TO know things aright and perfectly , is to know the causes thereof . A Definition doth consist of those causes which giue the whole Essence , and containe the perfect nature of the thing defined : where that is therefore found out , there appeares the very cléere light . If it be perfect , it is much the greater , though it be not fully perfect , yet it giueth some good light .

For which respect though I dare not say , I can giue a perfect Definition in this matter , which is hard to doe euen in knowne things , because the Essentiall forme is hard to be found , yet I doe giue a Definition , which may at the least giue notice , and make knowne what manner of Persons they be , of whom I am to speake . A Witch is one that worketh by the Deuill , or by same Deuillish or Curious Art , either hurting or healing , reuealing things secret , or foretelling things to come , which the Deuill hath deuised to entangle , and snare mens soules withall , vnto damnation . The Coniurer , the Enchaunter , the Sorcerer , the Deuiner , and whatsoeuer other sort there is , are indéed compassed within this circle . The Deuill doth ( no doubt ) after diuers sorts , and diuers formes deale in these : But no man is able to shew an Essentiall difference in each of them from the rest . I hold it no wisedome , or labour well spent to trauell much therein ; One Artificer hath deuised them all . They are all to one end and purpose , howsoeuer they much differ in outward Rules for practise of them , that is little or nothing besides meere delusion . Euery Man will confesse that the father of lies is not to be trusted . Euery man knowes that all his dooings are hidden vnder coulorable shewss . Shall wée then seeke for stedfastnes in his wayes ? Shall wée be so foolish as to imagine that things are effected by the vertue of words , gestures , figures , or such like ? All those are doubtlesse but to deceiue , and draw men forward , and so plung them more déepely into sinnes , and errors .

Touching the Antiquity of Witchcraft , wée must néeds confesse that it hath béene of very ancient time , because the Scriptures doe testifie so much , for in the time of Moses it was very rife in Egipt , Neither was it then newly sprong vp , beeing common , and growne vnto such ripenes among the Nations , that the Lord reckoning vp diuers kinds , saith that the Gentiles did commit such abhominations , for which hée would cast them out before the Children of Israel . How long it was before that time cannot for certainty be discussed : Sauing that ( as is sayd ) it was not young in those daies when Moses wrote . If wée mainetaine that it was before the flood , there is great reason to iustify the Assertion . Wée know that the Deuill was excéeding crafty from the beginning , alwaies laboring to seduce , and deceiue after the worst manner . If he fayled of his desire , it was because Men had not procured Gods displeasure to come vpon them , to deliuer them ouer vnto strange delusions , but God complaineth , that men had wonderfully corrupted their waies , long before the Flood : God beeing then prouoked by the wickednesse of the world , what should make vs doubt but that through his Iust iudgement the Deuill had power giuen him and was let loose , that he might seduce , and lead the prophane Nations into the depth and gulfe of all abhominable sinnes ? Thus much concerning the certainety of Witches , and the Antiquity of Witchcraft , This that followes shall in some sort shew their Diuilllish practises .

THis Agnes Browne led her life at Gilsborough in the county of Northampton , of poore parentage and poorer education , one that as shée was borne to no good , was for want of grace neuer in the way to receiue any , euer noted to bee of an ill nature and wicked disposition , spightfull and malitious , and many yeeres before shee died both hated , and feared among her neighbours : Beeing long suspected in the Towne where she dwelt of that crime , which afterwards proued true . This Agnes Browne had a daughter whose name was Ioane Vaughan or Varnham a maide ( or at least vnmaried ) as gratious as the mother , and both of them as farre from grace as Heauen from hell .

