Chapter I: Part 1

[Transcriber's Note:

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

Characters that could not be represented in the latin-1 character set
are 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+.]

* * * * *

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 those dreadfull 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, when although it be shadowed with a beautifull Maske of holines, faire tongued: yet false-harted,[b] _professing they know God, but in works deny him_. And among these there be two especiall sorts; the one, who entertaining a stubborne, and curious rash boldnes, striue by the iudgem[~e]t of reason, to search ouer-deeply into the knowledge of those things which are farre aboue the reach of any humane capacitie. And so making shipwracke in this deep and vnfoundable Sea, ouerwhelme themselues 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 vsually spreadeth his netts, as assured of a prey, wayting closely if hee can espie any, who either grow discontented and desperate, through want and pouerty, or be exasperated with a wrathfull and vnruly passion of reuenge, or transported by vnsatiable loue to obtaine some thing they desire; and these hee taking aduantage, assaulteth with golden and glorious promises, to performe vnto them the wishes of their owne hearts; the drift whereof is (hee being as at the first incased in a subtile Serpents skinne) onely to enthrall and invassall them slaues to himselfe. The first of these mentioned, are slie and masked Atheists, who ouer-shadow their secret impiety, loose and dissolute behauiour with some outward conformitie and shew of religion, snatching (as they thinke) a sufficient warrantize thereof from those disorders they obserue among men, and therfore passe vncensured, hauing a ciuill, but dissembled carriage. The second be Sorcerers, Wisards, Witches, and the rest of that ranke and kindred: no small multitude swarming now in the world, yet supposed of many, rather worthy pitty then punishment, as deluded by fantasies, and mis-led, not effecting those harmes wherewith they bee charged, or themselues acknowledge. But considering they be ioyned and linked together with Satan in a league (the common and professed enemy of mankinde) and by his helpe performe many subtile mischieuous actions, and hurtfull designes, it is strange that from so great a smoake arising, they neither descrie nor feare some fire. And therefore, 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 witch among you, whose irreligious care, and vnwearied industry, is not to be defrauded of deserued commendation, and by mature deliberation, and descreete search, found out her irreligious and impious demeanour, and also discouered sundry her vnnaturall and inhumane mischiefes done to others, whereof being conuicted, she was accordingly sentenced, and did vndergoe the penalty iustly appointed, and due by Law vnto malefactors of that kinde. After all which, you kindled with a holy zeale of the aduauncement of Gods glorie, and giuing satisfaction to euery one howsoeuer affected, intermitted no meanes, vsing therein the labour of your carefull Ministers (willingly offering themselues in this holy seruice) whereby she might be broght (as one conuerted in the last houre) to the sight & acknowledgement of her heinous sins in generall, & particularly of that of witchcraft, confessing the same, & by true repentance, and embracing of the tender mercies of God in Christ Iesus saue 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 all those who are not fondly, & without cause, too much wedded to their owne conceits: And thus, desiring GOD most humbly to confirme and strengthen you in his truth, which euer you haue loued, and is your due praise, and shall 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, and that of such a subject wherewith not being well acquainted, am enforced to craue some direction from those, whose names you shall finde remembred in the same: (that I be not vnthankefull vnto those from whom I receiue instruction) and haue in former time, and latter dayes, taken paines in searching out, both the speculatiue, and practique parts of this damnable Art of Witchcraft, a dangerous and seducing inuention of Sathan, who from the Arcenals, and Magisins store-houses of his ancient and mischieuous furniture, hath not spared to affoord all helpe, and the best Engines for the subuerting of soules, pliable to his allurements: and to this end, beside a plaine narration of fact in this case committed and confessed, (least the Treatise should be too bare and naked) I haue added thereunto a few Propositions, agreeing to such a subiect matter, manifesting some speciall poynts not altogether impertinent in my opinion, nor vnworthy of due consideration: I know mine owne wants, and do as willingly acknowledge them: One more experienced, and of greater leasure, and better health, had beene fitter for the opening and discouering of so deepe a mystery, and hidden secret of Iniquity, as this is; and haply hereafter may be willing to take that taske in hand: yet herein thou shalt finde something not vsuall: A manifest contract made with the Diuell, and by the solemne tearmes of a league, which is the ground of all the pernitious actions proceeding from those sorts of people, who are, haue beene, and shall be practioners 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 