As for that vain opinion, that Witches are, or can be really and essentially transformed into Dogs, Cats, Hares, and the like, or men transubstantiated into Wolves, it is largely by numerous positive arguments, confuted by _Casmannus_, and by the Authors of that learned Treatise of Spirits and Devils, written in the Raign of Queen _Elizabeth_, as also by _Wierus_, Mr. _Scot_, and others; so that we shall not bring all that others have written about this point, but note such things as are most material, and have been less handled or regarded by others, and that in these Particulars. [Sidenote: _De Civit. Dei_, _lib._ 18. _cap._ 18. _pag._ 583.] [Sidenote: _De Spirit. anim._ _cap._ 26.] [Sidenote: _Hist. nat._ _l._ 8. _c._ 22. _p._ 114.] 1. It is taken to be a great matter with some, because St. _Augustin_ seemeth to favour this opinion of transformation, and tells us this: _Si enim dixerimus ea non esse credenda, non desunt etiam nunc, qui ejusmodi quædam, vel certissima audisse, vel etiam expertos se esse asseverent_. And then saith: “And we, when we were in _Italy_, did hear such things of a certain Region of those parts, where certain Women that kept Inns, being skilled in these Arts (they did say) were wont to give in Cheese to Travellers that they could get to take it, whence forthwith they were turned into Juments, and carried necessary burdens, and when they had done, did again return unto themselves, but that while they had not a bestial, but rational and humane understanding.” And yet concludeth: _Hæc vel falsa sunt, vel tam inusitata, ut meritò non credantur_. To which we shall return these short answers. 1. Though St. _Austin_ were in many things a very Learned man; yet being but a man, might and did erre, not only in this point, but in many others. 2. His Reasons to prove it by are weak and groundless. 3. He speaketh nothing of his certain and peculiar knowledge, but by common fame and hear-say; and therefore the matters alledged to be done, are not credible. 4. He confesseth that they are either false, or so unusual, that they are not worthy to be believed. 5. And when he hath said all he can, he concludeth these Transformations (if any such were) to be but phantastical, that is, to seem so, but not really to be so, and what he meaneth by a phantastical appearance, is not easie to judge, whether it were a delusion of the Phantasie within, or of the senses without. 6. But in another place he telleth us this: _Non est credendum, humanum corpus Dæmonum arte vel potestate in bestialia lineamenta converti posse_; so that here is St. _Austin_ contradicting himself, or else he concludeth nothing. 7. But his learned Commentator _Ludovicus Vives_ doth not give credit to those vain and lying Fables, but confuteth them by the Authority of Pliny (who might have given St. _Austin_ satisfaction, if he had read him) who tells us roundly: _Homines in lupos verti, rursumq; restitui sibi, falsum esse confidenter existimare