a.Nauarrus in Manuali confessarior. cap. 11 in primum decalogi præceptum.
b.Ioh. Wierus, totum hoc fictitium putat & fondus imaginarimum, & impossibile putat, idque passim in suis libris præcipuè autem de Lamijs, cap. 7. 8. & 23. & de pręstigijs Dæmonũ, lib. 6. c. 27, & c. Hunc refutant eruditè. Binfeldo confessionibus maleficorum, & Thomas Erastus de Lamijs.
c.De his ceremonijs similiæ, Ier. cap. 34. 18. & multa Cyrillus contra Iulianum & Procopius Gazæus in hunc locum & Augustinus.
d.Palanus Syntagmatis Theologie, l. 2. cap. 8.
e.Brissonius de formulis, lib. 6. Solemnia pactorum sine obligatione verba sunt: spondes? spondeo. promittis? promitto dabis? dabo vt facias, faciam. Iustinianus in institutionibus, lib. 3. titulo 16.
f.Hic Monachus Floriacensis Cænobij diabolo suadente, & enormiter instigante si eius ob*quijs & arti magica obligauit in tantum quod Diabolo fecit Homagium cum pacto vt ei omnia ad nutum succederent, & c. Holcot. in cap. 17. lib. sapientiæ lectione 190. Platina in illius vita. Vide & Balerum de Romanorum pontificum actis in lib. 5. in Syluestro secundo, & Robertum Barnes. de vitis pontificum Romanorum.Additional note
g.Godelmannus de magia tacita & illicita, lib. 1. cap. 2.xº.8.9.10 &c.
h.Siue illius sit, siue alterius esto liber. De duplici Martyrio. Aquinas 2ª. 2a. quest. 96. Ioh. Gerson in Trilogio astrologiæ Theologisatæ propositione 21. & de erroribus circa artem magicam, Dicto 2.
i.Camerarius meditationum historiarum, lib. 1. cap. 6. Bodinus exampla ponit Dęmonomanias. lib. 2. & 4. Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum.
k.Simile de Catilina refert Salustius. cum ad ius iurandum populares scelerius sui adigeret, humani corporis sanguinem vina permixtum in pateris circumtulisse, inde cum post execrationẽ omnes degustauissent, sicut in solemnibus sacris fieri consueuit aperuisse consiliũ suum, atque eo dictitant fecisse, quo inter se magis fidi forent.
l.As that to PopeSiluesterthe second, his demand; who asked how long he should liue and enioy thePopedome? answered, vntil hee should say masse inIerusalem; and not long after, celebrating the same in aChappellof the Church dedicated to the holy Crosse inRome, calledIerusalem, knew how he was ouer-reached, for there hee dyed. And an other paralell to this, may be that of a certaine Bishop, much addicted to these vanities, hauing many enemies, and fearing them, asked the Diuell whether he should fly or not: who answered,Non, sta secure, venient inimici tui suauiter, & subdentur tibi.But being surprized, and taken by his aduersaries, and his castle set on fire, expostulating with him that hee had deceiued him in his distresse, returned answere, that he said true, if his speech had been rightly vnderstood: for he aduised,Non sta secure[id estfugias]venient inimici tui suauiter, & subdentur, [id estignem tibi]. Such were the Oracles which he gaue, and whereof all histories do testifie.Holcotvpon the booke of Wisedome, and the rest before mentioned with him.
m.Leo de collectis Serm. 40. & natiuitate Domini, Serm. 7.
n.In proemio, lib de exhortaions ad Martyrium Cyprianus.
THe Diuell can assume to himselfaa body, and frame a voyce to speake with, and further instruct and giue satisfaction to those who haue submitted themselues vnto him, and are bound to his seruice. For he lost not by his transgression and fall, his naturallbendowments, but they continued in him wholecand perfect, as in the good Angels, who abide in that obedience and holiness wherein they were created, from whence a reason confirmatiue may bee thus framed, Good Angels can take vnto themselues bodies, asGenes. 18. 2.Iudg. 13. 3.6.therefore the euill also. Thus the Diuell hath appeared to some in the forme of adMan, cloathed in purple, & wearing a crowne vpon his head: to others in the likenesse of aeChilde: sometime he sheweth himselfe in theforme of foure-footed beastes, foules, creeping things,froaring as a Lyon, skipping like a Goat, barking after the manner of a dogge, and the like. Butgit is obserued by some, that he cannot take the shape of a Sheepe, or Doue, though of an Angell of light:2. Cor. 11. 14. And further,hmost of the learned doe hold, that those bodies wherein they doe appeare, are fashioned of theiaire, (though it is not to be denied, but they can enter into other, as the Diuell did into the Serpent, deceiuingEue,Gen. 3. 1.) which if it continuing pure and in the owne nature,khath neither colour nor figure, yet condensed receiueth both, as wee may behold in the clouds, which resemble sometime one, sometime another shape, and so in them is seene the representation of Armies fighting, of beasts and Birds, houses, Cities, and sundry other kinds of apparations.
