for their God his arts for Gods word would haue Athisme to come in place of pure religion Wherfore if they erre of ignorance they erre dangerously against the very foundation of Christian religion if they erre of malice they are the very imps limmes of Satan and seeing that they seeme to turne such honourable personages from faith and religion and from true obedience vnto the worde of the Lord as Elimas the sorcerer sought to turne Sergius Paulus that prudent man when he desired to heare the word of God from the faith let them vnderstand that Paul may thunder more iustly against them professing Christianity in the Church as he did against that vile Pagan sorcerer in this maner O full of all subtiltie all mischiefe the child of the deuill and enimy of all righteousnes wilt thou not cease to peruert the straight waies of the Lord The ground and the mother of all good lawes is the law of god and all other lawes do giue attendance therupon and haue their being to this end to keep and preserue the holy lawes of God inuiolable and if they want this scope as the learned say they are vnnecessary in the Church or common wealth The lawes of god are most sharp against this sinne and punish it with death as all other sinnes of the first table were punished the words of the lawe are these Exod. 20. 18. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to liue Againe Lev. 20. 27. if a man or a woman haue a spirit of diuination or sooth saying in them they shall dye the death they shall stone them to death their blood shall be vpon them Againe Deut. 18. 10 11. many kinds of magitians are numbred which the Lorde straightly chargeth should not be left to liue in the land These lawes of God did the forenamed godly kings their iudges rulers and magistrates most religiousllie and zealouslie obey and put in practise and wherfore Christian princes iudges c. ought not with greater care loue zeale religion do the same vnder the gospel no man liuing shal euer be able with any sensible reason to prooue vnto vs. Wherfore such iudges as are so sharp sighted in the lighter sinnes of the 2. table and as it were blind in the disobedience of the first are as M. Beza Danaeus Bodin say truly great conteÌ„ners of God theÌ„selues therefore the greater account shall they make Bodin coÌ„plaineth in these wordes Equidem saepe miratus sum cur à multis principib quaestiones institutae iudices extra ordinem dati delegatique fierent in fures quaestores aerarios faeneratores viaruÌ„ obsessores per quos tamen turpissima summè horrenda impiaque magoruÌ„ facta manserunt impunita This lawyer as you see wondreth at the custome of some countries where he knoweth the iudges and magistrates are very sharp against theeues robbers vsurers and such like common sinnes but to passe ouer the most horrible sinnes of sorcerie vnpunished M. Beza also complaineth against this negligence in magistrates as we haue before shewed Danaeus saith that to make lawes doth belong appertain to kings princes notwithstanding he wisheth albeit lawes might seem to be waÌ„ting that the honourable iudges magistrates c. would punish magitians sorcerers for sundry other sorts of sin which they do impiously commit Bodin numbreth their sinnes in this order First they renounce God and all true religion 2. they blaspheme prouoke his diuine maiesty with vnspeakable contempt 3. they beleeue in the deuill adore him sacrifice vnto him 4. they offer their children vnto deuils 5. they sweare vnto Satan promise to bring as many as they can vnto his seruice professioÌ„ 6. they inuocate Satan in their praiers sweare by his name 7. they commit incestuous adulteries for Satan telleth theÌ„ that none can proue a perfect magitian or sorcerer but such a one as is of the father the daughter or the mother the son whereupon Catullus wrote these verses Nam magus ex matre gnato gignatur oportet Si vera est Persarum impia religio The right magitian by the sonne of mother is begotte Sayth Persian faith if that be true t is Satans birde I wotte 8. They coÌ„mit horrible murders kil yong infants 9. al sorcerers for the most part exercise poison to kill with poison is far more heinous then simple murder for so the law speaketh grauius est occidere veneno quam ferro 10. they kill mens cattel c. 11. lastly the witches as themselues confesse coÌ„mit abominatioÌ„s filthines with their deuils when they ly with their husbands Aug. saith that to denie this is great impudency These sinnes here named euery one eueÌ„ the lest deserueth a most exquisite death as can be deuised for all such sinners are coÌ„manded to be stoned to death which kinde of death was a most dreadful death among the Iews And surely it is well known by common experience that al professed sorcerers c. are guiltie of many most monstrous impieties for this cause the law saith simply Mechasephath Lo tichieth let not a witch liue expressing vnto vs how expedient it is that iustice be speedily exercised against these vile kind of men And thus far I thought good to shew how wise and religious magistrates haue doe and may proceed against the discouery of the most horrible and detestable sinnes of witchcraft or â—â—â—ery not for that I can or would teach any our honourable wise learneâ— magistrates their duties in this pointe but to let the common sort of Christians see what the lawe of God commandeth and what diligence good Magistrates haue vsed in elder times against these euils Wherefore if we which professe Christ Iesus in this cleare Sunne shine of the gospell be found more remisse colde backward in performing these duties to God and his Church that I may say more we seeme to come to farre behind those noble presidents in the loue of 〈◊〉 hatred of sinne and behinde I feare if wee so persist shall wee come â—nto the kingdome efheauen To conclude therefore let vs all as many as haue the place of inferiours in this Christian common wealth pray mightely vnto God so to illuminate our superiours the wise and honourable magistrates our godly learned ministers with his holy word to know his will and so to enflame their hearts with his holy spirit that they may moste diligently put the same in practise as for the discouery confusion extirpation of al sinnes so more particularly most carefully of these most horrible dreadfull detestable sinnes of witchcraft and sorcery c. that so God may be purely worshipped his saints comforted his greatest enemies either conuerted to their good or confounded with their deuills to their endlesse shame and confusion So be it Vnto the King euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto
