A true Discourse concerning the certain possession and dispossession of 7 persons in one family in Lancashire, which also may serve as part of an Answer to a feigned and false Discovery which speaketh very much evil, aswell of this, as of the rest of those great and mighty works of God which be of the like excellent nature.  
By George More, Minister and Preacher of the word of God, and now (for bearing witness unto this, and for justifying the rest) a prisoner in the Clinke, where he hath continued almost for the space of two years.  
Remember thou magnify the work of God which men behold. job. 36.24.  
We speak that we know, & testify that which we have seen: but ye receive not our testimony. job. 3.11.  
1600.   

To the Christian READER.  
FOrasmuch good Reader as it is the manner of men that set forth any story, though it be but short, to give a Reason of their purpose therein, lest they should seem either rashly to attempt that which is not convenient, or otherwise busy themselves to bring forth that which is not necessary, for this cause I have thought good to prefix these Reasons ensuing to this discourse, that so the weighing of them might make the matter something more worth in their conceit, with whom nothing (though of itself it be never so savoury) tasteth well, except it be rare and excellent, neither can they digest that, which is very good and wholesome, except it be of great consequence and expectation: this sort may mislike the handling of this strange story in this harsh manner, whiles they affect great and high things: yet the moving causes of setting it out being considered, may overcome that curiosity, and work some contentment.  
First then in respect that both the Story of the possession & dispossession of Thomas Darling, and also many things concerning the strange handling of William Summers to second the same, are both put in print, & though the truth of both be sufficiently cleared therein, yet there is great opposition both by word & writing offered of set purpose to hinder the crediting of either: I thought it fit to add to these two the story of those in Lancashire, as famous as the rest, both in that they were 7 in one family all possessed at once, as also that they were all 7 dispossessed within two days by prayer and fasting: that this also being published as the third glorious witness of the wonderful works of God wrought and seen in 3 several Shires of our land, all men might be the more moved to believe the truth of these things: seeing at the mouth of 3 such sufficient witnesses, it is so surely sealed up and confirmed.  
secondly, in respect of the papists who do more malign this particular of Lancashire then any of the rest, labouring mightily and by many means both to discredit and disannul it; whereupon some of them have given it out, that those 7 were not possessed: other say, that they were all 7 possessed but never yet dispossessed: and some others of them affirm, that they were all dispossessed, yet not by Preachers of the Gospel, but by their Seminaries, & mass-priests: and this last runs for current among them.  
For there being 8 or 9 Seminaries in the Clink, divers of them stood out against me to my face, and told me, that what soever was done in Lancashire by us, was done by conjuring and knavery: And though M. Starkie himself did justify the whole matter, and cleared it from all their slanders, and that before the chiefest of them in the Clink, yet they received not his testimony, but told him, they had received the report of this from a Gentleman in that country, whom they would credit before him in this case. And no marvel, for if the Church of England have this power to cast out devils, than the Church of Rome is a false Church, for there can be but one true Church, the principal mark whereof (as they say) is to work miracles, and of them this is the greatest, namely to cast out Devils. And hereupon conferring at another time with two of them, they brought out this bold protestation, that if we could prove any such power to be in our Church, and show them an infallible instance or example to justify the practice thereof, then would they join themselves to your Church assemblies, and freely embrace our religion.  
thirdly, in respect of that gross and great error, which is a common and received opinion among the most, namely, that we do challenge to ourselves some special gift to cast out Devils above other men, which though we have utterly disclaimed, yet many do ignorantly ascribe the effect of the work wrought, rather to some extraordinary power in us, then to the ordinance of Christ, which in no case ought so to be.  
But chiefly I have taken in hand this brief discourse for the better clearing both of Ma. Darrell and myself, from those accusations and slanders of cozenage & counterfeiting, werwithall we are charged both by word and writing, as if we were guilty thereof, even in this particular of Lancashire.  
For there is a book of a large volume lately come out under the name of S. H. crosshing and contradicting the whole course of proceeding for Mai. Darrel's clearing, 
Discover. book 1. chap 5. pag. 29.  yoking me also with him in this devilish legerdemain (as they term it) calling us a couple of cousining hypocrites, using also many other bad terms.  
The title of this book is termed, A discovery of fraudulent practices concerning pretended possessions. It contained 5 books, the firct whereof doth more concern me, & the matter of fact for Lanca●hire, than the rest do: so much therefore as I can conveniently for the clearing of both, I will answer unto, and leave the rest unto him who hath just occasion offered, to use his best defence in that behalf.  
lastly for that this discoverer, 
Discover● book 1. chap. 3. pag. 17. book ●. chap. 10. pag 58. book 5. chap. 8. pa. 324.  whosoever he be, finds great fault with some of our friends, for that they spoke so much of the dispossession of Summers in a little treatise or two, but nothing of the dispossession of these 7 in Lancashire and of some others: And seems sometimes to challenge us to make our answer, if we have any more to say, and to speak for ourselves what we can.  
Upon these just occasions, I have undertaken this short discourse, hoping here by to detect the falsehood of this discovery concerning this particular fact, by clearing it, and in it the rest which are like unto it, of such malicious slanders as are raised against it: that so all things being faithfully described from point to point, appertaining to this matter, all men may see, both what great cause I have above any other to defend this, as the wonderful work of God, as also that it might better appear, whether we or they that have written and dealt against us, be deepest in this dissimulation, and who be greatest cousiners and decey●●ers.   

A brief and true discourse containing the certain possession and dispossession of 7 persons in one family in Lancashire, as namely of john Starkie, Anne Starkie, Margaret Hurdman, Ellynor Hurdman, Ell●● Holland, Margaret Byrom, and jane Ashton, which may serve (as an interim) for a piece of an answer to that fraudulent discovery lately come out, which depraveth these, aswell as the rest of those great & mighty works of God, which be of the same kind.  

IN this discourse, I mean not to meddle with that deceitful and depraving discovery, further than concerns this matter of fact for Lancashire only, reserving all matters of opinion, and the answering of all their objections, to a more full and fit time. And so avoiding all tediousness as near as I can, I will endeavour fully and plainly to reveile the truth, that I may quickly dispatch the story.  
And because the drift of this desperate detractor is to detect our dealing with the 7 to be a deceivable practise, aswell as the rest which are (by him) pretended so to be: And that this chiefest opposition unto this work consisteth in 5. principal things, which bring sore urged, and easily received, will endanger greatly the credit of the Story. In respect hereof. I will digest this whole discourse into 5 principal heads or chief places; which may serve fitly, both to give more light to the story, and for a more direct answer to the discovery.  
In the first place, I will as truly as I can describe the state of these persons and of their strange and troublesome afflictions, together with the outward causes and occasions thereof, which also continued for the most part, for the space of two years and a half, before we came unto them.  
Secondly, I will set down the strange signs showed forth by them, both generally and particularly, to prove that they were truly and actually possessed.  
In the 3 place I will show the causes and occasions of our coming into Lancashire, & what beginning & proceeding we made in performing that great work which we took in hand.  
Fourthly, I will manifest the means, & clear the manner of their deliverance.  
And lastly, I will briefly mention the signs of their dispest s●●ō, which may serve to clear it from all suspicion.  
These points I purpose briefly to touch, & not to handle the at large according to the worthiness of the matter, which indeed is such as doth deserve both a more full discourse, and also a more pregnant faculty to commend it, than I am able to afford.  
In the first place, order requireth, that we show● the state of these 7 persons afflicted, before we come unto them, which was most strange and fea● full, and how it came so to pass, and of the continuance of it for th● space of two years and more: all which may plainly appear by this which followeth.  
At Cl●worth in Lancashire within the parish of Leigh, there dwelleth one Nicholas Starkie gentleman, who married a gentle woman that was an inheretrix, and of whose kindred some were papists, of whom some partly for Religion, and partly for that the land descended not to the heirs male, wished and vowed still to pray for the perishing of her issue, and accordingly 4 of her children (though at their birth likely to lin●) yet afterward pined away in most strange manner.  
Some of M rs starkie's kindred observing how one child pined away after another, moved with compassion, told Mistrers Starkie of the said unnatural vow, she here ●pon conceived such a grief, that she made an estate of her land to her husband & his heirs, (all issue failing herself.) After which conveyance made, Mistress Starkie had two children, a son and a daughter, both which prospered well, till they came to 10 or 12 years of age, but then with siue more in her family, they were possessed and vexed with evil spirits, as the sequel doth declare.  
In the beginning of February 1594: first Anne the daughter was taken with a dumpish heavy countenance, and with a certain fearful starting & pulling together of her-bodie. About a week after, john Starkie the son was taken as he was going to school, and was compelled to shout vehemently, not being able to stay himself. After this they waxed worse and worse, falling into often strange & extreme fits.  
Wherewith M. Starkie grieved & having been at charges 200 lb. or thereabouts, sought remedy without due regard, (for to speak of no more) he went to a Seminary Priest, who could do no good, because (forsooth) he had not then his books, whereupon M. Starkie continued still seeking for help: and heard of one Edmond Hartley a witch whom he made acquainted with the state of his children, and with large offers craved his help: in the end Hartley consented to come. Who being there, and having used certain popish charms and herbs, by degrees, the children were at quiet, & so continued, seeming to be well almost a year and a half; All which time Hartley came often to visit them, at length he feigned as though he would go into another country, but whither M. Starkie might not know, and when he began to go his way, john Starkie fell a bleeding, and Hartley coming to him, said, if he had been but 40 roods from him, none could have staunched him, and thus it fell out at other times.  
