habet_fw-la de_fw-la magia_n that_o be_v astrology_n that_o be_v not_o mix_v nor_o intermeddle_v with_o magic_n whereby_o be_v necessary_o conclude_v that_o astrology_n may_v be_v and_o sometime_o be_v impure_a and_o defile_v with_o magic_a and_o sorcery_n in_o other_o place_n of_o the_o same_o work_n he_o make_v a_o difference_n between_o astrologer_n 29_o simple_o and_o such_o as_o with_o astrology_n join_v magic_a and_o out_o of_o brentius_n he_o recite_v these_o word_n non_fw-la negat_fw-la hierimias_fw-la eam_fw-la partem_fw-la astrologiae_fw-la quae_fw-la sequitur_fw-la manifest_a as_o naturae_fw-la rationes_fw-la that_o be_v the_o prophet_n jeremy_n do_v not_o deny_v or_o condemn_v that_o part_n of_o astrology_n which_o be_v guide_v by_o manifest_a reason_n or_o cause_n in_o nature_n hereby_o then_o be_v avoidable_o conclude_v that_o the_o prophet_n of_o god_n condemn_v that_o part_n of_o astrology_n which_o exceed_v cause_n &_o reason_n in_o nature_n &_o that_o necessary_o must_v needs_o be_v sorcery_n and_o magic_n as_o it_o be_v not_o obscure_a that_o some_o man_n under_o the_o colour_n of_o astrology_n have_v practise_v magic_a and_o sorcery_n so_o be_v it_o no_o less_o evident_a that_o many_o other_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o advise_v and_o counsel_v in_o physic_n of_o curation_n or_o prognostication_n of_o disease_n have_v likewise_o exercise_v the_o same_o devilish_a practice_n that_o this_o have_v be_v no_o new_a upstart_n custom_n the_o multitude_n of_o disease_n which_o ancient_a time_n do_v register_v to_o have_v be_v cure_v by_o enchant_a spell_n and_o word_n and_o magic_a skill_n do_v plentiful_o witness_v the_o most_o ancient_a father_n of_o all_o physic_n and_o physician_n the_o in_o comparable_a worthy_a founder_n of_o method_n and_o art_n magis_fw-la hypocrates_n 102._o dioscorides_n 4._o theophrastus_n with_o other_o succeed_a ancient_n do_v general_o all_o acknowledge_v the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o magical_a curation_n galen_n in_o his_o young_a time_n give_v no_o credit_n thereto_o but_o in_o the_o more_o age_a tractatione_n experience_n of_o right_a observation_n he_o do_v acknowledge_v it_o i_o will_v not_o stuff_n this_o small_a treatise_n with_o the_o particular_a citation_n of_o every_o author_n late_a physician_n also_o of_o the_o best_a and_o most_o choice_n note_v do_v herein_o with_o former_a age_n consent_n and_o concur_v and_o experience_n do_v confirm_v all_o truth_n in_o both_o whosoever_o be_v acquaint_v with_o book_n and_o read_v shall_v every_o where_o meet_v a_o world_n of_o the_o wonder_n of_o cure_n by_o word_n by_o look_n by_o sign_n by_o figure_n by_o character_n and_o ceremonious_a rite_n as_o what_o the_o practice_n of_o former_a age_n have_v be_v be_v manifest_a so_o what_o our_o age_n and_o late_a time_n do_v herein_o afford_v be_v almost_o no_o where_o in_o this_o kingdom_n obscure_a the_o near_a unto_o that_o impudence_n which_o here_o in_o this_o our_o time_n do_v produce_v and_o set_v forth_o be_v that_o history_n of_o a_o german_a witch_n report_v in_o the_o malleus_fw-la maleficarum_fw-la there_o be_v as_o the_o author_n of_o that_o work_n say_v sometime_o a_o sorceress_n in_o germany_n who_o usual_o cure_v not_o only_o all_o that_o be_v bewitch_v but_o all_o kind_n of_o disease_a people_n so_o far_o beyond_o all_o power_n or_o course_n of_o art_n and_o nature_n and_o with_o such_o facility_n that_o all_o use_n of_o the_o art_n of_o physic_n or_o of_o physician_n be_v altogether_o for_o a_o time_n neglect_v and_o forsake_v while_o people_n from_o all_o country_n both_o near_a and_o remote_a in_o such_o number_n and_o frequency_n resort_v unto_o she_o that_o the_o governor_n of_o that_o country_n impose_v upon_o every_o man_n one_o penny_n that_o resort_v unto_o she_o thereby_o raise_v himself_o a_o mighty_a treasure_n what_o other_o among_o the_o most_o ancient_a author_n that_o be_v not_o physician_n do_v publish_v concern_v the_o power_n of_o incantation_n in_o the_o cure_n of_o disease_n be_v needless_a to_o write_v he_o that_o have_v read_v any_o few_o line_n of_o old_a homer_n or_o of_o diverse_a other_o age_a poet_n shall_v find_v plentiful_a record_n hereof_o herodotus_n be_v not_o silent_a herein_o but_o to_o omit_v all_o their_o needless_a testimony_n physician_n of_o these_o last_o time_n of_o the_o most_o eminent_a note_n &_o worth_n who_o pen_n be_v yet_o scarce_o dry_a do_v witness_v the_o truth_n hereof_o from_o their_o own_o knowledge_n sight_n and_o experience_n above_o the_o rest_n fernelius_n de_fw-fr abditis_fw-la rerum_fw-la causis_fw-la be_v worthy_a any_o