hoc modo Deus incogitantiae argueretur ac silegem tulisset de rebus quae nullae sunt Surely it were gracelesse boldnes to denie that the artes of magicke haue euer beene practised for so God might be argued to want iudgement as if he had giuen a Law of things which haue no beeing Nowe to be short concerning this treatise which here I offer thee good Reader albeit I cannot teach thee as I would to discouer and to auoide the Sathanicall delusions of witchcraft so variable so straunge and so secret are Sathans practises yet that good which I purposed I haue I trust in some part performed Whatsoeuer I haue written in all humble submission I offer it to the Censure and iudgement of all the godly learned in the Church of God I was the more bolde to publish this discourse for that but few haue written to any purpose any thing which may giue light in this argument in the english tongue master George Gifford onely excepted vnto whom we are much bound in the Lorde An other cause which mooued me is the continuall trafficke and market which the rude people haue with witches For like as the old heathen as Tulli saieth de reb maiorib semper aut delphis oraculum aut ab Hammone aut à Dodona petebant that is in their greatest affaires sought alwaies after the master witches and in common affaires hid their common auguries so likewise our blockish Christians they haue their common base witches and their master coniurers vnto whom they ride and goe in all their neede some twentie some thirtie some fortie miles and what is moste lamentable such is their brutish ignorance they thinke it not vnlawfull for them so to doe Wherefore I doe here also humbly request all those whome God hath blessed with knowledge and giftes to discerne in any measure these hid and horrible abhominations that they would with all their might helpe to vncouer them The ministers of Christ must both in doctrine and conuersation oppose themselues vnto the ministers of Antichrist Th◠doctrine of the Gospell which we professe is flat contrarie we knovv vnto all the principles of poperie so let our conuersation also be vnto the practise of all the Romish prelates The monkes the friers and all of the shauen ministerie were not in any account for learning which made not an open profession of these sciences and of the Popes themselues sundry of them attained their popedome by these holy meanes as Sylvester the 2. Benedictus the 8. Geegorie the seuenth Iohn 20. 21. Alexander the 6. if we may credit their ovvne Platina and others Our enimies then worshipping the beast and his image and bearing these brandes of sorcery vvitchcraft idolatrie and all impietie in their handes and foreheads let vs with all might avoide them for without repentance the scripture hath forewarned they shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured into the cuppe of his wrath and shall bee tormented in fire and brim stone which is the second death Accept what I haue written good reader or of thy curtesie giue it free passage vnto others FAREWEL Thine in Christ Iesus HENRY HOLLAND CHAP. I. Of the witches mentioned in Scripture where is shewed by euident demonstrations how they had a reall conference confederacy with Satā himselfe by whom they practised wrought their abominatiōs Theophilus Mysodaemon WHat sayest thou Mysodaemon is it not strange that men at this day make so small account to discouer and auoid the moste horrible and dreadfull sinnes of witchcraft Mysodaemon I would gladly heare somwhat of you concerning this argument for the common sort of men indeed doe lightlie regard this sinne and the rather because some men as they say of learning and reputation affirme that this art being rightly discouered containeth nothing but cousenage and secret practises of wicked men and foolish women which are full of restles melancholick imaginations Theoph. True it is they say so indeed but how prooue they all such strong affirmations they speake much and fill volumes of many bookes but prooue litle soundly of that which they haue vainely and wickedly conceiued for when their proofe is out of the Scripture they neuer faile to wrest and bend that blessed word most prophanely to their owne purpose And as for other learned men which haue written painefulle of this argument they are all without difference scorned reiected and railed vpon in moste vile manner Their best proofe is from their owne braine and most wicked experience and yet some wise men as they say beleeue them Mysodaemon Surely Theophilus I can not myselfe be anie way perswaded that the common sorte of our witches worke by the deuill or haue any conference with him for so I remember Bodin others define a witch to be one that wittingly willingly vseth deuilish artes to atteine that hee purposeth therefore 〈…〉 women are no witches for they haue no such artes alack◠poore fooles they are no seducers but rather poore seduced soules Theoph. I see Mysodaemon you haue read ouer some of their great volumes can you so pretely bemone our old witches true it is manie of the common sort I beleeue well are not right witches indeed