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         Darrel, John, b. ca. 1562.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A36830 of text R18421 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing D253). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A36830
         Wing D253
         ESTC R18421
         12871982
         ocm 12871982
         94797
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A36830)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 94797)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 255:E172, no 13)
      
       
         
           
             A true relation of the grievous handling of William Sommers of Nottingham being possessed with a devill shewing how he was first taken and how lamentable from time to time he was tormented and afflicted / published by John Darrel ...
             Darrel, John, b. ca. 1562.
          
           [8] p.
           
             by Tho. Harper,
             Printed at London :
             1641.
          
           
             Woodcut illustration on t.p.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Somers, William.
           Demoniac possession -- England -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A36830  R18421  (Wing D253).  civilwar no A true relation of the grievous handling of VVilliam Sommers of Nottingham, being possessed with a devill. Shewing how he was first taken, a Darrel, John 1641    3917 9 0 0 0 0 0 23 C  The  rate of 23 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           True
           Relation
           OF
           The
           grievous
           handling
           of
           WILLIAM
           SOMMERS
           OF
           
             NOTTINGHAM
             ,
          
           Being
           possessed
           with
           a
           Devill
           .
           
             SHEWING
          
           How
           he
           was
           first
           taken
           ,
           and
           how
           lamentably
           from
           time
           to
           time
           he
           was
           tormented
           and
           afflicted
           .
        
         
           Published
           by
           
             John
             Darrel
             ,
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           .
        
         
         
           Printed
           at
           London
           by
           
             Tho.
             Harper
             .
          
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           The
           History
           of
           
             William
             Sommers
             .
          
        
         
           
             WIlliam
             Sommers
          
           of
           Nottingham
           ,
           sonne
           in
           law
           to
           
             Robert
             Cowper
          
           of
           the
           said
           towne
           ,
           and
           by
           trade
           of
           life
           a
           Musician
           ,
           about
           8.
           or
           9.
           yeares
           past
           ,
           as
           he
           journeyed
           from
           Bellyn
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Wigorne
           ,
           (
           where
           hee
           then
           dwelt
           with
           one
           M.
           
             Anthony
             Brackenbery
             )
          
           to
           Bramsgrove
           ,
           a
           market
           towne
           in
           that
           shire
           ,
           accompanyed
           with
           an
           old
           woman
           dwelling
           in
           the
           said
           Bellyn
           ,
           found
           an
           hat
           with
           a
           copper
           band
           :
           the
           woman
           requiring
           the
           same
           ,
           he
           gave
           her
           the
           hat
           ,
           though
           unwillingly
           ,
           but
           the
           band
           he
           utterly
           refused
           to
           give
           ,
           supposing
           it
           to
           bee
           of
           gold
           :
           whereupon
           she
           threatning
           him
           ,
           said
           ,
           That
           it
           had
           beene
           as
           good
           for
           him
           to
           have
           given
           it
           her
           .
           After
           this
           ,
           in
           the
           night
           he
           saw
           a
           strange
           light
           in
           the
           chamber
           where
           he
           lay
           ,
           which
           cast
           him
           into
           a
           great
           feare
           ,
           and
           thus
           hee
           continued
           frighted
           for
           a
           time
           .
           Shortly
           after
           M.
           
