IT is a well knowne trueth, that the giuer of all good blessings doth di­uersly bestowe the same vpon mor­tall creatures here on earth, and in the bestowing thereof, hath alwaies obserued a distinction or difference of persons, times, and seasons, as re­uealing some at one time and some at another, and how some which haue been hidden and vnknowne to all ages heretofore past, haue been shewed to men of latter daies. Among all other benefits extra­ordinarilie throwne downe from that bountifull hand, what hath oftener been felt in Mans comfort, than the finding of remedies against diseases, and medicines a­gainst the fraile infirmities of our corruptible bodies? The proofe hereof is the well knowne inuention of so many new deuised easements and helps for all manner of Maladies, and we see that as new and new distempers doe from age to age still bring forth infirmities, not seene nor heard of former times; so men haue been inspired euermore with giftes and graces of that excellencie, whereby they haue found out, vsed and applied profi­table remedies, neuer formerly inuented nor prescribed.

And of all things in the world found to be medici­nable and helpfull to Mans health, no one thing may [Page] challenge so great a preeminence (as an instrumentall cause) as Water, wherein euen from the worlds begin­ning hath euer been found most excellent soueraigntie of preseruation and recouerie of mens decaied health, and remedie against seuerall diseases. And as the vn­speakeable Prouidence created Water at the first to be one of the chiefe meanes to nourish and feede the bodies of such creatures as were to liue by food and sustenance: so hath he miraculouslie at diuers times indued speciall waters to be effectuall against mens infirmities: a thing most apparant in all, both sacred and humane stories and testimonies.

Naamans washing him seuen times in Iordan at the Prophets commandement, to be healed of his leprosie, implieth the fitnes of Water in the curing of so grieuous a disease, and albeit the Almightie power, who indeede performed that cure miraculouslie, could as well haue done it by the vse of any other matter, yet herein was shewed the fit vse and application of Water aboue all o­ther things, for the effecting of that glorious worke: and may not the like be affirmed touching that lame Cripple in the Gospell, which had lyen so long by the Poole, wanting meanes to be put into it, whereof he was still preuented by those who thrust in before him for recoue­rie of infinite infirmities?

Besides the peculiar graces bestowed on some speci­all Waters vpon extraordinarie occasions, what simple iudgement cannot obserue that the vse of pure and good waters hath in all ages, at all times, in all places, and with all persons been of such estimation, that (to speake no­thing, that nothing medicinable or needfull can serue mans necessitie without some necessarie helpe of water) [Page] bathing and washing hath been as the common and rea­diest, so the most effectuall and soueraigne preseruatiue of health and remedie against infirmities; and hath tho­roughout the whole world been practised not alone by vulgar people, or young vnlearned feeble, sicke, or poore persons, but by men most wise, learned, mightie, rich; yea, Kings, Emperors, and greatest Monarkes of the earth.

To what purpose (will it happilie be asked) is this far fetcht preamble placed in the front of so slender a dis­course? Truly, not that I would here trouble my selfe to proue a matter that perhaps is not doubted of, or which no man meanes to make question of, but onely to this ende: euen that hauing prepared the mindes of such to whom these newes shall be imparted, to yeeld to this rea­son, and remember it as a truth, that extraordinarie reme­dies are often euen wonderfullie reuealed to Mankinde for helpe of their diseases, and that the most excellent in­strument which hath most oft conuaied that soueraigne good to men, hath been and is, some speciall water; they may with better approbation conceiue the report of our Newes of the New-found VVell, and with gentler creduli­tie imbrace the benefit, and beleeue the trueth.

The famous Countie Palatine of Cheshire can boast of many excellencies, wherein a countrie either for pro­fite or pleasure may be tearmed happie. Among other the ornaments thereof, I cannot but greatly commend a most stately, large, and as I may so tearme it, a princely Forrest (though there be others also within the shire) si­tuate euen in the chiefest and best knowne parts of the Countie, called the Forrest of Delamere, belonging to her Maiestie. The same bordering towards the West and [Page] Northwest side, neere to Merzey, an arme of the Ocean, in many old records of this countie, is called the Forrest of Mare mondiam, but is best knowne, and hath been very auncientlie called by the name formerlie men­tioned.

