strength that he kild two of them and then being wounded in divers places he leapt out of the window into the Garden But fell by misfortune upon a pole that prop't up a Vine and there stuck fast by the Breeches which the Conspirators perceiving ran down and made an end of him there The Negromancer according to the Kings promise had his pardon and being asked by the King how many Witches he thought were in his Dominions answered above a hundred thousand which he knew and of whom he was Master Mr. Baudovain de Ronssey in his Epistles gives us this Relation that in Ostbrook neer Utrect a place in Holland dwelt a certain Negromancer whose servant observing that his Master went constantly on certain nights into the Stable and laid hold on the Rack resolved to do the same unknown to his Master and see what would be the event Thus following his Master who was gone half an hour before into the stable and returned no more he laid hold on that part of the Rack and was posted immediately he knew not how through the aire till at last he found himself in a large Cave amongst an Assembly of Witches His Master astonished and angry at his coming fearing also least by this means their nocturnal meetings might be discovered asked the counsel of the rest concerning him 't was agreed upon at last to receive him and make him swear secrecy This the poor fellow out of fear did and promised whatsoever else they desired at last when the time of departure came they resolved he-should be carryed back because he had sworn to be of the Society and to that end his Master took him upon his back but in their way through the air as they came over a Lake his Master fearing to be discovered by him and finding this opportunity let him fall hoping therein to have drowned him and stifled him in the mudd yet Providence permitted not the youth to be drowned or his fall to be deadly for the abundance of Rushes and Sedge saved its violence and there he lay with no great harm done to his body The next day as he cry'd for help he was heard by some Travellers and by his voice found and holpen out the occasion of his coming thither being examined he was conducted to the Burgomaster of Utrect named Iohn of Cullenburg who making farther inquiry into this extraordinary accident with intention to prosecute the Negromancer sent for him to the place of his habitation but whether advised by his Spirit or warned by the Report he was fled and could no where be heard of Iohn Theuteme Canon D' Albestan being oftimes reproached to be a Bastard and that he merited not to be a Canon which belonged only to those of better Extract invited his revilers one day to Dinner and after the Table was taken away asked them if they would see their Fathers to which they answered they all were willing then caused he his Familiar Spirits to appear in their likenesses one like a Cook another like a Groom a third like a Pesant but his own Father came in the form of a Canon cloathed in a long gown at which sight the company was much amazed and never after reproached him of his Extract since their own was no more honourable CHAP. V. Of Incubus and Succubus's FLegon Trallian made free from slavery by the Emperor Adrian writes in his Book of admirable things that Philinion Daughter to a Vintener fell in Love with Machates a young Forrester but crost by her friends took it so to heart that she dyed suddenly after and was buryed publickly Not long after this sad Funeral Machates passing by came and lay at the house to whom Philinion appeared being alone in his chamber asserting she was not dead but had raised that report to deceive her friends insomuch that they both lay that night together and he gave her towards morning at her departure his Ring in token of his love and in recompence she gave him another while these things thus passed a servant that lay in the next Chamber hearing Philinions voice supposed really that her Masters daughter was alive which she constantly affirmed for truth her Master desirous to know the certainty of it found means to get the young man to stay longer at his House and caused persons to watch every night in the next chamber at last hearing her voice they went into the chamber and ran towards the bed where she lay to embrace their daughter but the Spirit said O cruel Father and Mother since you hindred me to enjoy this youth in life you can expect no kindess from me and lo now I leave you At which words the spirit went out of her and her carcass fell down in the bed Her tomb was immediately after opened but nothing found there save the ring the Forrester gave her which the spirit had left Her body was seen as likewise the tomb by thousands of people that came to see the truth of this admirable accident And at last by the councel of the Divine Hillo the dead body was carryed out of Town and buryed But Machates by this accident was so frightned that he fell shortly after into despair and killed himself Another no less admirable History we find of an Incubus who in the shape of Policrates was created Prince of the Aetolians and was marryed to a young Lady of Locres with whom after he had lain three nights he vanished and was no more seen by the people The Lady brought forth for her Child a monstrous Hermophrodite at which her Parents being astonished assembled the people the Priests and Diviners to consult what should be done with the Child or rather Divelish off-spring and at last it was concluded it should be burnt But then Policrates the Father appeared again in a mourning garment and with threats demanded his Son which being denyed he rushed upon him and toar him to pieces and then devoured all his members excepting the head and vanisht The people resolved to send to the Oracle at Delphos to enquire concerning this matter but the head that was left on the ground began to speak and with a loud voice and eloquent Oration informed the multitude of all the evil that 's threatned them which came to pass the Year after in the War they had with the people of Acarnania Boethius the Historian writes lib. hist. Scot. That a young maid very beautiful and one that had refused the marriage of many Noble Persons fell into strange familiarity with a Devil Till at last her big swelling belly declared what she had done and forced her to disclose the matter to her Parents how a handsome young man came constantly by night and lay with her but from whence or whither he went she knew not Her friends though they gave little credence to these words yet resolved to search into the matter more narrowly and about three days after being informed by her maid that the man was with her