owne accord, and voluntarily acknowledged after conference had with me, and sundry learned and reuerend Diuines, who both prayed for her conuersion, carefully instructed her in the way to saluation, and hopefully rescued her from the Diuell, (to whom she was deuoted, and by him seduced) and regained her to God, from whom she was departed by Apostacie. And in this 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 would condiscend vnto should be deferred, though offered repriuall vpon hope that more might haue beene acknowledged) being very distemperate, neuerthelesse some accompanied her to the place, and were both eye and eare-witnesses of her behauiour there, seeing and hearing how she did then 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, taking my leaue, and commending thee to the gracious guidance and preseruation of 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 be the first Author and Inuenter of Magicall and curious Arts. The most generall occurrence of opinion is, that they fetch their pedigree from the [a]_Persians_, who searching more deeply into the secrets of Nature then others, and not contented to bound themselues within the limits thereof, 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 so soone as he by birth[b] entred the world, contrary to the vsuall condition of other men, laughed (whereas the beginning of our life is a sob, the end a sigh) and this was ominous to himselfe, no warrantise for the enioying of the pleasures of this life, ouercome in battell by _Ninus_[c] King of the _Assirians_, and ending his dayes by the stroake of a thunder-bolt, and could not, though a famous Sorcerer, either fore-see, or preuent his owne destinie. And because he writ many bookes of this damnable Art, and left them to posterity, may well be accounted a chiefe maister of the same. But the Diuell[d] must haue the precedencie, whose schollers both he and the rest were, who followed treading in his steps. For he taught them South-saying, Auguration, Necromancie, and the rest, meere delusions, aiming therein at no other marke, then to with draw men from the true worshipping of God. And all these pernitious practises are fast tied together by the tailes, though their faces looke sundry wayes; and therefore the Professors thereof are stiled 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 so vnsearchable a depth of Sathan, that neither the secrets of the one can be discouered, nor the bottome of the other further sounded, then either the practisers thereof themselues by their owne voluntary confessions made, or procured by order of Iustice (according to the manner of that Countrey where they be questioned) haue acknowledged, or is manifested by the sundry mischiefes done of them vnto others, proued by impartiall testimonies vpon oath, and by vehement presumptions confirmed, or else communicated vnto vs in the learned Treatises, and discourses of ancient and late Writers gathered from the same grounds. And[f] although this Hellish Art be not now so frequent as heretofore, since the Pagans haue beene conuerted vnto Christianity, and the thick fogges of Popery ouer-mantling the bright shining beames of the Gospel of _Iesus Christ_ (who came to dissolue the workes of the Diuell _.1. Ioh. 3. 8._) and were by the sincere and powerfull preaching therof dispersed; yet considering these bee the last times, dayes euill & dangerous, fore-told that 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 shall scarce be found vpon earth, _Luk. 18. 8._ and the Diuell loosed from his thousand yeares imprisonment, [g]_Reuel. 20. 3._ enraged with great wrath 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 I enter into the particularity of the narration intended, it shall be materiall to set downe some generall propositions, as a handfull of gleanings gathered in the plentifull haruest of such learned men, who haue written of this argument, whereby the erronious may be recalled, the weake strengthened, the ignorant informed, and such as iudge aright already, confirmed: and among many other these as chiefe, all which you shall 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: for they[a] haue some _Proctors_ who plead a nullitie in this case, perswade themselues, and would induce others to be of the same minde, that there be no Witches at all: but a sort of melancholique, aged, and ignorant Women, deluded in their imagination; and acknowledge such things to be effected by them, which are vnpossible, vnlikely, and they neuer did; and therefore Magistrates who inflict any punishment vpon them, be vnmercifull and cruell Butchers. Yet by the way, and their good leaue, who take vpon them this Apology, all who are conuented vpon these vnlawfull action, are not strucken in yeares; but some euen in the flower of their youth be nuzled vp in the same, and convicted to be practisers thereof; neither be they ouerflowed with a blacke melancholique humor, dazeling the phantasie, but haue their vnderstandings cleere, and wits as quicke as other: Neither yet be they all women, though for the most part that sexe be inclinable thereunto: (as shall afterward be shewed, and the causes thereof) but men also on whose behalfe no exception can be laid, why any should demurre either of their offence or punishment for the same. Wherefore for this point, and confirmation of the affirmatiue, wee haue sundry pregnant and euident proofes.

