An account of what happen'd in the kingdom of Sweden in the years 1669, and 1670 and upwards In relation to some persons that were accused for witches; and tryed and executed by the Kings command. Together with the particulars of a very sad accident that befel a boy at Malmoe in Schonen in the year, 1678. by the means of witchcraft, attested by the ablest and most judicious men of that town. Both translated out of High-Dutch into English, By Anthony Horneck D.D. Horneck, Anthony, 1641-1697. 1682 Approx. 56 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 21 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A44509 Wing H2817 ESTC R216940 99828653 99828653 33084 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44509) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 33084) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1966:06) An account of what happen'd in the kingdom of Sweden in the years 1669, and 1670 and upwards In relation to some persons that were accused for witches; and tryed and executed by the Kings command. Together with the particulars of a very sad accident that befel a boy at Malmoe in Schonen in the year, 1678. by the means of witchcraft, attested by the ablest and most judicious men of that town. Both translated out of High-Dutch into English, By Anthony Horneck D.D. Horneck, Anthony, 1641-1697. [16], 24, [2] p. : ill. Printed for S. Lownds, [London] : 1682. 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Sweden -- History -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800. 2003-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-10 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-11 Paul Schaffner Sampled and proofread 2004-11 Paul Schaffner Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ACCOUNT Of what happen'd in the KINGDOM OF SWEDEN In the Years 1669 , and 1670 and upwards . In Relation to some Persons that were accused For Witches ; AND TRYED and EXECUTED By the Kings Command . Together with the Particulars of a very sad Accident that befel a Boy at Malmoe in Schonen in the Year , 1678. by the means of Witchcraft , attested by the Ablest and most judicious Men of that Town . Both Translated out of High-Dutch into English , By Anthony Horneck D. D. Printed for S. Lownds , 1682. The Translators PREFACE TO THE READER , Shewing what Credit may be given to the Matter of Fact related in the ensuing Narrative . THat we are to believe nothing , but what we have seen , is a rule so false , that we dare not call our selves rational Creatures , and avouch it ; yet as irrational as the Maxim is , 't is become modish with some Men , and those no very mean Wits neither , to make use of it ; and though they will hardly own it in its full Latitude , yet when it comes to Particulars , let the Reasons to the contrary be never so pregnant or convincing , they 'll hugg it as their sacred Anchor , and laugh at all those credulous Wretches , that without seeing , are so easily chous'd into an imprudent Confidence . And this pitiful Stratagem we find practised in no affair so much , as that of Spirits and Witches , and Apparitions , which must all be Fancies , and Hypocondriack Dreams , and the effects of distempered Brains , because their own are so dull as not to be able to pierce into those Mysteries . I do not deny but the Imagination may be , and is sometime deluded ; and melancholy People may fancy they hear Voices , and see very strange things , which have no other foundation but their own weakness , and like Bubbles break into Air , and nothing , by their own vanity . Yet as no man doth therefore take unpolisht Diamonds to be Pebbles , because they do look like them , so neither must all passages of this nature , we hear or read of , be traduced as self-conceit , or derided as Old Wives Fables , because some smell strong of Imposture and Sophistication . We believe men of Reason and Experience , and free from Fumes , when a person of ordinary Intellectuals finds no great credit with us ; and if we think our selves wise for so doing , why should any Man so much forget himself , as to be an Infidel in point of such Phaenomena's , when even the most judicious men have had experience of such passages ? It seems to me no less than madness to contradict what both wise and unwise Men do unanimously agree in ; and how Jews , Heathens , Mahometans , and Christians , both learned and unlearned , should come to conspire into this Cheat , as yet seems to me unaccountable . If some few melancholy Monks , or old Women had seen such Ghosts and Apparitions , we might then suspect , that what they pretend to have seen might be nothing , but the effect of a disordered Imagination ; but when the whole World , as it were , and Men of all Religions , Men of all Ages too , have been forced by strong evidences , to acknowledge the truth of such occurrences , I know not what strength there can be in the Argument , drawn from the consent of Nations in things of a sublimer nature , if here it be of no efficacy . Men that have attempted to evade the places of Scripture , which speak of Ghosts and Witches ; we see , how they are forced to turn and wind the Texts , and make in a manner Noses of Wax of them , and rather squeeze than gather the sence , as if the holy Writers had spoke like Sophisters , and not like Men , who made it their business to condescend to the capacity of the Common people . Let a man put no force at all on those passages of holy Writ , and then try what sence they are like to yield . It 's strange to see , how some Men have endeavoured to elude the Story of the Witch of Endor ; and as far as I can judge , play more Hocus-pocus tricks in the explication of that passage , than the Witch herself did in raising the deceased Samuel . To those Straits is Falshood driven , while Truth loves Plain , and undisguised Expressions ; and Errour will seek out Holes and Labyrinths to hide it self , while Truth plays above-board , and scorns the subterfuges of the Sceptick Interpreter . Men and Brethren , why should it seem a thing incredible with you , that God should permit Spirits to appear , and the Devil to exert his Power among Men on Earth ? Hath God ever engaged his Word to the contrary ? Or is it against the nature of Spirits to form themselves new Vehicles and visible shapes , or to animate grosser substances to shew themselves to Mortals upon certain occasions ? I am so much a Prophet , as to foresee what will be the fate of the ensuing story , nor can I suppose that upon the reading of it , Mens verdicts will be much changed from what they were , if they have set up this resolution , to believe nothing that looks like the shadow of an Apparition , though the things mentioned here , cannot be unknown to any that have been conversant with foreign Affairs of late years . And though there cannot be a greater evidence , than the testimony of a whole Kingdom , yet your nicer Men will think it a disparagement to them to believe it ; nor will it ever extort Assent from any , that build the reputation of their wit upon contradicting what hath been received by the vulgar . The passages here related wrought so great a Consternation , not onely on the Natives , but Strangers too , that the Heer Christian Rumpf , then Resident for the States General at Stockholm , thought himself obliged to send away his little Son for Holland , lest he should be endangered by those villanous practices , which seem'd to threaten all the Inhabitants of the Kingdom . And be that doubts of it , may be satisfied at Dr. Harrel's in St. James's Park , to whom the Letter was written . And a friend of mine in Town , being then in Holstein , remembers very well that the Duke of Holstein sent an Express to the King of Sweden to know the truth of this famous Witchcraft : To whom the King modestly replied , That his Judges and Commissioners had caused divers Men , Women , and Children to be Burnt and Executed upon such pregnant Evidences , as were brought before them ; but whether the Actions they confessed , and which were proved against them , were real , or onely effects of strong Imagination , he was not as yet able to determine . Add to all this , that the Circumstances mentioned in the ensuing Narrative , as I am informed , are at this day to be seen in the Royal Chancery at Stockholm ; and a person of my acquaintance offered me to procure Copy of them under the hands of publick Registers , if I desired it : Not to mention that in the year 72. Baron Sparr , who was sent Embassador from the Crown of Sweden to the Court of England , did upon his word aver the matter of Fact recorded here , to be undoubtedly true , to several persons of Note and Eminency , with other particulars , stranger than those set down in these Papers . And to this purpose divers Letters were sent from Sweden and Hamburgh to several persons here in London ; insomuch , that should a Man born in , or acquainted with those parts , hear any person dispute the truth of it , he would wonder where people have lived , or what sullen humour doth possess them , to disbelieve that , which so many thousands in that Kingdom have felt the sad effect of . Since the first Edition , it hath been my fortune to be acquainted with the Lord Leyonberg , Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Sweden , living in York Buildings , with whom discoursing about these Affairs , I found that the Account he gave , agreed for the most part with what is mentioned in the Narrative ; and because his Testimony , being a publick Person , may be of some moment in a thing relating to that Kingdom , I have here set it down in his own words . Having read this Narrative , I could do no less , then upon the Request of the Translator and Publisher of this Story , acknowledge , that to my best Remembrance , and according to the best Reports that have been made to me , the Matter of Fact mentioned in it , is true , and that the Witches confessed such things , and were accordingly Executed . Witness my Hand , LEYONBERGH , London , March 8 , 1682. I do not take upon me to justifie the Truth of what the Witches said , for dealing with the Father of Lies , it 's probable , Veracity is not a Vertue , that they greatly study , yet that the Devil speaks truth sometimes , is a thing so far from being impossible , that if we give credit to the Sacred History , we must grant that all , he saith , is not False , or Erroneous . All , I design at this time , is only to suggest , that it is not altogether irrational to conceive , that he or his Emissaries are capable of such Actions and Pranks , as are related in these Papers . That a Spirit can lift up Men and Women , and grosser Substances , and convey them through the Air , I question no more , than I doubt that the Wind can overthrow Houses , or drive Stones , and other heavy Bodies upward from their Centre . And were I to make a person of a dull understanding , apprehend the nature of a Spirit , I would represent it to him under the Notion of an Intelligent Wind , or a strong Wind , informed by a highly Rational Soul ; as a Man may be called an intelligent piece of Earth . And this Notion David seemed to favour , when speaking of these Creatures , Psal. 104.4 . he tells us , that God makes his Angels Wind , for in the original it's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and most certainly , if they be so , they must be reasonable windy substances ; nor doth the expression , which immediately follows in that Verse , cross this exposition , viz. That he makes his Ministers a flaming Fire ; for it 's no new opinion , that some of those invisible Substances are of a Fiery , and others of an Airy Nature ; and as we see , God gives Rational Creatures here on Earth , Bodies composed of grosser Matter , why should it seem incougruous for him to give Rational Creatures above us , Bodies of a subtiler and thinner Matter , or such Matter , as those higher Regions do afford ? and if Wind breaking forth from the Cavernes of Hills , and Mountains have such force , as makes us very often stand amazed at the effects , what Energy might we suppose to be in Wind , were it inform'd by Reason , or a Reasonable Being ? And though I cannot comprehend the Philosophy of the Devils committing Venereal Acts , and having Children , and those Children upon their Copulation bringing forth Toads and Serpents , yet I can very rationally conceive , that having more than ordinary power over Matter , he can either animate dead Bodies , and by the help of them commit those Villanies , which modesty bids us to conceal ; or some other way compound , and thicken Atomes into what shape he pleases , especially if he meet with no hinderance from a higher power . And he that was permitted , as we see in the Gospel , to possess and actuate living Men , and do with them almost what he pleased , why may not he commit wickedness by such Instruments , and cast Mists before the Witches eyes , that they may not know who they are ? And he that could in Aegypt produce Frogs , either real or counterfeit ones , Why may not he be supposed to be able to produce such Toads and Serpents out of any mishapen Creatures , and lumps of Matter , of his own compounding , at least represent the shapes of them to the deluded Witches , that they shall imagine them to be really such things , as they seem to be . Nor is this to be admired in the Devil more than Tricks are in Juglers , who by slight of Art can represent things to the ignorant Spectator , which he shall be ready to swear to be real , though they are nothing less , and I suppose we may allow the the Devill a greater degree of cunning , than an ordinary Jugler . However , Spirits that know the nature of material things better than the deepest Philosophers , and understand better , how things are joyned and compounded , and what the Ingredients of terrestrial Productions are , and see things ( grosser things at least ) in their first