Christian Reader, I haue vpon occasion penned this short discourse, and
that of such a subject wherewith not being well acquainted, am enforced
to craue some direction from those, whose names you shall finde
remembred in the same: (that I be not vnthankefull vnto those from whom
I receiue instruction) and haue in former time, and latter dayes, taken
paines in searching out, both the speculatiue, and practique parts of
this damnable Art of Witchcraft, a dangerous and seducing inuention of
Sathan, who from the Arcenals, and Magisins store-houses of his ancient
and mischieuous furniture, hath not spared to affoord all helpe, and the
best Engines for the subuerting of soules, pliable to his allurements:
and to this end, beside a plaine narration of fact in this case
committed and confessed, (least the Treatise should be too bare and
naked) I haue added thereunto a few Propositions, agreeing to such a
subiect matter, manifesting some speciall poynts not altogether
impertinent in my opinion, nor vnworthy of due consideration: I know
mine owne wants, and do as willingly acknowledge them: One more
experienced, and of greater leasure, and better health, had beene fitter
for the opening and discouering of so deepe a mystery, and hidden secret
of Iniquity, as this is; and haply hereafter may be willing to take that
taske in hand: yet herein thou shalt finde something not vsuall: A
manifest contract made with the Diuell, and by the solemne tearmes of
a league, which is the ground of all the pernitious actions proceeding
from those sorts of people, who are, haue beene, and shall be
practioners in that cursed and hellish Art. And yet no more then she,
that Witch of whom in this relation we do speake, hath of her owne
accord, and voluntarily acknowledged after conference had with me, and
sundry learned and reuerend Diuines, who both prayed for her conuersion,
carefully instructed her in the way to saluation, and hopefully rescued
her from the Diuell, (to whom she was deuoted, and by him seduced) and
regained her to God, from whom she was departed by Apostacie. And in
this so Christian and holy action were the continuall paines of
{ Thomas Howes.
{ Thomas Hares.
Maister { Iohn Man.
{ William Leedes.
{ Robert Burward.
{ William Armitage.
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