             Brackenbery
          
           his
           master
           removed
           to
           Holme
           ,
           neare
           to
           Newark
           upon
           Trent
           ,
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Nottingham
           ,
           being
           there
           sent
           about
           his
           masters
           businesse
           unto
           Newark
           ,
           in
           the
           way
           as
           he
           went
           thither
           ,
           he
           was
           suddenly
           throwne
           into
           a
           ditch
           ,
           some
           8.
           yards
           distant
           from
           the
           high
           way
           wherein
           he
           went
           ;
           after
           he
           had
           lyen
           there
           a
           certaine
           time
           ,
           he
           got
           up
           and
           went
           forward
           in
           his
           journey
           ,
           but
           by
           that
           he
           had
           gone
           a
           very
           little
           way
           further
           ,
           he
           was
           taken
           again
           and
           cast
           into
           a
           thorne
           bush
           about
           60.
           yards
           distant
           from
           the
           high
           way
           :
           but
           how
           he
           came
           into
           it
           or
           the
           ditch
           hee
           knew
           not
           .
           In
           these
           two
           places
           hee
           lay
           for
           the
           space
           of
           some
           4.
           houres
           ,
           as
           he
           perceived
           after
           by
           the
           time
           of
           the
           day
           .
           Notwithstanding
           this
           let
           ,
           to
           Newark
           he
           went
           ,
           when
           in
           his
           returne
           he
           drew
           near
           Holme
           he
           began
           to
           be
           sicke
           :
           from
           sicknesse
           he
           came
           to
           carry
           himselfe
           after
           that
           strange
           manner
           by
           fits
           ,
           that
           his
           master
           supposed
           him
           to
           play
           the
           counterfeit
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           he
           whipped
           him
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           whipping
           was
           used
           (
           which
           he
           felt
           not
           at
           all
           )
           he
           continued
           after
           that
           same
           manner
           ,
           and
           was
           more
           strangely
           handled
           every
           day
           then
           other
           ;
           at
           length
           it
           well
           appeared
           to
           be
           some
           strange
           visitation
           and
           hand
           of
           God
           ,
           whereupon
           his
           master
           procured
           one
           in
           the
           Ministery
           to
           come
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           being
           for
           the
           space
           of
           3.
           weekes
           or
           thereabouts
           a
           continuall
           trouble
           ,
           and
           his
           master
           not
           knowing
           by
           what
           means
           to
           procure
           his
           amendment
           ,
           sent
           him
           accompanied
           with
           3.
           persons
           to
           Nottingham
           to
           his
           mother
           ,
           being
           then
           a
           widow
           :
           whilst
           he
           was
           at
           Holme
           he
           heard
           something
           say
           unto
           him
           ,
           that
           upon
           such
           a
           day
           he
           would
           leave
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           come
           to
           him
           (
           so
           far
           as
           I
           remember
           hee
           said
           )
           untill
           the
           end
           of
           6.
           yeares
           .
           Now
           after
           hee
           had
           beene
           5.
           weekes
           at
           Nottingham
           afflicted
           after
           his
           accustomed
           and
           strange
           manner
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           said
           appointed
           day
           was
           come
           ,
           he
           indeed
           amended
           in
           the
           judgement
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           so
           continued
           :
           inso
           much
           that
           shortly
           after
           he
           was
           bound
           prentice
           to
           one
           
             Thomas
             Porter
          
           of
           Nottingham
           ,
           a
           Weaver
           and
           Musician
           ;
           who
           after
           gave
           over
           his
           trade
           of
           weaving
           ,
           and
           betooke
           himselfe
           wholly
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           from
           whom
           the
           said
           
             William
             Sommers
          
           did
           twice
           run
           away
           .
        
         
           His
           foresaid
           master
           
             Thomas
             Porter
          
           sent
           him
           to
           Walton
           in
           Darbishire
           ,
           the
           now
           dwelling
           house
           of
           Sir
           
             William
             Bowes
             ,
          
           to
           a
           sister
           of
           his
           wifes
           there
           named
           
             Mary
          
           
           
             Milwood
             .
          
           In
           his
           going
           thither
           there
           met
           him
           in
           Blackwell
           Moore
           at
           a
           deepe
           coale-pit
           hard
           by
           the
           high
           way
           side
           ,
           an
           old
           woman
           (
           as
           he
           thought
           )
           who
           asked
           him
           where
           he
           dwelt
           ,
           and
           whither
           he
           was
           going
           ,
           without
           any
           more
           words
           .
           About
           a
           mile
           and
           halfe
           further
           (
           he
           having
           gone
           forward
           a
           journying
           pace
           without
           stay
           )
           she
           met
           him
           againe
           ,
           and
           passed
           by
           him
           without
           any
           words
           .
           The
           next
           day
           hee
           returning
           from
           Walton
           homewards
           ,
           she
           met
           him
           at
           the
           aforesaid
           pit
           ,
           and
           asked
           him
           how
           he
           did
           ?
           saying
           further
           ,
           I
           must
           have
           a
           penny
           from
           thee
           .
           He
           answered
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           no
           money
           .
           Thou
           hast
           (
           quoth
           she
           )
           
             Mary
             Milwood
          
           gave
           thee
           2.
           pence
           ,
           I
           will
           have
           a
           penny
           of
           it
           or
           I
           will
           throw
           thee
           into
           this
           pit
           ,
           and
           break
           thy
           necke
           .
           Hereupon
           for
           feare
           ,
           she
           giving
           him
           2.
           pence
           ,
           he
           gave
           her
           3.
           pence
           which
           indeed
           had
           bin
           given
           him
           by
           the
           said
           
             Mary
             .
          
