Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
The order of their bargaine or profession is double; the one solemne
and publike; the other secret and private. That which is called solemne
or publike, is where witches come togither at certeine assemblies, at
the times prefixed, and doo not onelie see the divell in visible forme;
but confer and talke familiarlie with him. In which conference the
divell exhorteth them to observe their fidelitie unto him, promising
them long life and prosperitie. Then the witches assembled, commend a
new disciple (whom they call a novice) unto him: and if the divell find
that yoong witch apt and forward in renunciation of christian faith,
in despising anie of the seven sacraments, in treading upon crosses,
in spetting at the time of the elevation, in breaking their fast on
fasting daies, and fasting on sundaies; then the divell giveth foorth
his hand, and the novice joining hand in hand with him, promiseth to
observe and keepe all the divels commandements.
♦The double bargane of witches with the divell.♦
This done, the divell beginneth to be more bold with hir, telling
hir plainlie, that all this will not serve his turne; and therefore
requireth homage at hir hands: yea he also telleth hir, that she must
grant him both hir bodie and soule to be tormented in everlasting
fire: which she yeeldeth unto. Then he chargeth hir, to procure as
manie men, women, and children also, as she can, to enter into this
societie. Then he teacheth them to make ointments of the bowels and
members of children, whereby they ride in the aire, and accomplish all
their desires. So as, if there be anie children unbaptised, or not
garded with the signe of the crosse, or orizons; then the witches may
and doo catch them from their mothers sides in the night, or out of
their cradles, or otherwise kill them with their ceremonies; and after
buriall steale them out of their graves, and seeth them in a caldron,
untill their flesh be made potable. Of the thickest whereof they make
ointments, whereby they ride in the aire; but the thinner potion they
put into flaggons, whereof whosoever drinketh, observing certeine
ceremonies, immediatlie becommeth a maister or rather a mistresse in
that practise and facultie.
♦_Mal. malef. de modo professionis._♦
The second Chapter.
_The order of the witches homage done (as it is written by
lewd inquisitors and peevish witchmoongers) to the divell in
person; of their songs and danses, and namelie of La volta,
and of other ceremonies, also of their excourses._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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