man_n pain_n or_o view_n let_v we_o now_o last_o see_v what_o may_v be_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n concern_v the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o cure_v disease_n from_o who_o all_o these_o inferior_a agent_n witch_n and_o sorcerer_n do_v derive_v their_o power_n and_o skill_n if_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n where_o god_n do_v permit_v to_o induce_v disease_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o his_o power_n to_o cease_v or_o calm_a disease_n because_o both_o cause_v and_o cure_v consist_v in_o the_o virtue_n and_o force_n of_o the_o same_o mean_n he_o therefore_o that_o know_v how_o and_o by_o what_o cause_n the_o disease_n be_v induce_v do_v necessary_o understand_v that_o by_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o cause_n it_o be_v cure_v and_o according_a to_o that_o rule_n can_v equal_o as_o well_o by_o the_o removal_n of_o that_o cause_n cure_n as_o by_o the_o induction_n of_o the_o cause_n bring_v sickness_n for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v a_o maxim_n in_o physic_n infallible_a that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a physician_n who_o know_v best_a the_o cause_n of_o disease_n and_o who_o upon_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o true_a cause_n do_v find_v the_o right_a method_n of_o their_o curation_n that_o the_o devil_n do_v both_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o disease_n and_o also_o how_o by_o they_o to_o procure_v and_o produce_v disease_n be_v manifest_a by_o the_o history_n of_o job_n upon_o who_o he_o bring_v that_o grievous_a general_a botch_n and_o boil_v over_o all_o his_o body_n job._n chap._n 2._o verse_n 7._o that_o he_o do_v this_o by_o the_o force_n of_o cause_n in_o nature_n must_v needs_o be_v evident_a first_o because_o he_o be_v a_o creature_n and_o subject_a and_o limit_v by_o nature_n unto_o and_o within_o her_o list_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o able_a absolute_o and_o simple_o without_o cause_n and_o mean_n in_o nature_n to_o produce_v any_o effect_n in_o nature_n although_o our_o ignorance_n of_o his_o power_n and_o knowledge_n because_o it_o so_o far_o excel_v our_o power_n or_o nature_n do_v call_v all_o his_o work_n just_o supernatural_a second_o for_o that_o bile_n and_o botch_n be_v know_v natural_a disease_n and_o therefore_o have_v natural_a cause_n although_o haply_o unknown_a to_o any_o man_n and_o beyond_o the_o nature_n of_o knowledge_n or_o skill_n in_o man_n these_o reason_n of_o the_o devil_n impossibility_n to_o work_v those_o effect_n without_o nature_n be_v thus_o yet_o more_o brief_o and_o clear_o make_v infallible_a of_o 13._o nothing_o simple_o to_o produce_v any_o thing_n unto_o a_o true_a be_v and_o existence_n be_v the_o sole_a and_o proper_a work_n of_o a_o infinite_a creator_n and_o impossible_a unto_o any_o creature_n therefore_o the_o devil_n be_v a_o creature_n can_v not_o bring_v those_o disease_n upon_o job_n but_o by_o create_v mean_n preexi_v in_o create_a nature_n in_o which_o he_o be_v contain_v and_o limit_v and_o thus_o much_o concern_v that_o kind_n of_o witch_n and_o sorcerer_n which_o be_v inquire_v at_o concern_v the_o cure_n and_o issue_n of_o disease_n which_o we_o will_v conclude_v with_o this_o note_n that_o all_o learned_a man_n of_o the_o best_a experience_n have_v observe_v that_o in_o those_o cure_n by_o witch_n and_o sorcerer_n the_o devil_n have_v never_o perfect_o heal_v but_o for_o a_o time_n or_o else_o where_o he_o have_v seem_v most_o perfect_o to_o cure_v it_o have_v be_v for_o a_o reservation_n of_o the_o body_n by_o he_o cure_v unto_o a_o great_a and_o further_a mischief_n in_o time_n to_o succeed_v beside_o this_o kind_n of_o witch_n by_o mean_n unknown_a to_o man_n or_o by_o a_o supernatural_a virtue_n in_o know_a mean_n above_o &_o beyond_o their_o nature_n undertake_v to_o cure_v the_o sick_a or_o to_o foretell_v the_o event_n and_o issue_n of_o disease_n there_o be_v also_o another_o kind_n which_o do_v undertake_v to_o be_v inquire_v at_o for_o extraordinary_a revelation_n of_o such_o disease_a person_n as_o be_v bewitch_v or_o possess_v by_o the_o devil_n this_o kind_n be_v not_o obscure_a at_o this_o day_n swarm_v in_o this_o kingdom_n wisewoman_n whereof_o no_o man_n can_v be_v ignorant_a who_o lust_v to_o observe_v the_o uncontrolled_a liberty_n &_o licence_n of_o open_a &_o ordinary_a resort_n in_o all_o place_n unto_o wiseman_n &_o
