Page:A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More.djvu/145

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1. The Story of Anne Bodenham, a Witch who suffered at Salisbury, Anno 1653''. The Author's punctual Information concerning her.'' 2. The manner and circumstances of her first Conjuring up the Devil. 3. An Objection answered concerning the truth thereof. 4. The Objection more fully answered by a second Conjuration. 5. An Objection answer'd concerning this second Conjuration, and still further cleared by the circumstances of a third. 6. The Witches fourth and last Conjuration, at which Anne Styles made a Contract with the Devil. 7. That these transactions could be no Dreams nor Fancies of Anne Styles, nor she knowingly forsworn in her avouching them upon Oath. 8. Which is further proved by the impartialness of her Confession. 9, 10. By her Contract with the Devil, evidenced from the real effects thereof. 11. And by her behaviour at the Assizes when she gave evidence. 12. An answer to certain Objections. 13. Sundry Indications that Anne Bodenham was a Witch. 14. The Summary Conclusion, That the above-related Conjurations are no Fictions of Anne Styles, but real Transactions by Anne Bodenham.

O that of John Winnick, it will not be amiss to adde a more late and more notable Narration concerning one Anne Bodenham, a Witch, who lived in Fisherton-Anger, adjacent to the City of new Sarum in the County of Wilts, who was arraigned and executed at Salisbury 1653. He that has a minde to read the Story more at large, may consult Edmond Bower, who has an eye-witness and eare-witness of several passages. But I shall onely set down here what is most material to our present purpose, partly out of him, and partly from others who were then at the Assizes, and had also private Conference with the Witch, and spoke also with the Maid that gave evidence against her.

This Anne Bodenham, it seems, concealed not her skill in foretelling things to come, and helping men to their stoln goods, and other such like feats, that the more notable sort of Wizards and Witches are said to pretend to and to practise.

2. Amongst others that resorted to her, there was one Anne Styles, servant to ''Rich. Goddard Esq; of the close in new Sarum, sent by Mr. Mason this Goddard'''s Son in Law (he having a design to commence a Law Suit against his Father), to learn of the Witch what would be the event of the Suit. Who being asked by the Maid, who had three shillings to give her for her pains, she took her staff, and there drew it about the house, making a kinde of a Circle; and then took a book, and carrying it over the Circle with her hands, and taking a green glass, did lay it upon the book, and placed in the Circle an earthen Pan of Coals, wherein she threw something, which burning caused a very noisome stink, and told the Maid, she should not be afraid of what she should then see, for now they would come: (they are the words she used) and so calling Belzebub, Tormentor, Satan and Lucifer appear; there suddenly arose a Rh