THe Diuell , being the principall agent and chiefe practiser in all wickednes . It is much to the purpose we haue in hand , to describe and set him forth , that we may the better be instructed to see what he is able to doe in what manner , and to what end and purpose . At the beginning ( as Gods word doth teach vs ) he was created an holy Angell , full of power & glory . He sinned , he was cast downe from heauen , he was vtterly depriued of glory , and preserued for iudgement . This therefore , and this change of his , did not destroy nor take away the former faculty of Diuels , but vtterly corrupt , peruert , and depraue the same . The Essence of Spirits remained , and the power and vnderstanding such as is in Angels . The heauenly Angels are very mighty , and strong , far aboue all earthly creatures in the world . The Infernall Angels are for their strength called Principalities and Powers . Those blessed ones apply all their might to set vp and aduance the glory of God , and to defend and succour his children . The Diuels bend all their force against God , against his glory , Eph. ●… Psal . ●… and against his truth , and people . And this they doe with such fiercenesse , 〈◇〉 1. rage , and cruelty , ther the Holy Ghost painteth them out , vnder the figure of a great red or fiery Dragon and roaring Lion , and ( in very deed ) any thing comparable vnto them . Hee hath such power and authority that he is called the God of the World . His kingdome is bound and inclosed within certaine limits , for he is the Prince , but of Darknes . But yet within his said dominion ( which is in ignorance of God ) he exerciseth a mighty tyranny . Our Sauiour compareth him to a strong Man , armed which keepeth his Castle .

And what shall we say , for the wisedome , and vnderstanding of Angells , which was giuen them in their Creation , was it not far aboue that which Men can reach vnto ? When they became Diuels ( euen those reprobate Angels ) their vnderstanding was not taken away , but turned into malitious craft , and subtilty . He neuer doth any thing but of an euill purpose , and yet he can set such a colour , that the Apostle saith , He doth change himselfe into the likenesse of an Angell of Light . For the same cause he is called the old Serpent . He was subtill at the beginning , but continuall practise , and long experience , hath made him much more subtill . He hath searched out , and knoweth all the waies that may be to deceiue . So that if God should not chaine him vp his power and subtilty ( ioyned together ) would ouercome , and seduce the whole world .

There be great multitudes of Infernall Spirits as the holy Scriptures doe euery where shew , but yet they doe so ioyne together in one , that they be called the Diuell in the singular number . They doe all ioyne together ( as our Sauiour teacheth ) to vphold one kingdome For though they cannot loue one another , in deed , yet the hatred they beare against God , is as a band , that doth t is them together . The holy Angels are ministring Spirits . sent forth for their sakes that shall inherit the promise . They haue no bodily shape of themselues : But to set forth their speedines , the Scripture applieth it vnto our rude capacity , and painteth them out with wings . When they are to rescue , and succour the seruants of God , they can straight way from the highest heauens ( which are thousand of thousands of miles distant from the earth ) be present with them .

Such quicknesse is also in the Diuels : for their nature being spirituall , and not loden with any heauenly matter as our bodies are , doth afford vnto them such a nimblenesse as we cannot conceiue . By this they fly through the world , ouer sea , and land , and spy out all aduantages , and occasions to doe euill .

To declare what these malignant Spirits haue effected , and brought to passe or what successe they haue attained , would be too long and tedious a péece of worke . I will therefore loose that point of my compasse , and saile forwards in my intended way , to finde out and declare the fearefull vexation of one Alexander Nyndge , who was grieuously tormented with an euil Spirit from the xx . of Ianuary , to the 23. of Iuly , and is worthy to be remembred both for example , and warning . For describing the horror and vnheard of misery that fell vpon him , we may be thereby drawne to descend into our selues , and to looke into our soules betimes , least Heauen powre downe the viols of wrath vpon vs.

You shall vnderstand therefore that the first fit , and vexation , wherewith this Alexander Nyndge was so fearefully perplexed began about seauen of the clocke at night . His Father , mother , and brethren , with the residue of the houshold being at that time in presence . And it was in this manner . His chest , and body fell a swelling , his eies a staring , and his backe bending inwards to his belly which did strike the beholders into a strange wonder , and admiration at the first , yet one of his brothers then also present , named Edward Nyndge , a Master of Arts , being boulder then others were of the company , certainly perswading himselfe that it was some euill spirit , that so molested him : gaue him comfortable words of mercy from the holy Scriptures , and also charged the Spirit by the death and Passion of Iesus Christ , that it should declard the cause of that torment . At which the countenance of the same Alexander turned more strange , and full of amazement , and feare then it was before , and so returned to his former state againe .

This Alexander Nyndge hauing his spéech thou at liberty said vnto the same Edward , Brother , he is maruellous afraid of you , therefore I pray you stand by me .

