Grampian Club > Scotland, social and domestic

Church Discipline. 329
In July and August, 1648, the Kirk-session of Dun-
fermline were occupied in considering the case of William
Crichton, " a vagrant beggar," who was " under ane ill
report as a warlok." The charge rested on the state-
ment of Mause Hutchons, in Mylburn, who alleged that,
having refused Crichton a night's lodgings, he had threat-
ened him that " he should not rew it ones bot ever," and
that " thereafter he (Maus) contracted a heavie sicknes
and a continuall sweating." Crichton, on being brought
before the Session, denied the charge, but, being after-
wards " straitlie posed and dealt with be the ministers
and watchers," he confessed that " he had made a pac-
tion with the Devill to be his servant 24 yeires and
more since." He was tried and burnt.
Those who trafficked in charms were punished with
severity, but not fatally. In January, 1628, the Kirk-
session of Stirling deliberated on a case of charming,
which is set forth in these words : —
" The quhilk day compeared Margaret Donaldsoune,
spous to James Forsythe, and being accused of the
brethren for giving ane sark of her bairnis to Helen
Syngar to tak to Margaret Cuthbert in Garlickcray for
to charme the same ; the said Margaret Donaldsoune
confessed that schoe gave her the sark and the said
Helen Syngar confessed thatscohetuikit to that Margaret
Cuthbert, intending to have it charmed, but denyes
that it was charmed at all, becaus the said Margaret
Cuthbert refused. Therefair the breatherein orderis
the said persounes, to witt, Margaret Donaldsoune for
giuing of the baimes sark, and Helen Syngar for receav-
ing of it, to sitt togidder upon the seat quhair the
breakers of the Sabbathe sitts, and make thair publick
repentance upon thair kneis befoir the congregatione."