Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
That the joining of hands with the divell, the kissing of his bare
buttocks, and his scratching and biting of them, are absurd lies;
everie one having the gift of reason may plainlie perceive: in so much
as it is manifest unto us by the word of God, that a spirit hath no
flesh, bones, nor sinewes, whereof hands, buttocks, claws, teeth, and
lips doo consist. For admit that the constitution of a divels bodie (as
_Tatian_ and other affirme) consisteth in spirituall congelations,
as of fier and aire; yet it cannot be perceived of mortall creatures.
What credible witnesse is there brought at anie time, of this their
corporall, visible, and incredible bargaine; saving the confession
of some person diseased both in bodie and mind, wilfullie made, or
injuriouslie constrained? It is mervell that no penitent witch that
forsaketh hir trade, confesseth not these things without compulsion.
Mee thinketh their covenant made at baptisme with God, before good
witnesses, sanctified with the word, confirmed with his promises, and
established with his sacraments, should be of more force than that
which they make with the divell, which no bodie seeth or knoweth. For
God deceiveth none, with whom he bargaineth; neither dooth he mocke or
disappoint them, although he danse not among them.
♦_Tatianus contra Græcos._♦
Their oth, to procure into their league and fellowship as manie as they
can (whereby everie one witch, as _Bodin_ affirmeth, augmenteth the
number of fiftie) bewraieth greatlie their indirect dealing. Hereof I
have made triall, as also of the residue of their coosening devices;
and have beene with the best, or rather the woorst of them, to see what
might be gathered out of their counsels; and have cunninglie treated
with them thereabouts: and further, have sent certeine old persons to
indent with them, to be admitted into their societie. But as well by
their excuses and delaies, as by other circumstances, I have tried and
found all their trade to be meere coosening.
♦The author speaketh upon due proofe and triall.♦
I praie you what bargaine have they made with the divell, that with
their angrie lookes beewitch lambs, children, &c? Is it not confessed,
that it is naturall, though it be a lie? What bargaine maketh the
soothsaier, which hath his severall kinds of witchcraft and divination
expressed in the scripture? Or is it not granted that they make none?
How chanceth it that we heare not of this bargaine in the scriptures?
The seventh Chapter.
_A confutation of the objection concerning witches confessions._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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