per, a Turkey merchant, was to be made a Baronet
in King James's reign, there was some dispute whether he could prove
himself a gentleman for three or more descents. 'By my saul,' saith King
James, 'I will certify for Napper, that he is of above three hundred
years standing in his family, all of them, by my saul, gentlemen,' &c.
However, their family came into England in King Henry the Eighth's time.
The parson was Master of Arts; but whether doctorated by degree or
courtesy, because of his profession, I know not. Miscarrying one day in
the pulpit, he never after used it, but all his life-time kept in his
house some excellent scholar or other to officiate for him, with
allowance of a good salary: he out-went Forman in physick and holiness
of life; cured the falling-sickness perfectly by constellated rings,
some diseases by amulets, &c.

A maid was much afflicted with the falling sickness, whose parents
applied themselves unto him for cure: he framed her a constellated ring,
upon wearing whereof, she recovered perfectly. Her parents acquainted
some scrupulous divines with the cure of their daughter: 'The cure is
done by inchantment,' say they. 'Cast away the ring, it's diabolical;
God cannot bless you, if you do not cast the ring away.' The ring was
cast into the well, whereupon the maid became epileptical as formerly,
and endured much misery for a long time. At last her parents cleansed
the well, and recovered the ring again; the maid wore it, and her fits
took her no more. In this condition she was one year or two; which the
Puritan ministers there adjoining hearing, never left off, till they
procured her parents to cast the ring quite away; which done, the fits
returned in such violence, that they were enforced to apply to the
Doctor again, relating at large the whole story, humbly imploring his
once more assistance; but he could not be procured to do any thing, only
said, those who despised God's mercies, were not capable or worthy of
enjoying them.

I was with him in 1632, or 1633, upon occasion. He had me up into his
library, being excellently furnished with very choice books: there he
prayed almost one hour; he invocated several angels in his prayer,
viz.[12] Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, &c. We parted.

[Footnote 12: The collect read on Michaelmas-day, seems to allow
of praying to angels. At some times, upon great occasions, he
had conference with Michael, but very rarely.]

He instructed many