principles , and have power over the Air , and other Elements , and have a thousand ways of shaping things and representing them to the external Senses of vicious Men , what may not they be supposed to be able to do , ( if they have but Gods permission to exert their power ) and that God doth sometimes permit such things , we have reason to believe , who read what signs and wonders Simon Magus , and Apollonius Tyanaeus wrought by the power of darkness , and how not a few men sin to that degree , that God suffers them to be led Captive by the Devil , and dooms them to that slavery we read of in the Revelation , He that is filthy , let him be filthy still . Spirits by being Devils do not lose their nature ; and let any man in sober sadness consider , what Spirits are said to be able to do in Scripture , and what they have done , and compare those passages with what is said in the following Relation , and he will not think those things , the Witches confessed , altogether impossible . Yet still , as I said before , I do not pretend to be their Advocate , but shall leave it to the Reader to judge of the truth , or untruth of their Confessions , as he sees occasion , only beg of him not to condemn every thing as a falshood , before due consideration of what Spirits are capable of doing . That in so great a multitude as were Accused , Condemned , and Executed for Witches , there might be some who suffered unjustly , and owed their death more to the Malice of their Neighbours , than to their skill in the Black Art , I will readily grant ; nor will I deny , that when the News of these Transactions , and how the Children bewitched , fell into Fits , and strange unusual Postures , spread abroad in the Kingdom , some fearful and credulous people , if they saw their Children any way disordered , might think they were bewitched , or ready to be carried away by Imps ; This happens in all consternations , and our fears make us see that , which unbyassed Eyes cannot perceive ; and of this a Gentleman who was an Ear-witness , gave me this instance , of a Ministers Child of his acquaintance not far from Stockholm , who being told , and assured by his Wife , that the Child was carried to Blockula every night , and convey'd back into his bed again , resolved to sit up with the Boy , and see whether any Devil durst be so bold as to snatch him out of his arms . The Child went to Bed , and between twelve and one of the Clock at night , began to groan in his sleep , and seemed to shiver a little , at the sight whereof the Mother began to weep and mourn , thinking that the Child was just going to be snatcht away , but her Husband smiling at the Conceit , and pleading with her , that the Childs laying his arms out of Bed might be the cause of these symptomes , took the Child in his arms , and there kept him till towards two or three of the Clock , but no Spirit came or medled with him , yet was his Wife so possessed with the conceit , or fear of transportation , that his strongest Arguments could scarce make her believe the contrary ; and the same person , ( a near Relation of the aforesaid Envoy ) added , how much malice and ill nature was able to effect , whereof he gave this example , which himself saw , and could testifie the truth of , viz. how in the year , 1676. at Stockholme , a young Woman accused her own Mother of being a Witch , and swore positively , that she had carried her away at night ; whereupon both the Judges and Ministers of the Town exhorted her to Confession and Repentance ; But she stifly denied the Allegations , pleaded Innocence , and though they burnt another Witch before her face , and lighted the fire , she her self was to burn in , before her , yet she still justified her self , and continued to do so to the last , and continuing so , was burnt . She had indeed been a very bad Woman , but it seems this crime she was free from , for within a fortnight , or three weeks after , her Daughter which had accused her , came to the Judges in open Court ( weeping and howling ) and confessed that she had wronged her Mother , and unjustly out of a spleen , she had against her for not gratifying her in a thing , she desired , had charged her with that Crime which she was as innocent of , as the Child unborn ; whereupon the Judges gave order for her execution too . There is no publick Calamity , but some ill people will serve themselves of the sad Providence , and make use of it for their own ends , as Thieves , when a House or Town is on fire , will steal and filch what they can ; yet as there is no Fable , but hath some Foundation in History , so when wicked people make use of such Arguments against the persons they hate , it 's a sign there was such a thing , that gave them occasion to fix the calumny ; and had not such things been done before , they could not have any colour for their Villany . I could add a known passage , that happen'd in the year 1659. at Crossen in Silesia , of an Apothecary's Servant . The chief Magistrate of that Town at that time was the Princess Elizabeth Charlotta , a person famous in her generation . In the Spring of the year one Christopher Monigk , a Native of Serbest , a Town belonging to the Princes of Anhalt , Servant to an Apothecary , died and was buried with the usual Ceremonies of the Lutheran Church . A few days after his decease , a Shape exactly like him in face , clothes , stature , meen , &c. appeared in the Apothecaries Shop , where he would set himself down , and walk sometimes , and take the Boxes , Pots , Glasses off of the Shelves , and set them again in their places , and sometimes try , and examine the goodness of the Medicines , weigh them in a pair of Scales , pound the Drugs with a mighty noise in a Mortar , nay , serve the people , that came with their Bills to the Shop , take their Money , and lay it up safe in the Counter ; in a word , do all things that a Journey-man in such cases uses to do . He looked very ghastly upon those , that had been his fellow Servants , who were afraid to say any thing to him ; and his Master being sick at that time of the Gout , he was often very troublesome to him , would take the Bills that were brought him , out of his hand , snatch away the Candle sometimes , and put it behind the Stove ; At last , he took a Cloak that hung in the Shop , put it on and walked abroad , but minding no body in the Streets , went along , entred into some of the Citizens Houses , and thrust himself into company , especially of such as he had formerly known , yet saluted no body , nor spoke to any one but to a Maid servant , whom he met hard by the Church-yard , and desired to go home to his Masters house , and dig in a Ground-chamber , where she would find an inestimable Treasure ; but the Maid amazed at the sight of him , sounded ; whereupon he lift her up , but left such a mark upon her Flesh with lifting her , that it was to be seen for some time after . The Maid having recovered her self , went home , but fell