derates in these parts had been justly exposed and punished. Out of that Book I have collected some main Instances, the clearness of which I think will be enough to overcome and silence any indifferent Prejudice. But some are so settled and obdurate, that no Proof in the World is sufficient to remove them. I begin with the Witchcrafts of Elizabeth Style.
RELAT. III.
Which containeth the Witchcrafts of Elizabeth Style of Bayford, Widow.
THIS Elizabeth Style of Stroke Trister, in the County of Somerset, was accused by divers Persons of Credit, upon Oath, before Mr. Hunt, and particularly and largely Confessed her Guilt her self, which was found by the Jury at her Trial at Taunton; but she prevented Execution, by dying in Goal, a little before the expiring of the term her Confederate Dæmon had set for her enjoyment of Diabolical Pleasures in this Life. I have shortned the Examinations, and east them into such an order, as I think fittest for the rendring the Matter clear and intelligible.
1. Exam. Rich. Hill, of Stoke Trister, in the County of Somerset, Yeoman; being Examined upon Oath, Jan. 23, 1664, before Rob. Hunt, Esq; one of his Majesties Justices for that County, concerning the Bewitching of his Daughter by Eliz. Style, declareth, That his Daughter Elizabeth Hill, about the the Age of 13 Years, hath been for about two Months last past, taken with very strange Fits, which have held 2 or 3 Hours and more; and that in those Fits, the Child hath told her Father the Examinant and others, that one Eliz. Style, of the same Parish, appeared to her, and is the Person that Torments her. She also in her Fits, usually tells what Cloaths Eliz. Style hath on at the time, which the Informant and others have seen and found true.
He saith farther, that about a Fortnight before Christmas last, he told Style, that his Daughter spoke much of her in her Fits, and did believe that she was bewitched by her. Whereupon Francis White, and Walter, and Robert Thick being present, willed