the_o mean_a season_n my_o devote_a heart_n shall_v devout_o pray_v unto_o almighty_a god_n for_o your_o lordship_n long_a life_n the_o multiplication_n of_o many_o happy_a day_n redouble_a honour_n in_o your_o service_n of_o god_n your_o king_n and_o country_n and_o after_o this_o life_n that_o life_n which_o ever_o last_v your_o lordship_n in_o the_o most_o humble_a desire_n and_o tender_a of_o his_o devotions_n service_n and_o observance_n john_n cotta_n to_o the_o reader_n ingenious_a reader_n in_o this_o subject_n of_o witchcraft_n which_o i_o here_o present_a unto_o thou_o thou_o be_v not_o ignorant_a what_o obscurity_n difficulty_n difference_n contrariety_n and_o contradiction_n have_v among_o author_n and_o learned_a man_n in_o all_o age_n arisen_a from_o the_o effusion_n of_o general_a ignorance_n or_o superstitious_a blindness_n herein_o willing_a to_o withdraw_v the_o vulgar_a illusion_n i_o have_v endeavour_v demonstrative_o to_o declare_v what_o portion_n of_o certainty_n in_o such_o uncertainty_n god_n and_o nature_n have_v destine_v &_o allow_v it_o be_v not_o any_o worth_n either_o arrogate_a unto_o myself_o or_o derogate_a from_o other_o but_o my_o studious_a desire_n and_o vehement_a affection_n in_o this_o particular_a together_o with_o some_o special_a experience_n &_o pain_n upon_o diverse_a occurrent_n &_o occasion_n extraordinary_o happen_v that_o have_v draw_v i_o forth_o to_o offer_v my_o opinion_n as_o the_o widow_n mite_n more_o haply_o in_o good_a will_n and_o hearty_a affection_n then_o in_o true_a value_n or_o deserve_a esteem_n if_o it_o may_v only_o give_v occasion_n unto_o a_o more_o exquisite_a pencil_n it_o be_v the_o height_n of_o my_o intention_n and_o a_o complete_a recompense_n of_o my_o endeavour_n for_o this_o cause_n and_o for_o common_a easy_a read_n and_o apprehension_n i_o have_v purposely_o avoid_v and_o discontinue_v the_o smooth_a three_o of_o a_o continue_v labour_v stile_n and_o have_v for_o the_o most_o part_n prefer_v and_o insert_v a_o plain_a texture_n of_o a_o more_o vulgar_a and_o careless_a phrase_n and_o word_n the_o envious_a haply_o may_v cavil_n that_o a_o physician_n out_o of_o his_o own_o suppose_a precinct_n shall_v rush_v into_o sacred_a list_n or_o enter_v upon_o so_o high_a point_n of_o divinity_n as_o by_o a_o unavoidable_a intercurrence_n do_v necessary_o insert_v themselves_o in_o this_o propose_a subject_n divinity_n itself_o do_v herein_o answer_v they_o in_o the_o theory_n of_o theology_n it_o be_v the_o duty_n and_o praise_n of_o every_o man_n to_o be_v without_o curiosity_n fruitful_o exercise_v for_o as_o touch_v matter_n of_o divinity_n as_o it_o fall_v out_o or_o be_v incident_a in_o the_o discourse_n of_o this_o small_a treatise_n i_o only_o propound_v such_o reason_n and_o consideration_n therein_o as_o in_o common_a be_v allowable_a and_o commendable_a in_o every_o christian_a man_n and_o therein_o i_o do_v neither_o usurp_o control_n other_o nor_o controul_o conclude_v myself_o but_o willing_o submit_v unto_o the_o grave_a censure_n and_o dictature_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o reverend_a divine_a if_o therefore_o good_a reader_n i_o have_v here_o publish_v or_o communicate_v unto_o thou_o ought_v thanks-worthy_a as_o it_o be_v by_o i_o free_o intend_v unto_o thou_o so_o let_v it_o not_o from_o i_o be_v unfriendly_a extend_v by_o thou_o if_o i_o have_v in_o aught_o err_v let_v it_o be_v thy_o praise_n and_o goodness_n to_o make_v thy_o use_n thereof_o without_o abuse_n if_o thou_o have_v former_o think_v amiss_o and_o do_v here_o read_v that_o be_v more_o right_a be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o acknowledge_v thy_o better_a knowledge_n if_o thou_o list_v not_o to_o know_v then_o know_v that_o truth_n shall_v judge_v thou_o and_o justify_v her_o selef_n without_o thou_o thy_o well-willing_a friend_n john_n cotta_n the_o trial_n of_o witchcraft_n show_v the_o true_a and_o right_a method_n of_o the_o discovery_n chap._n i._n of_o natural_a knowledge_n and_o how_o it_o be_v sole_o acquire_v either_o by_o sense_n or_o reason_n or_o by_o artificial_a and_o prudent_a conjectation_n as_o there_o be_v one_o only_o infinite_a which_o have_v create_v all_o thing_n finite_a so_o be_v there_o one_o only_a finite_a most_o near_o like_v unto_o that_o infinite_a which_o be_v wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n in_o man_n and_o angel_n the_o knowledge_n which_o be_v give_v to_o angel_n be_v only_o know_v to_o god_n and_o angel_n the_o knowledge_n which_o be_v give_v to_o man_n be_v know_v by_o man_n limit_v measure_a and_o confine_v it_o be_v therefore_o by_o the_o most_o wise_a philosopher_n and_o father_n of_o former_a time_n and_o the_o sage_n of_o late_a time_n and_o age_n agree_v by_o a_o general_a