Giue me leaue a little to describe vnto you the same Forrest, because in it is the Well whereof I intreate. There are about the middest of the Forrest certaine rui­nous walles of stone, some inclosures, and the prints of an auncient situation, which as well common report of the countrie, as also the testimonies of the best writers of Englands antiquities doe affirme to haue been a Citie (and it should seeme indeede to haue been a walled Towne) there founded and built by Eadelfleda a Queene of Merceland: and the place to this day is called Eades burie, whereof the whole hundred (being a seuenth part of the shire) reteyneth still the name.

The Borrough or Towne being now vtterly decaied and gone; there remaineth onely vpon the top of the vt­most height within that situation, a proper built lodge, called the Chamber, and hath been for the most part maintained and inhabited by a famous race of Gentle­men (the Dones) of whome for certaine hundreds of yeares, Knights and Squires of that surname (hauing still by inheritance been masters of the game or chiefe Forresters there) haue left good remembrances of their worthes and great reputation to all posteritie: and is now possessed by a worshipfull Gentleman, Iohn Done Esquire: whom the rather I am bolde here by name to mention, because of his charitable disposition and gentlemanlike furtherance of the benefit of this Well, to the reliefe of all sorts of people that seeke for helpe by it.

[Page] About a mile and halfe from the chamber toward the Southwest side of the forrest is situate the Newfound VVel. All the Westerly and Southerly side of the forrest is mountanous, and full of vaste vneuen hilles, scattringly beautified with many Okes (yet most of them shrubby and of low growth) and not fewe queaches & thicks of Hull and Hauthornes, the hils themselues for the most part distinguished by galles and gutters made by waters falling from springs and other places, which in continu­ance of time haue worne and eaten deepe passages.

In the side of one of these hilles, whose declining ly­eth almost full vpon the North and North-east, ariseth the spring, head, and fountaine it selfe now called the New found Well: the same insensibly issuing from firme ground at the roote or foote of a shrubbie hull or hollin­tree, yet so as the same hull standing at the South-west corner of the Well there is some twentie inches distance betweene them.

The Well or Cesterne being bordered with three or foure flagge stones (as the compasse of it without brea­king any earth about it would giue leaue) is almost foure square, conteyning South and North about 30. inches, West and East about 26. inches.

Whether the Spring issue vpright from the bottome, or from the one side, or from all sides, it is not perceiued. I rather iudge it comes at the South side (which is the backe of it, and beares against the descent of the hill.) If it should bubble forth at the bottome (as in many other Welles I haue seene) this water being so cleare it might be easily perceiued, especially the Spring being free, and yeelding continuall issue in a good proportion.

I haue seene indeed many orderly Springes farre ex­ceede [Page] it in strength and bignesse of gush, yet haue I not known any to keepe a more certain and vniforme course, nor deliuer his water in so close and vnperceiueable manner, as this Well doth.

The force or streame which the Spring is well able to maintaine, is about so much water as you may imagine would continually runne at ful through a pipe or tronke, whose concaue or hollow were three or foure inches compasse.

The descent of the hill beneath the Well Northward is steepe, and the waste water falling North from the foun­taine hath both of it owne course, and shortly meeting with some other rilles, worne the ground to a great hol­low dingle, which carrieth them downe to a brooke at the foote of the hill, by which they are conueyed to a great poole of Sir Iohn Egertons neere little Budworth, which serueth Olton Milles: so that, albeit the Spring sendeth his water at the first Northerly, yet within lesse then one quarter of a miles labour it windeth about the hill skirte, and then holdeth his course full Southerly.

What the vaines of the Earth about it may be, or from what manner of mixture the Spring should issue, I dare not take vpon me to set downe, hauing neither skill to iudge of such matters, nor hauing had meanes as yet to procure search made to finde the nature of the mould whence it springes, which I know would be greatly ma­teriall to such as haue skill and knowledge how to iudge of the power and efficacie of the water thereby. All that I can say in this respect, is that the vpper part or face of the earth there seemes to be a stiffe clay, insomuch that the resorters thither hauing made some one or two slender weake dammes to stay the water, halfe a dozen yards or [Page] more beneath the fountaine, there are by that meanes two small lakes or pooles, wherein poore people, when they are disposed, do bathe and wash themselues. Which pooles though they be verie vnfit for that purpose, being verie vnhandsomely, thicke & muddy with the clay and soyle of the earth, yet they shew the fitnesse and com­modious means how cesternes or some handsome proui­sions might be made, either open or close, for the people of all sortes to vse their best benefit, and that so farre from the head of the Spring, and so much beneath the bodie and seate of the fountaine it selfe, that there were no perill by breaking or digging the ground, to worke a­nie annoiance or hinderance to the vertue of the Spring or water thereof.

