[Transcriber's Note:

Spelling and punctuation are as in the original text, except for cleartypographic errors. These are noted at the end of the e-text, along withproblems in Greek transcription. 

Characters that could not be represented in the latin-1 character setare shown as: [oe] oe ligature [e, ] "e caudata": equivalent to æ or ae [~u] [~e] vowel with circumflex (also ã and õ) = following m or n

Greek has been transliterated and shown between +marks+. ]

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 A Treatise of Witchcraft. 

 Wherein sundry Propositions are laid downe, plainely discouering the wickednesse of that damnable Art, with diuerse other speciall points annexed, not impertinent to the same, such as ought diligently of euery Christian to be considered. 

 _With a true Narration of the Witch-crafts_ which _Mary Smith_, wife of _Henry Smith_ Glouer, did practise: Of her contract vocally made between the Deuill and her, in solemne termes, by whose meanes she hurt sundry persons whom she enuied: Which is confirmed by her owne confession, and also from the publique Records of the Examination of diuerse vpon their oathes: And _lastly, of her death and execution, for the same;_ _which was on the twelfth day of Ianuarie_ _last past_. 

 By ALEXANDER ROBERTS B. D. And Preacher of Gods Word at _Kings-Linne_ in _Norffolke_. 

 EXOD. 22. 18. _Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to liue. _

 Impium est a nos illis esse Remissos, quos c[oe]lestis Pietas, Non Patitur impunitos: Alarus Rex apud Cassiodorum. 

 _LONDON_, Printed by N. O. For SAMVEL MAN, and are to be sold at his Shop in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Ball. 1616. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 ¶ To the right Worshipful Maister _Iohn Atkin Maior, the Recorder_ and Aldermen, and to the Common Counsaile, Burgesses and Inhabitants of _Kings Linne in Norffolke_, Grace and Peace. 

_Right Worshipfull_:

In these last dayes, and perillous times, among the rest of thosedreadfull euills, which are fore-told should abound[a] in them, a close& disguised contempt of religion may be iustly accounted as chiefe, which causeth and bringeth vpon men all disastrous effects, whenalthough it be shadowed with a beautifull Maske of holines, fairetongued: yet false-harted, [b] _professing they know God, but in worksdeny him_. And among these there be two especiall sorts; the one, whoentertaining a stubborne, and curious rash boldnes, striue by theiudgem[~e]t of reason, to search ouer-deeply into the knowledge of thosethings which are farre aboue the reach of any humane capacitie. And somaking shipwracke in this deep and vnfoundable Sea, ouerwhelmethemselues in the gulfe thereof. The other kind is more sottish, dull, and of a slow wit, and therefore ouer-credulous, beleeuing euerie thing, especially when they be carried by the violent tempest of their desires, and other vngouerned affections; and among these the diuell vsuallyspreadeth his netts, as assured of a prey, wayting closely if hee canespie any, who either grow discontented and desperate, through want andpouerty, or be exasperated with a wrathfull and vnruly passion ofreuenge, or transported by vnsatiable loue to obtaine some thing theydesire; and these hee taking aduantage, assaulteth with golden andglorious promises, to performe vnto them the wishes of their ownehearts; the drift whereof is (hee being as at the first incased in asubtile Serpents skinne) onely to enthrall and invassall them slaues tohimselfe. The first of these mentioned, are slie and masked Atheists, who ouer-shadow their secret impiety, loose and dissolute behauiour withsome outward conformitie and shew of religion, snatching (as theythinke) a sufficient warrantize thereof from those disorders theyobserue among men, and therfore passe vncensured, hauing a ciuill, butdissembled carriage. The second be Sorcerers, Wisards, Witches, and therest of that ranke and kindred: no small multitude swarming now in theworld, yet supposed of many, rather worthy pitty then punishment, asdeluded by fantasies, and mis-led, not effecting those harmes wherewiththey bee charged, or themselues acknowledge. But considering they beioyned and linked together with Satan in a league (the common andprofessed enemy of mankinde) and by his helpe performe many subtilemischieuous actions, and hurtfull designes, it is strange that from sogreat a smoake arising, they neither descrie nor feare some fire. Andtherefore, in respect of these, I haue at your appointment and request(for whom I am most willing to bestow my best labours and euer shall be)penned this small Treatise, occasioned by the detection of a late witchamong you, whose irreligious care, and vnwearied industry, is not to bedefrauded of deserued commendation, and by mature deliberation, anddescreete search, found out her irreligious and impious demeanour, andalso discouered sundry her vnnaturall and inhumane mischiefes done toothers, whereof being conuicted, she was accordingly sentenced, and didvndergoe the penalty iustly appointed, and due by Law vnto malefactorsof that kinde. After all which, you kindled with a holy zeale of theaduauncement of Gods glorie, and giuing satisfaction to euery onehowsoeuer affected, intermitted no meanes, vsing therein the labour ofyour carefull Ministers (willingly offering themselues in this holyseruice) whereby she might be broght (as one conuerted in the lasthoure) to the sight & acknowledgement of her heinous sins in generall, & particularly of that of witchcraft, confessing the same, & by truerepentance, and embracing of the tender mercies of God in Christ Iesussaue her soule (who refuseth no true and vnfained conuert at any time. )And hee gratiously blessing these religious endeuors of yours, vouchsafed to second the same with a happy and wished for euent, which(as I hope) shall appeare manifestly in the following Treatise vnto allthose who are not fondly, & without cause, too much wedded to their owneconceits: And thus, desiring GOD most humbly to confirme and strengthenyou in his truth, which euer you haue loued, and is your due praise, andshall be at the last an honour vnto you: I rest

 _Your Worships in all Christian duty_ _to be commaunded, _

 A. ROBERTS. 

 [Footnote a: _2 Timoth. 3. 5. _]

 [Footnote b: _Titus 1. 16. _]

To the Reader. 

Christian Reader, I haue vpon occasion penned this short discourse, andthat of such a subject wherewith not being well acquainted, am enforcedto craue some direction from those, whose names you shall finderemembred in the same: (that I be not vnthankefull vnto those from whomI receiue instruction) and haue in former time, and latter dayes, takenpaines in searching out, both the speculatiue, and practique parts ofthis damnable Art of Witchcraft, a dangerous and seducing inuention ofSathan, who from the Arcenals, and Magisins store-houses of his ancientand mischieuous furniture, hath not spared to affoord all helpe, and thebest Engines for the subuerting of soules, pliable to his allurements:and to this end, beside a plaine narration of fact in this casecommitted and confessed, (least the Treatise should be too bare andnaked) I haue added thereunto a few Propositions, agreeing to such asubiect matter, manifesting some speciall poynts not altogetherimpertinent in my opinion, nor vnworthy of due consideration: I knowmine owne wants, and do as willingly acknowledge them: One moreexperienced, and of greater leasure, and better health, had beene fitterfor the opening and discouering of so deepe a mystery, and hidden secretof Iniquity, as this is; and haply hereafter may be willing to take thattaske in hand: yet herein thou shalt finde something not vsuall: Amanifest contract made with the Diuell, and by the solemne tearmes ofa league, which is the ground of all the pernitious actions proceedingfrom those sorts of people, who are, haue beene, and shall bepractioners in that cursed and hellish Art. And yet no more then she, that Witch of whom in this relation we do speake, hath of her owneaccord, and voluntarily acknowledged after conference had with me, andsundry learned and reuerend Diuines, who both prayed for her conuersion, carefully instructed her in the way to saluation, and hopefully rescuedher from the Diuell, (to whom she was deuoted, and by him seduced) andregained her to God, from whom she was departed by Apostacie. And inthis so Christian and holy action were the continuall paines of

 { Thomas Howes. { Thomas Hares. Maister { Iohn Man. { William Leedes. { Robert Burward. { William Armitage. 

_And of these in the day of execution (which she in no wise wouldcondiscend vnto should be deferred, though offered repriuall vpon hopethat more might haue beene acknowledged) being very distemperate, neuerthelesse some accompanied her to the place, and were both eye andeare-witnesses of her behauiour there, seeing and hearing how she didthen particularly confesse her confederacy with the Diuell, cursing, banning, and enuy towards her neighbours, and hurts done to then, expressing euery one by name, so many as be in the following discourse, nominated, and how she craued mercy of God, and pardon for her offences, with other more specialties afterward expressed. And thus I end, takingmy leaue, and commending thee to the gracious guidance and preseruationof our good God in our blessed Sauiour Christ Iesus. _

 Thine euer in the Lord, A. ROBERTS. 

 * * * * *

 A TREATISE OF THE CONFESSION AND EXECVTION OF _MARY SMITH, CONVICTED OF WITCHCRAFT_, and condemned for the same: of her contract vocally & in solemne tearmes made with the Diuell; by whose meanes she hurt sundry persons whom she enuied, with some necessary Propositions added thereunto, discouering the wickednesse of that damnable Art, and diuers other speciall poynts, not impertinent vnto the same, such as ought diligently of euery Christian to bee considered. 

There is some diuersitie of iudgement among the learned, who should bethe first Author and Inuenter of Magicall and curious Arts. The mostgenerall occurrence of opinion is, that they fetch their pedigree fromthe [a]_Persians_, who searching more deeply into the secrets of Naturethen others, and not contented to bound themselues within the limitsthereof, fell foule of the Diuell, and were insnared in his nets. 

 [Footnote a: _Augustinus de diuinatione Dæmonum: & de Ciuitate Dei. Lib. 7. Cap. 35. Plinius historia naturalis lib. 30. Cap. 1. _]

And among these, the publisher vnto the world was _Zoroaster_, who sosoone as he by birth[b] entred the world, contrary to the vsuallcondition of other men, laughed (whereas the beginning of our life is asob, the end a sigh) and this was ominous to himselfe, no warrantise forthe enioying of the pleasures of this life, ouercome in battell by_Ninus_[c] King of the _Assirians_, and ending his dayes by the stroakeof a thunder-bolt, and could not, though a famous Sorcerer, eitherfore-see, or preuent his owne destinie. And because he writ many bookesof this damnable Art, and left them to posterity, may well be accounteda chiefe maister of the same. But the Diuell[d] must haue theprecedencie, whose schollers both he and the rest were, who followedtreading in his steps. For he taught them South-saying, Auguration, Necromancie, and the rest, meere delusions, aiming therein at no othermarke, then to with draw men from the true worshipping of God. And allthese pernitious practises are fast tied together by the tailes, thoughtheir faces looke sundry wayes; and therefore the Professors thereof arestiled by sundry names, as Magitians, Necromancers, Inchanters, Wisards, Hagges, Fortune-tellers, Diuiners, Witches, Cunning Men, and Women, &c. Whose Art is such a hidden mystery of[e] wickednesse, and sovnsearchable a depth of Sathan, that neither the secrets of the one canbe discouered, nor the bottome of the other further sounded, then eitherthe practisers thereof themselues by their owne voluntary confessionsmade, or procured by order of Iustice (according to the manner of thatCountrey where they be questioned) haue acknowledged, or is manifestedby the sundry mischiefes done of them vnto others, proued by impartialltestimonies vpon oath, and by vehement presumptions confirmed, or elsecommunicated vnto vs in the learned Treatises, and discourses of ancientand late Writers gathered from the same grounds. And[f] although thisHellish Art be not now so frequent as heretofore, since the Pagans hauebeene conuerted vnto Christianity, and the thick fogges of Poperyouer-mantling the bright shining beames of the Gospel of _Iesus Christ_(who came to dissolue the workes of the Diuell _. 1. Ioh. 3. 8. _) andwere by the sincere and powerfull preaching therof dispersed; yetconsidering these bee the last times, dayes euill & dangerous, fore-toldthat should come, _2. Tim. 3. 1. _ in which iniquity must abound, _Mat. 24. 12. _ and as a raging deluge ouer-runne all, so that Faith shallscarce be found vpon earth, _Luk. 18. 8. _ and the Diuell loosed from histhousand yeares imprisonment, [g]_Reuel. 20. 3. _ enraged with greatwrath walketh about, and seeketh whom he may deuoure _. 1. Pet. 5. 8_. Because he knoweth hee hath but a short time, _Reu. 12. 12. _ Before Ienter into the particularity of the narration intended, it shall bemateriall to set downe some generall propositions, as a handfull ofgleanings gathered in the plentifull haruest of such learned men, whohaue written of this argument, whereby the erronious may be recalled, the weake strengthened, the ignorant informed, and such as iudge arightalready, confirmed: and among many other these as chiefe, all which youshall see exemplified in the following Discourse. 

 [Footnote b: _Augustinus de Ciuitate Dei. Lib. 21. Cap. 14. _]

 [Footnote c: _Iustinus in Epitome Trogi Pompeij. Lib. 1. _]

 [Footnote d: _Lactantius de origine erroris. Lib. 2. Cap. 17_. And citeth the testimony of _Sibilla Erithræa_ for proofe hereof. _Gratianus Decretorum part. 2. Causa 26 quæst. 2. Canone sine saluatore, & inuentas esse has artes_ +pros ap.. ên eleeinôn anthrôpôn tôn rhadiôs hupokleptomenôn eis tauta hupo tou diabolou. + _affirmat Cedrenus in historiæ compendio. _]

 [Footnote e: _Probationes ex quibus legitim[~u] est Iudicia fieri, tres necessariæ planè dici & indubitatæ possunt 1ª veritas notorij & permanentia facti. 2ª confessio voluntaria eius qui reus factus est, atque peractus. 3ª certorum testium firmorumque testimonium: his & 4ª addi potest violentæ præsumptiones de Rodinus de D[e, ]monomania lib. 4. Cap. 2. 3. 4. _]

 [Footnote f: The Oracles of the Pagans in all places of the world, wh[~e] CHRIST was borne, were silenced, and the Diuell became mute: so that _Augustus C[e, ]sar_ demanding of _Apollo_ by his messengers, sent to _Delphos_, had this answer returned, +pais hebraios keletai+ &c. In sence thus much, _An Hebrue Childe commandeth me to leaue this place, and returne againe to hell. _ From hence therefore you must depart from our Altars, without resolution of any questions propounded. _Eusebius de præparatione Euangelica, lib. 5. Cap. 8. Theodoretus de Græcorum affectionum curatione qui est de oraculis +meta tên tou sôtêros hêmôn epiphaneian apedrasan hoi tênde tên exapatên tois anthrôpois prospherontes+, Vide & Suidam in Augusto, & Athanasium de incarnatione verbi. _]

 [Footnote g: _De hac ligatione & solutione Diaboli plenissimè August. De Ciuitate Dei, lib. 20 cap. 8. _]

 _The first Proposition. _

It is a _Quære_, though needlesse, whether there be any Witches: forthey[a] haue some _Proctors_ who plead a nullitie in this case, perswadethemselues, and would induce others to be of the same minde, that therebe no Witches at all: but a sort of melancholique, aged, and ignorantWomen, deluded in their imagination; and acknowledge such things to beeffected by them, which are vnpossible, vnlikely, and they neuer did;and therefore Magistrates who inflict any punishment vpon them, bevnmercifull and cruell Butchers. Yet by the way, and their good leaue, who take vpon them this Apology, all who are conuented vpon thesevnlawfull action, are not strucken in yeares; but some euen in theflower of their youth be nuzled vp in the same, and convicted tobe practisers thereof; neither be they ouerflowed with a blackemelancholique humor, dazeling the phantasie, but haue theirvnderstandings cleere, and wits as quicke as other: Neither yet be theyall women, though for the most part that sexe be inclinable thereunto:(as shall afterward be shewed, and the causes thereof) but men also onwhose behalfe no exception can be laid, why any should demurre either oftheir offence or punishment for the same. Wherefore for this point, andconfirmation of the affirmatiue, wee haue sundry pregnant and euidentproofes. 

 [Footnote a: _Wierus de magor[~u] infamium p[oe]nis lib 6. Cap. 17. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 &. 27. & de Lamijs lib 3. Cap 7. & de lamiarum impotentia. _ But this position commeth from another as dangerous, euen Infidelity denying that there be any Diuel, but in opinion; which was the doctrine of _Aristotle_, and the Peripatetique Philpsophers. _Pomponatius de incarnationibus Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum_]

First testimonies Diuine and Humane: Diuine of _God_ himselfe in hisword, [b] left for our instruction in all dogmaticall truth, reproofe andconfutation of falshood in opinions, correction for the reforming ofmisdemeaners in conuersation, doctrine for the guidance of euery estatePoliticall, Ecclesiasticall, Oeconomicall. _2. Timoth. 3. 16. _ Thereforeexpressely, _Thou shalt not suffer a Witch, to liue, Exod. 22. 18. _[c]but to bee executed in the same day wherein she is conuicted, and thiswas a custome obserued by the ancient Fathers. And _Deuteronomy 18. 10. 11. _ there is a blacke Bill set downe[d], and registred of sundrykinds of these slaues of Sathan, all condemned, and God addeth in thesame place the reasons of this his seuere and sharpe iudgement againstthem. First, because they are an abhomination vnto him. Secondly, hedetermineth vtterly to destroy all such, and giueth his people theIsraelites an example thereof in the Canaanites, whom their Land spewedout. Thirdly, for that he requireth all who belong vnto him, to be pure, vndefiled and holy, not stained with impieties, for they are bound vntohim by couenant in obedience. Fourthly such were the Heathen, strangersfrom God, blinded in their dark vnderstanding, without sauing knowledge, with whom the Israelites, a chosen and peculiar nation, enioying hislawes and statutes, must haue no familiarity. Further, the woman of_Endor_ acknowledgeth herselfe to be one of the rank. _1. Sam. 28. 9_. And _Iesabel_, mother of _Iehoram_, is in plaine tearmes stiled a Witch. _2. King. 9. 22. _ who is [e]supposed to haue brought this Art, and theProfessors thereof into _Samaria_, which there continued for the spaceof sixe hundred yeares. Insomuch that it was rife in common speech, whenany would reproach another, to doe the same in this forme; _Thou art aSamaritan, and hast a Diuell_ (a familiar spirit) which the maliciousIewes, not abiding his heauenly and gracious doctrine, obiected toChrist Iesus our blessed Sauiour, _Ioh. 8. 48_. The holy Apostlereprouing the _Galathians_ for their sudden Apostasie and back-slidingfrom the Gospell so powerfully preached vnto them and with so greateuidence of the spirit, as though Christ had bin crucified before theireyes, doth it in no other termes than these, _Who hath bewitched you?__Gal. 3. 1_. And afterward, _Cap. 5. 20. _ marshalleth Witch-craft amongthe workes of the flesh: In both which places the names are taken fromthe seducements and illusions of Inchanters, who astonish the mindes, and deceiue the senses of men, and all that by vertue of a contractpassed betwene them and the Diuell. Other like proofes may be added tothese alledged, _Leuit. 20. 6. _ _Micah 5. 12. _ _Nahum 3. 4_. Now thenwhen God affirmeth there be such, whose words are truth, shall man dareonce to open his mouth, and contradict the most righteous?

