Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
Item, if a woman, when she is apprehended, crie out, or saie; I am
undoone; Save my life; I will tell you how the matter standeth, &c: she
is thereupon most vehementlie to be suspected and condemned to die.
Item, though a conjurer be not to be condemned for curing the diseased
by vertue of his art: yet must a witch die for the like case.
Item, the behaviour, looks, becks, and countenance of a woman, are
sufficient signes, whereby to presume she is a witch: for alwais they
looke downe to the ground, and dare not looke a man full in the face.
Item, if their parents were thought to be witches, then is it
certeinlie to be presumed that they are so: but it is not so to be
thought of whoores.
Item, it is a vehement presumption if she cannot weepe, at the time
of hir examination: and yet _Bodin_ saith, that a witch may shed three
drops out of hir right eie.
Item, it is not onelie a vehement suspicion, and presumption, but an
evident proofe of a witch, if any man or beast die suddenlie where she
hath beene seene latelie; although hir witching stuffe be not found or
espied.
Item, if any bodie use familiaritie or companie with a witch convicted;
it is a sufficient presumption against that person to be adjudged a
witch.
Item, that evidence that may serve to bring in any other person to
examination, may serve to bring a witch to her condemnation.
♦_L. 5. de adult. §. gl. & Bart. c. venerabilis de electio. &c._♦
Item, herein judgment must be pronounced & executed (as _Bodin_ saith)
without order, and not like to the orderlie proceeding and forme of
judgement in other crimes.
♦_I. Bod. de dæmono. lib. 4. cap. 4._♦
Item, a witch may not be brought to the torture suddenlie, or before
long examination, least she go awaie scotfree: for they feele no
torments, and therefore care not for the same (as _Bodin_ affirmeth.)
Item, little children may be had to the torture at the first dash; but
so may it not be doone with old women: as is aforesaid.
♦_Idem Ibid._♦
Item, if she have anie privie marke under hir arme pokes, under hir
haire, under hir lip, or in hir buttocke, or in hir privities: it is a
presumption sufficient for the judge to proceed and give sentence of
death upon hir.
The onlie pitie they shew to a poore woman in this case, is; that
though she be accused to have slaine anie bodie with her inchantments;
yet if she can bring foorth the partie alive, she shall not be put to
death. Whereat I marvell, in as much as they can bring the divell in
any bodies likenesse and representation.
Item, their lawe saith, that an uncerteine presumption is sufficient,
when a certeine presumption faileth.
♦_Cap. præterea cum glos. extra de test._
_Panormit. in C. vener. col. 2. eodem, &c._♦
The sixt Chapter.
_Particular Interogatories used by the inquisitors against
witches._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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