Lucifer takes his place in his Throne as King do make their accustomed homage Adoring and Proclaiming him their Lord and rendring him all Honour This Solemnity being finished they fit to Table where no delicate meats are wanting to gratifie their Appetites all dainties being thither brought in the twinckling of an Eye by those spirits that attend the Assembly This done at the sound of many pleasant Instruments for we must expect no Grace in the company of Devils the table is taken away and the pleasant consort invites them to a Ball but the dance is strange and wonderful as well as diabolical for turning themselves back to back they take one another by the arms and raise each other from the ground then shake their heads to and fro like Anticks turn themselves as if they were mad Then at last after this Banquet Musick and Ball the lights are put out and their sleeping Venus awaks The Incubus's in the shaps of proper men satisfy the desires of the Witches and the Succubus's serve for whores to the Wizards At last before Aurora brings back the day each one mounts on his spirit and so returns to his respective dwelling place with that lightness and quickness that in little space they find themselves to be carryed many hundred miles but are charged by their spirit in the way not to call in any wise on the name of God or to bless themselves with the sign of the Cross upon pain of falling with peril of their lives and being greivously punisht by their Demon. Sometimes at their solemn assemblies the Devil commands that each tell what wickedness he hath committed and according to the hainousness and detestableness of it he is honoured and respected with a general applause Those on the contrary that have done no evil are beaten and punished at last when the assembly is ready to break up and the Devil to dispatch them he publisheth this law with a loud voice Revenge your selves or else you shall dye then each one kissing the Posteriors of the Devil a sweet bit no doubt returns upon their aiery Vehicles to their habitations These meetings are made commonly towards midnight when the earth is covered with darkness yet Cardan writes that a friend of his a Bookseller returning from Alemagne where he had newly been saw several assemblies met near a mountain both Wizards and Witches dancing some on Horseback some on Goats others on Dragons some on other Phantasms but drawing nâ—…er within a stones throw they all vanished and were no longer seen The places of these Meetings are in some desart either in a fair plain or under some large tree of which Pomp. Mela writes that on the side of the Mountain Atlas in Mauritania are seen by night certain lights and noises are heard of Cimbals and almost all sorts of Musical Instruments which in the day time cease and the Phantasms vanish and disappear Solin and Olaus affirm the same that the Shepherds living neer this place are often frighted by the Troops of Spirits that go dancing and brawling toward this Mountain esteem'd by the common people to be Aegyptians Valderama speaks farther concerning these meeting places which ought in no wise to be omitted that by tâ—…e new Castle belonging to the Earle of Francesquin he saw under a high Chesnut-Tree hard by a little wood a circle of the breadth of twenty foot being made so round that it seemed to be made by a Geometrical compass where he imagined these Witches and Spirits to have been and what most astonished him was that upon this round circle grew no flower nor grass although in the middle and round about abundantly Suspecting therefore that the earth was consumed by the quality of some ill humour which hindred the Herbs to grow he caused it to be dug up and diligently lookt upon but found the earth of the very same quality and goodness with the rest ad joyning Paul Grillaud a most famous Doctor of the Law reports that a certain Pesant had a wife accustomed to go to such meetings with her other companions which her Husband suspecting often taxed her with it which still she denyed as obstinately till at last resolving to know the truth he feigned himself one night drunk and in a sound sleep which hapned to be the time she was advised by her Spirit to go to the Assembly So that looking round about her that all things were sure her doors fast and her husband to appearance dead drunk she retired into a private corner of the room strip't her self naked and anoâ—…ted her body then in an instant as if she had wings she flew up the Chimney This her husband perceiving rose and hid the box of Oyntment till the next morning when examining her where she had been that night he could neither by fair nor foul means bring her to confess that she had been out of the house till â—…hewing her the box of Oyntment see here said he the witness that will so convince thee that thou shalt be no longer able to deny thy wickedness and unless thou resolve to tell me immediately whither and by what means thou wenâ—…'st expect not to go out of my hands alive Then did he Wâ—… â—…mbling at her husbands threats anâ—… convicted of what she had done confess the truth and all the things committed in their impure Society above all she seâ—… forth the pleasures of it with such cunning flaâ—…tery that the lusty young Pesant had a mind presently to be partaker of those delights and promised her pardon for what she â—…ad done if she would conduct and bring â—…im also to the place This she promised willingly and the time being come after she had asked leave of her spirit to bring her husband with her she caused him to strip himself naked as she was and both being anointed they mounted the spirit attending on them in the form of a Sheep which flying softly through the Air carryed them to the designed meeting place The poor man seeing so many men and women so richly cloathed as to him they appeared such preparations for a Feast such strange Musick and so many lighted Torches around him stood long time amazed But at last after they were all set at the table by the commandment of the Devil the Country man not loosing time but finding the meat unsavoury and without â—…ast for according to the Proverb the Devils were the Cooks he began to ask for Salt and at last a spirit waiting there in form of a youth brought him some which receiveing he said God be praised for this good Salt At which words in a moment the Table Meat Servants Guests Men and Women Musick Lights Spirits and all vanisht away from â—…im who found himself next morning naked in the Countrey of Beneâ—…ent under a great Walnut-Tree almost a hundred miles from his own home whither with must distress at last became accused his wife and many oâ—… of the company who after confession on the
