III. _Of the Astral Spirits of Men departed; what they are, and why they appear again, and what witchcraft may be wrought by them._ 45 IV. _Of astral spirits, or separate_ dæmons _in all their distinctions, names, & natures, and places of habitations, & what may be wrought by their assistance._ 49 V. _Of the Infernal Spirits, or Devils, & damned souls, treating what their natures, names, & powers are._ 56 VI. _Of the nature, force, & forms of charms, periapts, amulets, pentacles, conjurations, ceremonies, &c._ 66 VII. _Being the conclusion of the whole, wherein divers ancient spells, charms, incantations, and exorcisms, are briefly spoken of._ 68 THE END. The discoverie of Witchcraft. ¶ _The first Booke._ The first Chapter. _An impeachment of Witches power in meteors and elementarie bodies tending to the rebuke of such as attribute too much unto them._ The fables of Witchcraft have taken so fast hold and deepe root in the heart of man, that fewe or none can (nowadaies) with patience indure the hand and correction of God. For if any adversitie, greefe, sicknesse, losse of children, corne, cattell, or libertie happen vnto them; by & by they exclaime uppon witches. As though there were no God in Israel that ordereth all things according to his will; punishing both just and unjust with greefs, plagues, and afflictions in maner and forme as he thinketh good: but that certeine old women heere on earth, called witches, must needs be the contrivers of all mens calamities, and as though they themselves were innocents, and had deserved no such punishments. Insomuch as they sticke not to ride and go to such, as either are injuriouslie tearmed witches, or else are willing so to be accounted, seeking at their hands comfort and remedie in time of their tribulation, contrarie to Gods will and commandement in that behalfe, who bids us resort to him in all our necessities. ♦Job. 5.♦ ♦Matth. 11.♦ Such faithlesse people (I saie) are also persuaded, that neither haile nor snowe, thunder nor lightening, raine nor tempestuous winds come from the heavens at the commandement of God: but are raised by the cunning and power of witches and conjurers; insomuch as a clap of thunder, or a gale of wind is no sooner heard, but either they run to ring bels, or crie out to burne witches; or else burne consecrated things, hoping by the smoke thereof, to drive the divell out of the aire, as though spirits could be fraied awaie with such externall toies: howbeit, these are right inchantments, as _Brentius_ affirmeth. ♦_In concione._♦