Histories of all can witnesse of the Diuels appearance in humanlshape: thus aPseudo-Moses, orMessiasinCrete, perswaded the Iewes that it was he who brought their Fathers the Israelites out of Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea, and would conduct them also out of that land vpon the waters intoIudea. But many following his counsell, perished: the rest admonished by that destruction, turned back, accusing their folly; and when they made enquiry for this guide, to haue rewarded him according to his desert, was no where to be found, whereof they conceiued hee was a Diuell in Mans likenesse. And such an onemwas that merry (but malicious) spirit, who walkedfor a long time in Saxony, and was very seruiceable, clothed in country apparrell, with a cappe on his head, delighted to conuerse and talke with the people, to demaund questions, and answer what he was asked, hurting none, except iniured before, and then declared himselfe a right diuell in reuenge.
nThe late Discoueries and Nauigations made into the west Indies, can furnish vs with abundant testimonies hereof, in which the mindes of the inhabitants are both terrified & their bodies massacred by his visible sight, and cruell tortures; yet (which is the opinion of many learned) he cannot so perfectly represent the fashion of a mans body, but that there is some sensible deformity, by which hee bewrayeth himselfe; as hisofeete like those of an Ox, a Horse, or some other beasts, clouen houed, his hands crooked, armed with clawes, or talants like a vulture: or some one misshapen part, wherein (though hee delight in the shape of man, as most fitting for company and conference) is demonstrated, the great and tender loue of God toward vs, who hath so branded this deceiuer, that hee may bee discerned euen of those who are but of meane capacity, and so consequently auoyded. And as in his body assumed, so in his speech there is a defect, for it is weake, small, whispering, imperfect.
And thus it ispreported ofHermolaus Barbarus, who inquiring of a spirite, the signification and meaning of a difficultqword inAristotle,he hard a low hissing, and murmuring voyce giuing answere.
And this hee doth of set purpose, that so his sophisticall & doubtfull words might be the lesse perceiued.
Neither can this seeme strange to any, that the Diuell should speake, who brought a voyce from Trees to saluterApollonius, and inspired that talkatiue Oke inDodona, famous for the Oracles vttered there in Heroicall verse, to the Grecians, and to euery nation in his owne language, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Armenians, and other people who were led by him, and depended vpon his resolution.
And thus thesImage ofMemnon, when the Sunne did shine vpon it, and his beames touched the lips thereof, (which was at the arising in the East) speake vnto them who were present.
And considering, as hath beene mentioned before, that there passeth betweene the Witch and her Diuell, a compact, as with a Maister and a Seruant, it must therefore consist vppon prescript tearmes of commaunding, and obeying; and then of necessity is required a conuersing together; and conference whereby the same couenant may be ratified.
a.Augustinus in Enchiridio, cap .59. & 60. & Lambertus Daneusin suis comentarijs: ad eundem.
b.Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Aquinas, Summa part. 1. quest. 51, art. 3. & 4
c.In Dęmonibusἀγγελίκας δωρέας ου μήποτε ἄλλοι ὠσθας φάμεν,ἄλλοι εἰσὶ ὁλοκληροι και παμφανεῖς, Dionisius Areopagita, de diuinis nominibus cap. 4. & si vacat licebit consulere in eundem Pachemeræ Paraphrasin & maximi scholia. Isidorus Hispalensis de summo bono. lib. 1. cap. 12.
d.Sulpitius Seuerus in vita beati Martini. Multaexemplęhabet Bodinus in pręfatione ad Dęmonomaniam.
e.Hieronimus in vita Hilarianis.
f.Psellus de dęmonum natura.
g.Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum.
h.Petrus Martyr in 28. caput. lib. 2. Samuelis. Aquinas in Summa parte 1. quest 51. articul. 2. Hyperius locerũ Theolog. lib.
i.Hesiodusἔργων και ἡμέρωνlib. 1. Dęmonas ait esseἄερα εσσαμένους. proclus interpretatur quia sunt corpora aërea.Additional note
k.Iulius Scaliger de subtilitate ad Cardanum exercitatione 359. sectione 13.
