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

Sixthly, they are of a slippery tongue, and full of words: and therefore if they know any such wicked practises, are not able to hold them, but communicate the same with their husbands, children, consorts, and inward acquaintance; who not consideratly weighing what the issue and end thereof may be, entertaine the same, and so the poyson is dispersed. Thus Dalilah discouered her husbands strength where it lay, vnto the Philistines; and procured his infamous and disastrous ouer-throw. Judg. 16. 18.

Hitherto in some Propositions I haue set downe the originall of witch-craft, and other such curious and vnlawfull Arts, the quality of the persons agents in the same, the power of the Diuell, and his confederates, the league of association which enterchangeably passeth 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 wrathfull indignation against some of her neighbours, in regard that they made gaine of their buying and selling Cheese, which shee (vsing the same trade) could not doe, or they better (at the least in her opinion) then she did, often times cursed them, and became incensed with vnruly passions, armed with a setled resolution, to effect some mischieuous proiects and designes against them. The diuell who is skilfull, and reioyceth of such an occasion offered and knoweth how to stirre vp the euill affected humours of corrupt mindes (she becomming now a fitte subject, through this her distemper, to worke vpon, hauing the vnderstanding darkened with a cloude of passionate, and reuengefull affections) appeared vnto her amiddes these discontentments, [Sidenote: Proposition 4.] in the shape of a blacke man, and willed that the she should continue in her malice, enuy, hatred, banning and cursing; and then he would be reuenged 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: and at that present they entred tearmes of a compact, he requiring that she should forsake God, and depend vpon him: to which she condescended in expresse tearmes, renouncing God, and betaking herselfe vnto him. I am sparing by anie amplification to enlarge this, but doe barely and nakedly rehearse the trueth, and number of her owne words vnto mee. After this hee presented himselfe againe at sundry times, and that to this purpose (as may probably bee coniectured) to hold her still in his possession, who was not able, eyther to looke further into these subtilties, then the superficiall barke thereof, or not discouer the depth of his designements, and in other formes, as of a mist, and of a ball of fire, with some dispersed spangles of blacke; and at the last in prison (after the doome of iudegement, and sentence of condemnation was passed 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, and these as shee came downe from her chamber, being sent for to conferre with some learned and reuerend Diuines, by whose prayers and instructions she might be brought to the sight and confession of her grieuous offences, be regained and rescued out of his hands, brought to repentance, and the fauour of God, assured hope of mercie, and eternall life, and at these times he wished her to confesse nothing to any of them, but continue constant in her made promise, rely vpon him, and hee would saue her. This was too high a straine aboue his reach to haue made it good, and a note of his false descant, who hauing compassed this wretched woman, brought her to a shamefull and vntimely end; yet doing nothing herein contrary to his malicious purposes, for hee was a murtherer from the beginning, Iohn 8. 44. Now then, to descend to 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 a Sailer, and a man of strong constitution of body, who about some fiue yeares sithence, returning out of Holland in the Netherland, or low Countries beyond the Seas, hapened, for some misdemeanors committed by him to strike the sonne of this Mary Smith (but in such sort as could not in reason bee offensiuely taken) who hearing his complaint, came forth into the streete, cursing and banning him therefore, as oftentimes shee did, dwelling in the next adioyning house, and wished in a most earnest and bitter manner, that his fingers might rotte off; wherevpon presently hee grew weake, distempered in stomacke, and could digest no meate, nor other nourishment receiued, and this discrasie or feeblenesse continued for the space of three quarters of a yeare; which time expired, the fore-mentioned griefe fel downe from the stomacke into his hands and feete, so that his fingers did corrupt, and were cut off; as also his toes putrified & consumed in a very strange and admirable manner. Neuerthelesse, notwithstanding these calamities, so long as hee was able, went still to Sea, in the goods and shippes of sundry Merchants (for it was his onely meanes of liuing) but neuer could make any prosperous voyage (as then other men did) eyther beneficiall to the Owners, or profitable to him selfe. Whereupon, not willing to bee hindrance to others, and procure no good for his owne maintenance by his labours, left that trade of life, and kept home, where his former griefe encreasing, sought to obtaine help and remedie by Chirurgery, and for this end went to Yarmouth, hoping to be cured by one there, who was accompted very skilfull: but no medicines applyed by the Rules of Arte and Experience, wrought any expected or hoped for effect: for both his hands and feete, which seemed in some measure euery euening to be healing, in the morning were found to haue gone backeward, and growne far worse then before: So that the Chirurgian perceiuing his labour