[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 his word,[b] left for our instruction in all dogmaticall truth, reproofe and confutation of falshood in opinions, correction for the reforming of misdemeaners in conuersation, doctrine for the guidance of euery estate Politicall, Ecclesiasticall, Oeconomicall. _2. Timoth. 3. 16._ Therefore expressely, _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 this was a custome obserued by the ancient Fathers. And _Deuteronomy 18. 10.11._ there is a blacke Bill set downe[d], and registred of sundry kinds of these slaues of Sathan, all condemned, and God addeth in the same place the reasons of this his seuere and sharpe iudgement against them. First, because they are an abhomination vnto him. Secondly, he determineth vtterly to destroy all such, and giueth his people the Israelites an example thereof in the Canaanites, whom their Land spewed out. Thirdly, for that he requireth all who belong vnto him, to be pure, vndefiled and holy, not stained with impieties, for they are bound vnto him by couenant in obedience. Fourthly such were the Heathen, strangers from God, blinded in their dark vnderstanding, without sauing knowledge, with whom the Israelites, a chosen and peculiar nation, enioying his lawes 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 the Professors thereof into _Samaria_, which there continued for the space of sixe hundred yeares. Insomuch that it was rife in common speech, when any would reproach another, to doe the same in this forme; _Thou art a Samaritan, and hast a Diuell_ (a familiar spirit) which the malicious Iewes, not abiding his heauenly and gracious doctrine, obiected to Christ Iesus our blessed Sauiour, _Ioh. 8. 48_. The holy Apostle reprouing the _Galathians_ for their sudden Apostasie and back-sliding from the Gospell so powerfully preached vnto them and with so great euidence of the spirit, as though Christ had bin crucified before their eyes, doth it in no other termes than these, _Who hath bewitched you?_ _Gal. 3. 1_. And afterward, _Cap. 5. 20._ marshalleth Witch-craft among the workes of the flesh: In both which places the names are taken from the seducements and illusions of Inchanters, who astonish the mindes, and deceiue the senses of men, and all that by vertue of a contract passed betwene them and the Diuell. Other like proofes may be added to these alledged, _Leuit. 20. 6._ _Micah 5. 12._ _Nahum 3. 4_. Now then when God affirmeth there be such, whose words are truth, shall man dare once 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 it shall be sufficient to produce some few, choyce, and selected: [f] The second Councell of _Constantinople_ held and gathered together in the Imperiall palace, of two hundred seuen and twenty learned and reuerent Bishops, nameth sundry sorts of such Sorcerers, and censureth their actions to be the damned practises of the Pagans, and decreeth all the Agents therein excommunicated from the Church and society of Christian people, adding the motiue reason of this their determined sentence, from the Apostle, _2. Cor. 6. 14_. For righteousnesse hath no fellowship with vnrighteousnesse, neither is there communion of light with darknesse, nor concord with Christ and Belial, nor the beleeuer can haue part with an Infidell. And [g]_Chrysostome_ sharply reproueth all such, and those who aduise with them vpon any occasion, confuting the reasons which they take to be sufficient warantise of their doings. As among the rest they will pretend, Shee was a Christian woman who doth thus charme or inchant; and taketh no other but the name of God in her mouth, vseth the words of sacred Scripture. To this that holy Father replieth, Therefore she is the more to be hated, because shee hath abused and taken in vaine that great and glorious name, and professing herselfe a Christian, yet practiseth the [h]damnable Arts of miscreant and vnbeleeuing Heathen. For the Diuels could speake the name of God, and neuerthelesse were still Diuels; and when they said vnto Christ, they knew who he was, the holy one of God, &c. _Mar. 1. 