wonderful News from the North. OR, A TRUE RELATION OF THE SAD AND grievous TORMENTS, Inflicted upon the Bodies of three Children of Mr. George Muschamp, late of the County of Northumberland, by witchcraft: AND HOW MIRACULOUSLY IT pleased God to strengthen them, and to deliver them: As also the prosecution of the said Witches, as by Oaths, and their own Confessions will appear, and by the Indictment found by the Jury against one of them, at the Sessions of the Peace held at Alnwick, the 24. day of April, 1650.  

Novemb. 25. 1650.  
Imprimatur,  
JOHN Downame.   
LONDON, Printed by T. H. and are to be sold by Richard Harper, at his shop in Smithfield, 1650.   

A Preface to the Reader.  
Courteous Reader:  
WIth a sad heart I present unto thee the ensuing Discourse, not out of malice to the person of any, but to show the great mercy of Almighty God, and to magnify his glorious Name for preservation of Me and my Children, and for delivering us from those extreme torments and miseries wherewith by diabolical means we have been afflicted. In prosecution of which sad Story, I have delivered nothing but Truth, as is testified by very many people of great rank and Quality, as also by Divines, physicians, and numbers of other people, who have been sad Spectators of our Miseries. Beseeching the Almighty God to deliver thee and all good Christian People from the like Miseries, and Torments, which have happened unto Me, and my poor innocent Children.  
Thine, Mary Moor.   

A brief Description of Mr. GEORGE Muschamp's children's unnatural trials, from the year of our Lord, 1645. until Candlemas, 1647. The time of their Releasement.  
FIrst in Harvest, some two months before MICHAELMAS, about four or five of the Clock in the afternoon, Mistress MARGARET MUSCHAMP suddenly fell into a great Trance, her Mother being frighted, called Company, and with much ado recovered her; as soon as the child looked up, cried out, dear Mother, weep not for me; for I have seen a happy Sight, and heard a blessed sound; for the Lord hath loved my poor soul, that he hath caused his blessed Trumpet to sound in my ears, and hath sent two blessed Angels to receive my sinful soul. O weep not for me, but rejoice, that the Lord should have such respect to so sinful a wretch as I am, as to send his heavenly Angels to receive my sinful soul, with many other divine expressions: Calling good Mother send for my dear Brother, and honest Mr. HUET, perhaps the Lord will give me leave to see them; that faithful man may help my soul forward in praying with me, and for me; for we know the prayers of the faithful are very powerful with the Lord. They b●●●g three miles off, in the Holy Island, were sent for, and with what speed might be, came; she all this while in her Heavenly Rapture, uttering such words as were admirable to the beholders, her Brother and the Minister came to her, which heard her express much joy. The Minister exhorting her, to whom she gave such satisfaction, that he blesled God in showing such mercy to a child of eleven years old. All that night she continued, apprehending these Heavenly Visions, the Minister praying with her, and for her, as she desired him. After she fell into a little rest, and when she awaked, remembered not any thing she had said or done.  
Witnesses to this first, 

Mr. HUET, Minister.  
Mrs. KENADY, her two Brothers, and two Sisters, with her Mother.  
GEORGE ROBINSON, and his Wife.  
KATHERINE GRAME.  
ODNEL SELBY, and his Wife.  
MARGARET DIKSON, with divers others in the house then present.    
After this she continued well till Candlemas.  

