The fourth endammaged by this Hagge, was one _Edmund Newton_: the
discontentment did arise from this ground; Because hee had bought
seuerall bargaines of Holland cheese, and sold them againe, by which she
thought her benefit to be somewhat impaired, vsing the like kinde of
trading. The manner of her dealing with him was in this sort. At euery
seuerall time buying Cheese he was grieously afflicted, being thrice,
and at the last either she or a spirit in her likenesse did appeare vnto
him, and whisked about his face (as he lay in bed) a wet cloath of very
loathsome sauour; after which hee did see one cloathed in russet with a
little bush beard, who told him hee was sent to looke vpon his fore
legge, and would heale it; but rising to shew the same perceiuing hee
had clouen feet, refused that offer, who then (these being no vaine
conceits, or phantasies, but well aduised and diligently considered
obseruances) suddenly vanished out of sight. After this she sent her
Impes, a Toad, and Crabs crawling about the house, which was a shoppe
planchered with boords, where his seruants (hee being a Shooemaker) did
worke: one of which tooke that toad, put it into the fire, where it made
a groaning noyse for one quarter of an houre before it was consumed;
during which time _Mary Smith_ who sent it, did endure, (as was
reported) torturing paines, testifying the felt griefe by her out-cryes
then made.
The sicknesse which he first sustained, was in manner of a madnesse or
phrensie, yet with some interposed release of extremity: so that for
thirteene or foureteene weekes together hee would be of perfect memory,
other times distracted and depriued of all sence. Also the ioynts and
parts of his body were benummed, besides other pains and greifes from
which hee is not yet freed, but continueth in great weakenesse, disabled
to performe any labour, whereby hee may get sufficient and competent
maintenance. And by the councel of some, sending for this woman by whom
hee was wronged, that he might scratch her (for this hath gone as
currant, and may plead prescription for warrant a* foule sinne among
Christians to thinke one Witch-craft can driue out another) his nailes
turned like feathers, hauing no strength to lay his hands vpon her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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