manner of life they followed adding that he was not ignorant how their Order was hated by many because of their Dr. St. Thomas whom they followed in that Opinion that the Virgin Mary was conceived in Original Sin Nevertheless many of their Enemies were grievously tormented by the vengeance of God and the Town of Berne would perish if it did not expell the Franciscan Friars who were of opinion that the Virgin was conceived without And that particularly Dr. Alexander Dr. Ales and Iohn Scotus the subtil Doctor both Franciscan Fryers were grievously tormented in Purgatory for inducing the people to hold that opinion At last the said spirit did counterfeit the Virgin Mary herself assuring him she was conceived with sin and certified him also in many other things he desired to know from her She made also in his right hand a mark of her Son Jesus Christ by peircing his hand with a very sharpe Naile then to appease the pain she put Lint into it made of the clouts she wrapped her Child with in Aegypt But not contented alone with this the said Friers gave him to drink a certain Magick Liquor by which he lost his sence and understanding and then with Aquafoŕtis made four more wounds upon him Afterwards when by means of a second Liquor he came to himself he was much astonished at his wounds but they perswaded him they came from God and put him afterwards into a little Cell all hung with the Pictures of the passions of Christ they gave him also a drink that made him froath at the mouth and perswaded him that he was then fighting against death as Christ had done To conclude they play'd so many pranks with this poor Monk that at last he began to perceive the delusion and escaping out of their hands discovered all their devillish practises Whereupon the actors of this wickedness Iohn Vetter Prior Steven Boltzhorst Preacher Francis Ulchi under-Prior and Henry Steniecker receiver of the Rents were condemned to be burnt alive in a field before the company of the Franciscans There is a pleasant relation amongst the Narrations Mundi Fortuitas which I shall not omit in this place how in a Village of France inhabited by rude country Boors a Man fitter for the Cart than a Pulpit yet as being the best Scholler in the Town was made Vicar and according to custome nothing was done nothing thought upon but the Vicar was ever present among the good women Insomuch that by such frequent familiarily he grew to be well acquainted with one Lisetta a Parishioners wife Her Husband was not so blind but he could perceive his horn a growing and from that time permitted not the Vicar to come any more to his house Thus was all the fat in the fire and their hopes cancelled had not love found out another way for according to the Vicars instruction Lisetta counterfeited her self possessed with the Devil turning her eyes arms and legs in strange postures froathing at the mouth and ratling in her throat The simple neighbourhood astonished at these actions cry'd she was possessed and her poor Husband not a little troubled at it forgot what was past and goes for the Vicar to exorcise the Spirit Alas my friend saith the other thy Jealousy and suspition I fear of our holy Order hath been the cause of this misfortune for asmuch as the Chastest Matrons have ran mad and have been possessed upon this account Then taking his Robes Book and what was fitting on this account he goes along with him to his wife and the usual ceremony in such cases being performed he askes the spirit who it was Lisetta as she was before instructed answered in a small voice I am the father of this young woman who am to do Penance for ten years space in one body or other Her Husband thinking it to be her Fathers spirit my Father said he I desire thee for Gods Sake to come out of her Then the spirit reply'd I will indeed come out of her but I shall enter into thee to compleat the rest of my time alloted for my Penance The poor man was so terrified at this that falling at the Parsons feet my friend said he do you not know some way to avert this heavy Judgement either by Prayers Fastings Alms or other Charitable deeds then Lisetta perceiving all things to succeed according to her desire thou art too poor said she to hinder thy fate by Alms or charitable Deeds and instead of these thou must go visit forty Religious places and pray in every one and entreat God to forgive thee thy sins otherwise never look to escape what Heaven hath ordained Moreover the spirit went on concerning his false Jealousy and suspition of Holy Men insomuch that he fell at the Vicars feet asking forgiveness and shortly after began his Pilgrimage In the mean time the Vicar was always with his wife under pretence to lay the spirit but 't is questionable whether he raised not a worse In the year 1534. The Praetors wife Aurelia had taken care before she dyed that she might be buried privately without Pompe and Ceremonies for then it was a custome in Erance that when any Noble person dyed the Heralds should call the people together by Cymbals and such like instruments and then rehearse the Nobility and worth of the person deceased desiring the people to pray for them many mendicant Fryars also attended the Corps with an infinite company of lights So that by a kind of emulation the more the Pompe was and the greater the concourse of people the nobler the Family was esteemed But her Husband obeying her last desire gave no more to the Franciscans that buryed her than six Crowns whereas much more was expected and afterward when he cut down wood and denyed them some they were so incensed that they resolved in revenge to make the people believe his wife was damned in Hell To which purpose they placed a youth upon the roof of the Church who at night in Prayer-time made a great noise there and notwithstanding their exorcisms and conjurations would answer nothing then being commanded to give some sign that he were a dumb spirit for a sign he made a great noise the next day the Franciscans related to the people what hapned but desired them not in any wise to absent themselves for that So the next night when Prayers began the spirit also made a noise in the former manner but being asked what he was made a sign that he was not to speak he was commanded therefore to answer by signs for there was a hole made where the youth could hear what the exorcists said and he had a Tablet in his hand by striking upon which he gave signs that could be heard beneath first therefore being asked if he were any of those that had been buryed there he made a sign he was then many names being recited of all the persons buryed there when they came to the Praetors wife he knoc'd for a sign
