Chapter 2

[Footnote g: This testimony of _Chrysostome_ is cited by _Balsamon_, in his exposition vpon that Chapter of the Councell before alleaged, to which may be added other of the same holy Bishop in his 9 _Homily_ vpon the Epistle to the _Colossians_, & his 6 Sermon against the _Iewes_.]

[Footnote h: _Superstitio tãto peior est quãto plura miscentur bona, quoniã vnde debeat honorari Deus honoratur Diabolus. _Ioh. Gerson_ in Trilogio Astrologiæ Theologisatæ propositione 21._]

[Footnote i: _Vide Phothi[~u] Patriarchã Constantinopolitan[~u] in nono Canone titulo 13. cap. 19_]

[Footnote k: _Ierome_ in his Apology against _Ruffinus._ and _Eusebius_ alloweth but one only Epistle of his, _Histor. Ecclesiast. 2. cap. 16_. _Gratianus distinct. 15._ _Epiphanius contra Audianos._]

Among the Gentiles, when these so qualitied persons did swarme, and were accounted of high esteeme, there be reckoned vp whole troopes of this blacke guard of the Diuell; As [l]_Circe_ whom _Homer_ reporteth to haue turned _Vlysses_ Companions into Wolues, Lyons, Swine, &c. by her Inchantments, insauaging and making them beast-like and furious. _Medea_[m] famous in this kinde, for she murthered by Witch-craft _Glauca_ in the day of her marriage, who enioyed _Iason_ her loue. And[n] the Mortars of these two, wherein they stamped their Magicall drugges, were for a long time kept in a certaine mountaine, and shewed as strange monuments to those who desired a sight of them. For[o] the Diuel furnisheth such with powders, oyntments, hearbes, and like receipts, whereby they procure sicknesse, death, health, or worke other supernaturall effects. Of the same profession were [p]_Simotha_, [q]_Erictho_, [r]_Canidia_, and infinite others beside, whose damnable memory deserueth to be buried in euerlasting obliuion.

[Footnote l: _Homer. odissea 10, +pharmakois alliôse+ Eustathius._]

[Footnote m: _Euripides in Medea. Ouidius Metamorph. lib. 7. Pindarus Pythonum Idillio 4. Apollonius Argonauticorum lib. 4º._]

[Footnote n: _Scholiastes Theocriti Idil 2_ +en tô selênaiô orei deiknuousi tous mêdeias kai Kirkês hormous en hois ekopten ta phrarmaka+.]

[Footnote o: _Remigius demonolatriæ lib. 1. cap 2._]

[Footnote p: _Theocritus in_ +pharmakeutria+ _Idil. 2._]

[Footnote q: _Lucan. Pharsalibus lib. 6._]

[Footnote r: _Horatius_ +Erodô+ _lib. 5._]

But because the reports of these may seeme to carry small credit, for that they come from Poets, who are stained with the note of licentious [s]faining, and so put off as vaine fictions; yet seeing they deliuer nothing herein but that which was well knowne and vsuall in those times wherein they liued, they are not slightly, and vpon an imagined conceit, to be reiected: for they affirme no more then is manifest in the records of most approued Histories, whose essence is and must be [t]truth, [u]as straightnesse of a rule, or else deserue not that title. In which wee reade of [x]_Martiana_, [y]_Locusta_, [z]_Martha_, [aa]_Pamphilia_, [bb]_Aruna_, _&c._ And not to insist vpon particulars, there bee infinite numbers ouerflowing euen in these our[cc] dayes, since the sinceritie of Christian Profession hath decreased, and beene in a sort ecclipsed in the hearts of men: for the period of the continuance thereof (after it be once imbraced) in his first integrity, either for zeale of affection, or strictnesse of discipline, hath beene by some learned Diuines[dd] obserued, to bee confined within the compass of twenty yeares; and then afterward by degrees, the one waxed cold, and the other dissolute: which being so, it is not to be maruelled though the Diuell now begin to shew himselfe in these his instruments, as heretofore, though he cannot in the same measure, in respect of those sparkes of light which yet shine amongst vs. But of this so much now, because I shall haue afterward occasion further to enlarge this poynt.

