A vvonder in Stafford-shire; or, A Staffordshire wonder. Of a strange and horrible apparition of the divell, appearing to one James Fisher a phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the night, in the shape of one of his brethren as hee was going to one of their meeting places. Together with their severall discourses and disputes betwixt this phrenatick and the divell, to the shame and terrour of all other sectarians. Being published as a warning-piece to all other people to beware that they are not seduced into such eronious and damnable opinions. Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit.

A vvonder in Stafford-shire; or, A Staffordshire wonder. Of a strange and horrible apparition of the divell, appearing to one James Fisher a phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the night, in the shape of one of his brethren as hee was going to one of their meeting places. Together with their severall discourses and disputes betwixt this phrenatick and the divell, to the shame and terrour of all other sectarians. Being published as a warning-piece to all other people to beware that they are not seduced into such eronious and damnable opinions. Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit.

A vvonder in Stafford-shire; or, A Staffordshire wonder. Of a strange and horrible apparition of the divell, appearing to one James Fisher a phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the night, in the shape of one of his brethren as hee was going to one of their meeting places. Together with their severall discourses and disputes betwixt this phrenatick and the divell, to the shame and terrour of all other sectarians. Being published as a warning-piece to all other people to beware that they are not seduced into such eronious and damnable opinions. Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Reader.

§

§

[Page]

NOw all you which are the quoiners of new Religions and the hare-braine disturbers of peaceable quietness, you which are the objects of Christianities and the Town-talke of infidelities, looke upon the examples shown upon your Sectaries, and behold throw the looking Glass; One of your grand Brethren and chief seditious Communrca [...]ts, Iames-Fisher neare Bromingham in Stafford-shire, and as you read these Lines, consider what posture hee then stood in: For as the Spirit moved him, hee then disputed with the Masterpiece of all your factious Number hand to hand, bating neither time nor title to either, but prosecuted the matter in hand to the purpose hereafter mentioned, and as the Spirit did move him they confided each to other, though after I thinke, the Phrenatick supposed that it proved at the end to be a contrary Spirit, even such a one as transformeth himselfe to any shape, except his deformed cloven feet: But as for the Method of the story, now we will come to't, where in a smart and briefe Discourse I will shew you, the whole substance, beginning and ending of this strange, marvellous, and miraculous Wonder.