 [Footnote b: +Didaskalia+ +elenchos+ +epanorthôsis+ +paideia+. ]

 [Footnote c: _Philo in libro de legibus specialibus. _]

 [Footnote d: _Vide Paulum Phagium in annotationibus, & Chaldaicam Paraphrasin in cap. 18. & 19. Leuitici. _]

 [Footnote e: _Bodinus in confutatione opinionum Wieri. _]

Concerning humane witnesses, they be almost infinite; and therefore itshall be sufficient to produce some few, choyce, and selected: [f] Thesecond Councell of _Constantinople_ held and gathered together in theImperiall palace, of two hundred seuen and twenty learned and reuerentBishops, nameth sundry sorts of such Sorcerers, and censureth theiractions to be the damned practises of the Pagans, and decreeth all theAgents therein excommunicated from the Church and society of Christianpeople, adding the motiue reason of this their determined sentence, fromthe Apostle, _2. Cor. 6. 14_. For righteousnesse hath no fellowship withvnrighteousnesse, neither is there communion of light with darknesse, nor concord with Christ and Belial, nor the beleeuer can haue part withan Infidell. And [g]_Chrysostome_ sharply reproueth all such, and thosewho aduise with them vpon any occasion, confuting the reasons which theytake to be sufficient warantise of their doings. As among the rest theywill pretend, Shee was a Christian woman who doth thus charme orinchant; and taketh no other but the name of God in her mouth, vseth thewords of sacred Scripture. To this that holy Father replieth, Thereforeshe is the more to be hated, because shee hath abused and taken in vainethat great and glorious name, and professing herselfe a Christian, yetpractiseth the [h]damnable Arts of miscreant and vnbeleeuing Heathen. For the Diuels could speake the name of God, and neuerthelesse werestill Diuels; and when they said vnto Christ, they knew who he was, theholy one of God, &c. _Mar. 1. 24. 25. _ their mouthes were stopped, hewould no such witnesse, that wee should learne, not to beleeue them whenthey say the truth: for this is but a bait, that wee might afterwardfollow their lies. There is much mention made of these, both in theCiuill and [i]Canon Lawes, and diuersitie of punishment alotted out forthem; so that none can doubt but that there hath beene, and are such. I might remember vnto you the authority of _Clemens Romanus_ in hisRecognitions, and those Constitutions which are fathered vpon theApostles; but their credit is not so great, that they may withoutexception be impannelled vpon this Iury, for they haue long since beenchalenged of [k]insufficiencie. 

 [Footnote f: _Cap 61. Congregata est hac synodus sib Iustiniano qui vocatus est +rhinotmêtês+, in qua erant Episcopi, 227. Balsamon in suis ad eum Commentarijs, & vocata est synodus in Trullo erat autem +ho trullos+ Secretarium palatij quia in eo fuit celebrata, eam aut[~e] +pentekên+ vocat Balsamon quasi Quintisextã dicas quia quod quinte & sexta synodis deerat (septem enim recipiunt Græci) hæc expleuit, Nomenclator Græcorum dictionum quæ apud Harmenopulum occurrunt in sui iuris Promptuario. _]

 [Footnote g: This testimony of _Chrysostome_ is cited by _Balsamon_, in his exposition vpon that Chapter of the Councell before alleaged, to which may be added other of the same holy Bishop in his 9 _Homily_ vpon the Epistle to the _Colossians_, & his 6 Sermon against the _Iewes_. ]

 [Footnote h: _Superstitio tãto peior est quãto plura miscentur bona, quoniã vnde debeat honorari Deus honoratur Diabolus. _Ioh. Gerson_ in Trilogio Astrologiæ Theologisatæ propositione 21. _]

 [Footnote i: _Vide Phothi[~u] Patriarchã Constantinopolitan[~u] in nono Canone titulo 13. Cap. 19_]

 [Footnote k: _Ierome_ in his Apology against _Ruffinus. _ and _Eusebius_ alloweth but one only Epistle of his, _Histor. Ecclesiast. 2. Cap. 16_. _Gratianus distinct. 15. _ _Epiphanius contra Audianos. _]

Among the Gentiles, when these so qualitied persons did swarme, and wereaccounted of high esteeme, there be reckoned vp whole troopes of thisblacke guard of the Diuell; As [l]_Circe_ whom _Homer_ reporteth to haueturned _Vlysses_ Companions into Wolues, Lyons, Swine, &c. By herInchantments, insauaging and making them beast-like and furious. _Medea_[m] famous in this kinde, for she murthered by Witch-craft_Glauca_ in the day of her marriage, who enioyed _Iason_ her loue. And[n] the Mortars of these two, wherein they stamped their Magicalldrugges, were for a long time kept in a certaine mountaine, and shewedas strange monuments to those who desired a sight of them. For[o] theDiuel furnisheth such with powders, oyntments, hearbes, and likereceipts, whereby they procure sicknesse, death, health, or worke othersupernaturall effects. Of the same profession were [p]_Simotha_, [q]_Erictho_, [r]_Canidia_, and infinite others beside, whose damnablememory deserueth to be buried in euerlasting obliuion. 

 [Footnote l: _Homer. Odissea 10, +pharmakois alliôse+ Eustathius. _]

 [Footnote m: _Euripides in Medea. Ouidius Metamorph. Lib. 7. Pindarus Pythonum Idillio 4. Apollonius Argonauticorum lib. 4º. _]

 [Footnote n: _Scholiastes Theocriti Idil 2_ +en tô selênaiô orei deiknuousi tous mêdeias kai Kirkês hormous en hois ekopten ta phrarmaka+. ]

 [Footnote o: _Remigius demonolatriæ lib. 1. Cap 2. _]

 [Footnote p: _Theocritus in_ +pharmakeutria+ _Idil. 2. _]

 [Footnote q: _Lucan. Pharsalibus lib. 6. _]

 [Footnote r: _Horatius_ +Erodô+ _lib. 5. _]

But because the reports of these may seeme to carry small credit, forthat they come from Poets, who are stained with the note of licentious[s]faining, and so put off as vaine fictions; yet seeing they deliuernothing herein but that which was well knowne and vsuall in those timeswherein they liued, they are not slightly, and vpon an imagined conceit, to be reiected: for they affirme no more then is manifest in the recordsof most approued Histories, whose essence is and must be [t]truth, [u]asstraightnesse of a rule, or else deserue not that title. In which weereade of [x]_Martiana_, [y]_Locusta_, [z]_Martha_, [aa]_Pamphilia_, [bb]_Aruna_, _&c. _ And not to insist vpon particulars, there beeinfinite numbers ouerflowing euen in these our[cc] dayes, since thesinceritie of Christian Profession hath decreased, and beene in a sortecclipsed in the hearts of men: for the period of the continuancethereof (after it be once imbraced) in his first integrity, either forzeale of affection, or strictnesse of discipline, hath beene by somelearned Diuines[dd] obserued, to bee confined within the compass oftwenty yeares; and then afterward by degrees, the one waxed cold, andthe other dissolute: which being so, it is not to be maruelled thoughthe Diuell now begin to shew himselfe in these his instruments, asheretofore, though he cannot in the same measure, in respect of thosesparkes of light which yet shine amongst vs. But of this so much now, because I shall haue afterward occasion further to enlarge this poynt. 

 [Footnote s: _Pictoribus atque Poetis quidlibet audiendi semper fuit æqua potestas. _]

 [Footnote t: +kathaper empsuchou sômatos tôn spheôn exairetheisôn akreionas to holon: houtôs ex historias ean arês tên alêtheian, to kataloipomenon autês, anateles gignetai diêgêma+ _Polib. Historiarum lib. 12. _]

 [Footnote u: _Timaus_ +Kaionos idiotês eutheia+. ]

 [Footnote x: _Tacitus Annal. Lib. 2. _]

 [Footnote y: _Idem annal. Lib. 12 & 13 & Suetonius in Claudio c. 33. _]

 [Footnote z: _Plutarchus in Mario. _]

 [Footnote aa: _Apuleius. _]

 [Footnote bb: _Munsterus Cosmographiæ lib. 2. _]

 [Footnote cc: _Remigius_, a iudge in these cases reporteth of 900 executed in Lorayne for this offence of Witch-craft in the time of his gouernement. ]

 [Footnote dd: _Lutherus in Genesin. _]

Againe, the policie of all States[ee] haue prouided for the rooting outof these poysonfull Weedes, and cutting of these rotten and infectedmembers; and therefore infallibly prouing their existence and being: forall[ff] penall lawes looke to matters of fact and are made to punish forthe present, and preuent in future, some wicked actions alreadycommitted. And therefore _Solon_ the Athenian making statutes for thesetling of that Common-wealth, when a defect was found, that he omittedto prouide a cautelous restraint, and appoint[gg] answerablepunishm[~e]t for such who had killed their parents, answered, He neuersuspected there were or would be any such. Wherefore to confirme theposition set downe, God doth not threaten to cast away his people formurther, incest, tyranny, &c. But Sorcery, _Leuit. 20. 6_. And _Samuel_willing to shew _Saul_ the grieuousnesse of his disobedience, comparethit to witch-craft, _1. Sam. 15. 23_. The Holy Ghost also manifesting howhighly God was displeased with _Manasses_, maketh this the reason, because hee gaue himselfe to Witch-craft, and to Charming, and toSorcery, and vsed them who had familiar spirits, and did much euill inthe sight of the Lord to anger him, _2. Chro. 33. 6_. And for thisoffence were the ten tribes of Israell led into captiuitie, _2. King. 17. 17. _ [hh]The twelue Tables of the Romans (the ancientest law theyhaue) by a solemne Embassage (sent for that purpose) obtained from_Athens_, & accounted as a Library of knowledge, do both make mention ofsuch malefactors, & decree a penaltie to be inflicted vpon them. [ii]_Constantius_ and _Constantinus_ thinke them worthy of some vnusualldeath, as enemies of mankinde, strangers from nature: [kk]and _IuliusPaulus_ distinguishing the punishment according to the differentqualitie of the offenders, pronounceth out of the then receiuedopinions, that the better sort found guilty, were to dye (notdetermining the manner) those of meaner condition either to beecrucified, or deuoured of wilde beasts. 

 [Footnote ee: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum_, calleth this reason a most strong & conuincing argument. ]

 [Footnote ff: _Ex malis moribus bonæ nascuntur leges. _]

 [Footnote gg: _Diogenes Laertius lib. 1. De vitis Philosophorum in Solone. Cicero in Oratione pro Roscio Amerino. _]

 [Footnote hh: Of these 12. Tables _Liuie_ in the 3 booke of his first Decad. _Dionysius Halicarnasseus_ 10 Booke of his History, & _Iohannes Rosimus_ most fully in the 6 chapter of his 8 booke of Roman antiquities. _Liuius. _ _Plinius lib. 34. Cap. 5. _ _Cicero de legibus, lib. 2. & de orato primo_. ]

 [Footnote ii: _Cod. Lib. 9. Titul. 18. Lege multi magicis actibus. _]

 [Footnote kk: _Sententiarum receptarum lib. 5. Cap. 25. Ad legem Corneliam de sicarijs & maleficis. Paulus Iurisconsultus. _]

Our ancient Saxon Kings before the [ll]Conquest, haue in theirmunicipall Lawes apparantly demonstrated what they conceiued of these sodangerous and diuellish persons. _Alucidus_ keepeth the expresse wordsof God; _F[oe]minas sagas_ _ne sinite viuere_. Suffer not women Witchesto liue. _Gunthrunus_ and _Canutus_ will haue them, being onceapprehended (that the rest of the people might bee pure and vndefiled)sent into banishment, or if they abide in the kingdome (continuing theirlewd practises) executed according to desert. So _Athelstane_, if theybe conuicted to haue killed any, &c. And how the present estate standethaffected toward them, the sundry strict statutes in this case prouided, may giue any, not wedded to his owne stubbornenesse, sufficient and fullsatisfaction. Wherefore not to erect a Tabernacle, and dwell longer inperswading an vndeniable truth, that there bee Sorcerers and Witches, Ileaue these Hellish Infidels, and proceede. 

 [Footnote ll: _In +archaionomia+ siue de priscis Anglorum legibus Guilielmus Lambertus. _]

 _The second Proposition. _

The second Proposition: [a]Who those be, and of what quality, that arethus ensnared of the Diuell, and vndermined by his fraudes. Forresolution whereof, this may suffice. Those who either maliciouslyreiect the Gospell offered vnto them: or receiuing and vnderstanding thesame, do but coldly respect, and carelessly taste it, without making anydue estimation, or hauing any reuerent regard therof. In both which is amanifest and open contempt of God. For as he purposing to honour thefirst comming of his Sonne into the World, cloathed in the cloud of ourflesh, which he assumed then, suffered many to be really possessed ofDiuels, to bee lunatique, deafe, dumbe, blinde, &c. Whom he mightdeliuer from these torments, and so make apparant his glory, and shew bythese his miracles wrought, that hee was the promised Messias, _Esay 35. 5. 6_. And therfore Christ referreth those Disciples whom _Iohn_ sentvnto him (doubting in respect of that base forme which he tooke, anddemanding whether it was he that should come, or another to be lookedfor) vnto his Doctrine and Workes; and by them to bee instructed, whereof they were then both hearers and beholders, _Math. 11. 3. 4. 5_. Sonow comming in the dew of his grace, and hauing restored the light ofthe Gospell, and bestowed that vpon mankinde, as an especiall andvnvaluable blessing, in his iustice giueth ouer the despisers thereofvnto the power of Sathan, whereby both others who contemne the same, might by their dreadfull example bee terrified, and the faithfullstirred vp to a respectiue thankfulnesse, for so great a mercyvouchsafed vnto them, and acknowledge their happinesse in being madepartakers thereof, and by especiall fauour deliuered out of the tyrannyof the Diuell: For this is one of the fearefull iudgements of God, andhidden from vs (as all are a great depth, _Psal. 36. 6. _) that those whoreceiued not the truth that they might be saued, should haue strongdelusions sent vnto them, and bee giuen ouer to belieue Sathan and hislying signes, and false wonders, _2. Thess. _ 2. 10. And thus consentingvnto sinne, and his suggestions, they are depriued of the [b]helpe andassistance of God, and so disabled to resist all violent rushingtemptations: for one offence, not being truely repented of, bringethanother, and at last throweth head-long downe into hell: and by thismeanes man despising God his creator & redeemer, and obeying the Diuella professed enemy, and irreconciliable aduersary, not easie to beconfronted, becommeth his seruant: for of whomsoeuer any is ouercome, euen of the same is hee brought into bondage, _2. Pet. 2. 19_. And theApostle giueth as the reason why the heathen were so sottish Idolaters, and defiled themselues with many detestable and loathsome sinnes, [c]because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neitherwere thankfull, therefore God gaue them ouer to a reprobate sence, andvile affections to doe those things which were not conuenient, full ofall vnrighteousnesse, _Rom 1. 24. 25. &. 29_ So these being enthralled, and deuoting themselues to the Diuell by a mutuall league (eitherexpresse or secret) he brandeth with his mark for his [d]owne, as inancient time was an vse with Bondslaues and [e]Captiues, and these bee+ezôgrêmenoi+, taken aliue in his snare, _2. Tim. 2. 26. _ andthat in some part of the body, least either suspected or perceiued by vs(for hee is a cunning concealer) as vnder the eye-lids, or in the palatof the mouth, or other secret places: Wherefore some Iudges cause them, once being called into question, and accused, to be shauen all thebody[f] ouer. And for the manner of impression, or branding, it is afterthis sort. The Diuell when hee hath once made the contract betweenehimselfe and the Witch, and agreed vpon the conditions, what they shalldoe, the one for the other, giueth her some scratch[g], which remainethful of paine & anguish vntill his return againe: at which time hee dothso benumme the same, that though it be pierced with any sharpeinstrument, yet is without any sence of feeling, and will not yeeld onedroppe of bloud at all: a matter knowne by iust, often, and due triall. 

 [Footnote a: _Danæus de sortiarijs. Cap. 20_]

 [Footnote b: _Iaquerius in flagello Hereticorum, cap. 18. _]

 [Footnote c: _Peccatum si citius pænitendo non tergitur, iusto Iudicio omnipotens Deus obligatam peccantis mentem, etiam in culpam alteram permittit cadere, vt qui flendo & corrigendo noluit mundare quod fecit, peccatum incipiat peccato cumulare, Greg. Hom. 11. In Ezech. Augustinus lib. 83. Questionum questione 97. & Aquinas 1. 2. Quæst. 79. Artic. 3 & quæst. 87. Artic. 2. _]

 [Footnote d: _Zanchius de operibus creationis, part. 1 lib. 4. Cap. 15. Danæus de sortiarijs cap. 4. & Erastus de Lamijs. _]

 [Footnote e: _De hoc more Alexander ab Alexandro. Dierum genialium lib. 5. Cap. 18. Suetonius in Caligula, cap. 27. Cicero de officijs lib. 2. Cælius Rhodinginus Antiquarum lectionum lib. 7. Cap. 31. & olim militiæ Tyrones_ +stigmatiai+ _erant & in cute signati Vegetius lib. 1. Cap. 8. & 2. Cap. 5. Prudentius_ +peri stephanôn+ _Hymno 10. & huius moris meminit, Ambrosius in funebri oratione pro Valentiniano. _]

 [Footnote f: _Et insigne exemplum apud Gildemannum de Lamijs lib. 3. Cap. 10. Sectione 38. _]

 [Footnote g: _Remigius in Dæmonolatria lib. 1. Cap. 5. _ and citeth the confession of eight seuerall persons, acknowledging both to haue receiued the marke and in what part of the body. ]

And for the most part, hee bringeth these his slaues and vassailesobliged to him as his owne, to some desperate, Tragicall, [h] anddisastrous end; and that either by the execution of Iustice for theirdemerits, or by laying violent hands vpon themselues, or else Godpowreth vpon them some strange and extraordinary vengeance, or theirGrand-maister whom they haue serued, dispatcheth them in such manner, asthey become dreadfull and terrible spectacles to the beholders, whereofHistories will furnish vs with [i]varietie and plenty of examples: Forthe Diuell is a murthering spirit, desirous to doe mischiefe, swellingin pride, malitious in hatred, spitefull in enuy, subtill in craft; andtherefore it behoueth euery one resolutely to withstand his assaults, _Ephes. 4. 27. _ and cautelously to decline his subtilties, and cunningambushments [Sidenote: +methodeiai+] from whence he inuadeth vs, _Eph. 6. 11. _[k] For this aduersary against whom we fight, is an old beatenenemy, sixe thousand yeares are fully compleat since the first time heebegan to assault mankinde. But if any keepe the Commandements of God, and constantly, by a liuely faith, cleaue fast vnto Christ, he shallouercome: for our Lord is inuincible. [l] The Diuels indeed doe willinglyoffer themselues to be seene of those who are not gouerned by the HolyGhost; and that either to win themselues some estimation, or to intangleand deceiue men, vailing their treacheries vnder a smiling countenance, whom they deadly hate, for if it lay in their possibilitie, they wouldouerthrow and destroy heauen it selfe. Now vnable to do this, theyendeuour to worke vpon a more weake subiect and matter; and thereforehee that will not bee subdued of them, must auoid all occasions wherebyhe may take any aduantage, and couered with the Breast-plate ofRighteousnesse, and defended with the Shield of Faith, quench all hisfiery Darts. _Ephes. 6. 14. _

 [Footnote h: _Peucerus de præcipuis diuinationum generibus titulo de Magia. _]

 [Footnote i: _Philippus Camerarius in Historicis medicationibus part. 1. Cap. 70. & 72. _]

 [Footnote k: _Cyprianus in pro[oe]mio libri de exhortatione ad Martyrium. _]

 [Footnote l: _Tatianus oratione contra Gentes. _]

 _The third Proposition. _

Except God do by his especial grace and ouerruling power, restraine themalice of these Witches and preserue his Children, they are permissiuelyable, [a] through the helpe of the Diuell their maister, to hurt Men andBeasts, and trouble the elements, by vertue of that contract & agreementwhich they haue made with him. For man they endamage both in body &mind: In body, for [b]_Daneus_ reporteth of his owne knowledge, as aneye-witnesse thereof, that he hath seene the breasts of Nurces (onelytouched by their hands) those sacred fountaines of humane nourishment sodried vp that they could yeeld no milke; some suddenly tormented withextreame and intolerable paine of the Cholicke, others[c] oppressed withthe Palsie, Leprosie, Gout, Apoplexie, &c. And thus disabled from theperformance of any action, many tortured with lingring consumptions, [d]and not a few afflicted with such diseases, which neither theythemselues who wrought that euill, could afterward helpe; nor be curedthereof by the Art and diligent attendance of most skilfull Physitians. I willingly let passe other mischiefes wrought by them, of which manythings are deliuered in the Canon and Ciuill Lawes, in the Schoole-men, and Diuines both ancient and moderne. 