M. Starkie then fearing lest his children would be much troubled in his absence, & he uncertain where to find him, offered to give 40. shillings a year pension for his assistance in time of need, which offer at the first he consented to accept, but afterward not satisfied, he coveted more (house and ground:) which when M. Starkie refused to give, he threatened in a fume in the absence of M. Sta●kie, but in the hearing of many, that if he would not fulfil his mind, he would m●●k such a shower at Clew●rth, as never was heard, which was also ●ffected in such a hideous and fearful manner, as the like in England hath not been heard.  
After this Mai. Sta●kie going to his Father's house, this Hartley went with him, who being there after he was in bed, was tormented sore all night long: the next day being recovered, he went into a little would not far off from the house where he made a Circle the compass of a yard and half, with many crosses and partitions, which being finished he came back to call M. Starkie, telling him what he had done, and desired him to go and tread out his circle, for he said he might not do it himself. This being also dispatched, well quoth he, now I shall trouble him that troubled me, and be meet with him that sought my death.  
When M. Starkie perceived this, & many other bad qualities in this fellow, he warred weatie of him, especially seeing no amendment in his children but that they rather became worse and worse, he then sought (though secretly) for other help to the Physicians: after that to one Doctor Dee at Manchester, who wished Ma● Starkie to crave the help & assistance of some godly Preacher, with whom he should join in prayer and fasting, for the help of his children.  
He procured also the said Hartley the Witch to come before him, whom he so sharply reproved, that the children had better rest for some 3 weeks after.  
But then they began their accustomed fits: first john Starkie about the 4 of januarie 96. as he was reading of a book, something gave him such a thump in the neck, that he was suddenly stricken down with a most horrible skrike, and said that Satan had broken his neck, lying there pitifully tormented for the space of two hours.  
At night on the same day being in bed, he leapt out on a sudden with such a terrible outcry, that amazed them all, being tossed and tumbled a long time, being exceeding fierce and strong like a mad man, or rather like a mad dog, that I may so speak, snatching at and biring every body that laid hold on him, not sparing in that fit● his own mother: sm●ing furiously all that came near him, hu●ling the bed staves at their heads, and throwing the pillows into the fire.  
His sister Anne likewise began again to be troubled, & three other young girls in the house, of whom Mai. Starkie had the education, with their portions committed unto him by their parents. The first was Margaret Hurdman of 14 years age: the second Ellinor her sister of 10 years: the third Ellen Holland of 12 years, these all had many strange and sore fits being possessed by this witch's means: His manner was when he meant them a mischief, than he would kiss them if he could, and therewith breath the Devil into their bodies: he kissed john Starkie, and all the maids that were possessed, Margaret Byrom, jane Ashton, & all: he struggled much with one joan Smith to have kissed her, but with much a do she escaped his hands, so that of all the maid servants, she only was preserved and not once troubled at al. Whereupon Ellinor said in one of her fits, that if Edmond had kissed her, three men could not have held her.  
Margaret Byrom of 33 years, a kinswoman to Mistress Starky, coming to. Cleworth to see her friends, in her continuance there began to be troubled like the rest, & by the same means; for Hartley the Witch being in a sore fit in the night, she in a desire to comfort him, went into his chamber and sat down by his bed side, and began to speak unto him, and it was not long before he rose up, and sitting upon his bed, he leaned his head down to the maid who sat just underneath him, whereupon she was suddenly taken that she could neither stand nor speak; when she endeavoured to arise, she could not; when others held her up, she sunk down & became senseless: but Edmond the Witch left her and went to another room, and he had no more fits after while he was at Cleworth, though he had diverse before he met with this maid.  
jane Ashton of the age of thirty years, being the last that was possessed, confessed, that once crossing of Edmond, he told her, she had best be content, or else he would anger the best vain in her heart: at other times she said, he offered great kindness & large promises in the way of marriage, and had kissed her also: the like loving affections he sometimes showed to Margaret Byrom, as she confessed, and had kissed her also as it was thought.  
About the 14 of lanuarie, the 5 youngest sort began the renewing of their strange fits, entering ordinarily thereinto by a very sudden and fearful skriking, barking & howling, in such a hideous noise, as can not be expressed.  
Shortly after this time, Margaret Byrom hasted homeward to her mother's house at Salford near Manchester, hoping to find some more ease and release from her fits than she did at Cleworth: she taking her leave, Edmond the witch said he would go with her home though he never came again, so she went accompanied with him and another: in the way being 7 miles, she had 10 fits: when she was recovered, she desired Edmond to tell her how she might be helped; he told her plainly, that both she and the rest were passed his hands, and that no one man could do them any good, it was too great a work, but they must be 3, or 2 at the least with fervent and hearty prayer.  
After she came home, her fits doubled and still increased, Edmond came to her every day: so soon as she saw him she fell strait into a fit, and therein sorer handled than ever she was before. There came in divers to see her, and some Preachers, who found Edmond with her, and suspecting him by some signs, asked himwhat he did with the maid, he said that he came to pray with her. Pray! quoth one, why man thou canst not pray: yes but I can, quoth he: say then the Lords prayer, said the Preacher: and he began to fumble about it very ilfavouredlie; but could not for his life say it to the end. They then thought him to be a witch, & caused him presently to be apprehended, and brought before 2 justices of peace, where he was examined, and after divers witnesses had come against him, the justices sent him back to Margaret Byrom, that she might accuse him to his face; but so soon as she saw him, straightway she fell down backwards and became speechless, this was tried the second time, yea 5 times was he brought to her, & she was ever cast down, and stricken dumb, so that she could not speak one word against him.  
Yet when he was taken away, and set behind the backs of the people, she recovered herself, began to speak to him, & to charge him with many things, upon which accusations of hers, & many other testimonies taken against him for witchery, he was by the justices sent to Lancaster jail. In the way thitherward, he came by Cleworth to fetch his clothes to carry with him: the 2 of February 1597. and all the children seeming to be well before he came, presently they fell into very violent and outrageous fits; they made at him all at once, offering to strike him; It was much a do for two strong men to hold the least of them; and if they had not been forcibly restrained, the witch had been in great danger, for they were so fierce and furious against him, as if they would have pulled him in pieces.  
After this, about the beginning of March, when Ma. Hopwood justice of peace came of purpose to take the testimony of these 5 children against Edmonde the witch, to carry to Lancaster at the Assizes to further his indictment, than these 5 every one became speechless, and being called for one after another, they fell and sunk down by the way, not being able to go, nor to stand, nor speak one word. After the justice was gone, they complained that Edmond had stopped their mouths, & would not suffer them to speak.  
At the same time jane Ashton began to howl, and to bark, when she should be brought in for a witness against Edmond, whereupon one of the younger girls said then in her fit: Ah Edmond, dost thou trouble her now, when she should testify against thee.  
Margaret Byrom also two nights before her examination against Edmond, had divers apparitions, wherein she was sore terrified by the Devil in edmond's likeness, charging her deeply to take heed what she said against him, for now the time was come.  
And when the Assizes came, Edmonde was brought forth, arraigned, and convicted: Mai. Starkie having charged him with bewitching his children, which he proved sufficiently, & made it evident to the whole bench: howbeit (for that) they could find no law to hang him, whereupon M. Starkie called to mind the making of the circle (whereof we have already spoken) which being delivered upon his oath, was received. Yet Edmond stiffly denied it, and stood out against him, and told him to his face, that he should not hang him, let him do what he could, (for the Devil had promised him, that no halter should hang him) yet the jury cast him; the judge condemned him, Hartley was hanged & the halter broke, whereupon he penitently confessed, that he had deserved that punishment, and that all which M. Starkie had charged him with, was true, and so he was hanged out the second time.  
Now this being so, as you have heard, how detestable then is that Discovery which is come out, fraught with so many fraudulent accusations against this cause, specially charging these 7 persons to be all counterfeits, & that M. Darrel had taught them that deceitful trade, coupling me equally with him in that crafty juggling (as they call it,) making us bewitching mates, and joint companions, working together in that cozenage. Against which infamous slander, that which hitherto hath been observed, is sufficient to clear us. For herein we have seen the parties proved to be bewitched. Secondly the parties bewitching every one of them. Third lie, the causes thereof mentioned in the beginning. Fourthly, diverse & sundry witnesses. Fiftly, his apprehending, examining, imprisoning, indighting, condemning, & executing, are upon record. Moreover, the jury, the judge, and the Bench, together with the whole Assizes held at Lancaster, about the 6 of March Anno 1597: do all bear witness to our innocency and do justify us to be just men, concerning this matter, and with great indignation, do detest and defy all detecting discoveries to the contrary whatsoever: And last of all, that memorable execution of Edmond Hartley the conjuror & witch, who was hanged with a witness: the gallows, the halter, and his double hanging, together with that last and famous confession out of his own mouth, that he was the man that had done the deed, and only guilty of bewitching these 7 several parties, and of sending evil spirits into them. This famous champion doth challenge this discoverer to be but a deceivable detractor, and a false accuser of the brethren: And is also most sufficient to clear us in this matter, against all Atheists and Papists, and the whole world. And thus much shall suffice for the first point.   