24.25._ their mouthes were stopped, he would no such witnesse, that wee should learne, not to beleeue them when they say the truth: for this is but a bait, that wee might afterward follow their lies. There is much mention made of these, both in the Ciuill and [i]Canon Lawes, and diuersitie of punishment alotted out for them; so that none can doubt but that there hath beene, and are such. I might remember vnto you the authority of _Clemens Romanus_ in his Recognitions, and those Constitutions which are fathered vpon the Apostles; but their credit is not so great, that they may without exception be impannelled vpon this Iury, for they haue long since been chalenged 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 were accounted of high esteeme, there be reckoned vp whole troopes of this blacke guard of the Diuell; As [l]_Circe_ whom _Homer_ reporteth to haue turned _Vlysses_ Companions into Wolues, Lyons, Swine, &c. by her Inchantments, 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 Magicall drugges, were for a long time kept in a certaine mountaine, and shewed as strange monuments to those who desired a sight of them. For[o] the Diuel furnisheth such with powders, oyntments, hearbes, and like receipts, whereby they procure sicknesse, death, health, or worke other supernaturall effects. Of the same profession were [p]_Simotha_, [q]_Erictho_, [r]_Canidia_, and infinite others beside, whose damnable memory 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, for that they come from Poets, who are stained with the note of licentious [s]faining, and so put off as vaine fictions; yet seeing they deliuer nothing herein but that which was well knowne and vsuall in those times wherein they liued, they are not slightly, and vpon an imagined conceit, to be reiected: for they affirme no more then is manifest in the records of most approued Histories, whose essence is and must be [t]truth, [u]as straightnesse of a rule, or else deserue not that title. In which wee reade of [x]_Martiana_, [y]_Locusta_, [z]_Martha_, [aa]_Pamphilia_, [bb]_Aruna_, _&c._ And not to insist vpon particulars, there bee infinite numbers ouerflowing euen in these our[cc] dayes, since the sinceritie of Christian Profession hath decreased, and beene in a sort ecclipsed in the hearts of men: for the period of the continuance thereof (after it be once imbraced) in his first integrity, either for zeale of affection, or strictnesse of discipline, hath beene by some learned Diuines[dd] obserued, to bee confined within the compass of twenty yeares; and then afterward by degrees, the one waxed cold, and the other dissolute: which being so, it is not to be maruelled though the Diuell now begin to shew himselfe in these his instruments, as heretofore, though he cannot in the same measure, in respect of those sparkes 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 out of these poysonfull Weedes, and cutting of these rotten and infected members; and therefore infallibly prouing their existence and being: for all[ff] penall lawes looke to matters of fact and are made to punish for the present, and preuent in future, some wicked actions already committed. And therefore _Solon_ the Athenian making statutes for the setling of that Common-wealth, when a defect was found, that he omitted to prouide a cautelous restraint, and appoint[gg] answerable punishm[~e]t for such who had killed their parents, answered, He neuer suspected there were or would be any such. Wherefore to confirme the position set downe, God doth not threaten to cast away his people for murther, incest, tyranny, &c. But Sorcery, _Leuit. 20. 6_. And _Samuel_ willing to shew _Saul_ the grieuousnesse of his disobedience, compareth it to witch-craft, _1. Sam. 15. 23_. The Holy Ghost also manifesting how highly God was displeased with _Manasses_, maketh this the reason, because hee gaue himselfe to Witch-craft, and to Charming, and to Sorcery, and vsed them who had familiar spirits, and did much euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him, _2. Chro. 33. 