l.Socrates Historię ecclesiast. lib. 7. cap. 38. & historia Tripar. lib. 12. cap. 9.
m.Chronicon Hirsangiense.
n.Vide nauigationẽ Monsieur de Monts, ad nouam Franciam, lib. 2. cap. 5.
o.Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Alexander ab Alexandro dierum Genialium, lib. 1. cap. 19. Remigius de Dęmonolatria, lib. 1. cap. 7. & apud Rhodingium antiquarum lectionum lib. 29. cap. 5. est exemplum dignum admiratione.
p.Remigius dęmonolatrias lib. 1. cap. 8 & simile commemorat de Appione Grammatico Plinius naturalis histor, lib. 30. cap. 2. Nicephorus lib. 5. sub finem.
q.ἐντελεχεια
r.Philostratus de vita Apollonius lib. 6. cap. 13.
s.Sophocles in Trachinijs vocatδρῦν πολυγλωσσον, quia ut eius Scholiastes interpretaturἤτοι πολλὰ μαντευομενος, και δια τουτο πολλα φθεγγομένος,ἢ τῆς διαφοραις διαλέκταις χρησμοδήσηςκαι κατα την ..άνου των μαντευομένων γλωσσαν.Et hinc Argo Lycophron in Alexandra suaλαληθρον κισσανnominat quæ ex Didones quercu malum habuisse traditur quæ aliquoties locuta est vt apud Apollonium Argonauticωn quarto ideo &ἔυλαλον ΑργοςOrpheus appelat, vide plura apud Strabonem lib. 17. & eius de hoc sono iudicium perpende. Pausanias in descriptione decem regionum veteris Græciæ, libro primo in Atticis. Iuuenalis Satyro 15. Psellus de Dæmonum natura. Tacitus libro secundo Annalium.Additional note
GOd giueth, both the diuell, and his seruants the witches, power sometimes to trouble his owne children; soaChrist our blessed Sauiour, was by Sathan carryed from place to place,Math. 4. 5.Iobbin strange manner afflicted, and his children slaine, through his power, whom none can conceiue but were Gods seruants, religiously brought vp in his feare: and their father hath an honourable testimonie from the mouth of God himselfe,Iob 1. ver. 8.Dauid, a man according to Gods owne heart,Acts 13. 22.is by Sathan stirred vp to number the people,1. Chron. 21. 1.and that incuriosity and the pride of his heart, onelie to know the multitude of his subiects,2. Sam. 24. 2.
Whereas the Law appoynteth another end,Exod. 30. 12.which hee hadcnow forgotten, the maintenance of the Ministerie and worshippe of God. And a daughter ofAbrahamis bound of the diuell eighteene whole yeeres, had a spirit of Infirmity, was bowed together, and could in no wise lift vp herselfe,Lu. 13. 11.16.a grieuous calamity in respect of the author, thecontinuance, and the effect. But to handle this poynt a little more distinctly; It shall not be amisse to open first some reasons, why God doth giue this power to the diuel ouer the righteous his children sometimes, as also vpon the wicked and disobedient tohis will: And in the second place, why Witches haue the like leaue graunted vnto them. Therefore for his children.
The first reason of his permission is his inscrutabledwisedome, who out of euill bringeth good; soPaulhad a minister of Sathan to buffet him, to keepe him in humility, that hee might not waxe proude and high-minded, in regard of those great mysteries which were reuealed when hee was taken into the third heauen,2. Corint. 12. 4. Thus his tentation was a medicine preseruatiue preuenting the disease of his soule, which otherwise hee might haue falne into,efor both himselfe, and the rest of the Apostles, though they were chosen vessells, yet were they also fraile and brittle, wandring yet in the flesh vpon earth, not triumphing securely in heauen.
Second, It isfproceeding from his mercy and goodnes, for the trial of faith, obedience and constancy in such as belong to God: whereof there is an excellent patterne, and vnparaleld inIob 1. 13.14.&c.for by this triall is made a proofe to examine whether wee doe continue firme vpon our square, and vnshaken, or no; and be not remoued, eyther by thegseeming wonders of the diuell, or of his seruants and associats. And therefore the Apostle pronounceth him blessed, who endureth temptation, for when hee is tryed hee shall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him,Iames 1. 12.for he is faithfull, and wil not suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able, but with the temptationalso make a way to escape, &c.1. Cor. 10. 13.