consent_n and_o harmony_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n that_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v allot_v man_n to_o know_v or_o understand_v be_v by_o two_o way_n of_o instrument_n sole_o to_o be_v achieve_v or_o hope_v the_o 22_o first_o of_o these_o be_v the_o inward_a understanding_n the_o second_o be_v the_o outward_a sense_n the_o understanding_n have_v knowledge_n diverse_a way_n first_o immediate_o by_o a_o inbred_a idea_n and_o understand_v of_o certain_a general_a notion_n common_a unto_o all_o man_n and_o in_o they_o and_o with_o they_o bear_v this_o though_o intellectual_a may_v be_v in_o some_o sort_n assimulate_v unto_o that_o natural_a instinct_n in_o bruit_n creature_n by_o which_o when_o they_o come_v first_o into_o the_o world_n yet_o immediate_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o nature_n they_o refuse_v and_o fly_v from_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a and_o harmful_a and_o seek_v and_o know_v that_o which_o be_v needful_a unto_o their_o life_n and_o preservation_n second_o the_o understanding_n have_v knowledge_n by_o ratiocination_n by_o the_o discourse_n and_o use_v of_o reason_n by_o this_o ratiocination_n we_o do_v in_o many_o thing_n gain_v a_o analyt_v certainty_n of_o knowledge_n in_o othersome_a a_o probability_n and_o likelihood_n only_o of_o certainty_n yet_o ofttimes_o in_o a_o very_a great_a nearness_n ibid._n and_o affinity_n with_o certainty_n knowledge_n likewise_o come_v by_o the_o outward_a sense_n which_o do_v certain_o and_o undoubted_o inform_v the_o understanding_n concern_v their_o several_a proper_a object_n where_o the_o faculty_n be_v find_v and_o the_o instrument_n of_o sense_n and_o the_o outward_a mean_n of_o conveyance_n be_v right_o dispose_v among_o these_o five_o sense_n the_o sight_n and_o hear_n the_o eye_n and_o ear_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a and_o chief_a way_n of_o multiplication_n and_o increase_n of_o natural_a knowledge_n beside_o these_o way_n of_o knowledge_n namely_o the_o inward_a and_o the_o outward_a sense_n there_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o can_v be_v enumeration_n of_o any_o other_o for_o this_o cause_n the_o philosopher_n have_v divide_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v incident_a unto_o mankind_n to_o know_v or_o understand_v either_o unto_o such_o thing_n as_o immediate_o aristot_n in_o their_o very_a first_o thought_n or_o mention_n do_v prove_v themselves_o and_o at_o the_o first_o consideration_n or_o sight_n be_v evident_a unto_o all_o man_n or_o such_o as_o be_v direct_o infer_v and_o necessary_o prove_v by_o other_o proposition_n or_o such_o as_o by_o prudent_a guess_n only_o and_o likely_a conjecture_n give_v a_o fair_a probability_n of_o truth_n and_o certainty_n such_o thing_n as_o immediate_o prove_v themselves_o and_o be_v undoubted_a in_o their_o first_o view_n be_v subject_a either_o to_o the_o sense_n only_o or_o unto_o the_o understanding_n only_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v only_o proper_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o thereto_o immediate_o and_o proper_o subject_a be_v thing_n see_v hear_v touch_v taste_v smell_v as_o colour_n figure_n lineament_n sound_n music_n hardness_n softness_n dryness_n moisture_n roughness_n smoothness_n sour_a sweet_a diversity_n of_o odour_n and_o the_o like_a in_o which_o without_o the_o use_n of_o the_o five_o sense_n man_n can_v be_v sensible_a or_o know_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o inferior_a world_n under_o the_o heaven_n such_o thing_n as_o be_v subject_a unto_o the_o understanding_n only_o and_o not_o unto_o the_o sense_n and_o immediate_o prove_v themselves_o be_v general_a notion_n and_o reception_n inseparable_o fix_v in_o the_o understanding_n of_o all_o man_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v these_o position_n in_o philosophy_n all_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v have_v their_o matter_n privationem_fw-la out_o of_o which_o they_o be_v make_v have_v their_o special_a form_n and_o difference_n by_o which_o they_o be_v apart_o that_o they_o be_v and_o last_o to_o that_o be_v which_o they_o be_v be_v rise_v from_o that_o which_o they_o be_v not_o likewise_o these_o position_n in_o logic_n every_o proposition_n be_v true_a or_o false_a affirmative_a or_o negative_a and_o extend_v general_o unto_o all_o under_o the_o same_o kind_n or_o to_o some_o particular_n or_o to_o a_o singular_a or_o be_v indefinite_a likewise_o in_o arithmetic_n these_o one_o be_v no_o number_n
