Relation XXV. – Touching one William Barton a Warlock, pp.160-164.

[Satan’s Invisible World Contents]

ABout thirty years ago, more or less, there was one William Barton apprehended for Witch-Craft. His confession was first, that if he had twenty Sons, he would advise them to shun the lust of uncleanness. For said he, I never saw a beautiful Woman, Maid, nor Wife, but I did covet them, which was the only cause that brought me to be the Devils Vassal. One day says he, going from my own house in Kirkliston, to the Queens Ferry, I overtook in Dalmeny Muire, a young Gentlewoman, as to appearance beautifull and comely. I drew near to her, but she shunned my company, and when I insisted, she became angry and very nyce. Said I, since we are both going one way, be pleased to accept of a convoy. At last, after much entreaty she grew better natured, and at length we came to that Familiarity, that she suffered me to embrace her, and to do that which Christian ears ought not to hear of. At this time I parted with her very joyful. The next night, she appeared to him in that same very place, and after that which should not be named, he became sensible, that it was the Devil. Here he renounced his Baptism, and gave up himself to her service, and she called him her beloved, and gave him this new name of Iohn Baptist, and received the Mark. She likewise bestowed fifteen pound scots upon him in name of Tocher-good, and so parted. 

After he had gone a little way off, she calls him back and gave him a Merk-piece in good and sufficient money which She bad him spend at the Ferry, and desired him to keep entire and whole the 15. pound, which he declared was real and true Money. He confest that they never met together, but they plaid their Pranks. After this Confession he begged Liberty to sleep a little, which the Judges granted to him. After he had sleept a short time, he awakened with a great Laughter. The Judges inquired the reason. He replyed, being seriously urged, that the Devil had come to him, and rebuked him with anger, and threatned him most furiously, that he had confessed, and bad him deny all, for he should be his Warrand. 

After this, he turned obdured, and would never to his dying hour acknowledge any thing, for the Devil had perswaded him, even from his first ingaging, that no man should take his life, Which promise he firmly believed, to the very last. When they told him in the prison-house, that the Fire was built, and the Stake set up, and the executioner coming to bring him forth: he answered he cared not for all that, for said he I shal not die this day. But the Executioner got presently orders to lead him forth, and he steping in at the Prison door in an instant shot to dead, as they say, and never stired again, In this strait, they appointed the Executioners Wife to strangle him, which she did willingly, a reward being promised to her. When the Warlock heard this, that a Woman was to put him to death, O, crys he, how hath the Devil deceived me? Let none ever trust to his Promises. All this was done at Kirkliston before famous witnesses. The Executioners name was Andrew Martain and his wifes name Margaret Hamilton, who when her Husband died clapt her hands, and cryed often, Dool for this parting, my dear burd Andrew Martin. This Bartons Wife had been likewise taken with him, Who Declared, that She never knew him to have been a Warlock before; And he likewise declared, That he never knew her to have been a Witch before. She confest that malice against one of her Neighbours, moved her to ingage in the Devils service. She renounced her Baptism and did prostrat her Body to the Foul-Spirit, and received his Mark, and got a new name from him, and was called Margaratus. She was asked, if ever she had any pleasure in his company, never much says she. But one Night going to a dancing upon Pentlandhills, he went before us in the likeness of a rough tanny-Dog, playing on a pair of Pipes. The Spring he played (says she) was, The silly bit Chiken, gar cast it a pickle and it will grow meikle. And coming down the hill when we had done which was the best sport, he carried the candle in his bottom under his tail, which played ey wig wag, wig wag. She was burnt with her husband. 

There is one thing remarkable in this Story, that he bestowed so much money upon the Warlock, which proved good and sufficient Coin? ‘Tis seldome he is so liberal. But surely he would be more liberal, if the Lord would suffer him to steal, or make use of Treasures lying hid in the Ground, or in the Bottom of the Sea. If this liberty were granted, he might deceive the most part of men and women in the world, with his gifts. The next Relation, shall be in confirmation of this.