With which words the same Edward was the more bold , and said to Alexander , If thou dost earnestly repent thee of thy sins , and pray to God for the forgiuenesse of the same , ( my life for thine ) the Diu●ll cannot hurt thée , No , rather then he should , I will goe to hell with thee . Then the Spirit ( for a small time ) racked the said Alexander in a far more cruell manner : for he did vse such strange and idle kinds of gestures in laughing , dancing , and such like light behauiours , that he was suspected to be mad : sundry times he refused all kinds of meat for a long space together , insomuch as he séemed to pine away . Sometimes he shaked as if he had had an ague . There was heard also a strange noise or flapping from within his body , Hee would gather himselfe on a round heape vnder his bedcloathes , and being so gathered , he would bounse vp a good height from the bed , and beat his head and other parts of his body against the ground , and bed-stead in such earnest manner , that the beholders did feare that he would thereby haue spoiled himselfe , if they had not by strong hand restrained him , and yet thereby he receiued no hurt at all .

In most of his fits he did swell in his body , and in some of them did so greatly excéed therein , as he seemed to be twice so big as his naturall body . He was often seene to haue a certaine swelling or variable lumpe to a great bignesse swiftly running vp and downe between the flesh and the skin .

Then would they carry the same Alexander downe the chamber , willing him to call vpon God for grace , and earnestly to repent him , and to put his trust only in Christ Iesus . And setting him in a chaire , desired his Father to send for all his neighbors , to helpe to pray for him . And on a suddaine he would be strangely handled , for ( sitting in a chaire when the fit came ) he would be cast head long vpon the ground , or fall downe , drawing then his lips awry , gnashing with his téeth , wallowing and foming , and the Spirit would vexe him monstrously and transforme his body , and alter the same by many violences . Then the said Edward his brother with one Thomas Wakefield would lay hands on Alexander and set him in the Chaire againe , and there hold him . All that were in the house praying earnestly .

And the said Edward charging the Spirit with these words , Thou fowle Feind , I Coniure thee , in the name of Iesus our Sauiour , the Sonne of Almighty God , that thou speake vnto vs.

Whereat the Spirit transformed him very vgly against his Chest , swelling vpwards to his throat , plucking his belly iust to his backe , and so ceased for a time .

The partie tormented being somewhat restored , vttered these words ; Sirs , He will speake with me , I pray you let him not speake with mee . Whereupon all that were present did pray earnestly , at which the Spirit began to vexe him very grieuously and swelled sore 〈…〉 he Chest , and in a base sounding and hollow voyce , vttere 〈…〉 ords . I will , I will , I will . Then replyed the said Edw●… d , a 〈…〉 said ; Thou shalt not , and I charge thee in the Name of Ies●… Christ , that thou speake vnto vs , and not vnto him . T●en the Spirit in a hollow voyce said , Why didst thou tell th●m ? Why didst thou tell them ? Then the said Edward , did Charge the Spirit ( as aforesaid ) to tell them the cause of his comming ? And why hee did torment his brother . To the which the Spirit answered . I come for his Soule . Then the saide Edward said vnto the Spirit , Wee haue a warrant in the holy Scriptures , that such as doe earnestly repeat them of their sins , and turne vnto God with the only hope of Saluation , through the merits of Iesus Christ , thou mayest not haue them , for Christ is his Redeemer . The Spirit vttered ( in a base hollow sounding voyce ) these words , Christ that was my Redeemer . Then Edward said , Christ that is his Redeemer , not thy Redeemer , but my brother Alexander his Redeemer .

Then the Spirit said in his hollow voyce , I will haue his Soule and body too , and so began to torment and racke the same Alexander , and difigure him more horriby then before , forcing him to such strange and fearefull skriking as cannot bee vttered by mans power , and was of such strength , as sometimes foure or fiue men , though they had much aduantage against him by binding him to a chaire , yet could they not rule him . And in shewing that strength , hee was not perceiued to pant or blow , no more then he had not strained his strength , nor strugled at all . Sometimes hee would cry extreamly , so as teares would come from him in great aboundance . Presently after hee would laugh aloude , and shrill , his mou●h being shut close . And sometimes he was heaued vp from the ground by force inuisible , the said Edward Nyndge , Thomas Nyndge , Thomas Wakefield , Thomas Goldsmith , William Miles , and William Nyndge Iunior , hanging vpon the same Alexander vnto the middest of the house , and the said Edward putting his mouth vnto the eare of the said disfigured body of his brother Alexander said , Brother , continue in your faith , and if you goe to hell , wee will goe with you . Then the force did somewhat falle , and the hangers on dr 〈…〉 em to the Chaire againe . Then one of his younger brot●… med William Nyndge said ; Wee will keepe him from th●● the● foule Spirit , in despite of thy Nose .

