SO long ( righte Gentle and courteous Reader ) as wee liue heere in this wretched vale of miserie , and myserable estate of our Probationership , we are all euen the best of vs all , to account no better of our selues , then that we liue in a perpetuall warrefare , and most dangerous and deadlie combat .

Our Enimies that we are to fight against are in number three : The world , the Flesh , and the Dyuell : The three dedlie enimies of mankind . two wherof notwithstanding ( such is our blinde perseuerance ) the moste parte esteeme their entire friends , whereas indeed they are the hande-mynisters of our Archenimie , all vnder colourable frendship deceiuing their familiars , and seeking their death both of bodie and soule .

Our graund foeman Sathan Architect of all mischiefe , in scripture hath many proper names , Reuel . 9.11 . to explaine his malitious nature : Of his crueltie hee is called Abaddon , a Destroier , bicause that not like a common enimie hee is contented with the death and downefall of our bodies , but imagineth vtter destruction of the soule also , and intollerable tormentes ioyntlie to them both : Iohn . 12.6 . Of his crafte hee is tearmed a Theefe , bicause he inuenteth by what meanes he may slilie and vnwittinglie set vpon the godlie . Iob . 1.10 . and 2.5 . Of his malice he is called Diabolus , an accuser , bicause euermore day and night he is busie , accusing the consciences of the righteous .

He is named a Dragon of his pollicie , bicause that since the time of Adam , among so many thousands , in so many yeares , there hath beene founde none so wise or warie , that could withstand his stratagems , but he hath wounded and poisoned them well nighe vnto death .

He hight a Lion also of his power , bicause that as the solide bodie of the Lion is powerfull : so especiallie consisteth great strengthe and power in his taile .

We doubt not but this aduersarie , or Apollyon of ours of himselfe is mightie , puissant , & strong enough againste such faintie cowards , and wilfull slo-backs as we are , yet to make his victorie more sure , and not to faile of his purpose , he vseth also the force of his tayle : that is , his inthraled bondslaues , whom he hath sealed to execute his wil and pleasure vppon the harmelesse , which is perfourmed many times diuers and sundry waies : neyther dooth he so vsually shew his pollicie , puissance and power by anye his oficers , as he dooth by subtle seedemen of false doctrine , and inchanting sorcerers : the one in stead of instruments to inueigle the mind and soule , the other to assaile the mortall bodie , and beguile and intrappe the sences .

I speake nothing of those pseudosedmen , but I purpose ( God willing ) to treat of damnable Wytches , of their spight and spelles , odious in the sight of God , detested of the good , and moste hurtfull to themselues , manifesting what power and preminence through Gods permission , that Father of sinne Sathan hath ouer sinfull worldlings .

About Shrouetide last , one Richard Burt , seruant to a Gentleman , named M. Edling , dwelling at Woodhall in the parishe of Pinner in Middlesex , a myle beyond Harrow on the Hill , going to his maysters Barne , standing at the Townes ende , accompanied with a great mastiue dogge , suddenly espied an Hare start before him , and thinking to haue set his dogge at her , missed of his purpose : for the dogge not onely refused to follow , but in stead of following began to faint , and runne rounde about his maister , and to whine pittifully , as who shoulde say that kinde of game was not for them : The man taking heartie grace himselfe , followed so nighe , that he saw her take in at one Mother Atkyns house , whome before that time he knew to be a notorious witch : Wherevpon blessing himselfe , & mindful of the name of God , he boldly said , auant witch .

This was the first occasion ( namely the tearming of hir a with ) of al poore Richard Burts future tragedie : Vnspeakable is the malice of a wicked woman . but to go forward . It hapned the said Richard Burt a month after , méeting hir néere to his maisters barne , and giuing hir the time of the daye , like a peruerse woman , like a perillous waspe , like a pestiferous witch , incensed with hate at the sight of him held downe hir head , not daigning to speake .