blew Cap to be his Advocate the Souldier accepted this offer and being called to the Bar and indicted there of Fellony presently desired to have his Attorney who was there present to plead for him then began the fine and crafty Doctor to plead and defend his Client very cunningly affirming him to be falsly accused and unjustly condemned and that his Host did withhold his money and offered him violence and to prove the Assertion he reckoned up every circumstance in the Action yea the very place where they had hid the money The Host on the other side stood in denial very impudently wishing the Devil might take him if he had it at these words for the subtil Lawyer waited for this advantage the Devil laid hold on the Host and carrying him out of the Sessions house hoisted him into the air so high that he was never after seen or heard of A Gentleman neer the City of Torga who got his living by roâ—…bing and ranging the fields met one day with a Spirit in form of a horseman who saluted him and profered him his service the other accepting of it made him his Groom and ever when he went out gave him special charge of a certain horse which he esteemed very much of the Devil finding he could never please his Master concerning this matter and that notwithstanding all his double diligence his Master never thought him well enough look't after took the horse one day when â—…is master was abroad and carryed him to the top of a high Tower put his head out of the window The horse seeing his Master come home began to neigh and stomp as though joyful of his return but the servant never came again to fetch him down and left all the neighbourhood in great admiration Froissard reports that a certain Priest going to Law with a Parishioner was cast by him and that resolving not to stop there for he had skill in Magick he raised a Spirit whom he sent to torment him upon promise of such a reward The spirit posts immediately to the Gentlemans house and there by his noise and the pranks he play'd soon manifested what he was The gentleman upon this strange vexation got his neighbours good Religious men to watch with him and when at midnight the spirit came it was resolved he should speak to it The Devil according to his agreement with the Priest never mist his hour but came as he used to do that night throwing the chairs and stooles up and down the house making a noise and great disturbance Whereupon the gentleman boldly asked in Gods Name what he was Ah quoth the Devil and laught do you not yet know that I am a spirit yes said the Gentleman again but who sent thee hither the Priest said the Spirit because thou overthrewst him at Law and hath promised me also ten Crowns for my pains Away said the Gentleman for shame art thou so bare as to serve such a pittyful Rascal for so little money I will give thee forty Crowns to serve me and all thy business shall be only to bring me News from all parts of the World I 'le do 't said the Devil but if ever you desire to see me you shall certainly lose me Thus did this Gentleman know before any Post could come of all the Transactions in the World and had news from the remotest parts of it insomuch that he began to be sought after by every one for News since nothing in the whole world was done of which he had not intelligence But at last perceiving this familiarity would bring him into the trouble and strict inquiry of the Law and fearing least the Spirit might shew him some slippery trick for his forty Crowns he resolved to put him away And thereupon the next time he came Artan said he for so the spirit called himself since thou hast been so punctual hitherto in thy service I would now â—…ain see thee in some shape or other You shall replyed he and the first thing you see upon the floor of your Chamber to morrow morning shall be me The morning being come the Gentleman lookt on his floor but could see no body Wherefore when he heard the spirit next did you not promise said he to appeaâ—… to me in some shape this morning in my chamber well and did you not see reply'd the Devil two Straws tumbling over each other that was I. But I minded them not said the Gentleman and have not as yet seen thee as I desire Mind better then answered he and the first creature you see to morrow out of your window shall be me So the next morning when the Gentleman rose to the window he could see nothing in his yard but a great leaner and uglier Sow then can be described insomuch that calling to his servants he commanded them to hunt that ugly creature out of the yard which as they were doing it vanished in a tempest and the house was troubled no more Olaus relates that a Gentleman passing by a Forrest with his servants was belated in the way and forced to stay in the Woods all night having nothing to eat at which he said merrily to his Retinue would Sir Hubert of whom so many stories pass would provide us some food in this solitary Wood. Which words he had no sooner spoken but a great Wolfe rushed by them and returned immediately with Sheep on his back which he let fall in their sight and vanisht leaving them to dress the meat the Devil had sent them Alexander ab Alexandro writes that a Monk of the Monastery of Ardens going early in the morning through the Forrest to a Town thereby overtook a man of a stern countenance loose kind of vesture and very tale stature with whom he travelled till at last they came â—…o a great wash where the man profered the Monk being a Religious person and of lesser stature to carry him over on his back The Monk glâ—…d of this profer got up but casting his Eyes down toward the water that was very clear and seeing his Porters feet of a strange and deformed shape he blessed himself with the sign of the Cross at which the Devil hasted so fast away in a whirlwind that it toar up a great Oak by the roots which gave the poor Monk cause to think that if he had not in time perceived the Devil to be his Porter he should have been stifled in the waters by him Fincelius reports that in the year 1532. a certain Gentleman to torment a poor Tenant that owed him rent commanded him with threats to bring to his house that night for fuel it being the Christmas tide a certain great Oak out of such a wood which if he failed to do he would turn him out of his House The poor man although the thing was impossible nevertheless to shew his willingness went with his Ax towards the Wood much afflicted at the hard commands of his Lord. Thus as he is going he is