This Ioane was so well brought vp vnder her mothers elbow , that shee hangd with her for company vnder her mothers nose . But to the purpose . This Ioane one day happening into the company of one Mistris Belcher , a vertuous and godly Gentlewoman of the same towne of Gilsborough . This Ioane Vaughan , whether of purpose to giue occasion of anger to the said Mistris Belcher , or but to continue her vilde , and ordinary custome of behauiour , committed something either in spéech , or gesture , so vnfitting , and vnséeming the nature of woman-hood , that it displeased the most that were there present : But especially it touched the modesty of this Gentlewoman , who was so much mooued with her bold , and impudent demeanor , that shée could not containe her selfe , but sodainely rase vp and strooke her , howbeit hurt her not , but forced her to auoide the company : which this Chicken of her Dammes hatching , taking disdainefully and béeing also enraged ( as they that in this kind hauing power to harme , haue neuer patience to beare ) at her going out told the Gentlewoman that shee would remember this iniury , and reuenge it : To whom Mistris Belcher answered , that shée neither feared her nor her mother : but bad her doe her worst .

This trull holding her selfe much disgraced , hies home in all hast to her mother , and telles her the wrong , which shée suggested Mistris Belcher had done vnto her : Now was the fire , and the tow met , all was enflamed : Nothing but rage and destruction : Had they had an hundred Spirits at command , the worst , and the most hurtfull had béene called to this counsell , and imployed about this businesse . Howbeit vpon aduise ( if such a sinne may take or giue aduise ) they staied thrée or foure daies before they practised any thing , to auoide suspition , whether the mother aduised the daughter , or the daughter the mother I know not , but I am sure the deuill neuer giues aduise to any man or woman in any act to be wary .

The matter thus sléeping ( but rage and reuenge doe neuer rest ) within a while was awaked , which Mistris Belcher to her intollerable paine too soone felt : For being alone in her house , she was sodainely taken with such a griping , and gnawing in her body , that shée cried out , and could scarce bee held by such as came vnto her , And being carried to her bed her face was many times so disfigured by béeing drawne awrie that it bred both feare , and astonishment to all the beholders , and euer as shee had breath , she cried , Heere comes Ioane Uaughan , away with Ioane Uaughan .

This Gentlewoman béeing a long time thus strangely handled , to the great griefe of her friends , it happened that her brother one Master Auery , hearing of his Sisters sicknesse and extremity came to sée her , and béeing a sorrowfull beholder , of that which before hée had heard , was much mooued in his minde at his Sisters pittifull condition , and the rather for that as hée knew not the nature of her disease , so hée was vtterly ignorant of any direct way to minister cure or helpe to the same . Hée often heard her cry out against Ioane Vaughan alias Varnham , and her mother , and heard by report of the neighbours that which before had happened betwixt his Sister , and the said Ioane : In so much as hauing confirmed his suspition that it was nothing else but Witch-craft that thus tormented his Sister , following Rage rather then Reason , ranne sodainly towards the house of the said Agnes Browne with purpose to draw both the mother and the daughter to his Sister for her to draw bloud on : But still as hee came neere the house , hee was sodainely stopped , and could not enter , whether it was an astonishment thorough his feare , or that the Spirits had that power to stay him I cannot iudge , but hee reported at his comming backe that hee was forcibly staied , and could not for his life goe any further forward , and they report in the Country that hee is a Gentleman of a stoute courage : Hee tried twice or thrice after to goe to the house , but in the same place where hee was staied at first , hee was still staied : Belike the deuill stood there Centinell , kept his station well .

Upon this Master Auery béeing sory and much agrieued that hee could not helpe his Sister in this tormenting distresse , and finding also that no physicke could doe her any good or easement , tooke a sorrowfull leaue and heauily departed home to his owne house .

The Impe of this Damme , and both Impes of the Deuill , beeing glad that they were both out of his reach , shewed presently that they had longer armes then he , for he felt within a short time after his comming home that hee was not out of their reach , beeing by the deuillish practises of these two hel-hounds sodenly & grieuously tormented in the like kind & with the like fits of his sister , which continued vntill these two witches either by the procurement of Maister Auery and his friends ( or for some other Diuillish practise they had committed in the countrey ) were apprehended , and brought to Northampton Gaole by Sir William Saunders of Co●…esbrooke knight .