The next day which was on wednesday the 8. of march going againe to his maisters barne to thrash , & serue certaine beasts , bicause he would not trudge too and fro for letting his work , carried his dinner with him , which was bread , butter , cheese and applepy , & a bottle of the best béer : being come to the barne he laide his prouision , and setled close to his busines , labouring hard til twelue of the clock , at which time hunger assailing and custome preuailing , he went to dinner , wherin he had not long continued , but ther was opposite to his view a monstrous blacke Cat among the straw , which began to shake the strawe , and to make a wad thereof . The fellow being agast start vp with his applepie in his hande ( for it had byn pittie a poore hungrie thresher should haue lost so good a repast ) suddenly hearing a voice that commanded him , come away : Away quod he , whither shal I come ? The spirit answering againe , sayde : Come and leaue thy vittels behind thée and thy knife also . Poore simplicity keeping his applepy stil in his hand , came to the barne dore , where suddenly hee was hoised vp into the aire , and carried ouer many fields , by the way espyeng his mai . plow a plowing , but not able to cal vnto them , although he séemed to haue his memorie most perfect : thence passing ouer to Harrow , where on the side of the hill there is a greate ponde was drawne thrugh it , & ther left his hat which was a token of that torture ) because he could stay in no place , but was violentlie rapt vp the hiil , and ouer the tops of the trees at Harrow Church , so farre he absolutelie remembreth , but being haled further , he was taken ( as he seemeth ) into a place which was all fire , where was heard such lamentable howling and dolefull crieng , as if all the damned fiends of hell had béene tortured , and tormenten in that Limbo .

You heare into how strange and passionate a place this Richard Burt was translated , now it remaineth to shewe with what Symtomes the place was furnished .

First therefore ( he affirmeth ) it was exceeding hot , replenished with more than Cymmerian darkenesse , plentiful in filthy odors and stinches , ful of noise and clamours , insomuch that hee seemed to heare infinite millions of discrepant noises , but saw nothing saue onelie the fire which caused such an vnquenchable drouth in his stomache , that presentlie minding a pennie hee had in his purse : looked round about for an Alehouse where he might spend it .

Hearing therefore these foresaid voices , and thinking some of them had spake vnto him , he answerd sayeng , heer is no worke for me to doo : immediatlie it was reanswered , coast away with him , but with this prouiso thou passest , that thou be secret , and say nothing when thou commost home : but he replied , and said , my maister will aske me where I haue beene : with that he was not suffered to speak any further , but his toong was doubled in his mouth , his legs burnt , hands and armes scorched , his coat pincht of his backe , and throwne into the fire , immediatly soring ouer hedges and ditches , sowsed in mire and durt , scratched with thornes and briers , so singed and disfigured , that it is both lamentable and terrible to behold him .

Being brought againe to Pinner where his Mayster doth dwell , he first repaired to a ditch to drinke , and afterwards in this pickle visited one of his acquaintance , whoe sometime serued M. Edling also : but whether hee sorted thither for that his friends house was nighest , or would not go home for shame that hee had béene absent foure whole daies togither , I cannot shew you : Onlie this , being sunday morning his maister chanced ( as his custome was to passe by that way to Church at the same instant , whoe not knowing poore Richard Burt his lost sheepe , demanded of his quondam seruant if he had gotten him a man : a man sir quod he , why it is your man Richard : my man quoth the Gentlenian , that cannot bee , and therewithall beeing halfe amazed made a pause and earnestlie b●held him , at length willing him in the name of God to tel where he had bin though he could not speake , yet hauing memory made signes and euermore pointed toward the house where mother Atkins did dwell , looking so grislie and fiercelie that waie , that he tore and rent al that came in his hands .

In the meane while it was thought requisite , The dutie of a good minister . that the Parson of the towne named M. Smith , and mai . Burbridge of Pinner parke gentleman should be sent for , whoe comming to the dumbe man and pittieng his plight , the Parson charitably and like himselfe laboured about him , wrinched open his teeth got open his mouth , indented his finger vnder his toong , and with much adoo got it vnfoulded , the first wordes he spake were these : Woe worth mother Atkins , woe worth mother Atkins , for she hath bewitched me : whervpon he would not be quiet , but euer requested that he might speak with hir .

Maister Burbidge and M. Smith caused hir to bee sent for , who being present , he neuer ceased til he had scratched and drawne bloud on hir , perswading himselfe that was a remedy sufficient vnder God , that would make him well : neither was it or is it any Capital error , experience testyfies : for since that he hath mended reasonablie , and nowe goeth to the Church .