[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._]