the_o devil_n and_o answer_v i_o no_o more_o neither_o by_o prophet_n neither_o by_o dream_n therefore_o have_v i_o call_v thou_o that_o thou_o may_v tell_v i_o what_o i_o shall_v do_v here_o be_v a_o manifest_a grant_n of_o knowledge_n in_o spirit_n above_o man_n second_o reason_n do_v hence_o collect_v that_o all_o spirit_n that_o do_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v inquire_v at_o be_v evil_a spirit_n and_o therefore_o devil_n because_o almighty_a god_n have_v here_o express_o forbid_v the_o inquire_n at_o any_o other_o spirit_n beside_o himself_o and_o therefore_o good_a and_o holy_a spirit_n will_v not_o nor_o spirit_n can_v not_o disobey_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n nor_o countenance_n or_o assist_v man_n in_o so_o do_v three_o reason_n do_v necessary_o hence_o conclude_v that_o such_o man_n as_o be_v inquire_v at_o for_o revelation_n of_o thing_n hide_v from_o the_o skill_n and_o possibility_n of_o knowledge_n in_o man_n be_v sorcerer_n witch_n and_o soothsayer_n the_o consequence_n and_o inference_n of_o this_o reason_n be_v just_a for_o that_o to_o promise_v those_o thing_n or_o to_o undertake_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v out_o of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n and_o sole_o and_o proper_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o spirit_n and_o devil_n do_v manifest_o prove_v in_o the_o performance_n their_o interest_n society_n and_o contract_n with_o spirit_n and_o devil_n which_o be_v sorcery_n and_o witchcraft_n it_o may_v be_v here_o object_v that_o there_o be_v some_o man_n who_o affect_v to_o be_v resort_v unto_o and_o to_o be_v inquire_v at_o in_o thing_n suppose_v hide_v from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n and_o to_o be_v repute_v able_a unto_o such_o revelation_n though_o haply_o they_o practise_v to_o deceive_v under_o the_o colour_n or_o pretence_n of_o such_o ability_n it_o be_v just_o hereto_o answer_v that_o this_o their_o presumption_n ought_v to_o be_v severe_o inquire_v into_o whether_o it_o do_v taste_v of_o aught_o that_o be_v diabolical_a of_o the_o devil_n or_o supernatural_a and_o if_o nothing_o so_o do_v yet_o in_o this_o grand_a cause_n of_o god_n himself_o the_o religious_a jealousy_n of_o the_o prudent_a magistrate_n ought_v to_o punish_v their_o presumption_n which_o dare_v affect_v to_o undertake_v the_o name_n or_o note_n of_o a_o sin_n so_o odious_a and_o abominable_a unto_o almighty_a god_n let_v we_o for_o better_a impression_n again_o repeat_v and_o iterate_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v collect_v out_o of_o the_o propound_a text_n first_o that_o there_o be_v knowledge_n in_o spirit_n of_o thing_n hide_v and_o separate_v from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n second_o that_o such_o spirit_n as_o be_v inquire_v at_o and_o do_v reveal_v such_o knowledge_n unto_o man_n be_v devil_n three_o that_o man_n which_o do_v practice_v to_o be_v inquire_v at_o for_o such_o suppose_a revelation_n ought_v not_o only_o to_o be_v just_o suspect_v and_o inquire_v into_o but_o that_o if_o they_o be_v find_v therewithal_o to_o know_v and_o reveal_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v indeed_o and_o real_o above_o and_o beyond_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n and_o be_v proper_o and_o only_o in_o the_o power_n of_o spirit_n that_o then_o this_o do_v infallible_o prove_v their_o interest_n power_n and_o society_n with_o devil_n which_o be_v certain_a and_o assure_a sorcery_n and_o witchcraft_n and_o thus_o have_v reason_n draw_v a_o demonstration_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n of_o a_o certain_a witch_n and_o manifest_a sorcerer_n let_v we_o now_o exercise_v ourselves_o in_o the_o consideration_n examination_n and_o trial_n of_o some_o particular_n herein_o who_o have_v not_o hear_v of_o the_o name_n and_o mention_v of_o that_o famous_a and_o renown_a british_a wizard_n merlin_n and_o of_o his_o high_a and_o great_a esteem_n among_o prince_n for_o his_o prophecy_n unto_o his_o foresight_n and_o prediction_n from_o many_o foregoing_a age_n the_o success_n and_o event_n of_o diverse_a prince_n affair_n in_o their_o several_a reign_v have_v be_v usual_o by_o diverse_a time_n and_o history_n refer_v for_o this_o cause_n master_n camden_n in_o the_o description_n of_o caermarden-shire_n do_v term_v he_o the_o tages_n of_o the_o britan_n speed_v in_o his_o tractate_n of_o the_o ancient_a inhabitant_n of_o great_a britain_n as_o also_o of_o the_o life_n of_o aurelius_n ambrose_n and_o of_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n john_n and_o of_o henry_n the_o four_o