[Satan’s Invisible World Contents]
I Have subjoined this Relation, by way of Postscript, because it came to my hand after the book was finished by the Printer, from a Gentleman that knew exactly all the matters of Fact, and all the Circumstances of the business, which is as follows,
Nov. 11th. 1684.
For Mr. Sinclar at Edinburgh.
Sir,
I Have so far condescended to give you satisfaction in the desired particulars, that I have looked over these Memoires, which I had by me, touching the Life and Death of Thomas Weir, that from Eye-witnesses, and his Sisters Declaration, I can assert the Truth; As followeth,
This man Thomas Weir was born in Clydsdaile, near to Lanerk, who had been a Lieutenant in Ireland long since. What way he came to get some publick command in the City of Edinburgh, in the year [16]49. and [16]50. I know not; but it seems he has been alwayes called Major Weir, since that time. Many things might be narrated of him, which for brevities sake I cannot meddle with; since I intend to speak only of his Sorceries, and other things relateing thereunto. It seems, he had, before he was burnt, some charge over the Waiters at the Parts of the City, being as it were a Check to them. Coming one day as his custome was, he found some of them in a Cellar, taking a cup of Aile, neglecting their Charge. After a gentle reproof, one of them replyed, that some of their number being upon duty, the rest had retired to drink with their old Friend and Acquaintance Mr. Burn. At which word, he started back, and casting an eye upon him, repeated the word Burn four or five times. And going home, he never any more came abroad, till a few weeks after, he had discovered his impieties. It was observed by some, that going to Liberton sometimes, he shunned to step over that Water-brook, which is ordinarly called Liberton-burn, but went about to shun it. Some have conjectured, that he had advise to be ware of a Burn, or some other thing, which this equivocal word might signify, as burn in a fire. If so, he has foreseen his day approaching. A year before he discovered himself, he took a sore sickness, during which time he spake to all who visited him like an Angel, and came frequently abroad again.
This man taking some dreadful tortures of Conscience, and the Terrours of the Almighty being upon his Spirit, confessed to several Neighbours in his own house, and that most willingly, his particular sins which he was guilty of, which bred amazement to all persons, they coming from a man of so high a repute of religion and Piety. He endeth with this remarkable expression, Before GOD (sayes he) I have not told you the hundred part of that I can say more, and am guilty of. These same very abominations he confessed before the Judges likewise. But after this, he would never till his dying hour confess any more, which might have been for the glorifying of GOD, and the Edification of others, but remained stupid, having no confidence to look any Man in the face, or to open his eyes.
When two of the Magistrates came to his house in the night time, to carry him to prison, they asked, If he had any money to secure? He answered, None. His sister said, there was. Whereupon to the value of five Dollars, in parcels here and there, were found in several clouts. His Sister advised the two Magistrates to secure his Staff especially; for she also went to Prison. After he was secured in the Tolbooth, the Bailies returned, and went into a Tavern, near to Weirs house, in the West-bow, a street so called there. The money was put into a Bag, and the clouts thrown into the fire by the Master of the house, and his wife, which after an unusual manner made a circleing and dancing in the fire. There was another clout found with some hard thing in it, which they threw into the fire likewise; it being a certain root, which circled and sparkled like Gunpowder, and passing from the Tunnel of the Chimney, it gave a crack like a little Cannon, to the amazement of all that were present.
The money aforesaid, was taken by one of the two Bailies to his own house, and laid by in his Closet. After Family Prayer was ended, he retired into the same Closet, (where I have been) during which time his Wife, (who is yet living) and the rest of the family were afrighted, with a terrible noise within the Study, like the falling of an house, about three times together. His Wife knocking gave a fearfull cry, My Dear are you alive. The Bailie came out unafrayed, having, (as he said) heard nothing: whether he concealed this upon the account his Wife was with Child, or otherwise, it cannot be well known. The money was presently sent away to the other Bailies house, a great distance from Weirs, where, as was reported, there was some disturbance, but in broken expressions.
