| Anonymous 487 | A man from Ware in the county of Hertfordshire, who is known as a "Cunning man, Wizard, or Fortune-teller." He is visited by his neighbour, Thomas Stretton, who has lost his Bible and wishes to consult the cunning man to find it. However, the two engage in an argument when Stretton accuses Anonymous 487 of being "a Witch or a Devil, seeing he could neither write nor read." These words anger Anonymous 487, and his wife, Anonymous 322. In turn, it is believed they cause Jane Stretton, Thomas Stretton's daughter, to be bewitched, and suffer from a number of violent fits. When it is discovered that Anonymous 487 and Thomas Stretton fought, he is brought forward to Jane Stretton with his wife, while the young girl is in the midst of a violent fit.(1 - 3) | This Iane Stretton was born at Ware in Hartford-shire aforesaid, about the year of our Lord 1649. Being the Daughter of one Thomas Stretton a Wheel-right, who with his wife are now living in the same Town. It so chanced that this Thomas Stretton lost a Bible, which he valued (as every one should doe the word of God) at a high price, and being very desirous to have it again, it so fortuned that he did light in|to the company with one of his Neighbors who was such a one as the Country people term a Cunning man, Wizard, or Fortune-teller. such of whom the Lord saith in Deu|trinomy Chap. 18. v 10. 11. 12. There shall not be found among you any one that useth devination, or an observer of times, or an In|chanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a Con|sulter with familiar spirits, or a Wizard, or a Negromancer,; for all that doth these things are an abomination unto the Lord. This person thus qualified was by Streaton desi|red (if his art could reach so far) to tell him who it was that had his Bible? to which the other answered, that he could if he would: Stretton as bluntly replying again, that then he must be either a Witch or a Devil, seeing he could neither write nor read, these words struck home, and a guilty conscience being wounded will soon ran|chor, his heart is inflamed with the fire of revenge, but for the present he covers it with the ashes of dissimulation; he will not vend his malice at present, but like the Ram goes backward to return with the greater force; love and friendship is written on sand which every puff of wind will blow a|way, but malice and envy is engraven in Marble or Adamant, time cannot obliterate or wear it out; and that which is worst, our Natures are such that one discourtesie shall wash away all the friendship that twenty be|nefits have implanted in our hearts.() |
| Anonymous 487 | A man from Southwark in the city of London, who is employed by John Barrow to attend to his bewitched son, James Barrow. Although the doctor is at first amazed to hear the story of the young boy, but only reads Latin to the boy in an attempt to cure him. After a week, the doctor refuses to see the boy, and John Barrow leaves his service, concluding that it was the Devil's work to delay a dispossession of James Barrow.(11 - 12) | I craved the advice of godly Ministers and Friends; among the rest one of them told me, it was a difficult thing, and bad me get four Ministers and four Doctors to consult with; then I went to two more, and one of them desired me to go to another, that was a learned Doctor, who heard me repeat the heads of all these things, with much admiration. I told him that some People said the Boy dis|sembled; but I said, I did perceive it was the craft and malice of the Devil. He pausing a while, told me, that it was his thoughts also, and called for the Boy, and told him, he knew he was a dissemler, the Boy making faces, mocks, and wry-mouths at him: The Doctor told him, he could take him up into his Chamber, and shew him the appearances of Spirits: I desired the Doctor he would do so, and I would stay-below; but, to put me off, he called for a Latine Bible, and read some words in latine to him; with that he told me, that thereby he knew he dissemled, because he did not roar as at other times, when the word God is read in Latine. I desired him to put the Boy forth, and I would talk further with him; the Boy was caused to withdraw, then said I, Now Doctor, you and I are here, I must tell you plainly, the Devil is too cunning for you and I, for he can hold his tongue when he listeth for his advantage: Now Doctor, I will tell what I have done, I have both stript and whipt him till it hath grieved me to the heart, and yet I cold make a Joyn|stool speak as soon as he. The Doctor bid me send him to Bedlam, for I had fed him too high: but I told him, three pence a day would keep him. I left my Doctor, and came again to him a week after: he asked me how the Boy did? I told him, as bad as he was before, and that he was at the door: he asked me, what I would have him to do? I said, I would desire him to have him up into his Chamber, and try his skil; he said, he had not time, and called for his cloak, for he must forthwith be gone. I perceiving it was the Devils work to hinder his dis-possessi|on, left the Doctor and departed.() |