 [Footnote a: _Damascenus Orthodox. Fidei lib. 2. Cap. 4. _ +exousian echei kai eschon kata tinos oikonomikôs+, _Iaquerius flagelli Hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 25. _]

 [Footnote b: _Vberæ matris fontes sanctissimos humani generis educatores vocat Phauorinus apud A. Gellium noct. Atticarum lib. 12. Cap. 1. Aretius problematum parte 2. Loco 144. De Magia. _]

 [Footnote c: Godlemanus de veneficis lib. 1 cap. 7. 9. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. &c. ]

 [Footnote d: _Exempla omnem fidem superantia Florentinæ mulieris & vlrici cuiusdam Neucesseri refert Langius epist. Medicinalium lib. 2. Epist. 38. è cuius ventriculo lignum teres & quatuor cultri exècti sunt: eorum & formam & iustã longitudinem ponit. Lycosthenes lib. De prodigijs & ostentis quo modo huiusmodi in corporibus humanis inueniantur & qua ratione ingenerentur, aut eijciantur & an tribuenda hac maleficijs & diabolica arti Binfeldius in commentario ad titulum Codicis de maleficis & Mathematicis pag. 510. _]

In minde, stirring vp men to lust, to hatred, to loue, and the like[e]passions, and that by altering the inward and outward sences, either informing some new obiect, or offering the same to the eye or eare, orstirring the humors: for there being a neere coniunction betweene thesensitiue and rationall faculties of the soule, if the one bee affected, the other (though indirectly) must of necessity be also moued. As forexample, when they would prouoke any to loue or hatred, they propound anobiect vnder the shew and appearance of that which is good andbeautifull, so that it may be desired and embraced: or else byrepresentation of that which is euill & infamous, procure dislike anddetestation. Neither is this any strange position, or improbable, butmay bee warranted by sufficient authority; and therefore[f]_Constantius_ the Emperour doth expressely determine, all thoseiustly punishable who sollicite by enchantments chaste mindes tovncleannesse: And Saint [g]_Ierome_ attributeth vnto them this power, that they can enforce men to hate those things they should loue, andaffect that which they ought to auoyd: and the ground hereof hath hisstrength from the holy Scriptures: for the Diuell is able to enflamewanton[h] lust in the heart, and therfore is named, _the Spirit ofFornication_, _Osea 4. 12. _ and vncleane, _Math. 12. 43. _

 [Footnote e: _Gratianus in decretis, Caietanus in summula titulo de maleficio. Iaquerius in flagello fascinariorum, cap. 11. 12. Ioh. Nider in præceptorio, præcepto 1. Cap. 11. Bodinus in Dæmonomania, lib. 2 cap. *_]

 [Footnote f: _Cod. Lib. 9. Titulo 18. Lege est scientia, hanc legem sugillat. Weirus de præstigijs dæmonum lib. 3. Cap. 38. _]

 [Footnote g: _In 3. Caput prophet[e, ] Nah[~u]ni, vide & Nazianzenum in +aporêtais+, siue de arcanis vel principijs non procul à fine, & eius paraphrasten Nicetam. _]

 [Footnote h: _Cassianus Collat. 7. Cap. 32. _]

There is a very remarkeable example mentioned by _Ierome_[i], of amaiden in _Gaza_ whom a yong man louing, and not obtaining, went to_Memphis_ in Egypt, and at the yeares end in his returne, being thereinstructed by a Priest of _Aesculapius_, and furnished with MagicallConiurations, graued in a plate of brasse, strange charming words, andpictures which he buried vnder the threshold of the doore where thevirgin dwelt: by which meanes she fell into a fury, pulled off theattire of her head, flung about her haire, gnashed with her teeth, andcontinually called vpon the name of her louer. 

 [Footnote i: _In vita Hilarionis. _]

The like doth [k]_Nazianzene_ report of _Cyprian_ before his conuersion(though some thinke it [l]was not he whose learned and religionswritings are extant, and for the profession of his faith and doctrinewas crowned with Martyrdome) but another of that name, toward _Iustina_, whom hee lasciuiously[m] courted, and vnlawfully lusted after. It wereeasie for me to instance this in many, and to adde more testimonies, butmy intended purpose was, to set downe onely some few propositions, whereby the iudicious reader might be stirred vp to a deeper search, andfurther consideration of these things: for often they driue men to amadnesse, and other such desperate passions, that they become murtherersof themselues. But this alwayes must be kept in minde, as a granted andinfallible truth, [n]That whatsoeuer the Witch doth, it receiueth hisforce from that society which she hath with the Diuell, who serueth herturne in effecting what she purposeth, and so they worke together as[o]associates. 

 [Footnote k: _Oratione in laud[~e] Cypriani eandem historiã refert Nicephorus Calustus lib. 5 cap. 27. _]

 [Footnote l: _Prudentius +peri stephanôn+ de passione Cypriani, vnus erat iuvenum doctis. Artibus sinistris, fraude pudititiã perstringere. & c_]

 [Footnote m: _Ouid. Lib. 2. De art. Amand. Philtra nocent animis, vimq; fauoris habent. Propertius lib. 4. In lænam quandam consuluitq; striges nostro de sanguine & in me, hippomenes fætæ semina legit equæ. Vide de his Aristotelem de natura animali[~u] lib. 6. Cap. 22. Plini[~u] l. 8. C. 42. _]

 [Footnote n: _Aug. De doctr. Christ. L. 2. C. 22. & 23. _]

 [Footnote o: _Iaquerius in flagello hereticor[~u] fascinarior[~u], cap. 6. Martinus de Arles, p. 436. _]

Now concerning beasts they doe oftentimes kill them out-right, and thatin sundry manner, or pine and waste them by little and little, till theybe consumed. 

For [p]the Elements, it is an agreeing consent of all, that they cancorrupt and infect them, procure tempests, to stirre vp thunder &lightning, moue violent winds, destroy the fruits of the earth: for Godhath a thousand wayes to chasten disobedient man, and whole treasuresfull of vengeance by his Angels, Diuels, Men, Beasts. For the wholenature of things is ready to reuenge the wrong done vnto the creator. 

 [Footnote p: _Ioh. Gerson in Trialogio Astrologiæ Theologisatæ propos. 16. Palanus in Syntagmate, l. 5. C. 13_]

It were but fruitlesse labour, and ill spent, to bestow long time inconfirming this so manifest a truth, and not much better then set vp acandle to giue the Sunnelight when it shineth brightest in mid-heauen:yet to satisfie those who doubt here-of, I will giue a small touch of anexample or two. 

[q]_Curius Sidius_ the Roman Generall in a battell against _Salebus_, Captaine of the _Moores_, in want of water, obtained such abundance ofraine from Heauen by Magicall inchantments, that it not onely sufficedthe thirst of his distressed Souldiers, but terrified the enemies insuch sort, (supposing that God had sent helpe) as of their owne accord, they sought for conditions of peace, and left the field. 

 [Footnote q: _Dion. Cassius Romana Historiæ, lib. 60. In Claudio. _]

The narration of _Olaus[r] Magnus_ which he maketh of his NortherneWisards and Witches, would seeme to be meere fictions, and altogetherincredible, as of _Ericus_, who had the winde at command, to blowalwayes from that quarter to which he would set his hat. Or _Hagbert_, who could shew herselfe in any shape, higher or lower, as she pleased, at one time so great as a Giant, at another as little as a Dwarfe: bywhose Diabolicall practises mighty Armies haue beene dicomfited, andsundry others, except the truth hereof were without contradictionapproued: by the experience of our owne Nauigators, who trade in_Finland_, _Denmarke_, _Lapland_, _Ward-house_, _Norway_, and otherCountries of that Climate, and haue obtained of the inhabitants thereof, a certaine winde for twenty dayes together, or the like fixed period oftime, according to the distance of place and strings tied with threeknots, so that if one were loosed, they should haue a pleasant gale: ifthe second, a more vehement blast: if the third, such hideous & ragingtempests that the Mariners were not able once to looke out, to standvpon the hatches, to handle their tackle, or to guide the helme with alltheir strength; and are somtimes violently carried back to the placefrom whence they first loosed to sea; and many (more hardy then wise)haue bought their triall full deere, opening those knots, and neglectingadmonition giuen to the contrary. _Apuleius_ ascribeth to _Pamphile_, aWitch of _Thessalia_, little lesse then diuine power to effect strangewonders in heauen, in earth, in hell; to darken the starres, stay thecourse of riuers, dissolue mountains, and raise vp spirits, this opinionwent for currant and vncontrouled. And without all question theDiuell[s] can do this and much more, when God letteth him loose. For heis stiled, _The Prince of the world_, _Ioh. 12. 31_. _A strong manarmed_, _Luke 11. 21_, _Principality_, _a ruler of darknesse_, _spirituall wickednesse in high places_, _Ephes. 6. 12_. 

 [Footnote r: _Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus, lib. 3. Cap. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. _]

 [Footnote s: _De potestate D[e, ]monum Aquinas in Summa parte 1, quest 110. Binfeldius in titulum codicis de maleficis & mathematicis. Zanchius de operibus creationis, part. 1. Lib. 4. Cap. 10. 11. 12. Danaus in Isagoge, parte 2. De Angelis bonis & malis. _]

Thus he dismaied the heart of _Saul_ (when he had broken theCommandement of God) with dreadfull feare, and enraged his minde withbloudy fury, _1. Sam. 16. 14_. Entred into _Iudas_, prouoked him tobetray his maister, dispaire and hang himselfe, _Math. 27. 3. _ filledthe heart of _Ananias_ and _Saphira_ with dissimulation, _Act. 5. 3. _possessed the bodies of many really, as is manifest in the History ofthe Gospell. Our Sauiour Christ assureth vs, that a daughter of_Abraham_ was bound for 18 yeares by Sathan, with such a spirit ofinfirmitie, as bowed together, shee could in no wise lift vp herselfe, _Luk. 13. 11. 16_. He spake out of the _Pythonesse_, _Act. 16. 17. _brought downe fire from heauen, and consumed _Iobs_ sheepe 7000. And hisseruants, raised a storme, strooke the house wherein his sonnes anddaughters feasted with their elder brother, smote the foure corners ofit, with the ruine whereof they all were destroyed, and perished: andouerspread the body of that holy Saint their father with botches[t] andbiles from the sole of his foot to the crowne of his head. [u] And heewil haue his seruants Wisards & Witches, coadiutors with him, and makeththem fit instruments to the performance of all wicked exploits, and thisis when God pleaseth (of which I shall haue occasion to speake moreafterward) to giue leaue, for his wil is the first supreme and principalcause of all things: and nothing can be done visibly in thisCommon-wealth here below of the creatures, but is decreed and determinedso to be first in the high Court of Heauen, according to hisvnsearchable wisedome and iustice, disposing punishments and rewards asseemeth good vnto himselfe. So _Pharaohs_[x] Magitians could turne waterinto bloud, their roddes into serpents, produce frogges, &c. But when itcame to the base vermine, to make lice, they were pusled, andacknowledged their imbecillity, confessing, _Digitus Dei est_, [u] Godsfinger is here, _Exod. 18. 19_. For if they could effect and bring topasse all mischieuous designements without his sufferance, it wouldinferre a weakenesse, and conclude a defect of[z] power in him, as notsufficient to oppose their strength, supplant their force, and auoidtheir stratagems. And we must not imagine that the practioners of thesedamnable Arts of which sexe soeuer, be they men or women, do performethose mischifes which they effect, by their owne skills or such meanesas they vse, of which sort bee the bones of dead mens skuls, Toades, Characters, Images, &c. But through the cooperation of the Diuell, whois by nature subtile, by long experience instructed, swift to producethstrange works, & to humane vnderstanding admirable. Yet[aa] he will hauethose his vassals perswaded of some great benefit bestowed vpon them, whereby they are inabled to helpe and hurt, whom, how, and when theylist; and all to indeere them, & by making them partakers in hisvillany, being strongly bound in his seruice, & stedfastly continued inthe same, might more grieuously offend God, and bring iust condemnationvpon themselues. And for the greater, and more forceable inticingallurement hereunto, hee promiseth to giue and doe many things for theirsakes, and reueale to them hidden secrets, and future euents, such[bb]as he himselfe purposeth to doe, or knoweth by naturall signes shallcome to passe. So then to conclude, in[cc] euery Magicall action, theremust be a concurrence of these three. First, the permitting will of God. Secondly, the suggestion of the Diuell, and his power cooperating. Thirdly, the desire and consent of the Sorcerer; and if[dd] any of thesebe wanting, no trick of witch-craft can be performed. For if God did notsuffer it, neither the Diuell, nor the Witch could preuaile to do anything, no not so much as to hurt one[ee] bristle of a Swine. And if theDiuell had not seduced the minde of the wicked woman, no such matterwould haue beene attempted. And againe, if hee had not the Witch to beehis instrument, the Diuell were debarred of his purpose. 

 [Footnote t: _Vlcus pessim[~u] extensiue quia per totum corpus diffusum, & intensiue, quia in eo omnis morbi & doloris comprehensio vide Mercerum in cap. 2. Iobi. _]

 [Footnote u: _Regula Theologorum Quecunque possunt D[e, ]mones possunt etiam magi & malefici eius opera, hinc & illi tempestates exitant Virgilius Ecologa 4ª. _ Carmina vel c[oe]lo possunt deducere Lunam: Carminibus Circe socios mutauit Vlyssis, Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur Anguis, &c. _Et de se Iactans Medea apud Ouidium Lib. 7. Metamorphose+ô+n. _ Cum volui ripis ipsis mirantibus; amnes In fontes rediere suos, concussaque sisto, Stantia concutio cantu freta, nubila pello, Nubilaque iudico. _Apud Virgilium Dido Annam sororem alloquitur. _ --Mihi Massilæ gentis monstrata sacerdos, Hæc se carminibus promittit soluere mentes Sistere aquam fluvijs, & flumina vertere retro. _Et Brachmanius Nonnus Dionysiacon, lib. 36. +ouranothen katagontes epharmaxanto Selênên, astatheos phaethontes anestêsanto pareiên+ De Marco heretico & mago stupenda referunt Irenæus contra hereses. Lib. * cap. 9. & Epiphanius 3. Tom. Lib. 1. _]

 [Footnote x: _Iannes, Iambres, 2. Timot. 3. _]

 [Footnote y: _Vide Nicolaum Lyranum in & additionem Burgensis, & replicam correctorij contra Burgensem. _]

 [Footnote z: _Diabolus Deo perpetuo aduersatur voluntate & actu non semper effectu: id est, Intentio semper est mala, etsi non semper ex animi sui sententia maium perficere possit Deo illud vertente in bonum. Aug de Ciuit. Dei, lib. * cap. 35 & de trinitate lib. 3. Cap. 8. _]

 [Footnote aa: _Iaquerius in flagello hereticorum fafcinariorum, cap. 15. _]

 [Footnote bb: _Augustinus de diuinatione Dæmonum. _]

 [Footnote cc: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum vnde magorum operationes vim suam habent plenissimam. Aquinas Summa contra gentes, lib. 3. Cap. 105. & eius in eum locum commentator Franciscus de siluestris. _]

 [Footnote dd: _Tritemius in libro responsionum ad qu[e, ]stiones Maximiliani Imperatoris qu[e, ]stione. Cyrillus Catechismo 4 ad illuminatos, Arbitrium incitare potest Diabolus cogere omnino preter voluntatem non potest. _]

 [Footnote ee: _Tertul. De fuga in Persecutione. _]

And as these euill spirits are in themselues different in power, vnderstanding, and subtiltie: so can their seruants do more or lessethrough their meanes. 

I conclude with that memorable speech of a most noble and learnedman, [ff] The Diuell is the Author and principall of all that euill whichthe Witch or Wisard committeth, not thereby to make them more powerfull, but to deceiue them by credulity and ouer-light beliefe, and to gethimselfe a companion of his impiety, cruelty, and hatred, which hebeareth both to God and man; and also of eternall damnation: for indeedit is his worke, which the foolish and doating wisards coniecture isbrought to passe by the words and inchantments which they vtter: and isvery busie thus to colour his proceedings, which neuer come abroad intheir owne likenesse, because he enuieth the blessed estate of man, andhis eternall saluation purchased by the perfect obedience of Christ theRedeemer, and hateth that Image of God which hee beholdeth in him; muchlike the Panther, [gg] who when hee cannot get hold of the man himselfe, is so inflamed with rage, that he teareth his picture in peecesviolently which is cast vpon the ground to hinder his pursuit of thehunter who hath carried away his whelpes. And [hh]so as _Lactantius_speaketh, these vncleane spirits cast from heauen, wander vp and downethe earth, compasse land and sea, seeking to bring men to destruction asa consort of their owne desperate and irrecouerable estate. 

