le et gag RieesnragasTenesenls: SCOTS Difcovery of V Vitchcraft : PROVING | The common opinions of Witches. con-§ trating with Divels, Spirits, or Familiars ;_ and | their power to kill, torment, andconfume the bodies of men women, and children, or other creatures by difeafes or otherwile 5 their lying in the Air, &c. To be but imaginary Exronious conceptions and novelties ; ‘ WHEREIN ALSO; The lewde unchriftian practifes of Witchmongers,upon aged,|s melancholy, ignorant, and fuperftious people in extorting con- feffions, by inhumane tervors and tortures isnotably deteéted, ‘The knavery and confederacy of Conjarors, The impious blalphemy of Inchanters, The impofture of Soothfayers, and Infidelity of Atheifts: The delufion of Pytbonifts, Figure-cafters, Aftrologe's, and vae A nity of Dreamers. Z 18 On rhe ules beggerly art of Alchimiftry, The horrible art of Poifoning and all the tricks and convey {ances of juggling and Liegerdemain are fully deciphered, PEPOPa SH ope With many other things opened that have long lain hidden: thongh very neceffary to beknown for the undeceiving of Judges, Jutticesy and Juries, and for the prefervation of poor,aged, deformed, ignorant people ; frequently taken, arraigned, condemned and executed for Witches, when according to a tight underftanding, and a good conlcience, Phyfice, Food, and necefturies {hould be adminiftred to them. Wheteunto is added, treatiféupon thenarure,and lubttance of Spirits and Divels. &c. all written-and publithed in Anno 1584. by Reginald Scot ,E (quire, Printed by R. ©. and are tobe el by Giles Galverc, dling atthe Black Spread-Eagle at the Weft-end of Pauls, 1 651. LPPLDLPPLORDEDDEDEDLLIDEDDDDHADDS RRR DDD: SSSS SOSHIESSEDHHHa “il PEPEOEE SSS SES SEES SLE GHO SG POSE DH bS SOSSSCSSSSSESs | PPPEVS PEPE PSEEOP SES PPE ES PET TT GETS To the Honorable, mine efpeciall good Lord,S, Roger Manwood Knigér, Lord chief Baron of her Majefties Court of the Efchequer. ‘N-fo-much as I know that your Lordthip is by nature wholly in- clitied, and in purpofe earneftly bent to relieve the poor, and that ~~ not onely with hofpitality and Sa) almes, but by divers other de- JONGSEY vifesand waies tending to their | comfort, having (as it were ) framed and fet your | felfto thehelp and maintenance of theireftate; as appeareth by your charge and travell in that behalf. Whereas alfo you havea {peciall care for the fup- porting of their right, and redrefling of their wrongs,asneither defpifing their calamity, nor yet forgetting their, complaint, feeking all meansfor their amendment, and forthe reformation of theit diforder s,even as avery father co the poor. Finally, ) forthat !ama poor member of that Common-wealth where your, Lordthip is “a principal, perfon 1 thought this my travell, inthebehalfof. the ‘poor, | theaged, and the fimple,- might be very fitly com- | mended unto you: for a weak houferequiretha | fitong ftay.._In which refpect I give God thanks, i that hath'raifed up unto me fo mighty a friend for } A themThe Epifile. i them as your Lordfhip is, who in our laws have fuch knowledge, in government fuch diferetion in thefe caufes fuch experience, and in the Com. mon-wealth fuch authority 5 and never the lefle vouchfafe to defcend to the confideration of thefe bafe and inferior matters, which minifter more careand trouble, than worldly eftimation. And infomuch as your Lordthip knoweth, orra- ther excercifeth the officeofa’ Judge, whofe part it isto hear with courtefie, and to determine with ce. quity ; it cannot but be apparent unto you, that when punifbment exceedeth the fault, it is rather to be thought vengeance than correétion. In which refpeé& I know you {pend more timeand tra- yellin the converfion and reformation, than inthe fubverfion and confufion of offenders, as being well pleafed to augment your own private pains, tothe end you may diminith their publike fmart. For in trath, that Common-wealth remaineth in wofull ftate,where fetters and halters bear more fway than mercy and due compaflion. Howbeit, it isaaturall tounnaturall people, and peculiar unto ee to purfue the poor, to accufe the fimple, and to kill theinnocent fupply- ing in rigor and malicetowardsothers, that which they themfelves want in proof and difcretion, ot the other in offence or occafion- But asa cruel heart and an honeft minde do feldomemeet and feed to- gether ina difh; foa difcreet & merciful Magiftrate, and ahappy Common-wealth cannot be feparated afunder. How much then are we bound to God, who hath given us a Queen, that of juftice 1snot on- ly the very perfed imageand paterm,but alfo of merey and clemency ( under God) the meer fountain and bodyve 1 terbloud in thefe daies, haveleaftauthoritytofhed = m it. Moreover, fith I feethat in cafeswhere lenity fle might be noifom,and punifoment wholfom to the com- fe mon-wealth; therenorefped of perfon can move re YOU, no authority can abafb you, no fear, nothreats can dawnt you in pertorming the duty of Juftice, 8 In that refpect again Ifind your Lordthip a fit it perfonto judge& look upon this prefent Treatife. ¢ Wherein! will bring before you, asit were tothe at bar, twoforts of moft arrogant and wicked people, q the firlt challengingto themfelves,the fecond attri- Jy buting unto others, that power which only apper- a, teinethtoGod, who onely is the Creator of all things, aba ee be who onely fearcheth the heart and reines, whoonely Rom 8. al] Aeoweth our imaginations and thoughts, who onely 44 % he openeth all fecrets, who onely worketh great wonders, ihe 16. ot Whoonely hath power to raife up and caft downs who Dan. 2.8 28, i ely maketh thunder, lightning, rain, tentpefts, and &47-: a yg ©«‘Teftraineth them athis pleafures who onely /endeth g 13, life and death, fickneffe and health, wealth and wo; who {aces Se af either giveth nor lendeth his glory to any creature. : ae t9 . And therfore,that which grieveth me tothe bot- 1 Reg,2- tom of my heart, is that thee witchmongers cannot re a i becontent to wreft out of Gods hand his almighty Zac.t0.8 tds g) Power, & keep it them{elvs,or leav it witha witch: Amos.4.7. n Dut that,when by drift of argument they are made Le & >. t0 lay down the bucklers,they yield them up to the divil,or at the leatt pray aideothim, as though the i rains ofallmens lives and actions were committed 4 into bis hand;and that he fat at the ftern,to guide & dire the courfe of the whole world,imputing unto him power &ability enough to do asgreat things, ; and as ftrange miracles as ever Chrift did. 4 Butthe doftors of this fupernatural doGrine fay The Epiftie, body it felf? Infomuch as they which hunt moft af- A2 forre.The Epiftle. ; fometimes, that the witch dothall thefethings by vertue of her charms; fometimes thata Gaistaat fometimes that a corporal devil doth accom plithit; fometimes they fay that thedeyil doth but make the witch beleeve, thedoth that which he himfelfe hath wrought; fometimes that the devil feemeth to do that by.compulfion, which he doth-moftwilling. ly. Finally,the writers hereupon are fo eloquent,& full of variety;that fomtimes they write that thede- vil doth all this by, Gods permiffion only; fomtimes by his licence, fometimes by hisappointments:fo as Cin effet and truth )not the devil, but the high and mighty Kingofkings, and Lord of hofts,even God himfelf,{hould this way be made obedient and fer- yileto obey and perform the will & commandment ofa malicious old witch,&miraculoufly.to anfwer her appetite, as well in every trifling vanity, as in moft horrible executions;as the revenger of a doting old womansimagined wrongs,to the deftruction of many innocent children, and asa fupporter of her paffions, to the undoing of many apoor foul. And Ifeenot,buta witch may ‘as wellinchant, when fhe willsasa lier may lie when he lift: and, fo fhould we pofleffe nothing, but bya witches licenceand permiffion, And now forfooth it is brought to this point, that alldevils, which were wontto be fpiritual, may at their pleafure become corporal,and fo thew them- felves familiarly to witches and conjurors, and to none other,and by them only may be made tame, and kept in abox,&c.Soasa malicious old woman may.command her devil to plague her neighbor: & he isaffli@ed in manner & form asithedefireth: But then cometh another witch,and the biddeth her de- vil help,andhe healeth the fame party. Soasthey makeito The Epitfle, makeit a kingdomedividedinit fel f,and therefore -Ttruftie will not long endure, but will fhortly be o- verthiown, according tothe words ofour Saviour, Omne tegnum in fe divifumdefolabitur, Every king- deme divided in it felt thalllbedefolate, Andalthough fome fay that thedevilisthe witches infttument, to bring her purpofes and prattifes to pafle:yet others fay that the is his'inftrament,to ex- ecute his pleafure in any thing, and therefore tobe executed. But then(methinks) fhe fhould be inju- -tioufly dealt withall,and put'to death for anozhers offence + for adtionsarenot judged by inftrument- alcaufes sneither doth the end and purpofe of that which is done,depend upon the mean inftrument. Finally, if che witch do it not,why fhouldthe witch die for it? Buttheyfaythat witches are perfwad- edand@ think,that they do indeedthofe mifchifs; & have a will to perform that which the devil commit- tethsand that therefore they are worthy tody. By which reafon ev'ry one fhould be executed, that wi- fheth evil to his neighbor, &&c. But ifthe will -thould be punifhed by man, according to the offence againft God, we fhould be driven by thoufands at once to theflauterhoufe or butchery. For whofoever loath- ethcorrection fhall die. And who fhould efcape ex- ecution, if this lothfomnefle(I fay) fhould extend to death by the civil lawes. Alfo the reward of fin is death. Howbeit,every one that firneth js not to be putto death by the Magiftrate.But my Lord it hall be proved in my book, and your Eordthip fhall trie it to be true, as well here athome in your native country,asalfo abrode in your feyeral circuits, that (befides them that be Vencfice,which are plaine poi- foners)there will be found amongour witches on- lytwo fores;the one fort being fuch by smputation;as fo Proverbs 5. $i i i The Epiftle. fo thought of by others(and thefeare abufed, and not abufors)the other by acceptation,as being wil. ling fo tobeaccounted & thefe bemeer coufeners, Infi.ti.s.c- — Calyine treating of thefe magicians,calleth them eee peee, coufeners,faying,that they ufe their juggling knacks only to amale or abufe the people; or elfe for fame: but he might rather have faid for gain. Eraftns him- felf being a principal writer inthe behalf of witches omnipotency,is forced to confes,that thele Greek words payle, uaryeyie, eapuade, are moft commoly put for illufion falfe packong.confenage.fraud knavery and de- ceipt : & is further driven to fay,that in ancient time, the learned were not fo blocki/h,as not tofce thatthe - promifes of magicians and inchanters werefalle, and nothing elfe but knavery,coufenage & old wives fa- bless& yet defendeth he their flying in the aire, their transferring of corn or gras from one field to another, ts. But as Fraitus difagrecth herein with himfelfand his friends :fo is there no agreement among any of thofe writers,but only in cruelties, abfurdities & im- poffibilies.And thefe( my Lord that fall into fo mani- feft contradidtions, andinto fuch abfurd aflevera- tions,are not of the inferior fort of writers ; neither are they all papifts, but men of fuch account,as mhofe names give more credit to their-caufe, then theit writings.In whofebehalfe I am forry,and partly for reverence fupprefs their fondeft errors & touleft ab- furdities;dealing {pecially withthem that oft con tend in cruelty x es feet are {wift to fhed blood, ftriving IGiah so. 7. (88 Jefus thefon of Sirach faith & hafting(as Solomon Rom3-1s- the fon of David faith )to pour out the blood of the In- Eccieh27°5" yocents whole heat against thefe poorwretches cannot be Jeremy 2. 34« al/aied with any other liquor rhem blood. And therforel bias rs fear-that under their wiags will be found the bloodéf ah 33:15: the fouls of the poor,at that day,when the Lord fball fay Depart Lib,de lamiis, Page 5+See AT Rae ES BB Bae Ao otal alata Vat FSR Feat ASSte The Epiftle, Depart from me ye bloud-thirfly men. And becaufel know your Lordjbip will take xo conn- celagaintt innocent bloud, but rather /uppres thew that feek to imbrew their hands therein, Uhave made choife so open their cafe to you,& to lay their miferable calamsi- ty before your fect : following herein the advife of that learned wan Brentins whofaith;Si quis edmonuerit Ma= giftratura,ne in miferas illas mulierculas feviat em ego arbitror divinitus excitatum,that is, Ifany admonifh the Magistrate uot to deale too hardly with thefe miferable mretches,that are called witches, thinkhim a good in- Sirument tated up for this purpofe by God himfelf. But it will perchance befaid by witchmongers 3 to wit,by fuch as attribut to witches the powerwhich appertaineth to God only,that [have made choife of your Lordjhip to bea Patrone to this my book; be~ caufeI think you favor mine opinions, and by that means may the more freelypublifh any error or con~ ceit ofmine own,which fhould rather be warranted by your Lordbips authority then by the word of God, or by fufficient argument. But I proteftthe contra~ ry,and by thefe prefentsI renounce all protection, and defpife all friendthip that might ferveto help towards the fupprefling or fupplanting of truth - knowing alfo that your Lord/bip isfar from allowing any injury done unto man;much morean enemy to them that go about to difhonor God,orto embeazel thetitlecf hisimmortal glory. But becaufe I know you to be perfpicuous,and able to fee down intothe depth and bottome of caufes.