her pigs A certain woman having put out her child to Nurse in the Countrey found when she came to take it home that its form was so much altered that she scarce knew it nevertheless not knowing what time might do took it home for her own But when after some years it could neither speak nor go the poor woman was feign to carry it with much trouble in her arms and one day a poor man coming to the door God bless you Mistress said he and your poor child be pleased to bestow something on a poor man ah this child reply'd she is the cause of all my sorrow and related what had hapned adding moreover that she thought it was changed and none of her child The old man whom years had rendred more prudent in such matters told her that to find out the truth she should make a clear Fire sweep the hearth very clean and place the child fast in his chair that he might not fall before it then break a dozen eggs and place the four and twenty half shells before it then go out and listen at the door for if the child spoke it was certainly a Changeling and then she should carry it out and leave it on the Dunghil to cry and not to pity it till she heard its voice no more The woman having done all things according to these words heard the child say seven years old was I before I came to the Nurse and four years have I lived since and never saw so many Milk-pans before So the woman took it up and left it upon the Dunghil to cry and not to be pittied till at last she thought the voice went up into the air and coming out found there in the stead her own natural and wel-favoured child CHAP. VII Of Specters and Phanthasms THE History of Milan gives credit to an Adventure very notable which hapned to two Merchants passing through the wood of Turin to go to France who met with a Spirit in form of a man of tall stature who called after them saying return return back again and go to Louys Sforce to whom you shall give this Letter from me Then they asked him who he was to which he answered that he was Galaas Sforce his brother now Galaas Sforce had been dead long before The Merchants therefore much astonished promised to do his commands and went back to Milan to the Duke to whom they presented the Letter The Duke thinking it a cheat and illusion put them in Prison nevertheless because they persisted still in affirming the truth of it the Senate was assembled where much dispute passed touching the opening of this Letter at last there was none but Galeas Viscount that dared to lift up the Seal and read what was written therein O Louys take heed to thy self for the Venetians and French joyn together against thee to thy hurt and will utterly destroy thy Race nevertheless if thou wilt give me three thousand Crowns thou shalt see the matter reconciled for I will avert thy sad Destiny Farewell But the Duke could by no means be induced to believe this which afterwards did truly come to pass By Lovys the eleventh King of France who sent him prisoner to his Kingdom Marsilius Ficinus as Baronius relates made a solemn vow with his fellow Platonist Michael Marcatus after they had been pretty warmly disputing of the immortality of the Soul out of the principles of their Master Plato that whether of them two dyed first should appear to his friend and give him certain information of that truth it being Ficinus his fate to dye first and indeed not long after this mutual resolution he was mindful of his promise when he had left the body For Michael Marcatus being very intent at his Studies betimes in a morning heard an horse riding by with all speed and observed that he stopped at his window and therewith heard the voice of his friend Ficinus crying out a loud O Michael Michael Vera vera sunt illa Whereupon he suddenly opened his window and espyed Marsilius on a white Steed whom he called after but he vanished in his sight He sent therefore presently to Florence to know how Marsilius did and understood that he dyed about that hour he called at his window to assure him of his own and other mens Immortality Dionysius the Siracusian Tyrant a little before his death saw as he sate in his house molested with some troublesome thoughts a filthy and ugly Specter brushing and cleansing his Palace from which fear he was not free till he dyed Marcus Brutus likewise when he was meditating something against Octavius and Antonius in his Chamber by a Candle in the night heard somebody come into his chamber and looking about to see if it were any of his Domestick servants saw a great and deformed Specter in shape of a man Nevertheless not much frighted at the sight â—…e asked him whether he were a Spirit or a God or what he would have I am said he thy Evil Genius and I 'le meet thee at Philippi To whom Brutus again as a true and Valiant Roman I 'le meet thee there Then having inquired of his servants if they had let any such person in and finding they had not he began to doubt of the success of that War as afterwards it hapned where again this Genius met him Alexander ab Alexandro writes an admirable History of a Gentleman that had newly buried his friend and returning to Rome lay at an Inn by the way Where being alone and awake there appeared to him the Phantasm of his deceased friend pale and wan as when he dyed whom when he saw and could scarce speak for fear he asked at last what he would have But the Specter returning no answer seemed to pull off his cloaths and came to ly by him in the same bed The other being extreamly frighted gave way to him who perceiving he accepted not of his company lookt upon him with a stern countenance and having drest himself departed The other out of exceeding fear fell extreamly sick affirming for truth that the feet of this Phantasm were as cold as Ice A Gentleman of Naples travelling in the Road is reported to have heard the voice of a man imploring and desiring help and that going to the place he saw a terrible Specter beating a young man but by his Prayers caused him immediately to vanish Afterwards he brought the young man to his house and although it were long before he came to himself for the Phantasm ever appeared before him yet at last he confessed many great Crimes that he had most wickedly committed The like we read of a youth of mean parentage amongst the Gabis at Rome that going thither and meditating some Treachery against his Parents met the Devil in his way in shape of a man so that falling into discourse together they came to the same Inn and lay together that night But when the other was a sleep his cursed