[Footnote s: _Pictoribus atque Poetis quidlibet audiendi semper fuit æqua potestas._]

[Footnote t: +kathaper empsuchou sômatos tôn spheôn exairetheisôn akreionas to holon: houtôs ex historias ean arês tên alêtheian, to kataloipomenon autês, anateles gignetai diêgêma+ _Polib. historiarum lib. 12._]

[Footnote u: _Timaus_ +Kaionos idiotês eutheia+.]

[Footnote x: _Tacitus Annal. lib. 2._]

[Footnote y: _Idem annal. lib. 12 & 13 & Suetonius in Claudio c. 33._]

[Footnote z: _Plutarchus in Mario._]

[Footnote aa: _Apuleius._]

[Footnote bb: _Munsterus Cosmographiæ lib. 2._]

[Footnote cc: _Remigius_, a iudge in these cases reporteth of 900 executed in Lorayne for this offence of Witch-craft in the time of his gouernement.]

[Footnote dd: _Lutherus in Genesin._]

Againe, the policie of all States[ee] haue prouided for the rooting out of these poysonfull Weedes, and cutting of these rotten and infected members; and therefore infallibly prouing their existence and being: for all[ff] penall lawes looke to matters of fact and are made to punish for the present, and preuent in future, some wicked actions already committed. And therefore _Solon_ the Athenian making statutes for the setling of that Common-wealth, when a defect was found, that he omitted to prouide a cautelous restraint, and appoint[gg] answerable punishm[~e]t for such who had killed their parents, answered, He neuer suspected there were or would be any such. Wherefore to confirme the position set downe, God doth not threaten to cast away his people for murther, incest, tyranny, &c. But Sorcery, _Leuit. 20. 6_. And _Samuel_ willing to shew _Saul_ the grieuousnesse of his disobedience, compareth it to witch-craft, _1. Sam. 15. 23_. The Holy Ghost also manifesting how highly God was displeased with _Manasses_, maketh this the reason, because hee gaue himselfe to Witch-craft, and to Charming, and to Sorcery, and vsed them who had familiar spirits, and did much euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him, _2. Chro. 33. 6_. And for this offence were the ten tribes of Israell led into captiuitie, _2. King. 17. 17._ [hh]The twelue Tables of the Romans (the ancientest law they haue) by a solemne Embassage (sent for that purpose) obtained from _Athens_, & accounted as a Library of knowledge, do both make mention of such malefactors, & decree a penaltie to be inflicted vpon them. [ii]_Constantius_ and _Constantinus_ thinke them worthy of some vnusuall death, as enemies of mankinde, strangers from nature: [kk]and _Iulius Paulus_ distinguishing the punishment according to the different qualitie of the offenders, pronounceth out of the then receiued opinions, that the better sort found guilty, were to dye (not determining the manner) those of meaner condition either to bee crucified, or deuoured of wilde beasts.

[Footnote ee: _Binfeldius de confessionibus maleficorum_, calleth this reason a most strong & conuincing argument.]

[Footnote ff: _Ex malis moribus bonæ nascuntur leges._]

[Footnote gg: _Diogenes Laertius lib. 1. de vitis Philosophorum in Solone. Cicero in Oratione pro Roscio Amerino._]

[Footnote hh: Of these 12. Tables _Liuie_ in the 3 booke of his first Decad. _Dionysius Halicarnasseus_ 10 Booke of his History, & _Iohannes Rosimus_ most fully in the 6 chapter of his 8 booke of Roman antiquities. _Liuius._ _Plinius lib. 34. cap. 5._ _Cicero de legibus, lib. 2. & de orato primo_.]