& are not to be carried away with the vain perfwafion or /uperftition cither of man,cuftome,time or multitude.but moved with theauthority oftruth only. I crave your countenance herein, even fo far forth,& no further, then the law of God,the law of nature,the lawe of this land j~& ee rile In epiftola a3 Jo.WiereThe Epifile. rule of reafon fhall require." Neither do Ttreat for thefe poore peopleany otherwile, but fo, aswith onehand you may fuftaine the good, and withthe other fuppreffe the evill : wherein you fhall be thought a father to or hanes, an advocate to wi- dowes, a guideto the lind, aftay tothe lame, a comfort & countenance to the honeft,a fcourgeand terror tothe wicked. ‘Thus farre I have been bold toufe your Lordjhips patience, being offended with my (elf, that Icould not in brevity utter fuch matter as’ Thave delivered amply:whereby(I confeffe Joccafion of tedioufnelle might be miniftred, were it not that your great gra~_ vity joined with your fingular conftancy in reading and judging be means of the contrar 2And I wifhe- ven with all myheart , that Icould make people conceive the fubftance of my writing ; and notto mifconftrue'any part of my meaning, Then doubt Jes would I periwade my felf, that the companyof witchmongers,@c.being once decreafed, thenums beralfoofwitches, &+c,wouldfooh be diminifhed: But true be the words ofthe Poet "35°" “*: i Hudguaquam poteria fortirier omnia [olis, ‘Ningue aliis divi bello pollere dederunt, Hluic faltandi artem,voce buic cytbargne canetidi:s Rurfam alii infervit fagax in pectore magnus, Fapiter ingeniam,ec. ‘And therefore as doubtful to. prevaileby perfwading « though’ have reafon and common fenfe on my fides 1 ret tapon earneft withingsnamely,to alipeoplean abfoluce trul ie God the creator, and not inccreaturess which is to malt feth our arme: that God may have his due honour’; which by che undutifuliieffe of many is ‘tuined ito difhonour,and offs caute of offence and error givenby common, received. evilexample, Andto your Lordfbip I with, as increale concur, fo continuance of good health, and happy daies Your Lordfhips to be commandedTo theright worlhipfull Sir 7 boas Scot, Knight, Orc. cy ir, Tfeeamong other malefaors many poor m old omen convented before you for works y ing of Miracles ,otherwife called witch. SG craft,o-sherefore 1: bouvbt youaljo ameet ® perfontowhom I might commend mybook, And here I have occafion to fpeakof your fiucere admi- nistration of juftice, and of your dexterity, diferetion, charge, and travel emploiedin that behalf,whereaf T am oculatusteltis.Hombeit I: bad rat ber refer the Reader to common fame,and their own cies andears to be fatisfieds, shen to fend them toa Stationers fhop,where many times lies are vendible,andtruth contemptible. For I being of your houle,ef your name,and of your bloudsyay foot being under your table, my hand in your di(h, or rather in your purfe, might be thought to flatter you in that wherein (I Anow) Lfhould rather offend youthan pleafe you. And what need I curry-favour with my wef? alfured friend? And if I fould only publifp thofe vertues (though they be many) which give me {pecial occafion to exhibit this my travel unto you.I fhould do asa painter, that defcribeth the foot of a xatable perfonage, and leavethallthe beoft features in bis body untouched, I therefore at this time) do only defireyouto confider of my-report, concerning the evidence shat is contmonly brought before you againft thens.see firft whether the evi= dence be not frivolous, and whether the proofsbronght againft then be nor incredible sconpiiting of guelfes, pre- Tropes impoffibilities contrary to reafu on, Scrip= a ture,The Epiftle. jure,& nalure.See alfo what perfons complain upon them, whether they be not of the bafeftthe izwifef? & moft faith- leffekind of people. Alo may it pleafe you to way what accufations and crimes they lay to their charge, namely? She was at my honfe of late. jhe would have bad a potof milk, foedeparted in a chafe becaufe Ze had it not, foe railed jhe cur fed, fhe mumbled and whifpered and finally Soe faid fhe would be even with me: and {oon after my child, my cow,my [ow,or my pullet died,or was Strangely taken .Nay(if it pleafe yourlW orfhip )1 have further proof: ‘Twas with a wife woman,e fhe told met had an ill neigh- bour, and that fhe would come to my honfeere it were tong,and fo did fhe and that foe had a mark above her _ wafte, and fo had jhe: and God forgive me, my ftomach hath gone againSt her a great whilee Her mother before her was counteda witch, foe hath beer beaten and {crat- ched: by the face till blond was drawn wpor her, becaufe (he hath bin fufpedted, and afterwards fome of thofe per- fons were Said to amend. Thefe are the certainties that hear in their evidences. Note alfo how eafily they may be bronght to confef that which they never did por liethin the power of man to do: audthen fee whether I have canfeto write asTdo.Further, if you fhall feethat infidelity,popery,and many other max nifest herefies be backed and fhouldered and their profel~ fors animated and heartned,by yielding to creatures fuch infinit power as is wrefted out of Gods band, and attri« butedto witches : finally,if you fhall perceive that I have faithfolly and truely delivered and fet down the conditi~ on and ftate of the witch,and. alfo of the witchmonger, and have con{uted by reafon and law, and by the word of God iv felfall mine adverfaries objections arguments: then let me have your countenance againft then: that max Lictoufly oppofe them/clues again§t me, § MyTheEpitle. My greateft adverfaries are young ignorance and old ith ee sept fame tract of tinxe bath foster- rh edd it is fo fuperftition fly purfued of fome, as shough no thy error could be acquainted with cuftome.But if the lawe of nations would join with fuch cuftom,to the maintenance ‘ of ignorance, & tothe fuppreffing 4 knowledgesthe civi- Left country in the world wouldfoon become barbarowscrce rm For as knowledge time difcovereth errors,fo doth {uper- il) ition andignorance in time breed thewe, And concerning moj, the opinions of ‘[uch,as wifh that ignorance foould rather righ be maintained, than knowledge bufily fearched for, be- nm canfe thereby offence may grow: I an{wer,that we are com. ey manded by Chrift himfelf to fearch for knowledge for John s. ml 4¢ is the kings honour ( as Solomon faith ) to fearch out a rov-15.1- thing. : on vAvifiotle faidto Alexander, that a mind well furni- cal Shed was more beautifull then a body richly arraied. What yo oar be more odious to man.or offenfive to God, than ig- th, *orance: for thronghignorance the Jewes did put Chrift aoe Si # | to death. Which ignorance whol ocver forfaketh,is promi- Sf fed life everlafting : and therefore among Christians it id Should be abhorred above all other things. For even as when we wreftle in the dark,we tumblein the mire,cc. fo when we fee not the truth,we wallowe inerrors.A blind wan may feck long in the rnfhes ere he find a needle sand 4 foonis.a doubt difcuffed by ignorance, Finally, truth is no fooner found out in ignorance,then 4 fweet favor in Gy, 4 dunghill. \ And if they will allow men knowledge, and Tht ive them noleaveto ufe it, men were much better be inl soithont it than haveit, For it is,as to have a talent,and uit t0hide it undér the earths or to put a candle under a Mavth.231 oil bufhell : or as to have a fhip,and tolet her lie alwaies in Mavhew s. wit the dock:wich thing how profitable it is, \ cam fay fome- ae bat svbat by experience, J a2 ButTheEpifile. it But hereof Inmeed (ay no more.for every mar, feet shat i none can be happy who knoweth not what felicity mean- eth.For what availeth it tobave riches, and notto have the ufe thereof 2 ‘Truly the heathen herein deferved more commendation then many christians, for they fpared no i pain.no coft,nor traveltto attain toknowlede, Pythago~ nas travelled from Thanus to Hgypt,and aftermards in= toCrete and Lacodemonias and Plato out of Athens in to-ttaly and Zigypt,and allio findout hidden fecrets and knowledge: which whem a man hath, he feemethtebe feparated from mortality. For previous Stones, andadlh | | other creatures of what value foever, are but counter | feits tothis jewels shey are mortall,corruptible and in— conftant , this isimmortal, pure and certain.Wherefore : i if Thave fearched and | found out any good thing ,thet ig~ | norance and time bath fmothered, the fame 1 commend untoyou; tomwbon though ome all that Ihave,yet am I Hi bold to make others partakers with yonir this poor gift. el ¥ourloving coufen RegeScot.Ges UG TG Totheright worfhipful his loving friends , Mafter Door Coldme’ Deanc of Rochester, and Matter Dottor Read-man Arch-deacon of Canturbury, &c. Aving fours outamo fuch civil, Magiftrates, as for direction of judgementyand for ordering miat- B, ters concerning juttice inthis common-wealth iy Cin my poore opinion) are very fingular perfons abo ( I bope) will accept of my good will, and exa~ mine my book by thei experience, as unto whom the matter therein contained dotb greatly appertaine : Ihave now again confidered of 170 otber points snamely,Divinity and Philo- fophy, whereupon the ground-work of my. book is laid. Where~ in although Zknow them to be very: ‘fuficiently informed, yet dotb not the judgement and cenfure of thofe canfes fe properly apper= tainto them-as untoyou, whofe fame therein bath” gotten preemi~ rence above all otbers that I know of your callings : andin that re fpedt Lam bold to joyne you with them, being all good neighbours togetber inthis common-wealth, and loving friends ento me. T do not prefent-sbie unto yeu, becaufe itis meet for you ; but for shat ‘you are meet for it (Imean) to judge spon it, tedefendit, and if need be to corre&t itsknowing tbat you bave learned. of that grave councellor Cato, not to fhame or difcountenance any body. For if Tthoxght you as ready, as able, to dilcharge me from mine in af fitiencie : I foould not bave been haftg (knowing your learning) to have written unte you : but if I foould be abathed to write to you, 1 foould fhew my felfe ignorant of your courtefie, Ligiow mine own weakneffe,wbich if it bave been able tomaintain this argument, tbe caufe is the ftronger. Eloquent words may pleafe the ares, but fuficient matter perferadeth the heart. Soa if Texbibit wbolfeme drink( though zt be fmall( ina treene dith with afaichful hand, Fbope it will be as well accepted , as frong wine afferedin a filver bowle with a flattering beart. . And jurely it in a point-of as great liberalicy to receive-a jmall thing shankful- ly»i The Epiftle. | ly, a6 to give and diftribute great and coftly gifts bountifully + | for there is more Jupplied with courteous antwers sthan with rich i rewards. The tyrant Dionyfius was not fo bated fer his tyranny, i as for bis cluarlith and firange behaviour. Among the poere Ifrax elites facrifices, Ged was (atisfied with the tenth partiof an Bpbab | of flower, foas it were ine ard good. — Corifi liked well of the pow I widowes mite. Lewis of France accepted a rape-root of clown | if>Conan.. Cyrus veuchfafed to drink a age cold water ont of the band of poor Sinzetes : and fo it may pleafe you to accept thie fimple book ct my bands, whichLfaitbfully exbibit unte yous rst ; i knowing-your opinions tosmeetmvith mine: but knowing your learning | and itd ement to be able as well 19 corredi me where I fpeake berein iN} unskilfully, as ethers when they {peake bereef malicioufly. Hit Som be juch doze.as they willbarke at my writings, wkeiber Ht Lmaintaine or refute this argument : as Diogenes fnarled borb il at the Rhocins and at the Lacedezmonians: at the one, becanfe Ui they were brave; atthe other 5 becaufe shey were not brave, Homer bimfelfe could not avoid reprochfull {peeches. 1 am fure tbat they which never fudied to learne any good thing , will fivdy 1 findfaules herest. I fer my part feare not thefe wart, nor all the adverfaries I baves were it nst for certain cowards, whe (I know) will come behind my back and bite me. But now to the matter. My queftion is not (as many fondly fup= pofewhether there be witches or nay: bat whether they can do fuch miraculous works as are inaputed unto them? Good i Mafter Deane, is it pofitle for aman to break his fat witb you at i Rochefter, and todine that day at Ducham with Mafter Deétor Hy Matthew 5 or can your enemie maime you, when the Ocean fea | is betwixt you ? What reall communityis betwixt a {pitit and a { body? Maya {piritnal body beceme temporal at bis pleafure 2 Or Hi] may a.carnall bedie become invifible ? is It likely tbat tbe lives of i] all Princes, Magiftrates, and Subje&s, fbeuld depend upon tbe i] Willyor ratber upon the with of « poor malicious doting old tole; f | and that power exempted fram the wife therich, the learned, the ! godly, ec? Finally, is it pofible fra man er woman to do any i of thofe miracles expre(fed inmy btck, and {e conftantly reported by ti great clarkes ? Ifyou fay, 05 then am I fatisfied. It you fay ! that God abfolucely, or dy meanes can cccemplifb all thofe, and Hy ™many more, I go with you. But witches may well fay they ae theféThe Epiftte, theferbings, bowbeit they cannot (bew bow they do them. If I for my part foould fay 1 could do thofe things, my very adverfaries would fay that I lyed. O Mafter Arch-deacon, iit not pitty, that that which is fuid te be dene with the almighty power of the moft bigb God: , and by our Saviour bis onely foane Fe{usChrift our Lord, fbould be refer red toa baggage old womans fod or wifb, ec? Good Sir, és it not one manifest kind of Idolatry y for them that labour and are laden 10 come unto witches to be refrcthed ? If witches could helpe whom they are faid to bave made fitkyy Ufee no reafon,» but remedy might as well be required at their hands, ‘wapurte demanded of bim that bath ftolne it. But trulyit is manifold idolatry, to aske that of a creature, which none.can give tut the Creator. The papift barb fome colour of {cripture to maintaine bis idol of bread, bat no Je- fuitical diftinétion can cover the witchmongers idolatry in this bee balfes Alas, 1 am forry and afbamed to fee bow many die, that be~ ing {aid to be bewitched , onely feek for magical cures, whom wholefome diet and good medicines wou'd have recovered. 