Third, Wee are admonished alwayes to stand in a readines, and be armed for to fight, prepared to withstand the diuell, knowing that God doth oftentimes giue him leaue to assault vs. Therefore we haue need to be furnished in all points, for we wrastle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkenesse of this world, against spirituall wickednesses in high places,Ephes. 6. 11.12. And1. Pet. 5. 8.9.be sober and vigilant, because your aduersary the diuell as a roaring Lyon walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure. Hehis no weake assaylant, and therefore heere by the Apostle are noted in him foure things: First, his power (a Lyon): Second, his hatred, and wrath in the word (roaring): Third, his subtilty (walking about) obseruing euery oportunity and occasion to hurt vs: Fourth, his cruelty (deuoure) no contentment but in our ruine and vtter destruction.
Fourth, God would haue vs get the victorie against Sathan, and take knowledge, that Christ on our side fighteth for vs, through whom we triumph, and so are made more vndoubtedly assured of our saluation; and this is that which hee promised,TheiSeed of the woman shall bruise the head of the Serpent,Gen. 3. 15. And the Apostle confirmeth, God shall tread down Sathan vnder your feete,Rom. 16. 20.
God suffereth the diuell to preuaile against the wicked, yet in the most Holy there is no iniustice2. Chron. 19. 7. ButFirst,kHerein is the declaration of his iustice, whereby hee punisheth obstinate sinners, & those who prouoke him to wrath, and will not repent: And thus it is sayd of theAegiptians, whom no plagues could soften, that hee cast vpon them the fiercenes of his anger, and indignation, and trouble, by sending euill Angels among them,lPsalm 78. 49. And whenSaulhad neglected the commandement of God, an euill spirit from the Lord troubled him,1. Sam. 16. 14. ThusAhabseduced by his false prophets descendeth into the battaile, and is slaine (contemning the words ofMichaiah) inmwhose mouthes the diuell was a lying spirit, who sent of the Lord, perswaded him and preuailed,1. Kin. 22. 22.23.24.
Second, By affliction in the body or goodes, Godnwould quicken them vp to seeke the saluation of their soules. And soPaulgaue ouer a scandalous and incestuous person vnto the diuell, that he might be induced to forsake his sin, liue chastely heereafter, and be an edifying example to those whom he had offended: and this kinde of discipline was more soueraigne, then any other could haue beene, because mans nature abhorreth Sathan, and trembleth with feare once to conceiue that he should fall into his power and hands, and this is that which he writeth, aduising the Corinthians to deliuer him vnto Sathan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saued in the day of the Lord Iesus,1. Cor 5. 5. And in this sort he speaketh of two other deceiuers and blasphemers,HymenausandAlexander, I haue deliueredthem vnto Sathan, that they may learne not to blaspheme,1. Timothie 1. 20.therfore this giuing ouer, was not to destruction, but for correction.
The last poynt propounded, was, That witches haue power granted to vex Gods owne children aswell as others, and preuaile ouer them; and that we doe enquire (so farre as we may, and is iustifiable) of the causes thereof, which may be these.
First,oThis is permitted vnto them for the experience of their faith and integrity, so that by this meanes their loue towards God which lay hidden in the heart, is now made manifest. To be quiet and patient in prosperity, when we may enioy benefites at our owne pleasure, is a matter easily to be performed: But to endure the fire of Tribulation, that is the proofe of a stedfast Christian, and in losses and sickenesse procured by such to bee silent, and submit our selues, this is the note of a faithfull man, & to choose rather obeying the law of God, to beare the infirmity of the body, then to ouer-flow in riches, and enioying health and strength offend the Lord.
Second, this maketh a difference betweene the wicked and the godly: for thus the holy Apostle speaketh of the righteous, that by many afflictions they must enter into the kingdome of heauen,Act. 14. 22. And all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus suffer tribulations,2. Timoth. 3. 12.for whom the Lord loueth, he doth chasten,Prouer. 3. 12. It is a Christians glory to vndergoe for Gods cause, any vexation whatsoeuer, whether wrought by thediuell, or brought to passe by wicked men hispinstruments; for when he is tryed, hee shall receiue the crowne of life, which God hath promised to those who loue him,Iames 1. 12. But wee reade contrary of the wicked, they become olde, yea, are mighty in power, their seede is established in their sight with them, and their of-spring before their eyes, their houses are safe from feare, neyther is the rod of God vpon them, &c. they spend their dayes in wealth, and in a moment go downe into the graue,Iob 21. 7.8.9.&c. Yet surely they are set in slippery places, sodainely destroyed and perished, & horribly consumed as a dreame when one awaketh: O Lord, thou shalt make their Image despised, &c.Psal. 73. 18.19.20.
a.Iaquerius in flagello hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 19 & 20.
b.Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum.
c.Iosephusἀρχαιολογιαςlib. 7. sectione siue capite iuxta Græcam editionem 10.