desperately sick upon 't , and in her sickness discovered what Monigk had said to her ; and accordingly they digged in the place , she had named , but found nothing but an old decayed Pot , with a Haematites or Blood-Stone in it . The Princess hereupon caused the young Mans body to be digged up , which they found putrified with purulent Matter , flowing from it ; and the Master being advised to remove the young Mans Goods , Linnen , Clothes , and things , he left behind him when he died , out of the House , the Spirit thereupon left the House , and was heard of no more . And this some people now living will take their Oath upon , who very well remember they saw him after his decease , and the thing being so notorius , there was instituted a publick Disputation about it in the Academy of Leipsig * by one Henry Conrad , who disputed for his Doctors Degree in the University . And this puts me in mind of an Apothecary at Reichenbach in Silesia , about fifteen years ago ( I had it from a very credible Witness ) who after his death appeared to divers of his acquaintance , and cryed out , that in his life time he had poisoned several Men with his Drugs . Whereupon the Magistrates of the Town after consultation , took up his Body , and burnt it ; which being done , the Spirit disappeared , and was seen no more . But if the Stories related in the preceding Book are not sufficient to convince Men , I am sure an example from beyond Sea , will gain no credit . It 's enough that I have shewn Reasons which may induce my Reader to believe that he is not imposed upon by the following Narrative ; and that it is not in the nature of those Pamphlets , they cry about the Streets , containing very dreadful News from the Country , of Armies fighting in the Air. A RELATION OF THE Strange VVitchcraft Discovered in the Village Mohra in Swedeland , Taken out of the publick Register of the Lords Commissioners appointed by his Majesty the King of Sweden to examine the whole business , in the Years of our Lord 1669. and 1670. THE News of this Witchcraft coming to the King's Ear , his Majesty was pleased to appoint Commissioners , some of the Clergy , and some of the Laity , to make a Journey to the Town aforesaid , and to examine the whole business ; and accordingly the Examination was ordered to be on the 13th of August ; and the Commissioners met on the 12th instant , in the said Village , at the Parsons House , to whom both the Minister and several people of fashion complained with tears in their Eyes , of the miserable condition they were in , and therefore begg'd of them to think of some way , whereby they might be delivered from that Calamity . They gave the Commissioners very strange Instances of the Devils Tyranny among them ; how by the help of Witches , he had drawn some Hundreds of Children to him , and made them subject to his power ; how he hath been seen to go in a visible shape through the Country , and appeared daily to the people ; how he had wrought upon the poorer sort , by presenting them with Meat and Drink , and this way allured them to himself , with other circumstances to be mentioned hereafter . The Inhabitants of the Village added , with very great lamentations , that though their Children had told all , and themselves sought God very earnestly by Prayer , yet they were carried away by him ; and therefore begg'd of the Lords Commissioners to root out this hellish Crew , that they might regain their former rest and quietness ; and the rather , because the Children which used to be carried away in the County or District of Elfdale , since some Witches had been burnt there , remained unmolested . That day , i. e. the 13 th of August , being the last Humiliation-day Instituted by Authority for removing of this Judgment , the Commissioners went to Church , where there appeared a considerable Assembly both of young and old : the Children could read most of them , and sing Psalms , and so could the Women , though not with any great zeal or fervor . There were preached two Sermons that day , in which the miserable case of those people , that suffered themselves to be deluded by the Devil , was laid open ; and these Sermons were at last concluded with very fervent prayer . The Publick Worship being over , all the people of the Town were called together to the Parsons House , near Three thousand of them . Silence being commanded , the Kings Commission was read publickly in the hearing of them all , and they were charged under very great Penalties to conceal nothing of what they knew , and to say nothing but the truth ; those especially , who were guilty , that the Children might be delivered from the Clutches of the Devil . They all promised obedience ; the guilty feignedly , but the guiltless weeping and crying bitterly . On the 14th of August the Commissioners met again , consulting how they might withstand this dangerous flood ; after long deliberation , an Order also coming from his Majesty , they did resolve to execute such , as the matter of fact could be proved upon ; Examination being made , there were discovered no less than Threescore and ten in the Village aforesaid , Three and twenty of which freely confessing their Crimes , were condemned to dye ; the rest , one pretending she was with Child , and the other denying and pleading not guilty , were sent to Fahluna , where most of them were aftewards Executed . Fifteen Children which likewise confessed that they were engaged in this Witchery , died as the rest ; Six and thirty of them between nine and sixteen years of age , who had been less guilty , were forced to run the gantlet ; Twenty more , who had no great inclination , yet had been seduced to those hellish Enterprizes , because they were very young , were condemned to be lash'd with Rods upon their hands , for three Sundays together at the Church-door ; and the aforesaid Six and thirty were also doom'd to be lashed this way once a week for a whole year together . The number of the Seduced Children was about Three hundred . On the twenty fifth of August , Execution was done upon the notoriously guilty , the day being bright and glorious , and the Sun shining , and some thousands of people being present at the Spectacle . The Order and Method observed in the Examination was thus : First , the Commissioners and the Neighbouring Justices went to prayer ; this done , the Witches , who had most of them Children with them , which they either had Seduced , or attempted to Seduce , from four years of age to sixteen , were set before them . Some of the Children complained lamentably of the misery and mischief they were forced sometime to suffer of the Witches . The Children being asked whether they were sure , that they were at any time carried away by the Devil ; they all declared they were , begging of the Commissioners that they might be freed from that intolerable slavery . Hereupon the Witches themselves were asked , whether the Confessions of these Children were true , and admonished to confess the truth , that they might turn away from the Devil unto the living God. At first , most of them did very stifly , and without shedding the least tear deny it , though much against their will and inclination . After this , the Children were Examined , every one by themselves , to see whether their Confessions did agree or no ; and the Commissioners found that all of them , except some very little ones , who could not tell all the Circumstances , did punctually agree in the confession of particulars . In the mean while the Commissioners that were of the Clergy examined the Witches , but could not bring them to any Confession , all continuing stedfast in their denials , till at last some of them burst out into tears , and their Confession agreed with what the Children had said . And these expressed their abhorrency of the fact , and begg'd pardon ; adding , that the Devil , whom they call'd Loeyta , had stopt the Mouths of some of them , and stopt the Ears of others ; and being now gone from them , they could no longer conceal it , for they now perceived his Treachery . The Confession which the Witches made in Elfdale , to the Judges there , agreed with the Confession they made at Mohra : and the chief things they confessed , consisted in these three points . 1. Whither they used to go . 2. What kind of place it was , they went to , called by them Blockula , where the Witches and the Devil used to meet . 3. What evil or mischief they had either done , or designed there . 1. Of their Journey to Blockula . The Contents of their Confession . WE of the Province of Elfdale , do confess that we used to go to a Gravel-pit which lay hard by a cross-way , and there we put on a Vest over our heads , and then danced round , and after this ran to the cross-way , and called the Devil thrice , first with a still voice , the second time somewhat louder , and the third time very loud , with these words , Antecessor come and carry us to Blockula . Whereupon , immediately he used to appear , but in different Habits ; but for the most part we saw him in a gray Coat , and red and blew Stockings : he had a red Beard , a high-crown'd Hat , with Linnen of divers colours wrapt about it , and long Garters upon his Stockings . Then he asked us , whether we would serve him with Soul and Body . If we were content to do so , he set us on a Beast which he had there ready , and carried us over Churches and high Walls ; and after all , we came to a green Meadow , where Blockula lies . We must procure some scrapings of Altars , and filings of Church-Clocks ; and then he gives us a horn with a Salve in it , wherewith we do anoint our selves ; and a Saddle , with a Hammer and a wooden Nail , thereby to fix the Saddle ; whereupon we call upon the Devil , and away we go . Those that were of the Town of Mohra , made in a manner the same Declaration : Being asked whether they were sure of a real personal Transportation , and whether they were awake when it was done ; they all answered in the Affirmative , and that the Devil sometimes laid something down in the place that was very like them . But one of them confessed , that he did onely take away her strength , and her body lay still upon the ground ; yet sometimes he took even her body with him . Being asked , how they could go with their Bodies through Chimneys and broken Panes of Glass , they said , that the Devil did first remove all that might hinder them in their flight , and so they had room enough to go . Others were asked , how they were able to carso many Children with them ; and they answered , that when the Children were asleep they came into the Chamber , laid hold of the Children , which straightway did awake , and asked them whether they would go to a Feast with them ? to which some answered , Yes , others , No ; yet they were all forced to go . They only gave the Children a Shirt , a Coat and a Doublet , which was either red or blew , and so they did set them upon a Beast of the Devils providing , and then they rid away . The Children confessed the same thing ; and some added , that because they had very fine clothes put upon them , they were very willing to go . Some of the Children concealed it from their Parents , but others discover'd it to them presently . The Witches declared moreover , that till of late they never had that power to carry away Children , but onely this year and the last , and the Devil did at this time force them to it ; that heretofore it was sufficient to carry but one of their Children , or a strangers Child with them , which yet hapned seldom , but now he did plague them and whip them if they did not procure him Children , insomuch that they had no peace nor quiet for him ; and whereas formerly one journey a week would serve turn , from their own Town to the place aforesaid , now they were forced to run to other Towns and Places for Children , and that they brought with them , some fifteen , some sixteen Children every night . For their Journey , they said they made use of all sorts of Instruments , of Beasts , of Men , of Spits and Posts , according as they had opportunity : if they do ride upon Goats , and have many Children with them , that all may have room , they stick a spit into the back-side of the Goat , and then are anointed with the aforesaid Ointment . What the manner of their Journey is , God alone knows : Thus much was made out , That if the Children did at any time name the Names of those that had carried them away , they were again carried by force either to Blockula , or to the Cross-way , and there miserably beaten , insomuch that some of them died of it : and this some of the Witches confessed ; and added , That now they were exceedingly troubled and tortured in their minds for it . The Children thus used lookt mighty bleak , wan , and beaten . The marks of the Lashes , the Judges could not perceive in them , except in one Boy , who had some Wounds and holes in his Back , that were given him with Thorns ; but the Witches said , they would quickly vanish . After this usage the Children are exceeding weak ; and if any be carried over-night , they cannot recover themselves the next day ; and they often fall into fits , the coming of which they know by an extraordinary paleness that seizes on the Children ; and if a fit comes upon them , they lean on their Mothers Arms , who sit up with them sometimes all night ; and when they observe the Paleness coming , shake the Children , but to no purpose . They observe further , That their Childrens Breasts grow cold at such times ; and they take sometimes a burning Candle and stick it in their Hair , which yet is not burnt by it . They swoun upon this paleness , which Swoun lasteth sometimes half an hour , sometimes an hour , sometimes two hours , and when the Children come to themselves again , they mourn and lament , and groan most miserably , and beg exceedingly to be eased : This two old men declared upon Oath before the Judges , and called all the Inhabitants of the Town to witness , as persons that had most of them experience of this strange Symptome of their Children . A little Girl of Elfdale confessed , That naming the name of IESUS as she was carried away ▪ she fell suddenly upon the Ground , and got a great hole in her Side , which the Devil presently healed up again , and away he carried her ; and to this day the Girl confessed , she had exceeding great pain in her Side . Another Boy confessed too , That one day he was carried away by his Mistress , and to perform the Journey he took his own Fathers Horse out of the Meadow where it was , and upon his return , she let the Horse go in her own ground . The next morning the Boys Father sought for his Horse , and not finding it , gave it over for lost ; but the Boy told him the whole story , and so his Father fetcht the Horse back again ; and this one of the Witches confessed . 