To which place the Brother and the Sister were brought still delirious to scratch the Witches . Which Art whether it be but superstitiously obserued by some , or that experience hath found any power for helpe in this kind of Action by others , I list not to enquire , onely this I vnderstand that many haue attempted the practising thereof , how successiuely I know not . But this Gentleman and his Sister beeing brought to the gaole where theoe Witches were detained , hauing once gotten sight of them , in their fits the Witches being held , by scratching they drew blood of them , and were sodainely deliueted of their paine . Howbeit they were no sooner out of fight , but they fell againe into their old traunces , and were more violently tormented then before : for when Mischiefe is once a foote , she growes in short time so headstrong , that she is hardly curbed .

Not long after Maister Auery and his Sister hauing beene both in Northampton and hauing drawne blood of the Witches , Ryding both homewards in one Coach , there appeared to their view a man and a woman ryding both vpon a blacke horse , M. Auery hauing spyed them a farre off , and noting many strange gestures from them , sodainely spake to them that were by , and ( as it were Prophetically ) cryed but in these words , That either they or their Horses should presently miscarry , And imediately the horses fell downe dead . Wherevpon Maister Auery rose vp praysing the grace and mercies of God , that he had so powerfully deliuered them , and had not suffered the foule spirits to worke the vttermost of their mischiefe vpon men made after his image , but had turned their fury against Beasts . Upon this , they both hyed them home , still praysing God for their escape , and were neuer troubled after .

I had almost forgotten to tell you before , that M. Auery was by the Iudges themselues in the Castle yard of Northampton , séene in the middest of his fits , and that he strangely continued in them vntill this Ioane Vaughan was brought vnto him .

But now to draw néere vnto their ends , this Agnes Browne and her daughter Ioane Vaughan , or Varneham béeing brought to their Arraignement , were there indighted for that they had bewitched the bodies of Maister Auery and his sister Mistris Belcher in manner and forme aforesayd , Together with the body of a young Child to the death ( the true relation whereof came not to my hands ) To all which they pleaded not guilty , and putting themselues vpon the couutrey were found guilty . And when they were asked what they could say for themselues , why the sentence of death should not be pronounced against them , they stood stiffely vpon their Innocence . Wherevpon Iudgement béeing giuen , they were carried backe vnto the Gaole , where they were neuer heard to pray , or to call vppon God , but with bitter curses and execrations spent that little time they had to liue , vntill the day of their Execution , when neuer asking pardon for their offences either of God , or the world , in this their daungerous , and desperate resolution , dyed .

It was credthly reported that some fort-night before their apprehension , this Agnes Browne , one Ratherine Gardiner , and one Ioane Lucas , all birds of a winge , and all abyding in the Towne of Gilsborough did ride one night to a place ( not aboue a mile off ) called Rauenstrop , all vpon a Sowes backe , to sée one mother Rhoades , an old Witch that dwelt there , but before they came to her house the old Witch died , and in her last cast cried out , that there were three of her old friends comming to sée her , but they came too late , Howbeit shee would méete with them in another place within a month after . And thus much concerning Agnes Browne , and her daughter Ioane Varnham .

THis Arthur Bill , a wretched poore Man , both in state and mind , remained in a towne called Raunds in the County aforesayd , begotten and borne of parents that were both Witches , and he ( like a gratious Child ) would not degenerate , nor suffer himselfe to stray from his fathers wicked Counsels , but carefully trode the steps that hée had diuillishly taught him .