There be many that at their first taste of the water, doe confidently affirme they feele as it were some relish or smacke of an allome-like composition; and not a fewe I haue heard censure, that there seemes to them a little re­semblance of the tast of Licoris; some compare it to some other things: for my part (because I am purposed to a­uerre nothing herein, but what I am verilie perswaded to be true) as I can allow of no mans taste to be authenti­call in this point, vnlesse I could also find it in mine own, so truly I must confesse that it is a water different from manie other Spring waters in taste, and the most pleasan­test in drinking of anie that I haue euer tasted, onely the relish is to me of no especiall thing that I can name, and the operation such as in my iudgement, and by experi­ment vpon mine owne and manie others bodies, it neuer offendeth with cold or heauy weight in a mans stomack, as the most sorts of waters vsually doe.

It is one thing most notorious and worthie to be so, [Page] that no persons of anie sort whatsoeuer, which take it in anie good quantitie, but can and do report that they find difference in the operation of it from other waters, and most cōmonly it is obserued that to such as are vnhealth­full, and grieued with some infirmitie, they are sure by the water to finde in themselues some alteration: to such as are healthfull and verie sound of bodie, it either wor­keth no motion at all, or if anie, it looseth the bellie, and giueth most gentle and hurtlesse purgations.

That there may be some alluminous mixture within the ground, by which the Spring hath his passage, one reason may be that quick piercing nature which is found in it, both in the inward receipt of it, and the outward ap­plication to greene wounds and cuts, vpon which with wonderfull speed it worketh effectually. And besides, though I neuer made triall my selfe, the generall report is that by reason of a secret sharpe tartnesse that is in it, the water will turne or breake milke, whereinto it is put im­mediately.

An other reason of the same efficacy may be this, which I can well testifie vpon mine owne knowledge, that it skowreth and cleanseth anie thing which is washed in it, more then anie water that I haue knowne, insomuch that it is of exceeding vse for the keeping white and faire the face and handes, better and more pleasing to many then the vse of sopes, washing balles or such other mixtures, neither so wholsome nor so pleasant as this naturall pure spring water.

This may be sufficient for the situation and descrip­tion of the Well, will you now heare the manner of fin­ding it.

In the ende of the last winter quarter, and beginning [Page] of this spring time nowe past, here in these partes (as I thinke elsewhere) there raigned an extreame contagi­on of sicknesse, not infectious, yet so generall, as few es­caped without some or other touch of vnhealthfulnesse. Among other sorts of infirmities, many were tormen­ted with hot burning Agues and Feuers of all kindes, which Agues the vulgar people here (especially when they light on children or young folkes, or that they hold them but intermissiuely, so that the patient lies not by it) call it the Fittes.

One Iohn Greeneway of Vtkinton an honest substanti­all countriman of good credit and well reputed, being about fiftie yeeres of age or somewhat more, was about the end of March last past troubled with the Fittes; he tried such ordinarie remedies as the countrie experience would offer, but found no abatement of his disease, at length he cals to mind an experiment, that sixteene or seuenteene yeeres now past in the like necessitie had re­lieued him: and this it was.

Being at that time vexed with the Fits, and finding no ease nor remedie for it, he thought good to repaire to a learned Phisition at that time lying at the Citie of Che­ster, which is about sixe or seuen miles distant from Greenwaies house.

The Phisition tooke good regard of the mans infir­mity and being a man both learned and conscionable prescribed to him, that he should get him home, keepe him warme, vse good diet, and not to omit to walke forth in the mornings, to finde out some good pure spring water, to drinke of it, to bathe and wash himselfe with it, and herein he doubted not he should recouer his health shortly.

[Page] I haue hereat not a little beene troubled in mine owne o­pinion to resolue in any probable appearance, what to deliuer touching the Phisitions direction, as whether he might speake this of an excellencie of knowledge, or ha­uing before that time either read in some vnknowne me­moriall, or had vnderstanding of peculiar vertue to be in that or some other water thereabout, or that he spake in generalitie, meaning that anie pure Spring water were good for that mans infirmitie; or whether the great gui­der of al mās inuention for general benefits did not here­in vse the Phisitions prescription, as a meanes of that fu­ture benefit he meant to bestow vpon poore destressed creatures: which last surmize, I verily hold most answe­rable to my owne satisfaction, yet so, as I leaue it with the rest to each mans particular choice and approba­tion.