           After
           this
           she
           put
           her
           hand
           to
           a
           bag
           she
           had
           about
           her
           ,
           and
           taking
           thence
           a
           peece
           of
           bread
           with
           butter
           spred
           on
           it
           ,
           bad
           him
           eate
           it
           .
           He
           refusing
           ,
           shee
           threatned
           him
           againe
           to
           throw
           him
           into
           the
           pit
           and
           breake
           his
           necke
           if
           he
           would
           not
           eate
           it
           .
           Whereupon
           (
           greatly
           against
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           for
           feare
           )
           he
           did
           eat
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           eating
           it
           seemed
           as
           sweet
           as
           any
           honey
           .
           She
           said
           moreover
           unto
           him
           ,
           Dost
           thou
           not
           know
           
             Katherine
             Wright
             ?
          
           No
           ,
           qooth
           he
           .
           She
           is
           my
           neighbour
           (
           said
           she
           )
           and
           she
           and
           I
           will
           come
           to
           Nottingham
           one
           of
           these
           dayes
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           thou
           doest
           .
           Then
           a
           cat
           (
           as
           the
           boy
           thought
           )
           leapt
           up
           into
           her
           bosome
           ,
           the
           which
           she
           imbraced
           ,
           and
           with
           her
           armes
           claspt
           it
           unto
           her
           ,
           and
           thus
           they
           parted
           each
           from
           other
           .
        
         
           The
           said
           
             Sommers
          
           (
           being
           at
           Nottingham
           in
           the
           house
           of
           his
           master
           
             Thomas
             Porter
             )
          
           did
           use
           such
           strange
           and
           idle
           kinde
           of
           gestures
           ,
           in
           laughing
           ,
           dauncing
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           light
           behaviour
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           suspected
           to
           be
           mad
           :
           sundry
           times
           he
           refused
           all
           kinde
           of
           meat
           for
           a
           long
           space
           together
           ,
           in
           so
           much
           as
           hee
           did
           seeme
           thereby
           to
           pine
           away
           :
           sometimes
           he
           shaked
           as
           if
           hee
           had
           had
           an
           ague
           :
           there
           was
           heard
           a
           strange
           noise
           or
           flapping
           from
           within
           his
           body
           :
           he
           was
           often
           seen
           to
           gather
           himselfe
           on
           a
           round
           heape
           under
           his
           bed
           clothes
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           gathered
           to
           bounce
           up
           a
           good
           height
           from
           the
           bed
           :
           also
           to
           beat
           his
           head
           and
           other
           parts
           of
           his
           body
           against
           the
           ground
           and
           bedstead
           ,
           in
           such
           earnest
           manner
           ,
           and
           so
           violently
           ,
           that
           the
           beholders
           did
           feare
           that
           thereby
           he
           would
           have
           spoyled
           himselfe
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           by
           strong
           hand
           restrained
           him
           ,
           and
           yet
           thereby
           received
           he
           no
           hurt
           at
           all
           .
           In
           most
           of
           his
           fits
           he
           did
           swell
           in
           his
           body
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           of
           them
           did
           so
           greatly
           exceed
           therein
           ,
           as
           hee
           seemed
           to
           be
           twice
           so
           big
           as
           his
           naturall
           body
           .
           Oft
           also
           was
           he
           seene
           to
           have
           a
           certaine
           variable
           swelling
           or
           lump
           to
           a
           great
           bignesse
           ,
           swiftly
           running
           up
           and
           downe
           betweene
           the
           flesh
           and
           skinne
           ,
           through
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           his
           body
           :
           and
           many
           times
           when
           that
           swelling
           was
           ,
           these
           or
           the
           like
           words
           were
           heard
           out
           of
           his
           mouth
           ,
           I
           will
           goe
           out
           at
           his
           eyes
           ,
           or
           eares
           ,
           or
           toes
           :
           at
           which
           speeches
           the
           said
           swelling
           evidently
           appearing
           i●
           such
           parts
           ,
           did
           immediately
           remove
           and
           vanish
           away
           .
           This
           swelling
           did
           not
           onely
           run
           from
           eye
           to
           eye
           ▪
           from
           cheeke
           to
           cheeke
           ,
           and
           up
           and
           downe
           along
           still
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           but
           besides
           being
           now
           in
           the
           one
           leg
           ,
           presently
           it
           would
           be
           in
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           the
           armes
           in
           like
           manner
           :
           and
           looke
           in
           which
           arme
           or
           leg
           it
           stayed
           (
           as
           often
           it
           did
           for
           a
           certaine
           space
           )
           the
           same
           member
           was
           inflexible
           and
           
