Woman (by name Joyce Dovey) one who formerly was little taken notice of for Religion, until about 4. years since, who after the hearing of a Sermon, seemed to be much wrought upon and dejected, who afterward fell into some passions, and (as was conceived by her friends) Convulsion fits, which in time grew stronger upon her, and observed especially to take her in the time of private prayer, or performance of other pious duties; whereupon they procured a devour religious young man, to b● in the house, and to be as a Keeper unto her; the bruit whereof increasing, there came to visit her a chaplain of a Regiment, and a captain, who by some discourse, and other informations, strongly imagined, that she was possessed; whereupon about three weeks or a month since, her Keeper lift up his heart to the Lord in prayer, without uttering of words, that if she were possessed, the Lord would be pleased to make it manifest, which no sooner conceived, but the devil answers with swearing, Wounds, Blood, &c. that thou shalt know; and this observe generally, that he makes the woman's tongue and organs instruments of speech, but it is in a bigger and grosser tone than her ordinary speech, and when he speaketh, she looketh fiercely with something arising big in her throat, and commonly with swearing, and especially by the life of Pharaoh: When any discourseth with her about worldly business, she will familiarly talk with them, but when any use speech of Divine matters, she is most troubled.  
It is further reported, that M. Burrowson Minister there with others came to see her, to whom M Bur. said, thou foul spirit, thy power is limited; to whom was replied, Thou liest, my power is over all the world, and my kingdom is the greatest: To another that said, Thou foul unclean spirit, what hast thou to do to vex a poor creature, was answered, I have Commission and power to tempt you all. Three soldiers, (they say,) came to see her, who talking of Papists, Crucifixes, and Crosses, presently appeared in her breast or throat two Crosses, whereupon the soldiers being aghast, began to get away; haw, haw, haw, says the devil: now (Says her Keeper) they are afraid, and the devil laughs at them. She usually goeth abroad, and coming to the House of an honest religious man, where many came in after her to s●e her, she began to be so distempered, that she could not go home that night; and as they were at prayer in an upper Chamber, she was on a sudden caught up into the window, and the greatest part of her body thrust thorough a great casement, but her Keeper having an eye unto her, stepped unto her, and caught her by the coats, and took her in again: She is oft thrown against the walls, and into the fire, but all without any hurt: One time being cast into a great fire, some would have taken her out, but her Keeper said, let her alone, and observe the providence of God, and straightway she was snatched out without human help, not having any hurt, or so much as the smell of fire on her clothes: She hath snatched a pair of scissors from a woman's girdle, and applied them to her throat; and another time a knife from another, in an admirable quick way, and struck her breast, yet both without so much as a scar in either place: She hath thrown a Bible into the fire, which was not burned. On a time one coming into the house, to discourse with her Keeper, and to take some observations in writing concerning her, they went into an inner chamber, and as he came forth with the paper in his hand, she fell upon him very violently, and would have taken the paper from him, but he contended with her very toughly, and after a long conflict, gave her the repulse, who having kept the paper without tearing, only a little corner, but not a word torn off, he voluntarily threw it down on the ground, saying, devil thou hast not power to take it up, and so took it up himself and departed.  
It is very like I have not heard of all the passages concerning her, which if any of note come unto my knowledge (as I believe I shall shortly see a Catalogue of the particulars) if they come not to public view (which I suppose will be ere long) I shall further acquaint you therewith (God willing.)  
No more at present, but with mine and my wives kind remembrance unto you, my Sister, and cousins Henry and Mary, I rest,  
14. Decemb. 1646: Your very loving and affectionate Brother, JAMES DALTON.   

A letter from Cambridge,  
wherein is related the late conference between the devil (in the shape of a Master of Arts) and one Ashbourner a scholar of S. John's college, near Trinity Conduit-Head, a mile from Cambridge, who was afterward carried away by him, and never heard of since, only his Gown found in the River.  
SIR,  
BEfore I acquaint you with mine own occasions, I think it expedient to let you hear in the first place, how matters stand here. I hope Sir this great Tempest which lately was, has not been much hurtful to you at London, though unto us at Cambridge, a place where strange business hath been acted of late, but that which is most strange, one Ashbourner a scholar of S. John's college, whom the devil▪ that Malignant Sophister) did surprise, being serious with himself, and meditating about his studies, at a place called Trinity Conduit-head, a mile from Cambridge, who appearing to him in the shape of a Mr. of Arts, or (as some say) like a Gentleman, asked the Lad wherefore he was so discontented, who answered, because I cannot understand that which I read; Let me see thy Book (which was a Magirus) quoth the devil, which the Lad showing, he immediately expounded the places that were difficult, so that the scholar wondered he understood it so clearly; but yet see sir, how the devil caught advadvantage from this, for at last having propounded two questions to the scholar, 1. An Deus sit Omnipotens. 2. An Malum sit ens privativum vel positivum, asked him whether he would be his scholar, promising him if he would, he should go to Padua (a famous University in Italy) where he would instruct him in all manner of Learning, and help him to his degree of Doctor of Divinity in a ●eekes time: The Lad consented, and tied himself sure with this Obligation Dabo tibi animam si vis dare mihi Doctrinam & sapientiam: But as God would have it, the Lads conscience was stricken with fear, returning to the college in apprehension of what he had done, but the soul being so precious, and the very thing that the devil always aims at, was sold at too low a rate, and little comfort could he find from any; so that by continual trouble of the evil spirit, he is either gone to Padua, the place aforementioned, or else has drowned himself, his Gown being found in the water, (but nothing of him) two days after he left the college.   
FINIS.