to bee wholly frustrate, gaue ouer the cure, and the diseased patient still continueth in a most distressed and miserable estate, vnto the which hee was brought by the hellish practises of this malitious woman, who long before openly in the streetes, (whenas yet the neighbours knew of no such thing) reioycing at the calamity, said, Orkton now lyeth a rotting. And no maruell though she could tell that which herselfe had done, and her good maister would not suffer to be concealed, but that the testimony of her owne tongue should remayne as a record towardes her further detection and condemnation, who sought meanes of her voluntary accord to be reconciled with the wofull distressed party, but this was nothing else but to plaister ouer and disguise her former inhumane and barbarous actions, for no reliefe at all followed thereof: for oftentimes, as hath beene prooued, the diuells and witches his [Sidenote: Propositio 3.] instruments doe cause such diseases, which neyther the one, nor the other can remoue againe. And this is not any vaporous imagination, but a most vndoubted trueth. For now this poore man continueth still in a lamentable estate, griefe, and paines encreasing, without hope of helpe, except God in the abundance of his tender mercies vouchsafe to grant comfort 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, and proceeding of whose dealing against her was thus. She comming out of the towne from the shoppe of one Simon Browne a Silkeman, vnto whom she had carried home some worke, which was by him put out vnto her; Henry Smith, as shee passed by his doore, tooke her by the hand, and smilingly said, that his ducke (meaning his wife, this woman of whome we now speake) told him that shee had stolne her henne; which wordes she then passed ouer, as onely spoken in merriment, and denying the same: in the meane time, as they were interchanging these words, shee came herselfe, and directly charged her with the henne, and wished that the bones thereof might sticke in her throat, when she should eate the same: which speech also she made no great reckoning of, supposing them to be but words of course, and might bee vttered in jeast. Neuerthelesse, afterward better considering of the same, conceiued much griefe, to bee counted one of so euill quality and disposition, and espying that hen for 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 vniust imputation, told her in some passion and angry manner, that it was a dishonest part thus to blemish the good name of her neighbors with so vntrue aspersions: whereupon, breaking foorth in some violence, she wished the pox to light vpon her, and named her prowde Iinny, prowde flurts, 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 and imprecations vttered, she was taken and pinched at the heart, and felt a sodaine weaknesse in all the parts of her body; yet her appetite to meare nothing diminished, and so continued for the space of three weekes; in which time, when she was any thing well, would come to the doore, and leane vpon the stall, whom this Marie Smith seeing, did euer banne, adding the former curse, the poxe light vpon you, can you yet come to the doore? and at the end of these three weekes, beeing but very weake, came foorth as shee vsed to doe, to take the ayre, this mischieuous woman most bitterly cursed her againe, whereupon she went into the house, fell into such a torturing fit, and nipping at the heart, that she fainted, hardly recouerable for the space of halfe an houre, and so grieuously racked and tormented through all parts of her body, as if the very flesh had beene torne from the bones, by the violent paine whereof she could not refraine, but tore the haire from off her head, and became as one distraught, bereaued of sence, and vnderstanding: And the same night the bed whereon she lay, was so tossed, and lifted vp and downe, both in her owne feeling, and in the sight of others then present beholders of her extreamities, by the space of 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, during which passion Edward Drake her father came to the Towne, touched with griefe for this torture of his daughter (as parents hearts are relenting and tender, and naturall compassion is soone stirred vp in them) tooke her vrine, went to one for his aduice (whose fact herein is no way iustifiable, and argued but a small measure of religion, and the knowledge of God in him) who first tolde vnto him the cause of his comming, that is, to seeke help for his daughter, and then added, that she was so farre spent, that if hee had stayed but one day longer, the woman who had wronged her, would haue spent her heart, and so become vnrecouerable, and thereupon shewed him her face in a Glasse; and further, opened the beginning cause of falling out, which was for a hen, which before this, Drake neyther knew nor heard of, and then gaue his counsell for remedy, which was the matter sought for & desired, & that was in this order. To make a cake with flower from the Bakers, & to mix the same instead of other liquor, with her own water, and bake it on the harth, wherof the one halfe was to be applyed and laid to the region of the heart, the other halfe to the back directly opposit; & further, gaue a box of ointment like triacle, which must be spread vpon that cake, and a powder to be cast vpon the same, and certaine words written in a paper, 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 of these receits, then there was no health or recouery to be looked for: & further, wished silence to be kept herein, for the woma who had done this, would know any thing.