ON Candlemas Eve, betwixt the hours of one and two in the afternoon, being the Sabbath, her mother with most of her servants being at Church, only her two Brothers, and two Sisters with her, she was suddenly stricken with a great deal of torment, called for a little beer, but ere they could come with it, the use of her tongue was gone, with all her limbs, pressing to vomit, and such torments, that no eyes could look on her without compassion: Her mother coming home with a sad heart, beheld her child, using what means could be, but no ease, till eleven or twelve a Clock at night she fell into a slumber and slept till six in the morning; as soon as Berwick gates were opened her mother sent for physicians, both of soul and body, with the Lady SELBY, colonel Fenwick's Widow, with other friends, who forth with came to behold this sad fight, with many others that came to the child waking out of her sle●pe, which was without present torment, but had lost the use of both limbs, tongue, stomach, only smiled on them, and signed, that we could understand she had all her other senses very perfect, but would let nothing come within her mouth of any nourishment, for her jaws were almost closed: physicians gave their advice, with other friends; and what could be had, was gotten for her: but her signs from the beginning were, away with these doctor's Drugs, God had laid it on her, and God would take it off her.  
She begged that Mr. Balsam, Mr. STROTHER, and Mr. HUET, would be her Doctors in their earnest prayers to the Lord for her; for she was confident there was no help for her, but from Heaven: yet her mother to her great expenses neglected no lawful means that could be used. About 12. a clock she had a tormenting fit before all the company; but it was not above an hour: but from that time till Whitsun Eve, being 16. weeks, she slept as well in the nights, as any one, but as soon as she awaked in the morning begun her torment: First three or four hours every day, increasing till it came to eight hours, every hour a several torment, such strong cruel ones that cannot be expressed, as many with weeping eyes beheld it, that Ministers would pray by her till the sad object would make them leave her to the Lord, expecting nothing but death. Sir WILLIAM SELBY his Lady, the Countess LENDRIK, the Lady HAGGARSTON, with many others, would look, till sorrow would make them forbear: Yet as soon as these torments were over, the child would instantly smile, and make signs she felt no pain at all: solying quietly till the next morning, only we wet her lips with a little milk and water; for nothing she would let come within her jaws; but would smile and show her arms and breast, and say God fed her with angel's food: for truly all the 16. weeks fast, did not appear to diminish her fatness or favour any thing at all.  
On Whitsun Eve in the morning she had eight hours bitter torment, in the afternoon her mother being abroad, left her husband's Brothers Daughter Mrs ELIZABETH MUSCHAMP with her, who made signs to her to carry her into the Garden, in her mother's absence; her cousin casting a mintle about her, gave her her desire, and sat in the Garden with her on her knee, who in the bringing down had so little strength in her neck, that her head hung wagging down; but was not set a quarter of an hour, till showing some signs to her cousin, bolted off her knce, ran thrice about the Garden, expressing a shrill voice, but did not speak presently: she that was brought down in this sad condition came up stairs on her own legs, in her cousin's hands: captain FALSET, his Wife and his Daughter being then in the house, did behold this miraculous mercy of the Lord done to this child: her mother being at Berwick, three miles off, was sent for, and imparted her joyfulness unto the Lady SELBY, and good Mr. Balsam, whose prayers with the rest (as the child said) had prevailed with God for mercy. When her mother came home, her Daughter which she left in so bad a condition, came with her clothes on, down to the gate, calling Mother, Mother welcome home. Now the mother's joy may be imagined, but not expressed; desiring her mother presently to send many thanks to Mr. Balsam, and Mr. STROTHER for that the Lord had answered their prayers for her. The next day being the Sabbath, she begged on her mother to return thanks to the glorious God, who never failed any that trusted in him, and herself would ride into the Holy island and join in thanks and prayers to the Lord, with Mr. HUET, Sir THOMAS TEMPEST, captain SHAFT, with the rest of the parish that feared God; She by God's power did it the next Thursday, being a Lecture in Berwick, herself, and with Mr. Balsam and Mr. STROTHER gave glory to the Lord for his never forgotten mercy to her; though her flesh did not diminish, yet her strength was but weak, and her stomach by degrees came to her again, and for seven or eight weeks was very well: then her mother removed to Berwick, where the garrison being kept, the discharge of a Musket would cause her to fall into very great ecstasies, being there several times for 24 hours' space, she would be suddenly taken with her former torments. For three weeks' space she lost her stomach, and all her limbs, and of a sudden recovered all again, not remembering what she had either done or suffered. To avoid this inconvenience, her mother removed from Berwick, and carried her in one of these sad conditions one mile off Berwick, where she continued seven weeks more in these afflictions.  
Her eldest Brother upon S. John's day at night in the Christmas following betwixt the hours of 1. and 2. was taken exceedingly ill, that it was thought he would not live: the next morning he was a little eased of his extremity and pain, but both his stomach and the use of his legs taken from him, so that he was forced to have help to put on his clothes, was lifted into a chair where he sat all day long, but could neither eat nor drink any thing, but a little milk or water, or sour milk. He consumed away to nothing, yet not heartsick; but would reason, talk and laugh with any friend as if nothing ailed him. His mother now being pressed down with sorrow, sent to the Doctors both at Newcastle. Durham, and Edinburgh, not doubting or suspecting any unnatural Disease; the physicians all agreed by the course of nature he could not live a month to an end, which was sad news to his sorrowful Mother, God knows.  
After two or three weeks she had another fit of her former torments▪ after she had lain three or four weeks in her extremity, begun, and cried the Rogue, never till then, offering a word in her torments, but as if some were striking at her; she seemed to save herself with hands and bedclothes from blows, deciphering a wretched creature as we all after knew by her description: Sometimes he would fight with her in the shape of a Dragon, of a Bear, a Horse, or Cow: Many fancies she did express; and good things, she said, fought for her, and still got the better of him: The enemy's Weapons were a Club, a staff, a Sword, and Dagger; her good things got them all, as she thought, and after the wretch, she thought, got the Dagger again.  
Now when she fixed her eyes upon her objects, no action you could use would move either eyes or gesture, till she came out of her fits, than did not remember any thing she either did or said: After a while she would make her hand go on her breast, as if she would write, with her eyes fixed on her object; they laid paper on her breast, and put a p●n with ink in her hand, and she not moving her eyes, writ, Jo Hu. Do. Swo. have been the death of one dear friend, consume another, and torment me; whilst she was writing these words, she was blown up ready to burst, shrinking with her head, as if she feared blows: then would she be drawn, as in convulsion fits, till she got that writing from them that had it, and either burn it in the fire, or chew it in her mouth, till it could not be discerned. Let any one snatch the paper from her and hide it as private as he could, she would have gone to the party and place, still in torment till she got it, and either burn it or chewed it, that none could discern one word she had wrote, then immediately she would have ease: Thus for a month or six weeks, every other day, with several torments, and such like expressions continued; her good things, as she called them came still and saved her from her enemies.  
These words written, and her other expressions, caused her sad m●ther to have very contradictive thoughts: So that one day her niece MUSCHAMP that had been her Companion in most of these sad conditions, being troubled to think what this child's writing should mean; said to her Aunt, there is one that I have ever feared since my cousin MARGARET was first afflicted; but I dare not name her whom I have suspected: Her Aunt answers, and only one I suspect: And these Letters make me tremble to think on it; but the Lord pardon our thoughts, if we think amiss: So revealing our thoughts one to another, and pitched both on DOROTHY Swinow. Her niece saith, Mrs. Swinow came to see the child when you were away, and spoke harshly of you, and besides the child's looking on her, which she never did on any else, makes me fear her: Her Aunt answered, if she could do me hurt, and not her own soul, I fear her more than any else, but that cannot be; so Lord pardon us, if we think amiss, and let us not speak any further of her.  
This child's mother's occasions called her to Newcastle, which journey was not pleasant, leaving so sad a house at home, and her child's writing, and her niece's thoughts, and her own, made her very sad, that her servant wondering to see such a change, presumed to ask the cause of it she knowing her servant to be trusty, revealed the suspected party to him, no living soul being by; her occasions being dispatched returned home.  