This Arthur Bill was accused that he should bewitch the body of one Martha Aspine alias Ieames , the daughter of one Edward Aspine of the same towne , to death . But this matter remaining doubtfull that it could not be cléerely tryed vpon him , hée béeing strongly suspected before , by bewitching of Diuers kinds of cattle , to be guilty of that crime , And béeing also publiquely knowne to bée of an euill life and reputation , together with his father and mother . The Iustices and other officers ( thereby purposing to trie the said Arthur by an experiment that ( many thinke ) neuer failes ) caused them all to bee bound , and their Thumbes and great Toes to bée tied acrosse , and so threw the father , mother and sonne , and none of them sunke , but all floated vpon the water .

And hereby the way , it is a speciall thing worthy generall noting and obseruation , that there are two signes or tokens which are tokens as more certaine , then others , to detect and find out Witches by . The one is the marke where the Spirits sucke , and the trying of the insensiblenesse thereof . The other is their fléeting on the water . Concerning which though I dare affirme nothing for certainty , there béeing ( for ought I know ) neither euident proofe in nature , nor reuelation from heauen to assure vs thereof : yet mée thinkes I may say the like of this , as is held of the bléeding of a slaine body in presence of the mutherer . For as in a secret murther , if the dead Carkase bée at any time either seene or handled by the murtherer , it doth streitway gush out of blood , as if the blood should by issuing foorth in such strange manner cry vnto heauen for reuenge of the murtherer , God hauing as may séeme appointed , that secret supernaturall signe for triall of that secret vnnaturall crime , that the blood left in the body should thus appéere , and as it were challenge the murtherer , for that blood which hée before had felloniously stollen from the body : so it may bee , that God hath appointed ( for a supernaturall signe of the monstrous impiety of Witches ) that the Element of water should refuse to receiue them in her bosome , that haue shaken from them the sacred water of Baptisme , and wilfully refused the benefit thereof by making that breach and fall from God in participating thus vildly with the Spirits of Beliall : By whom and in the exercise of which sinne , their hearts are so hardened , that not so much as their eyes are able to shead teares , threaten or torture them as you please : God not permitting them as may bee thought to dissemble their obstinacy in so horrible a crime ; No not the women , though that sex bee ready to shead teares vpon euery light occasion : But to returne to our matter .

These thrée , the Father , Mother and Sonne , beeing thus séene floating vpon the water , the suspition that was before not well grounded , was now confirmed : Whereupon the said Arthur Bill beeing the principall or ( I thinke ) the onely Actor in this Tragedy , was apprehended and sent to Northampton gaole the nine and twentith day of May last by Sir Gilbert Pickering of Tichmas●… alias Tichmase in the same County Knight , and presently after his commitment fearing that his old father would relent , and so happily confesse that which might bee preiudiciall vnto him , sent for his mother to come vnto him , to whom bewraying his minde , they both ioyned together , and bewitched a round ball into the Throat of his Father , where it continued a great while , his Father not beeing able to speake a word . Howbeit the ball was afterwards had out , and his Father prooued the principall witnesse against him .

His Mother for feare of hanging , ( not any hatred , or detestation shee bare vnto the sinne ) many times fainted , and would often pitifully complaine vnto her Spirit , that the power of the Law would bée stronger then the power of her art , and that she saw no other likelihood , but that shee should be hanged as her Sonne was like to bee : To whom her Spirit answered , giuing this sorry comfort , that shee should not bee hanged , but to preuent that , shee should cut her owne throate : Shee hearing this sentence , and holding it definitiue , in great agony , and horror of minde and conscience fell a rauing , crying out that the irreuocable Iudgement of her death was giuen and that shee was damned perpetually , cursing and banning the time wherein shee was borne , and the houre wherein she was conceiued .

Her Neighbours often hearing her bitter execrations bad her call vpon God , and to be sorry for the sinnes which shée had committed , But shee could in no case endure to heare it : And hauing thus for 3. or 4. daies tormented herselfe in this Agony , at last she made good the Deuils word , and to preuent the Iustice of the Law , and to saue the hangman a labour , cut her owne throat .

