Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
Secondlie, apostasie is laid to their charge, whereby it is inferred,
that they are worthie to die. But apostasie is, where anie of sound
judgement forsake the gospell, learned and well knowne unto them; and
doo not onelie imbrace impietie and infidelitie; but oppugne and resist
the truth erstwhile by them professed. But alas these poore women go
not about to defend anie impietie, but after good admonition repent.
3. Seducing of the people, confuted.
Thirdlie, they would have them executed for seducing the people. But
God knoweth they have small store of Rhetorike or art to seduce; except
to tell a tale of Robin good-fellow be to deceive and seduce. Neither
may their age or sex admit that opinion or accusation to be just: for
they themselves are poore seduced soules. I for my part (as else-where
I have said) have prooved this point to be false in most apparent sort.
4. Carnall copulation with Incubus, confuted.
Fourthlie, as touching the accusation, which all the writers use
herein against them for their carnall copulation with _Incubus_: the
follie of mens credulitie is as much to be woondered at and derided,
as the others vaine and impossible confessions. For the divell is
a spirit, and hath neither flesh nor bones, which were to be used
in the performance of this action. And since he also lacketh all
instruments, substance, and seed ingendred of bloud; it were follie
to staie overlong in the confutation of that, which is not in the
nature of things. And yet must I saie somewhat heerein, bicause the
opinion hereof is so stronglie and universallie received, and the
fables hereupon so innumerable; wherby _M. Mal. Bodin_, _Hemingius_,
_Hyperius_, _Danæus_, _Erastus_, and others that take upon them to
write heerein, are so abused, or rather seeke to abuse others; as I
woonder at their fond credulitie in this behalfe. For they affirme
undoubtedlie, that the divell plaieth _Succubus_ to the man, and
carrieth from him the seed of generation, which he delivereth as
_Incubus_ to the woman, who manie times that waie is gotten with child;
which will verie naturallie (they saie) become a witch, and such a one
they affirme _Merline_ was.
♦How the divell plaieth Succubus and Incubus.♦
The xx. Chapter.
_A request to such readers as loath to heare or read filthie
and bawdie matters (which of necessitie are heere to be
inserted) to passe over eight chapters._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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