But in her absence her Daughter had been quite distracted, run up and down with a staff in her hand, saying she would kill the Rogue: in this rage she apprehend her good things (for so she called them) in the likeness of a Dove, and a Partridge, and begun and sung, Judgo and revenge my cause O Lord: Next, How long wilt thou forget me Lord; shall I never be remembered? And concluded, Behold and have regard, ye servants of the Lord; and so came out of her fit, not remembering any thing, either done or s●yd; she never having any of these psalms by heart, or any book by her, nor as yet any voice to sing them to this day.  
By her at that time was my niece MUSCHAMP, Mr. moors six sons, and his Daughter, with my own children and servants, and divers neighbours. After my coming home, she fell into another of these strange fits; the Minister of Tweedmouth being by, seeing and hearing many strange passages, which cannot half be remembered: But part of her discourse was; that if she had two drops of his blood or hers, within ten days, it would save her life; if not death long coming, but torment perpetually.  
Divers of these fits she had, in every one expressing their blood would save her life; from ten days to six, from six to three, which was on a Saturday, being heavily tormented, her tongue taken from her, with her eyes fixed on her objects, wrote thus again, JO. HU. DO. Swi. hath been the death of one dear friend, consumes mother dear friend, and torments me; for three days they have no power, but the fourth they will torment me: two drops of his or her blood would save my life, if I have it not I am undone, for seven years to be tormented before death come. Whilst she was writing the tears coming down her face, still saving herself in this bitter agony, as it were, from her enemy's blows.  
As soon as her mother came from Newcastle, she sent (that servant she revealed her mind to at Newcastle) to one JOHN HUTTON, he was one it was suspected that could do more than God allowed of; bidding him confess who had wronged her child, or she would apprehend him: her child in her extremity writing the two first Letters of his name, with another's.  
So when this servant told him his message another being by to witness his answer, which was thus: WILLIAM HALL, your Mrs. knows as well who hath wronged he● child as I: for the party that with a troubled mind your Mrs. had concealed all this time, and at Newcastle in her chamber all alone told you is she that hath done her all this wrong. The servant answered, God bless me, could he tell what his Mistress said to him, no living soul else prese● it, bidding him reveal the party? the Rogue said, a great stone is not easily lifted, and he had one foot in the grave already: repeating many old sayings: but said, DOROTHY Swinow wife then to colonel Swinow, was the party that had done all the mischief to her child, and was the cause of all her further crosses.  
This answer being brought, and her child's last writing, three days they had no power, the fourth to torment; and the Sabbath being one of the three, the monday following, her mother, her niece MUSCHAMP, her son in Law Edward Moor, GEORGE ARMORER, WILLIAM HALL, and WILLIAM BARD, rid to Etherston thinking Mr. Waltonn to have been a Justice of the Peace; but was not: then she with her company went directly to Sunderland, where Jo. HUTTON dwelled, and sent for him, who forthwith came, and though they had never seen him, but by the child's description, nor he them; he knew them all naming their names; and fell down on his knees for to pray for the child; but her mother bidding him rise, she desired none of his prayers, but tell her how he came to know what she spoke to her servant all alone, so far off, he repeated before all the company what he had formerly spoken.  
She said her eldest son was very ill too, the Lord bless him, not thinking that he was wronged; but the Rogue answered, one was the cause of both: she in a maze said, I had a sister that died in a restless sickness, God grant she was not wronged too: the Rogue said, Mistress, Mistress, one is the cause of all, envy nothing will satisfy, but death. Said she is this possible? Mistress said he my life is in your hand, but I'll maintain DOROTHY Swinow was the death of the Lady MARGERY HAMBLETON, the consuming of your son, and the tormentor of your daughter, and the cause of all your evil; and if you would have my heart's blood take it, for my life is in your power, none speaking of blood to him. She told him the child had wrote two drops of his or her blood would save her life; and if the devil had left so much in him, she would (if it pleased the Lord) have it ere they parted. The wretch using still Godly words and his prayers, desired to take his blood privately, that none should see; so the child nicked him half a dozen times in the forehead, but no blood appeared; then he put forth his right arm and that was not till her mother threatened his heart blood should go before she wanted it; then he laid his thumb on his arm, and two drops appeared, which she wiped off with a paper, the which she had writ the words in, and bid him farewell: he bid them ride softly, they had both tide and time enough, it being a fine quiet day; of a sudden as soon as they were on horse back it grew very boisterous, that they had much ado to sit on their horses; riding fast, at Sunderland Towns end, came two white Lambs to them, and kept close with their horses till they came to Bambrough, being two long miles, neither sheep nor lambs near them; the water was very deep, yet being venturous they rid it over.  
On Monday night she fell into a heavenly Rapture, rejoicing that ever she was borne, for these two drops of blood had saved her life, otherwise she had been seven years in torment without any ease, or death had come: behold her two Angels (which she was bold to call them) on her right hand, and her tormentors on her left, setting herself with a majestic carriage, her words so punctual and discreet, that it was admirable to the beholders.  
Saying her Angels bid her now be bold to speak out, looking on her left hand, saying, thy name is JOHN HUTTON, and hers is DOROTHY Swinow, she hath been the death of my Aunt HAMBLETON, the consumer of my Brother, and the tormenter of me; she knowing my aunt's estate was but for life, and her only son had married Fausets' daughter, who to enjoy the estate, he having but one son, was the cause of young JAMES Fauset's unnatural fits: But thinking Mr. FAUSET would follow her more strictly there, than we could do here, let him alone, to be the more vehement with us, every fit promising me case, if I would consent to lay it on my mother; but I will never consent, but if it were possible endure more torment; fince she is all that the Lord of his goodness hath left to take care of us five fatherless children; except our Father in Heaven, which protects her for our sakes.  
Thus for two hours together she continued in a very heavenly religious Discourse with these Angels, rejoicing that she had got two drops of blood; saying, if her Brother had as much, it would save his life also; witness to these words were Mr. Moor of spital, his six sons and a Daughter, Mr. ELIZABETH MUSCHAMP, Mrs. MARGARET SELBY, ANNE SELBY, and GEORGE LEE, who was almost cast away coming into Barwick Harbour in a Ship by that fearful tempest which HUTTON raised. GEORGE ARMORER, WILLIAM HALL, WILLIAM BEARD, HENRY ORDE, with divers Neighbours, all admiring the Lord's great power expressed in that afflicted child. Her mother being desirous to have some small quantity of Hutton's blood, rode the next day to him with two servants, who brought him to her son, he not being able to go to him. He acknowledged still his life was in her hands, and came riding behind one of her servants home to the spital where she dwelled, and being brought before Mr. Moor, confirmed all that he had formerly confessed, and withal said, Mrs. Swinow had two bad women about her, the Millers and the Webster's Wives, who had been the death of Jo. Costard and his Wife, with many other things of their wickedness: That night he desired to go to rest, and when he pleased to call him, he would confess further to him alone; the next day came Mr. WILLIAM ORDE, Mr. BROAD Minister, with Mr. HEBERIN, and Edward SAUFIELD, who heard all this confirmed, and so the mother took her son in her arms to the place where the wretch was, and got his blood.  
He stayed there seven or eight days, and yet Mr. Moor had never power to examine him any more, the wretch still desiring to be gone, the mother in the presence of MARGARET SELBY, MARGARET ORDE, and WILLIAM BEARD, charged him, that although he had been long the devil's servant, at last to be but a bridge for God's creatures to go over, in confessing the truth; who answered, Mistress, Mistress. If I were a young man, able to endure all the torments that should be laid on me, I would take my death that Mrs. DOROTHY Swinow was the death of the Lady HAMBLETON, the confumer of your son, and the Tormentor of your Daughter, and the cause of all your other troubles.  
Now whilst he was there the girl was never troubled, but he was not past the town's end, till she fell into a terrible fit; saying, DOROTHT Swinow with two Witches more were come to torment her worse than ever HUTTON did, and the one was a young woman, and the other an old: So that till they had Justice of DOROTHY Swinow, her mother and they should never be at peace: Upon this her mother rid to Justice FOSTER of Nuham, and upon Oath gave Information against both HUTTON and Mrs. Swinow, to apprehend them, who after delays apprehended him, and sent him to Newcastle goal, but not her, though it will appear she was three several times in his company after he had the Information upon Oath, whereof he gave her a copy, with the copy of Hutton's Examination, but would never let Mrs. MUSCHAMP see it; seeing that delay, she spoke with a Durham Justice at Bellford, which not being in the County, and in haste he could not grant her a Warrant to apprehend the said Mrs. Swinow; but bid Mr. FOSTER do Justice, which is not yet done.  