[Footnote ii: _Cod. lib. 9. titul. 18. lege multi magicis actibus._]

[Footnote kk: _Sententiarum receptarum lib. 5. cap. 25. ad legem Corneliam de sicarijs & maleficis. Paulus Iurisconsultus._]

Our ancient Saxon Kings before the [ll]Conquest, haue in their municipall Lawes apparantly demonstrated what they conceiued of these so dangerous and diuellish persons. _Alucidus_ keepeth the expresse words of God; _F[oe]minas sagas_ _ne sinite viuere_. Suffer not women Witches to liue. _Gunthrunus_ and _Canutus_ will haue them, being once apprehended (that the rest of the people might bee pure and vndefiled) sent into banishment, or if they abide in the kingdome (continuing their lewd practises) executed according to desert. So _Athelstane_, if they be conuicted to haue killed any, &c. And how the present estate standeth affected toward them, the sundry strict statutes in this case prouided, may giue any, not wedded to his owne stubbornenesse, sufficient and full satisfaction. Wherefore not to erect a Tabernacle, and dwell longer in perswading an vndeniable truth, that there bee Sorcerers and Witches, I leaue these Hellish Infidels, and proceede.

[Footnote ll: _In +archaionomia+ siue de priscis Anglorum legibus Guilielmus Lambertus._]

_The second Proposition._

The second Proposition: [a]Who those be, and of what quality, that are thus ensnared of the Diuell, and vndermined by his fraudes. For resolution whereof, this may suffice. Those who either maliciously reiect the Gospell offered vnto them: or receiuing and vnderstanding the same, do but coldly respect, and carelessly taste it, without making any due estimation, or hauing any reuerent regard therof. In both which is a manifest and open contempt of God. For as he purposing to honour the first comming of his Sonne into the World, cloathed in the cloud of our flesh, which he assumed then, suffered many to be really possessed of Diuels, to bee lunatique, deafe, dumbe, blinde, &c. whom he might deliuer from these torments, and so make apparant his glory, and shew by these his miracles wrought, that hee was the promised Messias, _Esay 35. 5.6_. And therfore Christ referreth those Disciples whom _Iohn_ sent vnto him (doubting in respect of that base forme which he tooke, and demanding whether it was he that should come, or another to be looked for) vnto his Doctrine and Workes; and by them to bee instructed, whereof they were then both hearers and beholders, _Math. 11. 3.4.5_. So now comming in the dew of his grace, and hauing restored the light of the Gospell, and bestowed that vpon mankinde, as an especiall and vnvaluable blessing, in his iustice giueth ouer the despisers thereof vnto the power of Sathan, whereby both others who contemne the same, might by their dreadfull example bee terrified, and the faithfull stirred vp to a respectiue thankfulnesse, for so great a mercy vouchsafed vnto them, and acknowledge their happinesse in being made partakers thereof, and by especiall fauour deliuered out of the tyranny of the Diuell: For this is one of the fearefull iudgements of God, and hidden from vs (as all are a great depth, _Psal. 36. 6._) that those who receiued not the truth that they might be saued, should haue strong delusions sent vnto them, and bee giuen ouer to belieue Sathan and his lying signes, and false wonders, _2. Thess._ 2. 10. And thus consenting vnto sinne, and his suggestions, they are depriued of the [b]helpe and assistance of God, and so disabled to resist all violent rushing temptations: for one offence, not being truely repented of, bringeth another, and at last throweth head-long downe into hell: and by this meanes man despising God his creator & redeemer, and obeying the Diuell a professed enemy, and irreconciliable aduersary, not easie to be confronted, becommeth his seruant: for of whomsoeuer any is ouercome, euen of the same is hee brought into bondage, _2. Pet. 2. 19_. And the Apostle giueth as the reason why the heathen were so sottish Idolaters, and defiled themselues with many detestable and loathsome sinnes, [c]because when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankfull, therefore God gaue them ouer to a reprobate sence, and vile affections to doe those things which were not conuenient, full of all vnrighteousnesse, _Rom 1. 24.25. &. 29_ So these being enthralled, and deuoting themselues to the Diuell by a mutuall league (either expresse or secret) he brandeth with his mark for his [d]owne, as in ancient time was an vse with Bondslaues and [e]Captiues, and these bee +ezôgrêmenoi+, taken aliue in his snare, _2. Tim. 2. 26._ and that in some part of the body, least either suspected or perceiued by vs (for hee is a cunning concealer) as vnder the eye-lids, or in the palat of the mouth, or other secret places: Wherefore some Iudges cause them, once being called into question, and accused, to be shauen all the body[f] ouer. And for the manner of impression, or branding, it is after this sort. The Diuell when hee hath once made the contract betweene himselfe and the Witch, and agreed vpon the conditions, what they shall doe, the one for the other, giueth her some scratch[g], which remaineth ful of paine & anguish vntill his return againe: at which time hee doth so benumme the same, that though it be pierced with any sharpe instrument, yet is without any sence of feeling, and will not yeeld one droppe of bloud at all: a matter knowne by iust, often, and due triall.