And being thus furnishing with instructions, and returning home, as shee alighted from his horse to enter into that house where his daughter lay (being the next vnto Mary Smiths) shee then stood leaning ouer her shop 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 had beene with a Wisard. And the next day following after they had put in practise 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 that knowledge: yet for the present she found helpe, and was freed from the languishing and other conflicts wherewith she was assaulted by the space of sixe weekes.

After this, being married vnto Iames Scot, a great Cat which kept with this Witch (of whose infernall both purposes and practises wee now speake) frequented their house; and vpon doing some scathe, her husband moued therwith, thrust it twice through with his sword: which notwithstanding those wounds receiued, ran away: then he stroke it with all his force vpon the head with a great pike staffe, yet could not kill her; but shee leapt after this vpward almost a yard from the boords of that chamber where she now was, and crept downe: which hee perceiuing, willed his lad (a boy of foureteene yeares) to dragge her to the muck-hill, but was not able; and therefore put her into a sacke, and being in the same, still moued and stirred. Whereupon they put her out againe, 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 what afterward became thereof.

Not long after, this Witch came forth with a Birchin broome, and threatned to lay it vpon the head of Elizabeth Scot, and defiled her cloathes therewith, as she swept the street before her shop doore, and that in the sight of her husband, who not digesting this indignity offered vnto his wife, threatned that if she had any such fits, as she endured being a Widow before marriage, hee would hang her. At this she clapped her hands, and said hee killed her Cat. And within two or three dayes after this enterchange of words betweene them, his wife was perplexed with the like paine and griefe at her heart, as formerly she had beene; and that for two dayes and a night: wherefore her husband went to this wrathfull and malicious person, assuring that if his wife did 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 such malefactors. These things were done some three yeares sithence. The party troubled yet liueth, but in no confirmed health, nor perfect soundnesse 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 Daemonolatria, 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 William Vaux, who sweeping the street before her maisters doore vpon a Saturday in the euening, Mary Smith began to pick a quarrell about the manner of sweeping, and said vnto her she was a great fat-tail'd sow, but that fatnesse should shortly be pulled downe and abated. And the next night being Sunday immediatly following, a Cat came vnto her, sate vpon her breast, with which she was grieuously tormented, and so oppressed, that she could not without great difficulty draw her breath, and at the same instant did perfectly see the said Mary in the chamber where she lay, who (as she conceiued) set that Cat vpon her, and immediatly after fell sicke, languished, and grew exceeding leane; and so continued for the space of halfe a yeare together, during the whole continuance in her maisters seruice; vntill departing from him, she dwelt with one Mistres Garoway, and then began to bee amended in her health, and recouer of her former pining sicknesse: for this Witch had said, that so long as she dwelt neere her, she should not be well, but grow from euill to worse.

Thus euery light trifle (for what can be lesse then sweeping of a lttle dust awry?) can minister matter to set on fire a wrathfull indignation, and inflame it vnto desired reuenge, the Diuell being willing to apprehend and take hold vpon such an occasion, that so he might do some pleasing 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, there being no other partition between the chamber wherein shee performed these rites, and the house of her maister with whom she then dwelt, but only a thin seeling of boord, through a cranny or rift of whereof she looked, listned attentiuely vnto her words, and beheld diligently her behauiour, and might haue seene and heard much more, but that she was with the present spectacle so affrighted, that she hastened downe in much feare and distemper.

Her wicked practise against Edmund Newton.

The fourth endammaged by this Hagge, was one Edmund Newton: the discontentment did arise from this ground; Because hee had bought seuerall bargaines of Holland cheese, and sold them againe, by which she thought her benefit to be somewhat impaired, vsing the like kinde of trading. The manner of her dealing with him was in this sort. At euery seuerall time buying Cheese he was grieously afflicted, being thrice, and at the last either she or a spirit in her likenesse did appeare vnto him, and whisked about his face (as he lay in bed) a wet cloath of very loathsome sauour; after which hee did see one cloathed in russet with a little bush beard, who told him hee was sent to looke vpon his fore legge, and would heale it; but rising to shew the same perceiuing hee had clouen feet, refused that offer, who then (these being no vaine conceits, or phantasies, but well aduised and diligently considered obseruances) suddenly vanished out of sight. After this she sent her Impes, a Toad, and Crabs crawling about the house, which was a shoppe planchered with boords, where his seruants (hee being a Shooemaker) did worke: one of which tooke that toad, put it into the fire, where it made a groaning noyse for one quarter of an houre before it was consumed; during which time Mary Smith who sent it, did endure, (as was reported) torturing paines, testifying the felt griefe by her out-cryes then made.

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

And it is not improbable but that she had dealt no better with others then these aboue mentioned. For M^r Thomas Yonges of London, Fishmonger, reported vnto me, that after the demand of a debt due vnto M^r Iohn Mason, Silkeman of the same Citie, whose Widow hee married, from Henry Smith Glouer her husband, some execrations and curses being wished vnto him, within three or foure dayes (being then gone to Yarmouth in Norfolke vpon necessary businesse) there fell sicke, and was tortured with exceeding and massacring griefes, which by no meanes (hauing vsed the aduise of sundry learned and experienced Physitians in Norwich) could in any part be mitigated, and so extraordinarily vexed thirteene moneths, was constrained to go on Crutches, not being able to feed himselfe, and amended not before this mischieuous woman was committed to prison (accused for other wickednesses of the like kinde) at which time (so neere as he could conjecture) he then receiued some release of his former paines, though at the present when hee made this relation, which was at Candlemas last past, had not perfectly recouered his wonted strength: for his left hand remained lame, and without vse.

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

I doe not insist vpon this, because shee did not nominate him or any other vnto vs, but onely those foure already expressed: and for the wrongs done to them, she craued mercy at Gods hands, as for all other her sins, and in particular for that of Witch-craft, renounced the Diuell, embraced the mercies of God purchased by the obedience of Iesus Christ, and professed that her hope was onely by his suffering and passion to bee saued. And all these, that is to say, her former grieuous offences committed against God, and his people, her defiance of the Diuell, and reposing all confidence of saluation in Christ Iesus alone, and his merits, she in particular maner confessed openly at the place of execution, in the audience of multitudes of people gathered together (as is vsuall at such times) to be beholders of her death. And made there also profession of her faith, and hope of a better life hereafter; and the meanes whereby she trusted to obtaine the same, as before, hath beene specified. And being asked, if she would be contented to haue a Psalm sung, answered willingly that she desired the same, and appointed it herselfe, The Lamentation of a Sinner, whose beginning is, Lord turne not away thy face, &c. And after the ending thereof thus finished her life: So that in the iudgement of charity we are to conceiue the best, and thinke shee resteth in peace, notwithstanding her heynous transgressions formerly committed: for there is no maladay incurable to the Almighty Physitian, Esay 1. 18 Ezech. 33. 11. Therefore Caine did iniury to God, when conuicted of the barbarous and vnnaturall murther of his righteous brother, cryed out tht his sinne was greater then could be forgiuen, Gen. 4. 13 for Gods mercy is greater then mans misery can be. And euen for the like vnto this very fact, we haue a booke case, already adiudged, and ouer-ruled in those Ephesians, who brought their coniuring bookes, sacrificed them in the fire, aestimated at the [b]value of nine hundred pounds of our money, repented of their[c] sinnes, and obtained mercy, Acts 19. vers. 19.