 [Footnote ff: _Iulius Scaliger de subtilitate, ad Cardanum, exercitatione 349. An venefici credulitas vim addat malefice. _]

 [Footnote gg: _Basilius Homilia 21. In diuersos Scriptura locos sermone habito in non procul a fine. _]

 [Footnote hh: _Lib. 2. Qui est de origine erroris cap. 15. _]

 _The fourth Proposition. _

Hauing shewed before, that the pracise of Witches receiueth the beingand perfection from that[a] agreement which is made betweene them andDiuell, it now followeth necessarily, that we do enquire whether it beepossible that there may be any such agreement and league betweene them. The cause of doubt ariseth from the diuersity or disparity of theirnatures, the one being a corporall substance, the other spirituall, vponwhich ground some[b] haue supposed that no such contract can passe: Butwe are to hold the contrary affirmatiue, both _de esse_, and _de posse_, that there may be, and is, notwithstanding this difference of essence, amutuall contract of the one with the other: for we read of sundryleagues between God & his people, and some with great solemnitie ofceremonies vsed in the same, a[c] _Genesis 15. 9. 17. _ and _Deut. 5. 2. _and in many other like places, yet is hee a simple essence, [d] free fromall diuision, multiplication, composition, accidents, incorporeall, spirituall, and inuisible. But in Angelicall creatures, though there beno Physicall composition of matter and forme, or a soule and a body; yetis there a metaphysicall, being substances consisting of an act andpossibility, subiect and accidents. And furthcr, betweene a spirit and aman, there is communication of the vnderstanding and will, the facultiesand actions whereof must concurre in euery couenant, which is nothingelse but the consent of two or more persons about the thing. 

 [Footnote a: _Nauarrus in Manuali confessarior. Cap. 11 in primum decalogi præceptum. _]

 [Footnote b: _Ioh. Wierus, totum hoc fictitium putat & fondus imaginarimum, & impossibile putat, idque passim in suis libris præcipuè autem de Lamijs, cap. 7. 8. & 23. & de pr[e, ]stigijs Dæmon[~u], lib. 6. C. 27, & c. Hunc refutant eruditè. Binfeldo confessionibus maleficorum, & Thomas Erastus de Lamijs. _]

 [Footnote c: _De his ceremonijs similiæ, Ier. Cap. 34. 18. & multa Cyrillus contra Iulianum & Procopius Gazæus in hunc locum & Augustinus. _]

 [Footnote d: _Palanus Syntagmatis Theologie, l. 2. Cap. 8. _]

And when the Diuell durst in expresse tearmes tender a contract to ourblessed Sauiour, tempting him in the wildernesse, shewing him thekingdomes of the world, and the glory thereof, offered them with thiscondition, _All these will I giue thee, if thou wilt fall downe andworship me_, _Mat. 4. 9_. How much more then will hee aduenture vponman, weake, wicked, and easie to be seduced? And who[e] can doubt butthat these bee the solemne and formall words of a bargaine, _Do vt des, do vt facias_, I giue this for to haue that giuen, I bestow this, tohaue such, or such a thing done for me. 

 [Footnote e: _Brissonius de formulis, lib. 6. Solemnia pactorum sine obligatione verba sunt: spondes? spondeo. Promittis? promitto dabis? dabo vt facias, faciam. Iustinianus in institutionibus, lib. 3. Titulo 16. _]

Now this couenant is of two sorts, secret or manifest; secret, when oneindeuoureth or intendeth to do any thing by such meanes, which neitherin nature, nor by institution haue power to produce the purposedeffects, or be conioyned as neccessary with other, which can bring thesame to passe. Expresse, wherein consent is giuen either by writing, andwords, or making such signes, whereby they renounce God, and deuotethemselues slaues and vassals vnto the Diuell, hee promising, that vponsuch condition they shall doe wonders, know future euents, helpe andhurt at their pleasure, and others like vnto these. 

An example whereof wee may obserue in[f] _Siluester_ the second, one ofthe holy Fathers of _Rome_, who did homage to the Diuell his Lord, andmade fidelity to liue at his will and appoyntment, vpon condition toobtaine what he desired, by which meanes he got first the Bishopricke of_Rhemes_, after of _Rauenna_, and at the last the Papacie of _Rome_. Which Sea, though it will yeeld good plenty of such like presidents, andwe may finde them in authenticall records of Histories, yet I content myselfe with this one. 

 [Footnote f: _Hic Monachus Floriacensis Cænobij diabolo suadente, & enormiter instigante si eius ob*quijs & arti magica obligauit in tantum quod Diabolo fecit Homagium cum pacto vt ei omnia ad nutum succederent, & c. Holcot. In cap. 17. Lib. Sapientiæ lectione 190. Platina in illius vita. Vide & Balerum de Romanorum pontificum actis in lib. 5. In Syluestro secundo, & Robertum Barnes. De vitis pontificum Romanorum. _]

[g]The formall tearmes of this couenant, as they bee set downe by some, are most dreadfull: and the seuerall poynts these. 

 [Footnote g: _Godelmannus de magia tacita & illicita, lib. 1. Cap. 2. Xº. 8. 9. 10 &c. _]

To renounce God his Creator, and that promise made in Baptisme. 

To deny Iesus Christ, and refuse the benefites of his obedience, yea toblaspheme his glorious and holy name. 

To worship the Deuill, & repose all confidence and trust in him. 

To execute his commaundements. 

To vse things created of God for no end, but to the hurt and destructionof others. 

And lastly, to giue himselfe soule and body to that deceitfull andinfernall spirit, who on the other part appeareth to them in the shapeof a man (which is most common) or some other creature, conferrethfamiliarly, and bindeth himselfe by many promises, that at all timescalled for, he will presently come, giue counsell, further theirdesires, answer any demaund, deliuer from prison, and out of alldangers, bestow riches, wealth, pleasure, and what not? and all withoutany labour and paines-taking, in a word to become seruiceable to theirwill, & accomplish all their requests. And this is that which theProphet _Esay_ speaketh, _chap. 28. 15. _ to make a couenant with death, and an agreement with hell. The consent of the ancient Fathers, if therewere any doubt, might be added to the further clearing of thisconclusion. For [h]_Cyprian_ directly affirmeth, that all those who vsemagicall Arts, make a couenant with the Diuell, yea he himselfe, whilehe practized the same (before his calling to the light and trueknowledge of God) was bound vnto him by an especiall[i] writing, whereunto some subscribe with their owne bloud, which was a vse amongdiuers nations, and a most sure bond of constant friendship, and[k]inuiolable consociation. But herein these seduced wretches aredeceiued: for these promises which he makes, are treacherous, and theobseruances whereunto he enioyneth and perswadeth them, as powerfull inproducing such or such effects, meere deceipts, and haue no qualitie inthem to that purpose, but respecteth his owne ends, which are one ofthese foure. 

 [Footnote h: _Siue illius sit, siue alterius esto liber. De duplici Martyrio. Aquinas 2ª. 2a. Quest. 96. Ioh. Gerson in Trilogio astrologiæ Theologisatæ propositione 21. & de erroribus circa artem magicam, Dicto 2. _]

 [Footnote i: _Camerarius meditationum historiarum, lib. 1. Cap. 6. Bodinus exampla ponit D[e, ]monomanias. Lib. 2. & 4. Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. _]

 [Footnote k: _Simile de Catilina refert Salustius. Cum ad ius iurandum populares scelerius sui adigeret, humani corporis sanguinem vina permixtum in pateris circumtulisse, inde cum post execration[~e] omnes degustauissent, sicut in solemnibus sacris fieri consueuit aperuisse consili[~u] suum, atque eo dictitant fecisse, quo inter se magis fidi forent. _]

First, to the mouing of them to the breaking of Gods law. 

Secondly, to adore him with diuine worship and sacred rites. 

Thirdly, to weaken their hope and faith in God. 

Fourthly, to couer his owne fraud and treachery, that it may not beperceiued. 

And when they finde this Impostor failing in the performance of hisvowed promises, then he wanteth not his shifts: as that these defectsare not to be imputed to him, or the weakenesse of the Art, but theirowne negligence or ignorance, who haue not exactly obserued suchdirections, and in that manner they were deliuered: or mistooke hismeaning, which is commonly deliuered in[l] ambiguous tearmes, such aswill admit a double construction: and herein appeareth the lamentableand woefull blindnesse of man, who is contented to swallow vp, andexcuse many of his lies by one truth fore-told; which hath casually cometo passe, whereas in other matters they make light account of, yeacõtemne infinit truths, if they shall finde by long search and diligentinquiry, but one falshood. Wherefore it behooueth vs to be carefullCentinels ouer our selues, for that our grand[m] aduersary, proud, enuious, and not standing in the truth, reposeth all his possibility ofvictory in lies, and out of this poysoned sinke, deuiseth all kinde ofdeceits, that so hee might depriue man of that happy and blessed estatewhich he lost by pride, and draw him into the society of his ownedamnation: therefore it is a needfull caueat giuen by one of the ancientFathers: Our enemy is old against whom wee fight, sixe [n]thousandyeares fully compleat are passed since he began to oppose himselfagainst vs; but if wee obserue the commandements of God, and continuesteadfast in faith, apprehending Iesus Christ, then shall we be able towithstand all his violent assaults, and ouer-come him because Christ inwhom we trust, is inuincible. 

 [Footnote l: As that to Pope _Siluester_ the second, his demand; who asked how long he should liue and enioy the _Popedome_? answered, vntil hee should say masse in _Ierusalem_; and not long after, celebrating the same in a _Chappell_ of the Church dedicated to the holy Crosse in _Rome_, called _Ierusalem_, knew how he was ouer-reached, for there hee dyed. And an other paralell to this, may be that of a certaine Bishop, much addicted to these vanities, hauing many enemies, and fearing them, asked the Diuell whether he should fly or not: who answered, _Non, sta secure, venient inimici tui suauiter, & subdentur tibi. _ But being surprized, and taken by his aduersaries, and his castle set on fire, expostulating with him that hee had deceiued him in his distresse, returned answere, that he said true, if his speech had been rightly vnderstood: for he aduised, _Non sta secure_ [id est _fugias_] _venient inimici tui suauiter, & subdentur_, [id est _ignem tibi_]. Such were the Oracles which he gaue, and whereof all histories do testifie. _Holcot_ vpon the booke of Wisedome, and the rest before mentioned with him. ]

 [Footnote m: _Leo de collectis Serm. 40. & natiuitate Domini, Serm. 7. _]

 [Footnote n: _In proemio, lib de exhortaions ad Martyrium Cyprianus. _]

 _The fifth Proposition. _

The Diuell can assume to himself[a] a body, and frame a voyce to speakewith, and further instruct and giue satisfaction to those who hauesubmitted themselues vnto him, and are bound to his seruice. For he lostnot by his transgression and fall, his naturall[b] endowments, but theycontinued in him whole[c] and perfect, as in the good Angels, who abidein that obedience and holiness wherein they were created, from whence areason confirmatiue may bee thus framed, Good Angels can take vntothemselues bodies, as _Genes. 18. 2. _ _Iudg. 13. 3. 6. _ therefore theeuill also. Thus the Diuell hath appeared to some in the forme of a[d]Man, cloathed in purple, & wearing a crowne vpon his head: to othersin the likenesse of a [e]Childe: sometime he sheweth himselfe in theforme of foure-footed beastes, foules, creeping things, [f]roaring as aLyon, skipping like a Goat, barking after the manner of a dogge, and thelike. But[g] it is obserued by some, that he cannot take the shape of aSheepe, or Doue, though of an Angell of light: _2. Cor. 11. 14_. Andfurther, [h]most of the learned doe hold, that those bodies wherein theydoe appeare, are fashioned of the[i] aire, (though it is not to bedenied, but they can enter into other, as the Diuell did into theSerpent, deceiuing _Eue_, _Gen. 3. 1. _) which if it continuing pure andin the owne nature, [k] hath neither colour nor figure, yet condensedreceiueth both, as wee may behold in the clouds, which resemble sometimeone, sometime another shape, and so in them is seene the representationof Armies fighting, of beasts and Birds, houses, Cities, and sundryother kinds of apparations. 

 [Footnote a: _Augustinus in Enchiridio, cap . 59. & 60. & Lambertus Daneusin suis comentarijs: ad eundem. _]

 [Footnote b: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Aquinas, Summa part. 1. Quest. 51, art. 3. & 4_]

 [Footnote c: _In D[e, ]monibus +angelikas dôreas ou mêpote alloi ôsthas phamen, alloi eisi holoklêroi kai pamphaneis+, Dionisius Areopagita, de diuinis nominibus cap. 4. & si vacat licebit consulere in eundem Pachemeræ Paraphrasin & maximi scholia. Isidorus Hispalensis de summo bono. Lib. 1. Cap. 12. _]

 [Footnote d: _Sulpitius Seuerus in vita beati Martini. Multa exempl[e, ] habet Bodinus in pr[e, ]fatione ad D[e, ]monomaniam. _]

 [Footnote e: _Hieronimus in vita Hilarianis. _]

 [Footnote f: _Psellus de d[e, ]monum natura. _]

 [Footnote g: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. _]

 [Footnote h: _Petrus Martyr in 28. Caput. Lib. 2. Samuelis. Aquinas in Summa parte 1. Quest 51. Articul. 2. Hyperius locer[~u] Theolog. Lib. _]

 [Footnote i: _Hesiodus_ +ergôn kai hêmerôn+ _lib. 1. D[e, ]monas ait esse_ +aera essamenous+_. Proclus interpretatur quia sunt corpora aërea. _]

 [Footnote k: _Iulius Scaliger de subtilitate ad Cardanum exercitatione 359. Sectione 13. _]

Histories of all can witnesse of the Diuels appearance in human[l]shape: thus a _Pseudo-Moses_, or _Messias_ in _Crete_, perswaded theIewes that it was he who brought their Fathers the Israelites out ofEgypt, and led them through the Red Sea, and would conduct them also outof that land vpon the waters into _Iudea_. But many following hiscounsell, perished: the rest admonished by that destruction, turnedback, accusing their folly; and when they made enquiry for this guide, to haue rewarded him according to his desert, was no where to be found, whereof they conceiued hee was a Diuell in Mans likenesse. And such anone [m]was that merry (but malicious) spirit, who walked for a long timein Saxony, and was very seruiceable, clothed in country apparrell, witha cappe on his head, delighted to conuerse and talke with the people, todemaund questions, and answer what he was asked, hurting none, exceptiniured before, and then declared himselfe a right diuell in reuenge. 

 [Footnote l: _Socrates Histori[e, ] ecclesiast. Lib. 7. Cap. 38. & historia Tripar. Lib. 12. Cap. 9. _]

 [Footnote m: _Chronicon Hirsangiense. _]

[n]The late Discoueries and Nauigations made into the west Indies, canfurnish vs with abundant testimonies hereof, in which the mindes of theinhabitants are both terrified & their bodies massacred by his visiblesight, and cruell tortures; yet (which is the opinion of many learned)he cannot so perfectly represent the fashion of a mans body, but thatthere is some sensible deformity, by which hee bewrayeth himselfe; ashis [o]feete like those of an Ox, a Horse, or some other beasts, clouenhoued, his hands crooked, armed with clawes, or talants like a vulture:or some one misshapen part, wherein (though hee delight in the shape ofman, as most fitting for company and conference) is demonstrated, thegreat and tender loue of God toward vs, who hath so branded thisdeceiuer, that hee may bee discerned euen of those who are but of meanecapacity, and so consequently auoyded. And as in his body assumed, so inhis speech there is a defect, for it is weake, small, whispering, imperfect. 

 [Footnote n: _Vide nauigation[~e] Monsieur de Monts, ad nouam Franciam, lib. 2. Cap. 5. _]

 [Footnote o: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Alexander ab Alexandro dierum Genialium, lib. 1. Cap. 19. Remigius de D[e, ]monolatria, lib. 1. Cap. 7. & apud Rhodingium antiquarum lectionum lib. 29. Cap. 5. Est exemplum dignum admiratione. _]

 And thus it is [p]reported of _Hermolaus Barbarus_, who inquiring of a spirite, the signification and meaning of a difficult [q]word in _Aristotle_, he hard a low hissing, and murmuring voyce giuing answere. 

 [Footnote p: _Remigius d[e, ]monolatrias lib. 1. Cap. 8 & simile commemorat de Appione Grammatico Plinius naturalis histor, lib. 30. Cap. 2. Nicephorus lib. 5. Sub finem. _]

 [Footnote q: +entelecheia+]

And this hee doth of set purpose, that so his sophisticall & doubtfullwords might be the lesse perceiued. 

Neither can this seeme strange to any, that the Diuell should speake, who brought a voyce from Trees to salute[r] _Apollonius_, and inspiredthat talkatiue Oke in _Dodona_, famous for the Oracles vttered there inHeroicall verse, to the Grecians, and to euery nation in his ownelanguage, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Armenians, and other people who were ledby him, and depended vpon his resolution. 

 [Footnote r: _Philostratus de vita Apollonius lib. 6. Cap. 13. _]

And thus the [s]Image of _Memnon_, when the Sunne did shine vpon it, andhis beames touched the lips thereof, (which was at the arising in theEast) speake vnto them who were present. 

 [Footnote s: _Sophocles in Trachinijs vocat +drun poluglôsson+, quia ut eius Scholiastes interpretatur +êtoi polla manteuomenos, kai dia touto polla phthengomenos, ê tês diaphorais dialektais chrêsmodêsês kai kata tên hekasta tôn manteuomenôn glôssan. + Et hinc Argo Lycophron in Alexandra sua +lalêtrin kissan+ nominat quæ ex Didones quercu malum habuisse traditur quæ aliqoties locuta est vt apud Apollonium Argonautic+ô+n quarto ideo & +eulalon Argos+ Orpheus appelat, vide plura apud Strabonem lib. 17. & eius de hoc sono iudicium perpende. Pausanias in descriptione decem regionum veteris Græciæ, libro primo in Atticis. Iuuenalis Satyro 15. Psellus de Dæmonum natura. Tacitus libro secundo Annalium. _]

And considering, as hath beene mentioned before, that there passethbetweene the Witch and her Diuell, a compact, as with a Maister and aSeruant, it must therefore consist vppon prescript tearmes ofcommaunding, and obeying; and then of necessity is required a conuersingtogether; and conference whereby the same couenant may be ratified. 

 _The sixt Proposition. _

God giueth, both the diuell, and his seruants the witches, powersometimes to trouble his owne children; so [a]Christ our blessedSauiour, was by Sathan carryed from place to place, _Math. 4. 5_. _Iob_[b] in strange manner afflicted, and his children slaine, throughhis power, whom none can conceiue but were Gods seruants, religiouslybrought vp in his feare: and their father hath an honourable testimoniefrom the mouth of God himselfe, _Iob 1. Ver. 8_. _Dauid_, a manaccording to Gods owne heart, _Acts 13. 22. _ is by Sathan stirred vp tonumber the people, _1. Chron. 21. 1. _ and that incuriosity and the prideof his heart, onelie to know the multitude of his subiects, _2. Sam. 24. 2. _

 [Footnote a: _Iaquerius in flagello hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 19 & 20. _]

 [Footnote b: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. _]

Whereas the Law appoynteth another end, _Exod. 30. 12. _ which hee had[c]now forgotten, the maintenance of the Ministerie and worshippe ofGod. And a daughter of _Abraham_ is bound of the diuell eighteene wholeyeeres, had a spirit of Infirmity, was bowed together, and could in nowise lift vp herselfe, _Lu. 13. 11. 16. _ a grieuous calamity in respectof the author, the continuance, and the effect. But to handle this poynta little more distinctly; It shall not be amisse to open first somereasons, why God doth giue this power to the diuel ouer the righteoushis children sometimes, as also vpon the wicked and disobedient to hiswill: And in the second place, why Witches haue the like leaue grauntedvnto them. Therefore for his children. 