The girl having many tormenting fits, in the midst of which her Angels always appearing to her, banishing the Witches, which she apprehend; the girl would cry out and relate to her Angels how she by the two Witches had been tormented, forcing her to get the information, whereof her mother kept a copy; so that let her mother give the paper to whom she would, or lay it anywhere, the child would go to either place or party most strangely. As soon as her Angels departed. her torments leaving her, she told them that her enemies would have killed her: but justly might she sing the 35. Ps Plead thou my cause O Lord, &c. Repeating the first part thereof so sensibly and distinctly, that the Ministers there present admired to hear it. As likewise her declaring the death of the Rogue HUTTON in prison before it was known there, saying if he had been urged he would have discovered the other 2. Witches; foretelling many strange truths, appointing divers meetings with her Angels, such a day and such an hour, to consult with them what should become of her brother, and what punishment her enemies should have, bidding every one they should not so much as look after her, for if they did it would anger her Angels, and undo her, for there were some strange Angels besides her own to meet her; this being the fourth meeting with them, and it would declare all, saying she must have all clean clothes about her; for this day or to morrow she must meet them under such a tree in the Garden: After coming out of her fit, she remembered not any thing what was done or said.  
Her mother observing her words, which hitherto had been so remarkable, clothed her child all in white, and freely commended her to the Lord, watching his glorious time in the afternoon, being in a walk under a tree with her Brothers and sisters; suddenly she gave a great shrike, and skipped over a double ditch and another, and run to the Garden door. Her eldest sister came to her mother saying, Margaret is gone to her angel's meeting, who with haste ran with the key of the Garden door, where her child was standing, beating at it, saying, I come, I come: she opened the door and left her to her protector, and hastily went to the other side of the house to secure that part of the Garden: but (alas) ere she came, a wicked creature set on by the enemy's instigation, had been looking after her, and her child wringing her hands, weeping bitterly, as if she could have torn her flesh from the bones, or hair off her head, saying who was here? what wicked creature had stayed her blessed Angels from her; and for three hours together took on grievously, her mother weeping with her, begging of the Lord not to punish the innocent for the wickeds' fault. After some time the child went into the Garden again, where finding one of her Angels, she said, Lord, it was not my fault: but well is me that you will come unto me! but (alas) where are the rest? Her mother being within, hearing these words. A quarter of a year (a long time to be without comfort) still weeping: Then she had this Answer from her Angels, that for twelve weeks they would not visibly appear to her. This she remembered for three days, and related to her brothers and sisters and the rest of the household the shape of those Angels: which were bodied like Birds, as big as turkeys, and faces like Christians, but the sweetest creatures that ever eyes beheld: one of the strange ones came flying over the trees with a sweet voice, and gave her notice the rest were come; which she found most true. Two or three lighted upon the ground, and the rest with the heavenliest voices that ever were heard, with a resolution to declare the truth of all. And if the Justices, and Judges at the Assizes would not do justice, her own two Angels (who were always to her like a Dove and a Partridge) would visibly, to the admiration of all the beholders, appear like a man and a woman, and justify the truth, if the wicked wretch had not scared them away. But now the one of her Angels bid her have a care she were neither frighted nor angered for twelve weeks, in which time they would not come to her; but in the mean time her enemy would make every third fit a terrible one, which was most true.  
In the mean time Colonel Swinow died, and she comes into the country, and because FOSTER would do no justice, I got her apprehended in Berwick; she made such friends that it was a greater freedom to her than she had formerly from all other laws, and went at pleasure. The girl with her mother being one Sabbath day at Berwick Church, coming along the Bridge with her husband's son, and daughter; DOROTRY Swinow being at the farther end thereof, the girl never seeing her but in her fits, knew her and was ready to fall down in her mother's hand, crying yonder is the woeful thief; her mother knowing it true, said now to the girl it is not she, who answered, I have seen her a hundred times to my smart, it is she: her mother troubled much at the sight too, would have had the girl back, but her desire was to be at home, who was no sooner come in, but she fell inro a terrible fit, for two hours long; sometimes her tongue drawn in within her throat, other whiles hanging over her chin on her breast. Sad and heavy sights were seen in her afflictions, still bidding all that were by her see the wicked Wretch DOROTHY Swinow with the two Witches at her back, saying she would not let her go back to Berwick, lest the Justices should have been witnesses themselves; but let her come home, where she knew all their hearts were hardened: for alas, she said I have two weeks and two days yet before my Comforters come, which made her enemies thus cruel, that if it were in her power to take their lives she would but the Lords preserving power would never leave them who suffered these torments for his own glory and their soul's health saying, ours were but the corrections of a loving Father to show his great power in his weakest children, rejoicing exceedingly that he thought her (a sinful creature) worthy so much happiness, accounting it more joy to see her blessed Angels then all the world could afford, thanking God especially for making her a watch over her mother, brothers, and sisters, and would foretell strange things before they happened.  
When her 12. weeks were past, the very day and hour came divers to see the Event, and waited with patience her appointed time, which was the very minute of the hour of the day 12. weeks, they were scared from her, Mr. BROAD, Minister, Mr. STEVENS, physician, Mrs. MUSCHAMP, and Mrs. HAGARSTON, besides their own Neighbours were Witnesses, hearing her express much joy to meet with those long absent dear friends, relating the intention some had to look after them again; so apprehending them in the Chamber, where the Spectators heard her for two hours, most divinely and heavenly discourse with them, answering and replying to that religious discourse, praying for her enemy DOROTHY Swinow, with the tears running down her face, that if the Lord had mercy in store to grant her it, lamenting the sad condition she had run her soul into, for satisfying her malice to lessen her hope of eternity, making such a description between hell torments and heavenly joys, as that no Divine on earth could have gone beyond her: Crying out for Justice, saying, if she were in hold as a felon ought to be, her power would be gone, and their torments eased; but now with much joy she blessed God her Angels would never leave her again, whilst they were in affliction; saying, she would go to the Judges (and desired to carry her brother there to) and beg for Justice; if she got it, her brother should come home as well as ever he was, she no more tormented, and there should be no more hard heartedness against her mother, which the Lord knows was such without any just cause, that her passion is by God's power beyond imagination: Every fit she spoke to this effect, till the Sizes came: in her fit her brother asked her if it were possible that he could ride that could neither go or stand; she answered that the Lord would enable him, therefore he should go, and her Angels would go along with them, and bring them safe back again.  
So their Mother not daring to disobey such divine commands, whose confidence doth wholly depend upon God's providence from Heaven, rid behind her son, and came to the Judge, relating her sad condition; he heard her, but being falsely informed, did not resent it: she went to the Justices to remove DOROTHY swinows body to the County where the act was committed: they pretended ignorance, the children's mother went with them to a counsellor to instruct them, whose answer was he would not meddle in it: Yet these dejectments did not drive her from an undoubted confidence in an all sufficient God; the next day between one and two of the Clock in the afternoon the girl suddenly had a fit and after her torments her Angels appeared unto her, to them she complains, saying, no Justice abroad, no Peace at home, what should become of her mother? for that godless thief DOROTHY Swinow, by the instigation of the devil, had hardened the heart of both Judges and Justices against her, and now at this instant (Said she) is using means to harden her husband's heart against her too (which she knows will be cruelest to her of all) and withal begun to consume her eldest sister, and that she would this night, or to morrow morning go to the Judge, beg once more for Justice; if she got it, her Brother with the rest should be well, if not, worse than ever; saying, if the Judge denied her it, it would not be well with him; this was part of her two hours' discourse.  
Witnesses the Chamber full, amongst which was, 

