The eight Chapter. _Poetrie and poperie compared in inchantments, popish witchmongers have more advantage herein than protestants._ You see in these verses, the poets (whether in earnest or in jest I know not) ascribe unto witches & to their charmes, more than is to be found in humane or diabolicall power. I doubt not but the most part of the readers hereof will admit them to be fabulous; although the most learned of mine adversaries (for lacke of scripture) are faine to produce these poetries for proofes, and for lacke of judgement I am sure doo thinke, that _Actæons_ transformation was true. And why not? As well as the metamorphosis or transubstantiation of _Ulysses_ his companions into swine: which S. _Augustine_, and so manie great clarkes credit and report. ♦_Ovid Metamorph. lib. 3. fab. 2._♦ ♦_Ovid. Metamorph. 14. fab. 5, 6._♦ Neverthelesse, popish writers (I confesse) have advantage herein of our protestants: for (besides these poeticall proofes) they have (for advantage) the word and authoritie of the pope himselfe, and others of that holie crue; whose charmes, conjurations, blessings, curssings, &c: I meane in part (for a tast) to set downe; giving you to understand, that poets are not altogither so impudent as papists herein, neither seeme they so ignorant, prophane, or impious. And therefore I will shew you how lowd also they lie, and what they on the other side ascribe to their charmes and conjurations; and togither will set downe with them all maner of witches charmes, as convenientlie as I maie. ♦The authors transition to his purposed scope.♦ The ninth Chapter. _Popish periapts, amulets and charmes, agnus Dei, a wastcote of proofe, a charme for the falling evill, a writing brought to S. Leo from heaven by an angell, the vertues of S. Saviors epistle, a charme against theeves, a writing found in Christs wounds, of the crosse, &c._ These vertues under these verses (written by pope _Urbane_ the fift to the emperour of the _Græcians_) are conteined in a periapt or tablet, to be continuallie worne about one, called _Agnus Dei_, which is a little cake, having the picture of a lambe carrieng of a flag on the one side; and Christs head on the other side, and is hollow: so as the gospell of S. _John_, written in fine paper, is placed in the concavitie thereof: and it is thus compounded or made, even as they themselves report. _Balsamus & munda cera, cum chrismatis unda Conficiunt agnum, quod munus do tibi magnum, Fonte velut natum, per mystica sanctificatum: Fulgura desursum depellit, & omne malignum, Peccatum frangit, ut Christi sanguis, & angit, Prægnans servatur, simul & partus liberatur, Dona refert dignis, virtutem destruit ignis, Portatus mundè de fluctibus eripit undæ:_