end of what he was writing But the spirit began again to shake his chains at which the other left off writing and taking the Candle in his hand followed the Ghost who proceeded slowly as if he were very aged and much loaded with his chains till he came into the yard where he vanisht The Phylosopher being left alone left a mark upon the place and the next morning caused it to be dug up where were found the bones of a man chained for the flesh was putrified and eaten away these being gathered and buried publickly the house was never haunted afterwards Sabellic lib. 10 Exempl cap. 3. Erasmus in his Epistles writes that on the tenth of April 1533. in an Inn of Sciltac a town in Switzerland there was a certain hissing heard about night time which seemed to come out of one of the chambers of the house wherefore the Host fearing their might have been Thieves ran thither immediately but could find no body yet still heard the same noise in the Garret and not long after upon the top of the Chimney then supposing that it was an evil spirit he sent for the Priest to exorcise him who no sooner began his conjuration but the spirit answered he cared not for them since one was a twhoremaster and both were theeves and herefore he would in spight of them burn the town as he had undertaken all this was thought afterwards to proceed by the means of a Familiar Spirit which the maid of that house confessed on her death-bed to have had familiarity with for the space of fourteen years the Spirit therefore took this maid to the top of the chimney and commanded her to spread such fire as he gave her which she did and in less than an hours time all the town was consumed notwithstanding the great abundance of water the inhabitants brought to quench it Here we may observe the reality of it as also that the fire was real that the Devil brought but of another nature than the common or any Artificial fire is and that it did not fall from above as lightning which burneth only very little unless it happens on matters easily combustible as it hapned in the year 1500. at Paris when the lightning fell upon the Tower of Billy where the powder was and since that at Venice Furthermore Philippus Camerarius saith of it that the fire fell here and there upon the Houses in form of burning Bullets and if any one went to help his Neighbour he was presently call'd back to help his own Moreover I have heard saith Camerarius the relation of this woful visitation from the Vicar of that place and many others worthy to be beleived forasmuch as they were Spectators of all things according to the former relation The Vicar also had as it were a Crown about his hair which he wore long after the Graecian manner of all sorts of colours which he said hapned by the same Spirit who threw a Hoop at his head Moreover the same Daemon asked him once if ever he heard a Raven crâ—…ak and thereupon croaked so horribly that they were almost dead for fear The Curate also did affirm though not without blushing that he often told him and many others of their private sins so exactly that they were forced with shame to quit the place CHAP. IX Of Devillish Impostures ABout the year 1545 hapned at Corduba a famous City in Spain a most wonderful Imposture of Satan A young girle of a poor Family named Magdalene de la Croix being but five years old was put by her Parents into a Monastery of Nuns whether through Devotion or Poverty 't is unknown since her years were so few Nevertheless as the Judgements of God are unsearchable and his ways past finding out the Devil appeared to her in shape of a Blakamore and although she was at first sight much afraid yet the Fiend did promise her so many Toyes wherein children delight that he brought her to discourse with him ever injoyning herstreightly that she should never disclose ought of their private Conversation About that time the Girle began to show a very quick and apprehensive wit and a nature different from others which gained her no small esteem from the rest of the Nuns both old and young Being come to the age of Twelve she was sollicited by the Devil to marry him and for her Dowry he promised her that for the space of thirty years she should live in such a reputation of Holiness through all Spain that the like was never before Thus while Magdalene under this contract passed the time in her Chamber with this wicked Spirit that entertained her with his Illusions another Demon took her shape and resemblance and constantly resorted to the Church to the Pulpit and to the Cloysters and all the Assemblies made by the Nuns with a great deal of seigned Devotion he told Magdalene also after he had gone to Church in her place all that was done in the world of which she giving notice to those who had her already in great Reputation began not only to be accounted an Holy Virgin but to bear the name of a Prophetess wherefore although she was not yet come to full age yet she was elected Mother Abbess by the consent both of the Monks and Nuns Now when the Nuns went to Communion on Easter day and other great Festivals among them the Priest alwayes complained that some body had stolen one of the Hosts from him which was carryed by this Angel of darkness unto Magdalene who being in the mid'st of her Sisters shewed it unto them and put it in her mouth as a great Miracle Moreover it is said that when she was not present at Mass though there were a wall between her and the Priest yet at the Elevation of the Corpus Christi the wall did cleave that she might see it It is also very well known that if at any Festival day the Nuns carryed her in Procession with them to make the action more venerable by some extraordinary action she carryed a little Image of Christ newly born which she covered with her hair that grew down to her feet Many more such illusions she used chiefly on solemn dayes that they might be the more recommendable By this time the Pope the Emperor and the Grandees of Spain did write to her and by their Letters intreated her to remember them in her Prayers and asked her advice and councels in all matters of great concernment as by several Letters found in her Closet was manifested Many Ladies also and Gentlewomen would not wrap their new-born children in Swadling clothes till they had been blessed by the Abbess Magdalene But God permitted not this Diabolical cheat to lye longer concealed for Magdalene after she had spent about thirty years in this acquaintance with the Devil and had been Abbess twelve years repented of her former life and detesting these abominable Acts and the horrid society of Satan she freely discovered when every