During the time of his imprisonment he was never willing to be spoken to, and when the Ministers of the City offered to pray for him, he would cry out in fury. Torment me no more, for I am tormented already. One Minister (now asleep) asking him, if he should pray for him? was answered, not at all. The other replyed in a kind of holy anger. Sir I will pray for you in spite of your teeth, & the Devil your master too: Who did pray, making him at least to hear him: but the other stairing wildly, was senseless as a Brute. Another, who is likewise at rest, demanded, if he thought there was a God. Said the Man, I know not. That other smartly replyed. O man the Argument that moveth me to think, there is a God, is thy self, for what els moveth thee to inform the world of thy wicked life. But Weir answered let me alone. When he peremtorly forbad one of his own Parish Ministers (yet alive) to pray. One demanded, if he would have any of the Presbyterian perswasion to pray. He answered, Sir, you are now all alike to me. Then said the Minister to him, I will pray with you. Do it not said the other upon your Peril, looking up to the beams of the house. But Prayer was offered up, so much the more heartily, because the company about expected some vision. It is observable, that in things common, he was pertinent enough; but when any thing about Almighty God, and his souls condition came about, he would Shrugg, and Rub his Coat and Breast, saying to them, torment me not before the time. When he was at the stake to be burnt, the City Ministers called to a Church-man there, looking on, being one of that perswasion, whereof Weir was formerlie deemed to be, to speak to him; but no sooner he opened his mouth, than he made a sign with his hand and his head to be silent. When the Roap was about his neck to prepare him for the fire, he was bid to say, Lord be merciful to me, But he answered, let me alone, I will not, I have lived as a beast, and I must die as a Beast. The fire being kindled, both He and his Staff, a little after fell into the flames. Whatever Incantation was in his Staff, is not for me to discuss. He could not official in any holy duty without this Rod in his hand, and leaning upon it, which made those who heard him pray, admire his fluency in Prayer. Its falling into the fire with him (let others search out the disparity) minds me of this Passage. In Shetland a few years agoe. A Judge having condemned an old Woman and her daughter called Helen Stewart for Witch-craft, sent them to be burn’d. The Maid was so stupid, that she was thought to be possessed. When she had hung some little time on the Gibbet, a black Pitchy-like ball foamed out of her mouth: and after the fire was kindled, it grew to the bigness of a Walnut, and then flew up like Squibs into the air, which the Judge yet living attests. It was taken to be a visible sign that the Devil was gone out of her. I shall make no application of this, as to Major Weirs Staff.
I know from good hands, that if this man repented of anything in Prison, it was for causing a poor maid to be scourged, who affirmed, She had seen him commit beastiality going to Newmiles to a solemn meeting. This poor Woman lived about two years after his death, and heard of his fatal end. His incest with his own sister, was first, when she was a young Maid. The place, where this abomination was committed, was cursed, for contrary to nature, it remained always bare without Grass. A reverend Minister told me (I mention this as from my self, not from the author of the Letter) that Major Weir confessed so much to him, and told him, that the place layes off the road-way between Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn, upon a little hill side, which he had the curiosity to goe and see, and found it so. This was done the matter of fifty years agoe. Many other things he confessed, which Christian ears should not be defiled with.
Before I come to his Sister, take this notable remark from two persons yet alive, dwelling at the foot of the Westbow, at the head whereof dwelt Major Weir. This Gentlewoman, a substantial Merchants wife was very desirous to hear Him pray, much being spoken of his utterance, and for that end spoke to some of her Neighbours that when he came to their house, she might be sent for. This was done, but could he never be perswaded to open his mouth before her, no not to bless a cup of aile, he either remaining mute, or up with his staff and away. It troubled her then, but I suppose both her husband and she smiles at it now.