Colonel SIPTHORP, and his Wife.  
Colonel RODDAM.  
Captain TOMPSON, his Brother and two Sisters.  
Mr ANDIRSON, and Mr. Swadwell.  
Mrs. CLETHER.  
Mrs. ALLGOOD.  
Dr. GENISON.     

BEfore she was out of her fit came Dr. GENISON, who invited the mother with her children to his house, being the next house to the judge's Chamber, in regard the girls first appointment was always kept; so after her supper sent to see if it were more convenient to wait upon the Judge that night, or the next morning: the answer was returned that night was fittest: So Dr. CLETHER and his wife, with Dr. GENISON and his, went along with the mother and their children thither, there was a great many spectators to see the Event.  
Thus being set down in the chamber, her mother began her former suit, in begging Justice: his answer was, that that which belonged unto the County Palatine of Durham, belonged not unto him: So she requested him in his return back, either to do it, or else give order to the Justices in the County to apprehend her; of a sudden the girl fell into a fit, relating before them all DOROTHY swinows malice from the beginning, the cause of the troubles that broke Sir Ro. Hambletons' heart, the death of his Lady, and how she sought still by evil means to take away her mother's life, when the Lord would not permit that, got leave first to torment her, then to consume her brother, and now hath begun to consume her eldest sister, and harden her Father in law's heart, to make her mother's life more sorrowful, with her hands up, and eyes fixed upon her objects, begged Justice for the Lord's sake, for Jesus Christ's sake; saying I ought to command Justice by the laws of the realm, in the name of our sovereign Lord the King, but I beg not in the name of any mortal man, but in the name of the King of Kings, Justice for Christ's sake, Justice for his mercy's sake, it we have but ordinary Justice, which ought not to be denied to the poorest creature who demands it, my brother that sits there shall go home as well as ever he did, I no more tormented, my mother no more afflicted, and my sister's torments at an end: if we have no justice my torments shall be doubled, my brother worse than ever he was, and my sister (which she hath this day begun to torment) worse than any of us, and my mother's afflictions, by the hardening of folk's hearts against her will be unsufferable; but the Lords preserving mercy will never leave them who depend upon his providence; but it will be worse for them who deny us justice then for us. These words with many more significant expressions, that the Judge thought she feigned: but as soon as she was out of her fit, did not know what was past, as all the beholders did see, only an innocent bashful girl, without any confidence at all when she was out of her fits. So her mother returned home with them, where she found her other girl began to consume.  
That night she came home the girl fell into a fit, pressing to vomit, but nothing came up but a piece of Fir-stick full of crooked pins: after her Angels came, she cried out of the judge's injustice, saying, now the enemy when she sees she can have no justice, strived to choke her with these things, being stones, coals, brick, Lead, straw, quills full of pins, with straw full of pins, tow, and virginal wire, all full of pins; one great stone for three weeks together came always to her throat and went back again, till at the last the Lord brought it up. She bid watch with her brother three weeks; for they would if they could either cut his throat in the night, or else burn him with fire; therefore let the Watchers be very wakeful, and careful, so blessed be God they were, and did hear as it were knives sharpening on the stairs, and 3 several times fire was found in the room one night, like to have burnt them, but by God's mercies were saved. She said now DOROTHY swihow was seeking a new way to take away her mother's life; for she was consuming the child within her, and withal bade them watch with her brother and sister that night twelve month they began to torment him (which was Saint John's day at night) betwixt the hours of 1. and 2. in the morning, and that very moment of the hour they would seek to take his life and the use of his sister's legs, if Christians prayers and diligent watching did not prevent them; so it pleased the Lord to move the hearts of good friends to watch with them till the hour came.  
The girl than had her fit, and cried out, the Grand Witch Meg is come to the door with a lighted Candle in each hand, pray on one half hour longer, and their power will be gone, who observed her request, there was a sudden smell of brimstone, but nothing seen by any; but here are some of their names that were witnesses to most of her trials, and first them that prayed by her.  

