The triall of vvitch-craft shewing the true and right methode of the discouery: with a confutation of erroneous wayes. By Iohn Cotta, Doctor in Physicke.

CHAP. IX. Of Wizards and Impostors, how they differ from Witches.

HOw Witch-craft in diuers kinds may, according to euidence of reason, be detected, hath beene before made manifest. How imposture may be discouered (sense there is so good vse and necessitie of the distinction thereof, for the more perfect separating and setting a part of Witch-craft by it selfe) wee will likewise briefly make manifest.

* 1.1 The Impostor is he who pretendeth truth, but inten∣deth falshood. For this cause sometimes vnder an holy pre∣tense, he maketh God the a 1.2 Author of his vnholy prestigi∣ation, and slandereth God vnto his face, sometimes to be reputed an b 1.3 Angell of light, he maketh himselfe a license to counterfeit the Diuell. He proposeth it his trade to seduce, and liueth by lying. Sometimes in shew and pollicitation he is a Witch but in the performance of the greater sinne hee is lesse iust, and in the personate resemblance solely a Iug∣ler. For as the Witch performeth that which in true, and infallible reason is transcendent and aboue nature; so the Impostor performeth that which in false and fallible reason and opinion, onely seemeth parallel.

Hence as Witches doe strange and supernaturall workes, and truely vnto reason worthy of wonder; so the Impostor doth things voide of accomptable reason, in shadow, shew, and seeming onely supernaturall, wondred and admired. And hence it commeth to passe, that with vndiscerning mindes, they are sometimes mistaken and confounded * 1.4 on for another.

From hence it is also necessarily concluded, that as Witch-craft is discouered by a supernaturall worke aboue reason, whereto the Witches consent if accessary; so an Impostor is detected by a worke voide of accomptable reason, but in a deceiuing false Visar or shew, wherewith the purpose and intention of the Deceiuer or Impostor doth concurre. As therefore the suspected Witch is tyed to answere vnto any iust doubt, which may bee directly vrged against his or her manifest voluntary action, that is prooued supernaturall: so is a truely doubted Impostor bound to giue satisfaction, for such his ambiguous actions, as doe in likely reason appeare fraudulent, vaine, prestigious, iuggling, couzening, or de∣ceiuing. And thus shall each appeare in his owne true shape apart of diuers kindes of Witch-craft, I haue before produ∣ced examples.

I am here likewise very pertinently,* 1.5 for further illustrati∣on, propose some examples of Imposture in generall, that the odiousnesse of this foule sinne may appeare more foule, and the ougly face thereof may be more fully discoured.

Among multitude of examples, I will recite onely some few, whereof some consist in lewd and guilefull contriue∣ment of action, other in the bewitching power of false pro∣phecies, reuelations, predictions and prognostications,

Concerning the first, who can be ignorant of the impi∣ous [Example 1] and infamous Impostures of Mahomet, who by guile∣full counterfeit miracles, and pretended angelicall illumi∣nated workes, first magnified and set vp that heathenish * 1.6 Empire, and Religion of the blasphemous Turkes?

The History of Sebastian, the pretended Portugall King, [Example 2] as it is set forth by Iohn de Serres, according to Master Crimstones translation thereof (if he were a true Impostor indeed, and were not iniuriously traduced, and blurred with vndeserued reproch) is an incomparable example, a∣boue and beyond many other. I will referre my Reader to to the Author himselfe.

If we desire more neere or domesticall examples herein, [Example 3] behold, in the raigne of Henry the seuenth, * 1.7 a boy of

meane parentage, through imposturous machinations op∣posed, set vp and crowned King in Ireland, against that famous and renowned Prince Henry the seuenth, putting him in great danger of his life and crowne of England.

[Example 4] In the late raigne of Queene Mary, there arose an Impo∣stor, stiling himselfe Edward the sixth. The danger of the progresse of that Impostor (if it had preuailed) who knoweth not? The manifest wrongs, iniuries, and impeach∣ments also from counterfeit prophecies, reuelations, and predictions, issuing not onely vnto priuate men and fami∣lies, but vnto Kingdomes, Empiers, and Common-weales, are infinite.

[Example 5] Iulian, an Emperour of Rome, though otherwise a migh∣tie and learned Prince, and valiant souldier, by a prophecie of an Impostresse or seeming Pythonisse, promising his conquest, and triumph ouer the Kingdome of Persia, was thither hastened vnto his deserued death, and the ven∣geance of God vpon his infamous Apostasie.

[Example 6] It is reported by Iohn de Serres, the French Chronicler, that the power and force of some pretended reuelations, and visions of a young Shepheard, in the raigne of Charles the seuenth King of France, was to preualent, that it per∣swaded Pothon that great and famous French Captaine, with the Martiall of France, to arme and incounter the then victorious English in the bowels of that Kingdome; by which vnaduised attempt, the French were supprised and taken by the English.