1 dare affure you both , that there would be none of tbefe cofening kind of witches, did not witchmongers maintaine them > follow thems and beleeve in them and their oracles ; whereby indeed all good learning and honelt arts are everthtowne, For thefe that moft advance their powers and maintaine tbe skill of thefe witches , under ftand ne part thereof s and yet being many times wife in ether matters, are made fooles by the moft foeles in the world. Me thinks thefe magicall phyficians deale in the common- wealth, much like as a certaine kind of Cynicall people do in the chure”, whole fevere fayings are accompted among fome {uch oracles, as may not be dowbted of 5 ‘whe in ftead of learning and authority (which they make contemptible) de feed the people with their own devifes and imaginations, which they preferre before all otber die vinity : and labouring to ered? a church according te their own fan= Siess wherein all order is condemned, and onely their magical words and curious diredions advanced, they would utterly svertbrow the trae Church. And even as thee inchanting Pavacelfians abufe the people ledding toem from the true order of phyfick to their charms: fi.do thefeoiber (1 fay) diffroade from hearkening to learning and obedience , and whifper in mens eares to teach them their trier= Ile traditions, And of this {e& tbe chiefe author at tbis time ix oneRom. 2.27 2,COnSiG> TheEpifle. one Browne, a fugitive, ameetcover for fach a cup: as bere. tofore the Anabaptifts tbe Arvians and the Francicane friers. Traly not onely natute, being the foundation of all pit ons fut alfo (cripture, being the miltreffe and diredior theres, and of all chriftianity , is beautified with knowledge ani learning. For as nature witboat di(cipline doth nattrally incline umovanities, and as it were fuck wpercors: fo dotb the word 5 a rather the letter of the {cripture without underftanding , not ont Jy make us devoure errors 5 but yeeldeth us-Mp to death & deftru: ion: and therefore Paul (aithhe,was not a minifter of the letter, burof the fpirie...— Thus have 1 been bold to deliver unto the world, and to you, thoft {imple xotessreaCons,and arguments,mbich I bave devited or col Letied out of ether autberss which bepe (hall be hurctul to none » by my felfegrear comfort, if it may palfe with good Iuking and.accep tation. If itfall cut otberwsfe, 1 (bould think my paimes éld im ployed. Ferjiraly, in mine opinion, whejocver (ball perform any thing, or attaine 10 any knowledges or mbofeever foeuld tea vel. throughout ail the nations of the world, or (if itm poflible) fbould peepe into the heavens,the confolation or ad miration sbereof were noibing pleafant unto bim,inlefle be bad li berty to impart his knowledge to his friends. Wherein becai} Ihave made fpecial ebvife of yeu, Uhope you will read it, or att leaft lay it up in your Study with your other bookes,among whit there is none dedicated to any with more geod. will. Andi long as you bave it, itfball be unto you (upon adventure of m life) a certain amulet, periapt,circle,charme,é.to defend ys from all inchantments. Your loving friend Reg. Scots GUVVVIISVIVVVIITT 942 = a= oF sesitiiee. oral bud HHEESED ESE SEES EESPEL SELES EES ESOS ES SOGSsSCCSsSs SOs PEERVEVOS ETFS THOT ESSE ETT OETT IG 1 OF To the Readers. © you that are wife and di(cteet few words may fuffice : for fuch a one judgeth not at the firft fight, nor repro: veth by hearfay 5 bat patiently heareih,and thereby ia- creafeth in undeiftanding : which patience bringeth forth experience, whereby true judgement is direéted. I hall not need therefore to make any further fuite to you, but that it would pleafe you to read my book, with- _ out the prejudice of time,or former conceite: and having obtairied this ac Your hands,|fubmit my felf unto your cenfure. But co make a folema fait fo you that are partial readersydefiring you to fet afide partiality, to take in good pare my writing, and wich indifferent eies to looke upon my Book, were labour loft, and time ill imployed. For I fhould no. more Prevaile herein, then ifa hundred years fince | fhould have intreated your predeceffors to beleeves that Robin good-fellow, that grear and. gocient bull-begger, had been but acoufening merchant » and no devil indeed. If fhould go to a Papift, and fay, I pray you beleeve my writings, wherein I will prove all popifh charmes, conjnrations, exorcifines, bene- dictions and cnrfesy, not onely to be ridiculous, and of none effe@, bur allo to be impious and contrary to Gods word: I fhould as hardly. there» in win favour at their hands, as herein obtain credit at yours, Neverthe- leffe, [doubt not, but ro ufe the marter fo , that as well the maffemon- ger for his part , asthe witchmonger for his, fhallbothbe athamed of their profeflions. But Robin good-fellow ceafeth now to be much feared, and popery is fufficiently difcovered. Nevertheleffe, witches charms, and conjurors coufenages are yet thought effe@uall. Yeathe Gentiles have efpied the fraud of their coufening oracles, and out cojd prophets and inchanters make us fools ftill, to the fhame of us all, -but {pecially of Papifts, who Conjure every thing, and thereby bring to paffe nothing. They fay to their candles, { conjure you to endure for ever : and yet they laft not pa- ter nofter while the longer. They conjure water to be wholefome both for body and foule: bus the body ( we fee) is never. the better for its nor the foul any whit reformed by ize And therefore { marvel,thac when they fee their own conjurarions confated and brought co nought, or at the leaft void of effea, chat they (of all other) will yet give fuch credit, countenance, and authority to the vaine confenages of witches and con= jurors 5 as chough their charmes and conjarations could produce more ape Ife ar. Proverbs tsMal. malef. per.a.qua de pPete get Diners in fue prolege. The Epiftle apparent, cettaine » and better effes then their owne- But my requcft unto all you that read my book fhall be no. more, but that it would pleafe youto conferre my words with your own fenfe. and ‘experiencejand alfo with the word of God. If you find your felves re- Gica sed itehicds OF wher ieosmel Gwagbaled .incasyscuc you 1 Opinion, that heretofore yon held contrary to truth, in a miatcer hie therto undecided and never yet looked into 511 pray you take that for ad~ vantage + and fufpending your judgement, flay the fencence of condem- nation apainft me, and confider of the Reft,at your further leifare. If this may nor {office for to perfwade you, it cannot prevaile to annoy you: and. ‘then, chat which is written without offence, may be overpaffed without a~ ny griefe. " fod although mine affertion,be fomewhat differing from the old inve+ terate opinion, which I confeffe hath many gray hairs,whereby mine ad~ verfarys have gained more authority then teafon, towards the mainte- nance of their prefamptions and old wives fables : yet fhallit fully agree. with Gods glory, and with his holy word. And albeit there be hold ta~ ken by mine adverfarys of certain few words or fentences in thie Scripture thar make a fbew forthem : yet when the whole coufe thereof maketh. againft them, and impogneth che fame yea and alfo their own places rightly undesftcod do nothing at all releeve them: I croft their glorious title and argument of antiquity will appear as ftaleand corruptas the A: potheciries diugs, or grocersfpice, which the longer they be “prefer+ ved, the worfe they ate. And till you have perufed my book, ponder this in your mind; to wity that’ Sagay Theffale, Strigesy Lamie ( which words and none other being in ufe do properly fignifie our witches) are nor once found written in the old or new Teftament 5 and. that Chrift hitn(elfip his Gufpel never mentioned the name. of a witch. And that neither he, nor Mofes ever fpake any one word-of the witches bargaine wich the: devil, theirhagging, their riding in the airey theic transferring of cormvor graffe fiom one Held co anorher, “their hurting’ of children or cattel wiih words or charmes,their bewitching of burtet, cheefe, ale, &c. nor yer their tranfabftantiation ; infomivh as the writers hereupon are not afhamed to fay, that it is not abfutd to effirm that-there were no: witches in, Jobs time. The rea‘on iss that iftthere bad been fach witches then in beingy Job would have laid he had: been bewitched. But indeed men-rook no heed in thofe dais co this do@rine. of devils y-t0: wit, to shefe fables of witcherafr, which Peter faich that fhal be much regarded and: hearkened wi'to in the latter dates. Howbcit, how ancient (0 ever this barbarous conceipt of witches om- niporencie is, truth maf not bemeatured by time : for every old. opinie conis norfound. Veritie is not impaired, how long (oever it be fup- prefleds but is to be fearched out, in how darkea corner foeverit lye hidden + for it is: not like a cup of ale, that mray be broched too fathe, Finally 5 time bewraieth old errors, and: difeovereth new matters of truth: Danaus himfelf(aith, chav chis queftion hitherto hath never been: handled 5. nor the Scriptures concerning this matter have never bin exe pounded. ‘To prove the antiquity of the caufey: ro-confirme the opini= on.* 2S, 2 2 4.2%. & Ft Tothe Readers. on ofthe ignorant, t6 inforte mine adverfaries atguments, to appravare the punithment:,’ and toaccomplifh the confufion of thefe old women, is added the vani/y and wickedneffe of them, which ate called witches. the arrogancy of thofe which take upon thein to worke wonders, the de. fire that people have to hearken to fuch miraculous matters, unto whom molt commonly an impofibility is more credible than a veritys the igno- ‘ance of naturall caufes, che ancient and univerfall hate conceived agaiult the name ofa witch 5. their ill-favouted faces, their Ipitefull words, their ccurfes and imprecations, their charmeS made in rime, and their bepge« 1y5 the fear of many fooli(h folke, the opinion of fome that ate wile, the want of Robin good-fellow and the fairies, which were wont to maintain that, and the commion peoples talkte in this behalf; che au. thority of the inquificors, the learning, cunning, confent, and eftiny.ti- on of writers herein, the falfe ttanflations anid fond mieipretations 1 fed, {pecially by Papifts; and many other like caules. All which coies take fuch hold upon mens fanfies, as whereby they are led and enciced a- way from the confideration of true tefpedts, to the condemnation of that which they know nor. Howbeit, U will (by Gods grace) in this ty book e, {o apparently de- cipher and confute thefe cavils, and all other their objegtions 348 every witch monger fhall be abafhed, and all good mien thereby fatisfed. In the mean time, Iwould with them to know that if neither the eftimari. on of Gods omniporeney, nor the tenor of his word, nor the doubtful- neffe or rather the inipofibility of che cafe, nor the fall profes brought aguinft them, nor the rigor execured upon them ; nor the pitty that fhould be in a chriftian hearty nor yet their fimplicicy, impotency, of age may fuffice to fappreffe the rage ot rigor wherewith they are ovptel- fed 5 yet the confideration of their fex oF kind ought to move fome miti- gation of their puifhment. For if natare (as Plinie reporteth) have taught 4 lion not to deale fo roughly with a wontan as witha man, be- Gaule the is in body the weaker veffell, and in heart more inclined co. pit- Lam ty ( whicl Jeremy in his lamentations (eemeth to confirme), what thonld L%™-Ter-3+ aman doin this cafe, for whom a woman was created asan helpe and © 4: C@P- comfort uncobin ? In fo much as even in the law of narures it i a greater VTE 10- offence to flay a woman than aman: not becaufe a man is not the more 1, COUIT-®* excellent creature, but becavfe a woman is the weaker vellell, And (bid ie therefore among all modeft and honeft perfons it is thought a fhame to O°:2:22 18 offer violence or injury to awoman s in which refpeGt Virgil laith, Wale ATi lb. Lam memor aBile nomen feeminea in prena eft preblem 2:9. God chat knowech my heart is witneffe, and you’ that read my book Ving Georg. fhall fee, that my drift and purpofe in this enterprife tendeth onely to thefe