do_v out_o of_o malmesbury_n and_o other_o recite_v diverse_a accident_n &_o event_n in_o several_a succeed_a age_n unto_o his_o oraculous_a and_o miraculous_a illumination_n ascribe_v to_o have_v be_v foresee_v foretell_v and_o know_v if_o there_o be_v truth_n in_o those_o oracle_n and_o ancient_a foreseeing_a revelation_n they_o do_v necessary_o infer_v the_o assistance_n of_o a_o power_n far_o superior_a unto_o all_o the_o power_n of_o man_n therefore_o whosoever_o do_v find_v they_o true_a must_v conclude_v their_o author_n a_o witch_n or_o sorcerer_n neither_o have_v the_o general_a reception_n or_o opinion_n of_o author_n be_v here-from_a different_a who_o have_v publish_v he_o the_o son_n of_o a_o incubus_n or_o the_o son_n of_o a_o witch_n beget_v by_o the_o devil_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o this_o ancient_a time-noted_n and_o age-viewed_n sorcerer_n so_o may_v be_v testify_v of_o many_o other_o what_o shall_v we_o judge_v of_o that_o infamous_a woman_n among_o the_o french_a call_v joane_n of_o arc_n by_o other_o joane_n pucell_n de_fw-fr dieu_fw-fr john_n de_fw-fr serres_n the_o french_a historian_n do_v report_n that_o she_o have_v many_o miraculous_a revelation_n whereof_o the_o king_n than_o charles_n the_o seven_o and_o all_o his_o army_n and_o man_n of_o war_n be_v open_a wonder_a witness_n and_o in_o those_o revelation_n for_o the_o most_o part_n there_o be_v find_v no_o less_o wondrous_a truth_n then_o true_a wonder_n by_o her_o sole_a encouragement_n and_o stout_a assurance_n of_o success_n build_v upon_o miraculous_a revelation_n the_o french_a prosperous_o encounter_v the_o victorious_a english_a in_o france_n at_o several_a time_n and_o against_o all_o humane_a reason_n recover_v their_o in_o reason-unrecoverable_a and_o most_o desperate_a stand_n even_o near_o unto_o the_o pit_n of_o utter_a downfall_n with_o more_o than_o unspeakable_a amazement_n and_o terror_n unto_o the_o sudden_o confound_v english_a notwithstanding_o at_o length_n she_o be_v take_v prisoner_n by_o the_o english_a execute_v and_o burn_v for_o her_o witchcraft_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v or_o judge_v of_o other_o the_o like_a author_n and_o broacher_n of_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o prediction_n in_o other_o time_n the_o forementioned_a historian_n report_v that_o a_o wizard_n foretell_v duke_n byron_n of_o his_o death_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v die_v by_o the_o back_n blow_n of_o a_o burguignon_fw-fr who_o afterward_o prove_v his_o executioner_n be_v that_o country_n man_n melancton_n ont_fw-fr of_o carion_n do_v recite_v the_o mention_n of_o a_o woman_n of_o the_o order_n of_o the_o druid_n among_o the_o tungri_n who_o foretell_v dioclesian_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v emperor_n of_o rome_n when_o he_o have_v first_o kill_v a_o boar_n which_o prove_v afterward_o one_o aper_n than_o a_o usurper_n which_o in_o the_o latin_a tongue_n signify_v a_o boar_n suetonius_n write_v of_o a_o divinour_n who_o loug_a before_o be_v able_a to_o make_v know_v the_o death_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o death_n and_o murder_n of_o julius_n caesar._n philippe_n de_fw-fr commines_fw-la in_o his_o 8._o book_n chap._n 19_o do_v make_v mention_n of_o one_o friar_n hierome_n and_o of_o his_o many_o admirable_a revelation_n &_o prediction_n concern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o king_n of_o france_n which_o as_o from_o the_o friar_n own_o mouth_n he_o himself_o do_v oft_o hear_v so_o with_o his_o own_o eye_n he_o do_v witness_n and_o behold_v their_o issue_n true_a it_o be_v dispute_v whether_o in_o these_o transcendent_a revelation_n the_o friar_n be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n or_o no_o and_o it_o be_v doubtful_o there_o conclude_v in_o these_o like_a revelation_n and_o prophecy_n reason_n can_v deny_v but_o must_v acknowledge_v the_o manifest_a impression_n and_o stamp_n of_o more_o than_o humane_a science_n or_o demonstration_n if_o we_o desire_v or_o affect_v more_o special_o to_o view_v what_o our_o own_o history_n at_o home_n afford_v who_o can_v deny_v he_o a_o wizard_n or_o witch_n who_o as_o m_n r._n speed_v and_o other_o testify_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o richard_n the_o usurper_n foretell_v that_o upon_o the_o same_o stone_n where_o he_o dash_v his_o spur_n ride_v towards_o bosworth_n field_n he_o shall_v dash_v his_o head_n in_o his_o return_n which_o prove_v according_o true_a when_o be_v slay_v in_o battle_n he_o be_v carry_v naked_a out_o of_o the_o field_n and_o his_o head_n hang_v low_o by_o the_o horse_n side_n behind_o his_o bearer_n do_v smite_v upon_o the_o same_o stone_n