[Example 7] It is recorded by the same Author, that one Martha Brosier, counterfeiting the fits and passions of such as were possessed, in short time became so powerfull in illusion, that she ministred much matter of wonder and amazement, not onely vnto priuate men, but vnto the Kings Counsell, to Preachers in pulpits, yea vnto the whole Parliament, vntill the counterfeit Diuell induring some punishment and re∣straint, forsooke his pretended possession.

[Example 8] If wee require examples in our owne countrty, behold, in the raigne of Edward the fourth, his brother George

* 1.8 Duke of Clarence, was hastened vnto his vntimely death, euen by the allowance of his brother King, vpon the feare of a vaine and flying prophecie, that G. of King Edwards heires should be the murtherer.

In the time of Henry the eight, the holy Maide of Kent [Example 9] by her seeming miraculous reuelations, deceiuing not one∣ly the common sort, but euen diuers learned and some men of the best ranke, and prime note, stirred vp in the King great iealousie and feare of his Crowne and safety, as by the records of her attaindour doeth appeare, where∣in doeth stand prooued and sentenced her treason-some imposture of most dangerous consequent, if it had obtained equall issue.

In the same kings raigne, the bewitching esteeme, credit, [Example 10] and hope of force & vertue in counterfeit predictions, and pretended reuelations, whet the ambitious heart of Ed∣ward * 1.9 Lord Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, first into high Treason, and to reach at the Crowne, and after from thence thrust him headlong or headlesse into his graue.

In the raigne of Edward the sixt, there was a prophecie [Example 11] divulged from the mouth of some pretended Wizard; by which the coniu••ation of Kett, and those Norfolke Rebels, was hartned and encouraged to proceede in their rebellion and outrage, vnto the great danger and damage of the Kingdome, and in the end vnto their owne destruction: That blind pretended prophecie, in the insidiation of vaine and credulous mindes, was somewhat like vnto that ambi∣guous Oracle in the Poet.

Aio, te Aeacida Romanos vincere posse: I say, the sonne of Aeacus the Romane power shall quell.

This Oracle may on either side indifferently, either ac∣tiuely or passiuely bee vnderstood. Like vnto it was that prestigious prophecie, which the rebellious Norfolcians with their Kett trusted:

Hob, Dic, and Hic with c••es and cl••uted shoone, Shall fill vp Duffin-dale with slaughtered bodies soone.

The Rebels vnderstanding this blinde reuelation, or pre∣diction, concerning the victory wherein they themselues should bee Agents and not Patients, (as afterward their owne ruine did truely interpret it) and dreaming the filling vp of the Dussin dale to be intended of other mens dead bodies, and not their owne, where thereby incited with furious courage, vnto the hazard of the kingdome and their natiue Country, vntill their owne mangled and slaughtered carcases became butchered spectacles, and bloody monu∣ments of such illusion and imposture.

[Example 12] How many other fearefull and horrid treasons haue bin built and grounded vpon other the like prodigious impo∣stures? To recite the damages and wrongs done vnto pri∣uate men by imposture in manifold kinds, were infinite. What should wee mention Prior * 1.10 Bolton of S^t. Barthol∣mewes in London, who in the raigne of Henry the eight, vp∣on the impression of an vniuersall World floud, grounded vpon pretended miraculous predictions, ridiculously buil∣deth himselfe an house or neast on the top of Harrow hill, to saue himselfe from drowning?

What mighty terrors did the wicked imposturous pre∣dictions of strange euents in the admirable yeere 88. strike into the common people or vulgars of England? from whence, what different distractions in many priuate men did bring foorth, to relate, were iust matter of profound laughter. What translations of dwellings, peregrinations into other Countries, exchange of inheritances for mo∣nies, and other ridiculous extrauagant molitions did the approach of that yeere diuersly prepare? I will not waste paper in any more * 1.11 particular recitals: Our later age and time hath not beene barren of many wicked and harmefull fruites of imposturous prophecies, neither haue they alto∣gether escaped the eye of Iustice, nor the blurre of infamy

written in their names and chronicled memory. And al∣though many impostures (because practised vpon priuate and more obscure personages) are lesse knowne and publi∣shed, then such as are committed against Princes and States, and therefore are more remarkeable in the eyes of all men, yet are they both equally in their natures pernicious. It were not now impertinent from the declaration of the mis∣chiefes of imposture in generall, to descend vnto some such in particular, as are practised vnder the lying pretense and false colour of a transcendent and Magicke vertue. In ex∣amples of this kinde,* 1.12 Reignald Scott doeth ouer-abound in his discouery. I haue my selfe noted and knowne some men (I could say some men of the Clergie) who to draw wonder and custome vnto their practise in Physicke (where∣in Sacriligiously they spend their best and chiefe time and howers, with open neglect of God and his seruice.) I know some I say, who are not ashamed prophanely and most irreligiously, to affect among vulgars, to gaine the opinion of skill in Coniuration, Magicke, and Diuell-charming.