notwithstanding they are guiltie of other most vile sinnes and most worthie of death Mysodaemon As for other sinnes as coosnage poisoning and such like I will not couer them our witches are full of such practises but that these seely women haue anie artes to coniure the deuill or to conuey him into a boxe as they say to raise tempests to kill and make aliue I thinke all these are but vaine surmises of credulous and foolish people Theoph. Satan is full of delusions and filleth the mindes eies and eares of such as the Lorde hath iustlie giuen ouer vnto his handes for the contempt of the truth to beleeue lies he is a flying serpent and not so narrowly inclosed albeit hee perswadeth his vassals by such vaine delusions least wanting his presence they should bee discouraged in his seruice But let vs come vnto the purpose that there haue bene are and may be such Sathanicall witches which worke indeed many wonders by the help and ministrie of Satan Mysodaemon I knowe not where to turne mee in this controuersie for they say the scripture hath not answered this question wee haue no scripture against our vvitches or which can discouer them Theoph. If the scripture will not suffice and serue vs for this purpose let vs impute that to our weakenes and not to the want of that most perfect booke of God which is said to be so sufficient that it is able to make the man of God absolute And hath not the Scripture prophesied of the chaunge of Empyres of the variable state of the Church before and after Christes incarnation of Antichrist his comming his miracles c. And doe we not finde all those diuine and propheticall predictions
but cousenage wherefore did this cousenage cease when the gospell shined for cousening hypocrites are in the Church and will bee foreuer where the gospell is preached And wherefore must the deuill in Constantines time creepe as it were into some hollow caues was it be cause cousenage creeps in corners for Euseb. saith Apollinem autem id temporis ex antro quodam tenebricoso recessu non ex sacerdotis ore hoc or aculum aedidisse ferunt Mysodaemon Well I am content to yeild I knowe not what strength my reason hath if that storie bee not there to be found What haue you a nie examples which hath practised this kind of witchcraft Theoph. The witch of Endor is saide to be one of this sort for she is called 1. Sam. 28. v. 7. Bagnalah Aob married to Aob or possessing Aob or as the common translation is hauing Aob that is a familiar spirit And here My sodaemon before I do any further answer thee note what obseruations that place of scripture offereth vnto vs in this question of witchcraft for our instruction First obserue there the great feare this vile kind of witches are in for she was very loth least her practise should be publikely noted espied known v. 9. 10. Secondly how the deuil perswades witches he must be coniured out of hell out of the earth froÌ„ among the dead by characters figures peâ—iaptes c. that his vassals might be the more studious to serue him on that maner that meÌ„ might haue his witches for their art in the more estimatioÌ„ v. 11. 12. Thirdly how Satan can transfrome himself before his witch as he please for v. 13. she saith I saw gods or an excellent person which theÌ„ appeareth forth with in the form of old Samuel himself Fourthly what Satan desireth most of his witches such as consult with them namely to adore him as a God as Saul did the deuill in the presence of the witch v. 14. Lastly how bold Satan is somtimes in predictions either when he hath some warrant of gods word or is sent of God to execute his iustice vpon in sidels For this deuill speaking thus boldly of Saules death it is like he knew gods purpose concerning him for where hee wanteth knowledge hee is commonly most doubtfull in his prophesies as those latine rimes of Apollos oracle can teach vs. Misodaemon But Ecclesiasticus saith it was very Samuel himselfe which did appeare in that place Chap. 46. v. 19. 20. Theoph. So doth Iosephus also in his antiquities for the most Iews of those times did imagin ther might be had some confereÌ„ce with spirits and soules of men but both haue erred in this point Myso-daemon It is most vnlikely of all that God would answer Saul by a deuil that denied to doe it by a Prophet Theo. Not so Mysodaemon I can returne this weapon vpon thine own head For therefore was it more like to be Satan because God had denied to answere him by dreams by Vrim by the Prophets 1. Sam. 28. 6. againe Saul was now fast bound in Satans snares for his disobedience against the word of God therefore no maruell though Satan was bold to visit him on that maner Mysodaemon When Saul had told her that he would haue Samuell brought vp shee departed from his presence into her closet vvhere doubtlesse she had her familiar spirit towit some lewdcraftie priest ergo all that play was but a priestly cousenage Theoph. I tel the truly Mysodaemon this doubtlesse of the craftie preeste is a magicall glose out of thine owne braine and clean beside the text Mysodaemon The counsell giuen to Saule by that Samuel greatly disagreeth from Sathans nature and purpose Theoph. If you will aduisedly consider all the circumstances of this text you shall soone espie that all that Samuels counsels and words were wicked diuelish tended most to perswade Saul his companie to idolatre and for the confirmation of these artes Againe it is certen the deuill can speake sugred words and mean Sathanically as the deuill in the Gospel the Pythonist at Philippi at Ephesus and els where Myso-daemon This is straunge Theophilus and yet for all thou canst say of this place there are some as I heare that chaâ—lenge all the learned men in the world vpon the adventure of their liues to prooue eyther here in this witch or in any other one piece of a miracle such as Christ did Theoph. There challenge is but a bold vndiscreete and witles bragge And as for witches miracles Danaeus and others saie right well that they may more properly be called Sathanicall woonders which the deuill can with greater facility effect saith he then the cunningest man because he excelleth in nature in swiftnes of motion and in knowledge Of these wicked wonders the Scripture speaketh 2. Thess. 