2. Of the place where they used to assemble , called Blockula , and what they did there . THey unanimously confessed , that Blockula is situated in a delicate large Meadow , whereof you can see no end . The place or house they met at , had before it a Gate painted with divers colours ; through this Gate they went into a little Meadow distinct from the other , where the Beasts went , that they used to ride on : But the Men whom they made use of in their Journey , stood in the House by the Gate in a slumbering posture , sleeping against the Wall. In a huge large Room of this House , they said , there stood a very long Table , at which the Witches did sit down : And that hard by this Room was another Chamber , where there were very lovely and delicate Beds . The first thing they said , they must do at Blockula was , That they must deny all , and devote themselves Body and Soul to the Devil , and promise to serve him faithfully , and confirm all this with an Oath . Hereupon they cut their Fingers , and with their Bloud writ their Name in his Book . They added , that he caused them to be Baptized too by such Priests as he had there , and made them confirm their Baptism with dreadful Oaths and Imprecations . Hereupon the Devil gave them a Purse , wherein there were filings of Clocks with a Stone tied to it , which they threw into the Water , and then were forced to speak these words ; As these filings of the Clock do never return to the Clock from which they are taken , so may my Soul never return to Heaven . To which they add Blasphemy and other Oaths and Curses . The mark of their cut Fingers is not found in all of them : But a Girl who had been slashed over her Finger , declared , that because she would not stretch out her Finger , the Devil in anger had so cruelly wounded it . After this they sate down to Table ; and those that the Devil esteemed most , were placed nearest to him ; but the Children must stand at the door , where he himself gives them Meat and Drink . The Diet they did use to have there , was , they said , Broth with Colworts and Bacon in it , Oatmeal , Bread spread with Butter , Milk , and Cheese . And they added , that sometimes it tasted very well , and sometimes very ill . After Meals they went to Dancing , and in the mean while Swore and Cursed most dreadfully , and afterward went to fighting one with another . Those of Elfdale confessed , That the Devil used to play upon an Harp before them , and afterwards to go with them that he liked best , into a Chamber , where he committed venereous Acts with them ; and this indeed all confessed , That he had carnal knowledge of them , and that the Devil had Sons and Daughters by them , which he did Marry together , and they did couple , and brought forth Toads and Serpents . One day the Devil seemed to be dead , whereupon there were great lamentations at Blockula ; but he soon awaked again . If he hath a mind to be merry with them , he lets them all ride upon Spits before him ; takes afterwards the Spits and beats them black and blue , and then laughs at them . And he bids them believe , that the day of Judgment will come speedily , and therefore sets them on work to build a great House of Stone , promising , that in that House he will preserve them from God's fury , and cause them to enjoy the greatest delights and pleasures : but while they work exceeding hard at it , there falls a great part of the Wall down again , whereby some of the Witches are commonly hurt , which makes him laugh , but presently he cures them again . They said , they had seen sometimes a very great Devil like a Dragon , with fire round about him , and bound with an Iron Chain ; and the Devil , that converses with them tells them , that if they confess any thing , he will let that Great Devil loose upon them , whereby all Swedeland shall come into great danger . They added , That the Devil had a Church there , such another as in the Town of Mohra . When the Commissioners were coming , He told the Witches , they should not fear them ; for he would certainly kill them all . And they confessed , that some of them had attempted to Murther the Commissioners , but had not been able to effect it . Some of the Children talked much of a white Angel , which used to forbid them what the Devil had bid them do , and told them that those doings should not last long ; what had been done , had been permitted because of the wickedness of the People , and the carrying away of the Children should be made manifest . And they added , that this white Angel would place himself sometimes at the Door betwixt the Witches and the Children ; and when they came to Blockula , he pulled the Children back , but the Witches , they went in . 3. Of the Mischief or Evil which the Witches promised to do to Men and Beasts . THey confessed , that they were to promise the Devil , that they would do all that 's Ill ; and that the Devil taught them to Milk , which was in this wise : They used to stick a Knife in the Wall , and hang a kind of a Label on it , which they drew and stroaked ; and as long as this lasted , the persons that they had power over , were miserably plagued , and the Beasts were milked that way , till sometimes they died of it . A Woman confessed , that the Devil gave her a wooden Knife , wherewith , going into Houses ; she had power to kill any thing , she touched with it ; yet there were few , that would confess , that they had hurt any man or woman . Being asked whether they had murthered any Children , they confessed , that they had indeed tormented many , but did not know , whether any of them died of those plagues . And added , That the Devil had shewed them several places , where he had power to do mischief . The Minister of Elfdale declared , That one Night these VVitches , were to his thinking , upon the crown of his Head , and that from thence he had had a long continued pain of the Head. One of the Witches confessed too , that the Devil had sent her to torment that Minister : and that she was ordered to use a Nail and strike it into his Head , but