Some few dayes before he discovered himself, this Gentlewoman coming from the Castle-hill where her husbands Neice, was laying in of a Child, about midnight, perceived about the Bow-head three Women in windows, shouting, laughing, and claping their hands. The Gentlewoman went forward, till just at Major Weirs door, there arose as from the street a Woman above the length of two ordinary femells, and stepped forward. The Gentlewoman not as yet excessively feared, bid her maid step on, if by the Lanthorn, they could see what she was; but hast what they could, this long legged Spectre was still before them, moving her Body with a vehement Cachinnation, a great unmeasurable Laughter. At this rate the two strove for place, till the Giantiss, came to a narrow Lane in the Bow, commonly called the Stinking-closs, into which she turning: and the Gentle-woman looking after her, perceived the closs full of flaming torches, (She could give them no other name) and as it had been a great multitude of People, Stentoriously laughing and Gapping with Tahies of laughter. This sight at so dead a time of the night, no people being in the Windows, respecting the Closs, made her and her servant haste home, declaring all, which they saw to the rest of the Familie, but more passionatly to her husband. And though sick with fear, yet she went the next morning with her Maid, to veiw the noted places of her former nights walk, & at the Closs, inquired who lived there? It was answered Major Weir. The honest couple now rejoycing, that to Weirs devotion they never said Amen. I know there are some, who precariously assert the unreasonableness of believing such Visions and Apparitions, but you have made them sufficiently evident from your Relations foregoing. These in all probability, have been a presage to his approaching death, and of the manner of it, Links and Torches signifying an honourable interrment, which perhaps has been promised to him. There was one Minister in the city, that could never be perswaded to speak with him in Prison, but no soonner was he dead, but he went to the Tolbooth, and called for his Sister, who had some remorse, of whom I shall now speak. He told her, that her Brother was burnt, and how he died (though he saw him not execute, as I heard from himself) She believed nothing of it, but after many attestations, she asked Where his staff Was? for it seems, she knew that his strength and life lay therein. He told her, it was burnt with him. Whereupon, notwithstanding of her age, she nimbly, and in a furious rage fell on her knees, uttering words horrible to be remembred. And in rising up, as she was desired, her rageing agony closed with these words. O Sir, I know he is with the Devils, for with them he lived. She intreated that Minister to assist her, and attend her to her death, which at her violent importunity he yeelded unto, though it was not his course to wait upon condemned Persons. What she said in private to himself, he says must die with him. She avouched, that from her being sixteen years of age, to her fiftieth, her Brother had the incestuous use of her body, and then loathed her for her age. She was pretty old at this time, and he when he died was about seventy. he asked her, if ever she was with Child to him? She declared with great confidence, he hindred that by means abominable, which she beginning to relate, the Preacher stopped her. Some bystanders were desirous to hear the rest, but saies he (Gentlemen) the speculation of this iniquity is in it self to be punished.
In often and returned visits, she was interrogat if she had any hand in her Brothers Devilry? She declared, but in a passive way, and gave this for an instance. A fiery Chariot, or Coatch, as she called it, coming to his door, at broad day, a stranger invited him and her to goe visit a friend at Dalkeith, a small town some four miles from Edinburgh. They both entered, and went foreward in their visit, at which time (says she) one came and whispered something in his ear, which affected him. They both returned after the same manner, that they had gone out. And Weir going after, to make some visits, told them he had strong apprehensions, that that say, the Kings Forces were routed at Worcester, which within two or three days was confirmed by the Post. She affirmed that none saw the Coatch, but themselves. The Devil hath wrought far greater Farelies in his time than this.
She knew much of the inchanted Staff, for by it he was enabled to pray, to commit filthinesse, not to be named, yea even to reconcile Neighbours, Man and Wife, when at varience. She oft hid it from him, and because without it, he could do nothing, he would threaten and vow to discover her incest, fearing which, she would deliver it again.
Being asked the cause of her much spinning, which she was famous for? She denyed any assistance from the Devil, but found she had an extraordinary faculty therein, far above ordinary Spinsters: Yet owned, that when she came home, after her being abroad, she found, there was more yarn on her wheel than she left. And that her Weaver could not make cloath thereof, the yearn breaking or falling from the Loom.
Once there came a stranger to her, while she was at her Wheel, and proposed a way to her to make her rich, for they both lived almost upon Alms. The way was this, Stand up and say, all Crosses and Cares go out of this house. She answered, GOD forbid I say that, but let them be welcome when GOD sends them. After two or three visits more, she asked this stranger, where she dwelt? She replyed, in the Potter-raw, a street in the Suburbs of that City, but finding neither such a house, nor such a woman, I judged, said she, it was the Devil, one of my brothers acquaintance; for I know, he had familiarity with the Devil.