2. 9. Revel 16. 14. Sathans woonders are produced of natural causes not supernatural as Christs were Myso-daemon Now doe but shew me the iudgement of some learned Authors which will testifie also that this witch hath a reall conference with Sathan himselfe and I shal be satisfied and resolued in one point wherein Theophilus I haue a long time greatly doubted Theoph. 1. Brentius on this manner writeth vpon this place Apertè significat Scriptura quòd Sathan noÌ„ perse tantuÌ„ verumetiam per organa suae quae sunt incantatores malificae hominib malefaciat The Scripture speaketh plainly that Sathan doth not only hurt himselfe but worketh also by his instruments such as inchaunters and witches are And then he addeth Colloquium ipsum cum Saule perspicuè testatur non fuisse verum Samuelem sed Sathanam effigie Samuelis apparentem The conference which Saule plainely testifieth that this was not the true Samuel but Sathan himsâ—lfe who appeared in Samuels likenes 2. Another saith thus Saule consulit venificam seupithonissam manes ex orco educentem i. confugit ad Diabolum Saule asked counsell of a witch which coniured spirits out of hell that is he fled for helpe to the Devill 3. To be short and that one may speake for many Peter Martyr vpon that place hauing shewed many mens iudgements addeth in the end his owne and saith manifestly it was a deuill Then he concldeth in these wordes Scio istas rationes non adeo firmas esse vt possint persuadere homini pertinaci I know saith he these arguments are not so strong that they caâ— perswade a stubborn wit 4 Hemingius is of the same iudgement 5 Danaeus is of the same iudgement 6 Tremellius writeth of this kinde thus Lev. 20. 27. Pythones diabolicis artibus reliquos à dei cultu sui sanctificatione avocant Pythonists seduce others by Sathanicall artes c. Mysodaemon I pray you haue you euer heard reade or euer seene any one example of this kinde in these times Theoph. I read and heare of many but I come not yet
Theoph. This kind also is one of the foure diabolicall sciences which Manasses fauoured and set vp in his time and multiplyed in the land vntill the noble King Iosiah came who is said to haue found among the dunghill gods sterchoreos deos saith Tremel these two kind of witches pythones pythonists and ijdgnonim wise men he caused their braines to be beaten out with stones according to the wordes of the law of God Mys. And what Theoph. doe you thinke that these witches had any sight in the secret mysteâ—ies of Sathans sciences Palmisters expounders of dreames are but poore simple fellowes our common Egyptian vagabonds as we call them can tell vs some points of this profession Surely then those witches were like to be but plaine cooseners Theoph. That these witches some also of the former practised more then common coosenage c. I can shew it by sufficient proofe out of the Scripture on this manner 1. All sinnes which the Scripture calleth abhominations are greater and more dreadfull then any sleights of iugling or coÌ„mon coosenage but this kind is so named 2. King 23. 24. therfore this sinne is not coosenage c. 2. That sinne against the which the holy Ghost sheweth like or greater detestation then against the vilest idolatrie is farre more dreadfull more wicked then common coosenage c. The Lord sheweth such detestation against this sinne in that place Ergo. 3. That sinne which is one great cause of the destruction of a whole kingdome is a most dreadfull impietie This kind of witchcraft was one of the foure which Manasses liked and fauoured for the which that kingdom was destroied therefore it is one most dreadfull sinne 4. That kinde of witchcraft which the law of God so abhorreth against the which it pronounceth death without mercie is no doubt a most deuelish and as Sathanicall a practise as all the rest but the law of stoning to death which was the cruellest death amoÌ„g the Iewes was directly giuen against this kind If a man or woman be pytho or ijdgnoni a wise man they shall die the death they shall stone them to death there blood shall be vpon them 5. That sinne which the noble prince Iosiah by the aduise of his wise Iudges and Magistrates c. directed by the law of God so sharply punished and sought after so dilligently that his Church might be clean purged c. must not be thought a light impietie but rather the contrarie and that Iosiah did so against these witches and others it is recorded by the holy Ghost for his euerlasting praise God put into the hartes of our Honourable Iudges to doe the like in these times where and when occasion is offered And to this end Strilegius writeth against these witches and to the commendation of Iosias on this manner His seuerissimis mandatis Iosias obtemperans non tantum exscindit sed etiam evellit omnes vates incantatores diabolicos ne rursus fruticentur eandem severitatem omnes magistratus sequantur in tollendis èmedio magis c. alijs qui se ministros diabolorum praebent Iosiah obeying the most seuere rules of Gods law Lev. 20. 