it_o remain_v that_o he_o can_v only_o be_v interest_v therein_o as_o a_o accessary_a in_o consent_n as_o a_o solicitor_n or_o servant_n unto_o a_o superior_a power_n if_o that_o superior_a power_n as_o be_v before_o prove_v in_o the_o falsehood_n of_o his_o miracle_n be_v the_o devil_n the_o least_o reasonable_a doubt_n remain_v whether_o the_o devil_n alone_o or_o with_o the_o consent_n or_o contract_n of_o the_o suspect_a person_n have_v produce_v that_o wonderful_a effect_n with_o what_o religion_n or_o reason_n can_v any_o man_n rather_o incline_v to_o credit_v the_o devil_n information_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o bewitch_v who_o be_v the_o common_a accuser_n of_o god_n to_o man_n and_o of_o man_n to_o god_n then_o in_o requisite_a pity_n piety_n and_o humane_a respect_n unto_o his_o own_o kind_n to_o render_v the_o weakness_n of_o frail_a man_n against_o the_o subtlety_n of_o the_o deceitful_a devil_n shall_v man_n with_o man_n find_v less_o favour_n than_o the_o devil_n with_o man_n against_o man_n that_o the_o devil_n be_v able_a by_o the_o permission_n of_o god_n to_o annex_v or_o hang_v this_o miracle_n upon_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a be_v manifest_a by_o the_o possess_v in_o the_o gospel_n upon_o who_o and_o their_o natural_a action_n and_o motion_n he_o cast_v supernatural_a consequence_n or_o concomitance_n be_v not_o their_o speech_n attend_v with_o supernatural_a revelation_n their_o hand_n with_o supernatural_a force_n to_o rend_v and_o tear_v in_o piece_n iron_n chain_n and_o bond_n if_o the_o devil_n be_v able_a to_o transfuse_v or_o cast_v these_o miraculous_a concomitance_n or_o consequence_n alone_o and_o without_o allowance_n of_o any_o man_n or_o person_n where_o god_n do_v permit_v how_o be_v it_o in_o any_o equity_n or_o reason_n just_a that_o these_o imposition_n of_o the_o devil_n shall_v be_v impute_v unto_o any_o man_n god_n forbid_v that_o the_o devil_n sign_n &_o wonder_n nay_o his_o truth_n shall_v become_v any_o legal_a allegation_n or_o evidence_n in_o law_n we_o may_v therefore_o conclude_v it_o unjust_a that_o the_o forename_a miraculous_a effect_n by_o the_o devil_n wrought_v &_o impute_v by_o the_o bewitch_v shall_v be_v esteem_v a_o sign_n or_o infallible_a mark_n against_o any_o man_n as_o therefore_o convince_v a_o witch_n for_o that_o the_o devil_n and_o the_o bewitch_v have_v so_o decipher_v he_o these_o like_a miraculous_a stratagem_n may_v be_v exercise_v upon_o any_o man_n or_o unto_o any_o man_n action_n may_v be_v deceitful_o or_o fraudulent_o by_o the_o devil_n conjoin_v or_o apt_v this_o therefore_o do_v not_o infer_v any_o man_n guilt_n therein_o it_o ought_v be_v a_o man_n own_o proper_a contract_n therein_o with_o the_o devil_n necessary_o and_o direct_o prove_v that_o shall_v just_o condemn_v he_o this_o contract_n may_v be_v and_o be_v plain_o detect_v by_o sift_v and_o consider_v that_o man_n voluntary_o assist_v or_o promote_a promise_a or_o undertake_v such_o supernatural_a work_n with_o answerable_a performance_n thereof_o as_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o miraculous_a consequence_n of_o the_o touch_n of_o a_o suspect_a witch_n so_o may_v be_v determine_v concern_v the_o supernatural_a revelation_n of_o secret_a mark_n or_o sign_n in_o her_o body_n according_a unto_o the_o prediction_n of_o the_o bewitch_v as_o also_o of_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o present_a action_n gesture_n and_o speech_n of_o suppose_a witch_n in_o far_o distant_a place_n diverse_a example_n i_o myself_o have_v see_v in_o these_o kind_n i_o must_v necessary_o acknowledge_v a_o more_o than_o natural_a power_n therein_o because_o far_o beyond_o the_o nature_n reason_n or_o power_n of_o man_n but_o there_o be_v notwithstanding_o sufficient_a matter_n of_o doubt_n whether_o such_o revelation_n secret_a sign_n and_o mark_n though_o find_v in_o the_o name_v person_n or_o part_n true_a as_o also_o the_o right_a portraiture_n and_o shape_n of_o the_o suppose_a or_o accuse_v witch_n though_o never_o of_o the_o bewitch_v before_o see_v and_o yet_o by_o the_o bewitch_v true_o describe_v there_o be_v i_o say_v notwithstanding_o sufficient_a matter_n of_o doubt_n whether_o they_o be_v not_o very_o insufficient_a to_o charge_n or_o accuse_v any_o particular_a thus_o point_v out_o or_o mark_v the_o law_n and_o express_v commandment_n of_o god_n do_v allow_v of_o no_o revelation_n from_o any_o other_o spirit_n but_o from_o himself_o isa._n 8._o 19_o whether_o these_o