[Footnote a: _Danæus de sortiarijs. cap. 20_]

[Footnote b: _Iaquerius in flagello Hereticorum, cap. 18._]

[Footnote c: _Peccatum si citius pænitendo non tergitur, iusto Iudicio omnipotens Deus obligatam peccantis mentem, etiam in culpam alteram permittit cadere, vt qui flendo & corrigendo noluit mundare quod fecit, peccatum incipiat peccato cumulare, Greg. Hom. 11. in Ezech. Augustinus lib. 83. questionum questione 97. & Aquinas 1. 2. quæst. 79. artic. 3 & quæst. 87. artic. 2._]

[Footnote d: _Zanchius de operibus creationis, part. 1 lib. 4. cap. 15. Danæus de sortiarijs cap. 4. & Erastus de Lamijs._]

[Footnote e: _De hoc more Alexander ab Alexandro. Dierum genialium lib. 5. cap. 18. Suetonius in Caligula, cap. 27. Cicero de officijs lib. 2. Cælius Rhodinginus Antiquarum lectionum lib. 7. cap. 31. & olim militiæ Tyrones_ +stigmatiai+ _erant & in cute signati Vegetius lib. 1. cap. 8. & 2. cap. 5. Prudentius_ +peri stephanôn+ _Hymno 10. & huius moris meminit, Ambrosius in funebri oratione pro Valentiniano._]

[Footnote f: _Et insigne exemplum apud Gildemannum de Lamijs lib. 3. cap. 10. sectione 38._]

[Footnote g: _Remigius in Dæmonolatria lib. 1. cap. 5._ and citeth the confession of eight seuerall persons, acknowledging both to haue receiued the marke and in what part of the body.]

And for the most part, hee bringeth these his slaues and vassailes obliged to him as his owne, to some desperate, Tragicall,[h] and disastrous end; and that either by the execution of Iustice for their demerits, or by laying violent hands vpon themselues, or else God powreth vpon them some strange and extraordinary vengeance, or their Grand-maister whom they haue serued, dispatcheth them in such manner, as they become dreadfull and terrible spectacles to the beholders, whereof Histories will furnish vs with [i]varietie and plenty of examples: For the Diuell is a murthering spirit, desirous to doe mischiefe, swelling in pride, malitious in hatred, spitefull in enuy, subtill in craft; and therefore it behoueth euery one resolutely to withstand his assaults, _Ephes. 4. 27._ and cautelously to decline his subtilties, and cunning ambushments [Sidenote: +methodeiai+] from whence he inuadeth vs, _Eph. 6. 11._[k] For this aduersary against whom we fight, is an old beaten enemy, sixe thousand yeares are fully compleat since the first time hee began to assault mankinde. But if any keepe the Commandements of God, and constantly, by a liuely faith, cleaue fast vnto Christ, he shall ouercome: for our Lord is inuincible.[l] The Diuels indeed doe willingly offer themselues to be seene of those who are not gouerned by the Holy Ghost; and that either to win themselues some estimation, or to intangle and deceiue men, vailing their treacheries vnder a smiling countenance, whom they deadly hate, for if it lay in their possibilitie, they would ouerthrow and destroy heauen it selfe. Now vnable to do this, they endeuour to worke vpon a more weake subiect and matter; and therefore hee that will not bee subdued of them, must auoid all occasions whereby he may take any aduantage, and couered with the Breast-plate of Righteousnesse, and defended with the Shield of Faith, quench all his fiery Darts. _Ephes. 6. 14._