Whereat the transformed body , looked very ●… ibly against the said William , and turned his most vgly lookes ●●to his brother Edward standing on the other side , vttering these hollowe sounding words , Will you sir , will you sir . To which the saide Edward answered ; Nor I sir , but the merits of Iesus Christ will , and him we earnestly pray to keepe him from thee . Then all that were there present , to the number of 20. persons and more , fell downe and said the Lords Prayer , with other Sentences , euery one seuerally , and one of the Company vttered words , ioyning God and the blessed virgin Mary together , whom the said Edward rebuked , and said , You offend God : whereat there came a voyce much like Alexanders voyce , saying twice , There bee other good Prayers . Whereunto the said Edward made answere , and said , Thou lyest , for there is no other Name vnder Heauen whereby wee may challenge Saluation , but the onely Name of Christ Iesus . And then the Spirit toares with a fearefull voice , and stretched out his necke long to the Fyre : and then the saide Edward desired Peter Bencham , Curate of the Towne , to Coniure and charge him in the Name of Iesus the Sonne of the Almightie , that the Spirit should declare vnto them from whence hee came ? Whether he would ? And what was his Name 〈…〉 which the Spirit made answere in this mumbling manner . I would come out , I would come out . Then Edward charged him ( as before ) that he should declare his name . And the Spirit said , Aubon , Aubon . They charged him then ( as is aforesaid ) to make knowne vnto them whence hee came : and the Spirit made answere in a hollow voyce ; From Ireland , from Ireland . Then they laide the fourth Chapter of Saint Mathew against him , where Christ said , It is ; Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God , and him onely shalt thou serue . Which Sentence , as it was pronounced , the hollow voyce sounded , My Master , my Master , I am his Disciple , I am his Disciple . Then they answered , Thy Master we graunt he is , but thou lyest , thou art none of his Disciple . Thou art onely an instrument , and scourge to punish the wicked , so farre as pleaseth him . And then they layd vnto him the eight Chapter of S. Luke , whereas Christ himselfe did cast out Deuils . And the Spirit answered hollowly , Baw-wawe , baw-wawe . And within a little space after , the body of the saide Alexander , being as monstrously transformed as it was before , much like the picture of the Deuill in a play , with an horrible roaring voyce , sounding Hell-hound , was most horribly tormented . And they that were present fell to prayer , desiring God earnestly to take away the foule Spirit from him . The said Edward then desired to haue the window opened , for , I trust in God ( said hee ) the fowle Spirit is wearie of our company . The windowes being opened accordingly , within two Minuts after the tormented body returned to true shape againe , the said Alexander leaping vp , and holding vp his hands , and saying , Hee is gone , he is gone , Lord I thanke thee . Whereat all the people that were then present fell downe on their knees with the reuerence , and yeelded vnto God exceeding praise and thanksgiuing . This fit ended about eleuen of the Clocke the same night , and so they went to Supper with great ioy and gladnesse .

After foure a clocke in the Morning another fit began : and the said Alexander being in his bed , with great trembling said , I will goe , I will goe . Then said Edward , Brother , call your selfe to remembrance , and beleeue in Iesus Christ your Redeemer , and take this Sentence for your defence against him whensoeuer you see him come , this is the Sentence ; Speake for mee my Sauiour Iesus Christ . Which Sentence the said Alexander vttered very earnestly many times , with a trembling and fearefull looke , as though something had inuaded him , but we said nothing but his belly swelling a little . This fit continuing halfe an houre , and somewhat more , they tooke him the Bible to read , and so fell to godly Prayer against all assaults and temptations in this maner .

After the Prayer ended , he fel into a slumber , but it continued not so , but that he fell into his former vexation : For about eight of the clock the next morning following , the same Alexander was marueliosly misformed and cryed out ; Helpe me brother Edward , and all you that be my friends , and pray for me , for this foule Feind will come into me , whether I will or no . And therewithal the said Alexander made an horrible spitting , his belly being swelled as before hath béene expressed . And then he breathed for a time , and they put on his hose , and brought him downe into the house , where he was grieuously tormented of al his members , and the voyce roared exceedingly , but they saw nothing , and Edward speaking in his brothers eare , said vnto him ; Stand to your true Repentance brother , and your pofessed hope of Saluation , which you deteined yesternight , and then vndoubtedly God will deliuer you . And presently the le●t eare , at the which the said Edward spake so vehemently , was sodainly wrinkled like a clung Walnut which falleth from the tree before it be ripe .

At sight whereof the saide Edward being amazed , called the Curate of the Towne , and desired him to take the Bible , and to turne to the place of Scripture , where Christ gaue authority to his Ministers , and willing him to read and vse that authority , for the losing of the same eare which was so wrinckled together . The same Edward going to the right eare vttered thereat many Sentences of consolation vnto his brother bring in a monstrous , and horrible vexation . And then diuers of them , tooke vpon them to Coniure , and charge the foule Feind as in the first manner , namely ; Wee coniure thee in the Name of Iesus Christ our Sauiour , the Sonne of the Almightie God , that thou depart and no longer torment the said Alexander . And within a while after the same Alexander stood vp and said ; Hee is gone , He is gone .

Whereupon hee ioyned with his brother Edward in hearty Prayer of acknowledgement , and said after him in this manner .

After this , they tooke the said Alexander , and all of them ioyfully accompany him to his brother Thomas Nyndge his house , where after his comming thither , hee was not knowne to bee perplexed with the like terrible vexations .