refpedts. Fisft, chat the glory and power of God be not fo abvidg. edand abafed, as to be chruftinto the hand or lip of a lewd old womans whereby the works of the Creator thou! be attribuited to the power of a creature Secondly.that the religion cf the gofpell. may be feen to fland withone fi ch peivith trumphery Thirdly, that Jawfull favour and chii= ftian compaffion be rathet ufed towards thefe poor fooles, than igor and extremity. Becaufe they, which eee accufed of witch-craft, 2 areEecl'35.15> The Epifile are the leaft fofficient of all other perfons to fpeake for themfelves 5 a5 having the moft bafe and fimple education ofall others5 the extremity of their age giving them leave co dotes their poverty to beg, their wrongs to chide and threaten (as being void Of any other way of revenge) theit homor melancholicall to be full of imaginacions, from whence chiefly proceedeth the vanity of their confeffions 5 as that they can transforme themielves and orhers into apes » owles, affes, dogges, cats, Sc. that they can flie in the aire, kill children with charmes, hinder the coniing of butrer 8c. And for fo much as the mighty helpe themfelves together and.the poor widowescry, though it reach co heaven, is {carce heard here wpon earth 5. Ithonght good (according to my poor ability ) to’ make ine terceffion, that fome part of common rigor, and fome points of hafty judgement may be advifed upon. For the world is now at that ftay( as Brentius in amoft godly fermon in thefe words affirmeth) that even a when the heathen perfecuted the Chriftians, if any were accufed to bee leeve in Chrift, chetcommon people cried Adleanem: fo now, if any woman, be fhe never fOhoneft, beaccufed of witch: craft, they cry Ad ignem. What difference is between the rath dealiug of unskilfall peo: plesand the grave counfell of more difcreet and learned perfons, may ap peat by a tale of Danaus his own telling; wherein he oppofeth the rafkte neffe ofa few townfmen, tothe counfell of a whole (enare: preferring the folly of the one, before the wiome of the other. AcO leance on Loyre (faityhe) there was a man-witch, not only takzn and scculed;bur alfo convidted and condemned for witch-craft,who appealed from thence to the high conrt of Paris. Which accufation the fenate faw in (oftcient,and would notallow, but laughed thereat, lightly regarding it 5 and in the end {ent him home (‘faith he) as acuufed of frivolous marter. And yet for all that,the magiftrares of Orleance were fo bold wichhim, as rohang bim up within athore time after,for the fame ‘or the very like offence: In which example is to be fen the nature,and as it were the difeale of this caule :. wherein (1 fay) the fimplet and une difcreeter fortare alwaies more hafiy and furious in judgements , than men of better reputationana knowledge. Nevertheleffey Eunichivs faith that thefe three things. towit, what is to be thought of wicches, what their incantations can do, and whether their punithment fhould extend to death, are to be well confidered. And J would (“aith he) they weie aswell known, 3s they are rathly beleeved, bo:h of the learned, and une Teirned. And further he faith, that almost all divines, phyficians and lqwyers, who fhould belt know thefe macters, facisfing themfelves with old cuftome, have given roo much eredic 0 thele fables,and co rafh and njuft fentence of death upon witches, But when aman pondreth (faith he) that in times paft, all chat fwarved from the church of Rome were judged heretikes 5 itis the leffe marvell, though. in this matter they be blind and ignorant. ‘And Surely, ifthe Scripture had been longer fappreffed, more ab- fard fables would have fprung wp, and been beleeved. Which credulity shovgh it is to be derided wich laughter 5 yet this their cruelty is offTo the Rerdeas. famented with teares. For (God knoweth) many of thefe poor wretches had more need tobe releeved chan chaftifed; and more meet were a preacher toadmonith them, than a Jailer to keep them 5 and a phyfici- an more neceflary to helpe them, than an executioner of tormentor £0 hhangor burn them. For proof and due triall hereof, 1 will requite Da- nas his tale of aman-witch (as he termeth him) with another witch of the fame fex or gender. Cardanus from the montlyof his own father reporteth, that one Bet 7 ib, 15, cep nard, a poor fervant, beingin wit very fimple and rude, but in his fervice 19 de verie- very neceffary and diligent (and in chat relpeét deerly beloved of his ma 5 gri6.rerum. fier) profelfing the are of wicch-crafr,could in no wife be diffwaded. from a that profeffion, perfwading himfelfe that he knew all thingsy and could bring any matter to pafle ; becaufe certain country-people reforted to him for helpe and counfell,, as fuppofing by his own talke, that he could do fomewhat. At length he was condemned to be barned : which tor menthefeemed more. willing to offer, than to loofe his eftimation in that behalfe. Bot his mafter having compaffion upon him, and being himfelfe in his princes favour, perceiving his conceipt to proceed of me- lancholie, obtained refpit of execution for twenty daies. In which time (ith he.) his mafter bonntifully fed him wich good fat meat, and with. four egs at a meale, as al{o with fweet win: which diet,was beft for fo grofie and weake a body. And being recovered fo in ftrengthy that the humor was fupprefied, he was eafily won from his abfard and dangerous opinions, and fromall his fond imaginations : and confefling his error and folly, from the which before no man could remove him by any per fwafions, having his pardon, he lived long a good member of the Church, f whom otherwfe che cruelty of judgement fhould have caft away and de- Loli -ftroyed. yet. This hiftory is more credible than Sprengers. fables, ot Bedins bablesy =z which reach not fo far to the extolling of witches omnipotency, as¢o the tik _derogating of Gods glory. For if ic be true, which they affirme, that die our life and death lyeth ia the hand of a witchsthen is ir falfe,thatGod ma- the ‘eth us live or die,or that by him we have our bein our terme of time ‘fi appointed. andourdaies numbred. But furely their charmes canno ‘dhe «more reach to the hurting or killing of men cr women, than their ima- sted ginations can extend to the ftealing and carrying away of horfes and rai mates. Neither hath God given remedies to ficknefle or grielis bY amos 3.6 Im wordsor charmes, but by hearbs and medicines » which he himfelf hath {a'tey 5 ge a created upon earth, and given men knowledge of the fames that he paige 53” ry might be glorified, for that therewith he doth vouch fafe that the mala- 45-9. That dies of men and cattle thould be cured, &c.And if there be no affiéion (Gil, nor calamity, bucis brought co palle by him, then let us defie the devil, ewe renounce allbis works, aud not fo much as once think or dream upon: ijk this fapernatural power of wicches, neither let us profecute them with fach defpight, whom our fanfie condemneth, and our reafon. acqnitteth: e® our evidence againft them confifting in impofibiliries, our proofes ddd in unwricten verities, and our whole proceedings in doubts and diffi- sok -sultics. a S8e8 raw Sees Fess282 Seek = B3 Now.The Epistle dc. ‘Now becaufe I miflike the extreame cruelty ofed againft fome of thefe filly fouls (whoma fimple advocate haying audience and juftice might deliver out of the hands of the inquificors chemfelves) it will be faid, th Ideny any punifament at all to be due to any witch whatfoever. Nal becaufe bewray the folly and impiety of them, which attribuce unto witches the power of God: thefe witchmongers will report» that I de- ny there are any witches at all : and yet behold (fay they) how ofrenis this word (Witch) meationed in the Scriptutes? Evens if am idolacer fhould fay in “he behalfe of images and idols, ro chem which deny cheit Power and godhead, and inveigh agsinft the reverence done unto. them; How dare you deny the power of images, fecing there names ave fo often repeated in the Scriptures? Bot tfuly 1 deny not that there are witches or images : buc | derelt the idolateys opinions conceived of them ; referring thar to Gods work and ordinauce, which they impote to the power. an: malice of witches; and attributing that honour ro God which they afe:ibe to idols. But asfor thofe that in very deed are either witches or conju: tors; let them hardly foffer fuch punifhmenc as co theie fault is agreeable, and as by the grave judgement of law is provided. YISVSVSUSVIFVV IT ITY The = PUVIPT- VIPH YRS VVNIHYRF eRraeLe ht aasetPssenre Theforreign Authors ufed in this Book. Lianus. Cornelius Agrippae Hovinus. Activs. Cornelius Nepos, Hypertus. Albertus Crantzis. Cornelius Tacitus. Jacobus de Chufa Car- ‘Albertus Magnus. Cyrillus, thufianus. ‘Albomazar. Danaus. fests. Alcoranum Francifca- Demetrivs. jafo Pratenfis. norum. Democritus, Lonocentius 8.. papas Alexander Trallianas, Didymos. Johannes Anglicus. Algerus. Diodorus Siculus. "Johannes Baprifta Nea Ambroftus- Dionyfius Areopagita. —_ politanus. Andradias. * Diofcorides. Johannes Caffianus. Andrazas Gartnerus. —_Diurius. lohannes Montiregrus. ‘Andraas Maffivs. Dodonaus. johannes Rivius« Antonius Sabellicns. © Durandus, lofephus ben Gorions Apollonius Tyanzus. Empedocles. Jofias Simlerus. Appianus. Ephefins, ifidorus. Apuleius Erafmus Roterodamus. Ifigonus. Archelaus. Erafmus Sarcetins. luba. Argerius Ferrarius. Eraftus. julius Maternus. Ariftoreles. Evdoxus. juftinus Martyr. Arnoldus de villa nova. Eufebius Cxfarienfis. La&tantius. Artemidoras. Fernelivs, Lavaterus. Achanafius. Franci cus Petratcha. Laurentius Ananias, Avertoés. Fuchfius. Laureatius a villavicen- Augoftinus epifeopus Galenus- tio. Hip. Gerropius, Leo 11, Pontifex: Aoguftinus Niphus. -_Galafius. Lex Salicarum. Avicennase Gemnia Phryfius. Lex 12. Tabulaum. Aulos Gellius. Georgios PiGtorits- Legenda aurea. Barnardinos de binftis- _Gofridus. Legenda longa Golo- Bartholomaus Angli- Gofchaleus Boll. nize cup Gratianus. » Leonardus Vairusy Berofus Anianus. Gregorius- Livius, Bodinus. Grillandas. Lacanus, Bordinus. Guido Bonatus, Lucretius, Brentius. Gulielmus de fan&o — Ludovicus Calius.. Calviaus- Cloddaldo. Lutherus. Camerarins. Guliclmus Patifienfis. Macrobius. | Campanns. Hemingins. Magna Charta- Cardanus pater. Heraclides, Malleus Maleficarum. Cardanus filins, Hermes Trifmegifius. Manlius. Garolus Gallas. Hieronymus: Marbacchius. Caffander. ~ — Hilarius, Marbodeus Gallus. Garo. Hippocrates. Marfilius Ficinus, Chryfoftomus. Hemerus. Martinus de Arles. Gicero. Norativs. Mattheolus,, Clemens. Noftienfis. Mclanéthonus, Memphra-Memphradorus, Michael Andreas. Mufculus. Nauclerus. Nicephoros. Nicholaus 5. Papa. i Nider. i| Olaus Gothns. Origenes. Ovidius. Panormitanu: Paulus Aigi i| Paulus Marfas. Perfius. Petrus de Appona. Petrus Lombardus+ Petsos Martyr. Peucer. Philarchus. Philaftrius Brixienfis. Philodocus Philo Judauss, Pickmairuse Platina. Plao. Piinius. Plotinus. ! Plararchos. | Polydorus Virgilias, ‘Pomeeriom firmonum qoadragefimalium. Propertinse | Pfellus. | Ptolomeus. Forreign and Englifh Authors. Pyshagorass vig ilianuss Rabbi abrahom. Rabbi ben Ezra. Rabbi David Kimbi. Rabbi Jofuah ben Levi. Rabbi [(aac Natar- Rabbi Levi- Rabbi Motes. Rabbi Sedaias Haias. Robertus Carocullus. Rupertas. Sabinus. Sadolecns: Savanorolas Scotus. Senecas Sepeuaginta interpre res. Serapio.” Sccrates. Solinus. Speculam exemplo- rom. Strabo, Sulpitius Severus. Synefius, Tatianus. Tertullianus. Thomas Aquinas, Thengttins. Theodorerus. Theodorus Bizantius. Theophraftus. Thucidydess ‘Tibullus. Tremelius. Valerius Maximise Varro, Vegetiuse Vincentius. Xantus hiftoriogra- phus. Thefe Englifh. B smaby Goege- Beehive of the Rov ith church. Edward Deering. Geffrey Chaucer. Giles Alley. Gnimelf Maharba, Henry Haward. John Bale. ‘John Fox, John Malborn. John Record. Piimer after Yorke ufe. Richard Gallis. Roger Bacon. Teltament printed at Rhemes. T-£.a nameles Author, 457- Thomas Hilles, Thoma: Lupron. Thomas Moore Kuighti Thomas Phaer, ‘T. R-anameles Authot 393- William Limbard. ‘W. W. anamelefie Al hon. 5420 ¢ 2 ¢PROFITS ELSES SEF ESEG coavereooretenen The difcovery of Witchcraft, The firft Book. CHAP. £ An impeachment of Witches power in meteors and elementary bodies» tending to the rebuke of fuch as attribute too much unto them, I TEL beseeseteseesssssesegesegs: Da aaa aes: ! ! He Fables of Witch-craft have taken'fo ‘faft hold and deep root in the heart of man, that few or none can, (now adaies)with patience indure the hand and corres dion of God. For if anyladveriity, greefe, fickneffe, loffe of children, com, cattell, or liberty happen un- fothem 5 by and by they exclaime upon witches: as Job s- though there were no God in Ifael that ordereth all things according to his will , punithing both juft unjaft and. with preefes , plagoes, and atfictions in manner and forme as he thinketh good : but that certain old women here on earth, called witches, muif needs be the contrivers ofall mens calamicies,and as though they themlelves were innocents, and had deferved no fach punifhments. — Infomuch ae they ick not ro ride and go to fuch,as either are. injurioufly tearmed witches, or elfe are willing fo tobe accounted, (éeking at-their hands comfort and remedy in time of their cribulation, contrary to Gods will and com. i mandement in that behalfe, who bids us refort to him in all our nece(fi, Mat: 12+ ties. Such faithleffe people (I fay) are alfo periwaded, that neither haile Rorfnow, thunder nor lightning, rain mor tempeftuous winds come from the heavens at the commandement of God but are raifed by the cone hing and power of witches and conjarers5 infomuch as a clap of thum- det, or a gale of windeisno fooner heard, but either they runne ro ring bels, or cry out to burne witches or elfe burne confecrared things, hoping by the fmoak thereof, to drive:the devill outof the aire as though {Pris could be fraid away wich fach externall toies : howbeits thefe se fight inchantments, as Breutius atfirmeth. Bur certainly, it is neither awitch, nor devil, but @ glorious ¥ God that maketh the thunder. 