[Footnote b: Budȩus 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 Athenȩus Deipnosophiston lib. 12. Hesichius in his Lexicon. Plutarchus quaestionum conuiualium, lib 7. cap. 5.]



The eight Proposition, and first consequent.

Now then from this premised narration, these two corrollaries or consequents 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 must be 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 in this case verie respectiue.[a] Therefore, Leo the Emperour straitly enioyneth, that none should resort vnto them, and stileth their aduice nothing but meere impostures and deceit; and in the [b]Decrees collected by Gratian, the teachers of the people are seriously exhorted to admonish them, that magicall arts and inchantments cannot heale any infirmity: and that they bee the dangerous snares, and subtilties of that ancient enemy of mankind, by which he indeuoureth to entangle them[c]: and these so streight and seuere prohibitions are not without iust 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: Danaeus in dialogo de sortiarijs cap. 6.]

First, wee must haue no commerce or dealing with the diuell, eyther directly and immediately, or mediately and indirectly; for we ought to haue 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 Lords health, 2. King. 1. 3.[d] So that wee must not seeke to Sathan, or any of his ministers. For none can serue two maisters, Matt. 6. 24. But as religious Iehosaphat, when we know not what to doe, then lift vp our eyes 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 of our 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 may be obiected, that some haue receiued benefite hereby, yet these are not one of tenne. And further, wee are not to iudge heerein of the lawfulnesse of these actions by the successe, but rest vpon the commaundement, for it falleth out sometime, that a thiefe and common robber by the high way, may liue in more aboundance, then those who with a lawfull and honest trade painefully maintaine themeelues, yet therefore hee is not iustified. And when wee haue recourse vnto others beside God, we bewray herein our [f]distrust, infidelitie, contempt and rebellion against him, which grieuous sinnes bring his wrath and eternall destruction. But let it be taken for granted, that wee may receiue good by them, yet this maxime is sure, & a truth vnrepealeable, which no distinction can elude; we must not doe euill that good may come thereof, Rom. 3. 8.[g] yea, it were better to end our dayes in any extremitie 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. Iudȩos hom 6.]

Thirdly, they[h] cure not diseases but in shew, except such as themselues haue inflicted, otherwise those doe returne, as is reported of Adrianus the[i] Emperour, who troubled with a dropsie, by magicall charmes did oftentimes empty the water thereof, but in a short space increased againe; and perceiuing the same to grow worse & worse, sought to dispatch and rid himselfe of life, by poyson, or the sword, or some other desperate attempts. Or a worse malady (the first being abated) followeth: as I haue knowne one, who vsing the help of a wisard for the cure of a sore in his breast, prescribed in this sort: crossed the place affected 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 be boiled in running water, and with it to wash the vlcer, after certaine clouts were to be applyed, with speciall care to lay that side of the clout vnto the sore, which was by him crossed, and marked; and all these clothes must at once be bound vpon it, and euery day the lowest remoued or taken away: thus in short time that anguish and griefe ceased; but not long after the party fell into a more grieuous infirmity, and still continueth therein. Or if the euill be taken from the[k] person presently afflicted, then is it layd vpon his friends children or cattell, and sometime it falleth to the lot of the witch herselfe, so that alwayes the diuell is a diuell, doing euill, and working mischiefe.

[Footnote h: Tatianus oratione tertia contra Graecos.]

[Footnote i: Xiphilinus ex Dion. in Adriano manganeiais men te se kai goetiais ekeonto pote tou hugrou, palin de autou epimplato.]

[Footnote k: Bodine proueth this by many examples in his Daemonomania, lib. 3. cap. 2.]

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

[Footnote l: Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Cardinalis Caietanus in summula titulo de maleficio. Toletus in summa casuum conscientiae, sine instructione sacerdotum li. 4. c. 16.]

