Here was likewise Thomas Sowerbutts, father of Grace Sowerbutts, examined vpon his oath, and many other witnesses to little purpose:  who being examined by the Court, could depose little against them:  But the finding of the wench vpon the hay in her counterfeit fits:  wherfore I leaue to trouble you with the particular declaration of their Euidence against the Prisoners, In respect there was not any one witnes able to charge them with one direct matter of Witchcraft; nor proue any thing for the murther of the childe.

Herein, before we come to the particular declaration of that wicked and damnable practise of this Iesuite or Seminary, I shall commend vnto your examination and iudgement some points of her Euidence, wherein you shal see what impossibilities are in this accusati[=o] brought to this perfection, by the great care and paines of this officious Doctor, Master Thompson or Southworth, who commonly worketh vpon the Feminine disposition, being more Passiue then Actiue.

* * * * *

The particular points of the Euidence[M1_b_] of GRACE SOWERBUTTS, viz.

Euidence.

     That for the space of some yeares she hath been haunted
     and vexed with some women, who haue vsed to come to her.

The Iesuite forgot to instruct his Scholler how long it is since she was tormented:  it seemes it is long since he read the old Badge of a Lyer, Oportet mendacem esse memorem.  He knowes not how long it is since they came to church, after which time they began to practise Witchcraft.  It is a likely thing the Torment and Panges of Witchcraft can be forgotten; and therefore no time can be set downe.

     Shee saith that now lately these foure women did violently
     draw her by the haire of the head, and lay her on the top of
     a Hay-mow.

Heere they vse great violence to her, whome in another place they make choise to be of their counsell, to go with them to the house of Walshman to murther the childe.  This courtesie deserues no discouery of so foule a Fact.

Not long after, the said Iennet Bierley did meet this Examinate neere vnto the place where she dwelled, and first appeared in her owne likenesse, and after that in the likenesse of a blacke Dogge.

Vno & eodem tempore, shee transformed her selfe into a Dogge.  I would know by what meanes any Priest can maintaine this point of Euidence.

     And as shee went ouer a Style, shee picked her ouer, but
     had no hurt.

This is as likely to be true as the rest, to throw a child downe from the toppe of a House, and neuer hurt her great toe.

     She rose againe; had no hurt, went to her Aunt, and
     returned backe againe to her Fathers house, being fetched
     home.

I pray you obserue these contrarieties, in order as they are placed, to accuse the Prisoners.