1 have read in the Seripares’ the Goat Phil.2s. maketh the bluttering tempefts and whicle-winds:and 1 find that ie * the Pal 83. ford that altogether dealeth with them, and thar they - blowe second Ecclefi43. ing tohis will.’ But let me fee any of them all * rebuke and: fill she Luke 8. fea in time of tempeft, as Chrift did or raife the ftormy wind, as* God Mach 8. Sid with his word s and I will beleeve in them» Hach any witch or con» Mark.4.4t- Jer, oF any creature entred into the * treafures of the fhowe; or feen Luk. 3.14. c the Pfal.107. In concionts> Job38.22. Eccletg3. vesle 334+ Pha 78.23. Nahom.1. Job.26.8. Job.37- Pfalmer 35- Jer.10.8 15. Of. 13. Ffa39. &c. Imeepiftad To. Wierum fantle Trinit, Mar 4.41» 4. Books The difcovery. Credulity, the fecret places of che haile, whichGOD hath’ptepated againit the day oftrouble, battell, and warre ? Kfor my pace allo thinke with JefusSi- tach, that at Gods onely commandement the fuow falleth 5 and that the wind bloweth according to his wil,who onely maketh all ftormes to ceafe and * who (if we keep his ordinances) will fend us rain.in due feafon, and make the land to bring forth her ineteafe,, and the ‘trees of the field to give their fruit: . Bat little think ovr witch-mongers, that the * Lord commandeth the clouds above, or openeth the doors ofheaven, as David affirmeth; ot that the Lord goeth forth in the tempefts and ftormes, as the Prophet * ‘Nahum reportech ; bat rather that wisches and conjurers, are shen about their bufineffe. “The Marcionifts acknowledged one God the author of good things, and another the ordainer of evill: but thefe make the ‘devilla whole God, to create things of mothing, to know mens cogications, and to do t which God. never did 5 .as) to cranfubftatiate men into beafts) 6 ‘Which thing if devi's could do, yer followeth is not, thar wisches. have foch power. But if all the devilsin hell were dead, andall che witches in England burned or hanged; L warrant you we thould nor fail co have rain,haile and tempeltsjas now we have :according to the appointment & will ofGods8 accotd:ng to the confticution of the elements,and the coutle of the planets,whereiw God hath feca perfeét and perpetuall order- fam allo well affured, that if all the old women in the world were witches 5 andall the priefts, conjurers : we fhould not have a drop of tain, nora blaft of wind the more orthe leffe for them. For * the Lord hath bound the waters in the clouds, and hath fet bounds about the warers, untill:the day and night come to an end + yea it is God that raifeth the winds and fRilleth them’ and he faith to therain and fnowe; Be upon the earth, and itfalleth.. ‘The* wind of the Lord, arid not the wind of witches, thall deftroy the treafures. of their pleafant veffels, and acy up the fountaines 5 faith Ofeas,Let usal(o learn and confeffe with the Prophet Dauidy: that we* our felves are the caufes of our affli@ionsjand nor exclaim upon witches, when-we fhould call upon God for mercy. TheImperiall law (faith Brentius). condemneth them to death that trouble and infed the aire : but 1 affirme (faith he) that itis neither in the power of witch nor devill fo ro do, bat in God only.“ Though (bee fides Bodin, and all the popith writers in generall) it pleafe Danews, Hy- petins, Hemingins; Eraflus, &c. v6 conclude otherwife. The clouds * are called the pillars of Gods tencs) Geds chariots, and’ bis pavillions. ‘And ifit be (0, what wicch or-devitl cau’ make mafteriés thereof? S. Anguftine faith, “Nom eft putandum iftis teanfgreforibus angelis fervire bene , Teram vifibifium materiem,fed foli Deos We moft not think that thefe vifible things ate at che commandement of the angels that fell,but areobe- dient to the only God- Finally,. if witches ‘could: accomplifh’ thefe’ things what needed it fem fo ftrange’ to the people,’ when Chrift by smitaéle * commanded both feasand winds, Sc. For it: is writcén 5 Who is this? for ott wind and-fea obey him. aCredulity, of Witchraft. Cap.lI- 3. OHAp. In The inconvenience grewing by mens credulity berein, with @ reproefe of [ome church-men, which are inclined to the common conceived opinion of witches omnipotencie, and a familiar example thereof. RPP Uc the world is now {o bewitched and over-run with i} @ this fond error.that even where. man fhould {eck com- fore and counfelly there fhall he be fent (in cale of ne~ NA) { have heard (co my grief) fome of the miniftery affirme, that they have had in their parifh at one inftant, 17- or 18. Witcher, ‘meaning fich as could worke miracles fopernaturally. Whereby they ma. nifefted as well their infidelity and ignorance, in conceiving Gods word; as their negligence and eritor in inftrugting their flocks. For they them: felves might underftand,. and alfo, teach their paithoners, thit * God only worketh great wonders and that it is he which fendethy os oo, ge fuch punifhments to the wicked; and. fuch srials. to the eleé : accord. ee ing co the faying of the Prophet Haggai, 1 fmote youwith blafting and 13% mildew, and with baile, i all the labours of your hauds; and yet you scremie ee turned not uato me, faith the Lord. And therefore faith the fame Pro. t Hag: 2. 28. Bhet imanother place * you have fowen much, and bring in little. " And both in *Jocl and * Leviticus, the like phrafes and prootes are ufed See and made. But more fhall be faid of this hereafter, Jockin, S. Pau! fore-(aw che blindneffe and obftinacy, both of thefe blind fhep- Leviti-26. herds,anid alfo oftheir fcabbed theep, when he fad | They will nor (Offer 5 Tim.4.3 4 phollome doctrine, but having their eares itching, fhall’ get them a2 Titt43 4 heap of teachers after cheir own lufts;. and fhall tnrue their cares. from i the trarh, and fhall be given to fables. And *in the. Incres time t Tim-4-1, {ome thal depart from the faith, and fhall give heed to (pitits Of erro te {nd dottrines of devils, which fpeak lies (as witches and ‘conjurets do> u« caft thou away fuch prophane and old wives fables. {In which fenie Bef Gith ; Who fo giveen heed to inchanters, hatkeneth to a fabulous and frivilous thing. Buc {will rehearfe an example whereof my {elle am nor only Oculatus teftisy but have examined the caufe, and am to jultife the truth of my repore: not becaule 1 would difgrace the mini. Hers chat are godly, buc to confitme my former affertion, that thie dhe furd error is growne into the place, which fhould be able vo expel all fuch ridiculous folly and impiery. Ac the affizes holden at Rochefter, Anno C2 §58x. one Margaret Simons, the4 —‘1.Book. Thedifcovery Credulity, € A ftory of the wife of lobn Simons, of Brenchly in Kent, was artaigned for witch: Margaret. Si- craft, at the inftigation and complaint of divers fond and malicious per. mons,. a fap- fons jand fpecially by the. meanesof one {ohn Ferrall vicar of that pari; yofed witch. with w hom I ralked about that macter and found him both fondly affo. 1 ted i the caufe, and envioufly bent towards her : and (whichis worfe) 35 unable to make a good account of his faith, as fhe whom he accufed ‘That whichhe, for his part, laid to the poore womans cliarge;was this. His fon(being an ungracious boy,and prentile to one Robert Scotchford clothier, dwelling in thac parifh of Brenchly ) paffed on a day by her houfe 5 at whome by chance her little dog barked. Which thing the boy taking in evil pare, drew his knife, and purfued him therewith even to her door whom thie rebuked with fome fuch words as the boy dif dained, and yet nevertheleffe would not be perfwaded to depart in a Iongtime. Acthe lafthe returned to his mafters houfe, and within } five or fix daies fell fick. Then was called to mind the fray becwixt the dog and the boy + infonuch the vicar (whothoagh himvelf fo pris edged, as he little miftrufted that God would vif his children with fick neffe )- did fo caleulate 5 as he found, partly through bis own judgement and parcly (as he himfelf told me) by the relation of other witches, chat —¢ his faid fone was by ker bewitched. ‘Yea, he alfo told me, that this hig 4 fon(being as it were paft all cure)received perfedt health at the hands of 6 another witch. 7 He proceeded yet farther againft her, affirming, that alwaies in his par rith-chusch, when he defited to read moft plainly,his voice (0 failed himy fg ashe could {cant beheard acall. Which he could impute, hefiid, © wy nothing elfe, butto her inchantment. When J advertifed the poor wo fj man hereof, as being defirons to hear what fhe could fay for her felfej hy fhe told me, that in very deed his voice did much faile him, {pecially Pp wheu he (trained himfelf to fpeake lowdeft, Howbeit, fhe faid that at jj all times his voice was hoarfe and low, which thing I perceived to ben, true. But firs faid fhe, you fhall underftand, that this our vicar is difea: ay ‘ fed with fuch a kind of hoasfeneffe, as divers of our neighbours in this parith not long fince, doubted that he had the French-Pox ; andin that refpe& utterly refafed rocommunicate with him : untill fuck time a } (being thereunto injoined by M. D. Lewen the ordinary ) he had . brought from Londenacertificar, under the hands of two Phyficians, that his hoarfenes proceeded. from a difea(e in the lungs. Which certificate he ‘publithed in the church,in the prefence of the whole congregation:and by this meanes he was cured, or rather excufed of the thame of his difeafe And this 1 know to he true by the relation of divers honeft men of chat ft parith. And truly, ifone of the Jary had not been wifer then the othety Ti the had been condemned chereapon,and upon other as ridiculous matters i i as this. For the name ofa witch is f6 odious, and her power fo feared x i i mong the common people, rhar if the honefteft body living chance tobe b | ssraigned thereupon, fhe ftall hardly efcape condemnation. Whoéredulity. of Witchcraft. Capit. CHAP. Ill. Whorhey be that are called witches, with a manifeft declaration of the cawfe that movethmen fo commenly to think, and witches themfelwes to beleeve that they. can burt children,cattell, co with words, and imaginations; and of cofening witches. BONe fort of fuch as are faid to be witches, are women which be commonly old, lame, blear-eyed, pale » fowle, and full of wrinckles poor, fullen, faperfti- tious, and papifts 5 or fch as know noreligion: in whofe dronlie minds the devill ath gotten a finc feat 3 fo as whatimifchief, mifchance, calamity, or flaugh- ter is brought to paffe they are eafily perfwaded the 5 fame is done by themfelvessimprinting in their minds an earneft and. cons cardn de ftant imagination thereof. They are leane and deformed, fhewing me- lancholy in their faces, 10 the horror of all chat fee them. They are’ do- ting, (colds, mad, devillifhs and not much differing from them that are thought to be poffefled with fpirits » fo firme and fteadfaft in their Opinions, as whofoever fhall only have refpeé to the conftancy of their words uttered, would eafily beleeve they were true indeed, Thefe miferable wretches are fo odious unto all their neighbours}. and fo feared, asfew dare offend them, or deny them any thing they aske : whereby they take upon them,yea, and fometimes think,that they can do fuch things as are beyond the ability of humane nature.” Thefe go from houfe to Foate;ana from door to door for a pot full of milke,yeft,drinke, Pottage, or fome fach releefes without the which they could hardly ive : neither obtaining for their fervice and paines, nor yet by their arts nor yet at the devils hands (with whome they are fa'd to make a perfed and vifble bargaine) either beautysmony, promotiou, wealth, worlhip, pleafiure, honour, knowledge, learning, ot any other benelit whatfoe ever. Ie falleth out many times, that neither their neceffities, nor their ex- pedtation is anfwered or ferved, in thofe places where they beg or Borrowe; but rather their lewdneffe is by their neighbours reproved: And forther, in cra& of time the witch waxeth odious and tedious to her neighbours 5 and they again are defpiled and defpited of her = fo as fone times the curfeth one, and fometimes another 5 and that from the ma- fter of the houfe, hhis wife, children, catcell, Sc. to the little pig that Tieth in the ftie. Thos in proceffe of time they have all difpleafed hery and fhe hath withed evill luck unto them all; perhaps with curfes and imprecations made in forme. Doubtleffe (at lengeh) fome of her neigh Bours die, or fall fick; or fome of their children are vifited with difeafes chat vex them ftrangely : as apoplexies, epilepfic, convulfions, hot fevers, wormes, &c. Which by ignorant parents are fippofed to be the vengeance of witches. Yea and their opinions and conceits are C3 confirmed ‘varrernm:6 1Bedin. lia. de demons cap.ee Mal.Melef. Par-2.quaft. Tocap.a. 3. Book, Thedifcoveries Miracles, confirmed and maintained by unsllfal phyfitians, according to the com mon faying: Infcitia palm maleficium éy ixcantatio, Witchcraft and im % chantment is the cloke of ignorance : whereas indeed evill humors, ad not firange words, witchesy of (pits are the caufes of fach difeaes Allo fome of their carvell pe ith, either by difeafe or mifchance. The upon whom fach adverfi is fallyweighing the fame thar goeth pos ~j thi woman sher words,diflexfuréyand cutle-,meeting fo jufMly with thee misforcane, do noconely conceive, butalfo arc refolved that all thet ¢ miifhaps are brought to paffe by her onely meanes. 