Howsoeuer it were, Greeneway being well acquainted with the Springs & al other commodities of the Forrest, had soone found out this prettie purling foūtaine, both for puritie and situation (as he thought) fittest to answere the Phisitions direction, and there by drinking, wa­shing and accomplishing what he was commaunded, in verie shorte time hee was of his Ague throughly cured.

Since that time till this present yeere he hath liued healthfull and sound, but being againe surprized with the same griefe, necessitie then enforcing the remem­brance of his former helpe, he repaired to his auncient medicine againe, where a short triall had soone taught him, that this was a remedie of greater regard then he for­merly made of it: And thereupon tooke better notice & aduisement of it then before he had done.

[Page] It happened within the space of one moneth after this, that one of his sonnes, and afterwards a second, and then a third were successiuely taken with the Fittes, and each of them seuerally eased and holpen by the vse of this Well, according to their fathers direction, as he himselfe had done before them.

The neighbours neere vnto him hearing and finding the truth of this successe, began to resort to the Well, as either the same sicknes or anie other griefe gaue them cause, and when the experience of many confirmed the vertue thereof to extend to giue helpe and ease, not one­ly to Agues and other inward diseases, but also to be me­decinable to al manner of outward grieuances and sores, it drew people in verie great numbers to repaire thi­ther, and the more trials were put in execution, the more credit and account it hath euer since gotten.

If I thought it not a thing both ridiculous and in some sort infamous, to spread in peoples eares vaine tales and incertainties, I would then haue stuffed this discourse with such surmises, as perhaps would go more currant and plausible to many, then a bare recitall of the truth touching the finding of the New found Well. And vpon this conceit I haue thought fit to omit the laying forth of sundrie opinions, as they nowe are deliuered among common persons, and some others of good note touch­ing the same.

I spare to discourse vnto you what couiectures are dai­ly cast abroad, that the same Well should haue beene of knowne, and notable vertue in the daies of the afore na­med Queene Eadilflede, and vsed by her meanes and maintenance to the generall reliefe of people in those daies, but afterwards in the outrages and oppressions [Page] which the conquering Danes made in the Countrey, it was closed and stopped vp to preuent the benefite which that common rigorous enemie might haue recei­ued by it: but because I finde no such thing recorded in any remembrance that I reade or heare of, I leaue the credit thereof to such proofe as they can make, who would perswade the world that it is so.

I haue heard likewise some persons of no meane ac­count report, that there are within this Countie some credible recordes which might be produced, wherein mention is made of an auncient Well, within the pre­cincts of Delamere, that many yeares past was esteemed of great vertue and efficacie, insomuch as the same be­ing dedicated by the first christians which had vse there­of to holy Saint Stephen, the same still beareth name (in the said records) of Saint Stephens Well, and by circum­stances therein gathered, it is said that this late found Well may be likely to be the same: whereof hauing no farther proofe, then as yet I can attaine vnto, I leaue it as doubtfull as the former.

But I will proceede with the further explication of the late effects of this Water, which since the great re­paire and concourse which people of all sorts haue made vnto it, is found to bee profitable, not onely against Agues, which was the first virtue reuealed in it, but also against all manner of coldes, stoppings, grypings, gnaw­ings, collicks, aches, ruptures and inward infirmities, and no lesse soueraigne against sores and outward anguishes, wounds, swellings, vlcers, festers, impostumes and hurts of the seuerall ioynts and members; besides that, it hath done no small number of straunge cures, against sorenes of eyes and eares, blindnesse, deafenesse, lamenesse, stif­nesse [Page] of sinnewes, numbnesse, weakenesse and feeble­nesse, all which I am able to auerre and proue, by vnde­niable demonstration from the seuerall effects of in­finite numbers of people, that haue giuen witnesse there­of in these three or foure moneths now last past.

