Relation XI.
The devil of Glenluce enlarged with several remarkable additions, from an eye and ear witness, a person of undoubted honesty.
This is that famous and notable story of the devil of Glenluce, which I published in my Hydrostatics, anno 1672, and which since has been transcribed word by word, by a learned pen, and published in a late book, intitled Saducismus Triumphatus, whom nothing but the truth thereof, and usefulness for refuting Atheism, could have persuaded to transcribe.
The subject-matter then of this story, is a true and short account of the troubles wherewith the family of one Gilbert Campbel, by profession a weaver, in the old parish of Glenluce, in Galloway, was exercised. I have adventured to publish it de novo in this book, first, Because it was huddled up among purposes of another nature. But now I have reduced it to its own proper place. Next, Because this story is more full, being enlarged with new additions, which were not in the former, and ends not so abruptly as the other did.
It happened, says my informer, Gilbert Campbel’s son, who was then a student of philosophy in the college of Glasgow, that after one Alexander Agnew, a bold and sturdy beggar, who afterwards was hanged at Drumfries for blasphemy, had threatened hurt to the family, because he had not gotten such an alms as he required. The said Gilbert Campbel was often hindered in the exercise of his calling, and yet could not know by what means this was done.
This Agnew, amongst many blasphemous expressions, had this one when he was interrogate by the judges, Whether or not he thought there was a God? He answered, He knew no God but salt, meal and water.
When the stirs began, there was a whistling heard both within and without the house. And Janet Campbel going one day to the well, to bring home some water, was conveyed with a shrill whistling about her ears, which made her say, “I would fain hear thee speak as well as whistle.”
Hereupon, he said, after a threatening manner, “I’ll cast thee, Janet, into the well.” The voice was most exactly like the damsel’s voice, and did resemble it to the life.
The gentlewoman that heard this, and was a witness, thought the voice was very near to her own ears, and said, “The whistling was such as children use to make with their small slender glass whistles.”
About the middle of November, the foul fiend came on with new and extraordinary assaults, by throwing of stones in at the doors and windows, and down the chimneyhead, which were of great quantity, and thrown with force, yet, by God’s providence, there was not one person in the family that was hurt. This did necessitate Gilbert Campbel to reveal that to the minister of the parish, and to other neighbours and friends, which hitherto he had suffered secretly.
Notwithstanding of this, his trouble was enlarged; for not long after, he found oftentimes his warp and threads cut, as with a pair of scissors, and not only so, but their apparel were cut after the same manner, even while they were wearing them – their coats, bonnets, hose, shoes – but could not discern how, or by what means. Only it pleased God to preserve their persons, that the least harm was not done.
Yet, in the night-time, they had not the liberty to sleep, something coming and pulling their bedclothes and linens off them, and leaving their bodies naked.
Next, their chests and trunks were opened, and all things in them strewed here and there. Likewise the parts of their working instruments, which had escaped, were carried away, and hid in holes and bores of the house, where hardly any could be found again. Nay, whatever piece of cloth, or household-stuff, was in any part of the house, it was carried away, and so cut and abused, that the good man was necessitate, in all haste and speed, to remove, and transport the rest to a neighbour’s house, and he himself compelled to quit the exercise of his calling, whereby he only maintained his family.
Yet he resolved to remain in his house for a season; during which time, some persons about, not very judicious, counselled him to send his children out of the family, here and there, to try whom the trouble did most follow, assuring him, that this trouble was not against the whole family, but against some one person or other in it, whom he too willingly obeyed. Yet, for the space of four or five days, there were no remarkable assaults as before.
The minister hearing thereof, showed him the evil of such a course, and assured him that, if he repented not, and called back his children, he might not expect that his trouble would end in a right way. The children that were near, by being brought home, no trouble followed, till one of his sons called Thomas, that was furthest off, came home. Then did the devil begin afresh; for upon the Lord’s day following, in the afternoon, the house was set on fire, but by the help of some neighbours going home from sermon, the fire was put out, and the house saved, not much loss being done.
And Monday after being spent in private prayer and fasting, the house was again set on fire upon the Tuesday, about nine o’clock in the morning, yet, by the speedy help of neighbours, it was saved, little skaith [damage] being done.
The weaver being thus vexed and wearied both day and night, went to the minister of the parish, an honest and godly man, desiring him to let his son Thomas abide with him for a time, who condescended, but withal assuring him that he would find himself deceived; and so it came to pass, for notwithstanding that the lad was without the family, yet were they that remained in it sore troubled both in the day-time and night-season, so that they were forced to walk till midnight, and sometimes all the night over, during which time the persons within the family suffered many losses, as the cutting of their clothes, throwing of peats, the pulling down of turf and seal from the roof, and walls of the house, and the stealing of their clothes, and the pricking of their flesh and skin with pins.