3 The wiseh on the other fide expeéting her neighbors mifchances, and 1 feeing things fometimes come to pale accoiding co her withey 9 cusfesy and meantations (fer Bodin himfelie confeffe:h, that not abow ¢ two in a houdred of their witchings or wifhings rake effeé) being callel wy before aJuttice,by doe examinacion of the circumftancesis driven o fee. 9 ther imprecations and defires,and Ler neighbours harmes and lofes ro com curre, and as i¢ were to. take effet: and fo confeffech thar fhe (ast 4 goddeG) harh brought fuch things t pafle. Wherein, not onely the, ba fi fhe acculer.and allo the Juice are foully deceived and, abled 5 as being. by through her eon(ellion and other circumftances perfivaded (co the injuy af of Gods glory) that fle ach done, or can do that which is proper onely of t0 God hiuifelfe. ‘Another fort ofwitches there are, which be abfolately cofeners. Theé ar take upon themyeither for glory, "fame, or gzine, to do eny_ thiny © which God orthe devil can dos either for foretelling of things ro come, w ewrayring of fecrets, curing of maladies, or werking of miracles: Bam of thefe I will elke more at Varge hereafter. = CHAP. Ill. cu What miraculous adtions are imputed towitthes by witchmangers,pas an pifts, and poets. ¥ Lthough it be quite againft the haire, and contrary t co the divels willcontrary t0 the witches oath, promi ch and homage, and contrary co all reafon,_ that witche an fhould helpe any thing that is bewitched 5 but tachet ter fet forward their maffers bufinelle: yet we read it vit Malles Maleficarnm, of three forts of witches; and ou the fame is affirmed by all the writers hereupon, new Io and old. One fort (they fay) can hurt and not helpes the fecond. eat fe helpe and not hurts the chird cau both helpe and harce And among the Loi hhurtfull witches hefaith there is one fort more beaftly than any kind dl ha beafts, faving wolves; for thefe ufitally devoure and eat young children in and iafants of cheir own kind, Thefe be they (faith he) that raife hail, tr tempefts, and hurtfall weather 5 as lightning, thunder, &c- Thefe be an they that procure barrenneffe it man, woman and beatt. Thefe cat wi throw children into waters, as they walke with their mothers, and fi notMiracles, of Witcheraft. Cap.lV. 7 not be fen: FThefe can make horles kick, till they cat the riderss Thele ean paffe from place to place in the air invifible. ‘Thefe can fo al- ter the minde of judges, they can have no power to hurt them.Thefe can Procure to chemfelves and to others, tacicarnity and infenibility in their forments- Thefe can bring trembling to the hands, and ftrike terror into the minds of them that apprehend them. Thefe can manifelt uto others, things hidden and loft, and forefhew things to comesand {ee them as though they were prefent. Thefe can altet mens minds to inors ee dinate love or hare: Thefe can Kill whom they lift’ with lightning and OM: a thunder. Thefe can take away mans courage, and the power of generati- Schane, on, ‘Thefe can make a woman mifcarry in child-birth, and deltroy the palehz: child in the mothers wombe, without any fenfible meanes cither ins ten ree outwardly applied. Thefe can with their looks kill either man Pf las ia 08 or beatt. All thefe things are avowed by lames Sprenger and Henry Inflitor ee Malleo Maleficarum;to-be troe, and confirmed by Nider, and the inqui- ie , fitor Cumanuss and alfo by Danaus, kyperius, Hemingius, and multiplyed Vi78-in Da- by Bodin, and Friet Bertholomaus Spinens. But becanfe Iwill in no wile ep 4 abridge the authority of their power, you fhall have alfo the teftimonies Tiber, K- of many other grave anthors in this behalfe 5 as followeth. bu hie fa And ficht Ovid affirmeth, that they can raife and fappceffe lightning /iR*t-lib.x- T@ and thunder, rain and haile, clouds and winds, tempefts and earthquakes. O°6 ou Mth Oshers do write, chac they can pull dowen the moonand che fines, Sere perenne a Write that with withing they can fend needles into the livers of their ene, ae Hi mies. Some that they can transferre corn in the blade from one place to, ie Tnead another. Some, that they cau cure difeafes fapernaturally,fiie in’ the air, Poe and dance with devils. Some write, that they can play the pare of Suc heen tb 6, cubus, and contra& themfelves to Incubus 5 and fo young prophets are 22 cu aoe upon them begotten; &c. Some fay they can tranfubftantiace themfelyes wh de MES Aff and others, and take the formes and thapes of affes, wolves, ferrets, on ae Cows, apes» hories, dogs, &c. Some fay they can keep devils and fpi- ” ibe firs in the likeneffe of todes and cats. Gea They can taife (pirits (as others affirme) drle, up fprings, turne the eet courfe of running waters,” inhibi the fun, and ftay both day and night, Seaton changing the one into the other.They can go in and out at awger-holes, bi bere and faile in an egge.fhell, a cockle or mufcel fhellythrough and under the (7 (21710/6 H fempeftuous fess. They can go inviible and deprive men of their pris Sid Vities, and otherwife of the act and ufe of venery. They can bring foules 5 <™zsinse f out of the graves, They can teare fnakes in peeces wich words » ad with Pte SEE: Jookeskill mbes. But in chis cafe a man may (ay, that Miranda canwat, CODEN. fednon credenda Poete. ‘They can alfo bring to’ paffe » that ‘cheme g, penile Jong as you lift, your butter will notcome ; efpecially, ifeither the maids Vibe, have carennp the creame 5 or the good-wile have fold the burter befurs et inthé market. Whereof I have hed (ome ttiall, although there may he "it: 4 true and narurall caufes to hiiider the common conrle thereof: as for ex: ample, Put a litle fope or fugar into your cherne of creame, and therc Mal htol Will never come any-butter, cherne as long as you lift. Bur M. dak Mal Malef. Stith, that thereisnot fo littlea village, where many women arg not shot Taek A bE be“ 48 i. Book. The difcovery TOFD: 9+ Johnssé. Marks.34- ‘To go to witches,8¢c. is idolatry, Miracles. bewitch, infeét and kill Kine, anddy up the milke + alledging for the ftrengthening ofthat aflerionythe faying of the Apoftle,Nanguid Deo ox: raft de bobus? doth God take any care of oxen? CHAP. Vv. Arconfatation of the common conceived opinion of witches and witch. craft, and baw deteftable a finne its te repaire to them for counfell or belpe in time of afflidtion. Pei wharfoever is reported ot conceived of fach mannet of witcherafts, i dare avow tobe falfe and fabulous (cofenage,dotages {and poyfone ing excepted: J neither is there any mention made of hele kind of wiches in the Bible. If Chrift had known them, he would not faye pretermicied te inveigh againtt their prefamprionsin taking upon them Risoftice: a, toheale and cure difeatess and ce work fuch miraculous and tapernatural chings, as whereby he him(elfe was fpecially_ knowns, Beleeved, and publifhed to be God 5 hisaétions ad cures confiting in order and effedt) according to the power by our witch-mongers imputed fo witches. Howbeinyif chere be any in thefe dayes affiéted im fuch ftrange forty. as Chiifts cures and patients are deferibed in the new teftament to have bea : we Ry from trafting in God to trafting in witches, who donotonly in theit cofening artakeon them the office of Chrift in this behalfe 5 but ule his very pharafe of fpeech to fuch idolavers,, as come to fecke divine affiftance at their hands,fayingsGo thy waies,thy fon or thy daughter, &c, hall do well, and be whole. Te will not (uffice co diffwade a witch: monger from tha he feeth the fequele and event. to fall out many tines contrary co thei affercion but in (uch cafe (tohis greater condemnation) he feckett farther to witches of greater fame. Ifallfaile, he will rather thinke lt ‘came an hour too late sthan that he went a mile too fac. | Truly 1 for my ‘part cannot perceive what it is to goa whoring after ftrange pods thi Benot. He tharloeketh apon his neighbours wife, and luftech afte her, hath committed adultery. And traly, he that in heart and by argo ‘ment maintained the facrifice of themaffe to be propitiatory for the quick ‘md the dead, is an idolater ; as alfo he that alloweth and commended ereeping to the crofie, and fach like idolatrous aétiens y although bend nor his corporall knees ; In like manner [ fay, he that attributeth te awiteh, {uch divine por er, as daly and onely appestaineth uato GOD (which all witch-monges do) is in heart a blafphemer, an idolater, and full of greffe impiety, a though he neither go nor fend to her for affiftance,ly, credulity. of Witchcraft, Chap.VL eth, ia CHAP, yi. A further eonfutation of witches miraculous land omnipotent power, + by invincible reafons and authorities, with diffwafions from jach fond credulity, in, ns Fwitches could do any fuch miraculous things, as thefe and other I which are imputed to them, they might do them againe and againe,at any time of place, oF at any mans defies Tor, the devil is 28 fttong at one time as at another, as buly by day as by night, and ready enough to do all mifchief, and careth not whom he abofech.- And infomuch “as ie is confefled, by the moft part of witch-mongers themfelves, that he knoweth not the cogitation ef mans heart, heihould (me thinks) fome. fimes appear, unto. honeft and credible perfons, in uch groffe and con. Porall forme, as itis id he doth unto witches; which you fhall never hieare to be jultified by one fufficient witneffe...For th devill indecd cntrerhinto the mind, and chat way feeketh mans confufion: The art alwaies prefuppofeth the powers fo a5, if they fay they. can do this or thats, they mult-thew how and by what meanes they do te; ae neither the witches, nor the witch-mongers are able to do. For co evar tyaGion isrequited the faculty and ability of the agentor doer» the apines ofthe patient or fubjett 5 and aconvenient and pottible applica: For anow the witches are mortally and theit power dependetit upon the analogy and confonancy of their minds and bodies 3 bur with thete tninds they can bue will and underftand s and with their. bodyes they can dono more, but as the hounds and ends of rerrene fenfe will fffer. « and therefore their power extended not ¢o do fach miracles as farmount cththeir own fenfe, and the anderitanding of others which ne wifee shag they fo ashere wanteth the Yertue and power of the efficient... And Inteafon,’ dere can be io more vertue in the thing eauled, they in che Cavfe, or that which proceedeth of or from the benefit of the caule Ard “ Welees thitignorant and impotent women, or witches; are the caules Ariffor.. de, of incantations and chatmes; whereia we thall Perceive there is none ef- anime lib.e. fe, if we will cedit our own experience and fenfe unabufed, the rules AGS.8. vf phylofophy, or the word of God. For alas! Whar a nape inftra- ment is a toothles, old, impotent, and unweildy woman to flie inthe Why fhould aire 5 ‘Truely,’ the devil lirele. needs fuch infteamente vy bring his pur+ 80r the de- Pofes to paffe. vill be as . Tris ftrange, that'we fhould fappole, that fach perfons can workefuch eady'to gif fates? and it is more ftrange, thar we. will imagine that to be pofible helpa Mi tobe done by awitch, which co nature and fente ic impoffibles(pecially theef re= when cur neighbours life. dependeth upon our credulity therein and allyasa When we may fee the defed of ability, which alwaies is an impediment Witch? bothto theaét, andalfo to the Prefumption thereof... And becaufe there L-multsnt. is potiiog Pofble inlaw, that in nature is impoffible therefore she E47 | Sudge doth not attend or tegard what the accufed man faith; or yet wonld risvel fbi. D do:10 1,.Booke Thedifcovery crectility, do: but whatis proved to have been committed, and naturally falleth in mans power and will to do. For the faw faith, that to will a thing unpofie ley is afigne ofamad-man, or of afvole, uponwhom no fencence ot judgement taketh Hold. Furthermore, what jury will condenine, of what Judge willgive fentence onjadgement againft one for killing « than at Berwickes when they themfelves, and many other faw that man at London, that very day, wherein the murther was committeds yea though the party confeffe himfelfe guilty therein, and twenty witneffes depole the fame 5 Bat in this cafe alfo I fay the judge is not to weigh their eft: mony, which isweakened by law 3 and the jadges authority is. to fupply the imperfedtion ofthe'cafe arid to maintain the rightand equity of the fame. Seeing therefore that fome othet things tight raturally’be the occafi= on and caufe of fuch calamities as witches are fappofed to bringjlec nox us that profeffe theGofpel and knowledge of Chrift, be bewitched to bet Anobje@i leeve that they do. fach things, as are inmiature impoffible, and in enfe on anfwere and reafon