6_. And for this offence were the ten tribes of Israell led into captiuitie, _2. King. 17. 17._ [hh]The twelue Tables of the Romans (the ancientest law they haue) by a solemne Embassage (sent for that purpose) obtained from _Athens_, & accounted as a Library of knowledge, do both make mention of such malefactors, & decree a penaltie to be inflicted vpon them. [ii]_Constantius_ and _Constantinus_ thinke them worthy of some vnusuall death, as enemies of mankinde, strangers from nature: [kk]and _Iulius Paulus_ distinguishing the punishment according to the different qualitie of the offenders, pronounceth out of the then receiued opinions, that the better sort found guilty, were to dye (not determining the manner) those of meaner condition either to bee crucified, 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 their municipall Lawes apparantly demonstrated what they conceiued of these so dangerous and diuellish persons. _Alucidus_ keepeth the expresse words of God; _F[oe]minas sagas_ _ne sinite viuere_. Suffer not women Witches to liue. _Gunthrunus_ and _Canutus_ will haue them, being once apprehended (that the rest of the people might bee pure and vndefiled) sent into banishment, or if they abide in the kingdome (continuing their lewd practises) executed according to desert. So _Athelstane_, if they be conuicted to haue killed any, &c. And how the present estate standeth affected toward them, the sundry strict statutes in this case prouided, may giue any, not wedded to his owne stubbornenesse, sufficient and full satisfaction. Wherefore not to erect a Tabernacle, and dwell longer in perswading an vndeniable truth, that there bee Sorcerers and Witches, I leaue 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 are thus ensnared of the Diuell, and vndermined by his fraudes. For resolution whereof, this may suffice. Those who either maliciously reiect the Gospell offered vnto them: or receiuing and vnderstanding the same, do but coldly respect, and carelessly taste it, without making any due estimation, or hauing any reuerent regard therof. In both which is a manifest and open contempt of God. For as he purposing to honour the first comming of his Sonne into the World, cloathed in the cloud of our flesh, which he assumed then, suffered many to be really possessed of Diuels, to bee lunatique, deafe, dumbe, blinde, &c. whom he might deliuer from these torments, and so make apparant his glory, and shew by these his miracles wrought, that hee was the promised Messias, _Esay 35. 5.6_. And therfore Christ referreth those Disciples whom _Iohn_ sent vnto him (doubting in respect of that base forme which he tooke, and demanding whether it was he that should come, or another to be looked for) vnto his Doctrine and Workes; and by them to bee instructed, whereof they were then both hearers and beholders, _Math. 11. 3.4.5_. So now comming in the dew of his grace, and hauing restored the light of the Gospell, and bestowed that vpon mankinde, as an especiall and vnvaluable blessing, in his iustice giueth ouer the despisers thereof vnto the power of Sathan, whereby both others who contemne the same, might by their dreadfull example bee terrified, and the faithfull stirred vp to a respectiue thankfulnesse, for so great a mercy vouchsafed vnto them, and acknowledge their happinesse in being made partakers thereof, and by especiall fauour deliuered out of the tyranny of the Diuell: For this is one of the fearefull iudgements of God, and hidden from vs (as all are a great depth, _Psal. 36. 6._) that those who receiued not the truth that they might be saued, should haue strong delusions sent vnto them, and bee giuen ouer to belieue Sathan and his lying signes, and false wonders, _2. Thess._ 2. 