Demonology -- Early works to 1800; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Witchcraft -- Early works to 1800
Although among us, we thinke them bewitched that wax suddenlie poore,
and not them that growe hastilie rich; yet at _Rome_ you shall
understand, that (as _Plinie_ reporteth) upon these articles one _C.
Furius Cressus_ was convented before _Spurius Albinus_; for that he
being but a little while free, and delivered from bondage, occupieng
onelie tillage; grew rich on the sudden, as having good crops: so as
it was suspected that he transferred his neighbors corne into his
fields. None intercession, no delaie, none excuse, no deniall would
serve, neither in jest nor derision, nor yet through sober or honest
meanes: but he was assigned a peremptorie daie, to answer for life. And
therefore fearing the sentence of condemnation, which was to be given
there, by the voice and verdict of three men (as we heere are tried by
twelve) made his appearance at the daie assigned, and brought with him
his ploughs and harrowes, spades and shovels, and other instruments of
husbandrie, his oxen, horsses, and working bullocks, his servants, and
also his daughter, which was a sturdie wench and a good huswife, and
also (as _Piso_ reporteth) well trimmed up in apparell, and said to the
whole bench in this wise; Lo heere my lords I make mine appearance,
according to my promise and your pleasures, presenting unto you my
charmes and witchcrafts, which have so inriched me. As for the labour,
sweat, watching, care, and diligence, which I have used in this
behalfe, I cannot shew you them at this time. And by this meanes he
was dismissed by the consent of that court, who otherwise (as it was
thought) should hardly have escaped the sentence of condemnation, and
punishment of death.
♦A notable purgation of C. F. C. convented for a witch.♦
It is constantlie affirmed in _M. Mal._ that _Stafus_ used alwaies to
hide himselfe in a [*]monshoall, and had a disciple called _Hoppo_,
who made _Stadlin_ a maister witch, and could all when they list
invisiblie transferre the third part of their neighbours doong, hay,
corne, &c: into theire owne ground, make haile, tempests, and flouds,
with thunder and lightning; and kill children, cattell, &c: reveale
things hidden, and many other tricks, when and where they list. But
these two shifted not so well with the inquisitors, as the other with
the _Romane_ and heathen judges. Howbeit, _Stafus_ was too hard for
them all: for none of all the lawiers nor inquisitors could bring him
to appeere before them, if it be true that witchmongers write in these
matters.
♦_Mal. malef. par. 2. quæ. 1. cap. 5._♦
♦[*] [moushoall]♦
The sixt Chapter.
_Lawes provided for the punishment of such witches as worke
miracles, whereof some are mentioned, and of certeine popish
lawes published against them._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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