revelation_n be_v immediate_o of_o god_n if_o their_o due_a examination_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o word_n do_v not_o clear_o determine_v anomia_fw-la rash_a or_o hasty_a perturbation_n or_o passion_n ought_v not_o presume_v it_o est_fw-la the_o law_n of_o man_n also_o admit_v no_o supernatural_a illumination_n or_o revelation_n as_o any_o ground_n of_o just_a trial_n or_o decision_n of_o right_a or_o truth_n it_o follow_v therefore_o necessary_o that_o they_o be_v void_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v of_o no_o force_n or_o credit_n in_o upright_a judgement_n with_o just_a and_o righteous_a man_n it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o truth_n be_v find_v in_o these_o revelation_n and_o truth_n ought_v be_v of_o regard_n it_o may_v hereto_o again_o be_v reply_v that_o although_o truth_n in_o itself_o be_v great_a and_o aught_o and_o will_v prevail_v yet_o in_o the_o abuse_n evil_a use_n or_o corrupt_v or_o deprave_a end_n thereof_o it_o ought_v not_o deceive_v nor_o be_v of_o force_n the_o devil_n as_o all_o other_o cunning_a liar_n and_o deceiver_n and_o imitator_n of_o that_o his_o art_n usual_o mix_v truth_n with_o lie_n that_o those_o truth_n give_v credit_n unto_o lie_n man_n may_v believe_v both_o and_o so_o be_v deceive_v it_o be_v ever_o the_o only_a safe_a way_n of_o lie_v to_o face_n &_o guard_v it_o with_o some_o plausible_a truth_n in_o the_o former_a revelation_n therefore_o representation_n &_o true_a description_n in_o the_o bewitch_v of_o person_n of_o secret_a mark_n and_o sign_n of_o speech_n gesture_n and_o the_o like_a although_o the_o devil_n be_v find_v true_a or_o speak_v truth_n yet_o may_v he_o notwithstanding_o haply_o be_v therein_o also_o a_o liar_n while_o true_o describe_v their_o person_n shape_n mark_n manner_n and_o gesture_n speech_n &_o the_o like_a he_o false_o and_o lying_o add_v thereby_o a_o seem_a or_o deceive_v necessity_n of_o their_o guilt_n as_o if_o therein_o or_o thereby_o necessary_o infer_v we_o may_v bold_o yet_o further_o affirm_v that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o the_o devil_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n true_o whole_o unpartial_o so_o as_o it_o may_v appear_v plain_a evident_a manifest_a yet_o ought_v we_o not_o from_o he_o believe_v it_o or_o receive_v it_o this_o be_v in_o our_o bless_a saviour_n make_v undoubted_a who_o in_o the_o gospel_n oft_o rebuke_v he_o even_o speak_v truth_n as_o also_o in_o s._n paul_n rebuke_v the_o pythonisse_fw-la true_o affirm_v &_o acknowledge_v he_o the_o servant_n &_o minister_n of_o god_n if_o the_o devil_n then_o speak_v truth_n may_v not_o be_v allow_v or_o credit_v how_o shall_v revelation_n miracle_n or_o oracle_n proceed_v from_o he_o be_v they_o never_o so_o true_a or_o approve_v with_o any_o show_n of_o true_a religion_n or_o reason_n become_v any_o just_a probation_n or_o allegation_n in_o law_n equity_n or_o justice_n it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o many_o time_n man_n have_v be_v by_o dream_n &_o vision_n admonish_v of_o secret_a and_o conceal_a hideous_a murder_n &_o other_o evil_a fact_n commit_v privy_o whereby_o the_o malefactor_n and_o their_o guilt_n have_v be_v admirable_o produce_v unto_o due_a punishment_n this_o truth_n be_v even_o by_o heathen_a author_n witness_v &_o in_o our_o time_n the_o like_a have_v happen_v and_o be_v testify_v by_o witness_n who_o faith_n &_o credit_n be_v free_a from_o all_o exception_n although_o this_o be_v true_a &_o can_v be_v deny_v some_o reason_n notwithstanding_o do_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v more_o safe_a to_o incline_v to_o suspect_v that_o these_o like_a vision_n or_o dream_n be_v rather_o of_o the_o devil_n then_o rash_o to_o determine_v or_o decree_v that_o they_o be_v immediate_o of_o god_n first_o for_o that_o though_o haply_o they_o may_v be_v sometime_o so_o grant_v yet_o ought_v we_o not_o too_o swift_o or_o sudden_o so_o believe_v for_o that_o by_o the_o lively_a counterfeit_n of_o the_o true_a vision_n dream_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n the_o devil_n have_v ever_o usual_o practise_v to_o be_v take_v and_o esteem_v as_o god_n the_o allowance_n whereof_o by_o man_n be_v high_a blasphemy_n against_o god_n and_o ignorant_a and_o occult_a adoration_n of_o devil_n second_o for_o that_o no_o vision_n dream_n or_o revelation_n aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v of_o god_n original_o or_o immediate_o which_o do_v respect_n or_o answer_v curiosity_n of_o knowledge_n or_o desire_n as_o most_o of_o the_o forementioned_a kind_n usual_o be_v