10. And thus consenting vnto sinne, and his suggestions, they are depriued of the [b]helpe and assistance of God, and so disabled to resist all violent rushing temptations: for one offence, not being truely repented of, bringeth another, and at last throweth head-long downe into hell: and by this meanes man despising God his creator & redeemer, and obeying the Diuell a professed enemy, and irreconciliable aduersary, not easie to be confronted, becommeth his seruant: for of whomsoeuer any is ouercome, euen of the same is hee brought into bondage, _2. Pet. 2. 19_. And the Apostle 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, neither were thankfull, therefore God gaue them ouer to a reprobate sence, and vile affections to doe those things which were not conuenient, full of all vnrighteousnesse, _Rom 1. 24.25. &. 29_ So these being enthralled, and deuoting themselues to the Diuell by a mutuall league (either expresse or secret) he brandeth with his mark for his [d]owne, as in ancient time was an vse with Bondslaues and [e]Captiues, and these bee +ezôgrêmenoi+, taken aliue in his snare, _2. Tim. 2. 26._ and that 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 palat of the mouth, or other secret places: Wherefore some Iudges cause them, once being called into question, and accused, to be shauen all the body[f] ouer. And for the manner of impression, or branding, it is after this sort. The Diuell when hee hath once made the contract betweene himselfe and the Witch, and agreed vpon the conditions, what they shall doe, the one for the other, giueth her some scratch[g], which remaineth ful of paine & anguish vntill his return againe: at which time hee doth so benumme the same, that though it be pierced with any sharpe instrument, yet is without any sence of feeling, and will not yeeld one droppe 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 vassailes obliged to him as his owne, to some desperate, Tragicall,[h] and disastrous end; and that either by the execution of Iustice for their demerits, or by laying violent hands vpon themselues, or else God powreth vpon them some strange and extraordinary vengeance, or their Grand-maister whom they haue serued, dispatcheth them in such manner, as they become dreadfull and terrible spectacles to the beholders, whereof Histories will furnish vs with [i]varietie and plenty of examples: For the Diuell is a murthering spirit, desirous to doe mischiefe, swelling in pride, malitious in hatred, spitefull in enuy, subtill in craft; and therefore it behoueth euery one resolutely to withstand his assaults, _Ephes. 4. 27._ and cautelously to decline his subtilties, and cunning ambushments [Sidenote: +methodeiai+] from whence he inuadeth vs, _Eph. 6. 11._[k] For this aduersary against whom we fight, is an old beaten enemy, sixe thousand yeares are fully compleat since the first time hee began to assault mankinde. But if any keepe the Commandements of God, and constantly, by a liuely faith, cleaue fast vnto Christ, he shall ouercome: for our Lord is inuincible.[l] The Diuels indeed doe willingly offer themselues to be seene of those who are not gouerned by the Holy Ghost; and that either to win themselues some estimation, or to intangle and deceiue men, vailing their treacheries vnder a smiling countenance, whom they deadly hate, for if it lay in their possibilitie, they would ouerthrow and destroy heauen it selfe. Now vnable to do this, they endeuour to worke vpon a more weake subiect and matter; and therefore hee that will not bee subdued of them, must auoid all occasions whereby he may take any aduantage, and couered with the Breast-plate of Righteousnesse, and defended with the Shield of Faith, quench all his fiery 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 the malice of these Witches and preserue his Children, they are permissiuely able,[a] through the helpe of the Diuell their maister, to hurt Men and Beasts, and trouble the elements, by vertue of that contract & agreement which they haue made with him. For man they endamage both in body & mind: In body, for [b]_Daneus_ reporteth of his owne knowledge, as an eye-witnesse thereof, that