           exceedingly
           heavy
           ,
           as
           it
           had
           beene
           so
           much
           iron
           .
           Thus
           it
           went
           with
           him
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           all
           ,
           yet
           in
           many
           of
           his
           fits
           ,
           wherein
           over
           and
           besides
           these
           things
           ,
           he
           was
           strangely
           handled
           ,
           for
           suddenly
           (
           if
           he
           were
           standing
           when
           the
           fit
           came
           )
           he
           would
           be
           cast
           headlong
           upon
           the
           ground
           ,
           or
           fall
           downe
           ,
           drawing
           then
           his
           lips
           awry
           ,
           gnashing
           with
           his
           teeth
           ,
           wallowing
           and
           foaming
           .
           In
           sundry
           of
           his
           fits
           he
           did
           utter
           so
           strange
           and
           fearfull
           schrieking
           as
           cannot
           bee
           uttered
           by
           mans
           power
           ,
           and
           was
           of
           such
           strength
           as
           sometimes
           4.
           or
           5
           men
           ,
           though
           they
           had
           much
           advantage
           against
           him
           by
           binding
           of
           him
           to
           a
           chaire
           ,
           yet
           could
           they
           not
           rule
           him
           :
           and
           in
           shewing
           that
           strength
           he
           was
           not
           perceived
           to
           pant
           or
           blow
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           if
           he
           had
           not
           strained
           nor
           strugled
           at
           all
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           cryed
           extreamly
           ,
           so
           as
           teares
           came
           from
           him
           in
           great
           abundance
           :
           presently
           after
           he
           would
           laugh
           aloud
           and
           shrill
           ,
           his
           mouth
           being
           shut
           close
           .
           And
           being
           demanded
           concerning
           those
           accidents
           ,
           he
           protested
           he
           knew
           of
           no
           such
           matter
           ,
           neither
           felt
           he
           any
           paine
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           he
           was
           oftentimes
           cast
           into
           the
           fire
           ,
           some
           bare
           part
           of
           his
           body
           also
           lying
           in
           the
           fire
           ,
           and
           yet
           was
           not
           burned
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           cast
           violently
           against
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           against
           the
           wall
           or
           posts
           of
           the
           house
           ,
           without
           any
           hurt
           of
           his
           body
           ,
           and
           did
           many
           wayes
           seeke
           to
           destroy
           himselfe
           ;
           by
           reason
           whereof
           they
           were
           driven
           to
           take
           away
           his
           knife
           ,
           girdle
           ,
           garters
           ,
           &c.
           yea
           with
           the
           sheet
           of
           his
           bed
           hee
           had
           like
           to
           have
           strangled
           himselfe
           .
           Whereupon
           ,
           as
           also
           through
           the
           increasing
           of
           his
           fits
           ,
           they
           were
           constrained
           to
           watch
           him
           continually
           ,
           even
           day
           and
           night
           .
           His
           behaviour
           generally
           towards
           all
           that
           came
           ,
           was
           very
           pleasant
           ,
           most
           impudent
           also
           and
           shamelesse
           ,
           with
           much
           uncleannesse
           .
           His
           speeches
           were
           usually
           vaine
           ,
           delivered
           in
           very
           sc●ffing
           manner
           and
           many
           times
           filthy
           and
           uncleane
           ,
           very
           unfit
           once
           to
           be
           named
           ,
           or
           blasphemous
           ,
           swearing
           most
           fearfully
           ,
           using
           one
           bloody
           oath
           after
           another
           :
           sometimes
           saying
           ,
           I
           am
           God
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           ,
           There
           is
           no
           GOD
           .
        
