made.

This mad woman was put upon this action against me by two ministers, who
had framed for her a very ingenious speech, which she could speak
without book, as she did the day of hearing the traverse. She produced
one woman, who told the court, a son of her's was run from her; that
being in much affliction of mind for her loss, she repaired unto me to
know what was become of him; that I told her he was gone for the
Barbadoes, and she would hear of him within thirteen days; which, she
said, she did.

A second woman made oath, that her husband being wanting two years, she
repaired to me for advice: that I told her he was in Ireland, and would
be at home such a time; and, said she, he did come home accordingly.

I owned the taking of half a crown for my judgment of the theft; but
said, I gave no other judgment, but that the goods would not be
recovered, being that was all which was required of me: the party,
before that, having been with several astrologers, some affirming she
should have her goods again, others gave contrary judgment, which made
her come unto me for a final resolution.

At last my enemy began her before-made speech, and, without the least
stumbling, pronounced it before the court; which ended, she had some
queries put unto her, and then I spoke for myself, and produced my own
_Introduction_ into court, saying, that I had some years before emitted
that book for the benefit of this and other nations; that it was allowed
by authority, and had found good acceptance in both universities; that
the study of astrology was lawful, and not contradicted by any
scripture; that I neither had, or ever did, use any charms, sorceries,
or inchantments related in the bill of indictment, &c.

She then related, that she had been several times with me, and that
afterwards she could not rest a-nights, but was troubled with bears,
lions, and tygers, &c. My counsel was the Recorder Green, who after he
had answered all objections, concluded astrology was a lawful art.

'Mistress,' said he, 'what colour was those beasts that you were so
terrified with?'

'I never saw any,' said she.

'How do you then know they were lions, tygers, or bears?' replied
he.--'This is an idle person, only fit for Bedlam.' The Jury who went
not from the bar, brought in, No true Bill.

There were many Presbyterian Justices much for her, and especially one
Roberts, a busy fellow for the Parliament, who after his Majesty came
in, had like to