I call them infinite numbers, because indeede the re­sort thither immediatlie after the first rumour of the Well, grew vncountable, and the people as well of Che­shire, as all the bordering shires thereabouts, trauelling thither daily in greater and greater multitudes (euen till they amounted by estimation to more than two thou­sand in a daie) Master Done euen then at the first, al­though it were great disturbance to her Highnesse Deere in the Forrest, & occasion of much other inconue­nience to the countrie, yet in regard of the notable com­fort that sicke and diseased, and pleasure that healthfull and sound persons receiued by it; hath been contented to allow free accesse, and permitted all manner of meete prouision to be brought vnto it, with most carefull and Worshipfull foresight and heede, as well that no money nor see should be exacted for the vse of the water which God had freelie bestowed on poore and rich, as also that there should be order and gouernment warilie taken o­uer all such as resorted thither, so that no manner of mis­demeanor, or disorder should growe in that place, whereunto such great assemblies are apt and prone e­nough, if good heede and preuention be not vsed.

To which purpose it happened well that the Well it selfe falleth within the limits of a walke in the Forrest, which hath long time been kept and watched by one Iohn Frodsham the keeper of that walke, who as he was a very fit and meete person, both for his good discretion [Page] and estimation to take the gouernment and ordering of people of the inferiour sort, and for the entertainment of the better sort as they resorted thither, so hath he ta­ken great paines and care in discharging the trust in him reposed, for satisfaction of all manner of resorters thi­ther, and daily endeuoureth himselfe by all waies and meanes possible, that his Masters good and forward in­clination to doe all both poore and rich equall furthe­rance in their desires, may honestly and respectiuely be accomplished.

Now by that which hath been before set downe, it appeareth what diuersitie of cure this Well water hath made vpon sundrie persons, as shall be more largely pro­ued to such as make doubt of the trueth of these reports. For as it consequently followeth that (these things be­ing graunted) then is this Water found beneficiall and medicinable against more seuerall sorts of diseases and infirmities, then any one remedie that hath been com­monly knowne heard of, or experimented (which re­port is indeede wonderfull, and scarcely to be beleeued to such as haue not been eye-witnesses thereof) so were it a great boldnesse and an enterprise of a very brainsicke disposition in me, that should affirme the same, vnlesse I were warranted by the experience of so many, so cre­dible, so wise, so graue, so sufficient persons, both in Che­shire, Lancashire, Darbishire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Flintshire, Denbighshire and others, from whence men, women and children hauing resorted hither in such a­bundance, there is not any but haue giuen ample testi­monie that they found some extraordinarie pleasure by drinking, or other vse of the water (especially those who vpon any cause of griefe haue receiued it) as more at [Page] large I might very well make manifest, if I thought it conuenient or much necessarie for me to publish that approbation and testimonie vnder their seuerall names, which many of the best ranke of the inhabitants of these adioyning countries, haue and doe freely and trulie giue of it.

And least it should be expected that I should insist vpon some particular instances, or otherwise suspected I dealt not plainelie, but sought to beguile persons re­mote and farre dwellers, with words whereof I had no proofe, I thinke it not impertinent to set downe the particulars of some of the cures made vpon diuers dis­eases, in diuers persons, of diuers habitations: which though they be skant an hundreth part of those which might be registred to haue receiued benefit by the Well, yet it shall be sufficient to any reasonable minde, to take viewe and note by these of what power and force the water is found to be: wherein I cannot in any sort be conuinced of lying or misreporting, because they are testimonies taken from the confession of all the parties themselues, and witnessed by the beholders, being ma­ny scores, yea hundreds of people of all these Coun­tries, who haue seene the proceedings as here is deli­uered.

First, for the curing of Agues there is none within a­ny reasonable distance from the place, but know what numbers haue been, and are dailie cured of that infirmi­tie, especiallie of such as dwell neere the Well, or haue staied a competent space to take benefite by the water in the best kinde: which is to receiue it fresh from the Fountaine it selfe: let it suffice to name these fewe for example.

[Page] The aforenamed Iohn Greenwaie, VVilliam, Thomas and Ralphe his sonnes, all honest young men and credible persons.

One VVilliam Iohnson a seruant to Ralphe Smethers, ex­treamelie vexed with an Ague, was vpon May day last, speedily and perfectly restored to his health by drinking that Well water.

One Master Haworth of Congerton, an honest Gen­tleman, deliuered from the fits within once or twice wa­shing and drinking.

One Ioan Gorst a substantiail honest mans daughter, likewise perfectly cured of an Ague, which had handled her in such extremitie, that through weakenes she could not be brought on horsebacke, butas she was staied and held vpon the horse, she recouered health by three or foure times drinking and washing.

For sorenes and blindnes of eyes, consider these fewe reports.