[Footnote m: Gratianus in Decretis parte 2, causa 26. quȩst. 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 and workes, it shall not be amisse to mention some of them, and among the rest be [n]characters written or grauen in plates of mettall: and for these it is most certayne that Quantities haue no actiue qualitie; and therefore, if any expected successe according to desire doe follow in the vse thereof, it proceedeth from the illusion of Sathan, and is his worke, that hereby he might winne credite to his crafty fleights and conueyances, and procure to himselfe authority, establishing the kingdome of darknesse, withdraw men from resting vpon God, and reposing their trust in his almighty power, and boundlesse mercy, and sollicite them to expect helpe from him. There are besides these, other idle trifles (for they deserue no better name which are appoynted to be hung about the neck) for Amulets, as [o]powerfull and effectuall remedies against certayne diseases, and pictures made of gold, brasse, lead, wax, &c. which neyther haue nor can haue any other vertue, then that which they doe receiue from the matter wherof they be framed, for the figure worketh not as a cause of alteration; but if it bring to passe any other effect that is from the power of the diuell an old enemy, and craftie deluder of mankinde, and therefore, presupposeth a contract made with him: wherefore [p]Antoninus Caracalla condemned those who vsed the same, for the helpe of Tertian and Quartan agues, and Constantius[q] decreeth such to be woorthy capitall punishment, and put to death. And that naturall couer wherewith some children are borne, and is called by our women, the sillie how, Midwiues were wont to sell to credulous Aduocates and Lawyers, as an especiall meanes to furnish them with eloquence[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 haue offended in this matter. And Chrysostome often accuseth Midwiues for reseruing the same to Magicall vses. And Clemens[t] Alexandrinus giueth vs to vnderstand of one Erecestus, who had two inchaunted rings, so framed, that by the sound thereof he had direction for the fit time and oportunity in mannaging all the businesses hee intended, and yet notwithstanding was priuily murthered, though hee had warning giuen by that sound which was his vsuall instructer. Thus, none can escape the reuenging hand of God, which pursueth those who haue infeoffed themselues to such vanities, and are besotted with these vnlawfull curiosities. But among all other, charmes and inchaunting spells, haue gotten the start of the rest, which some think absolutely lawfull, and may vpon warrantise bee vsed, and pleade prescription for their iustification; for wee reade in Homer[u] that Vlysses being wounded by words, stayed the flux of blood; and [x]Cardanus tells vs, that himselfe cutting his lip, could by no meanes restraine the flowing blood, vntill he charmed it, and then presently stanched: but dare not affirm whether his owne confidence, or the words did make this restraint. I might adde to these, that infallible meanes (as is supposed) 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 such sencelesse and monstrous tearmes, a Riddle that Oedipus himselfe could not vnfolde. But because this conceit of charming hath ouer-spread it selfe in this Sunneset of the world, and challengeth a lawfull approbation from the authority and practise of ancient [z]Physitians, yea and found some [aa]Diuines to be their Patrons respectiuely, and with clauses of mitigation, I thinke it very necessarie to shew the vnlawfulness thereof. Wherefore,

[Footnote n: Of these characters and Images, Iohn Gerson de erroribus circa artẽ magicam dicto 3. litera O. Martinus de Arles de superstitionibus. Binfeldius in comentar. ad titulum Codicis de maleficis & mathematicis; and examples Hector Boetius l. 2. historia Scoticȩ, 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 Caracallae.]

[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 daktolious gegoeteumenous ouk apothano de homos dolophonetheis kai toi prosemenantos tou psophou.]

[Footnote u: Odissea 19. vulnus Vlyssis Autolukou philoi paides desan epistamenos epaoide de haima kelainon echethon. Cato de re rustica. Plin. li. 28. ca. 2. Bodinus Daemonomanias 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 Pythagorae. Alexander Trallian. libr. 10. de colico affectu, in fine. Serenus Sammonicus de prȩceptis medicinae cap. de Hemitritaeo depellenda. Ioh. Langius epistolarum medicinalium lib. 1 epist. 33. & 34.]

[Footnote aa: Aquinas in summa secundae quest. 96. articulo 4.]

First, they had their originall and beginning from the diuell, who abode not in the truth, Iohn 8. 44. was cast downe with the apostata angels to hell, and deliuered into chaines of darkenesse, 2. Pet. 2. 4. who enuying mans felicity receiued into grace after the [bb]fall, himselfe eternally reiected, omitted no occasion to weaken and ouerthrow the same, that the benefite thereof might come but to a few, and the greatest number perish with him for euer. Whereupon he endeuoured to inwrappe the weaker sort of that fraile corporation in superstitions, beguile them with doubtfull and false oracles, and bring to a forme of worshippe contrary to that which God had commaunded, [cc]whereby the world beganne to abound with Idolatry, disobedience, contempt, murthers, vncleanenesse, lusts, thefts, lying, and such like outrages: and that hee might with his infections impoyson them more dangerously, and soueraigne in their hearts, he vndertooke to worke wonders, imitating such miracles as God had done, and deuised cunningly many subtile sleights and legerdemaines, and for this end most blasphemously abused the 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 in nature: and heerein leuelled at two intentions, one to reproch God, and counterchecke his works; the other to ouer-mask and couer his owne secret traps and frauds, perswading men, that by the power of wordes these things were brought to pass, which must needes therefore be of great efficacie: seeing that the world & all things therein were so made of nothing; for he spake, and they were created, and thus practised to disgrace, and extenuate, that admirable and great worke of Creation, and cause men to make lighter account of the Creator, seeing that they also (instructed by him) were enabled thorow the pronunciation of certayne words contriued into a speciall forme, eyther to infuse new strength into things, or depriue them of that which formerly they had, or alter the course of Nature, in raysing tempests, stirring vp thunder and lightning; in [dd]taming serpents, and depriuing them of their naturall fiercenesse and venime, and cause wilde beasts to become meeke and tractable, 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 that inter-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 comentarijs Lambertus Danȩus.]