THe Twelfth or Thirteenth of this Instant February, this said Iames Fisher being reputed for an arch and seditious Fellow among the Sectaries and factious people, which for many yeares had refrained the Churches and denied the Parish publique Congregations, which late hath caus'd him to be the Object of the Countrey; His mind and inclination was wholy bent to keepe their Correspondency and Confederacy in secret house, but chiefely and especially in nightly private Meetings, but the Devill met with him at last, as you will heare by the story: This Fisher as it is creditable reported by severall of that Countrey people which came lately to Towne, that on the 12th of February at night hee was preparing to go forth, and designed for a Meeting in a lone house under a Wood side Two miles and an halfe from his owne house, where the Sect were usually wont to meet, as the Countrey tearm'd it like the Witches of Lancashire, hee heard a Voyce call three times in this manner, Come away, come away, come away; At which he answered [Page]are my Brethren there, but hearing no body hee replied to his Wife, and said that the Spirit had warn'd him to be gone, and in that he spoke truth, for a Spirit it proved to be indeed, this grand Phrenatick then to hasten his speedier expedition to repaire to the place, lighted up a Candle and opened his doore, that if any of his Confederacy had beene there to have treated them in; But the Devill at that time used much manners, stay [...]d without and refus'd to come in, but whether it was out of Policy or feare of Discvery judge you, but Workes of darknesse cannot endure the Light, for the flame of the Candle (as he was entring in his presence) burned blew a yard above the Candlestick and soone went out, at which the Phrenatick fell into a doubt that all things was not right, and thereupon desired to see his face: The Devill then replyed, thou shalt see my face when wee come to the place and many more things beside, and as the old Proverb saith, The Devill never was ashamed of his Actions; He very confidently takes him by the hand, and led him such a hard march that made the Phrenatick cry out, He did walke at such a damnable rate that never went Man before; And very moderately required him to stay saying, Brother, I thinke thou hast the coldest hand that ever I felt before. The Devill replyed, trouble not thy self I will make thee hot by and by we will sweat by turnes, and though I am cold if thou cleavest to me thou shalt like fire burne; Yet the Capacity of this Phrenatick being so weake could not understand his Devilish Mystery, but still complaineth of his hard march, which indeed he had no small reason for it, for often times he was lifted so up above the ground in an Acres breadth together, which made him conjecture hee walked at no ordinary rate; Hee was carried over the tops of Thorny hedges, and through the bows of thicke Mauple trees, but not a whit distrustfull but that hee had been on the plaine Land; Yet still he rebuked the Devill and told him, hee had a shroud suspicion that hee led him in the wrong way, for quoth he, thou leadst me through nothing but brambles and briers. Why yes quoth the Devill, the wayes of the righteous is to suffer Afflictions, is to pass through straight and craggy places. Why truly I do find it so answer'd the Phrenatick, for my Vestment is almost torn from my backe. Nay if it be said the Devill, it is written [Page]thou must part with thy Coat also. Why truly said the Phanatick, thou goest the way to performe it, for if I passe this roade but a little longer I shall not have a Coat left to my backe, and severall other Scripture phraises passed betwixt them untill they came unto their designed Harbour; But it was even such as was suitable both for the journey and the Company, the Gates flew open which way they went and mighty Trees were blowne downe, which reduc't the Phanatick into such a feare that the drops of Sweat tr [...]ckled downe his Haire: Then said the Devill, how likest thou the Weather? Truly said the Phanatick, I am no Philosopher but according to an old Proverb we have, When the wind is so high 'tis a signe it will raine; But this is such wind as if the Devill was abroad, and upon this they arrived at the place: The Phanatick like to a weather beaten Spaniell, most durty and wet and in a totter'd condition, which the Devill perceived began this Argument. Brother said he, thou dost looke now like an afflicted Catiffe. How can I chuse answered the Phanatick, for I seeme like one as had beene in the hands of the Devill, yet little did he think it had been him all this while, and therefore he oppos'd the Devill in this manner. Friend said he, before wee dispute demonstrate unto me what is thy name. Why answered the Devill, dost thou question me so high, who am so generally knowne amongst all your Congregations for the prime instigator and promotor of your Actions? But neverthelesse wee will not differ in judgement, and therefore my name is Robin Good fellow; At which his Countenance alwayes was changeable, but being but a dusky and glimering light, the Phanaticke supposed hee had but jested, told him the Devill was a Lyer from the beginning, and therefore imagined hee would bee also, yet there's many a true word spoake in jest you'l say. But neverthelesse they waved this and so proceeded, quoth the Phanatick, wee two shall never agree except thou canst refraine the Church, deny the Congregations, raise up Sectaries and prohibit the Clergy if you can. Aye if I can said the Devill, there thou saist true, but if I should refraine the Church where should I be to make confusion in't, and if I should deny the Congregations how should I raise new Religions? under which pretended Zeale I doe raise up new Sectaries, thereupon my [Page]friend I must needs confute thee, and as for the Clergie they are guarded with the thing called the Gospell, we must dispute with them at the staffes point, although I cannot say but my constant labour is to advance your Interests upon the ruines of their Liberties. At which answered the Phrenatick, those are the things we are aiming at, so that if thou canst throw thy sub [...]ile devices direct our Actions in the skilfulst probabilities, wee'l maintaine thy quarrell and continue up our Sectaries. Then answered the Devill you must follow these Directions and constantly keepe my advised Admonitions: First, You must be circumspect in your Dealings, and that shall prove a cloake for your pretended Religions. And secondly, You must prey into the hearts of the Vulgar, therby you shall make your Flock the more numerous. Thirdly, You must expresse your selves (though with a counterfeit Explication) and tell them you have the Spirit of Revelation, teach them in secret corners, seduce them to fields and publique places, tell them you are Prophets, if they will not believe you, throw off your Garments and run naked, shew them how you walke in the paths of humility, and then they will believe you are Saints indeed, seeing you are neither prone to Ambition nor Honour: Then being numerous you may easily disturb mighty Congregations, breed mutinies in great Cities, and if you lay downe your lives for the cause I'le receive yee. Hold said the Phrenatick, let me know what's become of those that layd down their lives already. Question you not that then answered the Devill, but teach you this Gospell and follow my Directions. Aye said the Phrenatick, so we may repent it. No, no, said the Devill, 'tis too late to repent, you must go through with your worke if it was as high as the Tower of Babell. Nay I thinke said the Phrenatick, 'tis too high for to accomplish, and as for to repent you say it is too late, the old Proverb saith, It is never too late, and therefore my friend I must needs confute ye now. Let it passe said the Devill, 'tis but one for the 'tother, but if you will effect the enterprise of your Ambition, you must follow my Counsell and persist in my Doctrine. Nay hold said the Phrenatick, if we preach all thy Doctrine some will aver wee take counsell from the Devill: The Devils countenance all this while was enterchangeable, which made [Page]the Phrenatick in no suspicion in the least, but a rugged raged tempestuous wind blew continually all the while of their Dispute, which made him complaine 'twas such a terrible wind, as if all the Devils of Hell were there: Which when the Devill heard him reply the word so oft, swell'd with such jealousie that his eyes appeared as bigge as Sawcers, that they glimered like two counterfet Moones, at which the Phrenatick most gastly beheld, with a trembling feare bowed his head towards the ground, and there he espyed another dreadfull Object, hee saw two deformed cloven Feet, which in a terrible sweat replyed these words:

VVHo is your Shoomaker good Sir,

if I so bold might be,

The shape is no good fashion, for

it doth astonish me;

For the midle of it it is round,

the Toe is of the least:

And when you tread upon the ground,

the tracke is like a Beast.

Devill.

My feet is troubled with the Gouts,

one Shoomaker I use,

And he that alwayes make my Boots,

the same doth make my shooes;

I travell still both night and day,

I slumber not nor sleepe,

And Nights forlorne Companions they,

within my compass keepe:

There's neither Theft nor Murther that,

within this World hath bin,

But I my very selfe was at,

and Author in the thing.