Hugh Rowe of Darnall, a man of good wealth and ve­ry honest credit, hauing been quite depriued of the sight of one eye for three yeares space, by washing oft in this water, hath welneere recouered sight in the same a­gaine, a cure that among the rest hath much confirmed both mine and many others beleefe of the effectuall o­peration of this water, being well acquainted with the losse of his sayd eye, and knowing well the mans worth of credit in that behalfe.

Thomas Leonard, borne at Salisburie, and latelie blind for the space of two yeares, hath with washing in this water about twelue dayes receiued sight againe.

Ralphe Hichenson a poore labourer fallen of late yeares very blinde, as hath been well knowne to many of the [Page] Worshipfull Gentlemen in the countrey, who thereup­on haue caused reliefe and prouision for him according to the statute, hath by the vse of this water recouered sight againe, which serueth him well to goe without lea­ding, which before he could not doe.

One Robert Bradley, who came out of Darbishire the 24. of Iuly, being borne at Chappell in the Frith, was led hither blind, hath here recouered sight, and the fourth of August is gone home without leading.

One of Edge in Cheshire hauing had a pearle fifteene or sixteene yeeres in one eye, by this water got remedie for it.

Cures of aches and griefes in the ioints and body haue beene such as follow. One Anne the wife of William Wield of Rushton hauing such paine in her backe and hippes, that she was altogether vnable to go, is by vsing this water become perfectly sound, and goeth well.

One Anthony Bigges a souldier late in the Regiment of Sir Samuell Bagnall came forth of Ireland verie lame, sicke, and feeble, not able to mooue farther then he was supported by crouches, on the 24. of Iuly began to vse this water, & the 29. of the same had recouered strength, and went lustily homeward toward Somersetshire with onely a walking staffe in his hand.

Roger Nickson a substantiall man, now Maior of Ouer confesseth himselfe to be cured of a sore paine he had in one of his legs.

One Ralph Lightfoot of the same corporation saith he had a certain griping in his body which would take him three or foure times a day, and almost plucke him to the ground, and in short time now hath beene fully cured thereof.

[Page] George Blacamore of the same society saith, that by twice washing he was cured of an issue of water which came from his knee by a cut with an axe, which before would haue drenched through nine-fold of cloth in lesse then a quarter of an houre.

One Iames Kelsall cured of a legge which had beene sore for many yeeres before, and would be holpen by no meanes till now.

One Edward Billington of Middlewich parish, hauing a straunge disease in his body, that he was not able almost to mooue himselfe, is now able to go to the Well with ease, being almost foure miles distant.

One Mistres Drakeford of Congerford was here cu­red of some infirmities in her bodie, as by her husband was credibly reported.

One Hugh Fairechild of Prescot Parish in Lanca­shire, affirmeth himselfe to be hereby cured of a Rup­ture.

One Randol Phitheon of Warmincham Yeoman, was long time benummed by a poyson, that he could almost hold nothing in his hand, auoucheth that he hath recei­ued great comfort by this water.

Robert Hall of the parish of Whitegate Wheelewright had of late a disease fell into one hand, which brake and issued at fifteene or sixteene holes, and is with this water made fish whole, witnessed by the sight and knowledge of the Vicar of Ouer, a very honest gentleman.

One Master VVilliam Iohnes a gentleman of worth and good reputation, dwelling neere Wrixham in Denbigh­shire came very sicke and lame to this Well, where reco­uering health and soundnes, he left testimonie there vn­der his hand-writing of the great benefit he receiued to [Page] this effect. Viz. That where he was exceeding lame of his knees and feete, and grieuously pained in his head, necke, shoulders, and sides, that from Easter weeke till the 26. of Iune, he was not able to go without the helpe both of the crouch, and one to hold him by the other arme, vsing this water at his house one fortnight, he found himselfe able to trauell to the Well, where he continued in all twelue daies, and found such good thereby, that he was able to go onely with the helpe of a little sticke in one hand, and to get vpon his horse without helpe, and in token of the benefit he receiued there, he hath left his crouch in the hollin there behind, this second of Au­gust 1600.

The same crouch with diuers others being there in­deed reserued as oft as anie haue cause to leaue them.

One Peter Nightgale was by this water likewise cured of a Rupture in his bodie.

One Ioane Bromhall of the Middlewich lame of one arme and one hand, as is known and affirmed by men of good worship, by this water hath gotten helpe, and hath perfect vse of her arme and hand againe.