 [Footnote c: _Iosephus +archaiologias+ lib. 7. Sectione siue capite iuxta Græcam editionem 10. _]

The first reason of his permission is his inscrutable[d] wisedome, whoout of euill bringeth good; so _Paul_ had a minister of Sathan to buffethim, to keepe him in humility, that hee might not waxe proude andhigh-minded, in regard of those great mysteries which were reuealed whenhee was taken into the third heauen, _2. Corint. 12. 4_. Thus histentation was a medicine preseruatiue preuenting the disease of hissoule, which otherwise hee might haue falne into, [e]for both himselfe, and the rest of the Apostles, though they were chosen vessells, yet werethey also fraile and brittle, wandring yet in the flesh vpon earth, nottriumphing securely in heauen. 

 [Footnote d: _Zanchius de operibus creationis, part. 1. Lib. 4. Cap. 13. Apud quem etiam plura inuenies. Tertul. De fuga in persecutione has causas ponit permissionis diuinæ, aut ex causa probationis conceditur diabolo vis tentationis prouocato, vel prouocanti, aut ex causa reprobationis traditur ei peccator aut ex causa cohibitionis, vt Apostolus refert sibi datum angelum Satanæ. _]

 [Footnote e: _Beda in collectaneis ex Augustino ad Epistolas Pauli. _]

Second, It is[f] proceeding from his mercy and goodnes, for the trial offaith, obedience and constancy in such as belong to God: whereof thereis an excellent patterne, and vnparaleld in _Iob 1. 13. 14. _ _&c. _ for bythis triall is made a proofe to examine whether wee doe continue firmevpon our square, and vnshaken, or no; and be not remoued, eyther by the[g]seeming wonders of the diuell, or of his seruants and associats. Andtherefore the Apostle pronounceth him blessed, who endureth temptation, for when hee is tryed hee shall receiue the crowne of life, which theLord hath promised to them that loue him, _Iames 1. 12. _ for he isfaithfull, and wil not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able, but with the temptation also make a way to escape, &c. _1. Cor. 10. 13_. 

 [Footnote f: _Iaquerius in flagello hereticarum fascinariorum, cap. 20. _]

 [Footnote g: _Ceolcenus_ +dokimazetai hê hêmetera orthodoxos pistis ei hedraia esti kai pagê prosmenousa tô kuriô, kai mê huposuromenê hupo tou echthrou, dia tôn phantasiôdôn teratôn kai satanikôn ergôn, tôn prattomenôn hupo tôn doulôn kai huperetôn kakias. +]

Third, Wee are admonished alwayes to stand in a readines, and be armedfor to fight, prepared to withstand the diuell, knowing that God dothoftentimes giue him leaue to assault vs. Therefore we haue need to befurnished in all points, for we wrastle not against flesh and blood, butagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of thedarkenesse of this world, against spirituall wickednesses in highplaces, _Ephes. 6. 11. 12_. And _1. Pet. 5. 8. 9. _ be sober and vigilant, because your aduersary the diuell as a roaring Lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure. He [h]is no weake assaylant, and thereforeheere by the Apostle are noted in him foure things: First, his power (aLyon): Second, his hatred, and wrath in the word (roaring): Third, hissubtilty (walking about) obseruing euery oportunity and occasion to hurtvs: Fourth, his cruelty (deuoure) no contentment but in our ruine andvtter destruction. 

 [Footnote h: _Strigelius in explicatione locorum Theologicorum Melanthonis parte 3. Titulo de cruce & calamitatibus. _]

Fourth, God would haue vs get the victorie against Sathan, and takeknowledge, that Christ on our side fighteth for vs, through whom wetriumph, and so are made more vndoubtedly assured of our saluation; andthis is that which hee promised, _The [i]Seed of the woman shall bruisethe head of the Serpent_, _Gen. 3. 15_. And the Apostle confirmeth, Godshall tread down Sathan vnder your feete, _Rom. 16. 20_. 

 [Footnote i: _Augustinus de Genesi ad literam, l. 11. C. 22_. ]

God suffereth the diuell to preuaile against the wicked, yet in the mostHoly there is no iniustice _2. Chron. 19. 7_. But First, [k]Herein isthe declaration of his iustice, whereby hee punisheth obstinate sinners, & those who prouoke him to wrath, and will not repent: And thus it issayd of the _Aegiptians_, whom no plagues could soften, that hee castvpon them the fiercenes of his anger, and indignation, and trouble, bysending euill Angels among them, [l]_Psalm 78. 49_. And when _Saul_ hadneglected the commandement of God, an euill spirit from the Lordtroubled him, _1. Sam. 16. 14_. Thus _Ahab_ seduced by his falseprophets descendeth into the battaile, and is slaine (contemning thewords of _Michaiah_) in[m] whose mouthes the diuell was a lying spirit, who sent of the Lord, perswaded him and preuailed, _1. Kin. 22. 22. 23. 24_. 

 [Footnote k: _Hyperius in locis Theolog. Lib. 2. _]

 [Footnote l: _Augustinus in locuus consulatur. _]

 [Footnote m: _Vide Iaquerium in flagello hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 23. _]

Second, By affliction in the body or goodes, God[n] would quicken themvp to seeke the saluation of their soules. And so _Paul_ gaue ouer ascandalous and incestuous person vnto the diuell, that he might beinduced to forsake his sin, liue chastely heereafter, and be an edifyingexample to those whom he had offended: and this kinde of discipline wasmore soueraigne, then any other could haue beene, because mans natureabhorreth Sathan, and trembleth with feare once to conceiue that heshould fall into his power and hands, and this is that which he writeth, aduising the Corinthians to deliuer him vnto Sathan, for the destructionof the flesh, that the spirit may be saued in the day of the Lord Iesus, _1. Cor 5. 5_. And in this sort he speaketh of two other deceiuers andblasphemers, _Hymenaus_ and _Alexander_, I haue deliuered them vntoSathan, that they may learne not to blaspheme, _1. Timothie 1. 20. _therfore this giuing ouer, was not to destruction, but for correction. 

 [Footnote n: _Idem cap. 21. _]

The last poynt propounded, was, That witches haue power granted to vexGods owne children aswell as others, and preuaile ouer them; and that wedoe enquire (so farre as we may, and is iustifiable) of the causesthereof, which may be these. 

First, [o]This is permitted vnto them for the experience of their faithand integrity, so that by this meanes their loue towards God which layhidden in the heart, is now made manifest. To be quiet and patient inprosperity, when we may enioy benefites at our owne pleasure, is amatter easily to be performed: But to endure the fire of Tribulation, that is the proofe of a stedfast Christian, and in losses and sickenesseprocured by such to bee silent, and submit our selues, this is the noteof a faithfull man, & to choose rather obeying the law of God, to bearethe infirmity of the body, then to ouer-flow in riches, and enioyinghealth and strength offend the Lord. 

 [Footnote o: _Trithemius in libel. 8 qu[e, ]stionum quas illi dissoluendas proposuit Maximilianus Imperator, qu[e, ]st 7. _]

Second, this maketh a difference betweene the wicked and the godly: forthus the holy Apostle speaketh of the righteous, that by manyafflictions they must enter into the kingdome of heauen, _Act. 14. 22_. And all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus suffer tribulations, _2. Timoth. 3. 12. _ for whom the Lord loueth, he doth chasten, _Prouer. 3. 12_. It is a Christians glory to vndergoe for Gods cause, any vexationwhatsoeuer, whether wrought by the diuell, or brought to passe by wickedmen his [p]instruments; for when he is tryed, hee shall receiue thecrowne of life, which God hath promised to those who loue him, _Iames 1. 12_. But wee reade contrary of the wicked, they become olde, yea, aremighty in power, their seede is established in their sight with them, and their of-spring before their eyes, their houses are safe from feare, neyther is the rod of God vpon them, &c. They spend their dayes inwealth, and in a moment go downe into the graue, _Iob 21. 7. 8. 9. _ &c. Yet surely they are set in slippery places, sodainely destroyed andperished, & horribly consumed as a dreame when one awaketh: O Lord, thoushalt make their Image despised, &c. _Psal. 73. 18. 19. 20_. 

 [Footnote p: _Potestatis diabolo concess[e, ] has causas ponit Iohannes Gerson de erroribus circa artem magicam, in dicto secundo. _ _1º. Obstinatorum damnationem. _ _2º. Peccatorum purgationem, & punitionem. _ _3º. Ad fidelium probationem, & exercitationem. _ _4º Ad gloriæ dei manifestationem_]

 _The seuenth Proposition. _

More women in a farre different proportion prooue Witches then men, by ahundred to one; therefore the Lawe of God noteth that Sex, as moresubiect to that sinne, _Exodus 22. 18_. It is a common speach amongstthe Iewish Rabbins, [a]many women, many Witches: And it should seemethat this was a generally receiued opinion, for so it is noted by_Pliny_, _Quintilian_, and others, neyther doth this proceede (as somehaue thought) from their frailtie and imbecillity, for in many of themthere is stronger resolution, to vndergoe any torment then can bee foundin man, as was made apparant in that conspiracy of _Piso_ against_Nero_, [b] who commaunded that _Epicharis_, knowne to bee of the samefaction, should first presently be set vpon the racke, [Sidenote: _Muliebre corpus impar dolori. _]imagining that being a woman, she would neuer bee able to ouercome thepaine: But all the tortures that he or his could deuise, were not ableto draw from her the least confession of any thing that was thenobiected against her. The first dayes question shee so vtterlycontemned, that the very Chaire in which they conueied her from theplace, did seeme as a Chariot wherein shee rid, triumphing ouer thebarbarous vsage of their inhumane cruelty. The morrow following broughtthither againe, after many rough incounters, remained so vnshaken, thatwrath it selfe grew madde, to see the strokes of an obstinate andrelenting fury fall so in vaine vpon the softer temper of a Woman: andat the last tooke a scarfe from about her necke, and by it knits vpwithin her bosome the knowledge shee had of that fact, together withthat little remainder of spirit, whereof by force and violence theylaboured to depriue her. 

 [Footnote a: _In Perkei ababboth. Bodinus in confutatione opinionis Wieri. Plinius in hist. Natural. Quintilianus Institutionum oratoriarium lib. 5. Cap. 10. _]

 [Footnote b: _Tacit. Annal. Lib. 15. _]

[c]Former ages haue likewise produced _Leena_, an exemplary president ofthis sort, to all posterity, who when _Armodius_ and _Aristogiton_hauing failed of the execution of their enterprise against _Hipparchus_a tyrant, had beene put to death, she was brought to the torture to beenforced to declare what other complices there were of the conspiracie. But rather then shee should bee compelled thereunto, bit her tongueasunder, and spit it in the face of the tyrant, that though she would, yet could not now disclose them. In remembrance whereof the Athenianscaused a Lyon of Brasse to bee erected, shewing her inuincible courageby the generosity of that beast, and her perseuerance in secrecie, inthat they made it without a tongue. Therefore the learned haue searchedout other causes thereof, and among the rest, obserued these as the mostprobable. 

 [Footnote c: _Tertul. In Apologet. Crinitus de doctrina Christiana lib. 9. Cap. 8. _]

First, they are by nature credulous, wanting experience, and therforemore easily deceiued. 

Secondly, [d]they harbour in their breast a curious and inquisitiuedesire to know such things as be not fitting and conuenient, and so areoftentimes intangled with the bare shew and visard of goodnesse. As theLady of Rome, who was importune, and vehemently instant vpon herhusband, to know what was debated of that day at the Councell Table. Andwhen he could not be at rest, answered, The Priests had seene a Larkeflying in the aire with a golden Helmet on his head, and holding aspeare in his foot. Scarce she had this, but presently she told it toone of her maids: she to another of her fellowes, so that report wasspread through the whole Citie, and went for currant vntill it receiueda checke: But all are not of this mould. 

 [Footnote d: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Peucerus de pr[e, ]cipius diuinationum generibus in titulo de +theomanteia+ Martinus de Arles. _]

Thirdly, their complection is softer, and from hence more easily receiuethe impressions offered by the Diuell; as when they be instructed andgouerned by good Angels, they proue exceeding religious, andextraordinarily deuout; so consenting to the suggestions of euillspirits, become notoriously wicked, so that there is no mischiefe abouethat of a woman, _Eccles. 25. 13. _ &c. 

Fourthly, in them is a greater facility to fall, and therefore theDiuell at the first took that aduantage, and set vpon _Eue_ in _Adams_absence, _Genes. 3. 3_. 

Fifthly, this sex, when it conceiueth wrath or hatred against any, isvnplacable, possessed with vnsatiable desire of reuenge, and transportedwith appetite to right (as they thinke) the wrongs offered vnto them:and when their power herein answereth not their will, and are meditatingwith themselues how to effect their mischieuous proiects and designes, the Diuell[e] taketh the occasion, who knoweth in what manner to contentexulcerated mindes, windeth himselfe into their hearts, offereth toteach them the meanes by which they may bring to passe that rancor whichwas nourished in their breasts, and offereth his helpe and furtheranceherein. 

 [Footnote e: _Exemplum apud Binfeldium reperies de confessionibus maleficorum, pag. 32. _]

Sixthly, they are of a slippery tongue, and full of words: and thereforeif they know any such wicked practises, are not able to hold them, butcommunicate the same with their husbands, children, consorts, and inwardacquaintance; who not consideratly weighing what the issue and endthereof may be, entertaine the same, and so the poyson is dispersed. Thus _Dalilah_ discouered her husbands strength where it lay, vnto thePhilistines; and procured his infamous and disastrous ouer-throw. _Judg. 16. 18. _

Hitherto in some Propositions I haue set downe the originall ofwitch-craft, and other such curious and vnlawfull Arts, the qualityof the persons agents in the same, the power of the Diuell, and hisconfederates, the league of association which enterchangeablypasseth betweene them, his assuming a body, and framing a voice for the performance of that businesse; that women, and why, are most subiect to this hellish practice. Now the truth of all these shall appeare by exemplary proofes in the Narration following. 

 * * * * *

 A true Narration of some of those _Witch-crafts which _Marie_ wife of_ Henry Smith Glouer did practise, and of the _hurts she hath done vnto sundry persons by the same:_ confirmed by her owne Confession, and from the publike_Records of the examination of diuers vpon their oaths: of her death, and execution for the same, which _was on the twelfth day of Ianuarie_ _last past. _

_Marie_ wife of _Henrie Smith_, Glouer, possessed with a wrathfullindignation against some of her neighbours, in regard that they madegaine of their buying and selling Cheese, which shee (vsing the sametrade) could not doe, or they better (at the least in her opinion) thenshe did, often times cursed them, and became incensed with vnrulypassions, armed with a setled resolution, to effect some mischieuousproiects and designes against them. The diuell who is skilfull, andreioyceth of such an occasion offered and knoweth how to stirre vp theeuill affected humours of corrupt mindes (she becomming now a fittesubject, through this her distemper, to worke vpon, hauing thevnderstanding darkened with a cloude of passionate, and reuengefullaffections) appeared vnto her amiddes these discontentments, [Sidenote: Proposition 4. ]in the shape of a blacke man, and willed that the she should continue inher malice, enuy, hatred, banning and cursing; and then he would bereuenged for her vpon all those to whom she willed euill: [Sidenote: Proposition 5. ]and this promise was vttered in a lowe murmuring and hissing voyce: andat that present they entred tearmes of a compact, he requiring that sheshould forsake God, and depend vpon him: to which she condescended inexpresse tearmes, renouncing God, and betaking herselfe vnto him. I amsparing by anie amplification to enlarge this, but doe barely andnakedly rehearse the trueth, and number of her owne words vnto mee. After this hee presented himselfe againe at sundry times, and that tothis purpose (as may probably bee coniectured) to hold her still in hispossession, who was not able, eyther to looke further into thesesubtilties, then the superficiall barke thereof, or not discouer thedepth of his designements, and in other formes, as of a mist, and of aball of fire, with some dispersed spangles of blacke; and at the last inprison (after the doome of iudegement, and sentence of condemnation waspassed against her) two seuerall times, in that figure as at the first:only at the last he seemed to haue a paire of horns vpon his head, andthese as shee came downe from her chamber, being sent for to conferrewith some learned and reuerend Diuines, by whose prayers andinstructions she might be brought to the sight and confession of hergrieuous offences, be regained and rescued out of his hands, brought torepentance, and the fauour of God, assured hope of mercie, and eternalllife, and at these times he wished her to confesse nothing to any ofthem, but continue constant in her made promise, rely vpon him, and heewould saue her. This was too high a straine aboue his reach to haue madeit good, and a note of his false descant, who hauing compassed thiswretched woman, brought her to a shamefull and vntimely end; yet doingnothing herein contrary to his malicious purposes, for hee was amurtherer from the beginning, _Iohn 8. 44_. Now then, to descendto particulars, and the effects of this hellish association made. Being thus joyned and linked together in a reciprocall league, he beginneth to worke for her, in procuring the mischiefe of those whom she maligned, whereof these few acknowleged by her selfe, may yeeld some taste of more, though concealed. 