Phrenatick.

Why then a Devill I thinke thou art,

as it seemeth by thy foot;

[Page]

I said I would maintaine thy Part,

but now I'le never doe it:

Thy legs deformed every whit,

thy foot is cloven so,

And when so e're J looke on it,

it seemes as if 'twas two;

Besides thy pricke and hornes I now,

more fuller doe perceive,

Thy swarfie brest and rusty,

which no man will believe,

Except my selfe which now doth see,

thy hellish parts descried,

That needs a Devill thou must be,

and nothing else beside:

All Meeting places I'le refraine,

a Convert I'le be now,

And ne're will be seduc't againe,

by such a Fiend as thou.

Thereupon arose a mighty shocke of Wind, that the Barke flew from the Trees and left them naked, the Devill aspiered himselfe aloft and parted in a horrible flame of fire; This wretched and miserable Catiffe in a trembling feare and distracted Condition, continued till breake of day, and then with much adoe scambled home▪ the Hew of his Phisognomy being so much altered with a pale and dismall Hew, that even hee was growne out of knowledge with his own Family: Hee remained three dayes speechlesse, which sence being after restored, hee repeated these wonderfull and horrid Relations in the presence of many Townes people, who have testified their Evidences since for a truth, which being so strange and remarkable a story, I have here committed the same to the Presse, as a warning piece to all Seditious persons, wherein they might view the whole Proportion of their il-shap't Opinions, and what Judgement and Examples have lately been upon them for the same.

So there's an end of the story.

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

A VVonder in Stafford-shire; OR, A STAFFORDSHIRE WONDER.

Of a strange and horrible apparition of the Divell, appearing to one James Fisher a Phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the Night, in the shape of one of his Brethren as hee was going to one of their Meeting places.

Together with their severall Discourses and Disputes betwixt this Phrenatick and the Divell, to the shame and terrour of all other Sectarians.

Being published as a Warning-piece to all other People to beware that they are not seduced into such Eronious and damnable Opinions.

Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the Towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit.

LONDON, Printed for Francis Coles, and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of the Lambe in the Old-Baily, 1661.

To the Reader.

[Page]

REader peruse this little Booke and see

If in the world a stranger thing might be,

Then this which happened late in Staffordshire,

And was by many thousands made appeare:

How that a grand Phrenatick call'd by name

James Fisher, living neare to Brummingham,

Which unto Sectaries he leaned so,

That Night after night would he a meeting goe;

So prone unto ambition he was set,

That after by the Divell he was met;

For which Eronious grand Opinions be

Was lull'd asleepe by Sathans policy.

Which in a Mortall shape he did appeare,

And call'd him out as after you shall heare:

Though the Phrenatick he imagin'd then

It had been of his owne Bretheren,

And so Discoursed as along they past,

But it prov'd to be the Divell at the last,

Which did direct him by a Wood to stand,

And there Disputed with him hand to hand.

The Divell then his Gospell so display'd,

The Phrenatick yeelded still to what he said.

But marke before that ever they departed,

By that same Devill he was quite Converted:

And so went home though in a world of sadness,

And from Religion turned into madnesse;

This booke was writ a purpose for to be

A Warning-piece unto the Sectary,

Which if you read it through then you may tell

It's the strangest Wonder in our times befell.

It is no Fable nor a fiction bold,

But reall Truth truth as people hath me told:

And whatsoe're is writ within you see,

Three of that Towne repeated it to me.

Information about this book

Title statement

A vvonder in Stafford-shire; or, A Staffordshire wonder. Of a strange and horrible apparition of the divell, appearing to one James Fisher a phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the night, in the shape of one of his brethren as hee was going to one of their meeting places. Together with their severall discourses and disputes betwixt this phrenatick and the divell, to the shame and terrour of all other sectarians. Being published as a warning-piece to all other people to beware that they are not seduced into such eronious and damnable opinions. Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit.

Edition statement

1661

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Date

2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A96840

ID [STC]

Wing W3358

ID [STC]

Thomason E1085_10

ID [STC]

ESTC R31364

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99872290

ID [PROQUEST]

99872290

ID [VID]

169364

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A96840)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 169364)

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Source

— A vvonder in Stafford-shire; or, A Staffordshire wonder. Of a strange and horrible apparition of the divell, appearing to one James Fisher a phrenatick neare Brummingham late in the night, in the shape of one of his brethren as hee was going to one of their meeting places. Together with their severall discourses and disputes betwixt this phrenatick and the divell, to the shame and terrour of all other sectarians. Being published as a warning-piece to all other people to beware that they are not seduced into such eronious and damnable opinions. Being testified by Mr. John Hill, and Mr. Francis Collins, and one Mr. Peck living in the towne of Brummingham, besides many hundreds more, which for brevity sake we omit., Hill, John, Mr., Collins, Francis, Mr., Peck, Mr..

Extent

[2], 6 p.

Printed for Francis Coles, and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of the Lambe in the Old-Baily,. London :: 1661.. (Annotation on Thomason copy: "march 19", "1660"; imprint date crossed through.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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