he hath seene the breasts of Nurces (onely touched by their hands) those sacred fountaines of humane nourishment so dried vp that they could yeeld no milke; some suddenly tormented with extreame and intolerable paine of the Cholicke, others[c] oppressed with the Palsie, Leprosie, Gout, Apoplexie, &c. And thus disabled from the performance of any action, many tortured with lingring consumptions,[d] and not a few afflicted with such diseases, which neither they themselues who wrought that euill, could afterward helpe; nor be cured thereof by the Art and diligent attendance of most skilfull Physitians. I willingly let passe other mischiefes wrought by them, of which many things 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 in forming some new obiect, or offering the same to the eye or eare, or stirring the humors: for there being a neere coniunction betweene the sensitiue and rationall faculties of the soule, if the one bee affected, the other (though indirectly) must of necessity be also moued. As for example, when they would prouoke any to loue or hatred, they propound an obiect vnder the shew and appearance of that which is good and beautifull, so that it may be desired and embraced: or else by representation of that which is euill & infamous, procure dislike and detestation. Neither is this any strange position, or improbable, but may bee warranted by sufficient authority; and therefore [f]_Constantius_ the Emperour doth expressely determine, all those iustly punishable who sollicite by enchantments chaste mindes to vncleannesse: And Saint [g]_Ierome_ attributeth vnto them this power, that they can enforce men to hate those things they should loue, and affect that which they ought to auoyd: and the ground hereof hath his strength from the holy Scriptures: for the Diuell is able to enflame wanton[h] lust in the heart, and therfore is named, _the Spirit of Fornication_, _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 a maiden in _Gaza_ whom a yong man louing, and not obtaining, went to _Memphis_ in Egypt, and at the yeares end in his returne, being there instructed by a Priest of _Aesculapius_, and furnished with Magicall Coniurations, graued in a plate of brasse, strange charming words, and pictures which he buried vnder the threshold of the doore where the virgin dwelt: by which meanes she fell into a fury, pulled off the attire of her head, flung about her haire, gnashed with her teeth, and continually 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 religions writings are extant, and for the profession of his faith and doctrine was crowned with Martyrdome) but another of that name, toward _Iustina_, whom hee lasciuiously[m] courted, and vnlawfully lusted after. It were easie for me to instance this in many, and to adde more testimonies, but my intended purpose was, to set downe onely some few propositions, whereby the iudicious reader might be stirred vp to a deeper search, and further consideration of these things: for often they driue men to a madnesse, and other such desperate passions, that they become murtherers of themselues. But this alwayes must be kept in minde, as a granted and infallible truth, [n]That whatsoeuer the Witch doth, it receiueth his force from that society which she hath with the Diuell, who serueth her turne 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 that in sundry manner, or pine and waste them by little and little, till they be consumed.

For [p]the Elements, it is an agreeing consent of all, that they can corrupt and infect them, procure tempests, to stirre vp thunder & lightning, moue violent winds, destroy the fruits of the earth: for God hath a thousand wayes to chasten disobedient man, and whole treasures full of vengeance by his Angels, Diuels, Men, Beasts. For the whole nature 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 in confirming this so manifest a truth, and not much better then set vp a candle 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 an example or two.

