Discovery of Witches: The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of LancasterPotts, Thomas, active 1612-1618
History
Discovery of Witches: The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster
Potts, Thomas, active 1612-1618
Preston, Jennet, -1612; Witchcraft -- England -- Lancashire
My Lord _Bromley_ being very suspicious of the accusation of _Iennet
Deuice_, the little Wench, commanded her to looke vpon the Prisoners
that were present, and declare which of them were present at _Malkin
Tower_, at the great assembly of Witches vpon Good-Friday last: shee
looked vpon and tooke many by the handes, and accused them to be
there, and when shee had accused all that were there present, shee
told his Lordship there was a Woman that came out of Crauen that was
amongst the Witches at that Feast, but shee saw her not amongst the
Prisoners at the Barre.
What a singular note was this of a Child, amongst many to misse her,
that before that time was hanged for her offence, which shee would
neuer confesse or declare at her death? here was present old _Preston_
her husband, who then cried out and went away: being fully satisfied
his wife had Iustice, and was worthie of death.
To conclude then this present discourse, I heartilie desire you, my
louing Friends and Countrie-men, for whose particular instructions
this is added to the former of the wonderfull discouerie of Witches in
the Countie of Lancaster: And for whose particular satisfaction this
is published; Awake in time, and suffer not your selues to be thus
assaulted.
Consider how barbarously this Gentleman hath been dealt withall; and
especially you that hereafter shall passe vpon any Iuries of Life and
Death, let not your conniuence, or rather foolish pittie, spare such
as these, to exequute farther mischiefe.
Remember that shee was no sooner set at libertie, but shee plotted the
ruine and ouerthrow of this Gentleman, and his whole Familie.
Expect not, as this reuerend and learned Iudge saith, such apparent
proofe against them, as against others, since all their workes, are
the workes of darkenesse: and vnlesse it please Almightie God to raise
witnesses to accuse them, who is able to condemne them?
Forget not the bloud that cries out vnto God for reuenge, bring it not
vpon your owne heads.
Neither doe I vrge this any farther, then with this, that I would
alwaies intreat you to remember, that it is as great a crime (as
_Salomon_ sayth, _Prov._ 17.) to condemne the innocent, as to let the
guiltie escape free.
Looke not vpon things strangely alledged, but iudiciously consider
what is justly proued against them.
And that as well all you that were witnesses, present at the
Arraignement and Triall of her, as all other strangers, to whome this
Discourse shall come, may take example by this Gentlemen to prosecute
these hellish Furies to their end:[Z3_b_1] labor to root them out of
the Commonwealth, for the common good of your Countrey. The greatest
mercie extended to them, is soone forgotten.
GOD graunt vs the long and prosperous cotinuance of these Honorable
and Reuerend Iudges, vnder whose Gouernment we liue in these North
parts: for we may say, that GOD Almightie hath singled them out, and
set him on his Seat, for the defence of Iustice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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