[Footnote h: _Peucerus de præcipuis diuinationum generibus titulo de Magia._]

[Footnote i: _Philippus Camerarius in Historicis medicationibus part. 1. cap. 70. & 72._]

[Footnote k: _Cyprianus in pro[oe]mio libri de exhortatione ad Martyrium._]

[Footnote l: _Tatianus oratione contra Gentes._]

_The third Proposition._

Except God do by his especial grace and ouerruling power, restraine the malice of these Witches and preserue his Children, they are permissiuely able,[a] through the helpe of the Diuell their maister, to hurt Men and Beasts, and trouble the elements, by vertue of that contract & agreement which they haue made with him. For man they endamage both in body & mind: In body, for [b]_Daneus_ reporteth of his owne knowledge, as an eye-witnesse thereof, that he hath seene the breasts of Nurces (onely touched by their hands) those sacred fountaines of humane nourishment so dried vp that they could yeeld no milke; some suddenly tormented with extreame and intolerable paine of the Cholicke, others[c] oppressed with the Palsie, Leprosie, Gout, Apoplexie, &c. And thus disabled from the performance of any action, many tortured with lingring consumptions,[d] and not a few afflicted with such diseases, which neither they themselues who wrought that euill, could afterward helpe; nor be cured thereof by the Art and diligent attendance of most skilfull Physitians. I willingly let passe other mischiefes wrought by them, of which many things are deliuered in the Canon and Ciuill Lawes, in the Schoole-men, and Diuines both ancient and moderne.

[Footnote a: _Damascenus Orthodox. fidei lib. 2. cap. 4._ +exousian echei kai eschon kata tinos oikonomikôs+, _Iaquerius flagelli Hereticorum fascinariorum, cap. 25._]

[Footnote b: _Vberæ matris fontes sanctissimos humani generis educatores vocat Phauorinus apud A. Gellium noct. Atticarum lib. 12. cap. 1. Aretius problematum parte 2. Loco 144. de Magia._]

[Footnote c: Godlemanus de veneficis lib. 1 cap. 7.9.21.22.23.24. 25.26.&c.]

[Footnote d: _Exempla omnem fidem superantia Florentinæ mulieris & vlrici cuiusdam Neucesseri refert Langius epist. Medicinalium lib. 2. Epist. 38. è cuius ventriculo lignum teres & quatuor cultri exècti sunt: eorum & formam & iustã longitudinem ponit. Lycosthenes lib. de prodigijs & ostentis quo modo huiusmodi in corporibus humanis inueniantur & qua ratione ingenerentur, aut eijciantur & an tribuenda hac maleficijs & diabolica arti Binfeldius in commentario ad titulum Codicis de maleficis & Mathematicis pag. 510._]

In minde, stirring vp men to lust, to hatred, to loue, and the like[e] passions, and that by altering the inward and outward sences, either in forming some new obiect, or offering the same to the eye or eare, or stirring the humors: for there being a neere coniunction betweene the sensitiue and rationall faculties of the soule, if the one bee affected, the other (though indirectly) must of necessity be also moued. As for example, when they would prouoke any to loue or hatred, they propound an obiect vnder the shew and appearance of that which is good and beautifull, so that it may be desired and embraced: or else by representation of that which is euill & infamous, procure dislike and detestation. Neither is this any strange position, or improbable, but may bee warranted by sufficient authority; and therefore [f]_Constantius_ the Emperour doth expressely determine, all those iustly punishable who sollicite by enchantments chaste mindes to vncleannesse: And Saint [g]_Ierome_ attributeth vnto them this power, that they can enforce men to hate those things they should loue, and affect that which they ought to auoyd: and the ground hereof hath his strength from the holy Scriptures: for the Diuell is able to enflame wanton[h] lust in the heart, and therfore is named, _the Spirit of Fornication_, _Osea 4. 12._ and vncleane, _Math. 12. 43._