Mr. BROAD.  
Mr. Edward ORDE.  
Mr. GEORGE ATHERLONY.  
Mr. Edward More's six sons, and one Daughter.   
With divers others, which were too tedious to relate.   

AFter this her Brother and Sister continued still consuming, and she every other day falling into her fits, and after torment her Angels always appearing unto her, she still declares that DOROTHY Swinow hardened the hearts of all that her mother had to deal with, said, it should be worse and worse, till of an instant the Lord should make her greatest enemies her greatest friends; declaring how that if she were in hold her pain were gone, as well as Hutton's was for telling her own releasement a quarter of a year before it came; saying, it was neither for her own desires or her own ease, that the Lord released her, but to help her mother when she could not help herself, which was most true to her great grief and sorrow, but much joy to think that the Lord should not only foretell it, but enable her own to help her: She still expecting justice, sent these strange things the girl cast off her stomach to Durham, which could scarce be believed; yet by chance one being by at the casting of them, which was there present, got a Warrant to apprehend DOROTHY Swinow, and served it her own hands, with many contradictions ere it was done: Where DOROTHY Swinow came into a chamber in the constable's house, which afterwards she confessed was for fear of taking her blood, which was never in the others thoughts: Yet obeyed not that Warrant, till a second, than went but only and put in bail, as though it had been for an ordinary fault, which the girl in her fits cried out of, saying, that still gave her further power to work her wickedness. Still all this quarter the Girl in her fits desired them to watch with her, on Candlemas Eve, and they should not think their labour lost, and betwixt the hours of one and two the next day the glory of God should appear, her mother being confident of the Lord's mercy, gave notice to all that came nigh her; so some that feared God came to see the Event, which releasement being writ from her own mouth will confirm these warnings of her former trials, which have all with much patience been gone thorough, that the preserving mercies of the most glorious God, who never fails those that depend upon his most firm promises was never more declared on earth then in the weakest of his creatures, preserved by a gracious God, to whom let all that read and hear these unexpressible mercies, give all Glory, Honour, Laud, and Praises.  

The Expressions of MARGARET MUSCHAMP when she was in her last extreme fit, upon the second day of. FEBRUARY, 1647.  
THey thought because their time was but short, to have tormented me worse than ever, but I defy them.  
I have reason to bless God more for his mercies to me, than I think ever sinful creature had.  
Both my torments are at an end, and those fearful sights I do not now see, though it hath pleased God to suffer and let them have power to torment me, yet I was never without comfort.  
My time was sad when I had no comfort, but I thank God who hath given me patience.  
I bless God who never suffered the devil to have so much power, as to cause me blaspheme his name, or to speak words to offend him.  
It is a great mercy that he granted me patience to endure my pain; if it had pleased God I should have been content as well with torment as releasement.  