incredible, if they fay ic is'%s done through the devils helpe, ed. who can worke miracles why donot theeves bring their bufinelle to paffe miracalonfly, wich whom the devil is as converGaat as with the o- ther;Such mifehiefes as are impoted to witches, happen where no witches are; Yea and continne when witches ‘are hanged and burnt : why then fhould we attribute fach effe€ co thatcaiife, which being taken away, happeneth nevertheleffe ? CHAP. VII. By what meanes the name of witches becometh fo famous, and bom diverfly people be opinioned concetning them and tbeir aétions. Gere the sara pont of in of woth cade be fo inlarged, a codo any ching beyond the power and verte given and ingralfed by God. Batic is the will and mind of man, whichis vitiated and depraved Miracles by the devil: neither doch God permit any more, than that which the are ceafeds. nacurall order appointed by him doth require: Which, naturall order it, nothing elfe, ‘bue the ordinary power of God, powsed into every creat tare, according'to his ftate and condition. ‘But hereof more fhall be faid inthe title of witches confeflions. Howbeit you fhall underftand, chat few or none are chroughly perfwaded, tefolved, of fatiefied, that wicches __, €an indeed accomplifhall thefe impoflibilities :, but fome one is bewitche ‘The opini- ed in one’point,and fone are cofened in another, tmntill in fine, all the ‘ons of peo- impoflibiliies, and manymore, are by feveral perfons affirmed. to be ple concern- grae, ing witch- And this have alfo noted, that when ‘any’ bne 1s cofened with a.co craft are die fening toie of witchcraft, and maketh report thereof accordingly, ye verfe and” riffing a matter moft impoffible and falfe as it were upon his own know Mconftane edge, as being overtaken with fome kind of illufion or other (which il lufions ate right inchantments) even the felfe-farne man will deride - a eR Ae oT a ie ca aa |Credulitys of Witcheraft.:' Chap:VIif, like ly proceeding ont of another mans mouth, a5 a: fabulous’ matter un- Worthy of credit. "It is allo to be wondered, how men (that have feen fome part of witches cofenages deteéted; and fee alfo therein the impof- bility, of their own prefumptions, and the folly and falfe-hood of the witches confeffions) will nox fulpe@s bue remaine unfatisfied, or rather obftinarely defend therefidue of. witches fapernatutal ations + likeas when. a jugler hath-difcovered. the flight’ and. illufion of -his Principal feats, one would fondly continue to thinke, that his other petty jugling {knack of legierdemaine are done by the helpe of afamiliar’ art accord ing to the folly of fome papitts, who feeing and confeffing the Popes ablurd religion, in the ereétion and maintenance of idolarry and fuper- Hicion, {pecially in Images,pardons, and reliques of faints, will yet perle- fore to thioksthathereft of his dodrine and tromp ery is holy and good. Finally, many maintain and cry ont for the execution of witches, that particularly beleeve never awhit of that which is imputed unto them 5 tithes ‘be therein privately deale withall, and fubfanvlly oppotéd and tryed in argument. 1 CHAP. vitte Caufes that move as well witches themfelves as others 10 think that they can work impoffbilitiesswith anfwers to certain objections : where élfo thesr punifoment by law is touched. Ardenus writeth, thatthe caute of fuch trediity ‘tconfifleth in thee Cer deur. points; to wit, in the imagination of the Inclancholie » inthe oe te, Conttancy, of chem that’ are'coirupt therewith, and’ in the deceit of the 7¢" i . ludges 5 who being inquifitors themfelves againft hereticks and witches, “4?: 8% did both aceufeand condemne them, baving for thor lake the fpoile of their goods. . So as ‘thefe inquificors added mauy fables hereunto, lealtchey thou feem.co have done: injury-co she Poor wretches, in con slemning andiexeencing:thein for. none offence: toe fithens (faith he) fhe bringing up of Latkersfe€.thefe priefs have tended more deligent- Iyupon the execution of rhem : becanfe mors wealth is to be caught from them deale fo loofly with witches (through 0 bemalices folly, or-avatice: that hath {okt willdbe abjedted, that -we here jn ‘England are not now direBed By thePopes-laws; and fo by éonfequence our witches not troubled: oF ‘con- An obejedti- vented by the inquilicors Heretice praviearis. °F anfwer, chat in (times On anfiwer- Pati hete in Englend; asin other nations, this enter se djfcipline hath ed, beeniinforceand ules although now forge ate of old rigor be qualified swords and.charmes feemeth in thofe , fatuces to’ be fortiewhat maintained, ‘Sa matter hitherto genetally seceiv ed 5 andinot yet {6 looked into, “as D2 tharw.w.his book prin- tedin Ane no Doms r58a Books Thedifcovery Oredulity that it is refoted and decideds But how wifely foever the Parliament. hhoufe hath dealt therein, orhow mercifolly foever the Prince beholdeth the cavfe + ifa poor old woman; fappofed to bea witch, be by the ci- vill or canon law convented; I doubt, fome canon will be found in force, not onely togive {eope tothe tormentor, but alfo to the hang- man, to exercife their offices upon her And moft certain iris, that in what point focver any of the(e excremities, which I thall rehearfe un- to you, be mitigated, itis through the goodneffe of the Queens Majefty, and her excellent magiftvates placed gmongft us For as touching the opinion of our writers therein in our age 5 yea in our country youthall fee it doth not onely agree with forreign cruelty;but formounteth it far, Ifyou read a foolih pamphletdedicated to the Lord Darcy by W. We 1582.you fhallfee that he affirmeth,thar all thofe terrure are farre coo light, and their rigor too mild 5 and thar in that refpedt he impudently ex: clameth againft our magiftrates, who (offer them co be but hanged, when murcherers, and fuch mialefaétors be fo ufed, which deferve not the hon: dreth part of their ponifhments. Bot if you will fee more folly and Tewdnelfe comprifedin one lewd book, I commend youto Ris Ga. a Windfor-man 5 who being ‘a mad-man hath written according to his francick hamor } the reading wheteof may fatisfie a wifeman, how mad all thefe witch-mengers dealings be in this bebalfe. CHAP. IX. A conclufion of the firftBook, wherein 1s fore-(bewed the tyrannical crueliy of witch-mongers and inguifitors, witb a requcft tothe reas der to perufe the fame. Nd becaufe ic may. appeare unto the World what trecherous and faithleffe dealing, whav extreame and intolerable tyranny, whut Proffe and fond abfurdicies, what unnatural and uncivil difcourrelie, what Eankerd and fpitefull malice, ‘what outragiousand barbarous crucity, wht Yewd and fale packing, what contiing and crafcy intercepting, what bald and pievith: interpretations, what abominable and devilifhy inventions and what flac and plaine. knayecy is pradtifed againft thefe old women} Twill feedown the whole order-of the inguifitions to the everlafting, in. ‘exculable, and apparent fhame of all witch-mongers. | Neither will f jnfert any private or doubefull dealings of theirs or foch as they ‘ean ei ther deny to, hesufuall » or-juftly:icavillac 5 but fuch as are’ poblithed nd renewed in allagess funce the commencement of popetys «ltablithed by laws, padifed. by. inquiticors,. priviledged: by princess cominended by dofors, confirmed by popes, councelsy: decreesy and canons 5 “and finally be left ofall wirclr mongers + to-wit» by fach as actribure to old women, and fuch like creatures, the power oi the Creator. | pray you therefore, though ir be:cedious and. intolerable. (as you would be heard in your miferable calamiies) fo heare with compatfion,theit accafationsy ‘examinationsy matyets give) iw.evidence »:'confeflions,, _prefomprion Jnterrogatories , conjurations. ¢ati'ions}: crimhess corvares and onde nations, deviled and pradtifed wiaally againft chem a I alatesoeeeke 2 SE Teftimonies. of Witchcraft. Chap.I. 33 The fecond Book, CHAP. L What teftimonies and witneffes are allowed to give evidence againft reputed witcoes,by the report and allowance of the ingtifitors them= felves, and [uch qs are (peciall writers berein. Xcommunicate perfons, partakers of the fault, infants, Mal.Malef. + wieked fervants, and run-a-waies are to be admitted quaft-s-P4-3- pp to beat witneffe againft their dames. in this matter of 1-Bod,lib.4. , witchcraft , becaufe, (faith Bodin the champion of ¢ap.2.de de & witch-mongers) none that be honeft are alsle to deret mon Pr them, Hereticks alfo and witches fhall be received to Arch. in C. al- : ~~, accufe, but not to excufeawitch. Andfinally, the le.accufatus. teftimony ofall infamous perfons in this cafe is good and allowed. Yea, in S.Iz- fuper+ one lewd perfon (faith Bodin) may be received to accufe and condemne.verba. 4 thoufand fofpetted wisches. And although by law, a capitall enemy 1-Bod. lib. 4. maybe challenged 5 yer Fames Sprenger, and Henry Inffitor, (ftom cap-t-de whom Bedinsand all the writers that ever I have read, do receive theis demon. Jight, authorities anc arguments fay upon this point of law) that the poor Mal. Malef- ficndleffe old woman moft prove, that her capitall enemy would have 9*é/t-55. Killed her, and that he hath both affaulred and wounded hers otherwife P4-3-€0 qhes fhe pleadeth all in vain. Fthe judge ask her, whether the have any ca. 5-Pa't-3- Pitall enemies 5 and the rehearfe other, and forget her accufer: or elfe Lbidem anfwer that he was her capicall enemy, ‘but now fhe hopeth he is not fo 3 foch a one isnevertheleffe admitted for.a witneffe. And though by law, QU4.7: off 2a fingle witneffes are not admictable 5 yet if one depofe the hath bewitched eicow 5 anothet, her fow3 and the third, her butter: thele (ith M. Mal. and Bodin) are ‘not fingle witnefles 5 becanfe they agree that the isa wich, * CHAP. I. ‘The order of examination witches of by the inguifitors. Women fufpeted to be witches, after. thels apprehenfion may not The Scot- be faffered to go home, or to other places, to feck fureties = for tifh cnftome thea cath Bedin) the-people would be worfe willing to accufe them of accufing for fear leaft at cheir returne home, they worke revenge upon them. tn 4 witch. which refpeé Bodin commendeth much the Scettije cuftome and order in this behalfe : where (he faith) ahollow peece of wood ora cheft is paced in the chorch, into the which any body’ may freely calt a little roll of paper, wherein may be contained the’ name of the witch, the time, place, and fad, Ke. And the faaic chelt being’ lecked with three2 L.Bodulibde daman.4. cap-4- Loparentes de teftibus, K. Childe- berts cruel, devife. Book, three feverall locks are opened ves officers appointed for that puipofe ‘And thus the accufer need not be k The difcovery Examniations; ry fifteenth day by three inquificors or ratich keepe three feverall Keyes sowne, nor shamed with che reproch of flander of malice ¢0 his poor neighbours rem, there mutt be great per and children, ro.accufe old women Trem, there may alwaies be promifed impunity an that confefle and deteét others 5 threatnings and violence praGtifed Item, the little children of witches, bbe attached » who (if they be eraft againft their own mothers. Trem, witches muft be examine ble: the which will fo amaze thing, (uppefing the devill hath for firit be commitred to prifon, the informe them what to do- Item, theinquificor, judge, or examiners ters firt, Item, they moft be examined, no: for witches (as thele Doétor Bodin ferceth downe this principle tery fic etiam of filias howbeicd rentiam . Item, the examiner mutt lock cannot look direétly upon'a m: wafions ofed to allmen, women, and of witchcraft. favour to witches, and on the contrary, there may'be and wfed. which will not confelfe, mul ‘ily handled faich Bodin) will confeffe Jas foddenlys and a5 unawarres asi ve them, that they will confeffe any rfaken them 5 whereas. if they’ fhould idevill would tamper with them, 4nd ‘muftbegin with fimall mat whether theit parents were witches of fappafe) come by Propagation. And inwirchveraft, cowit, Si faga (ft max the law forbiddeth it,05 fanguinie reve dfaftly upon their eyes for the (as Badin afirmeth in one place although in another he faith, that they kill and deftroy both men ant beafts with their lookes-) Item, fhe muft be examined ofall aecufations, prefumptions, ant foul xc one infant > leaft Saran hould afterwards difitade her fon confeffian. Trem, awitch may not be pat‘in prifom a her from confeffion, through promifes of Ker i lone, feaft the devill diffwack indemnity. For (faich & din fome that have been in the goale have proved to fly away, as they wett wont to do when they met with Diana and Minerva, &c. and fo brake their own necks againft the ftone wales. Item, ifany deny het own confeffion made withant tortore, the & nevertheleffe by that confeffion to be condemned, 2s in any other crime Ttem, the jadges mult fem, to be in.a piceifull eonnrenance “end Dénione: them s faying, that Jt wasnot they, bus the devill chac. corane tedthe martber, and that he compelled them todo ir 5,and, cuit mal them beleeve that they thinke che em co be innecents. Trem if they will confeffe nothing but upon. shetacke or rofrtig) their apparell molt be changeds fhaven off with a fharpe razor. and every hair in theit body mult be Trem, ifchey have charmes for_tacirarnity fo as.they feel hot tHe ook mon tortures,and thefore confefle noching:_ shen fome {tarp infu aft