The second part.  
THe second thing that must be cleared in this Discourse, is the possession of these 7 persons, to which purposel will proceed to show the strange signs acted by every one of them in particular first, & after contract them more briefly in the general, by which I hope it will appear to the indifferent Reader, that such great things were done by them, as be very hard & unusual quite beyond the nature of things, & such as neither by art, nor any humane skill could be counterfeited: that as the first part of this Discourse hath cleared us from counterfeiting; so this may be sufficient to prove the truth of their possession, contrary to that overbold, & confident confutation made by the discoverer, who laboureth both tooth and nail, to cross and contradict the same.  
Frist john Starkie son and heir of M. Nicholas Starkie, among sundry fits had some very rare and strange, wherein he showed very extraordinary knowledge, for he being but of the age of 12 years, or there about, did in his trance declare the strange sins of this land committed in all estates & degrees of people, denounced the fearful judgements of God due unto them. He then exhorted his parents, & the people there present to repent, that they might avoid all those grievous plagues, and wished that all the whole land might do the like. After this he made a most excellent prayer, first for the whole church, then for the Queen's Majesty for the subduing of her enemies, for the continuance of her life, and peaceable government, for the upholding of the Gospel, and for all the true Ministers of Christ, for those that have Authority, for his parents, and all the people of God. In this exhortation & prayer, he continued above two hours performing the same so excellently both for the matter and manner of handling and uttering the same, as they that heard it did admire it, & thought that a good preacher could very hardly have done the like, this being done, he sung a good piece of the 4 Psalm in a most sweet and heavenly tune, as ever might be heard. All this was done in a trance, his eyes being closed up, & neither knew what he said nor did; In this long and continued speech, his father wished him to lie still, & to speak no more: saying unto him, son, thou marrest thy head, and canst not tell what thou sayest: yes father, quoth he, I know well what I say: then said his father, thou canst tell me how many persons be in this chamber and what be their names: thereupon he reckoned them, and told the names of every one of them, to the number of 18 or 19 his eyes being close shut up, as they had been all the morning before, the neighbours, and some strangers having come in after he begun his fit, and in the end he said unto his father, there is now one of your Tenants newly come into the chamber, he told him his name, & that he dwelled far of in the peak, let him come said he, and take me by the hand, and I shall see & be well for this time, & so it came to pass, at which they all marveilled, and asked him whether he remembered what he had said all that long time: and he denied flatly, that he had spoken any thing at all.  
Secondly, Margaret Hurdman, of the age of xiii. years, being in a trance of 3 hours long, and possessed at that time, as it seemed, with a spirit of pride, did most lively express both by words and gestures, the proud women of our times: who can not content themselves with any sober or modest attire, but are ever ready to follow every new and disguised fashion, and yet never think themselves fine enough: whereupon she said, come on my lad, for so she called the spirit that stood before her in that likeness, to teach her all the tricks of pride, come on and set my partlet on the one side as I do on the other: and as she was a setting of it, she said unto him, thus, my lad, I will have a fine smock of silk, it shallbe finer than thine. I will have a petticoat of silk, not of red, but of the best silk that is: it shallbe guarded a foot high; it shallbe laid on with gold lace; it shall have a french body, not of Whalebone, for that is not stiff enough, but of horn, for that will hold it our; it shall come low before, to keep in my belly: my lad, I will have a French farthingale, it shallbe finer than thine; I will have it low before and high behind, & broad on either side, that I may lay my arms upon it. My lad, thy gown is crimson satin, but mine shallbe of black wrought velvet, it shallbe finer than thine, I will have my sleeves set out with wire, for sticks will break, and are not stiff enough. I will have my perwincle so fine, finer than thine. I will have my cap of black velvet with a feather in it, with slewes of gold, and my hairs shallbe set with pearls, finer than thine. I will have my partlet set with a rebater, and starched with blue starch, & pinned with a row or two of pings. With this she snatched the partlet from her neck and threw at him, saying: Take it thou, for I can not make it so fine as thine. I pray thee come and help me to set it as fine as thine. My lad, I will have a busk of Whale-bone, it shallbe tied with two silk points, and I will have a drawn wrought stomacher imboste with gold, & a girdle of gold finer than thine. I will have my hose of orange colour, this is in request, & my cork shoes of red spanish leather, finer than thine. I will have a scarf of red silk, with a gold lace about the edge. I will have a fan, with a silver steal and a glass set in it, finer than thine. My lad, thou must bring me a pair of gloves of the finest leather, that may be, with two gold laces about the thumb, and a fringe on the top with flewes and red silk underneath, that I may draw them through a gold ring, or else I will none of them.  
My lad, I will have my basin and ewer of silver, and my towel of silk, finer than thine: I will have my gelding and saddle and furniture fit, my footstool also fine and brave, or else I will not ride, I will have my cloak and safeguard laid with lace most fine and brave, and finer than thine, and presently after this, she said, I defy thee Satan and thy pride, for this is thy illusion and deceit, I will none of it, and then reverting said, jesus bless me, but remembered nothing that she had either said or done.  
At another time in her fit she went to the maids as they were washing of clothes, and began to wash with them, and though they were two lusty women, and she but a young girl, yet she washed more for the space of an hour so quick and so fine, that they could not come near her.  
Thee; is Margaret Byron, of whom there be many things worthy to be observed: She being at Mai. starkie's house about the end of january, was for the space of a whole day and a night grievously molested & sore frighted with a terrible vision which appeared unto her lying in bed, (swelling & tumbling) like a fowl black dwarf, with half a face, long shagged hair, black broad hands, & black cloven feet; she ever fearing lest he came to carry her away: and when she began to pray, he threatened that if she did pray, he would carry her away: she was in such a strait, that she knew not what to do, whether to pray or not to pray: yet in the end she resolved that she would pray to the Lord, for her help was only in him, who indeed gave her strength and courage to call earnestly unto him; presenthe Satan removed and vanished away.  
At her mother's house at Salforde, six times within 6 weeks Satan sought to pine her, in not suffering her to eat nor drink for divers days together: and if at the earnest request of her friends she did offer to drink, he would cast both her & the drink down together. And again at other times she would eat up all, were it never so much: with such snatching and greediness, like a hungry d●gge: all was fish that came to net; she spared nothing, devouring all that came, and yet still crying that she had nothing: she thought she could have eaten up half a calf: and yet after that great abundance of meat and drink, her belly seemed as empty as at the first, so that they all wondered at that which she had eaten, and marveled also which way it went.  
Sometimes also the spirit would appear unto her in the likeness of a great black dog, with opemmouth, & the greatestchaine that ever she saw, being very thick and long, drawing it after him, wherewith he did cross her, and took her legs from under her; she had little rest for the space of 6 weeks, either day or night: yea inanie times when the people stood round about her, she was taken suddenly and violently cast headlong sometimes under the bed, sometimes under the coffers, and sometimes thrown to the bars of the fire, and there aid as if Satan m●nt to roast her. When she sat upon a stool, he would suddenly throw het quite back ward, as if he meant to have broken her neck.  
After this he appeared in ●●e likeness of a big black Cat, with very fen●full broad eyes, which came staring her in the face, running by her and about her, and chrowing her down, and leaving her senseless, departed. And about half an hour after that fi●t, the spirit came like a big Mouse, leaping upon her knee, and cast her down backward, as before, her senses being taken from her; her eyes close shirt up, her tongue plucked double into her throat, her mouth open, her chaws set, and all her whole body stretched out as stiff as iron: And thus she lay many times for the spaed of an hour as a spectacle very fearful to behold.  
It was usual also with the spirit to come unto her in the night in the likeness of a black man with half a face, which took her just as she was going to bed, & would be sure to pick her backward: and she being recovered and got into her bed, it would come and sit upon the top of her head, holding his 4 fingers upon her forehead very heavy, holding her very straight, that she could not see nor stir, yet for all that was her kirchefe and headgeare pulled of, and though they had tied it up, and bound it on very fast, yet suddenly in a moment he plucked all a sunder, and her hair that was so fast tied up, was broken lose, and brought about her ears, and this was tried twice or thrice in a night, that when they had done the best they could to keep it on, yet in the twink of an eye, it was all undone, he marred their work in that point, and they lost all their labour: and ever when he took his leave and departed, his manner was to give her great thump on the hinder part of her head, insomuch that with those thumps she felt her head sore a good while after. She at another time, learned; very excellent graces by the apparition & instruction of the spirit: she never could read, nor ever heard the before in all her life, as she protested, yet she learned them upon the sudden, and did rehearse them all three very perfectly, and so it is like she can do till 'tis day.  
About the 10 of Febrn. & at some other times before, she felt (as she thought) some great thing roll up & down in her belly, like a calf; it pricked as if the head and nose thereof had been full of nails (as she thought) wherewith being sore pained she was compelled to skrike, she was exceedingly swollen by it, & sometimes it pulled her as she thought in a hundred pieces, it made a loud noise in her belly, like that in the belly of a great trotting horse; it caused her to bark and howl: than it would plump down into her body, like a cold long whetstone on her left side, whereupon the rest of her body was benumed with an extreme cold, wherewith she fell a quaking, her teeth also chattering in her head, and if then she offered to warm herself at the fire, she was presently picked backward; after these fits her breath stank so ill, that her neighbours came not near her for the space of a day and a night, yea it was so exceeding noisome that after the fit, she herself could perceive it & could very hardly endure it.  