it would not enter very deep ; and hence came that Head-ach . The aforesaid Minister said also , That one Night he felt a pain , as if he were torn with an Instrument , that they cleanse Flax with , or a Flax-comb ; and when he waked , he heard somebody scratching and scraping at the Window , but could see no-body . And one of the Witches confessed , that she was the person that did it , being sent by the Devil . The Minister of Mohra declared also , that one Night one of these Witches came into his House , and did so violently take him by the Throat , that he thought , he should have been choaked ; and waking , he saw the person that did it , but could not know her ; and that for some Weeks he was not able to speak , or perform Divine Service . An Old woman of Elfdale confessed , that the Devil had holpen her to make a Nail , which she struck into a Boys Knee , of which stroke the Boy remained same a long time . And she added , that before she burnt , or was Executed by the hand of Justice , the Boy would recover . They confessed also , that the Devil gives them a Beast about the bigness and shape of a young Cat , which they call a Carrier ; and that he gives them a Bird too as big as a Raven , but white . And these two Creatures they can send any where ; and where-ever they come , they take away all sorts of Victuals they can get , Butter , Cheese , Milk , Bacon , and all sorts of Seeds whatever they find , and carry it to the Witch . What the Bird brings they may keep for themselves ; but what the Carrier brings , they must reserve for the Devil , and that 's brought to Blockula , where he doth give them of it so much , as he thinks fit . They added likewise , that these Carriers fill themselves so full sometimes , that they are forced to spew by the way , which spewing is found in several Gardens , where Colworts grow , and not far from the houses of those Witches . It is of a yellow colour like Gold , and is called Butter of Witches . The Lords Commissioners were indeed very earnest , and took great pains to perswade them to shew some of their Tricks , but to no purpose ; for they did all unanimously confess , that since they had confessed all , they found that all their Witchcraft was gone , and that the Devil at this time appeared to them very terrible , with Claws on his Hands and Feet , and with Horns on his Head , and a long Tail behind , and shewed to them a Pit burning , with a Hand put out ; but the Devil did thrust the person down again with an Iron-fork ; and suggested to the Witches , that if they continued in their Confession , he would deal with them in the same manner . The abovesaid Relation is taken out of the Publick Register , where all this is related with more Circumstances . And at this time through all the Countrey there are Prayers weekly in all Churches , to the end that Almighty God would pull down the Devils Power , and deliver those poor Creatures , which have hither to groaned under it . An Account of what happen'd to a Boy at Malmoe in Schonen in the year 1678. supposed to be done by Witchcraft , and attested by the ablest , and most Judicious Men of that Town . HAving in the Preface to the foregoing Narrative taken notice of the Swedish Envoy Extraordinary , it may not be unsuitable to the Subject , these Papers treat of , to give the World an Account of a very strange Passage , which the said Envoy hath taken very great pains to satisfie himself in ; and of which he hath the publick Testimony of the Town , where it was done , by him . No longer ago than in the year 1678. an Alderman or Senator's Son of Malmoe in Schonen , a City belonging to the King of Sweden , the Boy being then about Thirteen years of age , his Name Abraham Mechelburg , going to School one Morning , as the custom is in that place about Six of the Clock , stay'd there till Eight , and then went home for his Breakfast , which when he had eaten , he was going back to School again , when just before the Door close by the lowermost Step , there lay a little Bundle of Linen Rags , which the Lad out of curiosity took up and open'd , but found nothing in it , but partly Pins , some crooked , some laid across , some without points , partly broken Horse-nails , and Nails without heads , partly Horse-hair , and such trash , which when it answered not his expectation , he rent asunder , and threw away . Some few days after , the Boy fell ill , and continued so for some time , no Physician being able to guess what ailed him . At last he began to void little Stones , at the Orifice of the Penis , which by degrees came forth bigger and bigger , some were perfect Pebles of all sorts of colours , and in process of time , there came forth great uneven Stones like pieces of Rocks , as if they were broken off of a greater Stone , whereof the Envoy hath two by him , One given him by the Father of the Boy ; and the other by the Kings Chirurgeon , both which I have thought fit to give the Reader the dimensions of . Before the Stones came forth , there was a strange motion in his Belly , as if something were alive in it , the Stones seemed to crack within , and something they heard , as if a great Stone were violently broken , and at this time he felt the greatest pain . When the Stones were ready to come forth , the Penis was drawn in so deep , that the Standers by could not perceive any thing of it ; and after that , it dropt those prodigious Stones , which seem rather to be fetch'd from Quarries , than produced by any Saline or Nitrous Matter in the Body . The Stone I have given the Figure of , is of a reddish colour , with some grains of white in it , heavy , and such as lie in common Roads and Highways . When the Stones came forth , the Boy felt no pain , the pain being most upon him , when the Stones within seem'd to crack , and a little before ; and the Fit was then so violent , that four or five Men were forced to hold him . The Boy in the mean while slept well at Night , eat , and drank as heartily as ever , discomposed at no time , but when the Fit of voiding these Stones was coming upon him . This lasted two years : The Parents had the Boy pray'd for at Church , and instantly besought God at home , whenever any of those Fits came upon him , to turn the Stream and to stop the Devils Power . The Boy is now as well as ever , rides abroad , and doth all things as he used to do before this accident befel him . The Envoy spoke both with the Father and the Boy , and tells me , they are no indigent People , but well to pass , and Persons of very good Reputation in the Town of Malmoe . While this misfortune lasted , the King of Sueden being then but a little way off , sent some of his Chirurgeons to the place , to know the truth thereof , who were by , when the Lad voided very strange Stones at the Orifice of the Penis , and gave the King an account of it : One of them to be throughly satisfied , held his hand under the Penis after it was drawn in , and there dropt a very odd Stone , broad and angular into his hand . The Envoy being upon the place last year , enquired of all People , whom he thought might not be very credulous , who unanimously bore witness of the thing ; and upon his request gave him the following Account , which I have translated out of the Original . A. H. BE it known , that during the Years , 1678. and 1679. a very wonderful thing happened in this City of Malmoe , to one of the Aldermen of the Town , his name John Mechelburg , and his Wife 's Abla Kruthmeyer ; for God having blessed them with three Sons , one of them Abraham by name , a Boy at this time aged about sixteen years , hath been very strangely afflicted with a praeternatural voiding of Stones , insomuch that during the space of those two years , he hath through the Virga of the Penis voided several hundreds of Stones great and small , which being weighed together , weighed no less than One and twenty pound , Averdu-poise some weighing 6 , some 7. some 8. some 9 ounces , full of Angles , and much like pieces of a Rock that 's broken by force , or instruments fit for that purpose . These broken Stones sometimes came forth at the Boys mouth , sometimes he voided them by siege , and the Parents of the Child have confidently assured , us that before this misfortune , the Boy had been sick several weeks together , and kept his Bed ; during which sickness something was seen moving in his Body , as if it had been some live thing . After this Sickness there appeared the Stones aforesaid ; The first that came forth , exceeded not the bigness of half a Pea , but in a short time after , they increased to a greater bulk ; when they were ready to come away , the Boy complained much of the Spine of his Back , where , as he said , he found incredible pain . While this lasted , he neither made Water , nor went to Stool sometimes in two Months , sometimes not in a quarter of a year ; sometimes the Stones , when they were past through the Virga appeared bloudy , and upon one of them there appeared a kind of Talch . Notwithstanding all this misery , the Boy continued to eat his Meat very heartily , nor was he troubled with this pain at all in the night , but slept quietly , as he used to do . About the latter end of this unexampled passion and misery , a matter of 64 Stones , for the most part small , came forth very fast one upon the neck of another , and since the 20th of September 1679. this misfortune hath totally left him , and he is as well as ever ; nor is there after all those Torments any defect to be found , or perceived either in his body , or the aforesaid Member of the Boy , but he continues safe and sound unto this day . And whereas in all probability , abundance of Men , because they have not been Eye-witnesses , will deride these passages , as fabulous , we whose names are under-written , upon the request and desire of the Lord John Leyonberg , Envoy Extraordinary of Sueden , have once more spoken and conferred with the Parents of the Boy , who have shewed us the abovesaid Stones , and given us one of the biggest , as a Present , and do hereby testifie that the passages related in the premises , are undoubtedly true , which Testimony we have also signed with our own hands , that in case the aforesaid Envoy coming into foreign parts , shall have occasion to speak of these things , Men may give credit to his Relation . Given at Malmoe this 20th of September , 1680. Christophorus Rostius , Med. D. & Prof. Nicolaus Hambraus , Pastor & Praepositus Malmoy . Wilhelmus Laurembergius , V. D. M. Malmoy . Martinus Torstorrius , Comminister , ibid. Sigismund Aschenborn , Consul Malmoy . Primar . John Caspar Heublin Consil. Malmoy . Ephraim Koldewey , Chirurgion to the Garison . The dimensions of the two Stones mentioned in these papers . ADVERTISEMENT . When the Boys Father , gave the Envoy the bigger Stone , he added this Testimonial or Certificate under his own hand , IN the Year of our Lord , 1678. Novemb. 30. This Stone came away from my Son Abraham Mechelburg through the Virga of the Penis , weighing three Ounces , and upward . Malmoe April 26. 1680. John Mechelburg . The Lesser Stone was given to the Envoy , by one of the King of Sueden's Chirurgions , that held his hand to the Orifice of the Penis , and felt and saw it drop into his hand . FINIS . The chief Errata of the First Part Correct them : In the Postscript . PAg. 46. 1 , 19. r. might give , p. 47. l. 30. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In the Considerations about Witchcraft . The Epistle Dedicatory . PAg. 2. l. 25. r. Whisling . p. 4. l. 15. r. not need . p. 22. l. 10. r. contact . p. 25. l. 2. r. improbability . p. 31. l. 14. r. as those . p. 42. l. 28. r. Portents . p. 67. l. 23. r. on a. p. 72. l. 4. r. why sheuld . p. 100. l. 19. r. Symmt●t● . p. 101. l. 28. r. with what p. 104. l. 14. r. specifically different . p. 105. l. 15. r. As if . p. 113. l. 16. r. at least . p. 118. l. 17. r. sited . p. 119. l. 20. r. into it . p. 121. l. 30. r. Object . p. 126. l. 14. r. of it self . p. 127. 1. 9. r. Differentia . p. 135. 1. 30. r. Contraction . p. 144. 1. ●5 . r. so many . p. 152. l. 9. r. Hole●merians . p. 153. l. 14. r. Syner●ergics . p. 159. l. 12. r. is not . In the Answer to a Letter . &c. PAg. 2. l. 25. r. Impenetrability . p. 3. l. 6. r. impenetrable . ibid. r. penetrable . l. ●●3 . r. Sympathy . p. 4. l. 25. r. in that . p. 10. l. 16. r. brought for . p. 11. l. 16. r. Quiescence . p. 15. l. 10. r. can be . p. 17. l. 4. r. in it its . l. 10. r. Self-Activity , of . p. 19. l. 13. r. Inseparably , 1. 16. r. same . Whether . p. 23. l. 18. r. this . p. 31. l. 29. r. observing . When. p. 34. l. 10. r. better nature . p. 36. l. 5. r. to consist . p. 37. l. 23. r. of matter . l. 27. r. really such . p. 40. l. 2. r. Atomick . p. 45. l. 5. r. so relaxated . l. 24. r. is , no. l. 33. r. if we be . p. 46. l. 5. r. or other . p. 51. l. 18. r. 〈…〉 p. 70. l. 10. r. by its . p. 78. l. 9. r. to of . The Errata of the Second Part correct thus . PAg. 33. l. 2. r. whip ! the. p. 47. l. 8. r. Samuel l. 29. r. covered with . p. 49. l. 2. r. it was . p. 74. l. 17. r. 1661 , p. 76. l. 10. r. 1661 , p. 92. l. 7. r. was no. l. 22. r. ever . p. 95. l. 18. r. Women . p. 138. l. 15. r. the said . p. 164. l. 17. r. Metamorphosis . p. 167. l. 29. r. Modifie . p. 171. l. 9. r. august . p. 177. l. 5. r. he saw . p. 179. l. 22. r. uncoffined body . l. 29. r. memory . p. 183. l. 1. r. be neither . p. 198. l. 5. her Mistress . p. 237. l. 16. r. ceased p. 238. l. 18. r. no noises . p. 241. l. 26. r. his saying . p. 242. l. 12. r. of Spirits . p. 252. l. 9. r. Ban-water . p. 257. l. 16. r. her . p. 258. l. 2. r. 1677. p. 273. l. 12 r. verae . In the Continuation , &c. P , 49. l. 19. r. Horblin . In his Whip for the Droll , P , 43. l. 3. r. scene of things . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A44509-e100 * By reason of my absence from the Press , there was a mistake in the former Edition where it is Wittemberg .