27. did not onely cut downe but rooted vp all diviners and deuelish enchanters least they should bud or seede any more let all magistrates saith he vse the like severitie to take away witches and all such as giue them selues to the ministerie of Sathan Mysodaemon And what was the last kinde of witches named in that place of Deut. 1 8. v. 11. Th. The last words there are doreshel hammuthim one that enquireth or seeketh counsel at the dead but it is to be doubted whether the Lord meaneth in these words an other special kind or rather sheweth by theÌ„ by what meanes som of the rest there nuÌ„bred practised these artes namly by coÌ„sultation with the spirits of dead meÌ„ as was thought but with deuils indeed howbeit some affirm that Necromancie another and speciall kinde of witchcraft is here to be vnderstoode but Samuel Esay say plainely that Aobooth pythonistes and ijdgnomim wizards practised this Necromansie for Esay saith that such as consult with Aobooth and â—dgnonim goe from the liuing elhâ—mmuthâ—m that is to ask counsel of dead soules as some supposed but of the deuills indeed Maister Luth. saith that Necromantici spiritus nocturnos obambâ—lantes consulunt Necromancers coÌ„sult with night walking spirits c. or as Esay saith They lye and remaine among the graues Chap. 65. 4. Howsoeuer it be whether these words conteiâ—e an other speciall kind or no I know not but one thing we are sure of that these witches also had there marchandize with Sathan him selfe for the spirit of the righteous returne vnto God that gaue them Eccles. 12. 7. and the soules of the vnrighteous are as our Sauiour Christ saith in hell torments Wherefore they must be Sathanicall spirits and not soules departed which come to conference and to trafficke with witches here vpon earth But some intending to finde an essentiall difference haue thought it best to call that practize of pythonistes Sciomantâ—a to discern it from this last kinde of witchcraft as if there did appeare but shadowes onely in the one but reall bodies in the other Wherefore this difference is but to smal purpose in my iudgement CHAPTER II. Of the witches of our time and of their bargaines societie and acquaintance with Sathan Theophilus Mysodaemon SVrely Theophilus I loue not sophistically to cavill in this controuersie but soberly to come if God so please vnto the knowledge of the trueth Seeing that the light of Gods word is so manifest that these magical artes mentioned in the Scripture were such horrible impieties abhominations c. and so detestable before almightie God that they caused his wrath to be kindled in such manner against his people for fauouring following and practising them I must and will willingly subscribe Theophilus that these artes were more indeed then coosenage poisoning naturall magike or any other such like invention onely practised by humane industrie Theophilus Neuer doubt of it they were Sathanicivenefici Sathanicimagi Sathanicall magitians and Sathanicall poisoners indede and so call them Mysodaemon as learned men haue done and thus I trust thou seest what the witches were which are mentioned in Scripture Mys. I doe so Theophilus I thanke you But shall we imagine that our poore doating old women which are commonly called witches at this day are like in any point vnto those 7. which are mentioned in Scripture Surely I haue no light of reason or Scripture as yet wherefore we should so thinke Theophilus Thou art here also caried away with some fabulous volumes of withcraft or thou markest the follie of the multitude or both For what Mysodaemon shall Sathan in this age be lesse cruell or infidels more holy then they haue beene some are not ashamed to say indeede saith Hemingius that
are In re dubia quam absque periculo nescire licet malo iudicium suspendere quam contentiosis praebere litigandi ansam In a doubtfull matter wherein I may be ignorant without daunger I had rather suspend my iudgement then offer any occasion vnto contentious men of strife And then he addeth that other interpretors affirme boldly that it was a reall transportation And so much for the first point of our witches wonders Mysodaemon I dare not reiect all the authorities Theophilus albeit I am not througly resolued And what can you say for their bargaine with the deuill or there Sathanicall sabbaoth for we neuer read of such things mentioned in Scripture Theophilus I will not be long in the confirmation of these pointes for that other writers haue written much of this matter First for the witches bargaine and obligation with the deuill answer me a few questions Mysodaemon are you resolued that there were euer any witches in the world Mysodaemon That I am those mentioned in the Scripture and peraduenture some other beside Theophilus And canst thou imagine that Sathan would binde him selfe to any of them as the witch of Endor for example to be present when they would and to minister vnto their necessities as we read he did before such time as the witch also for her part doe renounce God all religion adore him as her God yea and binde her selfe in some euident manner to persist in this profession and continually to performe these pointes and all other articles conteined in his obligation Mysodaemon If there be such a bargaine the deuil no doubt wil be sure enough for his part and I think he wil not greatly bind him selfe before the witch also doe the same Theophilus It is most like to be true Mysodaemon for sometimes there obligations are found written with their own blood as Bodin reporteth of one Theophilus to haue done Mysodaemon I will not heare I tell you neither of Bodins * bables nor Sprengeus fables I pray you shew me one example out of some credible Authour if you can Theophilus Master Fox in the storie of M. Luther hath one singular example for this purpose There was saith he a young man about Wittemberge who beeing kept bare and needie by his father was tempted by way of sorcerie to bargaine with the Deuill or a familiar as they call him to yeeld him selfe bodie and soule into the deuils power vpon condition to haue his wish satisfied with money so that vpon the same an obligation was made by the young man written with his owne blood and giuen to the deuill This case you see how horrible it was and how damnable now heare what followed Vpon this sodaine