do evil they willingly consent to it and are unconstant and unstable in all their actions The second rule to distinguish them is that the works of unclean Spirits profit no body as to make a starue walk an image speak and the like as Simon the Sorcerer it said to have done but those of Divine Powers allway contribute to mans good thus our Saviour made the Blind see the Lame walk cast out Devils and the like did the Apostles which Simon Magus could not do Thirdly they are discovered according to Athanasius by St. Antony from their manner of appearing For the aspect of evil spirit is terrible their noise horrid their speech â—…ordid when it hapâ—…eth that our mind is terrified at their sight and our sences stupified At their departure likewise they terrify us most and alway leave a noysome scent behind them But the Holy and blessed Spirits appear with a meek and gentle countenance for they never scold nor brawl but bring joy and hope to a penitent sinner forasmuch as they came from God the Author and Fountain of joy nor is our mind troubled much at the sight but is rather illuminated and desires forthwith to leave this earthly Tabernacle and to hasten with what it sees to an eternal mansion and as the Angel that saluted the Virgin that spoke to Zacharias that told the Shepherds concerning our Saviours birth that they should not fear so they remove all fear from us and leave us in a joy unspeakable An admirable History of a good Genius or Guardian Angel BOdin makes mention of a friend of his that had alwayes a Spirit accompanying him which he began first to perceive at the age of seven and thirty not but that he thought the same Spirit had alwayes been with him in his life-time by reason of many dreams and visions by which he had been forewarned to shun many imminent dangers and vices but that he never perceived it so plainly as he did at that age and upwards which hapned after this manner 'T was his custome to Pray so continually that for above a year he had not ceased to desire of God morning and evening that he would be pleased to send him a good Angel to guide and direct his actions He spent also certain houres after his Prayers in contemplating on the works of God meditating and reading the Bible to find out among the multitude of Opinions which was the true Religion and to this purpose he often repeated the 143 Psalm Me Deus informa quae sit tuasancta voluntas Morrigerasque manus praesta gressasque sequaces Namque eris ecce Deus semper mihi tramite recto Spirituus ille tuus divinaque virgula ducat And reading many Holy Authors he found in Philo the Jew de sacrificiis that a good and perfect man could offer no better sacrifice to God than himself whereupon he offered his soul to God from which time forward he had dreams and visions full of admonition sometimes to correct this or that vice sometimes to give notice of ensuing dangers other while to solve some great dificulty as well in divine as humane affairs Amongst the rest of his dreams he heard a voice saying to him I will save thy soul I am the same that hitherto hath appeared unto thee Afterwards dayly about three or four a clock in the morning the Spirit knock'd at his door but when he rose and opened it he saw no body Thus the Spirit continued every day and never ceased knocking till he arose this put him in fear it might be some evil spirit wherefore he never ceased in his Prayers to desire God to send his good Angel singing Psalms and Prayses to God continually Upon this the spirit manifested it self to him as he watched one night by striking gently upon a glass vessel that was in the room which very much astonished him two dayes after he hapned to entertain his friend the Kings Secretary at dinner who was much affrighted to hear the Spirit knock on a bench that was near him insomuch that he was forced to declare the whole matter to him and from that time ever after the spirit waited on him admonishing him alwaies by some sensible sign sometime by pulling his right ear if he had done any evil as also it any one came to deceive or cheat him his right ear was pulled and the left if good men on honest designs likewise if he went to eat and drink any evil he was admonished to desist if good to proceed And as often as he went to praise God in Psams and Hymns or to meditate on his wonderful works he was strengthned and confirmed by an extraordinary and spiritual power And to the end he might discern the better his inspired dreams from those that proceeded either from the temperament of his body or perturbation of his mind he was wakened by the same spirit about two of the clock after which time he slept again and dreamt those that were true which admonished him of what he was to do and believe concerning those things of which he doubted So that from that time forwards nothing hapned to him of which he was not forewarned nor did he at any time doubt of any thing to be beleived or rejected but he was certified concerning it Wherefore he chose one day in the week particularly to prayse God and seldome went out if pâ—…radventure he did he was alway seen to be of a joyful countenance according to the Scriptures Vidi facies sanctorum laetas but if in discourse and conversation with others there passed any evil or if at any time he omitted his Prayers he was admonished of it in his sleep if he read in any evil book he was pulled softly by the ear till he laid it down and was hindred from doing any thing prejudicial to his health but chiefly he was admonished to rise early and if at any time he slept late he heard a voice say who will rise first to prayer he was warned also to give Alms which the more he did the better did things prosper under his hand once when his enemies came by water to take away his life he dream'd his father bought him two horses a red and a white one therefore he gave order that two horses should be bought and although he had said nothing to his servant concerning their colour nevertheless he bought two of those colours Now the reason why he never spoke to this spirit was because he had once desired it and on the suddain it struck so vehemently against the door as if it had been with a Mallet whereby he shewed it was unpleasing to him the spirit also never permitted him to read or write long and often he could hear a small shrill voice but not distinguish what it said nor did he ever see this spirit in any shape but of a certain clear light in a round square or circle once only when he was in great danger of his life and he had incessantly pray'd to God to save him about morning as he lay in his bed he saw a boy in white garments of excellent countenance and form Another time being in great danger and going to lye down he was often hindred by this good Genius till such time as he arose and passed the night in prayers after which he escaped death miraculously and heard in his sleep a voice saying Qui sedet in latibulo Altissimi c. Thus in all difficulties he received councel and in all dangers he was assisted and saved by his Guardian Angel Now the truth of this relation we may gather from several circumstances as well that the person said his ear was struck by the good Angel to admonish him what was to be done according to that of Esaiah Dominus saith he vellicavit mihi aurem diluculo as also that he said the good Angel manifested himself by knocking as it were with a hammer for we read in the book of Judges concerning Manoah that the Angel began to knock before him the Original of the word whereby it is expressed being tintinabulum or tympanum But whether every one hath his Genius Good or Bad attending on him 't is hard to determine although it hath been an old and received Opinion according to these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS
that he was her spirit then they asked if she were damned and for what fault whether for Covetousness Lust Pride or for the new Heresie and Lutheranisme and what she desired by her unquietude whether that her body should be removed into another place to which questions the spirit by its signs did give either its affirmation or negation and when it had signified that it was tormented for Lutheranism and desired to be removed from that place then they desired the people to bear witness of it but the people fearing the Praetors displeasure would not do it Nevertheless the Franciscans removed thence their bread and water and all the sacred vessels till at last the Bishops Vicegerent to be better certified concerning this matter came in person with many Honourable and Religious men and commanded them to exorcise the spirit in their presence and to send some body to the roof of the place to see if they could perceive any thing This the Authors of this villany withstood saying the spirit was not to be troubled and although he was very urgent yet could he not prevail with the Franciscans to permit any one to go up The Praetor in this time went to the King and because the Franciscans standing upon their priviledges hindred a strict inquiery into the matter the King sent some of his Councel with full power to examine all things Those of the Franciscans therefore that were suspected were laid hold on yet for fear of a shameful death confessed nothing But at last the King promising them Pardon they disclosed the whole business nevertheless they were condemned to be sent again to Aurelia and put in Prison till they had publickly before all the people confessed their crime in the place that Malefactors used to be Executed CHAP. X. A true and admirable process of a Witch that wrought Miracles by the help of the Devil Mr. Iosse Donhoadere a learned Lawyer of Flanders in his Book Intituled Practique Criminal writes to this purpose There was in the time that I was Counsellor in the Town of Bruges an old woman that in carriage clothes and manner of life was in appearance irreprehensible insomuch that she gained an esteem from all and every one had a reverence for her forasmuch as she healed as it were miraculously the children of many Honourable Families straightning the crooked and setting broken joynts instantly in their places not by Art or Physick but certain words and ceremonies of Devotion as to fast three dayes with bread and water to say so many times the Lords Prayer to go on Pilgrimage to Nostre Dame d' Ardenbourg or to St. Arnoul d' Audenbourg or to St. Iosse or to St. Hubert of Ardennes or to say a Mass or two in a day or to say other certain Prayers and Anthems These Devotions being exactly performed the sick people were healed through the faith they and their relations had in this woman The carriage and miracles of this woman being published through the Countrey the Counsellors and Magistrates that had more wit than the vulgar sort caused her to be apprehended one night to be put in Prison and examined by what authority and means and by what confidence she performed such Cures To which she answered alwayes confidently that she did them upon good intentions and that there was no reason they should torment and persecute her for doing good Nevertheless the Councel being moved by manifest signs condemned her to be Rackt gently exhorting her to declare the truth but still she persisted in her first answer affirming there was nothing unlawful and that all was done without any compact or agreement with the Devil There was then present at the Examination the Bourgomaster of Bruges a man very much tormented with the Gout that of times he cry'd out as if he had been rack'd himself which the old woman perceiving and turning her self to him said Mr. Bourgomaster have you a mind to be rid of the trouble of your Gout if you have I shall cure you and that very soon if it were possible replyed the Bourgomaster I would willingly give two thousand crowns to be whole and you shall have them if thou performest what thou saist Then the other Judges and Registers that were present told him Sir pray have a care what you say and what you do believe us and let us send back this Witch into her chamber and hear patiently what we shall declare unto you the woman being carryed back see said they what danger you put your self into by a vain perswasion that this woman should be equal to the Apostles and can cure you of your Gout by lawful means All indeed that she doth seemeth apparently Holy and Divine but if you look more narrowly into the matter there is much to be said against it Let us call for her therefore again and inquire how she pretends to cure you if she promise to cure you miraculously as the Apostles have done the Diseases of their time and that she followes the means they have made use of we shall not be against her knowing that the hand of God is not straigntned but if she make use of unlawful means and puts her trust in them there is reason that all her proceedings should be suspected both by you and us also Therefore when she was sent for back again one of them said if thou presumest to cure the Bourg Master of the Gout what remedies and means will you apply none other said she but that the Bourg-Master believe and be perswaded for certain that I have power to cure him so shall he be sound and set upon his feet Hereupon she was sent out back to her Chamber then the Judges with one accord told the Bourg-Master and standers by You see Gentlemen by the answer of this woman that she doth nothing but by the power of Satan and that she undertakes to cure the Bourg-master by unlawful means for in her way she doth not follow the Holy Apostles who cur'd the sick by Divine Faith and Power saying to the Lame man In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ rise and Walk and to the Blind In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ recover thy sight so that one was set upon his feet and the other recovered his sight not by humane help but by the Divine Power in the Name and Faith of Jesus Christ. Now this Witch boasteth only to cure if the Patient put his trust in her and believe that she can do it such faith or rather perfidicusness is directly against the practise of the Apostles This answer being well apprehended and digested the Bourg-Master was sorry for what he had done gave no more credit to woman and ever after repented him of his levity But to return to the Witch because she did persevere in denying those things she was accused of it was concluded she should be put to the Rack where being stretch roughly she acknowledged some light faults but as for Witchcraft she