Some ministers about having convened at the place for a solemn humiliation, persuaded Gilbert Campbel to call back his son Thomas, notwithstanding of whatever hazard might follow. The boy returning home, affirmed that he heard a voice speak to him, forbidding him to enter within the house, or in any other place where his father’s calling was exercised; yet he entered, but was sore abused, til lhe was forced to return to the minister’s house again.
Upon Monday the 12th of February the rest of the family began to hear a voice speak to them, but could not well know from whence it came; yet from evening till midnight too much vain discourse was kept up with Satan; and many idle and impertinent questions proposed without that due fear of God, that should have been upon their spirits under so rare and extraordinary a trial; they came at length in familiar discourse with the foul thief, that they were no more afraid to keep up the clash with him, than to speak to one another, in this they pleased him well, for he desired no better than to have sacrifices offered to him.
The minister hearing of this went to the house upon the Tuesday, being accompanied with some gentlemen, one James Bailie of Carphin, Alexander Bailie of Dunraged, Mr Robert Hay, and a gentlewoman called Mrs Douglas, whom the minister’s wife did accompany. At their first coming in the devil says, “Quum Literarum is good Latin;” these are the first words of the Latin Rudiments, which scholars are taught when they go to the grammar school. He cries again, a dog, the minister thinking he had spoken it to him, said he took it not ill to be reviled by Satan, since his master had trodden that path before him.
Answered Satan, “It was not you Sir, I spoke to, I meant by the dog there, for there was a dog standing behind backs.” This passing they all went to prayer, which being ended, they heard a voice speaking out of the ground from under a bed, in the proper country dialect, which he did counterfeit exactly, saying Would you know the witches of Glenluce? I will tell you them: and so related four or five persons names that went under a bad report; the weaver informed the company that one of them was dead long ago.
The Devil answered and said, It is true she is dead long ago, but her spirit is living with us in the world. The minister replied saying, though it was not convenient to speak to such an excommunicate and intercommuned person, ‘The Lord rebuke thee Satan, and put thee to silence; we are not to receive information from thee whatsoever same any person goes under, thou art seeking but to seduce this family, for Satan’s kingdom is not divided against itself.’
After which all went to prayer again, which being ended, for during the time of prayer no noise or trouble was made except once, that a loud fearful yell was heard at a distance; the devil threatening and terrifying the lad Tom, who had come back that day with the minister, ‘That if he did not depart out of the house, he would set all on fire.’ Says the minister, ‘The Lord will preserve the house and the lad too, seeing he is one of the family, and hath God’s warrant to tarry in it.’ The fiend answered, ‘He shall not get liberty to tarry; he was once put out already, and shall not abide here, though I should pursue him to the end of the world.’ The minister replied, ‘The Lord will stop thy malice against him.’
And then they went to prayer again, which being ended the devil said, ‘give me a spade and a shovel, and depart from the house for seven days, and I will make a grave and lie down in it and shall trouble you no more.’ The goodman asnwered, ‘not so much as a straw shall be given thee, through God’s assistance, even though that would do it.’ The minister also added, ‘God shall remove thee in due time.’ The spirit answered, ‘I will not remove for you, I have my commission from Christ to tarry and vex this family.’ The minister answered, ‘a permission thou hast indeed, but God will stop it in due time.’ The devil replied, ‘I have Sir a commission, which perhaps will last longer than your own.’ The minister died in the year 1655 in December. The devil had told them, ‘That he had given his commission on to Tom to keep.’ The company enquired at the lad, who said, ‘There was something put into his pocket, but it did not tarry.’
After this, the minister and the gentlemen arose, and went to the place whence the voice seemed to come, to try if they could see or find anything. After diligent search, nothing being found, the gentlemen began to say, ‘We think this voice speaks out of the children, for some of them were in their beds.’ The foul spirit answered, ‘You lie, God shall judge you for your lying and I and my father will come and fetch you to hell, with warlock thieves;’ and so the devil discharged the gentlemen to speak any thing, saying ‘Let him speak that hath a commission, (meaning the minster) for he is the servant of God.’
