The Distressed Gentlewoman;
Or, Satan's Implacable Malice.
Being a True Relation of a young Gentlewoman near Lincolns-Inn-Fields, who is possess'd with an
Evil Spirit, which Speaks within her most Blasphemous Words, to the grief of her Friends and
Relations, and all good Christian People.
The Tune is, Aim not too High. Licensed according to Order.
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GOod People all, I pray you now draw near,
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Unto these Lines lend an attentive Ear;
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While I a dismal story do unfold,
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Which is as true as ever Mortal told.
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A Youthful Damsel now near London dwells,
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Whose Birth, and Education far excells
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Some thousands, for it is well known, that she
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Has been a pattern of true Piety.
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This is well known, it was her constant care,
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Still to frequent the Holy Home of Pray'r;
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To Worship God according to his will,
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His Holy Laws and Precepts to fulfill.
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All kind of Pride she hated and abhor'd,
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Her care and study was to serve the Lord;
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Therefore the Holy Scriptures did she Read,
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And eke an upright Christian Life did lead.
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Now while she was Religiously inclin'd,
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Satan, the Enemy of all Mankind,
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He study'd how he might her soon Possess,
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And blast that sweet Celestial Happiness.
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The which he thus endeavour'd by degrees,
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First Melancholly did her Sences seize;
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Which did her former Glory soon expell,
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But yet what was the cause she could not tell.
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At length it did to strange Distraction grow,
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While her dear friends beheld with grief and woe.
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All means were us'd for a Recovery,
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And free her from this sad Calamity.
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Learned Physitians us'd their chiefest Skill,
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Tho' all in vain, for she remained still
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Distracted, as she had been long before,
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Her Sence and Reason they could not restore.
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This done, all former means they laid aside,
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And did in God alone their hopes reside;
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To whom they had recourse by fervent Pray'r,
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And many faithful Ministers came there.
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Which she receiv'd with joy and sweet content,
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But as they offer'd her the Sacrament,
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Her very Teeth were set, and clenched fast,
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And eke a Voice was heard in her at last.
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In these like words the Hellish Fiend did taunt,
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Saying, She shall not take it, no, she shan't:
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Then Barking like a Dog, it did Revile,
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Her Mouth and Eye-lids being clos'd the while.
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Next day she to the Savoy-Church was brought,
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Where Dr. Horneck many Years has Taught;
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And in the time of Pray'r this Fiend did Roar,
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More veh'ment than at any time before.
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Nay, in the hearing of all People there,
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He Curst the Minister in time of Pray'r;
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And said, Come down, black Dog, this shall not do:
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This said, his Barking Tone he did renew.
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Next way to her a Learned Doctor went,
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Who after he some time in Pray'r had spent,
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Demanded of the Fiend in Gods great Name,
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Now what he was, and eke from whence he came.
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At which the Spirit did in short reply,
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I am a Daemon of High-Germany;
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And having found a Habitation here,
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It is not any such as you I fear.
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No Tongue is able to express her Grief,
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While thus she does remain, void of relief:
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Let sober Christians pray to God above,
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That he will manifest his tender Love
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To this the poor Creature which is thus possest,
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Who at this time is wofully opprest:
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O that her Glory he once more will raise
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That she may live to speak his lasti[ng Praise]
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FINIS.
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