To her Angels.  
Because I shall have no more torment, shall not I see your faces again? That's sad to me, that's more grief to me, I had rather endure my pain; that's more grief ten thousand times, but since it's God's will, I am as well content with the one as the other, I still trust in God he will send you to protect and watch over us.  
I have endured my pains a great while, it is two years ago yesterday; yet I bless God for it, always with much patience, my pain hath been very vehement for the time, yet I bless God I did never speak words to offend him: I confess I do not deserve it, I deserve no such thing, rather Judgement, not such Godly chastisement: since he granted them power, he never left me to myself.  
Is this the last farewell? If it had been God's will, I had rather endured all the torments could be put to a creature.  
But since it hath pleased God it should be so, I am content, the thing that's his will, the Lord grant that it never be sorrowful to me, but make his will my will, that we may never repine.  
He knows the secrets of all hearts.  
As for that wicked woman, if she had had any fear of God, she would have thought that though she had done it never so secretly, yet God would find it out: She should have thought no such thing; but where the devil gets entrance, his temptations are very strong.  
These torments are more welcome to me, then if I had been in my perfect health; if I had not known what torments had been, what pain had been, I should never have seen such joyful sights: these are more joyful to me then all the pain.  
Our pain, what's all our pain? what's all the pain on earth? God's mercy is above the devil's power.  
Their time is limited.  
They sought my mother's life, but could not get it.  
Oh! to think of hell's torments which she hath run her soul into, that's more torment then all ours. its comfort for me, joy for me, that God hath shown his power, that God hath given the devil power to torment, I care not what the devil can do; I defy all the devils in Hell, for where the devil hath any power, he triumphs as much as he can, though he triumph and we are weak, God is strong, his power is not lessened.  
That wicked woman DOROTHY Swinow was the cause of the death of my Aunt MARGERY HAMBLETON, she was the cause of those troubles, which she thought should have broke my aunt's heart, but they broke Sir ROBERTS, that the estate might fall to her son: She was the cause of JAMES Faucet's unnatural fits, but she let him alone, because she knew that if he came to London he would follow her more strictly than we can here.  
She set two Witches more to torment us: Jo. HUTTON, that died in prison was my great tormenter, these Witches have begun my sister's torment, though our torments have been more long, yet her time hath been most sad, because she wanted comfort: though I have had my pains, I never wanted comfort.  
She hath entered into the devil's service, ought she not to think of the torment of her soul?  
If it had not been thus with us, we should have despised the mercies of God, our comfort is for joy in heaven, that's more comfort for us, that's more happiness to think of, than all our pains and torments; if our bodies were torn at horse heels, and dragged with wild bears, yet all were nothing to heaven's joys.  
Our souls are a precious jewel, we ought all to look after them; our bodies are but dust and ashes: if our bodies were tortured with all torments, one blink of heaven's joys will sweeten all.  
Now my torments are at an end, I care not though they were longer: the torment of my body is nothing, but to think of the torment she hath hazarded her soul into, is the torment of Hell fire.  
We confess we all deserve that, but not by that means she hath.  
None will believe it, she sets such a fair face upon it: where the devil tempts, delusions are strong.  
The devil hath gotten power to harden all hearts.  
Those that are to do us justice, will not: though they deny us justice, yet God can and will in his due time, grant us justice over them all.  
Though God hath suffered the devil to have power to torment us; they now have their times: certainly our times are in a better life; we have no pleasure here, all our pleasure is in the world to come.  
I have cause to bless God, who doth send these blessed Angels to watch over me: my pains were always with joy, never sorrowful, and when I had no comfort, yet I had hopes that God who laid them on me, would take them off me in his due time.  
Have not I reason to bless God? none hath reason more: the Lord grant I never forget his mercies: he hath been very merciful to us, in granting us patience to endure more than we could expect at his hands.  
What is this they have run their souls into? the Lord grant them hearts to repent them of their sins; the Lord grant us penitent hearts to repent us of our sins: we have all done as much as deserves hell, where is gnashing of teeth, pains, fire and brimstone for ever.  
We have cause to bless God that hath not suffered us to go neither to Witches, nor any of the devil's servants, but to look to God.  
No creature thought we could have endured, what can we endure of ourselves? No, without God we can do nothing, what cannot God enable us to endure? There is nothing that can be done, but we can do it by God's assistance, we cannot say we can do any thing of ourselves, no not the least thing in the World, seeing our help is in an able God, we can do any thing.  
I know the Lord will never suffer the devil to have any further power over our bodies; though they hurt our bodies, they shall not hurt our souls, they shall not come near our souls.  
Our souls are all the comfort we can expect, what are our bodies? Our bodies are nothing; I bless God that would have his glory tried on our weak bodies, which no creature thought could have endured such torment.  
We have reason my brother, sister, and all of us to bless God; yea, all creatures that behold it have reason to bless God, and to think that he is a merciful God to us, it is his mercy we know, it is his promise that all those that repent with penitent hearts, he is still ready to forgive them, we acknowledge it is God's mercy, not our deserts.  
They have tormented my brother a year a gone St. John's day at night, and they have tormented me two years agone yeasterday, my sister is pined away, they began with her since Lammas, she hath less comfort than we have had.  
She from the beginning hath had great pain without comfort, and though my pain have been sorest, yet I have had great comfort.  
Since God hath granted this day to be my releasement, have I not reason to bless this God? My brother and sister are still under their burden: Let them not think it a burden, but rather beg patience to endure it.  
If ever God give them health, we have all reason to have thoughts of eternity, and never to forget the word of God.  
My sister is worse than my brother, or then ever I was, my torments were vehement, sometimes a day, sometimes eight hours, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer; and though my time was sore and vehement, yet still I had ease after it, but my sister hath no ease.  
Now when I am released, what shall become of my brother and sister, if it please God to give them so much power as to torment them? If that God make me a watch over them, that I may declare their grief, it is a great mercy.  
They thought to have choked me, once they made me cast up pins, and stones, and things that creatures would not think possible should have come out of my mouth, yet God enabled me to endure that not any creature thought I could.  
They thought to have done the like to my Brother, but God did not suffer the devil to have so much power, but they have striven so to do.  
For my Brother GEORGE he had need to have a care of himself, he by the sight of me I saw consumed; we have reason to bless God he is away.  
If you love my sister bettyes' life bring her not home, you may as well take a knife and cut her throat, as be the cause of her torments.  
If they love my sister and brother's life, bring them not in sight one minute, by looking on them doth them more hurt than we think of.  
If my sister had gone away to and not looked so much on my Brother as she hath done it had been better for her.  
She hath done herself more wrong than us, in setting these two more against us, though it hath pleased God to let them have so much power over our bodies, yet they never had power over our souls.  
They are trying all ways in the world to have power to torment my Mother, they are seeking to torment her by an unnatural way, if we have not a care of ourselves, and one of another by God's mercies.  
Shall they never have more power to torment me?  
They thought this last night to have made me more passionate than ever I was; I bless God though they made me somewhat passionate, yet still God enabled me with patience not to be much extravagant much after their desires, those Justices all of them have denied us Justice: Let them take heed of themselves: Let them take heed of a heavy burden that may fall upon themselves: Though our Mother be loving unto us; yet let them take heed of a heavy burden may fall on them: I wish to God it be not so, that the innocent do not suffer, the Lord grant they may have a sensibleness of the wrong they have done us, and suffer not the innocent to endure for them.  
Now after this, when they cannot get power to torment me, will they ever be more vehement with my brothers and sisters?  
Whensoever she is put in hold till she come to her trial she should not have her liberty; for if she come abroad amongst her company, she will be as cruel as ever.  
If these two Witches were catched and in hold, she would go to death to the utmost to make them more vehement than ever: though they torment the rest, yet they shall never have power to torment me.  
It is said in the word of God, you shall not suffer a Witch to live; yet she consults with Witches, and consults with their ways, which by the law of God deserves death.  
Shall I never behold your faces again? If it were so it would be more sad to me then all my pain: Though you be not in my sight, yet I trust in God's mercy so much, as that you will still watch over us, and protect us.  
God grant we never forget God's mercies, to be impatient, seeing we have rest in torment.  
What mercies can be shown unto a creature, but it hath pleased God to show it to me? that it hath pleased him to grant me so much patience, though of myself I was not sensible of my torments, that was a mercy and much comfort to my soul, that though they tormented my body, they never had power to cause me speak unbefitting words to hazard my soul.  
But had it not pleased God to have sent you to me that time, what have would become of me? I had been distracted and like a mad body.  
When the devil was strong and had most power, God still crossed him of his opportunity.  
Those that are so malicious, seldom any thing satisfies their minds, save this extravagant way, that is a fore thing: many times malice is never satisfied without life: shall I never see you with my eyes here? yet ye will reveal this, either by me, or by some other means  
It shall be more strange before it be all declared. Now after this time shall I never have more torment by any Witch, nor none I hope. Shall I meet you in such a place, at such a time? I will.  
Seeing you have set me that time of appointment, I hope you will put me in mind of it: I will, if it be God's will to make me do it.  
Mr. FRANCIS BROAD, and Mr. GEORGE ATHERLONY two Ministers, with Doctor STEPHENS a physician, were with her in divers of her last tormenting fits.  
These words were spoken in the hearing of two Ministers, and at least a hundred others. And taken by Mr. Edward Ord.    

