I spppose this Witch (Woman I shall no more call ge • ) might have been taken in the Room if the Devil had been Knave enough to have left her there, but it seems he was to honest to break covenant; Yet certain it is, he is not only Knave enough, but the original Source of all Knavery and Vice, and it is not for any respect to breach of Covenant, or other good motive that makes him for a time true to his Proselytes, but to make them further and greater Instruments of Hell, and Mischief, as his next essay makes appear.

When she had performed his first command he then Enjoynes her upon a 2d. and more pernicious enterprize (viz.) to Kill the Gentlewoman, but she was not yet become Devil enough, and therefore refuses: Whereupon the Devil struck her a slap on the Face, where he left the print of his Fist But however, he prevailed with her so far as to be come a Thirteen Years Tormentor, to this poo • Gentlewoman, who dureing all that time was afflicted with some supernatural affliction or other; th •… cause of all which was hidden from Physicians, no •… could she obtain from them any remedy; sometime she would be seized with Fitts of raveing, some times of laughing, but alwaies of pain.

The Minister of the Parish, observing her Fit of laughter and by his Reading, knowing somethin •… more than those Countrey Physicians, had a strong presumption that they must be the Effects of Sorcery, and therefore desired that in those Fitts, the bottoms of her Feet might be held, and covered with Hands, which Project had good successe for it alwayes stayd her laughter, and proved consequently more effectual then the magical charme by which she was inchanted.

From hence I offer the Learned, (for this is certain Truth) whether or no it may not be thought, that Witches do torment in Effigie, (as surely this did by Tickling) and if they do whether there may not be infallible countercharmes, successfully and laudably applyed, as we find this was, and if so whether or no it will not be highly beneficial to the Publick, (especially to those of Scotland,) to publish something to that end efectual.

The Minister abovesaid caused this Witch to be apprehended, and committed to Exeter Goale; where she remained a Month before she would confess anything, but at last she made a free confession of all that is abovesaid, with many more exploits too long here to incert, as that the Devil assumeing a cold Body had frequent carnal knowledge of her, that she used often to put to sea (in an Egg-shell as she affirmed) where she has been the destruction of many Ships: But that of which she said she most repented was that 〈◊〉 once 〈◊〉 overboard a Pretty Youth whose shape and Beauty; she spoke of with great commendation.

She also impeached one Mary Floyd and one Susanna Edwards both which had been too long and great actors in such sort of Devilising, but because my Paper will not Permit, I shall give you no trouble with them.

By the report spread abroad came many from all parts, to see this grand Witch, and among the rest the Minister of her own Parish, at the Sight of whom she seemed Extraordinary Joyful, and desired to Touch his Hands; which the Minister refused not, and having him by the Hand she told him she knew not but that his advice and prayers might do her good: She also put him in mind of his once Rideing between Banton and Taunton wherein the midst of the Water, his Horse would neither go forward nor backward untill he used these, or words to this effect, Well Satan thou hast not long time to continue a Torment to human Nature before thou shalt be chained up &c. at which words the Devi • fled away in the Shape of a Bull, and roaring most terribly: And told him that then she was there though invisible.

This Minister gave them all 3 good and whole some advice, and desired them to say the Lords Prayer; of which the last could not repeat one word, but Temperance Floyd said all, with these alterations; when she should have said Lead us not into Temptation, she said Lead us into Temptation, and instead of Deliver us from evil, said deliver us to evil; and protested she could say no otherwaise: This Witch was 70 Years old, and had been the Devils Slave 30 Years of that time.

At the Assizes being brought upon their Tryal, they all three pleaded Guilty: Thereupon the Judg ordered the Goaler to Secure the Prisoners, but in his charge to the Jury, gave his Opinion that these three poor VVomen (as he supposed) were weary of their Lives, and that he thought it proper for them to be carryed to the Parish from whence thoy came, and that the Parish should be charged with their Maintainance; for that he thought their oppressing Poverty had constrained them to wish for Death: Whereupon several Neighbours, who had been great Sufferers by their diabolical Practices, moved that if these VVitches went home in peace, none of them could promise themselves a minutes Security, either of their Persons or Estates, and one of the Evidence offering to prove one act of their VVitchery and alledging a door to be shut, one of the Three cryed out, that is false, for the door was open; which tacitly implyed that she was then an Actor, and consequently convinced both Judg and Jury that she was guilty, and so of the other two.

At the place of Execution, Temperance Floyd made a full Confession of all that is aforesaid, with many more Particulars, too tedious here to incert: She desired all the Spectators to take warning by her and then requesting of the Minister that the 40th Psalm might be Sung, begged the Prayers of all there present; and she her self uttered this short Prayer.