 ¶ _Her wicked practise against Iohn Orkton. _

The first who tasted of the gall of her bitternes was _Iohn Orkton_ aSailer, and a man of strong constitution of body, who about some fiueyeares sithence, returning out of Holland in the Netherland, or lowCountries beyond the Seas, hapened, for some misdemeanors committed byhim to strike the sonne of this _Mary Smith_ (but in such sort as couldnot in reason bee offensiuely taken) who hearing his complaint, cameforth into the streete, cursing and banning him therefore, as oftentimesshee did, dwelling in the next adioyning house, and wished in a mostearnest and bitter manner, that his fingers might rotte off; wherevponpresently hee grew weake, distempered in stomacke, and could digest nomeate, nor other nourishment receiued, and this discrasie or feeblenessecontinued for the space of three quarters of a yeare; which timeexpired, the fore-mentioned griefe fel downe from the stomacke into hishands and feete, so that his fingers did corrupt, and were cut off; asalso his toes putrified & consumed in a very strange and admirablemanner. Neuerthelesse, notwithstanding these calamities, so long as heewas able, went still to Sea, in the goods and shippes of sundryMerchants (for it was his onely meanes of liuing) but neuer could makeany prosperous voyage (as then other men did) eyther beneficiall to theOwners, or profitable to him selfe. Whereupon, not willing to beehindrance to others, and procure no good for his owne maintenance by hislabours, left that trade of life, and kept home, where his former griefeencreasing, sought to obtaine help and remedie by Chirurgery, and forthis end went to Yarmouth, hoping to be cured by one there, who wasaccompted very skilfull: but no medicines applyed by the Rules of Arteand Experience, wrought any expected or hoped for effect: for both hishands and feete, which seemed in some measure euery euening to behealing, in the morning were found to haue gone backeward, and grownefar worse then before: So that the Chirurgian perceiuing his labour tobee wholly frustrate, gaue ouer the cure, and the diseased patient stillcontinueth in a most distressed and miserable estate, vnto the which heewas brought by the hellish practises of this malitious woman, who longbefore openly in the streetes, (whenas yet the neighbours knew of nosuch thing) reioycing at the calamity, said, _Orkton_ now lyeth arotting. And no maruell though she could tell that which herselfe haddone, and her good maister would not suffer to be concealed, but thatthe testimony of her owne tongue should remayne as a record towardes herfurther detection and condemnation, who sought meanes of her voluntaryaccord to be reconciled with the wofull distressed party, but this wasnothing else but to plaister ouer and disguise her former inhumane andbarbarous actions, for no reliefe at all followed thereof: foroftentimes, as hath beene prooued, the diuells and witches his [Sidenote: Propositiõ 3. ]instruments doe cause such diseases, which neyther the one, nor theother can remoue againe. And this is not any vaporous imagination, buta most vndoubted trueth. For now this poore man continueth still in alamentable estate, griefe, and paines encreasing, without hope of helpe, except God in the abundance of his tender mercies vouchsafe to grantcomfort and deliuerance. 

 ¶ _Her Wicked practise against Elizabeth Hancocke_

The second person distressed, by this witch, was _Elizabeth Hancocke_, then widdow, now wife of _Iames Scot_: the maner, occasion, andproceeding of whose dealing against her was thus. She comming out of thetowne from the shoppe of one _Simon Browne_ a Silkeman, vnto whom shehad carried home some worke, which was by him put out vnto her; _HenrySmith_, as shee passed by his doore, tooke her by the hand, andsmilingly said, that his ducke (meaning his wife, this woman of whome wenow speake) told him that shee had stolne her henne; which wordes shethen passed ouer, as onely spoken in merriment, and denying the same: inthe meane time, as they were interchanging these words, shee cameherselfe, and directly charged her with the henne, and wished that thebones thereof might sticke in her throat, when she should eate the same:which speech also she made no great reckoning of, supposing them to bebut words of course, and might bee vttered in jeast. Neuerthelesse, afterward better considering of the same, conceiued much griefe, to beecounted one of so euill quality and disposition, and espying that henfor which she was accused, to sit vpon the hatch of her shoppe doore, went to her, and mooued with the indignity of that slaunder, and vniustimputation, told her in some passion and angry manner, that it was adishonest part thus to blemish the good name of her neighbors with sovntrue aspersions: whereupon, breaking foorth in some violence, shewished the pox to light vpon her, and named her prowde _Iinny_, prowdeflurts, and shaking the hand, bade her go in, for she should repent it;and the same night, within three or foure houres after these curses andimprecations vttered, she was taken and pinched at the heart, and felt asodaine weaknesse in all the parts of her body; yet her appetite tomeare nothing diminished, and so continued for the space of threeweekes; in which time, when she was any thing well, would come to thedoore, and leane vpon the stall, whom this _Marie Smith_ seeing, dideuer banne, adding the former curse, the poxe light vpon you, can youyet come to the doore? and at the end of these three weekes, beeing butvery weake, came foorth as shee vsed to doe, to take the ayre, thismischieuous woman most bitterly cursed her againe, whereupon she wentinto the house, fell into such a torturing fit, and nipping at theheart, that she fainted, hardly recouerable for the space of halfe anhoure, and so grieuously racked and tormented through all parts of herbody, as if the very flesh had beene torne from the bones, by theviolent paine whereof she could not refraine, but tore the haire fromoff her head, and became as one distraught, bereaued of sence, andvnderstanding: And the same night the bed whereon she lay, was sotossed, and lifted vp and downe, both in her owne feeling, and in thesight of others then present beholders of her extreamities, by the spaceof one houre or more, that she was therewith exceedingly terrified, &did thinke oftentimes in her sleepe, that she did see this _Marie Smith_standing before her. And this fit continued sixteene houres, duringwhich passion _Edward Drake_ her father came to the Towne, touched withgriefe for this torture of his daughter (as parents hearts are relentingand tender, and naturall compassion is soone stirred vp in them) tookeher vrine, went to one for his aduice (whose fact herein is no wayiustifiable, and argued but a small measure of religion, and theknowledge of God in him) who first tolde vnto him the cause of hiscomming, that is, to seeke help for his daughter, and then added, thatshe was so farre spent, that if hee had stayed but one day longer, thewoman who had wronged her, would haue spent her heart, and so becomevnrecouerable, and thereupon shewed him her face in a Glasse; andfurther, opened the beginning cause of falling out, which was for a hen, which before this, _Drake_ neyther knew nor heard of, and then gaue hiscounsell for remedy, which was the matter sought for & desired, & thatwas in this order. To make a cake with flower from the Bakers, & to mixthe same instead of other liquor, with her own water, and bake it on theharth, wherof the one halfe was to be applyed and laid to the region ofthe heart, the other halfe to the back directly opposit; & further, gauea box of ointment like triacle, which must be spread vpon that cake, anda powder to be cast vpon the same, and certaine words written in apaper, to be layd on the likewise with the other, adding this caueat, that if his daughter did not amend within six houres after the taking ofthese receits, then there was no health or recouery to be looked for: &further, wished silence to be kept herein, for the womã who had donethis, would know any thing. 

And being thus furnishing with instructions, and returning home, as sheealighted from his horse to enter into that house where his daughter lay(being the next vnto _Mary Smiths_) shee then stood leaning ouer hershop window, whom hee knew to be that person, which was shewed vnto him, and she cursed him passing by, and told his daughter that her Father hadbeene with a Wisard. And the next day following after they had put inpractise the directions giuen, she affirmed to diuers of the neighbours, that _Drake_ the afflicted womans father, had beene to aske counsell, and made a Witch Cake, but shee would learne how they came to haue thatknowledge: yet for the present she found helpe, and was freed from thelanguishing and other conflicts wherewith she was assaulted by the spaceof sixe weekes. 

After this, being married vnto _Iames Scot_, a great Cat which kept withthis Witch (of whose infernall both purposes and practises wee nowspeake) frequented their house; and vpon doing some scathe, her husbandmoued therwith, thrust it twice through with his sword: whichnotwithstanding those wounds receiued, ran away: then he stroke it withall his force vpon the head with a great pike staffe, yet could not killher; but shee leapt after this vpward almost a yard from the boords ofthat chamber where she now was, and crept downe: which hee perceiuing, willed his lad (a boy of foureteene yeares) to dragge her to themuck-hill, but was not able; and therefore put her into a sacke, andbeing in the same, still moued and stirred. Whereupon they put her outagaine, and cast her vnder a paire of staires, purposing in the morning, to get more helpe, and carry her away; but then could not be found, though all the doores that night were locked, and neuer heard whatafterward became thereof. 

Not long after, this Witch came forth with a Birchin broome, andthreatned to lay it vpon the head of _Elizabeth Scot_, and defiled hercloathes therewith, as she swept the street before her shop doore, andthat in the sight of her husband, who not digesting this indignityoffered vnto his wife, threatned that if she had any such fits, as sheendured being a Widow before marriage, hee would hang her. At this sheclapped her hands, and said hee killed her Cat. And within two or threedayes after this enterchange of words betweene them, his wife wasperplexed with the like paine and griefe at her heart, as formerly shehad beene; and that for two dayes and a night: wherefore her husbandwent to this wrathfull and malicious person, assuring that if his wifedid not amend, hee would accuse her to the Magistirate, and cause the[a]rigor of the law to be executed vpon her, which is due to suchmalefactors. These things were done some three yeares sithence. Theparty troubled yet liueth, but in no confirmed health, nor perfectsoundnesse of body. 

 [Footnote a: _Witches can by no meanes bee so easily brought to recall the mischiefe they haue done, as by threats and stripes. Remigius in Dæmonolatria, lib 3. C. 3. _]

 _Her wicked practises against Cicely Balye. _

A third subiect whereupon this wrathfull womans anger wrought, was_Cicely Balye_, then seruant to _Robert Coulton_, now wife of _WilliamVaux_, who sweeping the street before her maisters doore vpon a Saturdayin the euening, _Mary Smith_ began to pick a quarrell about the mannerof sweeping, and said vnto her she was a great fat-tail'd sow, but thatfatnesse should shortly be pulled downe and abated. And the next nightbeing Sunday immediatly following, a Cat came vnto her, sate vpon herbreast, with which she was grieuously tormented, and so oppressed, thatshe could not without great difficulty draw her breath, and at the sameinstant did perfectly see the said _Mary_ in the chamber where she lay, who (as she conceiued) set that Cat vpon her, and immediatly after fellsicke, languished, and grew exceeding leane; and so continued for thespace of halfe a yeare together, during the whole continuance in hermaisters seruice; vntill departing from him, she dwelt with one Mistres_Garoway_, and then began to bee amended in her health, and recouer ofher former pining sicknesse: for this Witch had said, that so long asshe dwelt neere her, she should not be well, but grow from euill toworse. 

Thus euery light trifle (for what can be lesse then sweeping of a lttledust awry?) can minister matter to set on fire a wrathfull indignation, and inflame it vnto desired reuenge, the Diuell being willing toapprehend and take hold vpon such an occasion, that so he might do somepleasing office to his bond-slaue, whom she adored in submisse manner, vpon her knees, with strange gestures, vttering many mumuring, broken, and imperfect speeches, as this _Cicely_ did both heare and see, therebeing no other partition between the chamber wherein shee performedthese rites, and the house of her maister with whom she then dwelt, butonly a thin seeling of boord, through a cranny or rift of whereof shelooked, listned attentiuely vnto her words, and beheld diligently herbehauiour, and might haue seene and heard much more, but that she waswith the present spectacle so affrighted, that she hastened downe inmuch feare and distemper. 

 _Her wicked practise against Edmund Newton. _

The fourth endammaged by this Hagge, was one _Edmund Newton_: thediscontentment did arise from this ground; Because hee had boughtseuerall bargaines of Holland cheese, and sold them againe, by which shethought her benefit to be somewhat impaired, vsing the like kinde oftrading. The manner of her dealing with him was in this sort. At eueryseuerall time buying Cheese he was grieously afflicted, being thrice, and at the last either she or a spirit in her likenesse did appeare vntohim, and whisked about his face (as he lay in bed) a wet cloath of veryloathsome sauour; after which hee did see one cloathed in russet with alittle bush beard, who told him hee was sent to looke vpon his forelegge, and would heale it; but rising to shew the same perceiuing heehad clouen feet, refused that offer, who then (these being no vaineconceits, or phantasies, but well aduised and diligently consideredobseruances) suddenly vanished out of sight. After this she sent herImpes, a Toad, and Crabs crawling about the house, which was a shoppeplanchered with boords, where his seruants (hee being a Shooemaker) didworke: one of which tooke that toad, put it into the fire, where it madea groaning noyse for one quarter of an houre before it was consumed;during which time _Mary Smith_ who sent it, did endure, (as wasreported) torturing paines, testifying the felt griefe by her out-cryesthen made. 

The sicknesse which he first sustained, was in manner of a madnesse orphrensie, yet with some interposed release of extremity: so that forthirteene or foureteene weekes together hee would be of perfect memory, other times distracted and depriued of all sence. Also the ioynts andparts of his body were benummed, besides other pains and greifes fromwhich hee is not yet freed, but continueth in great weakenesse, disabledto performe any labour, whereby hee may get sufficient and competentmaintenance. And by the councel of some, sending for this woman by whomhee was wronged, that he might scratch her (for this hath gone ascurrant, and may plead prescription for warrant a* foule sinne amongChristians to thinke one Witch-craft can driue out another) his nailesturned like feathers, hauing no strength to lay his hands vpon her. 

And it is not improbable but that she had dealt no better with othersthen these aboue mentioned. For M^r _Thomas Yonges_ of London, Fishmonger, reported vnto me, that after the demand of a debt due vntoM^r _Iohn Mason_, Silkeman of the same Citie, whose Widow hee married, from _Henry Smith_ Glouer her husband, some execrations and curses beingwished vnto him, within three or foure dayes (being then gone toYarmouth in Norfolke vpon necessary businesse) there fell sicke, and wastortured with exceeding and massacring griefes, which by no meanes(hauing vsed the aduise of sundry learned and experienced Physitians inNorwich) could in any part be mitigated, and so extraordinarily vexedthirteene moneths, was constrained to go on Crutches, not being able tofeed himselfe, and amended not before this mischieuous woman wascommitted to prison (accused for other wickednesses of the like kinde)at which time (so neere as he could conjecture) he then receiued somerelease of his former paines, though at the present when hee made thisrelation, which was at Candlemas last past, had not perfectly recoueredhis wonted strength: for his left hand remained lame, and without vse. 

But thus much by the way onely, omitting how before this accident agreat Water-dogge ranne ouer his bed, the doore of the chamber where helay being shut, no such one knowne (for carefull enquiry was made)either to haue been in that houfe where hee lodged, or in the wholeTowne at any time. 

I doe not insist vpon this, because shee did not nominate him or anyother vnto vs, but onely those foure already expressed: and for thewrongs done to them, she craued mercy at Gods hands, as for all otherher sins, and in particular for that of Witch-craft, renounced theDiuell, embraced the mercies of God purchased by the obedience of IesusChrist, and professed that her hope was onely by his suffering andpassion to bee saued. And all these, that is to say, her former grieuousoffences committed against God, and his people, her defiance of theDiuell, and reposing all confidence of saluation in Christ Iesus alone, and his merits, she in particular maner confessed openly at the place ofexecution, in the audience of multitudes of people gathered together (asis vsuall at such times) to be beholders of her death. And made therealso profession of her faith, and hope of a better life hereafter; andthe meanes whereby she trusted to obtaine the same, as before, hathbeene specified. And being asked, if she would be contented to haue aPsalm sung, answered willingly that she desired the same, and appointedit herselfe, _The Lamentation of a Sinner_, whose beginning is, _Lordturne not away thy face, &c_. And after the ending thereof thus finishedher life: So that in the iudgement of charity we are to conceiue thebest, and thinke shee resteth in peace, notwithstanding her heynoustransgressions formerly committed: for there is no maladay incurable tothe Almighty Physitian, _Esay 1. 18_ _Ezech. 33. 11_. Therefore _Caine_did iniury to God, when conuicted of the barbarous and vnnaturallmurther of his righteous brother, cryed out tht his sinne was greaterthen could be forgiuen, _Gen. 4. 13_ for _Gods_ mercy is greater thenmans misery can be. And euen for the like vnto this very fact, we haue abooke case, already adiudged, and ouer-ruled in those _Ephesians_, whobrought their coniuring bookes, sacrificed them in the fire, æstimatedat the [b]value of nine hundred pounds of our money, repented oftheir[c] sinnes, and obtained mercy, _Acts 19. Vers. 19_. 

 [Footnote b: _Bud[e, ]us de asse. Lib. 5. _]

 [Footnote c: The Ephesians were infamous for their Magicall practises, _Appollonius_ professing the same in the Citie, so that it grewe into a prouerb, +grammata Ephesia+ the Ephesian letters, which were certaine Characters and wordes, by vertue whereof they obtained good successe in all businesse, victory against others, euasion and escape from dangers; and as we reade in _Suidas_, a Milesian armed with these letters, ouer-came thirty Champions in the games of _Olimpus_, but being remoued by the Magistrate, hauing intelligence thereof, himselfe was subdued. Of these see _Athen[e, ]us Deipnosophiston lib. 12. _ _Hesichius_ in his _Lexicon. _ _Plutarchus quæstionum conuiualium, lib 7. Cap. 5_. ]

 ¶ _The eight Proposition, and first consequent. _

Now then from this premised narration, these two corrollaries orconsequents do necessarily follow. 

It is not lawfull for any Christian to consult with a witch or wisard, or goe to them for helpe. God himselfe, whose commandement is and mustbe the rule of our life & direction hath forbidden it, _Leuit. 19. 31. _and _20. 6. _ _Deuter. 18. 10. 11_. And the Imperiall lawes, haue beene inthis case verie respectiue. [a] Therefore, _Leo_ the Emperour straitlyenioyneth, that none should resort vnto them, and stileth their aduicenothing but meere impostures and deceit; and in the [b]Decrees collectedby _Gratian_, the teachers of the people are seriously exhorted toadmonish them, that magicall arts and inchantments cannot heale anyinfirmity: and that they bee the dangerous snares, and subtilties ofthat ancient enemy of mankind, by which he indeuoureth to entanglethem[c]: and these so streight and seuere prohibitions are not withoutiust and weighty cause. For, [Footnote a: _Cod lib. 9. Titulo 18. L. Nullus & L. Nemo. _]

 [Footnote b: _Gratianus decretorum parte 2. Caus. 26. Qu. 7. _]

 [Footnote c: _Danæus in dialogo de sortiarijs cap. 6. _]

First, wee must haue no commerce or dealing with the diuell, eytherdirectly and immediately, or mediately and indirectly; for we ought tohaue our recourse to God alone in all distresses, and this is that which_Eliah_ spake with great indignation vnto the messengers of _Ahaziah_, who went to enquire of _Baal-zelub_, for the recouerie of their Lordshealth, _2. King. 1. 3_. [d] So that wee must not seeke to Sathan, or anyof his ministers. For none can serue two maisters, _Matt. 6. 24_. But asreligious _Iehosaphat_, when we know not what to doe, then lift vp oureyes to heauen, _2 Chron. 20. 12_. 

 [Footnote d: _Martinus de Arles in tractatu de superstitionibus. Iohannes Gerson de erroribus circa artem magicam articulo 5. _]

Secondly, that help which any receiue from them bringeth destructon ofour soules, for such as seeke for relief this way, make a[e] separation& departing from God, which is the death of the soule. And though it maybe obiected, that some haue receiued benefite hereby, yet these are notone of tenne. And further, wee are not to iudge heerein of thelawfulnesse of these actions by the successe, but rest vpon thecommaundement, for it falleth out sometime, that a thiefe and commonrobber by the high way, may liue in more aboundance, then those who witha lawfull and honest trade painefully maintaine themeelues, yettherefore hee is not iustified. And when wee haue recourse vnto othersbeside God, we bewray herein our [f]distrust, infidelitie, contempt andrebellion against him, which grieuous sinnes bring his wrath andeternall destruction. But let it be taken for granted, that wee mayreceiue good by them, yet this maxime is sure, & a truth vnrepealeable, which no distinction can elude; we must not doe euill that good may comethereof, _Rom. 3. 8. _[g] yea, it were better to end our dayes in anyextremitie whatsoeuer, then to vse these for our helpers. 