d.Zanchius de operibus creationis, part. 1. lib. 4. cap. 13. apud quem etiam plura inuenies. Tertul. de fuga in persecutione has causas ponit permissionis diuinæ, aut ex causa probationis conceditur diabolo vis tentationis prouocato, vel prouocanti, aut ex causa reprobationis traditur ei peccator aut ex causa cohibitionis, vt Apostolus refert sibi datum angelum Satanæ.
e.Beda in collectaneis ex Augustino ad Epistolas Pauli.
f.Iaquerius in flagello hereticarum fascinariorum, cap. 20.
g.Ceolcenusδοκιμάζεται ἡ ἡμετέρα ὀρθόδοξος πιστιςεἲ ἕδραια ἐστι καὶ πάγη προσμενουσα τω κυρίωκαι μὴ ὑποσυρομενη ὑπὸ τοῦ εχθρουδια τῶν φαντασιωδων τεράτων καὶ σατανικων εργωντων πραττομενων ὑπο των δουλων καὶ ὑπερετων κακίης
h.Strigelius in explicatione locorum Theologicorum Melanthonis parte 3. titulo de cruce & calamitatibus.
i.Augustinus de Genesi ad literam, l. 11. c. 22.
k.Hyperius in locis Theolog. lib. 2.
l.Augustinus in locuus consulatur.
m.Vide Iaquerium in flagello hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 23.
n.Idem cap. 21.
o.Trithemius in libel. 8 quęstionum quas illi dissoluendas proposuit Maximilianus Imperator, quęst 7.
p.Potestatis diabolo concessę has causas ponit Iohannes Gerson de erroribus circa artem magicam, in dicto secundo.1º. Obstinatorum damnationem.2º. Peccatorum purgationem, & punitionem.3º. Ad fidelium probationem, & exercitationem.4º Ad gloriæ dei manifestationem
MOre women in a farre different proportion prooue Witches then men, by a hundred to one; therefore the Lawe of God noteth that Sex, as more subiect to that sinne,Exodus 22. 18. It is a common speach amongst the Iewish Rabbins,amany women, many Witches: And it should seeme that this was a generally receiued opinion, for so it is noted byPliny,Quintilian, and others, neyther doth this proceede (as some haue thought) from their frailtie and imbecillity, for in many of them there is stronger resolution, to vndergoe any torment then can bee found inman, as was made apparant in that conspiracy ofPisoagainstNero,bwhocommaundedthatEpicharis, knowne to bee of the same faction, should first presently be set vpon the racke,Muliebre corpus impar dolori.imagining that being a woman, she would neuer bee able to ouercome the paine: But all the tortures that he or his could deuise, were not able to draw from her the least confession of any thing that was then obiected against her. The first dayes question shee so vtterly contemned, that the very Chaire in which they conueied her from the place, did seeme as a Chariot wherein shee rid, triumphing ouer the barbarous vsage of their inhumane cruelty. The morrow following brought thither againe, after many rough incounters, remained so vnshaken, that wrath it selfe grew madde, to see the strokes of an obstinate and relenting fury fall so in vaine vpon the softer temper of a Woman: and at the last tooke a scarfe from about her necke, and by it knits vp within her bosome the knowledge shee had of that fact, together with that little remainder of spirit, whereof by force and violence they laboured to depriue her.
cFormer ages haue likewise producedLeena, an exemplary president of this sort, to all posterity, who whenArmodiusandAristogitonhauing failed of the execution of their enterprise againstHipparchusa tyrant, had beene put to death, she was brought to the torture to be enforced to declare what other complices there were of the conspiracie. But rather then sheeshould bee compelled thereunto, bit her tongue asunder, and spit it in the face of the tyrant, that though she would, yet could not now disclose them. In remembrance whereof the Athenians caused a Lyon of Brasse to bee erected, shewing her inuincible courage by the generosity of that beast, and her perseuerance in secrecie, in that they made it without a tongue. Therefore the learned haue searched out other causes thereof, and among the rest, obserued these as the most probable.
First, they are by nature credulous, wanting experience, and therfore more easily deceiued.
Secondly,dthey harbour in their breast a curious and inquisitiue desire to know such things as be not fitting andconuenient, and so are oftentimes intangled with the bare shew and visard of goodnesse. As the Lady of Rome, who was importune, and vehemently instant vpon her husband, to know what was debated of that day at the Councell Table. And when he could not be at rest, answered, The Priests had seene a Larke flying in the aire with a golden Helmet on his head, and holding a speare in his foot. Scarce she had this, but presently she told it to one of her maids: she to another of her fellowes, so that report was spread through the whole Citie, and went for currant vntill it receiued a checke: But all are not of this mould.