[q]_Curius Sidius_ the Roman Generall in a battell against _Salebus_, Captaine of the _Moores_, in want of water, obtained such abundance of raine from Heauen by Magicall inchantments, that it not onely sufficed the thirst of his distressed Souldiers, but terrified the enemies in such 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 Northerne Wisards and Witches, would seeme to be meere fictions, and altogether incredible, as of _Ericus_, who had the winde at command, to blow alwayes 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: by whose Diabolicall practises mighty Armies haue beene dicomfited, and sundry others, except the truth hereof were without contradiction approued: by the experience of our owne Nauigators, who trade in _Finland_, _Denmarke_, _Lapland_, _Ward-house_, _Norway_, and other Countries of that Climate, and haue obtained of the inhabitants thereof, a certaine winde for twenty dayes together, or the like fixed period of time, according to the distance of place and strings tied with three knots, so that if one were loosed, they should haue a pleasant gale: if the second, a more vehement blast: if the third, such hideous & raging tempests that the Mariners were not able once to looke out, to stand vpon the hatches, to handle their tackle, or to guide the helme with all their strength; and are somtimes violently carried back to the place from whence they first loosed to sea; and many (more hardy then wise) haue bought their triall full deere, opening those knots, and neglecting admonition giuen to the contrary. _Apuleius_ ascribeth to _Pamphile_, a Witch of _Thessalia_, little lesse then diuine power to effect strange wonders in heauen, in earth, in hell; to darken the starres, stay the course of riuers, dissolue mountains, and raise vp spirits, this opinion went for currant and vncontrouled. And without all question the Diuell[s] can do this and much more, when God letteth him loose. For he is stiled, _The Prince of the world_, _Ioh. 12. 31_. _A strong man armed_, _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 the Commandement of God) with dreadfull feare, and enraged his minde with bloudy fury, _1. Sam. 16. 14_. Entred into _Iudas_, prouoked him to betray his maister, dispaire and hang himselfe, _Math. 27. 3._ filled the heart of _Ananias_ and _Saphira_ with dissimulation,_Act. 5. 3._ possessed the bodies of many really, as is manifest in the History of the Gospell. Our Sauiour Christ assureth vs, that a daughter of _Abraham_ was bound for 18 yeares by Sathan, with such a spirit of infirmitie, 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 his seruants, raised a storme, strooke the house wherein his sonnes and daughters feasted with their elder brother, smote the foure corners of it, with the ruine whereof they all were destroyed, and perished: and ouerspread the body of that holy Saint their father with botches[t] and biles from the sole of his foot to the crowne of his head.[u] And hee wil haue his seruants Wisards & Witches, coadiutors with him, and maketh them fit instruments to the performance of all wicked exploits, and this is when God pleaseth (of which I shall haue occasion to speake more afterward) to giue leaue, for his wil is the first supreme and principal cause of all things: and nothing can be done visibly in this Common-wealth here below of the creatures, but is decreed and determined so to be first in the high Court of Heauen, according to his vnsearchable wisedome and iustice, disposing punishments and rewards as seemeth good vnto himselfe. So _Pharaohs_[x] Magitians could turne water into bloud, their roddes into serpents, produce frogges, &c. But when it came to the base vermine, to make lice, they were pusled, and acknowledged their imbecillity, confessing, _Digitus Dei est_,[u] Gods finger is here, _Exod. 18. 19_. For if they could effect and bring to passe all mischieuous designements without his sufferance, it would inferre a weakenesse, and conclude a defect of[z] power in him, as not sufficient to oppose their strength, supplant their force, and auoid their stratagems. And we must not imagine that the practioners of these damnable Arts of which sexe soeuer, be they men or women, do performe those mischifes which they effect, by their owne skills or such meanes as they vse, of which sort bee the bones of dead mens skuls, Toades, Characters, Images, &c. But through the cooperation of the Diuell, who is by nature subtile, by long experience instructed, swift to produceth strange works, & to humane vnderstanding admirable. Yet[aa] he will haue those his vassals perswaded of some great benefit bestowed vpon them, whereby they are inabled to helpe and hurt, whom, how, and when they list; and all to indeere them, & by making them partakers in his villany, being strongly bound in his seruice, & stedfastly continued in the same, might more grieuously offend God, and bring iust condemnation vpon themselues. And for the greater, and more forceable inticing allurement hereunto, hee promiseth to giue and doe many things for their sakes, and reueale to them hidden secrets, and future euents, such[bb] as he himselfe purposeth to doe, or knoweth by naturall signes shall come to passe. So then to conclude, in[cc] euery Magicall action, there must 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 these be wanting, no trick of witch-craft can be performed. For if God did not suffer it, neither the Diuell, nor the Witch could preuaile to do any thing, no not so much as to hurt one[ee] bristle of a Swine. And if the Diuell had not seduced the minde of the wicked woman, no such matter would haue beene attempted. And againe, if hee had not the Witch to bee his 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._]