 [Footnote e: In curing diseases the diuell respecteth two ends: the one, that he might seeme to keep the promise he hath made with those his slaues, and retaine them in their malicious practises and infidelity: the other, that hee might draw their faith and trust from God, who are thus healed by witches and wisards his instruments, and cast them downe headlong into destruction of their soules: or if they misse of hoped reliefe which often times so commeth to passe, God withstanding their attempts, then to wound their consciences, and driue them to despaire. ]

 [Footnote f: _Nauarrus in Enchiridio siue manuali confessariorum cap 11. _]

 [Footnote g: _Chrysost. Cont. Iud[e, ]os hom 6. _]

Thirdly, they[h] cure not diseases but in shew, except such asthemselues haue inflicted, otherwise those doe returne, as is reportedof _Adrianus_ the[i] Emperour, who troubled with a dropsie, by magicallcharmes did oftentimes empty the water thereof, but in a short spaceincreased againe; and perceiuing the same to grow worse & worse, soughtto dispatch and rid himselfe of life, by poyson, or the sword, or someother desperate attempts. Or a worse malady (the first being abated)followeth: as I haue knowne one, who vsing the help of a wisard for thecure of a sore in his breast, prescribed in this sort: crossed the placeaffected with his thumb, and mumbled to himself some words in secret, after gaue the patient a powder like the ashes of wood, which was to beboiled in running water, and with it to wash the vlcer, after certaineclouts were to be applyed, with speciall care to lay that side of theclout vnto the sore, which was by him crossed, and marked; and all theseclothes must at once be bound vpon it, and euery day the lowest remouedor taken away: thus in short time that anguish and griefe ceased; butnot long after the party fell into a more grieuous infirmity, and stillcontinueth therein. Or if the euill be taken from the[k] personpresently afflicted, then is it layd vpon his friends children orcattell, and sometime it falleth to the lot of the witch herselfe, sothat alwayes the diuell is a diuell, doing euill, and working mischiefe. 

 [Footnote h: _Tatianus oratione tertia contra Græcos. _]

 [Footnote i: _Xiphilinus ex Dion. In Adriano_ +manganeiais men te se kai goêtiais ekeonto pote tou hugrou, palin de autou epimplato. +]

 [Footnote k: Bodine proueth this by many examples in his _Dæmonomania_, _lib. 3. Cap. 2_. ]

Fourth, a [l]wisard, witch, or sorcerer can not releeue any but by hisor her inuocation, and help of the diuell, but this fact is absoluteIy, and without exception, wicked, and can by no limitation or circumstancebee made tolerable: Therefore they who require this at their hands, which they cannot performe without committing of sinne, be liable to thesame vengeance and wrath of God to which they are; for not only theprincipall offenders, but the [m]accessaries, and consenters to theireuill, are worthy of death, _Rom. 1. 32_. 

 [Footnote l: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Cardinalis Caietanus in summula titulo de maleficio. Toletus in summa casuum conscientiæ, sine instructione sacerdotum li. 4. C. 16. _]

 [Footnote m: _Gratianus in Decretis parte 2, causa 26. Qu[e, ]st. 2. Sect. Qui sine saluatore, &c. _]

Now before I conclude this poynt, because by these kinde of creatures, many toyes bee vsed, to shaddow and maske the diuells suggestion andworkes, it shall not be amisse to mention some of them, and among therest be [n]characters written or grauen in plates of mettall: and forthese it is most certayne that Quantities haue no actiue qualitie; andtherefore, if any expected successe according to desire doe follow inthe vse thereof, it proceedeth from the illusion of Sathan, and is hisworke, that hereby he might winne credite to his crafty fleights andconueyances, and procure to himselfe authority, establishing thekingdome of darknesse, withdraw men from resting vpon God, and reposingtheir trust in his almighty power, and boundlesse mercy, and sollicitethem to expect helpe from him. There are besides these, other idletrifles (for they deserue no better name which are appoynted to be hungabout the neck) for Amulets, as [o]powerfull and effectuall remediesagainst certayne diseases, and pictures made of gold, brasse, lead, wax, &c. Which neyther haue nor can haue any other vertue, then that whichthey doe receiue from the matter wherof they be framed, for the figureworketh not as a cause of alteration; but if it bring to passe any othereffect that is from the power of the diuell an old enemy, and craftiedeluder of mankinde, and therefore, presupposeth a contract made withhim: wherefore [p]_Antoninus Caracalla_ condemned those who vsed thesame, for the helpe of Tertian and Quartan agues, and _Constantius_[q]decreeth such to be woorthy capitall punishment, and put to death. Andthat naturall couer wherewith some children are borne, and is called byour women, the sillie how, Midwiues were wont to sell to credulousAduocates and Lawyers, as an especiall meanes to furnish them witheloquence[r] and perswasiue speech, and to stoppe the mouthes of all, who should make any opposition against them: for which cause one[s]_Protus_ was accused by the Clergie of Constantinople to haueoffended in this matter. And _Chrysostome_ often accuseth Midwiues forreseruing the same to Magicall vses. And _Clemens[t] Alexandrinus_giueth vs to vnderstand of one _Erecestus_, who had two inchauntedrings, so framed, that by the sound thereof he had direction for the fittime and oportunity in mannaging all the businesses hee intended, andyet notwithstanding was priuily murthered, though hee had warning giuenby that sound which was his vsuall instructer. Thus, none can escape thereuenging hand of God, which pursueth those who haue infeoffedthemselues to such vanities, and are besotted with these vnlawfullcuriosities. But among all other, charmes and inchaunting spells, hauegotten the start of the rest, which some think absolutely lawfull, andmay vpon warrantise bee vsed, and pleade prescription for theiriustification; for wee reade in _Homer_[u] that _Vlysses_ being woundedby words, stayed the flux of blood; and [x]_Cardanus_ tells vs, thathimselfe cutting his lip, could by no meanes restraine the flowingblood, vntill he charmed it, and then presently stanched: but dare notaffirm whether his owne confidence, or the words did make thisrestraint. I might adde to these, that infallible meanes (as issupposed) by finding out a thiefe with a Siue and a payre of Sheares, with that coniunction [y]_Dies, mies, Iescet, &c. _ and the rest of suchsencelesse and monstrous tearmes, a Riddle that _Oedipus_ himselfe couldnot vnfolde. But because this conceit of charming hath ouer-spread itselfe in this Sunneset of the world, and challengeth a lawfullapprobation from the authority and practise of ancient [z]Physitians, yea and found some [aa]Diuines to be their Patrons respectiuely, andwith clauses of mitigation, I thinke it very necessarie to shew thevnlawfulness thereof. Wherefore, [Footnote n: Of these characters and Images, _Iohn Gerson de erroribus circa art[~e] magicam dicto 3. Litera O. Martinus de Arles de superstitionibus. Binfeldius in cõmentar. Ad titulum Codicis de maleficis & mathematicis;_ and examples _Hector Boetius l. 2. Historia Scotic[e, ], de rege Duffo_, and _Thuanus_ lately in the reign of _Charles_ the ninth king of France in the 57. Books of the historie of his times. ]

 [Footnote o: _Binfeldius in titulum codicis de maleficis & mathematicis. Martinus de Arles in tractatu de superstitionibus. _]

 [Footnote p: _Spartianus in vita Antonini Caracallæ. _]

 [Footnote q: _Ammianus Marcellinus lib. 19. Non procul a fine, & lib. 29. _]

 [Footnote r: _Lampridius in Antonino Diadumeo. _]

 [Footnote s: _Balsamon in commentarijs ad conc. Constantinopolitanum in Trullo cap. 61. _]

 [Footnote t: _Stromateon libr. 1. Gestauit_ +duo daktôlious gegoêteumenous ouk apothanô de homôs dolophonêtheis kai toi prosêmênantos tou psophou. +]

 [Footnote u: _Odissea 19. Vulnus Vlyssis_ +Autolukou philoi paides dêsan epistamenôs epaoidê de haima kelainon echethon. + _Cato de re rustica. Plin. Li. 28. Ca. 2. Bodinus Dæmonomanias l. 2. C. 2. _]

 [Footnote x: _De subtilitate libr. 18. _]

 [Footnote y: _Georgius Pictorius in epitome de Magia. Cap. 21. _]

 [Footnote z: _Vide Ritherhusium in notis ad Malchum de vita Pythagoræ. Alexander Trallian. Libr. 10. De colico affectu, in fine. Serenus Sammonicus de pr[e, ]ceptis medicinæ cap. De Hemitritæo depellenda. Ioh. Langius epistolarum medicinalium lib. 1 epist. 33. & 34. _]

 [Footnote aa: _Aquinas in summa secundæ quest. 96. Articulo 4. _]

First, they had their originall and beginning from the diuell, who abodenot in the truth, _Iohn 8. 44. _ was cast downe with the apostata angelsto hell, and deliuered into chaines of darkenesse, _2. Pet. 2. 4. _ whoenuying mans felicity receiued into grace after the [bb]fall, himselfeeternally reiected, omitted no occasion to weaken and ouerthrow thesame, that the benefite thereof might come but to a few, and thegreatest number perish with him for euer. Whereupon he endeuoured toinwrappe the weaker sort of that fraile corporation in superstitions, beguile them with doubtfull and false oracles, and bring to a forme ofworshippe contrary to that which God had commaunded, [cc]whereby theworld beganne to abound with Idolatry, disobedience, contempt, murthers, vncleanenesse, lusts, thefts, lying, and such like outrages: and thathee might with his infections impoyson them more dangerously, andsoueraigne in their hearts, he vndertooke to worke wonders, imitatingsuch miracles as God had done, and deuised cunningly many subtilesleights and legerdemaines, and for this end most blasphemously abusedthe glorious and holy name of God, and the word vttered by his mouth, and represented a false shew of those effects, which hee had wrought innature: and heerein leuelled at two intentions, one to reproch God, andcounterchecke his works; the other to ouer-mask and couer his ownesecret traps and frauds, perswading men, that by the power of wordesthese things were brought to pass, which must needes therefore be ofgreat efficacie: seeing that the world & all things therein were so madeof nothing; for he spake, and they were created, and thus practised todisgrace, and extenuate, that admirable and great worke of Creation, andcause men to make lighter account of the Creator, seeing that they also(instructed by him) were enabled thorow the pronunciation of certaynewords contriued into a speciall forme, eyther to infuse new strengthinto things, or depriue them of that which formerly they had, or alterthe course of Nature, in raysing tempests, stirring vp thunder andlightning; in [dd]taming serpents, and depriuing them of their naturallfiercenesse and venime, and cause wilde beasts to become meeke andtractable, yea in seeming to make sensible bodies; as cloudes, wind, raine & the like. And thus the diuell is that father who begot Charmes, and brought them foorth, not powerfull in themselues, but by thatinter-league which hee hath with those who are invassaled vnto him. 

 [Footnote bb: _De differentia inter Diabolos & homines peccatores Augustinus in Enchiridio cap. 28. & in suis ad illum cõmentarijs Lambertus Dan[e, ]us. _]

 [Footnote cc: _Peucerus de generibus Diuinationum & titulo de incantationibus. _]

 [Footnote dd: _Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis Virg. Ecloga 8. _]

Secondly, God doth as straitly prohibit them, and seuerely punish thepractisers thereof, as others offending in any exercise of vnlawfullarts, _Deut. 18. 10. 11_. There shall not be found among you (instructingthe Israelites his people) a charmer, &c. For these are abhominationvnto the Lord, &c. And this is recorded in the Catalogue of those sinnesof _Manasses_, by which hee sought to prouoke God vnto anger, _2. Kin. 21. 8. _ _2. Chronicles 33. 6_. 

Thirdly, words haue no vertue, [ee] but either to signifie and expressethe conceits of the minde, or to affect the eares of the Auditors, sothat they can worke nothing but in these two respects: first of thematter which is vttered by them, which vnderstood of the hearers, affectthe mind diuersly, and that especially when there is ioyned with it acomelinesse of action and pronunciation, as wee we see oftentimes in thespeeches of the Ministers of the Word, and in the pleadings of Orators. As when _Paul_ reasoned before _F[oe]lix_ and _Drusilla_ his wife, ofTemperance, Righteousnesse, and Iudgement to come, hee trembled, _Acts24. 25. _ [ff]being guilty to himselfe of fraudulent and cruell dealing, of lasciuiousnesse and a filthy life, and therefore might iustly fearevengeance for the same. 

 [Footnote ee: +rhêmata Blastêmata noêmatôn, & phônê+ _Etymologicis dicitur quasi_ +to phôs tou nou+. _De hac materia eruditissimè disputat Franciscus Valesius de sacra Philosophia, cap. 3. _]

 [Footnote ff: _Pr[e, ]fectus Iud[e, ]æ impositus cuncta malefacta sibi impune ratus est, &c. Tacitus Annalium lib. 12. & historiæ lib. 5. Per omnem sæuitiam ac libidinem ius regium seruili ingenio exercuit. _]

A like example to this is that in King _Agrippa_, though working vpon abetter subject, _Act. 26. 28_. And if I may conioyne Diuine eloquencewith Humane, it is memorable, that while [gg]_Tully_ pleaded before_Cæsar_ for _Ligarius_, accused by _Tubero_, to haue beene confederatewith _Pompey_, purposing to put him to death, as an enemy, when theOrator altered, and in Rhetoricall manner inforced his speech, the otherchanged accordingly his countenance, and bewrayed the piercing words tobe so affecting, that the supplications, when he came once to vrge andmention the battell of _Pharsalia_, (trembling and dismayed) did fallfrom his hands, hauing the passions of his minde extraordinarily moued, and absolued the offender. Or else when by their pleasantnesse, withdelight they slide into the hearts of men, and rauish their affections:and thus it was with [hh]_Augustine, _ as he acknowledgeth of himselfe, that being at _Milaine_ where he was baptized by _S. Ambrose_, when heheard the harmony which was in singing of the Psalmes, the words piercedhis eares, the truth melted his heart, his passions were moued, andshowers of teares with delight fell from his eyes. [ii] But these effectsare wrought onely in such who vnderstand that which is spoken, butneither of both these properties are to bee found in the Charmes ofWisards: besides, that they are conceiued and expressed in monstrous andvnknowne tearmes, not intelligible, and without signification: andtherefore the effects they produce being[kk] supernaturall must proceedfrom that secret compact, the least made with the Diuell. 

 [Footnote gg: +arxamenos legein ho kikerôn huperphuôs ekoinei+ _Plutarchus in Cicerone_. ]

 [Footnote hh: _Aug. Confessionum lib. 9. Cap. 6 Quantum fleui in hymnis & cãtibus eius suauè sonãtibus Ecclesiæ tuæ vocibus commotus acriter? Voces ill[e, ] influebant auribus meis, & liquebatur veritas tua in cor meum, & ex ea æstuabat affectus pietatis, & currebant lachrimæ & bene mihi erat cum ijs. _]

 [Footnote ii: _Vide Aquinatem egregie de hac materia disputant[~e] Summa contra Gentes, lib. 43. Cap. 105. & tuis Commentatorem Franciscum de Syluestris. _]

 [Footnote kk: _Caietanus in summula in titulo: Incantatio. Toletus in summa causuum conscientiæ; sine instructione sacerdotum lib. 4. Cap. 17. _]

Fourthly, these charmes are meere mockeries, and grosse abuses, both ofGod, and Men his creatures, I will giue you a taste of one or two, whereby you may iudge of the rest, for they came all out of one shoppe, and are fashioned in one forge, and haue the same workman or Artificer. [ll]An old woman crauing helpe for bleare eyes, had deliuered a Billetof Paper to weare about her necke, in which was written, _The Diuellpull out thine eyes_, and recouered. Anothere tied a scroule to a sickeman, full of strange Characters, with which were intermingled a fewnames of Diuels, as _Lucifer_, _Sathan_, _Belzebub_, _Oriens_, _Behal_, _Mammon_, _Beuflar_, _Narthin_, _Oleasar, &c. _ and other of this sort;but what manner of blessing this was, and how likely to be medicinable, a Christian truely instructed in Gods word knoweth; and the Lord who isthe father of mercies, and God of all comfort, preserue vs from suchblasphemies, which are the Diuels Sacrifices. 

 [Footnote ll: _Godelmannus in tractatu de magis, Veneficis &c. Lib. 1. Cap. 8. Nº 25 & 27. Vide Simonem Maiolum colloquiorum siue dierum caniculorum parte 2, colloquio 3. _]

Fifthly, the discreeter sort among the Heathen, by that small glimpse ofnaturall reason which they had, misliked of these things: [mm]Andtherefore _Cato_ among the rest of admonitions to the Bailiffe of hishusbandry, giueth this charge, to aske no aduice of any Southsaier, Diuiner, Wisard, or Natiuity Calculator. [nn]And _Columella_ vtterlyforbiddeth all acquaintance with Witches, wherby ignorant people areinforced to expence detestable Arts, and mischieuous deeds. [oo]_Hippocrates_ doth almost like a Christian discourse of this poynt, and condemne the whole practise of this Art, as iniurious vnto God, whoonely purgeth sinnes, and is our preseruer; and for these fellowes whomake profession of such wonder-working, brandeth them for Impostors anddeceiuers. I conclude with that remarkeable saying of an ancientDiuine;[pp] These vanities doe separate and with-draw vs from God, though they may seeme to haue something in them to allure and delightvs; yet let no Christian entertaine them, whose hope ought to be setledin God alone. And if thou be in distresse, or afflicted with sicknesseof body, and feele no present release or comfort, what then? here is thetryall of thy patience, haue not recourse to superstitious and vnlawfullhelpers, although they promise thee present remedy; and when theyfore-tell thee of things which doe truely according to the prediction tofall out, beleeue them not, follow the example of Christ, who rebukedthe Diuell, though he called him (as he was indeed) the Son of God. Forvnder the vaile of truth he shadoweth falshood; euen as if one shouldsweeten with honey or sugar the brimme of the Cup wherein he bringethpoyson: But some will say, they call vpon the name of the Lord ofSabbaoth. Well, but this title they giue not to God, but to the Diuell:therefore betake thou thy selfe to God alone, craue health at his hand, and follow the Apostles direction; _If any bee sicke among you, let himcall for the Elders of the Church, and let him pray_, Iames 5. 14. 