Iohn Olton of Wettenhall the younger, an honest cre­dible man, hauing a Rupture many yeeres, and not able to go without the helpe of a steele girdle which he wore continually, hath heereby gotten remedie, and goeth now lustily without his girdle.

I may not omit among these some that haue beene ea­sed of the gout and such like aches: As one George Iohnson of Northwich, long time diseased in that sort, so that he was not able to goe, is by this water holpen and well amended.

Christopher Bennet of Wiruin much eased and holpen of [Page] a gout, and sorenesse besides, called a Wildfire in one of his legges.

One Master Iames Hocknell sonne to Iohn Hocknell Esquire, being not able to goe, but was brought to the Well on horsebacke three or foure times, and became perfectly amended.

One Elizabeth Bradshaw of Northwich had sore legs twentie two yeeres, and hath here by this water gotten helpe.

The straungest cure to my iudgement that proceedes from this water, among all the rest, is the helpe that it giues to some of the hardnesse of hearing, wherof there are no few testimonies giuen by many, one that is know­en to be benefited therein is Randal Wield a young youth of Vtkinton.

This I know vpon my owne knowledge that a Gen­tleman here in the countrey, one Master D. C. being so deafe that he cannot heare the report of a gunne dischar­ged verie neere him, hauing of this water infused into his eares, it presently drew forth much corruption be­yond all expectation, what further benefit will insue to­wards the amendement of this deafnes restes in Gods hands, but there is good hope.

I haue purposely spared to remember a Worshipfull Knight of Lancashire, who hath oft visited to his owne great ease and comfort this Well, and as well himselfe as other Gentlemen of good account, and some learned of his companie haue giuen very great approbation to the truth of the Welles efficacy.

One notable vertue it hath not to be forgottē, which is soueraignty in curing and helping the Stone, which was notorious in that one cure it did vpon Iames Okenthorpe [Page] of Eaton, who was tormented both with the Stone and Strangulion, and hereby receiued remedie.

No man can better confirme the credit of this, that the water helpeth the Stone and other hurtfull obstructi­ons, then one Master Iohn VVyttur of Torporleigh a ve­ry substantiall Freeholder, who of late was of the stone together with a colde and certaine gryping torments in his bodie brought euen to deaths doore, and through helpe (as he thinketh next vnder God, of this water) is verie well restored to his former health.

I heard an other very sensible wise Gentleman pro­fesse and openly auerre, that hee verily beleeued, if he had not had ease by the water of this Well, the disease of the Stone had surely killed him, the Gentleman is toward Sir H. Harrington, and will confidently a­uouch it.

It hath had no fewe reports of doing good to some such as haue beene there to seeke for remedie against fal­ling sicknesse, Apoplexies, Epilepsies, Letargies, Giddi­nesses and other straunge Symptomes: but eyther I sup­pose these proofes are sufficient, or infinite cannot serue.

I hold it therefore a needlesse and vnprofitable labour to trauell further in these recitals of cures: Neither doe I labour hereby to spread an opinion beyond trueth of the vertue of this Well, which to do were no way to me worth my labour.

That I should endeuour to deceiue and beguile mens eares with a straunge report, would more displease me to thinke my selfe so gulde in mine owne folly, then pleasure me to thinke there were a pleasure in illusions, to labour to draw men the faster to frequent the place [Page] and come to see the Well, I protest before God I know not how that may any way benefit me one farthing. Only my desire is to satisfy my friends and others of the truth of that, whereof now there grow many doubts and disputations among men.

They which dwell farre remote rest doubtfull, whe­ther the large and ample fame thereof spread, deserue credit or not. Some that dwell neere the place argue and debate whether or how it is possible such straunge and admirable effects should be produced from a cause so simple, poore, easie and common as the water of a little Spring.

Of the first sort those that be generous, gentle and well disposed, I suppose these confirmations will worke very farre for their satisfaction: because I know not how any thing may be proued, if it be not a good proofe which is drawne from the approbation of worshipfull, wise, learned, rich, poore and altogether, and that not of one, but of many Shires: and I will neuer beleeue prouerbe more whilest I liue, if the prouerbe be not in this cause somewhat auaileable which saith, It must needs be true which euery man saith.