His poverty minds me of a Wizzard accused and execute in Shetland, before named, for Witchcraft several years ago, called Luggie, to a nick name, who being a Fisher, had a trick at any time, when hungry at Sea, to cast out his line, and would out of Neptuns lowest Kitching, bring cliverly up fish well boiled and roasted. And his Comerades by a Natural Courage, would make a merry meal thereof, not questioning who was Cook. He had another piece of Art, at any time in the year, or in great storms, to go up to an high hill near his own house, whereupon there was a deep pit, out of which with his lines he drew up Codlings, or Keeling for his provision, which never man could do but himself. This story is true, being yet to be seen in the Criminal books of that Countrey.
She was asked anent her Parents? She was perswaded her mother was a Witch; for the secretest thing that either I my self, or any of the family could do, when once a mark appeared on her brow, she could tell it them, though done at a distance. Being demanded what sort of mark it was? She answered, I have some such like mark my self, when I please, on my forehead. Whereupon she offered to uncover her head for visible satisfaction. The Minister refusing to behold it, and forbidding any discovery, was earnestly requiested by some Spectators to allow the freedom. He yeelding, she put back her head-dress, and seeming to frown, there was seen an exact Horse-shoe shaped for nails in her wrinckles. Terrible enough I assure you to the stoutest beholder.
In the morning before her execution, she told the Minister, she resolved to die with all the shame she could, to expiate (under Mercy) her shameful-life. This he understood to be an ingenuous confession of her sins, in opposition to her brothers despair, and desperate silence, to which he did encourage her. At her parting with him, she gave him hearty thanks for his pains; and shaking his hands, (offering to kiss them) she repeated the same words, which he bade her perform. Ascending up the ladder, she spake somewhat confusedly of her sins, of her brother, and his inchanting-staff; and with a ghastly countenance, beholding a multitude of Spectators, all wondering, and some weeping, She spake aloud. There are many here this day, wondering and greeting for me, but alace, few mourns for a broken ——- At which words, many seemed angry. Some called to her mind higher Concerns. And I have heard it said, that the Preacher declared, he had much ado to keep a composed countenance. The Executioner falling about his duty, she prepares to die stark naked: then and not before, were her words relating to shame understood. The Hangman strugled with her, to keep on her cloaths, and she strugled with him to have them off. At last he was forced to throw her over open-fac’d, which afterwards he covered with a cloath.
So much from the Gentleman, that gave me this Information, to which I shall add, that this is not published with a design to reflect upon men of this, or that Perswasion. Far be it. The Devil can counterfeit what Religion he pleases, and ordinarly a good one. True Religion can never suffer any prejudice from a Hypocrite his wearing a cloak of it, more than the good Angels can suffer a stain from Satans transforming himself into an Angel of Light. The Devil hath his Laikies, and Pages with CHRISTS Livery upon them. Was not Judas, who was but one of the twelve, a vile Hypocrite? It is a wonder where there are a thousand professing CHRIST in a Congregation, that a hundred of them are not as bad. His glistening cloak of Religion dazled all Mens eyes. This was needful, foul faults must have a fair Cloak to cover them. The Apostle Jude speaks of some, that go after Sarkos heteras, which may be understood, not only of that sin mentioned, Rom. 1. 27. but of another sort of flesh, not to be named.
He was a demonstration proving evidently that there is a GOD; viz, by the terrours of his Conscience. It is evident also, there is a Devil, that hurries men on into sin. He had this expression to two Ministers that came to see him in prison; There was no temptation which the Devil could propose to him, but he was capable to accept of it. It is evident also, there is either an Explicite or Implicite Compact between some men and the Devil. Horrible sins covered with Religion, bring utter despair at the last. Desperation is Hell in fieri. Some men as well as Devils are tormented before the time. Let us not count the less of Religion, that its made a cloak for covering sin. Let us beware that such a mans fall prove not a neck break to us; Let us idolize no man for his Profession of Religion. Men in compact with the Devil, may be assisted both to Preach and Pray. The Devils servants are well rewarded at the last. Profession and Practise must go together. A Clinking Profession with an unbridled tongue, is a vain Religion. Pure Religion and defiled before GOD, and the Father, is to visit the Fatherles and the Widows in their affliction; and for a man to keep himself unspotted from the World.
Major Weir was burnt between Edinburgh and Leith, at a place called the Gallow-lie, on Thursday, 14. of April, 1670.