 [Footnote mm: _Cato de rè rustica, cap. 5. _]

 [Footnote nn: _Columella lib. 1. Cap. 8. _]

 [Footnote oo: _Libro de morbo sacro (siue illius sit, siue alterius, nam de authore apud eruditos dubitatio est) statim ab initio. & quædã huc pertinentiæ habet Theophrastus de plantis lib. 9. Cap. 21. _]

 [Footnote pp: _Procopius Gazeus in Leuiticum. _]

 _The ninth Proposition, and second Corrolary. _

There hath alwayes beene some wanton, or peruerse wits, who only to maketriall of their skill, would take in hand to defend absurd positions, and commend both such things and persons, which were infamous, andcontemptible as [a]_Phauorinus_ writ the praise of the Quartane Ague, one of the gout, blindnesse, and deafness, [b]_Lucian_ of a flye, [c]_Erasmus_ of folly, [d]_Synesius_ of baldnesse, [e]_Glaucus_ in_Plato_ of iniustice. And among the exercises of the [f]ancient Orators, wee finde those who strained all their vnderstanding to blaze the honourof that witlesse and deformed Coward _Thersites_. And this they haueperformed with great Art and eloquence, onely to shew their faculty, butneuer in good earnest took such a matter in hand. And therefore moredeeply is hee to be censured, who hath made himselfe an aduocate toplead the cause of [g]Witches, and defend th[~e] as innocent. Andbecause this is a dangerous example, and doth draw those who are euillaffected to offend, hoping for patronage of their impiety, I adde forconclusion this last proposition: Wisards, Witches, and the whole rabbleof Sorcerers (no kinde excepted) are iustly liable[h] to extreamepunishment. The arguments alleaged for proofe hereof, are many: I willmake choyce of a few (with reference to such authors in whose writingsmore may bee found) and those which are most[i] demonstratiue. 

 [Footnote a: _Phauorinus apud Agellium. Lib. 17. Cap. 12. _]

 [Footnote b: _Luciani encomion musc[e, ]. _]

 [Footnote c: _Erasmus. _]

 [Footnote d: _Synesius. _]

 [Footnote e: _Lib. 2 de Republica. _]

 [Footnote f: _Extat eius laudatio inter exempla exercitationum Rhetorum ab Henrico Stephano editarum cum Polemonis & Himerij declamationibus. _]

 [Footnote g: _Wierus. _]

 [Footnote h: _Simlerus in 22 Exodi. _]

 [Footnote i: Of these all the following reasons. _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum, & in Commentarijs ad titulum legis de maleficis & mathematicis copiosè. Remigius de D[e, ]monologia, lib. 3. Cap. Vltimo. Peucerus de pr[e, ]cipuis Diuinationum generibus. Erastus de Lamijs. Bodinus Dæmonomanias lib. 4. Cap. 5. _]

First, God himselfe hath enacted that p[oe]nall statute, _Thou shalt notsuffer a witch to liue. Exod. 22 18. _ and nameth here a [k]womanpractising this damnable Art for two reasons: First, they are moreinclinable hereunto then man. Secondly, that though their fault mayseeme, as being the weaker, excuseable, and is in this respectextenuated by some, yet is not therefore to bee spared, whether of thatsort which they call [l]good, or bad (for so are they distinguished) &there be some who neuer brought[m] harme vpon any in body, goods, orminde. The cause of this so sharpe a doome, is their compacting with theDiuell, openly or secretly, whereby they couenant to vse his helpe, infulfilling their desires, and by this meanes make themselues guilty ofhorrible impiety: for in this they renounce the Lord, who hath createdthem; make no account of his fauour and protection, cut themselues offfrom the couenant made with him in baptisme, from the communion ofSaints, the true fellowship and seruice of God; and on the contraryyeeld themselues by this confederacy, to Sathan, as their God (andtherefore nothing more frequent and vsuall in their mouthes, then my Godwill do this and that for me) him they continually feare and honour. Andthus do at the last become professed enemies both to God and Man. Youmay adde to this former law, that which is _Leuit. 19. 26. _ & _cap. 6_. _You shall vse no inchantment: the soule that turneth after such as hauefamiliar spirits, and are Wisards, to goe a whooring after them, I willset my face against that soule, and will cut him off from among hispeople, &c. _ Againe, _Deut. 18. 10_. _There shall not bee found amongyou any that vseth Diuination, nor an obseruer of times, or aninchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a consulter with familiarspirits, a Wisard, or Necromancer. _ And that God might shew how[n] much_Manasses_ had prouoked him to wrath, through his transcendent andoutragious sinnes in the Catalogue thereof, his conspiring with Diuelsis mentioned _1. King 21. 8_. And therefore is depriued of his kingdome, bound in fetters, and carried captiue vnto _Babel_, _2. Chron. 33. 6. 11. _ and though he repented of these outragious and enormioustransgressions, yet God would not bee appeased for them fiftie yearesafter he was dead, _Ierem. 15. 4. _

 [Footnote k: _Hironimus Oleaster in locum, & Iunius & Tremelius in eundem. _]

 [Footnote l: _Perkins_ of Witch-craft. ]

 [Footnote m: _Binfeldius in Commentarium ad titulum codicis de Mathematicis & Maleficis. _]

 [Footnote n: _Godelmannus de Magis & veneficis, lib. 3. Cap. 11. Nº. 14. 15. 16. & seq. _]

Secondly, the ciuill lawes in this case are most strict, decreeing themto bee burned, and their goods confiscate, though they were persons ofquality, and honourable, seated in dignity, and place of authority:[o]and there is a seuere constitution made by [p]_Charles_ the fift in latedayes against them, that though they shall not haue done, or beconuinced to haue hurt any, yet because they attempted a thingvnlawfull, and abhominable vnto God, are extraordinarily to be punished. And concerning this particular, S. _Augustin_ discourseth excellently, worthy to be read, _de ciu. Dei. L. 8. C. 19. _

 [Footnote o: _Anonymus de Mosaicarum & Romanarum legum collatione titulo. 15. _]

 [Footnote p: _Constitutiones criminales Caroli 5^i. à Georgio Ramo edita cap. 44. 109. & 177_ Such are exempted from all benefit of those pardons which Princes vse to giue to other malefactors. _Fornerius ad legem 236. In Titulo de verborum significatione, vide illum nam multa erudite scribit, ad propositum nostrum pertinentia. _]

Thirdly, God willeth those should bee put to death, who by Diabolicaland vnlawfull Arts, do endeuour to helpe or harme others, whether in actthey performe the same, or purpose with intention, conceiuing andthinking they can do it, with ranke Witches must needs be marshalled;and therefore iustly subiect to deserued punishment. 

Fourthly, all Idolaters are to dye by diuine appointment, _Deu. 17. 5_. But I thinke no mans forehead is so brasen, that will stand Proctor, andplead guiltlesse for these sort of people, who deuote themselues whollyto the Diuell, though neuer so closely, and with great and cauteloussecresie: and no doubt God therefore was reuenged of the Templars, andtheir detestable wickednesse practised in darknesse and obscurity, whoall[q] perished, as it were, in a moment for the same; of which at thefull we may be informed in our owne ancient histories. 

 [Footnote q: _Anno Domini_ 1312. Whose order began 1123. _Thomas Walsingham_ in the life of K. _Edward_ the 2^d, in his English history, an in his _Hypodigma Neustri[e, ]_. ]

Fifthly, they doe solicite others to be of their profession (which isone clause of that contract made betweene them and the Diuell) andconsecrate their childen vnto him: and against this, there is anespeciall caution put in _Deuteronomy 13. 6. 9. 10. _

Sixtly, they deserue death as inhumane and barbarous tyrants, forlingringly _vt sentiant se mori_, that they may feele how they doe decayby degrees, seek the vtter ouerthrow of those whom they doe maligne: andas a further appendix to this, oftentimes by the helpe of their grandteacher, sowe discord betweene husband and wife, sollicite maydens, yeaenforce both them, and married women to vncleane, and vnlawfull lusts, and heerein implore the helpe of the diuell, to accomplish theirmalicious designes, which trangression is capitall. 

Seuenthly, the exercise of this act or vanity is punishable by death, although it be practised but onely in sport and ieast, which appearethus, because God hath seriously forbidden (and vnder no lesseforfeiture of life it self) to aske counsell of a Soothsayer orConiurer; if this then be a crime of such nature, in those, who it maybee heerein thought not to doe euill, ther is no reason to induce any tothinke that hee will spare the wilfull, and purposed authors thereof, and Magitians, who worke onely iuggling trickes, and illusions, andfore-tell some future things, as yet vnknowne vntill they doe so fallout, are not freed from the sentence condemnatorie, much more then thosewho willingly, and vpon premeditated malice, murther or impaire the lifeand good estate of other, deserue to stand paralell with them. And therecan no reson be yielded of this so sharp a censure, but onely becausethey haue learned, and accordingly exercise vnlawfull arts, forwhosoeuer endeuoureth to bring that thing to passe, by pretendingnaturall meanes, which exceedeth the power of Nature, and is nowthereunto enabled eyther by God, or the ministery of good Angells at hisappoyntment, hee must of necessity haue this faculty communicated bysome combination and inter league with the diuell. 

Eightly, the Iudge or ciuil Magistrate is bound by vertue of thatoffice, and superioritie he sustaineth in the common-wealth, to purgeand free that place, in, and ouer which he hath command, of allmalefactors, which if he doe neglect, then is a double offender, againstthe Law both of Iustice and Charity; for hee is obliged by duety toforesee (so much as in him lyeth) that the publike state should besecured, which it concerneth to haue offenders punished, otherwise heemaketh himselfe partner with them in their outrages and offences, andstandeth answerable for those damages sustained by the whole bodie ofthe people in generall, or vndergone by any particular of the same, forsparing of the wicked[r] is hurting the good, and hee that doth notrepresse and forbid euill (when it is in his power) doth countenance andmaintaine it. 

 [Footnote r: _Pythagoras apud Stobæum. _]

Much more might be added, and many examples produced, to manifest, howin all Nations these odious company of witches, and the like haue euerbeene accounted detestable; and for their impious deedes requited withneuer dying shame, aud vtter confusion, and iustly by law executed; foramong the Romans, Mathematitians, [s] and Magitians by the Decree of theSenate were expelled out of all Italy: and amongst these _Pituanus_ wasthrowne downe from the rock _Tarpeius_, and crushed apeeces. _Martius_by the Consuls put to death with the sound of a Trumpet without the gate_Exquilina_: _Publicia_ and _Licinia_ women, [t] and seauenty morewitches hanged. The [u]speedy judgement of the Athenians, witnesse oftheir hatred against these kinde of malefactors, is much commended, whowithout any other solemnity of proceeding at the onely accusation of aMaide, without delay put one _Lemnia_ a witch to death: and it ismemorable which _Ammianus[x] Marcellinus_ hath left in record, that one_Hilarius_, because hee committed his sonne yong, and not of matureyeares, to be taught and instructed vnto a Coniurer, was adjudged todie, and escaping from the hands of the executioner, who had negligentlybound him, drawne by force out of the next church of the Christians towhich hee fled as vnto a Sanctuary, and executed. 

 [Footnote s: _Tacitus annalium li. 2. & consule Lipsium in suis ad eum cõmentarijs. _]

 [Footnote t: _Valerius Maximus li. 6. Ca 3. Remigius Dæmonolog. L. 3. C. *_]

 [Footnote u: _Demosthenes orat. 1. Contra Aristogitonem. _]

 [Footnote x: _Libr. 16. _ not farre from the beginning. ]

The end of [y]_Varasolo_, a famous Inchantresse in Hungarie isdreadfull, who for her sundry witcheries was cast into prison, and thereconstrayned through extremity of hunger, to reare off and eate the fleshof her owne legges and armes, and at the last, impatient of furtherdelay, there murthered herselfe, and shortned the span of her life. 

 [Footnote y: _Bonfinius rerum Hungaricarum decadis 2. Libr. 2. _]

But here I stay my hand, take it from the table, and the rather, because much hath already beene spoken to this purpose. Wherefore, forconclusion, I shut vp this whole Treatise with a remarkeable speech of anoble [z]King; Let the streight rigor of law bee inflicted vpon all, both practisers and partakers with wisards, by putting any confidence inthem; for it is vngodly for man to be remisse and fauourable vnto thosewhom diuine piety, and our duety to God will not suffer vnpunished. Forwhat folly were it to forsake the Creator and Giuer of life, and tofollow the author of death? this dishonest fact, vnbeseeming, andvtterly repugnant to the credite and reputation of a Iudge, be farrefrom him. Let none countenance that which the Lawes doe condemne, forall are by the Regall Edicts to bee punished with death, who intermeddlewith such forbidden and vnlawfull Artes. 

 [Footnote z: _Allaricus apud Cassiodorum li. 9 epist. 18. In qua edictum illius:_ and _Cornelius Agrippa_, sometime more then well acquainted with this Art, doth retract his owne books written of secret philosophy, & in plaine tearms and expresly giues his iudgement, that all these lewd women (for this title may include the whole rabble of this blacke Guard) with _Iannes_ and _Iambres_, and _Simon Magus_, are to be tormented with endlesse paines in eternall fire. _Cornelius Agrippa De vanitate Scientiarum ca. 48. _]

 _FINIS. _

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Typographic Errors and Anomalies:

"Witchcraft" / "Witch-craft" The word occurs nine times with a hyphen, four times without, and three times at line breaks. The three line-break occurrences have been rendered here with hyphen. Capitalization is similarly varied. 

Dæmonomania, lib. 2 cap. *Irenæus contra hereses. Lib. * cap. 9. Aug de Ciuit. Dei, lib. * cap. 35Remigius Dæmonolog. // l. 3. C. * These text citations are either missing or illegible. 

_Introduction_ --and voluntarily acknowledged after conference had with me _text reads_ wit hme

_First Proposition_ Footnote a: dangerous _text reads_ dangerons Footnote n: ... Ta phrarmaka _so in text_ Footnote hh: Cicero ... De orato primo _text reads_ de de

_Third Proposition_ Footnote a: Iaquerius flagelli Hereticorum fascinariorum _text reads_ fafcinariorum Footnote e: Ioh. Nider in præceptorio, præcepto 1. Cap. 11. _text reads_ ... Præcepto 1. Ca. P11. Footnote f: Weirus de præstigijs dæmonum _so in original: elsewhere spelled_ Wierus --that it not onely sufficed the thirst of his distressed Souldiers _text reads_ dstiressed --and altogether / incredible, as of _Ericus_ _text reads_ incredible (as of _with no close parenthesis_ --would seeme to be meere fictions _text reads_ fictious --But through the cooperation of the Diuell _text reads_ thorugh Footnote aa: Iaquerius in flagello hereticorum fascinariorum _text reads_ fafcinariorum

_Fourth Proposition_ --both _de esse_, and _de posse_, that there may be _text reads_ that that Footnote g: Godelmannus de magia ... Lib. 1. Cap. 2. Xº. 8. 9. 10 &c. _number illegible_

_Fifth Proposition_ Footnote e: Multa exempl[e, ] habet Bodinus _so in original_

_Sixt(h) Proposition_ --the continuance, and the effect _text reads_ coutinuance Footnote g: Ceolcenus _so in original: misreading of handwritten "Cedrenus"?_

_Seventh Proposition_ --who commaunded that _Epicharis_ _text reads_ commannded _spellings "command" and "commaund" are equally common in text_ Footnote a: In Perkei ababboth. _so in original_ --such things as be not fitting and conuenient _text reads_ couenient --vnto the Philistines _catchword on previous page has "-stims"_ --Hitherto in some Propositions I haue set downe _text reads_ Popositions

_Narrative of Mary Smith_ --being sent for to conferre with some learned and reuerend Diuines _text reads_ Diuiues --warrant a* foule sinne among Christians _illegible letter: possibly "as foule sinne"

_Eight(h) Proposition_ --he had direction for the fit time and oportunity _text reads_ opoortunity _word occurs only once elsewhere; it is spelled "oportunity"_ Footnote aa: Aquinas in summa secundæ quest. 96. Articulo 4. _text reads_ secundæ secundæ --but either to signifie and expresse the conceits of the minde _text reads_ bnt either --As when _Paul_ reasoned before _F[oe]lix_ and _Drusilla_ his wife _so in original: normal form of the name and word is "felix"_ Footnote hh: Aug. Confessionum _text reads_ confessinum

_Ninth Proposition_ --then my God will do this and that for me _text reads_ this aud that [o], [p] _footnote locations are conjectural: references missing from text_]

[Problems in Text Citation and Greek Transcription:

_The html version of this text addresses these problems in greaterdetail, and includes screen images of the more illegible passages. _

_Preface_ Footnote d: inuentas esse has artes +pros ap.. ên eleeinôn anthrôpôn tôn rhadiôs hupokleptomenôn eis tauta hupo tou diabolou. + affirmat Cedrenus in historiæ compendio. _Reading unclear: +eleeinôn+ may be +helesin ôn+. The original text was unavailable to me. _

_First Proposition_ Footnote f: eam aut[~e] +pentekên+ vocat Balsamon _Correct form is +penthektên+_ Footnote t: +kathaper empsuchou sômatos tôn spheôn exairetheisôn akreionas to holon: houtôs ex historias ean arês tên alêtheian, to kataloipomenon autês, anateles gignetai diêgêma+ _A more recent text (the 1893 Teubner) has +tôn opseôn exairetheisôn achreioutai+ in place of +tôn spheôn exairetheisôn akreionas+ and +anôpheles+ in place of +anateles+_ Footnote u: +Kaionos idiotês eutheia+ _Reading unclear: +Kaiones+ may be meant for a contraction of +kai aiones+. The original text was unavailable to me. _

_Third Proposition_ Footnote m: hippomenes fætæ semina legit equæ. _A more recent text (the 1898 Teubner) has "hippomanes fetæ semina legit equæ. "_ Footnote u: Nubilaque iudico... _Modern texts such as the 1907 Teubner give VII. 202 as "Nubilaque indico... " The word "iudico" does not fit the metre, and may be typographic error. _ +ouranothen katagontes... + _The wording was reconstructed with the aid of the Loeb text, which had no significant incompatible points_

_Fourth Proposition_ Footnote f: ... Enormiter instigante si eius ob*quijs & arti magica obligauit... _Reading unclear: may be abbreviation for 'obsequiis' or 'obloquiis'. The text could not be identified. _

_Fifth Proposition_ Footnote i: Hesiodus +ergôn kai hêmerôn+ lib. 1. D[e, ]monas ait esse +aera essamenous+. _The text cited, Hesiod's _Works and Days_, is not divided into books. The words occur in l. 125, bracketed in the Loeb edition. _ Footnote s: Sophocles in Trachinijs vocat +drun poluglôsson+, quia ut eius Scholiastes interpretatur... _The words occur in l. 1168. The scholia were unavailable to me. _

_Eighth Proposition_ Footnote t: Stromateon libr. 1. Gestauit +duo daktôlious gegoêteumenous ouk apothanô de homôs dolophonêtheis kai toi prosêmênantos tou psophou. + _Reading unclear. The text (Clement of Alexandria, _Stromata_ bk. 1) was unavailable to me. _ Footnote u: Odissea 19. Vulnus Vlyssis +Autolukou philoi paides dêsan epistamenôs epaoidê de haima kelainon echethon. + _The passage occurs at 19. 455-458. The words are differently arranged but are essentially the same. _ Footnote gg: +arxamenos legein ho kikerôn huperphuôs ekoinei+ _Plutarchus in Cicerone_ _A more recent text (the 191 Loeb) has +huperphuôs ekinei+. The last word is largely illegible; +ekoinei+ is the best guess. _ ]