By

Direction of Sir EDWARD BROMLEY Knight, one of his Maiesties Iustices of Assize at Lancaster.

Iennet Bierley being demanded what shee knoweth, or hath heard, how Grace Sowerbuts was brought to Christopher Southworth, Priest; shee answereth, that shee was brought to M. Singletons house by her owne Mother, where the said Priest was, and that shee further heard her said Mother say, after her Daughter had been in her fit, that shee should be brought vnto her Master, meaning the said Priest.

And shee further saith, that shee thinketh it was by and through the Counsell of the said M. Thomson, alias Southworth, Priest, That Grace Sowerbuts her Grand-child accused her of Witchcraft, and of such practises as shee is accused of:  and thinketh further, the cause why the said Thompson, alias Southworth Priest, should practise with the Wench to doe it was, for that shee went to the Church.

Iane Southworth saith shee saw Master Thompson, alias Southworth, the Priest, a month or sixe weekes before she was committed to the Gaole; and had conference with him in a place called Barne-hey-lane, where and when shee challenged him for slandering her to bee a Witch:  whereunto he answered, that what he had heard thereof, he heard from her mother and her Aunt:  yet she, this Examinate, thinketh in her heart it was by his procurement, and is moued so to thinke, for that shee would not be disswaded from the Church.

Ellen Bierley saith, Shee saw Master Thompson, alias Southworth, sixe or eight weeks before she was committed, and thinketh the said Priest was the practiser with Grace Sowerbutts, to accuse her of Witchcraft, and knoweth no cause why he should so doe, but because she goeth to the Church.

     Signum, [Symbol:  Maltese cross] Iennet Bierley.

     Signum, L Iane Southworth.

     Signum, [Symbol:  Greek Phi] Ellen Bierley.

     William Leigh.

     Edward Chisnall.

These Examinations being taken, they were brought into the Court, and there openly in the presence of this great Audience published, and declared to the Iurie of Life and Death; and thereupon the Gentlemen of their Iury required to consider of them.  For although they stood vpon their Triall, for matter of Fact of Witchcraft, Murther, and much more of the like nature:  yet in respect all their Accusations did appeare to bee practise:  they were now to consider of them, and to acquit them.  Thus were these poore Innocent creatures, by the great care and paines of this honorable Iudge, deliuered from the danger of this conspiracie; this bloudie practise of the Priest laid open:  of whose fact I may lawfully say; Etiam si ego tacuero clamabunt lapides.

These are but ordinary with Priests and Iesuites:  no respect of Bloud, kindred, or friendship, can moue them to forbeare their Conspiracies:  for when he had laboured treacherously to seduce and conuert them, and yet could doe no good; then deuised he this meanes.