         
           Being
           moved
           to
           say
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           when
           he
           came
           to
           these
           words
           ,
           Lead
           us
           not
           into
           temptation
           ,
           hee
           would
           say
           ,
           Lead
           us
           into
           temptation
           :
           Divers
           fond
           speeches
           did
           he
           use
           to
           interrupt
           them
           that
           prayed
           for
           him
           .
           Many
           strange
           speeches
           also
           were
           uttered
           by
           him
           ,
           not
           in
           his
           owne
           name
           ,
           but
           as
           spoken
           by
           an
           evill
           spirit
           possessing
           him
           :
           upon
           occasion
           of
           some
           question
           or
           speech
           used
           by
           some
           in
           their
           simplicity
           and
           ignorance
           :
           as
           ,
           That
           his
           D●m●
           had
           sent
           him
           ,
           that
           his
           name
           was
           
             L●●ye
             ,
          
           that
           he
           was
           King
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           Prince
           of
           darknesse
           .
           You
           thinke
           I
           have
           no
           power
           of
           him
           ,
           yet
           I
           can
           use
           his
           tongue
           ,
           his
           teeth
           ,
           lippes
           ,
           hands
           ,
           legges
           ,
           his
           body
           and
           all
           parts
           of
           him
           .
           And
           as
           the
           spirit
           named
           each
           part
           ,
           hee
           used
           it
           .
           And
           this
           speech
           with
           the
           action
           was
           very
           common
           :
           Was
           I
           (
           said
           he
           to
           one
           
             John
             Wiggin
             )
          
           never
           in
           heaven
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           but
           God
           for
           thy
           pride
           threw
           thee
           downe
           into
           hell
           ,
           there
           to
           remaine
           .
           One
           
             John
             Sherwood
          
           charging
           him
           to
           tell
           who
           sent
           him
           thither
           ,
           he
           answered
           ,
           a
           woman
           .
           He
           charged
           him
           againe
           to
           tell
           where
           she
           dwelt
           :
           he
           answered
           ,
           in
           Worcestershire
           .
           Whether
           is
           she
           living
           or
           dead
           ?
           Dead
           said
           hee
           .
           Wherefore
           did
           she
           send
           thee
           ?
           For
           a
           hat
           and
           hatband
           .
           Then
           the
           boy
           ,
           when
           the
           fit
           was
           done
           ,
           was
           questioned
           with
           concerning
           these
           things
           :
           where
           unto
           he
           returned
           for
           answer
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           set
           downe
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           this
           story
           ,
           which
           he
           
           had
           concealed
           untill
           that
           time
           .
           Hereunto
           I
           might
           adde
           certaine
           direct
           answers
           he
           made
           in
           Latine
           to
           those
           speeches
           which
           in
           Latine
           were
           used
           unto
           him
           :
           a
           little
           Greek
           he
           also
           spake
           ,
           being
           ignorant
           in
           those
           languages
           ,
           altogether
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           understanding
           little
           or
           nothing
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           In
           going
           thus
           with
           the
           boy
           ,
           I
           was
           importuned
           in
           his
           behalfe
           ,
           first
           by
           two
           letters
           ,
           after
           by
           another
           from
           the
           Maior
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           I
           went
           unto
           him
           .
           At
           when
           &
           about
           the
           time
           I
           condescended
           to
           goe
           ,
           (
           being
           14.
           miles
           off
           him
           )
           hee
           spake
           thereof
           to
           them
           which
           were
           about
           him
           :
           So
           when
           I
           was
           come
           to
           Nottingham
           ,
           hee
           instantly
           told
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           foretold
           my
           comming
           unto
           him
           when
           I
           drew
           neere
           the
           house
           ,
           as
           he
           had
           also
           foretold
           M.
           
             Aldridge
          
           (
           the
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Towne
           )
           his
           comming
           at
           sundry
           times
           .
        
         
           Towards
           that
           evening
           I
           came
           ,
           he
           seemed
           to
           be
           si●ke
           ,
           and
           his
           sicknesse
           greatly
           to
           increase
           upon
           him
           ,
           so
           as
           they
           feared
           he
           would
           have
           dyed
           ,
           or
           had
           been
           dead
           :
           for
           he
           lay
           an
           houre
           with
           his
           face
           and
           hands
           blacke
           ,
           cold
           as
           ice
           ,
           no
           breath
           being
           perceived
           to
           come
           from
           him
           .
           Whereupon
           I
           was
           no
           sooner
           light
           ,
           but
           tidings
           hereof
           was
           brought
           to
           me
           by
           one
           of
           the
           neighbour
           women
           
             Ioane
             Pye
          
           by
           name
           ,
           who
           came
           purposely
           from
           him
           to
           signifie
           the
           same
           unto
           me
           .
           To
           whom
           I
           answered
           ,
           that
           was
           the
           meere
           act
           or
           operation
           of
           the
           Divell
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           boy
           was
           nothing
           lesse
           then
           either
           dead
           ,
           or
           in
           danger
           thereof
           .
           Forthwith
           with
           her
           I
           went
           to
           him
           ,
           whom
           we
           found
           very
           lively
           ,
           and
           in
           one
           of
           his
           accustomed
           Fits
           ,
           many
           being
           present
           with
           him
           .
        