Her Sonne beeing all this while in prison , and hearing of his Mothers death , and that his Father was become a witnesse against him , was much perplered in his minde , that his Mother was dead , in whom he most trusted , and his Father liuing , whom he most feared , Howbeit hee stiffly stood still in the deniall of euery thing , pleading nothing but his innoceney , Notwithstanding that hee had before at vnawares confest , that he had certaine Spirits at commaund , which béeing imployed , would doe any mischiefe to any man , woman or child that hée would appointe .

It said is that hee had thrée Spirits to whom hée gaue thrée speciall names , the Diuell himselfe sure was godfather to them all , The first hée called Grissill , The other was named Ball , and the last Iacke , but in what at shapes they appeered vnto him I cannot learne . For Diuels can appéere both in a bodily shape , and vse spéech and conference with men . Our Sauiour saith , That a Spirit hath neither flesh nor bones : A Spirit hath a substance , but yet such as is inuisible , whereupon it must néedes bée granted , that Deuils in their owne nature haue no bodily shape nor visible forme , it is moreouer against the Truth and against Piety to beléeue , that Deuils can create , or make bodies or change one body into another , for those things are proper to God .

It followeth therefore that whensoeuer they appeare in a visible form , it is no more but an apparition and counterfeit shew of a body , vnlesse a body be at any time lent them . And when they make one body to beare the likenes of another , it is but a colour . Some man will say , what reason is there to shew they can doe so much , beeing of an essence inuisible ? Wee may not stay heere within the limits of our owne reason , which is not able to comprehend , what way Deuills should be able to worke such operations . Wée may not ( I say ) measure their power , and subtilties in working for our owne capacity and vnderstanding : But wée must looke what the Cannon of Scripture doth testify in this behalfe . Wée haue manifest proofe that the Deuill can take a bodily shape . For when Aaron had cast downe his staffe , and it was turned into a Serpent , The enchaunters of Egypt cast downe their staues , and they became Serpents , which was indéed but in shew , and appearance , which the Deuill made , For he deluded the Sences both in hiding the forme of the Staues , which indéed were not any way changed : As also in making a shew of such bodies , as were not . This was done openly , otherwise it might be thought to be a méere illusion . For wée see that men in extreame sickenes , thinke they heare a voice , and sée a shape , which none other in presence either heareth or séeth , some are so melancholy that they imagine they heare and sée that which they doe not : For Sathan doth so delude the fantasie , that the party supposeth that his very outward sences doe perceiue the matter : But héere was no such thing . All that were with Pharao did thinke there were very Serpents in déede , Sauing that Moses and Aaron did know it the iugling of the Deuill .

But to returne to this Arthur Bill : Hée ( miserable man ) lying in prison from the 29 day of May to the 22 of Iuly following , many resorted to him , willing him to leaue off all colour and dissimulation , and not to suffer his Conscience to double with his Tongue , But to cleere his heart and his thoughts before the Maiestie of him , to whome no secrets are hid , That the world might be witnesse of his confession and contrition to pray with him and for him , For although hee had wandred and gone astray , hée might by his true contrition and their hearty prayers bée brought vnto the fold againe .

But his Conscience béeing feared , and his heart stéeld , could receiue no impression , but stood like an Image of Adamant , more easy to be broken in péeces , then bée peirced . In this obduracie of mind and Spirit hée continued vntill the Assises where béeing Arraigned for seuerall crimes committed , but especially for the Murther of the sayd Martha Aspine , contrary to the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the King , his Crowne , and dygnity , hée pleaded to them all not guilty , and putting himselfe vpon the Countrey , was by them found guilty .

Uppon the verdict whereof , his countenance changed , and he cried out , that he had now found the Law to haue a Power aboue Iustice , for that it had condemned an Innocent .