For those that doubt of each thing they see, because they presently apprehend not the reason of it, I holde them not worthie of satisfaction, because their peruerse opinions are incapable of instructions of the true accep­tation of any benefits eyther diuine or naturall. These are like to the neighbours of some excellent and skilfull Phisition, who in enuie and hatred do vsually disable his skill, and cannot endure to see other men flocke to him for helpe and remedies: yet if griefe, paine, or sicknes sease vpon themselues, they then are glad to sue for his [Page] helpe, then for necessitie sake they honour the Phisition: not the wise man which gaue this precept, but necessitie it selfe teacheth them to do him his due reuerence.

Endlesse were the labour a man might haue that would go about to answere the obiections which the cu­riositie of some braines will still brue, and fling in his face that shall commend any truth whatsoeuer, neither will I enlarge this discourse with so tedious a purpose as to conuince that by way of argument, which no equall mind will much doubt of.

The Scepticke inquirers which professe doubtfulnes in all things though neuer so manifest, and aske why fire is fire, or why heat is heat, why white is not called blacke, and why blacke is not called blew: what answere deserue their friuolous demaunds, but silence the reward of foo­lish questions?

They that aske why the water of that Well should be so holsome aboue an other water, eyther on this side or beyond the same place, eyther on one this side the hill, or one the tother, are they not like to those which contē ­ned the Prophets prescription touching Naaman, and as­ked if Abanah and Pharpar, riuers of Damascus, were not as fine waters as that of Iordan?

Why was not this precious water (say some) found out before this time? or how comes it to passe, that in an ele­ment so bare, void of mixture, and so meerely nothing al­most differing from other water, there should be opera­tion so diuers, as to be medicinable against such diuersi­tie of diseases, wherof no doubt the causes proceed some contrary one to another? Questions sottish & contemp­tible. Haue not all notable benefits had their seuerall be­ginnings? and cannot men tell you of the inuention and [Page] first finding of tenne thousand publike admirations, whereof some haue lien hid and vnreuealed euen till our daies? and is it any new thing that waters should ef­fect so strange, and so diuers operations?

What meane Scholler hath not read of the Well in Gnarsborrough forrest, which cōuerteth leaues, flesh and such like into hard stone? of the Well in Glocestershire, which turneth oke rootes as they grow into hard stone, of an other neere Stonie Stratford, conuerting stickes and the like, into the like hardnes of stone?

Are not these straunge operations? and can a man prefently giue a reason hereof. Knowes any man the reason why that lake in Snowdon which carrieth the mooueable Iland, should bring forth Eeles, Perches and Trouts with onely one eye a peece in their heads, which no other water beside doth? or why that Well in Wales, six mile from the sea, or another in Darbishire 40. miles distant from the sea, should rise and fall iust with the eb­bing and flowing of the sea?

We are to wonder at, not examine all the secret wor­kings of nature, and giuing praise to the great Guider of nature, and ouer-ruler of naturall causes, to receiue the good benefits we find with thankfull humilitie.

I could heartily wish that some learned and experien­ced man of ability and iudgement (rather a skilfull Phi­sition then any) would take paines, iudicially to ap­proue and publish to the world the vertues and vse of this good water, as hath heretofore been done by our best bathes in other parts of the Realme. Perhaps some fa­mous Doctor Turner, or learned Master Iones could well satisfie the curiosity of the narrowest inquirers why this should be, and that should be; they could iudge of the na­ture [Page] of the water, of the colour, of the vaines of the earth, of the situation of the climate, of all the collaterall causes which make it beneficiall.

If our Well worke the like or as strange effects as Bath, Buxtons, Saint Vincents or Hally well, what aduantage haue they of it, sauing that good fortune hath found them out such men (as those before named) to publish their vertues.

The first of which named Welles (I meane the Bath) I must needs with great reuerence giue due admiration vnto, in respect of the great fame and antiquitie, it is knowne to be of. And because it exceeds all the rest as in heat, so in the sensiblenes or manifest apparance of phisicall or medicinable curing, I hold it great reason it should retaine the preheminence ouer all the rest.

And where our Wel wanting that sensible heat may perhaps in that respect be disallowed the name of a me­dicinable water: I answer nothing but that which Master Iones writeth of Buxtons Well, that being not so hot, as the water of Bathe, it healeth more temperately and ef­fectually.

Thus farre (Bro. B.) as my haste and slender abili­tie would permit, I haue laboured to impart vnto you the newes of the New found VVell. If you please you may commit it to further view, if it be not well reported, or the newes not well accepted, or my meaning not well construed, I can say no more but this, I would all were well.