         
           My
           speech
           I
           carried
           for
           a
           season
           doubtfully
           ;
           but
           after
           a
           while
           perceiving
           how
           it
           was
           with
           him
           ,
           I
           did
           assure
           him
           that
           he
           was
           possessed
           ,
           and
           had
           in
           that
           body
           of
           his
           a
           Divell
           ,
           and
           withall
           did
           so
           frame
           the
           words
           of
           my
           mouth
           ,
           as
           might
           best
           serve
           to
           prepare
           and
           stir
           him
           up
           to
           a
           spirituall
           fight
           against
           Satan
           ,
           or
           resistance
           of
           him
           in
           faith
           .
           This
           evening
           he
           acted
           many
           sins
           by
           signes
           and
           gestures
           ,
           most
           lively
           representing
           and
           shadowing
           them
           out
           unto
           us
           :
           as
           namely
           ,
           brawling
           ,
           quarrelling
           ,
           fighting
           ,
           swearing
           ,
           robbing
           by
           the
           high
           wayes
           ,
           picking
           and
           cutting
           of
           purses
           ,
           burglary
           ,
           whoredome
           ,
           pride
           both
           in
           men
           and
           women
           ,
           hypocrisie
           ,
           sluggishnesse
           in
           hearing
           the
           Word
           ,
           drunkennesse
           ,
           gluttony
           ,
           also
           dancing
           with
           the
           toyes
           thereto
           belonging
           ,
           the
           manner
           of
           anticke
           dances
           ,
           the
           games
           of
           dicing
           and
           carding
           ,
           the
           abuse
           of
           the
           viole
           ,
           with
           other
           instruments
           .
           At
           the
           end
           of
           sundry
           of
           these
           he
           laughed
           exceedingly
           ,
           divers
           times
           clapping
           his
           hands
           on
           his
           thighes
           for
           joy
           :
           And
           at
           the
           end
           of
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           killing
           and
           stealing
           ,
           he
           shewed
           how
           he
           brought
           them
           to
           the
           gallowes
           ,
           making
           a
           signe
           thereof
           .
           During
           this
           time
           ,
           which
           continued
           about
           an
           houre
           ,
           as
           hee
           was
           altogether
           silent
           ,
           so
           was
           hee
           most
           active
           ,
           though
           his
           eyes
           were
           closed
           ;
           and
           in
           many
           things
           he
           did
           ,
           there
           was
           great
           and
           necessary
           use
           of
           sight
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           these
           things
           were
           in
           such
           lively
           and
           orient
           colours
           painted
           out
           (
           as
           I
           may
           say
           )
           unto
           us
           that
           were
           present
           ,
           being
           to
           the
           number
           of
           some
           sixty
           ,
           that
           I
           for
           my
           owne
           part
           ,
           (
           and
           I
           am
           perswaded
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           beholders
           are
           of
           my
           minde
           )
           doe
           verily
           thinke
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           in
           the
           skill
           and
           power
           of
           man
           to
           doe
           the
           like
           .
           Whilst
           we
           were
           recommending
           him
           and
           his
           grievous
           estate
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           intreating
           his
           Majesty
           in
           his
           behalfe
           ,
           hee
           uttered
           these
           words
           :
           I
           must
           be
           gone
           .
        
         
         