be thruft betwixt every wa il of their fingers and toes 5 whielt (& i ir fingers socs G oe ly RookeExaminations. of Witchcraft. Chap. III 15 Bodin (aith) was king Childeberts devife, and is to thia day. of all others the moftetleGtuall, “Fer by meanes of that exireame paine, they will (laich he) confeffe any thing. Item, Paulus Grillandus, being an old doer in thefe matters: wifheth 7 thar when witches fleepe, and feel no pain upon the torture, Domine P-Grillans labia mea aperies fhould be faidsand fo (faith he) both the torments will diti« be felt, and the truth will be uttered: Et fic ars deluditur arte, Item, Bodin faith, tharat the the time of examination, there fhould A (ubtill be a femblance of great ado, to the terrifying of the witch; and thata and devile number of inftruments, gives,, manacles,: ropes, halters, fetters,. Sc. ith devifee be prepared, brought forth, and laid before the examinate : and alfo thas fome be procured to make a moft horrible and lamentable cry, in the place of tortures _as thongh he or fhe were upon the rack, or in the tormencors hands + fo as the ¢xaminate may hear it whiles fhe is exami- neds before the her felfe be broughe into the prifon sand perhaps (laith - he) fhe will by this meanes confeffe the matter. Item, there muft be fubborned fome tafcy {py that may feem tobe a prifoner with het in the like:cafe who perhaps may in. conference une dermine her, and fo bewraie and difcover her. Ttem; if the willnot yet confeffe, fhe maftbe told that the is dete@- ed; and accufed by other of her companions 5 although in truth there benofuch matter: and fo Perhaps fhe will confefie, the rather to be revenged upon her adverfaries and accuferse CHAP. Ill. Matters of evidence again(t witches, an old woman threaten or touch one bein in . Tine after 5 or elfe is infeéted wich the Tepe apoplexie, or any Other firange difeate + ic is ({sich Bodin) permanent fadt, and fich an vidence, as condemnation or death moft infue, without furcher proofe ; g if any body have miftrufted her, or faid before that the was a witch. Item, ifany come in, or depart out of the chamber or houfe, the { doores being fhur ; icis an apparent and fufficient evidence to a witches condemnation, without further tryall: which thing Bodin never faw, s Ife can fhew me thar feat, I will fubferibe to his folly. For Chrift af ter his refurre@ion ufed the fame : not asa ridiculous toie, that ever witch might accomplifh 5 but as a fpeciall miracle, to firengthen the faid of the clea. Item, ifa woman bewitch any bodies cyesfhe isto be execured with- ‘ut further proofe, ._, tem, ifany inchant air, or make a dog fpea health, who dieth or bewitch mens beafts, of corne, or fly in the Of Cut Off any mans members, and unite them | again to menor childrens bodyes 5 it is Sufficient proofe to condemnas tion. 2 Ttenty prefumptions and conjedtures ate fofficiens proofes againft witches, Prefump i Pl i item,16 2 Book, The difcovery Evidence, Bar. Spinens Item, if three witneffes do bur fays Such words 1s a witch 5 chem GlBod. de icisaclear cafe that the is, to be executed withdeath. Which matter © aoe Soaietaith bnox onely certain by dhe canon and civil ey but by cap. 2, the opinion of Pope Innocent, the wifeft Pope (as he faith J chat ever Alexander. was L.ubi numes Item, the complaint of any one man rus de tefti« poor woman to the rack of pully: oferedit is foficient to brings Items acondemned or infamous perfons teftimony is good and allow: bus J. Bod-de da- able in matters of witchcraft. ion.libs 2, Item, a witch isnot to be'delivered, thou 4p. 2 tures, and confeffe nothing as all other are i Teo though in otier cafes the _epofitions of many women. 40M infltne are ditbled, a3 foficient in law becaute ofthe imbecilicy af frailty of theie natare or fex , yetin thismatter_one womans though fhe bea parry, either accufer or acculed, and be allo infamous and impudent lor ach are Bodins words) yea and already cond emned 5 fhe may neve theleffe erve to accufeand condemne a witch x Trem, 2 witnelie oncied, and offering bimietfe im his eafe is co ke heard, and in none other- fie enmity be pretended co growe ly Item, a capitall enemy ft 4 meanes of witch-crafe) may objeG againft a witch andl mone excepts Paria! Ls — {sto be had or made againft him. oft lenctum’ {tem although the proofe of perjury ma it back a witneffe ind g-bity de ii other caules 5 7m in this aoe Ton a good ‘and lawfull witnell que Trem, the progtors andadvocaces in this cafe are: compelled t0 be wit indi. neffes againft their clients, as in none other cafe they are to be conftrait Alex-c4p-J2+ ed thereunto: bag. Icem, none can give evidence againft wicches, touching their affet biics. bot wisches onely : becaule (as Badin ath) mone other can dot Inbisfool- Howbeir, Ri. Ga. writeth, that he came «0 the God-fpeed, and wit. ifh pam- his ford and buckler killed the devill sor at the Jeaft he wounded him! phler of the fore, thar he made him ftinke of brimftone- execution Item, Bodin(aich, that becaule this is an extraordinary mattet 5 the cxeeadfor~ mult herein be extraordinary dealing + and all manner of waiesare tol witches. led, diredt and indirett. J. Bod, lib. 4+ a ap.3- ‘ CHAP. IIL Is there a ae Coufeffons of witches, whereby they are condemned, fuch would ‘continue ‘ome witches confeffe (faith Bodin) that are defirous, to dy 5: noth witches ? glory, bur for defpalr : becaule they are rormented in their life-tia! on oe mis thefemay not be (pared (faith he) aithough the law doth ex a. them. ad fpeculat. ‘The bett and (areft confeffion is at frife, to her ghoftly father. titdelitis rem, ifthe confeffe many things that are falfe, and one thing comteft.part.2rypay be ttue s the is to be taken and-executed vyon char eonfefion:nce, the neg ut by eG ing, Prefumptions: of Witchcraft. Chap.V. 17 denieth a non aliencm eodem. Ttem ihe is nor fo guilty that confeffech a falfhood ar ly and truth as the that anfwereth by circumftance. Stem, an equivocall or doubtfull anfwer is caken for a-confeffion a- eee epics: Lide etat.s. Trem, Bedinreporteth, that one confeffed that he went out, or rather nihil eodemn: upinthe airy and was tranfported many miles to the fairies dance, only, ni becaufe he wold fpy unto what place his wife wene to haggingy and how cuits. the behaved her felfe. Whereupon was much ado among the inquifi- opm fors and lawyeis, t0 difcuffe whether he thonld be executed with hig wife 0”-lib-4« Phe eg But ie was concluded that he mult die, becaufe he bewtayed nos ©4?-3* his wife + ‘the which he forbare to do, Propter teverentiam borers o familie. Item, ifa wonvan confeffe freely herein, before queftion be made; and Jet afterward deny ic: the is nevertheleffe to be brrned. Kem, they affirme that this extremicy is herein ufed, becaufe not one among a thoufand witches is deteéted. And yer itis afirmed by Sprenger jpMMal- that there is not fo lite a patifh bue there are many ‘witches known to be there, CHAP. y. Prefumptions, whereby witches are condemned. F any womans Child chance to dy at her handy {0 as no body knoweth + aa. de dees Le it mlay not be thought or prefumed that the mother killed it,ex- monslsb.4, ©20% the be fuppofed.a wicch sand in that cafe it is other wifes for the cack nde upon that prefumprion be executed 5, except fhe ean prove the negative F Contrary, Item ifthe child of a woman that is fulpedted to be a witch, be lack ing ot gone-from her.5 itis to be prefumed, chat the harh facrificed it to the devill? except the-can prove the negative er contrary. {rem though in other perfons, certain points of cheir confeffions miy be thought erroneous, and impoted to error-yet Cin witches caufes)all ertightss imperfections, and efcapes mult be adjudged impious and i id to het confufion and condemnation. I.Bod de da- tem, though theefe be not fad in Jaw to be infamoos in any other mon-tib.g. Flak cir it theft s yer a wicch defamed of witch craft i (aid to be de cap 4. filed with all manner of faults and infamics univerfally, though fhe were L. decurienem fae condemned 5 but (4s I (aid defamed wich the name ofa witch Fors de panisy mors and reports are fuficient (faith Bodin) to condemne awitch Panorm & ftem, ifany man, woman, or child do fay, that foch aoue is awitchs Felin in C. it isa moft vehement fufpicion ((aith Bodin, and faftcere oe bring her to veniens. 1: the racke 5 though in all ocker cafes ir be direétly agiintt law, de teftibas pare irem, in prefumiptions and fufpicions againft a witch , the comtson ficaufa 15. 4. brute or voice of the people cannot erre. Lib 4. nume= Item; ifa woman, when the is apprehended, ery out, or fay; Tam 10 12. fg undonesSave my fifes{ will tell you how the matter’ frente ke. fhe is 12. thereupon moft vehemently ta be: fafpeéted and condemned to dy. ‘E Item,18 2, Book. ‘Thedifcovery Prefumptions, Trem, though a conjurer be not to be condemned for curing the difeaf ed by vertue of his art : yet mufta witch die for the like cafe. Icem, the behaviour, locks, becks, and countenance of a womas, ate fufficient figaes, whercby to prefume fhe is a witch : for alwaies Jooke downe to the ground, and dare not look a man fall in the face. Tcem, jf their parents were thonghc co be witchess then is ic certainly to be prefumed that they are (0 :but it is uot fo ro be thought of whores, Trem, i¢ isa vehement prefumption if the cannor weep, at the time of her examination : and yet Bedin aich, thac a wich miay fhed three drops ‘owt of her right eye Tem, it is not only a vehement fufpicion, and prefumption, bur ane. vvidene proof of a witch; if any man or bealt dy faddainly where fhe hath been (een lately 5 although her witching-ftvffe be notfound or efpieds ten, if any body ule familiarity or company with @ witch convied it is a (afficiens prefumption againtt that perfor to be adjudged a witch. ,,, Item, that evidence that may ferve to fring in any other perfon to exe E.side adult. rinacion, may ferve to bring a witeh to fi ascunaien sgl © Bart teem, herein judgement muft be pronounced and executed: (as Bel = eth. il fic, without order, and not like to the orderly proceeding and formof a plelt+ © judgement in other crimes. 1 Bod-de de- “Trem a witch may not be brought to. the torture faddenly; ot before mon: libe4~ tong examination, lcaft fhe go away {cotfiee : for they feel no torments, A. and therefore care not for the fame yas Bodin affirmeth., Lem wide TEM lctle children may be had to the corcareat the fil" dath 5 bar @ may it not be done with old women: as is aforefaid. Item, ifthe have any privy marke under het arme-pits, under het aire, under her lip or imher bottock, or in her privities + itis a pres famptionfufficient for the judge to proceed and. give fencence of death tapon her. ‘The onely picty they thew toa poor woman in this cafe, i:that thou fhe be accuted to have flain any body with het inchancments 5 yet if the an bring forth che party alive,fhe fhall not be put to death, ‘Whereat matvell, in as nich as chey can bring the devil in any bodies likeneffe and spreterea Feprefentation. eet Seem, thei law faith, thaean uncertain prefamption is faticientywhet tre. de tef.. Certain prefumption failech. Panormit. in Covener. col CHAP. vi. ae eden, dre Particular interrogatories ufed by the inguifitors againft witchen Need not ftay to confuce fuch partiall and hortible dealings, being apparently impious, and foll of tyranny which except 1 fhould have fo manifettly deteéted, even with their own writings and affertions, fer ‘of none would have beleeved. But for brevi fake I will paffe over the fame’ Sappofing sas the eicing of uch abtardicies may land fr ffi ' ! 1 ' ‘ r { : cna fb pes leath 3 eat] ea se, fer i fic Interogatories, of Witclicraft. Chap.VII. Fea tngation theteof. | Now therefore I will proceed to amore pat « ticular order and manner of examinations, &c. ‘uled by the inquifitors, and allowed for the moft part throughout all nations. Firlt the witch muft be demanded, why the touched fach a child or fuch scow, tec. and afterward the fime child or cow fell fick orlame, Be. Atel malef. ccm, why her two kine give more milke than her neighbours. And che Super intere note before mentioned ishere agiin (et down, to be fyecially obieteg reg» of alimien : towit thac though a witch cannot weep, yer the may fpeak Wich a crying voice. Which affection of weeping is fale, and contraty to the faying of Senece, Cate, and many others 5 which afirme, thar ¢ cad Seneca in Ma wecpethwhen the meaneth moft deceipt sand therefore faith Medel treged fhe moft be well looked unto, otherwile the will put fpitle privily upon Ma/.malef. ber cheeks, and feemto weep which rule alfo Badin’ faith’ infallible. part.3. queft at alas that teares ould be thought foffcient to excufe or condemn i jam fare that the wort fort of the « sa ip Eiildien of Mrael wepe bitterly:ycas if where were auy witches 40 alt ine Manica fiacl, they wept. For itis written, chit all the children of Inaa Mert fal Vises Finally, there be any witchesin hell, tai fare they weeps for there 3 Sint 43. is weeping, wailing, and gnahing of teeth. 19 ut God. knowech many an honeft matrone cannot fometimes in ico the heavincle Ofer hear hed teatess the which Cfrentines sn 8 22. ready and common with craft i 25. Kinds of ceates ina womans eye, the one of LUKE 3 tes wnt grief, he other of deceipt. And it is writtenthet, Dedifcere flere fe+ Senecain minin