Further to finish this particular, six several times in her fits at Cleworth, every time six spirits appeared to her: 5 of them very black, fouler than blackmores, marveylous ugly to behold: these she ●●●eiued shoveing and thrusting into her great nails to torment her (as she thought) wring and bending of her, as if they would break her back bone: the other spirit was in her eyes, like a very fair little child, so fine and comely as ever might be seen, (which she said) sat ever next her, & would say unto her, fear not, for thou shalt have no harm: and for that it was so amiable, she was ever catching & coveting to take it, but her hand being stayed by some that stood by, strait she was sorer troubled, and fell a tossing and tumbling, as at other times.  
Ellen Holland and Ellinor Hurdman, the one being 10, the other 12 years of age, were both of them (by the malice of Satan) kept fasting for the space of 3 days and 3 nights, for so long time they remained senseless, & did neither eat nor drink any thing: wherein he laboured they might both of them perish and pine away. And when the third night was come, Eilen Holland called for the hour glass, and told them, she must now have a fit, and must not come out of it for the space of four hours, she then called for a distaff and a spindle, & bade them turn the glass, for thee would spin an hour and a half of that time. And though she was but a child, & as it were but beginning to learn to spin, yet she did it at that time so finely & with such expedition, as was thought impossible for a very skilful woman to do the like, and gave over just at the end of the appointed time, and then had she most cruel and terrible fits, till the glass had run out the rest of the time, and reverted just at the four hours end, as before she had said: but what she had said or done in all this time, that she remembered not.  
Likewise Ellinor Hurdman told them that she must have a fit of 3 hours long, she called for the hour glass, bade them turn it and mark it well, she presenthe with the turning of the glass fell into a trance, her eyes close shut up, and her face turned quite from the glass, the other way: Notwithstanding she measured the time most distinctly as the glass did run dividing the hour into 4 quarters, by very just & equal proportions, according as it was most duly observed, she reckonod it herself, and named every quarter as it had run out: saying thus, a quarter run, half hour run, 3 quarters run, and the fourth time, turn the glass: even just when it had run out; and so did she the second time and miss not; and the 3 likewise till it was out, and then just with the very time she reverted and said, jesus bless me, & so was restored for that tyme. Among all the strange things acted by them, there was none better marked then this, it was done in the day, in the presence of many witnesses, M. Starkie himself the man that did chiefly observe it, and to the best aim he could give, the quarters were most equally divided, and the proportion most just in the measure: At which they all marveled greatly, and could not choose but impute this supernatural skill to the work of Satan, who aswell by his strange and cunning suggestions, as by other enforced signs, doth make it evident, that that working subject is in his power, and possession.  
Furthermore john Starkie, Anne Starkie, Ellen Holland, and Ellinor Hurdman, these 4 had the use of their legs taken from them, for the space of 7 hours, and being so, all that time, they went upon their hands and their knees only, out of one chamber into an other, and that as fast, as if they had had the use of their feet: they could rest in no place, but went without ceasing all that while, they could leap up from the flore to the bed, & down from the bed to the flore, hopping so up and down, as lightly, like frogs, and so continued for the space of 7 hours, at the least.  
This time being out, they were restored to the use of their feet, but yet still remained both senseless & speechless, in which case they all 4 went into the garden, and forthwith every one of them gathered one leaf of every kind of herb that grew therein, from the greatest to the least, they miss not one even to the very grass: which being done, they came again into the house, and then they went first into the hall, then into the parlour, and then into every chamber in the house, excepting one which was locked, & there in the windows of these several rooms, every one of them laid down one leaf, of the same kind of herb which they had gathered, for look where any one of them did lay down one, there all the rest would lay down another of the same sort, and no more nor no other.  
Now mark the strangeness of this act, which howsoever it seem in itself to be but a trifle, yet in the trial of it, it will prove a wonder, if the circumstances be duly considered: for first, the herbs were many, seeing the garden is large. Secondly, the rooms were many, for it is a gentleman's house, and it is of good receit. Thirdly, they were 4, and they were but children, the eldest was not above 12 years old, & yet that they should gather of every sort, one leaf only and no more. Fourthly, that the herbs being mingled altogether in their hands, yet that every one did most quickly, & readily, without any searching at all, lay down the right herb, so that in every place there where ever 4 just of one and the same kind. Lastly, and that which is the chiefest of all, that all this (as was duly observed) was done and dispatched within less than one hour, in so divers rooms and sundry places, yea upon the stairs and thresholds of these rooms, & in their own chamber where they lay themselves, not only in every window, but against every staunch of the window were these herbs thus laid down in manner aforesaid.  
This was searched & found to be thus speedly and exactly done, as is abouseaid, which thing if it should have been performed by other 4 of good discretion, the circumstances considered, it would have been the work of a whole day, & yet not so excellently performed, as it was by these: which when they did it, were all out of their right minds, not knowing at all what they did, in so much that when they came out of their trance, they merveiled where they had been, & could not be persuaded that they had done this strange thing, though it was showed unto them by plain demonstration.  
These 4 also in another trance, did dance so finely, as if they had come out of the dancing school, one of the youngest playing with her mouth as cunningly for the present, as if she had been a minstrel.  
It was further observed, that in those times when these were so subject to have their fits very often and very thick, and to before vexed, and tormented, yet for all that if they went ●o cards or other games they were not troubled at all, during the whole time of their playing and gaming and though they went from home being requested to a gentleman's house to hear a play, yet all that while, they were not troubled, nor one whit disquieted, but contrariwise if either scriptures were read, or prayers used for them, or exhortations applied unto them, then ordinarily they fell into their fits, and were very fearfully tormented. Insomuch that for the space of two years or thereabouts, till they were delivered, they never came to the church, only for fear to increase their torments.  
Moreover the 4 youngest girls being possessed with scorning spirits in the day of their dispossession, and in the time of the last sermon did show the same: for when the word was applied unto them, showing what strange things Satan worketh in the children of disobedience, as grining and gnashing of teeth, staring with their eyes, making mows with their lips, thrusting out their tongues, & drawing their mouths awry very ugly, etc. It is most certain that as these particulars were named, one after another, so they all four did in action answer the word of God which was spoken, showing such unseemly gestures, fearful looks, & ugly countenances in every particular, and in the very same instant & point of time when they were named. And though not one of them did see what another did, yet for all that, they did jump so right in showing and setting out these unseemly signs, as that it could very hardly be discerned, which of them all 4 was first or last in performing of the same. Further such was the great and extraordinary strength that were in these 4 in the time of their fits, that though some of them were but of the age of x or xj years, yet two or three strong men, could hardly hold one of them.  
And that these two youngest and some of the rest, though they were unlearnd and never went to school, yet in their fits they were able to make answer to latin questions propounded unto them, so truly and readily, as if they had sound understood them. And herein were they tried sundry times. And if now they should be examined therein, they can neither answer nor understand one word.  
There be also many other very strange things acted by every one of these in particular, which if they should be set down every one, they would fill a large volume, for brevity's sake therefore the most things be omitted. And this also is most certain, that very many strange things, and as wonderful as any that here have been spoken of, were lost, and let slip for want of heed, and good observation.  
Now it is worthy to be marked, that though these possessed persons, had every one, some things peculiar to themselves which none of the rest did show, and that so rare & strange, that all the people were forced to confess it was the work of an evil spirit within them: so had they also many things in common one with another, and were in their fits for the most part handled alike.  
1 They had all and every one of them very strange visions, and fearful apparitions, whereupon they would say: look where Satan is: look where Beelzebub is: look where Lucifer is look where a great black dog is, with a firebrand in his mouth: see how Satan runneth at me with a spear in his hand to stick me to the heart, but God will defend me.  
2 They had every one of them two spirits at the least, one to torment them inwardly, with all the torments of hell, as i● were, for the present, and either one o● more to stand before their faces, most ugly and terrible to behold, to drive them into all fear and astonishment.  
3 They heard very hideous and fearful voices of the spirits sundry times, and did make marveilous answers back again unto them very directly and strangely.  
4 They were in their fits ordinarily holden in that captivity & bondage, that for an hour, two, or three, & longer time they should neither see nor hear nor taste, nor feel nothing but the Devils, they employing them wholly for themselves, vexing and tormenting them so extremely, as that for the present they could feel no other pain or torture that could be offered unto them; no not though you should pluck an ear from the head, or an arm from the body.  
5 They all of them were taken suddenly, with a very fearful schriking, and a marvelous strange howling and shouting, making a noise, as it were to call on, and to waken one another, that so the spirits being raised up, might go to their work, and proceed to torment their subjects according to their custom; when one began, they all followed after in order, observing time and tune, as it had been the ringing of seven. Bells, and such was the strangeness of these voices, that the uttering and framing of them, exceeded all cunning invention, or the skill of any counterfeit imitation, and the effect also so fearful, that it was both terrible and troublesome to the whole Country, and wrought a wonderful astonishment in all that heard it.  
6 Further they all of them had their bodies swollen to a wonderful huge bigness, and almost incredible, if there had not been many eye-witnesses unto it.  