           The
           next
           day
           being
           the
           Lords
           day
           ,
           I
           came
           not
           at
           him
           untill
           about
           3
           a
           clocke
           in
           the
           afternoon
           ,
           (
           finding
           company
           with
           him
           )
           at
           which
           time
           I
           used
           some
           speech
           ,
           wherein
           I
           endevoured
           to
           prepare
           both
           him
           and
           his
           masters
           family
           ,
           as
           also
           his
           parents
           (
           whom
           that
           judgement
           principally
           concerneth
           )
           unto
           the
           holy
           exercise
           the
           day
           after
           to
           be
           performed
           .
           Towards
           evening
           much
           people
           resorted
           to
           the
           house
           ,
           then
           some
           words
           of
           exhortation
           were
           used
           by
           my selfe
           ,
           for
           the
           sanctifying
           of
           so
           many
           of
           us
           ,
           whose
           spirits
           God
           should
           stirre
           up
           ,
           to
           joyn
           in
           that
           solemne
           service
           and
           worship
           of
           God
           to
           be
           performed
           on
           the
           day
           following
           .
           As
           the
           night
           and
           day
           before
           he
           had
           little
           or
           no
           rest
           from
           Satan
           afflicting
           him
           :
           so
           this
           evening
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           night
           long
           ,
           he
           handled
           him
           more
           extreamly
           then
           before
           .
           At
           this
           time
           among
           other
           things
           the
           spirit
           retorted
           his
           tongue
           into
           his
           throat
           ,
           and
           this
           he
           did
           often
           ,
           whereupon
           many
           looked
           with
           a
           candle
           into
           his
           mouth
           ,
           where
           they
           could
           see
           no
           tongue
           nor
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           onely
           in
           his
           throat
           they
           beheld
           the
           root
           thereof
           ,
           hee
           uttered
           often
           these
           words
           ,
           For
           corne
           ,
           for
           corne
           ,
           with
           a
           few
           more
           thereunto
           appertaining
           ,
           noting
           the
           unsatiable
           desire
           of
           gaine
           ,
           or
           raising
           the
           price
           of
           corne
           in
           corne
           men
           .
           This
           night
           was
           spent
           by
           some
           well
           disposed
           people
           ,
           in
           reading
           and
           praying
           .
           This
           evening
           I
           requested
           the
           Minister
           of
           that
           Congregation
           ,
           M.
           
             Aldridge
             ,
          
           M.
           
             Aldred
             ,
          
           and
           M.
           
             Halam
             ,
          
           Pastors
           of
           two
           severall
           townes
           neere
           acjoyning
           unto
           Nottingham
           ,
           to
           joyne
           with
           me
           on
           the
           morrow
           in
           the
           ministration
           of
           the
           Word
           and
           Prayer
           :
           whereunto
           they
           condescended
           .
           And
           this
           I
           did
           the
           rather
           ,
           that
           thereby
           I
           might
           proclaime
           and
           make
           knowne
           unto
           all
           men
           ,
           that
           as
           I
           have
           no
           speciall
           or
           greater
           gift
           herein
           then
           the
           rest
           of
           my
           brethren
           :
           so
           neither
           doe
           I
           arrogate
           or
           challenge
           any
           such
           thing
           to
           my selfe
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           morning
           many
           of
           us
           were
           assembled
           together
           in
           the
           next
           convenient
           and
           seemly
           roome
           to
           the
           place
           of
           his
           abode
           .
           The
           boy
           was
           brought
           with
           strange
           and
           fearfull
           scrikings
           ,
           by
           six
           or
           seaven
           strong
           men
           ,
           who
           had
           all
           of
           them
           enough
           adoe
           to
           bring
           him
           ,
           and
           laid
           him
           on
           a
           couch
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           us
           .
           M.
           
             Aldridge
          
           began
           ,
           and
           after
           prayer
           proceeded
           to
           the
           interpretation
           of
           the
           4.
           of
           
             Hosea
             ,
          
           the
           two
           first
           verses
           .
           When
           he
           had
           finished
           ,
           my selfe
           intreated
           of
           that
           story
           set
           downe
           in
           the
           9
           of
           Mark
           ,
           from
           verse
           14.
           untill
           the
           30.
           where
           the
           father
           bringing
           his
           possessed
           childe
           to
           Christ
           to
           be
           cured
           ,
           had
           him
           healed
           accordingly
           .
           All
           this
           day
           he
           was
           continually
           vexed
           and
           tormented
           by
           Satan
           ,
           having
           little
           no
           rest
           at
           all
           ,
           so
           as
           the
           same
           for
           vexation
           by
           the
           spirit
           ,
           farre
           exceeded
           any
           of
           the
           dayes
           before
           .
           His
           torments
           in
           his
           fits
           were
           most
           grievous
           and
           fearfull
           to
           behold
           ,
           wherein
           his
           body
           being
           swelled
           ,
           was
           tossed
           up
           and
           downe
           .
           In
           these
           fits
           his
           strength
           was
           very
           great
           ,
           so
           as
           being
           held
           downe
           with
           five
           strong
           men
           ,
           hee
           did
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           strength
           ,
           against
           their
           wills
           ,
           rise
           and
           stand
           upright
           on
           his
           feet
           .
           Hee
           was
           also
           continually
           torne
           in
           very
           fearfull
           manner
           ,
           and
           disfigured
           in
           his
           face
           ;
           wherein
           sometimes
           his
           lips
           were
           drawne
           awry
           ,
           now
           to
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           now
           to
           the
           other
           .
           Sometimes
           his
           face
           and
           necke
           distorted
           to
           the
           right
           and
           to
           the
           left
           hand
           ,
           yea
           sometimes
           writhen
           to
           his
           backe
           .
           Sometimes
           he
           thrust
           out
           his
           tongue
           very
           farre
           and
           bigge
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           turned
           backwards
           into
           his
           throat
           ,
           gaping
           so
           wide
           that
           we
           might
           afarre
           off
           perceive
           it
           .
           Now
           he
           gnashed
           ,
           with
           his
           teeth
           ,
           now
           he
           fomed
           