wealth and alteration of this young man the matter first beeing noted began afterwaerdes more and more to be suspected and at length after long great admiration was brought to M. Luther to be examined The young man whether for shame or feare long denied to confesse and would be knowen of nothing Yet God so wrought beeing stronger then the deuill that be vttered vnto Luther the whole substance of the case as well touching the money as the obligation Luther vnderstanding the matter and pittying the lamentable state of the man willed the whole congregation to pray and he himselfe ceased not with prayers to labour so that the deuill was compelled at the last to throw in his obligation at the window and bad him take it againe vnto him Thus farre Master Luther Mysodaemon Surely this is a not able example and it may be this is not so incredible a matter as some haue marueilous boldly and confidently auouched but where make they such bargaines Theophilus At their common meetings which they cal their sabboth for there the deuill hath many witnesses and there these obligations are autentically sealed For thou must vnderstande Misodaemon that as thou knowest Sathans purpose is euer most to rebell against God so his drift in all the artes of magike principallie is to vse all the mockerie that euer he can inuent against God and his Word and all the partes of true religion And to this end he hath ordained his sabbothes for his seruice In these horrible meetings Sathan himselfe appeares sometime in one forme sometime in another for â—o he can as the Scripture testifieth for somtimes his ministers behould him in the likenes of a man but most commonly of a foule stinking goate There they haue sundrie suites vnto him and hee ministreth and teacheth them to confect poysons and pouders and many things for the destruction of man and beast and in the end he addeth when his congregation is to be dismissed with a terrible thundring voice this speech or something to the like effect Vlciscimini vos aut mortem oppetetis Revenge your selues or else die the death Mysodaemon Well Theophilus these things may be true yet some haue doubted how there can be any firme bargaine betweene a carnall bodie and a spirituall Theophilus The Scripture telleth vs plainely that he can transforme him selfe into many shapes the Apostle saith he can chaÌ„ge himselfe into an angell of light Mysodaemon But I cannot heare Theophilus any wise man or honest man tell vs any thing which hath beene himselfe eyther a partie or a witnesse of such horrible bargaines Theophilus There is no man I thinke of learning or godlynes that would require this testimonie at an honest mans handes to be an eye witnesse of such dreadfull abhominations thou speakest therefore Mysodaemon of a thing impossible for honest men haue no such conuenticles notwithstanding to satisfie in some sort thy desire see I pray thee the examinations confessions and practise of M. A. of Barking and M. B. of Rochester confirmed by sufficient credible witnesses Ann. 1584. And to end this question of these Sathanicall bargaines Danaeus and other graue authors say That it is the vniforme consent of the witches of all nations and of all times for there confessions all agree and haue many hundreth yeres so agreed Quae fuisse affirmantur ab omnibus ea non fuisse qui contendit calumniatur Mysodaemon It may be some of our Master witches frequent such publique assemblies and haue some open bargaine and confederacie with Sathan but it is not like that al deale so openly with him for many of them with one consent constantly affirme in their death that they neuer saw the deuill in their liues Theophilus Therefore some learned men haue distinguished these Sathanicall couenants into their sorts for some haue an open expresse and euident league and confederacie with Sathan some a more hid and secret some a mixt and meane betweene both Vnto the open and expresse confederacie belong all manifest coniurations and practises of Pythonistes vnto the secret kinde all close and secret operations by Sathan in diuining astrologie palmistrie and such like vnto the third kinde apperteine all the practises of
superstitious magicke in all sorceries whatsoeuer And following this distinction of diabolicall confederacies we may not vnfitly distinguish also their artes for the better manifestation of the trueth on this manner Some be meere diabolical some mixt diabolicall meere diabolicall as of Pythonists and all such as are of the open league mixt as all other which vse any other meanes appointed by Sathan for their practise and are of the second and third kinde of confederacie Mysodaemon I pray you then vnto which league belong the common sort of our witches which seeme indeede to worke by the deuill so wicked are their liues so deuelish are their inuentions and such dreadfull euents follow them and yet haue no manifest operation by Sathan to their owne knowledge as most of them say in the very houre of death Theophilus They doe belong therefore no doubt to the second or third kinde of confederacie and they worke secretly by the deuill Quanquam haec ipsinon advertant norint Albeit they neither perceiue nor know this thing Mysodaemon But you haue not one syllable in all the Scriptures of God to prooue any such league or couenant betweene Sathan and witches Theophilus We haue not indeede any such wordes or phrases and yet may we truely conclude that there are such things by Scripture for the Scripture shewing vs the great readines and acquaintance of Sathan with the enchaunters of Egypt the Pythonist of Endor and Philippi doe therein significantly giue vs to vnderstande that there was some precontract and confederacie betweene them for Sathan will neuer worke in such manner but with whome hee hath some league and acquaintance Mysodaemon And what can you say of