[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 the practisers thereof, as others offending in any exercise of vnlawfull arts, Deut. 18. 10.11. There shall not be found among you (instructing the Israelites his people) a charmer, &c. for these are abhomination vnto the Lord, &c. And this is recorded in the Catalogue of those sinnes of 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 expresse the conceits of the minde, or to affect the eares of the Auditors, so that they can worke nothing but in these two respects: first of the matter which is vttered by them, which vnderstood of the hearers, affect the mind diuersly, and that especially when there is ioyned with it a comelinesse of action and pronunciation, as wee we see oftentimes in the speeches of the Ministers of the Word, and in the pleadings of Orators. As when Paul reasoned before F[oe]lix and Drusilla his wife, of Temperance, Righteousnesse, and Iudgement to come, hee trembled, Acts 24. 25. [ff]being guilty to himselfe of fraudulent and cruell dealing, of lasciuiousnesse and a filthy life, and therefore might iustly feare vengeance for the same.

[Footnote ee: rhemata Blastemata noematon, & phone Etymologicis dicitur quasi to phos tou nou. De hac materia eruditissime disputat Franciscus Valesius de sacra Philosophia, cap. 3.]

[Footnote ff: Prȩfectus Iudȩae impositus cuncta malefacta sibi impune ratus est, &c. Tacitus Annalium lib. 12. & historiae lib. 5. per omnem saeuitiam ac libidinem ius regium seruili ingenio exercuit.]

A like example to this is that in King Agrippa, though working vpon a better subject, Act. 26. 28. And if I may conioyne Diuine eloquence with Humane, it is memorable, that while [gg]Tully pleaded before Caesar for Ligarius, accused by Tubero, to haue beene confederate with Pompey, purposing to put him to death, as an enemy, when the Orator altered, and in Rhetoricall manner inforced his speech, the other changed accordingly his countenance, and bewrayed the piercing words to be so affecting, that the supplications, when he came once to vrge and mention the battell of Pharsalia, (trembling and dismayed) did fall from his hands, hauing the passions of his minde extraordinarily moued, and absolued the offender. Or else when by their pleasantnesse, with delight 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 he heard the harmony which was in singing of the Psalmes, the words pierced his eares, the truth melted his heart, his passions were moued, and showers of teares with delight fell from his eyes.[ii] But these effects are wrought onely in such who vnderstand that which is spoken, but neither of both these properties are to bee found in the Charmes of Wisards: besides, that they are conceiued and expressed in monstrous and vnknowne tearmes, not intelligible, and without signification: and therefore the effects they produce being[kk] supernaturall must proceed from that secret compact, the least made with the Diuell.

[Footnote gg: arxamenos legein ho kikeron huperphuos ekoinei Plutarchus in Cicerone.]

[Footnote hh: Aug. confessionum lib. 9. cap. 6 Quantum fleui in hymnis & catibus eius suaue sonatibus Ecclesiae tuae vocibus commotus acriter? Voces illȩ influebant auribus meis, & liquebatur veritas tua in cor meum, & ex ea aestuabat affectus pietatis, & currebant lachrimae & bene mihi erat cum ijs.]

[Footnote ii: Vide Aquinatem egregie de hac materia disputantẽ Summa contra Gentes, lib. 43. cap. 105. & tuis Commentatorem Franciscum de Syluestris.]

[Footnote kk: Caietanus in summula in titulo: Incantatio. Toletus in summa causuum conscientiae; sine instructione sacerdotum lib. 4. cap. 17.]

Fourthly, these charmes are meere mockeries, and grosse abuses, both of God, 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 Billet of Paper to weare about her necke, in which was written, The Diuell pull out thine eyes, and recouered. Anothere tied a scroule to a sicke man, full of strange Characters, with which were intermingled a few names 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 is the father of mercies, and God of all comfort, preserue vs from such blasphemies, which are the Diuels Sacrifices.

[Footnote ll: Godelmannus in tractatu de magis, Veneficis &c. lib. 1. cap. 8. n 25 & 27. vide Simonem Maiolum colloquiorum siue dierum caniculorum parte 2, colloquio 3.]

Fifthly, the discreeter sort among the Heathen, by that small glimpse of naturall reason which they had, misliked of these things: [mm]And therefore Cato among the rest of admonitions to the Bailiffe of his husbandry, giueth this charge, to aske no aduice of any Southsaier, Diuiner, Wisard, or Natiuity Calculator. [nn]And Columella vtterly forbiddeth all acquaintance with Witches, wherby ignorant people are inforced 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, who onely purgeth sinnes, and is our preseruer; and for these fellowes who make profession of such wonder-working, brandeth them for Impostors and deceiuers. I conclude with that remarkeable saying of an ancient Diuine;[pp] These vanities doe separate and with-draw vs from God, though they may seeme to haue something in them to allure and delight vs; yet let no Christian entertaine them, whose hope ought to be setled in God alone. And if thou be in distresse, or afflicted with sicknesse of body, and feele no present release or comfort, what then? here is the tryall of thy patience, haue not recourse to superstitious and vnlawfull helpers, although they promise thee present remedy; and when they fore-tell thee of things which doe truely according to the prediction to fall out, beleeue them not, follow the example of Christ, who rebuked the Diuell, though he called him (as he was indeed) the Son of God. For vnder the vaile of truth he shadoweth falshood; euen as if one should sweeten with honey or sugar the brimme of the Cup wherein he bringeth poyson: But some will say, they call vpon the name of the Lord of Sabbaoth. 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 him call for the Elders of the Church, and let him pray, Iames 5. 14.