7 They had also a marvelous sore heaving and lifting, as if their hearts would burst, so that with violent straining of themselves, some of them vomited much blood many times.  
8 They had their faces disfigured, and turned towards their backs, a fearful thrusting out of their tougues with a most ugly distorting of their mouths, being drawn up, as it were unto their ears.  
9 They were all of them very fierce, offering violence both to themselves and others, wherein also they showed very great and extraordinary strength.  
10 They blasphemed God, and the Bible; they reviled the Preachers; railed upon such as feared God; scorned all holy prayers, & wholesome exhortations, which being offered and applied unto them, they ever became much worse.  
11 They for the most part delighted in filthy & unsavoury speeches, very aggteable to the nature of that unclean spirit which then dwelled within them; in somuch as in the very sermon time, when such unseemly behaviour was spoken against, the evil spirit wrought most maliciously and spitefully against the grace of God, and forced one of them (though she was a maid) to utter openly in the hearing of the people, such filthy uncleanness, as is not to be named.  
12 The most of them were both blind, deaf, and dumb, for divers days together.  
13 They were out of their right minds, without the use of the senses, especially void of feeling; as much sense in a stock as in one of them: or as possible in a manner to quicken a dead man, as to alter or change them in their trances, or fits, in any thing that they either said or did.  
14 They were kept fasting a long time, and divers of them for the space of three days and 3 nights, did neither eat, nor drink any thing, Satan purposing thereby to procure their pining away.  
15 They in their fits had divers parts and members of their bodies so stiff and stretched out, as were inflexible, or very hard to be bended.  
16 They showed very great and extraordinary knowledge, as may appear by the strange things said and done by them, according to that which we have already set down in the particulars.  
17 They all in the end of every sit, said ever thus JESUS bless me, yea though they had 40 or a 100 fits in one day, as it is certain some of them had, yet they never miss to say thus, but as sure as they had a fit, whether it were short, or long, so sure it was, that it should be ended, with this prayer, JESUS bless me, this was ever a sure sign, that they were restored to the use of their senses for that time, which never failed.  
18 They ever after their fits, were as well as might be, an felt very little or no hurt at all; although they had been never so sore tormented immediately before.  
Now this harmony & consent in signs and actions, both for the matter & manner of strange handling of all these in their several fits, doth make it evident, that they were all really and corporally possessed.  
Notwithstanding that is true, which is objected, namely, that sundry of these signs, may be in one that is not possessed: for one may see very fearful sights, and strange apparitions, and may be haunted with evil spirits, & driven into great fears and frights, and yet not be possessed.  
Another may be both lame and blind, and dumb and deaf.  
The third may be very fierce, offering violence, both to themselves and others.  
The fourth may gnash and foam, and stare with his eyes, and fall down fearfully, and suddenly, & lie as if he were dead.  
And so it may be said of divers others, which may many other ways be very strangely handled, and yet not one of them truly possessed.  
The reason is because that when sundry of these signs, are severed from the rest, and go alone by themselves, or else are found but two or three, or some few together, than such signs may arise, as effects from some other working cause in the subject, or from the immediate hand of God, or some other way.  
But when all these signs shall concur and meet together in one man, or the most of these, being joined with any one act above the power of nature, as supernatural knowledge, and extraordinary strength, or any such impossible work, then if it shallbe examined, either according to the scriptures, or histories, or reason itself, it will prove a very sound and corporal possession: And so by consequence the great variety of strange signs and supernatural acts, performed by these 7. and showed aswell in every particular, as in those things which they had in common one with another, doth easily conclude a very true and sound possession.   

The third part.  
The 3 part of this discourse concerns our coming to Mai. starkie's house, & the occasion thereof, how we came to have to deal with these 7 persons; our entrance into, and our whole carriage in that action; which being truly set down, may serve to discharge us of those grievous calumniations contained in the discovery: charging upon us both the names and practise of cousiners, jugglers, exorcists, impostors, etc.  
FIRST then the continuance of these troubles in Mai. starkie's house: the remembrance of Doct. Dees counsel, to send for some Preachers: the imprisoning of Edmond the Witch in Lancaster jail: the hearing of the Boy of Burton, who being strangely afflicted, received help & deliverance by M. Darrells advise: upon these occasions, Mr. Starkie sent for M. Darrell 3 several times before he came, he ever imparted the news unto the brethren as it came to his hand, because he would attempt nothing in those cases without very good advisement, and lawful consent. In the end it was concluded, that he should go: and thought fit, that I also should go with him, as a companion in the journey, and a witness to all his proceed according to his own request.  
This being done, M. Darr: wrote his letter to M. Starkie, wherein he promised that after some present and important business was dispatched, he would come, and visit him; desiring with all, the assistance of some faithful Ministers about M. Starkie, especially his Pastor to join with us.  
This letter M. Starkie read in the presence of john Starkie his son, and some other: after which time, he, the said john, had no fit at all, till the day of our coming thither; the rest had some little fits, but not so grievous as before: in which fits they would say to the spirit, thou naughty lad, thou makest us sick, for thou knowest the Preachers will come shortly.  
So we having prepared ourselves for this journey, at the time appointed, wen● towards Lancashire, where we never came in our lives before. And upon Wednesday the xvjth of March, about one of the clock we came to Mai. starkie's house at Cleworth, who hearing that we were come Mistress Starkie with john Star. her son, and Ann her daughter with some other of the family came forth to meet us, and entertained us with great joy, and brought us into the hall, where we found M. Star. himself, being then ready to rise from dinner, who after our welcome to him, commanded the meat to be brought again, and desired us to sirt down at table, and so we did: Presently after praising of God, we began to inquire of M. Starkie, the state of his family, and asked him how they did: He answered, he thanked God, they were all much better than they had been, but specially john Starkie had been well for a fortnight together, and not so much as once troubled, and Anne Star. his daughter had been well diverse days before our coming, without any first at all, and the rest began to mend now since Edmond the witch was hanged; And both he and his wife doubted not, but that they should now do well. Which when we heard, we suspected greatly Satan's lurking in them: And desired to see those that were still troubled, which were especially three, who were all in the kitchen quiet; he called for them to come up into the hall, and so they came: first the eldest came near unto the table and made low courtesy, & presenthe in a moment was trowen into a chair, about 3 yards distant from the place where she stood, where she reared backward in the chair as though she had been a sleep, her body stretched out to the furthest, and as stiff as iron: This being done, in comes the second, who did like the first, and was suddenly cast to a table side, just opposite against the other: afterward comes in the last, with both her hands closed to her face, & uttered these words, I am come to counsel before I be called, and strait way while the word was in her mouth, she was stricken backward to the forme-side, where she sat all aghast like the rest. Hereupon we arose from the table, being much amazed at the strangeness of the sight, and came to behold them, and see in what manner they were visited. And after we had viewed them well, within a quarter of an hour, they all stood up. And among many odd pleasant, though unusual speeches, one of these three spoke thus merrily (about the hanging of Hartley the witch, who was newly executed) do they think that they could hang the Devil: I whish no, they might hang Edmond, but they could not hang the Devil, for they were two, Edmond and the Devil. And after they began to rail and revile and to strike both with hands and with feet, and could not be ruled till they were removed into an upper chamber, where they continued together, talking one to another, mocking and scorning such as held them down, or said, or did any good uno them: And so they remained, deprived of the right use of their senses, both speaking, and doing much evil, and yet utterly ignorant and senseless in all that passed from them, so continuing from that hour being 2 a clock on the Wednesday till 6 at night upon Thursday, when it pleased God to deliver them and the rest.  
Then we went into the garden, consulting with M. Starkie, what was best to be done. We agreed upon this course, namely to take in hand the exercise of fasting and prayer the next day, considering with ourselves where we might have some other Godly Preacher to join with us, to assist us in that work, We thought of diverse, but in the end we made choice of one M. Dickoms, the minister at Leigh, which is the Parish Church to M. Starkie. Whereupon we sent for him.  
In the mean time we purposed to prepare the whole family against the next day, to make them all as fit as we could for that holy work: and chiefly that they might be truly humbled, and sanctified, that so we might with the more courage and comfort join with them the next day in fasting and prayer. But when some of the possessed were tried, they were found uncapable of all good counsel & instruction, and yet had ability and power to resist & scorn the same. After some half hour spent this way with some of them, the rest of the possessed were all come into the chamber: Margaret Byrom was newly come from Manchester, whom Ma. Starkie had caused to be sent for, and jane Ashton also, which before our coming was not much suspected: 
Though the Devil had dissembled & hid himself in both these, yet now the word findeth him out, & he can dissemble no longer, but must needs show himself.  Yet she that day in the morning had her belly swelled as big as a woman with child, & strait upon our coming, a strange skriking and howling, as the rest had. So Mai. Starkie holding his son john, and Mistress Starkie her daughter Anna fast in their arms, Ma. Darrell began to exhort them. Presently john Starkie and Anne, cried out mightily, with such outrageous roaring and belling, that they could not of a long time be restrained. And john Starkie being cast and holden down upon a bed, was most fearfully tormented, and so pained in his stomach, and pulled in his belly, heaving & lifting, as if his heart would burst, whereupon he shed many bitter tears, and so continued, sometimes crying out exceeding loud, and sometimes in these tormenting fits, to the great grief of the beholders. And while we laboured to comfort them by exhortations, we were scorned by the first three that lay by upon beds in every good word that we spoke, and they would take it into their mouths, and mock it: When we called for the Bible, they fell a laughing at it, and said, reach them the Bibble babble, bibble babbell, it went so round in their mouths from one to another, and continued with many other scornings and filthy speeches, that we could not bereave them of it. Thereupon we purposed to leave them for a while, exhorting again john Statkie to trust in the Lord; to be patiented in that affliction; to pray to God, and desired him to say after us, the lords prayer: but he was the more tormented a great deal, and not a word could he speak, but that scorner that lay next him, said after us, nicknaming every word in the lords prayer, so far as we went in it. For when we perceived such horrible blasphemy, we durst not proceed but gave over or ever we came to the end, being exceedingly grieved, that they had despised such holy things as dogs and swine, that would if they could have turned again, and all to rend us: whereupon we were forced to give place to the Devil, who indeed at this time bestirred himself, working mightily in all the possessed such torments and such troubles, with such outrageous spite and contempt, as I am persuaded was seldom or never seen the like, and all of purpose to discourage us in that skirmish, and to drive us out of the field, and if it were possible not to dale to set upon him any more.  