           like
           to
           the
           Horse
           or
           Boare
           ,
           roaping
           downe
           to
           his
           breast
           ,
           notwithstanding
           there
           was
           one
           purposely
           standing
           by
           with
           a
           cloath
           ever
           and
           anon
           to
           wipe
           it
           away
           ▪
           Not
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           of
           his
           fearfull
           staring
           with
           his
           eyes
           ,
           and
           incredible
           gaping
           .
        
         
           This
           day
           ,
           notwithstanding
           he
           was
           so
           held
           ,
           as
           is
           aforesaid
           ,
           hee
           went
           about
           to
           have
           choked
           and
           so
           destroyed
           himselfe
           :
           speeches
           he
           used
           none
           ,
           save
           once
           in
           a
           great
           voyce
           ,
           
             Corne
             .
          
           And
           when
           I
           applied
           that
           speech
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           All
           things
           are
           possible
           to
           him
           that
           beleeveth
           ;
           hee
           used
           these
           words
           ,
           Thou
           liest
           .
           Divers
           times
           he
           scriked
           or
           cried
           aloud
           in
           a
           strange
           and
           supernaturall
           manner
           :
           sometimes
           he
           roared
           fearfully
           like
           a
           Beare
           ,
           and
           cried
           like
           a
           swine
           .
        
         
           Towards
           the
           evening
           ,
           as
           I
           was
           treating
           of
           these
           words
           ,
           Then
           the
           spirit
           cryed
           and
           rent
           him
           sore
           ,
           and
           came
           out
           ,
           and
           he
           was
           as
           one
           dead
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           many
           said
           he
           is
           dead
           .
           The
           boy
           was
           rent
           ▪
           sore
           indeed
           ,
           cryed
           ,
           and
           that
           aloud
           .
           Then
           the
           people
           which
           were
           present
           ,
           as
           men
           astonished
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           grievous
           sight
           ,
           &
           〈◊〉
           unspeakeable
           ,
           affected
           in
           the
           bowels
           of
           compassion
           towards
           him
           ,
           breaking
           then
           hitherto
           continued
           silence
           ,
           cried
           out
           all
           at
           once
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           with
           one
           voyce
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           have
           mercy
           upon
           him
           :
           and
           within
           a
           quarter
           of
           an
           houre
           (
           they
           and
           he
           still
           crying
           alowd
           )
           he
           held
           down
           on
           a
           bed
           by
           5
           men
           ,
           and
           offering
           as
           though
           he
           would
           have
           vomited
           ,
           was
           on
           the
           sudden
           violently
           cast
           ,
           and
           his
           body
           there
           with
           turned
           ,
           so
           as
           his
           face
           lay
           downwards
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           beds
           feet
           ,
           and
           his
           backe
           upward
           ,
           with
           his
           feet
           on
           the
           beds
           head
           ;
           and
           thus
           bee
           lay
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           dead
           for
           a
           season
           .
           Thus
           we
           have
           heard
           not
           only
           how
           it
           went
           with
           
             Sommers
          
           〈◊〉
           the
           time
           of
           his
           possession
           ,
           and
           at
           and
           little
           before
           his
           dispossession
           ,
           but
           also
           how
           and
           by
           what
           meanes
           I
           came
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           being
           there
           ,
           carried
           my selfe
           in
           thi●
           present
           action
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

