R. Ris. did resolve him, that Mr. Booth, of —–­ in Cheshire, should have a son that should inherit three years hence, [sc.  Sir George Booth, the first Lord Delamere] viz. from 1619, Sir George Booth aforesaid was born, December 18, anno 1622.

This I extracted out of Dr. Nepier’s Original Diary, then in possession of Mr. Ashmole.

When E. W. Esq. was about eight years old, he was troubled with the worms.  His grand father carried him to Dr. Nepier at Lynford.  Mr. E. W. peeped in at the closet at the end of the gallery, and saw him upon his knees at prayer.  The Doctor told Sir Francis that at fourteen years old his grandson would be freed from that distemper; and he was so.  The medicine he prescribed was, to drink a little draught of Muscadine in the morning.  ’Twas about 1625.

It is impossible that the prediction of Sir George Booth’s birth could be found any other way, but by angelical revelation.

This Dr. Richard Nepier was rector of Lynford in Bucks, and did practise physic; but gave most to the poor that he got by it.  ’Tis certain he told his own death to a day and hour; he died praying upon his knees, being of a very great age, April 1, 1634.  He was nearly related to the learned Lord Nepier, Baron of M—­ in Scotland:  I have forgot whether his brother.  His knees were horny with frequent praying.  He left his estate to Sir Richard Nepier, M.D. of the college of physicians, London, from whom Mr. Ashmole had the Doctor’s picture, now in the Musseum.

Dr. Richard Nepier, rector of Lynford, was a good astrologer, and so was Mr. Marsh of Dunstable; but Mr. Marsh did seriously confess to a friend of mine, that astrology was but the countenance; and that he did his business by the help of the blessed spirits; with whom only men of great piety, humility and charity, could be acquainted; and such a one he was.  He was an hundred years old when my friend was with him; and yet did understand himself very well.

At Ashbridge in Buckinghamshire, near Berkhamsted, was a monastery, (now in the possession of the Earl of Bridgewater) where are excellent good old paintings still to be seen.  In this monastery was found an old manuscript entitled Johannes de Rupescissa, since printed, (or part of it) a chymical book, wherein are many receipts; among others, to free a house haunted with evil spirits, by fumes:  Mr. Marsh had it, and did cure houses so haunted by it.  Ovid in his festivals hath something like it.  See “Thesaurus Exorcismorum” writ by —–­ e Societate Jesu.  Oct.  Wherein are several high physical and medicinal things.

Good spirits are delighted and allured by sweet perfumes, as rich gums, frankincense, salts, &c. which was the reason that priests of the Gentiles, and also the Christians used them in their temples, and sacrifices:  and on the contrary, evil spirits are pleased and allured and called up by suffumigations of Henbane, &c. stinking smells, &c. which the witches do use in their conjuration.  Toads (saturnine animals) are killed by putting of salt upon them; I have seen the experiment.  Magical writers say, that cedar-wood drives away evil spirits; it was, and is much used in magnificent temples.