The truth is, we were greatly discouraged at that time, not knowing well what to do: we left them so, and went into a garden to r●efresh ourselves, having spent a good while with them, it grew toward supper time; we were requested to come in, and being set at supper, Mai. Dickoms (whom we had sent for) came in. We told him what strange things had fallen out, since our coming thither, & of our purpose to fast and pray with the family, if he would join with us; which thing he was very ready to do. And having purposed also to prepare the family thereunto, we went about it. Having the whole family together, and diverse honest neighbours for the holding and tending of the possessed, we made entrance into the preparation, which was by way of exhortation. We found them very loud, froward & rough to deal withal, that we could hardly get any audience: but perceiving the great malice & spite of the Devil, that wrought against us, labouring violently to trouble us, that we might again give over the work as we had done before, We were provoked in this respect with great zeal to pray against him, & with all the desires of our souls, to entreat the Lord to put the Devil to silence, and that he would charge, and command the evil spirits to hold their peace; 
The prayer was not sooner made but presently they held their peace every one, praised be God.  that so we might both have good audience in praying and speaking the word, and also perform all other duties profitably without let: which came to pass accordingly, for we found the Lord near and ready to hear us: who presently showed his power in commanding Satan to silence, and to be still, and they obeyed him, for there followed a great calm. So we went forward performing that service which remains with much comfort. This preparation being finished, by this time it drew towa●● midnight, we went all to bed, to tak● some rest, that being thereby refreshed, 〈◊〉 might be the better able to perform 〈◊〉 greater service the next day, which we ha● bound ourselves unto, being exceeding 〈◊〉 encouraged to set upon it with sure ho● of the victory, in that the Lord had p●● the pawn and pledge of it into our hand over night, giving us such plain experience both of his presence & of his power by reason whereof our faith gathered grea● strength, that seeing the Lord had blesse● our endeavour thus far in the entrance an● given us such good success in the preparation, that he would not fail to be present with us in the battle itself, to she● his power, and to work with us till we had trodden Satan under our feet. Therefore when the morning came, we prepare ourselves after the best manner we coul● that that holy exercise of fasting & pray● might be performed both by ourselves all that should join with us therein, wi● most fruit, that we might attain to th● mark that we set before us: namely, the confounding of Satan and the full deliverance of the possessed. There was also great preparation in the family to set all things in good order, that we might not be troubled in the work. And having a fair large parlour already trimmed, they brought in thither certain beds or couches, upon which they laid the 7 sick possessed persons. All this while the honest neighbours near about, coming in, the room filled apace, some holding and tending the sick possessed, & some sitting by. It being now about 7 a clock, and all things made ready, the parties being still troubled, their torments still increasing, & their fits doubling upon them, sometimes either howling or crying, or else lifting, heaving, or vomiting, or else scorning, or railing, or cast into a trance, which was ever at the end of their fits, being as a breathing time to refresh them by, and then too it again. The sight and hearing of these things was so wonderful that a man can not possibly come near it in describing of it, neither was ever such a thing seen in our days, nor in the days of our fathers, such a number in one place, lying in such a fearful manner so miserably vexed by the Devil. We could not choose but be exceedingly affected with great sorrow and grief 〈◊〉 compassion of their miseries, which provoked us to offer up our prays wi●● strong crying & tears unto God that w●●able to hear, and to save us from th●● which we feared.  
We then with such reverence as wa● meet, began the exercise of humbling our souls unto God, in the mediation 〈◊〉 jesus Christ, and by the direction of th● holy Ghost proceeded in the work till 〈◊〉 was finished. In which proceeding it is 〈◊〉 to observe divers strange eventes which happened. For the possessed being of divers kinds, we had more ado with them: for● of the were possessed with scorning spirit●●● & quite bereaved of the right use of the●● senses, with whom we were much mo●● troubled then with the other three which were ever very sober, though they wer● very sore tormented. And yet through th● great mercy of God, after we had made a● entrance, God bridled the rage of Satan and so restrained his fury, that after h●● had made his flourish in the beginning 〈◊〉 and showed his power (as then he will d● the worst he can) it pleased God as before in our preparation overnight, 〈◊〉 the exercise itself, where many were assembled together, to make them all quiet, and to keep them all in such order, that tun 7 a clock in the morning till 3 a clock 〈◊〉 the afternoon, we went forward without any great interruption, save that now and then, some of them had some sudden ●●tt for the space of half a quarter of an hour; which being ended, we went on still perceiving the Lord working with us, giding us oftentimes sundry signs of the victory, whereby we were much encouraged. Forin the first Sermon whilst Master Dickoms was preaching, Margaret Hurdman, who was the principal and chief of the scorners, was plainly heard, both by some of the Preachers & of the people, to use these words oftentimes: I must be gone, I must be gone, whether shall I go? whether shall I go? I will nor die, I will not die. Repeating over again & again the same thing half a dozen times at the least, in a sine low voice and in the tune of singing.  
After this there appeared no great distraction till three of the clock in the afternoon: and toward the end of my sermon (as the Discoverer hath revealed) when the abovenamed Margaret Hurdman was heard again to utter these words, I cannot tarry: I cannot tarry: I am too hoot: am too hoot: let me go: let me go. Whi●● words gave us this comfort, that Satha● would not long keep his hold, he was heated by fasting and prayer, and by t●● word of God so zealously and powerful applied, as if fire were put into his ho●● to burn him out: for hereupon before 〈◊〉 sermon was or could be ended, she wi●● all the rest broke out into exceeding loud cries, all seven roaring, & belling in su●● extreme and fearful manner that the troubled us all, being so violent and outrageous that they had much ado to be holden. For Satan then being ready to departed did first vex all the veins of their hart● and did so torment them, that they we● forced to lay about them with both hand and feet, to pull their hair, and to re● their clothes, to knock their heads, an to strike themselves, crying out with ope● mouths, & roaring as if they were mad● Then was there such struggling & striving between us and those seven Devils, crying out so loud with such violence a● extension of voice, labouring who shou● be loudest, till our voices were spent a● no strength almost left in us. This battay continued very near the space of i● hours, till we were exceedingly weakened with long and loud crying up unto heaven, but it pleased God toweaken Satan's power much more, and to tread the evil spirits under our feet. And thus much may serve to show, what beginning we made into this work, and how we proceeded therein, and that our whole course & carriage held in this cause thus far may clear us, that we neither sought work, nor set ourselves to work, though we be charged so to do, by this Discovery, as may appear by the scope of the whole last chapter of the first book: neither in dealing with these strange afflietions, have we used either delusions, jugglings, exorcisms, or any such vain and ridiculous fooleries as they have detected in the popish Priests, nor yet any such lightness as should be condemned by men that meddle with matters of such moment.   

The fourth part.  
NOw; it followeth in the fourth plac● to describe briefly the means a● manner of the dispossession of these 7 pe●sons, that so it may appear that Mai. Darell was neither the only, nor yet the principal agent therein; contrary to that whi●● the Discoverer doth falsely report of him Chap. 1. pag. 2. namely, That though he had gloried in 2 exploits, yet his name w● not so famous, till he had dispossessed 7 persons in Master starkie's house, at one cla● And for proof hereof they allege th● story of the boy of Burton, in the ende● which book, it is thus written viz. Shortly you shall have the true story come foor● of those 7 in Lancashire, that were possessed with unclean spirits, and all 7 delivered at one time by this man. And the more to confirm this, they allege Mai. Darrel's own testimony, in his answer to the 6 artic. of his exam. (quoted in the mark) thereupon inferring thus: By this man, meaning Mai. Darrell, as he himself hath confessed: I will therefore first set down the truth concerning their deliverance, and after prove that Mai. Darrell is made the principal in this action by this Discoverer, but under a pretence only, and for a further fetch.  
For the truth first you have heard already, that we were three Preachers that exercised that day, of whom I was the last; & indeed in the latter end of my sermon (as the Discoverer hath revealed) they grew to be so strong, that they could very hardly be holden down upon their beds, though they had lain before reasonably quiet.  