[Footnote mm: Cato de re 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. & quaeda huc pertinentiae 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 make triall of their skill, would take in hand to defend absurd positions, and commend both such things and persons, which were infamous, and contemptible 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 honour of that witlesse and deformed Coward Thersites. And this they haue performed with great Art and eloquence, onely to shew their faculty, but neuer in good earnest took such a matter in hand. And therefore more deeply is hee to be censured, who hath made himselfe an aduocate to plead the cause of [g]Witches, and defend thẽ as innocent. And because this is a dangerous example, and doth draw those who are euill affected to offend, hoping for patronage of their impiety, I adde for conclusion this last proposition: Wisards, Witches, and the whole rabble of Sorcerers (no kinde excepted) are iustly liable[h] to extreame punishment. The arguments alleaged for proofe hereof, are many: I will make choyce of a few (with reference to such authors in whose writings more may bee found) and those which are most[i] demonstratiue.

[Footnote a: Phauorinus apud Agellium. lib. 17. cap. 12.]

[Footnote b: Luciani encomion muscȩ.]

[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 copiose. Remigius de Dȩmonologia, lib. 3. cap. vltimo. Peucerus de prȩcipuis Diuinationum generibus. Erastus de Lamijs. Bodinus Daemonomanias lib. 4. cap. 5.]

First, God himselfe hath enacted that p[oe]nall statute, Thou shalt not suffer a witch to liue. Exod. 22 18. and nameth here a [k]woman practising this damnable Art for two reasons: First, they are more inclinable hereunto then man. Secondly, that though their fault may seeme, as being the weaker, excuseable, and is in this respect extenuated by some, yet is not therefore to bee spared, whether of that sort 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, or minde. The cause of this so sharpe a doome, is their compacting with the Diuell, openly or secretly, whereby they couenant to vse his helpe, in fulfilling their desires, and by this meanes make themselues guilty of horrible impiety: for in this they renounce the Lord, who hath created them; make no account of his fauour and protection, cut themselues off from the couenant made with him in baptisme, from the communion of Saints, the true fellowship and seruice of God; and on the contrary yeeld themselues by this confederacy, to Sathan, as their God (and therefore nothing more frequent and vsuall in their mouthes, then my God will do this and that for me) him they continually feare and honour. And thus do at the last become professed enemies both to God and Man. You may 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 haue familiar spirits, and are Wisards, to goe a whooring after them, I will set my face against that soule, and will cut him off from among his people, &c. Againe, Deut. 18. 10. There shall not bee found among you any that vseth Diuination, nor an obseruer of times, or an inchanter, or a Witch, or a Charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, a Wisard, or Necromancer. And that God might shew how[n] much Manasses had prouoked him to wrath, through his transcendent and outragious sinnes in the Catalogue thereof, his conspiring with Diuels is 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 enormious transgressions, yet God would not bee appeased for them fiftie yeares after 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. n. 14. 15. 16. & seq.]

Secondly, the ciuill lawes in this case are most strict, decreeing them to bee burned, and their goods confiscate, though they were persons of quality, and honourable, seated in dignity, and place of authority:[o] and there is a seuere constitution made by [p]Charles the fift in late dayes against them, that though they shall not haue done, or be conuinced to haue hurt any, yet because they attempted a thing vnlawfull, 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. a 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 Diabolical and vnlawfull Arts, do endeuour to helpe or harme others, whether in act they performe the same, or purpose with intention, conceiuing and thinking 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, and plead guiltlesse for these sort of people, who deuote themselues wholly to the Diuell, though neuer so closely, and with great and cautelous secresie: and no doubt God therefore was reuenged of the Templars, and their detestable wickednesse practised in darknesse and obscurity, who all[q] perished, as it were, in a moment for the same; of which at the full 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 Neustriȩ.]

Fifthly, they doe solicite others to be of their profession (which is one clause of that contract made betweene them and the Diuell) and consecrate their childen vnto him: and against this, there is an especiall caution put in Deuteronomy 13. 6.9.10.

Sixtly, they deserue death as inhumane and barbarous tyrants, for lingringly vt sentiant se mori, that they may feele how they doe decay by degrees, seek the vtter ouerthrow of those whom they doe maligne: and as a further appendix to this, oftentimes by the helpe of their grand teacher, sowe discord betweene husband and wife, sollicite maydens, yea enforce both them, and married women to vncleane, and vnlawfull lusts, and heerein implore the helpe of the diuell, to accomplish their malicious 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 appeare thus, because God hath seriously forbidden (and vnder no lesse forfeiture of life it self) to aske counsell of a Soothsayer or Coniurer; if this then be a crime of such nature, in those, who it may bee heerein thought not to doe euill, ther is no reason to induce any to thinke that hee will spare the wilfull, and purposed authors thereof, and Magitians, who worke onely iuggling trickes, and illusions, and fore-tell some future things, as yet vnknowne vntill they doe so fall out, are not freed from the sentence condemnatorie, much more then those who willingly, and vpon premeditated malice, murther or impaire the life and good estate of other, deserue to stand paralell with them. And there can no reson be yielded of this so sharp a censure, but onely because they haue learned, and accordingly exercise vnlawfull arts, for whosoeuer endeuoureth to bring that thing to passe, by pretending naturall meanes, which exceedeth the power of Nature, and is now thereunto enabled eyther by God, or the ministery of good Angells at his appoyntment, hee must of necessity haue this faculty communicated by some combination and inter league with the diuell.