MARGARET WHITE of CHATTON, her own Confession of herself.  
COnfesseth and saith, That she hath been the devil's servant these five years' last past, and that the devil came to her in the likeness of a man in blue clothes, in her own house, and gripped her fast by the hand, and told her she should never want, and gave her a nip on the shoulder, and another on her back; And confesseth her Familiar came to her in the likeness of a black greyhound, and that the devil had carnal knowledge of her in her own house two several times.   
Likewise the said MARGARET White's Confession upon Oath of others, as followeth, viz. Mrs. DOROTHY Swinow of CHATTON, and JANE MARTIN of the same, and sister to the said MARGARET, WHITE of CHATTON, aforesaid,  

Confesseth upon Oath that Mrs. Swinow, and her sister JANE, and herself were in the devil's company in her sister JANES house, where they did eat and drink together (as by her conceived) and made merry.  
And Mrs. Swinow, and her the said Margaret's sister with herself, came purposely to the house of Mr. Edward Moor of spital, to take away the life of MARGARET MUSCHAMP and MARY, and they were the cause of the children's tormenting, and that they were three several times to have taken away their lives, and especially upon St. John's day at night gone twelve months; And saith that God was above the devil, for they could not get their desires perfected; and saith, that Mrs. Swinow would have consumed the child that Mrs. Moor had last in her womb, but the Lord would not permit her; and that after the child was borne Mrs. Swinow was the occasion of its death, and Mrs. Swinow came riding on a little black Nag to the spital with a riding coat, and that she and her sister were also the occasion, and had a hand in the death of the said child: And further confesseth that she and her said sister were the death of Thomas Young of Chatton (by reason) a kill full of Oates watched against her sister's mind; And further saith, that the devil called her sister Jane (Bess:) She confesseth, that her sister Jane had much troubled Richard Stanley of Chatton, and that she was the occasion of his sore leg.  
This is acknowledged and confessed to be true, before John Sleigh Justice of Peace, and Robert Scot town clerk of Barwick. MARGARET WHITE, I her mark   
This was confirmed after, in the presence of Mr. Ogle of Eglingame, Mr. Walton of Etherstone, Mr. Foster of Newham, Justices of the Peace, being present a multitude of people at Kime●stone: This same was afterward taken upon Oath at Morpeth, in the presence of Mr. Delavall, High sheriff of Northumberland, Mr. Ogle, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Delavall, Mr. Shafto, Mr. Kilinworth, Mr. Hall, six Justices of the Peace. Warrants issued out after her indictment was found, for the apprehending of her, but as yet not taken.  

Northumber. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis tent. apud Alnwick pro Com. pred. die Mercurii viz. 24. die Aprilis, 1650. Coram Gulielmo Selby Mil. Georgio Fenwick Ar. Henrico Ogle Ar. & al. Justic. ad Pacem in Com. pred. conservand. assignat. &c. Necnon, &c.  
Nomina Jurator. ad Inquirend. &c. 

Johannes Ilderton. Ar.  
Will. Armorer, Gen.  
Nich. Forster, Gen.  
Ephr. Armorer, Gen.  
Franc. Alder. Gen.  
Richard. Widhouse, Gen.  
Georgius Lisle, Gen.  
Alex. Armorer, Gen.  
Christoph. Ogle, Gen.  
Edvardus Bell, Gen.  
Radulphus Watson, Gen.  
Hugh Arrowsmith, Gen.  
Jo. Creswel. Gen.  
Joh. Ord, Gen.  
Georgius Craw, Gen.  
Franc. Forster, Gen.  
Henricus Johnson, Gen.    
Qui quidem Jurator, putant ut sequitur.   

IUr. pro Custod. libert. Angl. Authoritat. Parliamenti super sacram suam presentant. quod Dorotheo Swinow nuper de Chatton in Com. Northumber. Vid. 24 die Martii Anno Dom. millesimo, sexcentesimo, quadragesimo, octavo, ac divers. al. dict. & vicibus tam antea quam postea Deum pre oculis non hab. sed instigatione Diabolicaseduct. quosd. malas & Diabolicas Artes Angl. vocat Witchcrafts, enchantments, charms, and Sorceries, nequit Diabolic. ac Felonice apud spital in Com. Palatin. Dunelm. die & Anno supradict. usa fuit & exercit. ratione quarundum malarum & Diabolicarum Artium quidem Sibilla Moor de spital pred. in Com. Palatin. Dunelm. pred. infans existen. & ad tunc in Pace Dom. R. ad tunc existen. a pred. vicesimo quarto die Martii supradict. usque primam diem Aprilis Anno supradict. languebat. & pred. Sibilla apud Insulam Sacram in Com. Palatin. pred. ad mortem suam devenit & vitam suam dimisit & sic Jur. pred. super sacr. suum pred. dicunt quod Vid. Dorothea pred. Sibilla ratione practitionibus & exerit. Diabol. Artium pred. apud Insul. sacr. pred. in Com. Palatin. Dunelm. pred. modo & forma pred. Felonice & Diabolice interfecit Contr. Pacem Publicam nunc.  
Copia. Ex. per Crow. Cl. Pa.   

Northumber. Ad Generalem Sessionem Pacis tent. apud Alnwick pro Com. pred. die Mercurii, viz. vicesimo quarto die Aprilis 1650. Coram Gulielmo Selby mil. Georgio Fenwick Ar. & Henrico Ogle Ar. & al. Justic. ad Pacem in Com. pred. concernant. assignant. &c. Necnon &c.  
Whereas Dorothy Swinow of Chatton widow, doth stand indicted at this Sessions of divers Witchcrafts, enchantments, charms, and Sorceries, and especially for useing and practising the said diabolical Arts upon Sibilla Moor an Infant and Child of Mrs. Mary Moor widow: It is therefore Ordered by the Court, and the High sheriff of the said County, his bailiffs and Officers, and all others whom it may concern, are hereby required forthwith to apprehend the body of the said Dorothy Swinow, & her to carry & convey unto the Goal of the said County, there to remain until she shall be thence delivered by due course of Law.  
To the High sheriff of the said County, and to all Constables and Officers, whom it may concern.  
Crow, Cl. Pac.   

Northumber. Ralph Delaval Esquire, High sheriff of the said County, to all bailiffs of Liberties, sheriffs, bailiffs, Constables, and whomsoever else it may concern, greeting;  
By virtue of an Order from the Sessions of the Peace to me directed, these are to charge and command you, and every of you, that immediately upon sight hereof, you attach and apprehend the body of Dorothy Swinow of Chatton widow, and her safely convey to the Common goal at Morpeth, there to remain until she shall be from thence delivered by due course of Law; hereof fail not, as you will answer the contrary at your utmost perils.  
Given under the seal of my Office this 26. day of April, Anno Domini, 1650. Per eundem Vic.    
FINIS.