our witches oyntments for I remember Ioh. Bap. Neap. did prooue by his owne experience that this was but meere coosenage and a fable in witchcraft as we may read in his little booke of naturall magicke lib. 2. cap. 26. Theophilus First as for the strength of any oyntmentes to worke any magicall inuentions I answer Mysodaemon it is none at all For oyntments can mooue Sathan no more then figures crosses circles periaptes the superstitious mutterings of holy wordes and such like abhominations Secondly that they haue notwithstanding such stuffe in their practise I am induced to beleeue for that Sathan wants not in his seruice as is before saide all the apish imitations of Gods religion that can be deuised by new found and forged sacraments Againe Mysodaemon if this making of oyntementes of the fatte of young children seeme so straunge vnto thee vnderstande this that albeit the deuill little regardeth such oyntementes yet is hee right glad to behould and see the murder and bloodshedding of young infantes for wherefore else did the Heathen kill and sacrifice their children vnto Moloche and that thou maiest vnderstande also what that abhominable practise was David sheweth that complaining because this horrible idolatrie crept into the Church for he saith They offered their sonnes and daughters vnto deuills And that the deuill stirreth Sathanicall magitians to offer these bloody sacrifices vnto him the ecclesiasticall stories of Maxentius and Iulian and others can testifie vnto vs. For of the one it is said Contulit se magicis studijs ad incantationem iam mulieres praegnantes discidit iam infantium recens natorum viscera inquisiuit arcano quodammodo daemones advocauit He gaue himselfe to the studie of magick for inchantment and then he ript women with child and sought diuinations in the entrals of young infants and called or coniured deuils secretly And of the other it is written Antiochiae verò aiunt multas arcas in regia refertas humanis capitibus inventas esse multisque in puteis cadavera humana There were found at Antioche as they say many chestes full of deade mens sculles and many dead corses were found in wells and a little before his death in the Persian warre it is said in the same place that he ript an other woman with child to practise vpon her his diuinations and then he hung her by the heare purposing to learne more by her dead bodie at his returne but therein he fayled albeit his deuils told him the contrarie Againe Plinie writing of Nero and his magicke saith thus of him Homines etiam immolare gratissimum ei fuit He was most delighted to sacrifice men vnto deuills Apollo taught his witches to sacrifice a noble Virgin to stay the plague among the Lacedemonians Polyxena Priamus daughter and Iphigenia Agamemnons were both sacrificed to Sathan in like manner The witches of Scithia offered men in sacrifice vnto Diana The witches of Fraunce vnto Mercurie The witches of Africa vnto Saturne And what was Diana Mercurie Saturne but Sathan and his fellowes which coloured and shrowded them selues vnder such names and titles as Mirandula saith rightwell among the blinde and prophane Gentiles The Romane witches taught the old Romanes to sacrifice two men yeerely to appease the Gods and to cast them into Tyber In Cyprus also they sacrificed a man vnto Apollo To conclude Baals witches shew plainly how greatly Sathan delighteth himself to see mens blood shed in his seruice for it is written of them They cryed loud and cut them selues as the manner was with kniues and launces till the blood gushed out vpon them And this hath is and euer will be the ende of all spirituall whoredome with Sathan in witchcraft The like effects could I shew by examples of corporall whoredome also for these two kinds of pollutions as they haue great affinitie in nature and in filthie practises accompanie one the other so for this ende in murder and bloodshedding they haue not much varied but euer in all ages offered Sathan these bloodie sacrifices vnder sundrie and diuerse pretenses as it is by the continuall obseruation of wise men truly testified vnto vs. Mysodaemon No doubt Theophilus if Sathan haue that bloodie purpose in witches oyntments he will vse all the meanes he can to worke his wonders by such oyntments indeede for the scripture telleth vs that he is a roaring lyon seeking without rest whom he may deuoure and destroy both in bodie and soule But least I wearie you Theophilus in these things wherein I know you be not greatly delighted I pray you let me heare in a word what can be saide of lycanthropeia transformation of men and women into wolfes and cattes c. for these things are cleane contrarie against nature and must be meere poeticall fables if the trueth be tryed Theophilus Truely my greatest delight in this conference Mysodaemon is to helpe thee what I can to come vnto the knowledge of the trueth to make thee more able to auoyde if God so please all the daungers of these Sathanicall delusions for I may speake truely as another doeth for mine owne part Equidem de diabolis eorumque ministris sortiarijs lubenter disputare non soleo c. eatenus