It séemes to me that these vilde Spirits , which these Witches haue at commaund , and by their imployment are suffred to haue power to hurt the bodyes of others , haue a greater Power ouer them that set them a worke , For they doe not onely féed vppon them participating with the blood of humane flesh for the redemption wherof Christ shed his owne precious blood , But it appeares that they haue also power euen ouer their Soules , leading them into wandring by-waies , and such erroneous Laberinths , that in the wilfull obstinacie and peruerse sufferance of their owne minds to stray in this daungerous desart of obduracie , they are lost for euer .

But to conclude with this Arthur Bill , that se ill concluded with the world , He béeing brought to the place of Execution , and standing vppon that fatall stage for offenders , pleaded still his innocencie , that Authority was turned to Tyranny , and Iustice into extreame Iniury , to the great wonder , and disdaine of all the lookers on .

Thus with a dissembling Tongue and a corrupted Conscience , hee ended his course in this world , with little hope or respect ( as it séemd ) of the world to come .

THis Helen Ienkenson dwelling at a Towne called Thrapston in the County of Northampton , was noted a long time to be of an euill life and much suspected of this crime before her apprehension , for bewitching of Cattle and other mischiefes , which before time she had done .

This Helen was apprehended for bewitching of a Child to death , and committed to Northampton Gaole the 11 of May last by Sir Thomas Brooke of Okeiy Knight . A little before whose apprehension , one Mistris Moulsho of the same Towne ( after she was so strongly suspected ) getting her by a wyle into a place conuenient would néeds haue her searched , to sée if they could find that insencible marke which commonly all Witches haue in some priuy place or other of their bodies . And this Mistris Moulsho was one of the chiefe that did search her , and found at the last that which they sought for to their great amazement : at that time this Mistris Moulsho had a Bucke of clothes to be washt out . The next morning the Mayd , when shée came to hang them forth to dry , spyed the Cloathes , but especially Mistris Moulshoes Smocke to be all bespotted with the pictures of Toades , Snakes , and other ougly Creatures , which making her agast , she went presently and told her Mistris , who looking on them , smild , saying nothing else but this ; Heere are fine Hobgoblins indéed : And béeing a Gentlwoman of a stout courage , went immediately to the house of the sayd Helen Ienkenson , and with an angry countenance told her of this matter , threatning her that if her Linnen were not shortly cléered from those foule spots , she would scratch out both her eyes : and so not staying for any answere went home , and found her linnen as white as it was at first . This Helen being brought to the barre , and béeing indicted of the murther of the Child , pleaded thereunto not guilty , but the verdict béeing giuen vp against her , shée cryed out , woe is mee , I now cast away , But ( like the rest ) did stoutly deny the accusations , and sayd that she was to die an Innocent , I thinke as Innocent as the rest : And at the place of Execution made no other confession but this , That she was guiltlesse , and neuer shewd signe of Contrition for what was past , nor any sorrow at all , more then did accompany the feare of death . Thus ended this woman her miserable life , after she had liued many yeares poore , wretched , scorned , and forsaken of the world .

THis Mary Barber of Stan●●●● in the said County of Northampton was one in whom the licentiousnesse of her passions grew to bee the Master of her Reason , and did so conquer in her strength and power of all vertue , that shee fell in the Apostacy of goodnesse , and became diuerted , and abused vnto most uilde actions , cloathing her desperate soule , in the most vgly habiliments , that either Malice , Enuy , or Cruelty could produce from the blindnesse of her degenerate , and deuillish desires . As shee was of meane Parents , so was she monstrous and hideous , both in her life , and 〈◊〉 . Her education and barbarous nature neuer promising to the world any thing , but what was rude , violent and without any hope of proportion , more then only in the square of ●●●iousnesse . For out of the oblyuion and blindnesse of her seduced sences , shee gaue way to all the passionate and earthly faculties of the flesh and followed all the 〈◊〉 vanities , and C●●meras of her polluted and vnreasonable d●●ghts , forsaking the Society of Grace , and growing enamored vpon all the euil that 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 minister to her uicious desires : 〈◊〉