Thirdly, their complection is softer, and from hence more easily receiue the impressions offered by the Diuell; as when they be instructed andgouerned by good Angels, they proue exceeding religious, and extraordinarily deuout; so consenting to the suggestions of euill spirits, become notoriously wicked, so that there is no mischiefe aboue that of a woman,Eccles. 25. 13.&c.
Fourthly, in them is a greater facility to fall, and therefore the Diuell at the first took that aduantage, and set vponEueinAdamsabsence,Genes. 3. 3.
Fifthly, this sex, when it conceiueth wrath or hatred against any, is vnplacable, possessed with vnsatiable desire of reuenge, and transported with appetite to right (as they thinke) the wrongs offered vnto them: and when their power herein answereth not their will, and are meditating with themselues how to effect their mischieuous proiects and designes, the Diuelletaketh the occasion, who knoweth in what manner to content exulcerated mindes, windeth himselfe into their hearts, offereth to teach them the meanes by which they may bring to passe that rancor which was nourished in their breasts, and offereth his helpe and furtherance herein.
Sixthly, they are of a slippery tongue, and full of words: and therefore if they know any such wicked practises, are not able to hold them, but communicate the same with their husbands, children, consorts, and inward acquaintance; who not consideratly weighing what the issue and end thereof may be, entertaine the same, and so the poyson is dispersed. ThusDalilahdiscouered her husbands strength where it lay, vnto thePhilistines;and procured his infamous and disastrous ouer-throw.Judg. 16. 18.
a.In Perkeiababboth.Bodinus in confutatione opinionis Wieri. Plinius in hist. natural. Quintilianus Institutionum oratoriarium lib. 5. cap. 10.
b.Tacit. Annal. lib. 15.
c.Tertul. in Apologet. Crinitus de doctrina Christiana lib. 9. cap. 8.
d.Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum. Peucerus de pręcipius diuinationum generibus in titulo deθεομαντειαMartinus de Arles.
e.Exemplum apud Binfeldium reperies de confessionibus maleficorum, pag. 32.
capital MMAriewife ofHenrie Smith, Glouer, possessed with a wrathfull indignation against some of her neighbours, in regard that they made gaine of their buying and selling Cheese, which shee (vsing the same trade) could not doe, or they better (at the least in her opinion) then she did, often times cursed them, and became incensed with vnruly passions, armed with a setled resolution, to effect some mischieuousproiects and designes against them. The diuell who is skilfull, and reioyceth of such an occasion offered and knoweth how to stirre vp the euill affected humours of corrupt mindes (she becomming now a fitte subject, through this her distemper, to worke vpon, hauing the vnderstanding darkened with a cloude of passionate, and reuengefull affections) appeared vnto her amiddes these discontentments,Proposition 4.in the shape of a blacke man, and willed that the she should continue in her malice, enuy, hatred, banning and cursing; and then he would be reuenged for her vpon all those to whom she willed euill:Proposition 5.and this promise was vttered in a lowe murmuring and hissing voyce: and at that present they entred tearmes of a compact, he requiring that she should forsake God, and depend vpon him: to which she condescended in expresse tearmes, renouncing God, and betaking herselfe vnto him. I am sparing by anie amplification to enlarge this, but doe barely and nakedly rehearse the trueth, and number of her owne words vnto mee. After this hee presented himselfe againe at sundry times, and that to this purpose (as may probably bee coniectured) to hold her still in his possession, who was not able, eyther to looke further into these subtilties, then the superficiall barke thereof, or not discouer the depth of his designements, and in other formes, as of a mist, and of a ball of fire, with some dispersed spangles of blacke; and at the last in prison (after the doome of iudegement, and sentence of condemnation was passed against her) two seueralltimes, in that figure as at the first: only at the last he seemed to haue a paire of horns vpon his head, and these as shee came downe from her chamber, being sent for to conferre with some learned and reuerendDiuines, by whose prayers and instructions she might be brought to the sight and confession of her grieuous offences, be regained and rescued out of his hands, brought to repentance, and the fauour of God, assured hope of mercie, and eternall life, and at these times he wished her to confesse nothing to any of them, but continue constant in her made promise, rely vpon him, and hee would saue her. This was too high a straine aboue his reach to haue made it good, and a note of his false descant, who hauing compassed this wretched woman, brought her to a shamefull and vntimely end; yet doing nothing herein contrary to his malicious purposes, for hee was a murtherer from the beginning,Iohn 8. 44.