heresies and superstitions to spring in his Church that those that are his might be knowen as the Lorde teacheth vs. Myso-daemon Howe farre then may Sathans power reach when God so permitteth him or sendeth him for the execution of his iustice Theophilus Almightie God doeth vse Satan for to worke his signes and iudgements in the heauens in the ayer and in the earth and to execute his iustice vpon all the children of disobedience yea and to afflict his Saintes as ofter as the Lord knoweth it expedient for his glorie and their saluation For the Scripture speaketh plainelie that he can driue downe lightnings and flames of fire from heauen to hurt the creatures vpon earth Againe that he can infect and poyson the ayer and water with pestiferous exhalations when God sendes him as in the plagues of Egypt which were wrought by the ministerie of Sathan for it is written that God cast foorth his indignation and wrath vpon them in all those plagues By sending out euill angels among them He can destroy also the other creatures and man him selfe by fyers by windes and tempestes when he is let loose against them Myso-daemon The witches boast indeede that Sathan can do much and they likewise by their acquaintance with him but some thinke that all this is but to fray men many men often hurt themselues and others by fond imaginations Theophilus As for Sathans might it is but weake if the Lorde graunt him not strength to execute his will he can not doe it and whereas some suppose that all these artes are but strong phantasies they be greatly deceiued for albeit that some doe hurt themselues with euill imaginations c. yet let a witch or any other imagine what he will against thee his imagination can neither kill thee Myso-daemon nor take away one haire from thy head but we knowe and see that Sathan by witches can doe both and this is the confession of the witches of all times nations and people euen at the very point of death Myso-daemon If Sathan can hurt the bodies and soules of men I will neuer doubt he may soone hurt the other creatures tell me therefore first what can he doe to infidels and wicked prophane people Theophilus As for the wicked the Scripture saith 1 Sathan is their God 1. Cor. 4. 4. 2 Sathan is their father Ioh. 8. 44. act 13. 10. 3 Sathan hath the vse of their bodies soules Eph. 2. 2. Matt. 12. 43 4 Satan workes his owne workes in them 1. Ioh. 3. 8. Ephes. 2. 2. 5 Sathan blyndes their minds and makes them fooles in vnderstanding 2. Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 4. 18. 1. Cor. 2. 14 6 Sathan robs them of the good vse of Gods word by many delusions Luk. 8. 12. and makes them storme and fret against it Prou. 14. 16. Now then seeing that Sathan hath this dominion ouer the soules which are farre more precious then their bodies he may no doubt and doeth often tosse their bodies when God permits him at his pleasure Myso-daemon My heart trembles and quakes Theophilus when I vnderstand by the holy Scripture how all prophane and wicked men in the Church euen among vs are thus fast bound in Sathans snares and chaines and what is more miserable they are so blind they know it not Theophilus Yea and what is most dreadfull in these daies God hath giuen ouer sundry men for the contempt of his word so farre into Sathans power and into a reprobate sense that men reiect the very natural course of ciuil life that men sport themselues in doeing wickedly that men worke all vncleannes euen with greedines And such is the impudent boldnes and grouth of sinne in these times that if any one man refraine from euill he is a monster among men a gazing flocke and as the Prophet saith maketh himselfe a pray S. Cyprian complaineth of his time Esse iam inter nocentes innoxium crâ—men est malos quisquis non imitatur offendit And the Milesians prouerbe was men thinke there ought to be no place for any honest man among them Mys. The Lord defend vs from them and graunt vs that wee may so liue by them that we be not hurt of them but may not Sathan and his witches hinder and hurt the Saints of God also Theophilus No doubt they may for Sathan sought to winnow euen the very Apostles and preuailed somewhat and hindred them often in the course of their ministerie Mysodaemon How shewe you that Sathan can hurt their bodies Theoph. The Apostle had the messenger of Sathan to buffet him as for Iob Sathan so poisoned his bodie all ouer that there was no part of him whole from the crowne of his head to the sole of his foot yea what is more feareful it may be seene by Mary Magdalens example that if god permit he may not onely hurt the bodies of the Saints but before grace also haue a reall possession of them Again our continual warfare is against him if we want any part of our armour described Eph. 6. he may soone hurt vs. Mys. Teach me two things more Theophilus and then I cease to molest you First how I may be cured if witches do hurt me and secondly how I may best auoid them for I see wel we be in daunger all by them Theoph. First as for the cure of any man poisoned by Sathan it is knowen by the experience of many learned phisitions a thing most difficult the reason is sathan vseth poisons that haue hidden vnknowne and straunge operations in the bodies of men for he is an Empiricke of many yeeres experience notwithstanding wee ought to vse all good meanes that Phisicke offereth vs continually intreating the Lord so to blesse theÌ„ as they may be for our health if it shall seeme expedient for his glorie and our saluation and if by these meanes we can not receiue health we must wait patiently vpon God commit and commend our bodies and soules vnto his hands for he saith The Lord knoweth the daies of vpright men and their inheritance shal be perpetuall Againe man is not Lord ouer the spirit to reteine the spirit neither hath he power in the day of death nor deliuerance in the battaile neither shall wickednes deliuer the possessors thereof Mysodaemon I heare often that many great mens houses are troubled with straunge visions What thinke you Theophilus are these vncleane spirits and how may such euils be auoided Theoph. It is well you speake of great mens houses for there commonly are the greater sinnes Nero could hardly rest for fearefull and straunge apparitions Suetonius saith Saepe confessus exagitari se materna specie verberibus furiarum ac taedis ardentibus The like say the stories of Brutus Pysistratus and others The greater sinnes defile any place the greater libertie is giuen Sathan the more it is swept and garnished for his continuall habitation To expell all such euills