Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
And bicause it may appeare unto the world what trecherous and
faithlesse dealing, what extreame and intolerable tyrannie, what
grosse and fond absurdities, what unnaturall & uncivil discourtisie,
what cancred and spitefull malice, what outragious and barbarous
crueltie, what lewd and false packing, what cunning and craftie
intercepting, what bald and peevish interpretations, what abhominable
and divelish inventions, and what flat and plaine knaverie is practised
against these old women; I will set downe the whole order of the
inquisition, to the everlasting, inexcusable, and apparent shame of
all witchmoongers. Neither will I insert anie private or doubtfull
dealings of theirs; or such as they can either denie to be usuall, or
justlie cavill at; but such as are published and renewed in all ages,
since the commensement of poperie, established by lawes, practised by
inquisitors, privileged by princes, commended by doctors, confirmed
by popes, councels, decrees, and canons; and finallie [*]be left of
all witchmoongers; to wit, by such as attribute to old women, and
such like creatures, the power of the Creator. I praie you therefore,
though it be tedious & intolerable (as you would be heard in your
miserable calamities) so heare with compassion, their accusations,
examinations, matters given in evidence, confessions, presumptions,
interrogatories, conjurations, cautions, crimes, tortures and
condemnations, devised and practised usuallie against them.
♦[*] [? beleeved.]♦
¶ _The second Booke._
The first Chapter.
_What testimonies and witnesses are allowed to give evidence
against reputed witches, by the report & allowance of the
inquisitors themselves, and such as are speciall writers
heerein._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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