The gentlemen returning back with the minister sat down near the place whence the voice seemed to come, and opening his mouth, spake to them after this manner, “The Lord will rebuke this spirit in his own time, and cast it out.” The devil answering said, “It is written in Mark, Chap. ix. that the disciples could not cast him out.” The minister replied, “What the disciples could not do, yet the Lord having heightened the parent’s faith, for his own glory did cast him out, and so shall he thee.” The devil replied, “It is written in Luke, Chap. iv. that he departed and left him for a season.” The minister sad, “The Lord in the days of his humiliation, not only got the victory over Satan in that assault in the wilderness, but when he came again, his success was no better, for it is written, John xiv. Behold, the prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me, and being now in glory, he will fulfil his promise, and God shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, Rom. xvi.” The devil answered, “It is written, Matth. xxv. There were ten virgins, five wise, and five foolish, and when the bridegroom came, the foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps, and went unto the wise to seek oil, and the wise said, go and buy for yourselves; and while they went the bridegroom came, and entered in, and the door was shut, and the foolish virgins were sent to hell’s fire.” The minister answered, “The Lord knows the sincerity of his servants, and though there be sin and folly in us here, yet there is a fountain opened to the house of David for sin and uncleanness, when he has washed us from our sins for his name’s sake, he will cast the unclean spirit out of the land.” The devil answered and said, “Sir, you should have cited for that place of scripture, Zech. xiii.” and so he began at the first verse, and repeated several verses, and concluded with these words, “In that day I will cause the prophet and unclean spirit pass out of the land;” but afterwards it is written, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” The minister answered, and said, “Well are we that our blessed shepherd was smitten, and thereby hath bruised thy head. And albeit in the hour of his sufferings his disciples forsook him, Matth. xxvi. yet now having ascended on high, he sits in glory, and is preserving, gathering in, and turning his hand upon his little ones, and will save his poor ones in this family from they malice.”
The minster returning back a little, and standing upon the floor, the devil said, “I knew not these scriptures till my father taught me them.” Then the minister conjured him to tell whence he was. The foul fiend replied, “That he was an evil spirit come from the bottomless pit of hell, to vex this house, and that Satan was his father.” And presently there appeared a naked hand, and an arm from the elbow down, beating upon the floor till the house did shake again, and also he uttered a most fearful and loud cry, saying “Come up, my father, come up. I will send my father among you, see there he is behind your backs.”
Then the minister said, “I saw indeed a hand, and an arm, when the stroke was given and heard.” The devil said to him, ‘Saw you that? it was not my hand, it was my father’s; my hand is more black in the loof.’ “O (said Gilbert Campbel) that I may see thee as well as I hear thee!” ‘Would you see me (says the foul thief) put out the candle, and I shall come butt the house among you like fire-balls, I shall let you see me indeed.’
Alexander Bailie of Dunraged says to the minister, let us go ben, and see if there be any hand to be seen. The devil answered, “No, let him come then alone; he is a good honest man, his single word may be believed.”
About this time the devil abused Mr Robert Hay, a very honest gentleman, very ill with his tongue calling him witch and warlock. A little after the devil cries (it seems out of purpose and in of purpose) a witch, a witch, there is a witch sitting upon the roost, take her away; he meant a hen sitting upon the balk of the house.
These things being past, all went to prayer during which time he was silent; prayer being ended the devil answered and said, “If the goodman’s son’s prayers at the College of Glasgow, did not prevail with God, my father and I had wrought a mischief here ere now.” To which Alexander Baillie of Dunraged replied, “Well, well, I see you confess there is a God, and that prayer prevails with him; and therefore we must pray to God, and commit the event to him.” To whom the devil replied, “Yea, Sir, you speak of prayer with your broad-lipped hat, (for the gentleman had lately gotten a hat in the fashion with broad lips) I’ll bring a pair of shears from my father, which will clip the lips of it a little.” Whereupon he presently imagined, that he heard and felt a pair of shears going round about his hat, which caused him lift it to see if the foul thief had meddled with it.
During this time several things, but of less moment, passed, as that he would have Tom a merchant, Rob a smith, John a minister, and Hew a lawyer, all which, in some measure, came to pass. As to Janet, the goodman’s daughter, he cries to her, “Janet Campbel, Janet Campbel, wilt thou cast me thy belt.” Quoth she: “What a widdy wilt thou do with my belt?” “I would fain (says he) fasten my loose bones close together with it.”
A younger daughter sitting busking her poppies, as young girls use to do, being threatened by the fiend, that he would ding out her harns, that is brain her. She answered, without being concerned, ‘No, if God be to the fore;’ and so fell to the work again.
The goodwife of the house having brought out some bread, was breaking it to give every one of the company a piece. He cries, “Grisel Wyllie, Grisel Wyllie, give me a piece of that hard bread, (for so they call their oat cakes) I have gotten nothing this day but a bite from Marrit,” that is as they speak in that country Margaret. The minister said, “Beware of that; for it is a sacrificing to the devil.” The girl was called for, and asked, If she gave him any hard bread? “No,” says she; but when I was eatin g my due piece this morning, something came and clicked it out of my hand.
