[76] Ibid., 20.
[77] One notable instance must be mentioned. "H. F.," the narrator of the Essex affair of 1645 (A true and exact Relation) not only recognized the strong position of those who doubted, but was by no means extreme himself. "I doubt not," he wrote, "but these things may seeme as incredible unto some, as they are matter of admiration unto others.... The greatest doubt and question will be, whether it be in the power of the Devil to perform such asportation and locall translation of the bodies of Witches.... And whether these supernaturall works, which are above the power of man to do, and proper only to Spirits, whether they are reall or only imaginary and fained." The writer concludes that the Devil has power to dispose and transport bodies, but, as to changing them into animals, he thinks these are "but jugling transmutations."
[78] The most true and wonderfull Narration of two women bewitched in Yorkshire; ... (1658).
[79] "Relation of a Memorable Piece of Witchcraft at Welton near Daventry," in Glanvill, Sadducismus Triumphatus (London, 1681), pt. ii, 263-268.
[80] See above, pp. 179-180, for an expression about the persecution in 1645.
[81] Mercurius Democritus, February 8-15, 1654.
[82] 1648. This must be distinguished from The Divels Delusion ..., 1649, (see above, ch. IX, note 8), which deals with two witches executed at St. Alban's.
[83] The truth is that the newspapers, pamphlets, etc., were full of such stories. And they were believed by many intelligent men. He who runs through Whitelocke's Memorials may read that the man was exceeding superstitious. Whether it be the report of the horseman seen in the air or the stories of witches at Berwick, Whitelocke was equally interested. While he was merely recording the reports of others, there is not a sign of skepticism.
[84] See above, pp. 152-157.
[85] See above, pp. 160-162.