First therefore they laie to their charge idolatrie. But alas without
all reason: for such are properlie knowne to us to be idolaters, as doo
externall worship to idols or strange gods. The furthest point that
idolatrie can be stretched unto, is, that they, which are culpable
therein, are such as hope for and seeke salvation at the hands of
idols, or of anie other than God; or fix their whole mind and love
upon anie creature, so as the power of God be neglected and contemned
thereby. But witches neither seeke nor beleeve to have salvation
at the hands of divels, but by them they are onlie deceived; the
instruments of their phantasie being corrupted, and so infatuated,
that they suppose, confesse, and saie they can doo that, which is as
farre beyond their power and nature to doo, as to kill a man at _Yorke_
before noone, when they have beene seene at _London_ in that morning,
&c. But if these latter idolaters, whose idolatrie is spirituall, and
committed onelie in mind, should be punished by death; then should
everie covetous man, or other, that setteth his affection anie waie
too much upon an earthlie creature, be executed, and yet perchance the
witch might escape scotfree.