The first who tasted of the gall of her bitternes wasIohn Orktona Sailer, and a man of strong constitution of body, who about some fiue yeares sithence, returning out of Holland in the Netherland, or low Countries beyond the Seas, hapened, for some misdemeanors committed by him to strike the sonne of thisMary Smith(but in such sort as could not in reason bee offensiuely taken) who hearing his complaint, came forth into the streete, cursing and banning him therefore, as oftentimes shee did, dwelling in the next adioyning house, and wished in a most earnest and bitter manner, that his fingers might rotte off; wherevpon presently hee grew weake, distempered in stomacke, and could digest no meate, nor other nourishment receiued, and this discrasie or feeblenesse continued for the space of three quarters of a yeare; which time expired, the fore-mentioned griefe fel downe from the stomacke into his hands and feete, so that his fingers did corrupt, and were cut off; as also his toes putrified & consumed in a very strange and admirable manner. Neuerthelesse, notwithstanding these calamities, so long as hee was able, went still to Sea, in the goods and shippes of sundry Merchants (for itwas his onely meanes of liuing) but neuer could make any prosperous voyage (as then other men did) eyther beneficiall to the Owners, or profitable to him selfe. Whereupon, not willing to bee hindrance to others, and procure no good for his owne maintenance by his labours, left that trade of life, and kept home, where his former griefe encreasing, sought to obtaine help and remedie by Chirurgery, and for this end went to Yarmouth, hoping to be cured by one there, who was accompted very skilfull: but no medicines applyed by the Rules of Arte and Experience, wrought any expected or hoped for effect: for both his hands and feete, which seemed in some measure euery euening to be healing, in the morning were found to haue gone backeward, and growne far worse then before: So that the Chirurgian perceiuing his labour to bee wholly frustrate, gaue ouer the cure, and the diseased patient still continueth in a most distressed and miserable estate, vnto the which hee was brought by the hellish practises of this malitious woman, who long before openly in the streetes, (whenas yet the neighbours knew of no such thing) reioycing at the calamity, said,Orktonnow lyeth a rotting. And no maruell though she could tell that which herselfe had done, and her good maister would not suffer to be concealed, but that the testimony of her owne tongue should remayne as a record towardes her further detection and condemnation, who sought meanes of her voluntary accord to be reconciled with the wofull distressedparty, but this was nothing else but to plaister ouer and disguise her former inhumane and barbarous actions, for no reliefe at all followed thereof: for oftentimes, as hath beene prooued, thePropositiõ 3.diuells and witches his instruments doe cause such diseases, which neyther the one, nor the other can remoue againe. And this is not any vaporous imagination, but a most vndoubted trueth. For now this poore man continueth still in a lamentable estate, griefe, and paines encreasing, without hope of helpe, except God in the abundance of his tender mercies vouchsafe to grant comfort and deliuerance.
The second person distressed, by this witch, wasElizabeth Hancocke, then widdow, now wife ofIames Scot: the maner, occasion, and proceeding of whose dealing against her was thus. She comming out of the towne from the shoppe of oneSimon Brownea Silkeman, vnto whom she had carried home some worke, which was by him put out vnto her;Henry Smith, as shee passed by his doore, tooke her by the hand, and smilingly said, that his ducke (meaning his wife, this woman of whome we now speake) told him that shee had stolne her henne; which wordes she then passedouer, as onely spoken in merriment, and denying the same: in the meane time, as they were interchanging these words, shee came herselfe, and directly charged her with the henne, and wished that the bones thereof might sticke in her throat, when she should eate the same: which speech also she made no great reckoning of, supposing them to be but words of course, and might bee vttered in jeast. Neuerthelesse, afterward better considering of the same, conceiued much griefe, to bee counted one of so euill quality and disposition, and espying that hen for which she was accused, to sit vpon the hatch of her shoppe doore, went to her, and mooued with the indignity of that slaunder, and vniust imputation, told her in some passion and angry manner, that it was a dishonest part thus to blemish the good name of her neighbors with so vntrue aspersions: whereupon, breaking foorth in some violence, she wished the pox to light vpon her, and named her prowdeIinny, prowde flurts, and shaking the hand, bade her go in, for she should repent it; and the same night, within three or foure houres after these curses and imprecations vttered, she was taken and pinched at the heart, and felt a sodaine weaknesse in all the parts of her body; yet her appetite to meare nothing diminished, and so continued for the space of three weekes; in which time, when she was any thing well, would come to the doore, and leane vpon the stall, whom thisMarie Smithseeing, did euer banne, adding the former curse, the poxe light vpon you, can you yet come to the doore?and at the end of these three weekes, beeing