But chiefly one of them namely jane Ashton, being both the strongest & worst of all the rest, was also more violently vexed, having her fits so sore and so thick, that we feared, she would either have fainted and fallen down, orels have yielded unto Satan, who laboured mightily to make her workeable to his purpose: whereupon Mai. Darrell and Mai. Dickoms the other Preacher that joined with us, being much affected with her misery, as by force of her fits she was violently carried aside from the rest, they two attended upon her, striving with all their power to uphold & strengthen her.  
In the mean time the other 6 being sore tormented, and struggling with those th●● kept them, were got from them, and being tumbled from their pallets to the flo●● and near to the fire side, where by th● good providence of God, I was brought even into the midst of them: and the● being assisted with the prayer of their parents and the people, we earnestly entreated the Lord for them, with strong an● mighty cries: And it pleased God to hea● us at that instant for those 6. who were a upon a sudden strangely and fearful cast down before us, where they lay all along one by another, altogether fencles, their bodies stiff and stretched out, a if they had been stark dead, for the spa●● of half a quarter of an hour.  
In which time, Mai. Dickoms came● me, and saw all of them, laid as dead, at how they rose up again one after another, in order as they fell, acknowledgit that they were freed from the evil spi●● and that he was departed from them.  
Whereupon every one of them selue with great joy and gladness of heart, ga●● thanks to God for that benefit.  
All this while Mai. Darr. was with t●● other maid standing at a great wind●● in another part of the parlour, which 〈◊〉 both long and large, so that he neither saw, nor heard, of the deliverance of these 6. he neither knew, when they were cast down, nor when they rose up, nor once suspected any such thing, until such time as they being perfectly restored, stood upon their feet, leaping and dancing & praising God: when also we were all filled with exceeding joy, which was testified by shouting and clapping of hands, so that the earth range with the praises of God, and the whole house was filled with the sound thereof.  
Now the diligent observing of the state and condition of these 6 persons in one hour, what violent passions, & extreme outrage they were in for the beginning of the hour, driven and drawn to cry and roar with all madness and fury, and to do they knew not what. And then secondly in the last part of the hour, to be quite changed into another condition, carried as it were with all force and violence into other contrary extremities of unspeakable and excessive joys, the best way: to be so suddenly brought from the bondage and torture of Satan, into the glorious liberty of the sons & daughters of God. By these signs and sudden change, it is most evident, that the first estate is so manifest the work of Satan, & the 2 so cleared to be the work of God, that it cannot possibly be the work of flesh and blood, neither could it be counterfeited by any man. For I am persuaded that if 6 of the cunningest wits that be in the world, should join their heads together to make such another work: yet they could not deceive the senses of such men, as had seen by experience, and had made some trial of these strange and great works, for they could quickly discern, their close juggling and slighty conveyance to be but delusions & hypocrisy, & so would their wickedness be manifested to all men.  
By this it may appear that Ma. Darrell was not the principal or chief Actor in their dispossession, neither can he in deed be so accounted, seeing that at the very time whiles we were crying unto the Lord for these 6: he was separated to another work, and busily employed another way, namely, instructing, comforting, and strengthening the Maid, who remained all this while miserably vexed by the Devil.  
Whereupon at our being there he complained unto me concerning the dispossession of these 6, & told me that he saw never a one of them when they were delivered, which he said grieved him exceedingly.  
After this also I confess that to be true which the discoverer hath disclosed book 1. chap. 10. pag. 56. namely, that I took all these 6 unto me, and exhorted them to continue in the fear of God: telling them that Satan would seek to enter into them again, whom I admonished to resist by faith and prayer, and by putting on all the whole armour of God, encouraging them by all means to stand fast, saying thus unto them: If you do manfully resist, no doubt but you shall see that Satan will fly, not being able to do you any harm. And as they regarded well this counsel, so it pleased God to bless it accordingly, for he gave them such strength and courage, though five of them were but children, that they did most strongly resist him, so that though his assaults were usually very fierce and importunate for the present, yet could he not prevail with the least to yield unto him. And so hitherto they have all 6 been preserved both safe and sound, without any further molestation, to the great praise and glory of God.  
Now whiles I was thus employed about those 6. Mai. Darrell took great pains with the Maid, hoping still that she would have been dispossessed that night also, but it came not so to pass. Whereupon through the deceitfulness of Satan, who had drawn her to dissemble, and brought her to an impudent outfacing of the truth, we were driven to give over for that time, purposing in the morning to renew the exercise of fasting and prayer in the behalf of that maid only: which when we had entered into, she was sorer vexed and tormented then ever she was before, till it was about noon or one of the clock, about which time, she also through the great mercy of God, received help and deliverance.  
For when we had all three in order performed this duty of prayer, she having wrought us all one after another till we were weary, the last time as it came to my course I having continued some time, desired another to take my room: which when the maid heard, she suddenly caught me by the hand, held me fast, and said unto me: Nay for God's sake leave me not yet, stick to it a little longer, & you shall see he will depart shortly.  
Hereupon receiving this good encouragement, I continued still, and with the joint assistance of the rest, we earnestly entreated the Lord for her, so it was not long before she was cast into a trance, lying as if she had been fast a sleep, anon she burst out into weeping that the tears trickled down her cheeks apace in a very extraordinary manner; after which she presently rose up, and thanked God that the evil spirit was departed from her.  
She also being violently assaulted by the Devil, resisted manfully, as the rest did, and likewise prevailed, and so was by the mercy of God preserved, during all the time she was in her mistress house, but afterward she departed thence, and dwelled with her Uncle, a papist, in the furthest part of Lancashire, where there resorted unto her certain Seminary priests, by whose conjurations and magical enchantments, (as it is reported) the evil spirit was brought into her again, since which time she hath been exceedingly tormented, and so still continueth like summers repossessed.  
As therefore the good providence of God may be discerned in the disposing of all things, so also it showeth itself most clearly in the well ordering of this whole action, if it be well observed.  
First in sending me with Mai. Darrells be a witness of those strange and unwonted works of God.  
secondly, in not using Mai. Darrells the chief instrument, neither for the dispossessing of the six the first day, nor y● for the deliverance of the seventh on th● second day.  
thirdly, in that without his labour the were prepared by faith and prayer and other spiritual armour to resist the evil spirit, by means whereof they were preserved from Repossession. For if Mai. Darre● had been the chiefest in dispossessing 〈◊〉 these 7. and of Thomas Darling, as he w●● of other two, namely of Katherine Wrigh● and of William summers: then surelie● would have been thought that he had h●● some special gift that way above other men, and this discoverer might have ha● the greater show of advantage in chargin● him so deeply and so often with th● matter.  
For which cause questionless it please● God to prevent him in these 7. And as s● Thomas Darling, Mai. Darrell only ga● advise to his friends to fast and pray, an● humble themselves on his behalf, and 〈◊〉 they did, neither he nor any other Preacher being present, it pleased God at their Prayers, being but 9 or 10 simple people to be entreated, and to deliver the party from that possession, that so by divers and sundry experiments, it might appear to all the world that this is no extraordinary gift, peculiar to any one man, but common to all the faithful, aswell to one as to another, and that the mean and simple people may have as great privilege and power to cast out Satan, by their faith and fasting and fervent prayer, as either he, or I, or the best and chiefest Preacher.  
Out of the premissed than it may be collected that if there be any evil in this work, it is rather to be imputed unto me then unto Ma. Darrel: for in truth (as the Lord liveth) there is no occasion of evil in him concerning this matter; for if he had wrought craftily at other times, and practised deceit: why should it not have appeared and broken out aswell in dealing with these 7 as in other places; but I am persuaded (such is his simplicity) that he is as clear, and was ever as free from counterfeiting, as I myself am. And I dare boldly protest even before the Lord, that such a thought came never once into my mind.  
Now howsoever it might seem more expedient for me to be silent in these things lest I should seem, or be taken even as a fool in boasting myself: yet herein I may say with the Apostle, you have even compelled me: for indeed so great is the inconvenience that hath come by the misconceyving and misreporting of this matter of fact, as that it hath enforced a necessity of manifesting the truth thereof in the plainest manner which yet hitherto for modesty's sake, hath been suppressed for the space of 3 years, and likely never to have come to light, if our innocency could have been cleared without it.  
But now I must return to the Discoverer, and proceed to perform my promise, which is, to prove, that the purpose of the Detectour, to make Mai. Darrell the principal agent in this dispossession, is only under a pretence & not that he is so persuaded, my reasons are these: First to pretend Mai. Darrell to be principal, in this, aswell as in all the rest, is great policy: for under this pretence, all that they charge him with concerning teaching of summers, hath the greater colour of truth. Secondly, by enforcing this, as they do much in their book, it doth more easily persuade men to believe, that he is a very common and lewd practizer and deceiver. thirdly, by this title of principal, & in all places where he comes to be the chiefest, it presupposeth an extraordinary juggling skill, and a singular cunning in legerdemain, as they term it: whereupon they say that when he began with Katherine Wright, than he dealt but rudely and unskilfully: but after he had practised with Thomas Darling and the 7 of Lancashire, than he was his crafts master. fourthly, It helps to justify that accusation of vain glory, and that he desires to have a great name, and to make himself famous, or else that he is the only man that hath a peculiar prerogative to cast out Devils above all men, seeing that wheresoev he comes, he bears a way the bell (as they say) and that no body can do the feat but he. fiftly, under this pretence they may with less prejudice proceed against him; seeing that in four several actions, though they find some accessories, yet they find none principal but himself. And thus policy hath preferred him to be principal, when in deed they know he is not; so of purpose to do him a mischief, and to dishonour the cause itself, even the great work of God.  