The evening being now far spent, it was thought fit that every one should withdraw to his own home. Then did the devil cry out fearfully, “Let not the minister go home, I shall burn the house if he go;” and many other ways did he threaten. After the minister had gone forth, Gilbert Campbel was very instant with him to tarry, whereupon he returned, all the rest going home. When he came into the house, the devil gave a great gaff of laughter, “You have now, Sir, done my bidding.” Not thine, answered the other, but in obedience to God, have I returned, to bear this man company whom thou dost afflict. Then did the minister call upon God. And when prayer was ended, he discharged the weaver, and all the persons of the family, to speak a word to the devil; and when he spake, that they should only kneel down and pray to God. The devil then roared out mightily, and cried out, ‘”What, will ye not speak to me? I shall strike the bairns, and do all manner of mischief.” But after that time no answer was made to him, and so for a long time no speech was heard. Several times he beat the children in their beds, and the claps of his loof upon their buttocks would have been heard, but without any trouble to them.
While the minister and gentlemen were standing at the door, ready to go home, the minister’s wife and the goodwife were within; then cried Satan, “Grisel, put out the candle.” Says she to the minister’s wife, Shall I do it? No, says the other; for then you shall obey the devil. Upon this he cries again with a louder shout, “Put out the candle.” The candle still burns. The third time he cries, “Put out the candle,” and no obedience being given to him, he did so often reiterate these words, and magnify his voice, that it was astonishment to hear him, which made them stop their ears, they thinking the sound was just at their ears; at last the candle was put out. “Now,” says he, “I ‘ll trouble you no more this night.”
I must here insert what I heard from one of the ministers of that presbytery, who, with the rest, were appointed to meet at the weaver’s house for prayer and other exercises of that kind. When the day came, five only met: but before they went in, they stood a while in teh croft, which lies round about the house, consulting what to do. They resolved upon two things, First, there should be no words of conjuration used, as commanding him in the name of God to tell whence he was, or to depart from the family, for which they thought they had no call from God. Secondly, that when the devil spoke, none should answer him, but hold on in their worshipping of God, and the duties they were called to. When all of them had prayed by turns, and three of them had spoken a word or two from the scripture, they prayed again, and then ended without any disturbance.
When that brother who informed me had gone out, one Hugh Nisbet, one of the company, came running after him, desiring him to come back, for he had begun to whistle. “No,” says the other, “I tarried as long as God called me, but go in again I will not.”
After the said Gilbert suffered much loss, and had many sad nights, not two nights in one week free, and thus it continued till April. From April to July he had some respite and ease, but after he was molested with new assaults; even their victuals were so abused that the family was in hazard of starving; and that which they ate gave them not their ordinary satisfaction they were wont to find.
In this sore and sad affliction Gilbert Campbel resolved to make his address to the synod of Presbyters for advice and counsel what to do, which was appointed to convene in October 1655, namely Whether to forsake the house or not? The synod by their committee appointed to meet at Glenluce in February 1656, thought it fit that a solemn humiliation should be kept through all the bounds of the synod; and, amongst other causes, to request God in behalf of that afflicted family; which being done carefully, the event was that his trouble grew less till April, and from April to August he was altogether free. About which time the devil began with new assaults, and taking the ready meat which was in the house, did sometimes hide in holes by the door-posts, and at other times hide it under the beds, and sometimes among the bedclothes, and under the linens, and at last did carry it quite away, till nothing was left there save bread and water.
This minds me of a small passage, as a proof of what is said. The goodwife one morning making pottage for the children’s breakfast, had the tree-plate wherein the meal lay snatched from her quickly. “Well (says she) let me have my plate again.” Whereupon it came flying at her, without any skaith done. It is like, if she had sought the meal too, she might have got it: Such is his civility when he is entreated, a small homage will please him ere he want all.
After this he exercised his malice and cruelty against all persons in the family, wearying them in the night-time, by stirring and moving through the house, so that they had no rest for noise, which continued all the month of August after this manner. After which time the devil grew yet worse, by roaring and terrifying them, by casting of stones, by striking them with staves on their bed in the night-time. And upon the 18th of September, about midnight, he cried out with a loud voice, “I shall burn the house.” And about three or four nights after, he set one of the beds on fire, which was soon put out, without any prejudice, except the bed itself.
Thus I have written a short and true account of all the material passages which occurred. To write every particular, especially of lesser moment, would fill a large volume.
The good man lived several years after this in the same house, and it seems, by some conjuration or other the devil suffered himself to be put away, and gave the weaver a peaceable habitation. This weaver has been a very old man, that endured for so long these marvellous disturbances.
Satan’s invisible world discovered: or, a choice collection of modern relations, proving evidently against the atheists of this present age, that there are devils, spirits, witches and apparitions, from authentic records, attestations of witnesses of undoubted veracity.
By Mr George Sinclair.
(Printed 1769, but originally published c. 1685, and in one form in The Hydrostaticks, 1672, in which it says ‘It happened in October 1654 [that Alexander Agnew was hanged]).