but very weake, came foorth as shee vsed to doe, to take the ayre, this mischieuous woman most bitterly cursed her againe, whereupon she went into the house, fell into such a torturing fit, and nipping at the heart, that she fainted, hardly recouerable for the space of halfe an houre, and so grieuously racked and tormented through all parts of her body, as if the very flesh had beene torne from the bones, by the violent paine whereof she could not refraine, but tore the haire from off her head, and became as one distraught, bereaued of sence, and vnderstanding: And the same night the bed whereon she lay, was so tossed, and lifted vp and downe, both in her owne feeling, and in the sight of others then present beholders of her extreamities, by the space of one houre or more, that she was therewith exceedingly terrified, & did thinke oftentimes in her sleepe, that she did see thisMarie Smithstanding before her. And this fit continued sixteene houres, during which passionEdward Drakeher father came to the Towne, touched with griefe for this torture of his daughter (as parents hearts are relenting and tender, and naturall compassion is soone stirred vp in them) tooke her vrine, went to one for his aduice (whose fact herein is no way iustifiable, and argued but a small measure of religion, and the knowledge of God in him) who first tolde vnto him the cause of his comming, that is, to seeke help for his daughter, and then added, that she was so farre spent, that if hee had stayed but one day longer, the womanwho had wronged her, would haue spent her heart, and so become vnrecouerable, and thereupon shewed him her face in a Glasse; and further, opened the beginning cause of falling out, which was for a hen, which before this,Drakeneyther knew nor heard of, and then gaue his counsell for remedy, which was the matter sought for & desired, & that was in this order. To make a cake with flower from the Bakers, & to mix the same instead of other liquor, with her own water, and bake it on the harth, wherof the one halfe was to be applyed and laid to the region of the heart, the other halfe to the back directly opposit; & further, gaue a box of ointment like triacle, which must be spread vpon that cake, and a powder to be cast vpon the same, and certaine words written in a paper, to be layd on the likewise with the other, adding this caueat, that if his daughter did not amend within six houres after the taking of these receits, then there was no health or recouery to be looked for: & further, wished silence to be kept herein, for the womã who had done this, would know any thing.
And being thus furnishing with instructions, and returning home, as shee alighted from his horse to enter into that house where his daughter lay (being the next vntoMary Smiths) shee then stood leaning ouer her shop window, whom hee knew to be that person, which was shewed vnto him, and she cursed him passing by, and told his daughter that her Father had beene with a Wisard. And the next day following after they had put in practise the directions giuen, she affirmedto diuers of the neighbours, thatDrakethe afflicted womans father, had beene to aske counsell, and made a Witch Cake, but shee would learne how they came to haue that knowledge: yet for the present she found helpe, and was freed from the languishing and other conflicts wherewith she was assaulted by the space of sixe weekes.
After this, being married vntoIames Scot, a great Cat which kept with this Witch (of whose infernall both purposes and practises wee now speake) frequented their house; and vpon doing some scathe, her husband moued therwith, thrust it twice through with his sword: which notwithstanding those wounds receiued, ran away: then he stroke it with all his force vpon the head with a great pike staffe, yet could not kill her; but shee leapt after this vpward almost a yard from the boords of that chamber where she now was, and crept downe: which hee perceiuing, willed his lad (a boy of foureteene yeares) to dragge her to the muck-hill, but was not able; and therefore put her into a sacke, and being in the same, still moued and stirred. Whereupon they put her out againe, and cast her vnder a paire of staires, purposing in the morning, to get more helpe, and carry her away; but then could not be found, though all the doores that night were locked, and neuer heard what afterward became thereof.
Not long after, this Witch came forth with a Birchin broome, and threatned to lay it vpon the head ofElizabeth Scot, and defiled her cloathes therewith, as she swept the street before her shopdoore, and that in the sight of her husband, who not digesting this indignity offered vnto his wife, threatned that if she had any such fits, as she endured being a Widow before marriage, hee would hang her. At this she clapped her hands, and said hee killed her Cat. And within two or three dayes after this enterchange of words betweene them, his wife was perplexed with the like paine and griefe at her heart, as formerly she had beene; and that for two dayes and a night: wherefore her husband went to this wrathfull and malicious person, assuring that if his wife did not amend, hee would accuse her to the Magistirate, and cause thearigor of the law to be executed vpon her, which is due to such malefactors. These things were done some three yeares sithence. The party troubled yet liueth, but in no confirmed health, nor perfect soundnesse of body.