And that they are not persuaded, that he is the principal in this work, it may thus appear: Because they have the story of this matter of Lancashire penned by Mai. Dickoms, as is plainly confessed and proved in the Discovery, wherein the dispossession of these 7 is most plainly described, with the circumstances thereof, according to that which I have here se●● down. And therein Mai. Darr. (except that he was the man that was sent for to come, and principally aimed at) is made equal. Concerning this book I speak that which I know, for I was examined, in that whole story out of it, from the beginning to the end: and yet the Discoverer will take no knowledge of this matter, which is written there, (though it be most sure & certain) because it makes against him, and takes the rash testimony of the printer, which spoke onclie as he heard, that Mai. Darrell was the man: and as for Mai. Darrell himself in his testimony, it was either mistaken or misreported: for● dare say, that he would not say, that those 7 were delivered or dispossessed by him principally: yet the discovery urgeth both these testimonies to the full, because they seem much to make for him in all the former respects.  
If then, this may be received for the truth, as in deed it is, I doubt not but that all suspicion of counterfeiting and conjuring, and of all other bad dealing wherewith we have been most unjustly charged, may be removed; as also that gross error which is too too common, of ascribing any gift or extraordinary power of casting out of Devils, to any one man, more than to another, may be both convinced and suppressed: for herein all men may most clearly see, that the good hand of God, (in blessing his own ordinance, and the poor endeavours of his servants) is the only inward, & efficient cause of this great work of dispossession, that so all the glory thereof, may wholly & only be ascribed unto him, who worketh all things, according to the pleasure of his own will, to whom be praise for ever.   

The last part.  
NOw it followeth last of all, to set dow● the signs of disposs. showed forth b● these 7 immediately before their deliverance, in, and after the same: and therewith also briefly to show the return of th● spirits being cast out: how sundry time and divers ways by many strange & fea● full assaults, they seek to re-enter: whi●● also may serve, as an answer to that proof of the Discovery, contained in the 9 an● 10. chap. touching those points, that 〈◊〉 these signs being conferred according divine and historical observation, th●● that be indifferently minded, may be able to judge what cause they have to sco●● these signs, and to sport themselves wit● them, as they do.  
The first sign to manifest these dispos● was, that the spirits did rend, and tea●● the possessed, insomuch that they were s●rer vexed and tormented immediately before they left them, and even as it were 〈◊〉 their departure, than ever they were at annie time before: so it is said, when Chri●● charged the spirit to come out of the th● child, than the spirit rend him sore, & after came out, Mark 9.26.  
The second sign is that they cried out with loud voices, and roared out exceedingly, after the manner of beasts, most fearful and lamentable to hear, being never so fierce and outrageous in any of their fits, as even then when the spirits were forced and compelled to come out of them. And of this sign it is thus written, f. that unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed, Act. 8.7.  
thirdly, they were cast down suddenly, & lay all along stretched out as if they had been dead, and so leaving them as dead, the evil spirits departed from them. And thus it is written of the child whom Christ dispossessed: when the unclean spirit came out, he was as one dead, insomuch that many said, he is dead, Mark 9.26.  
fourthly, the evil spirits departed out of the possessed in the likeness of some ugly creature: and every one of the 7 saw and perceived the spirits to depart out in a several likeness: one, in the likeness of a crows head, round, which when it was our, went and sat in a corner of the parlour, with darkness about it a while, then went it out of the window with such a flash of lightning, that all the parlour seemed to her to be on a light fire: It left also behind it in the maid a soar throat, 
Margree byrom.  & a most fill thy smell, in so much that haet meat was very unsavoury for a week after.  
Another said, 
john Starkie.  it went out like a man with a great bulche on his back, as big as a man: very evill-favoured and ugly to behold.  
The third saw him go out like an urchine or hedgehog, 
Ellyno● Hurdman  and crept as she thought, out at a very little hole of the window.  
The fourth like a fowl ugly man, 
Anne Starkie.  with a white beard, and a great bulch on his breast, bigger than a man's head.  
The fift like a black man, 
●llen Ho●land  or like the fourth, as afore said.  
The sixth perceived it to go out in the likeness of a great breath ugly like a toad, 
jane Ashton.  and round like a ball.  
The last like an ugly man with a great bunch on his back, 
Margaret Hurdman  etc.  
fiftly, the evil spirits did presently teturne unto them again in the same likeness that they went out, and sought to re-enter, and, being resisted, they departed, & then returned after in other likenesses seeking still both by promises & threatenings to prevail: sometimes coming in the likeness of a man proffering bags of gold and silver, and showing them all manner of costly and sumptuous things: tempting them thereby to yield unto him, and to let him in: enforcing his temptations by promising of honours & pleasures, and great preferments, of the return of the spirit, when he is cast out, and his seeking to re-enter, we read in Mat. 12. Luk. 11. And for his diversity of temptations and large offers to prevail, it is evident in his dealing against Christ, Math. 4. In these assaults to re-enter, the spirits appeared sometimes in the likeness of a bear with open mouth, sometimes of an ape, sometimes of a big black dog, sometimes of a black Raven, with a gellow bill, sometimes of a flame of fire, sometimes of divers whelps, but most usually in the likeness of Edmond Hartley a conjuror, who had bewitched them, and was hanged also at Lancaster, for that fact, and for conjuring. In these apparitions, if he could not prevail with his large offers, and fair promises, than would he terrify them with very fearful threatenings: As that he would cast them into pits, or break their necks, or some other way to plague them, saying th● they should never prosper.  
Whereupon when he saw, that in assa●ting of them, he lost all his labour and prevailed not, he laboured at the length 〈◊〉 be revenged of them, for resisting of him to which purpose he did trouble them i● all the parts of their bodies: in their eye with many uncomfortable sights, to terrify them: he tied their tongues that they could not pray, nor speak as they should he pinched them in their arms, that the● could not lift them up, nor stir them for a good space: he pricket them in the● knees, and in their legs that they could not go, or yet if they did go, that the● they went lame and limping for an hou●● or two together, and could not possibly go up right: they had pain also in thei● feet, and in their head: thus they we●● molested, but they still so resisted tha● they gave him the foil, so that in the en● he was forced to leave them and to fle● away.  
Sixtly they being all dispossessed by fasting and prayer, according to the ordinance of Christ, since that time, all their swellings and torments have ceased, neither have they been troubled or vexed with any more fits: Only jane Ashton being repossessed, hath manifested the same by sundry fearful signs, and is now become worse than she was, every way: but as for the rest, they have continued now for the space of two years & a half very peaceable and quiet, neither have they showed forth any sign of possession, nor any suspicion thereof.  
Lastly they all gave great thanks to God, for their deliverance, and that of themselves so freely and cheerfully in so excellent & heavenly manner, as that they could never do the like, neither before, nor since: they are also so changed in their conditions, and their manners so well reform, that a man shall hear no evil come from them, nor any unseemly behaviour: and now they can pray, and take delight in praising God. They go to church, to hear the word, and continue there with much comfort, and are every way better than they were before.  
And thus I have finished this discourse, wherein I have dealt faithfully to my power, and whereby I have detected this discoverer to be a great deceiver: like a Traveyler that takes upon him to discover divers countries, wherein he never came, and to describe the state & people of certain newfound lands, the situation whereof he never knew or heard of, on●● a mere fiction of his own invention. Thus hath this detractor dealt with us; 〈◊〉 with this most honourable and famo●● fact of Lancashire: In describing it to be● vain and ridiculous practise, detecting therein great deceit, and much legerde● main: and yet for all that, he never sa● the practise of it with his eyes, neither di●● he ever hear any evil detected, or decei●● used therein. This work was never y●● called in question nor ever examined by way of trial, as is plainly confessed in the Discovery: and hitherto there hath no● been found any one witness to bring i● any evidence to prove it counterfeit, no● any Christian ever yet heard to open his mouth to speak any evil against it.  
The Reader therefore may much wonder at the intolerable boldness of this malicious Accuser, that dare undertake to discover men & their dealings, especially Preachers of the Gospel to be lewd cousiners, and most notorious deceyvers, and yet never saw nor knew any evil by them, or any sure and certain signs of any suspicion thereof. And may also see how injurious they are, to this unblamable work, that in an unsatiable desire to discredit it, they have cast an evil name upon it, defaming it for a fraudulent practise, though ●t was never tried, nor yet ever detected to have decey●e or bad dealing in it, by any in the world besides themselves: which yet being mere strangers to the cause, will needs condemn it before they hear it, and punish the parties that have practised in it, as most impious, before they know what evil they have done: And now having thus wronged us being just men, yea both rob and wounded us, as I may say: We must be bound to the peace, and must promise neither to publish nor practise these matters: or else remain prisoners still, with expectation of further punishment, which we are willing to endure, seeing we cannot choose but speak those things, which we have both heard & seen.   

This discourse good Reader was dispatched in December last. The difficulty of printing hath hindered the publishing of it thus long.