Eightly, the Iudge or ciuil Magistrate is bound by vertue of that office, and superioritie he sustaineth in the common-wealth, to purge and free that place, in, and ouer which he hath command, of all malefactors, which if he doe neglect, then is a double offender, against the Law both of Iustice and Charity; for hee is obliged by duety to foresee (so much as in him lyeth) that the publike state should be secured, which it concerneth to haue offenders punished, otherwise hee maketh himselfe partner with them in their outrages and offences, and standeth answerable for those damages sustained by the whole bodie of the people in generall, or vndergone by any particular of the same, for sparing of the wicked[r] is hurting the good, and hee that doth not represse and forbid euill (when it is in his power) doth countenance and maintaine it.

[Footnote r: Pythagoras apud Stobaeum.]

Much more might be added, and many examples produced, to manifest, how in all Nations these odious company of witches, and the like haue euer beene accounted detestable; and for their impious deedes requited with neuer dying shame, aud vtter confusion, and iustly by law executed; for among the Romans, Mathematitians,[s] and Magitians by the Decree of the Senate were expelled out of all Italy: and amongst these Pituanus was throwne 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 more witches hanged. The [u]speedy judgement of the Athenians, witnesse of their hatred against these kinde of malefactors, is much commended, who without any other solemnity of proceeding at the onely accusation of a Maide, without delay put one Lemnia a witch to death: and it is memorable which Ammianus[x] Marcellinus hath left in record, that one Hilarius, because hee committed his sonne yong, and not of mature yeares, to be taught and instructed vnto a Coniurer, was adjudged to die, and escaping from the hands of the executioner, who had negligently bound him, drawne by force out of the next church of the Christians to which hee fled as vnto a Sanctuary, and executed.

[Footnote s: Tacitus annalium li. 2. & consule Lipsium in suis ad eum comentarijs.]

[Footnote t: Valerius Maximus li. 6. ca 3. Remigius Daemonolog. 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 is dreadfull, who for her sundry witcheries was cast into prison, and there constrayned through extremity of hunger, to reare off and eate the flesh of her owne legges and armes, and at the last, impatient of further delay, 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, for conclusion, I shut vp this whole Treatise with a remarkeable speech of a noble [z]King; Let the streight rigor of law bee inflicted vpon all, both practisers and partakers with wisards, by putting any confidence in them; for it is vngodly for man to be remisse and fauourable vnto those whom diuine piety, and our duety to God will not suffer vnpunished. For what folly were it to forsake the Creator and Giuer of life, and to follow the author of death? this dishonest fact, vnbeseeming, and vtterly repugnant to the credite and reputation of a Iudge, be farre from him. Let none countenance that which the Lawes doe condemne, for all are by the Regall Edicts to bee punished with death, who intermeddle with 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.

Daemonomania, lib. 2 cap. * Irenaeus contra hereses. lib. * cap. 9. Aug de Ciuit. Dei, lib. * cap. 35 Remigius Daemonolog. // 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 praeceptorio, praecepto 1. cap. 11. text reads ...praecepto 1. ca. p11. Footnote f: Weirus de praestigijs daemonum 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. x.8.9.10 &c. number illegible

Fifth Proposition Footnote e: Multa exemplȩ 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 secundae quest. 96. articulo 4. text reads secundae secundae —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 greater detail, and includes screen images of the more illegible passages.

Preface Footnote d: inuentas esse has artes pros ap..en eleeinon anthropon ton rhadios hupokleptomenon eis tauta hupo tou diabolou. affirmat Cedrenus in historiae compendio. Reading unclear: eleeinon may be helesin on. The original text was unavailable to me.

First Proposition Footnote f: eam autẽ penteken vocat Balsamon Correct form is penthekten Footnote t: kathaper empsuchou somatos ton spheon exairetheison akreionas to holon: houtos ex historias ean ares ten aletheian, to kataloipomenon autes, anateles gignetai diegema A more recent text (the 1893 Teubner) has ton opseon exairetheison achreioutai in place of ton spheon exairetheison akreionas and anopheles in place of anateles Footnote u: Kaionos idiotes 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 faetae semina legit equae. A more recent text (the 1898 Teubner) has "hippomanes fetae semina legit equae." 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 ergon kai hemeron lib. 1. Dȩmonas 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 poluglosson, 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 daktolious gegoeteumenous ouk apothano de homos dolophonetheis kai toi prosemenantos 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 desan epistamenos epaoide 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 kikeron huperphuos ekoinei Plutarchus in Cicerone A more recent text (the 191 Loeb) has huperphuos ekinei. The last word is largely illegible; ekoinei is the best guess. ]

THE END