[Footnote e: _Gratianus in decretis, Caietanus in summula titulo de maleficio. Iaquerius in flagello fascinariorum, cap. 11. 12. Ioh. Nider in præceptorio, præcepto 1. cap. 11. Bodinus in Dæmonomania, lib. 2 cap. *_]

[Footnote f: _Cod. Lib. 9. titulo 18. Lege est scientia, hanc legem sugillat. Weirus de præstigijs dæmonum lib. 3. cap. 38._]

[Footnote g: _In 3. Caput prophet[e,] Nah[~u]ni, vide & Nazianzenum in +aporêtais+, siue de arcanis vel principijs non procul à fine, & eius paraphrasten Nicetam._]

[Footnote h: _Cassianus Collat. 7. cap. 32._]

There is a very remarkeable example mentioned by _Ierome_[i], of a maiden in _Gaza_ whom a yong man louing, and not obtaining, went to _Memphis_ in Egypt, and at the yeares end in his returne, being there instructed by a Priest of _Aesculapius_, and furnished with Magicall Coniurations, graued in a plate of brasse, strange charming words, and pictures which he buried vnder the threshold of the doore where the virgin dwelt: by which meanes she fell into a fury, pulled off the attire of her head, flung about her haire, gnashed with her teeth, and continually called vpon the name of her louer.

[Footnote i: _In vita Hilarionis._]

The like doth [k]_Nazianzene_ report of _Cyprian_ before his conuersion (though some thinke it [l]was not he whose learned and religions writings are extant, and for the profession of his faith and doctrine was crowned with Martyrdome) but another of that name, toward _Iustina_, whom hee lasciuiously[m] courted, and vnlawfully lusted after. It were easie for me to instance this in many, and to adde more testimonies, but my intended purpose was, to set downe onely some few propositions, whereby the iudicious reader might be stirred vp to a deeper search, and further consideration of these things: for often they driue men to a madnesse, and other such desperate passions, that they become murtherers of themselues. But this alwayes must be kept in minde, as a granted and infallible truth, [n]That whatsoeuer the Witch doth, it receiueth his force from that society which she hath with the Diuell, who serueth her turne in effecting what she purposeth, and so they worke together as [o]associates.

[Footnote k: _Oratione in laud[~e] Cypriani eandem historiã refert Nicephorus Calustus lib. 5 cap. 27._]

[Footnote l: _Prudentius +peri stephanôn+ de passione Cypriani, vnus erat iuvenum doctis. artibus sinistris, fraude pudititiã perstringere. & c_]

[Footnote m: _Ouid. lib. 2. de art. amand. philtra nocent animis, vimq; fauoris habent. Propertius lib. 4. in lænam quandam consuluitq; striges nostro de sanguine & in me, hippomenes fætæ semina legit equæ. Vide de his Aristotelem de natura animali[~u] lib. 6. cap. 22. Plini[~u] l. 8. c. 42._]

[Footnote n: _Aug. de doctr. Christ. l. 2. c. 22. & 23._]

[Footnote o: _Iaquerius in flagello hereticor[~u] fascinarior[~u], cap. 6. Martinus de Arles, p. 436._]

Now concerning beasts they doe oftentimes kill them out-right, and that in sundry manner, or pine and waste them by little and little, till they be consumed.

For [p]the Elements, it is an agreeing consent of all, that they can corrupt and infect them, procure tempests, to stirre vp thunder & lightning, moue violent winds, destroy the fruits of the earth: for God hath a thousand wayes to chasten disobedient man, and whole treasures full of vengeance by his Angels, Diuels, Men, Beasts. For the whole nature of things is ready to reuenge the wrong done vnto the creator.

[Footnote p: _Ioh. Gerson in Trialogio Astrologiæ Theologisatæ propos. 16. Palanus in Syntagmate, l. 5. c. 13_]