By this imposturous Art or deuice many yeeres toge∣ther (not among men Religious, Orthodoxe, or iudicious∣ly learned) but among vulgars, and sometimes also among some great and mighty men) they haue become vnwor∣thily magnified Physitions, aboue other farre more wor∣thy, and performing sometimes, some things praise wor∣thy (as is oft-times contingent vnto the meanest practi∣sers) they still gaine countenance, and time to robbe God of the first fruites of their time, strength, and labours, and the Church of their more requisite maine study and im∣ployment. It is not vnknowne how common it is among these men, to professe the erecting of figures, the giuing of answeres as Wizards, the reuealing of things hidden, as Magitians, vnto the great dishonour of God, the shame of the Church, the Lawes and Kingdome. How vsuall it is with many other Iuglers and Mountibankes, by the re∣putation of Witches imposturously to promise, and vn∣dertake

miraculous curations, and Prognostications of diseases and their issues, is not vnknowne vnto any com∣mon obseruer: wherein, for breuitie sake, and to auoide confusion, and the crambe or iteration of the same things. I will referre the Reader to a former manuell, called The discouery of Erroneous practises in Phisicke, where although, by reason of my absence beyond and beside the Errata, many errours both in some words and sense, doe still re∣maine; yet there are many things in this kinde worthy notice. Read page 71. the Treatise of Wizards; likewise, in the second marginall note of the page 53. an History of a Chirurgeon, famous in curing such as were bewitched: Likewise page 109.110.111. an History of imposture, vnder the colour and pretense of the inspection, and iudg∣ing of Vrines: and likewise, page 60. and from thence vn∣to the end of that whole Chapter. There is a very rare, but tree, description of a Gentlewoman, about sixe yeeres past, cured of diuers kindes of convulsions, and other Apo∣plecktike, Epileptike, Cataleptike, and Paralytike fits, and other kindes of accidents of affinitie therewith. After shee was almost cured of those diseases, but the cure not fully accomplished, it was by a reputed Wizard whispered, and thereupon beleeued, that the Gentlewoman was meerely bewitched, supposed Witches were accused. The Gentle∣woman hath beene free from all those accidents there men∣tioned, the space of sixe yeeres now past.

In this last past seuenth yeere, since the writing of that history, some of the former fits are * 1.13 critically againe returned: the same Wizard or Deceiuer resorted vnto and enquired at, doeth now againe auouch her to bee be∣witched; vpon opinon whereof and trust in his illusion, the timely vse and benefit of due counsell hath beene much o∣mitted and neglected. Her diseases which formerly, farre exceeded these which now are, in number, frequence and vehemence, were in shorter space cured, and so continued the space of sixe yeeres together. These few which now doe returne, due counsell and time neglected, though

being in number fewer, lesse intricate, and farre lesse vio∣lent, haue notwithstanding a farre larger space of time continued.

If that Counseller or vndertaker to counsell, be a Wiz∣zard in name and reputation only (as I doe gesse and deeme him) then is this History an incomparable example and instance of the wickednesse, impietie and crueltie of im∣posture and Impostours. If he be found a Witch, then is it an vnanswerable euidence and instance of the Diuels iuggling, lying, illusion and deceiuing, whereof we made mention and proofe before in the question or doubt con∣cerning Pythagoras realty in two places. For, in true rea∣son and iudicious discerning, it is as cleere as the brightest day, that no accident befalling the Gentlewoman mentio∣ned, can be other then naturall or farther supernaturall, then either the Diuels credit with a Witch, or an Impostors credit with deceiued and seduced men is able to inchaunt perswasion vnto vaine affiance in them. I referre the Rea∣der to the consideration of the History at large, with that which here is added: I will only exhort all men not to be in those doubtfull cases, too violent, nor rash in asking or beleeuing vnworthy or worthlesse counsell, but to aske it of such as are truly and godly learned and prudent, and not of Impostours or Seducers, considering that the consequence of rashnesse, mistaking error and igno∣rance; are no lesse then the life or death of the sicke, a putting out of the eyes and light of reason, which God and Nature hath giuen man to walke withall in the darke pil∣grimage of this life; a depriuation of due remedies which God hath allowed (while beguiled with vaine and foolish opinion, with wilfull blindnesse, they worthily esteeme not, nor will expect his grace and fauour therein.

Assuredly, he that doth giue vp himselfe to become a prey to folly and illusion, and led by deceiuers headlong into confused, vniustifiable, vnwarranted and inhibited ex∣plorations and trials, doth forsake the guidance and vse of right reason, and in stead thereof, is intemperately distra∣cted

with impatience of expectation of due respect and e∣steeme of Gods ordinance and allowance in his ordinary meanes, may iustly feare that God hath decreed and de∣termined, not onely to dispoile him of that common bles∣sing which he hath promised to all that duely seeke, and rightly vse his allowed meanes; but also that he leaueth him vnto the cursed path and way of perpetuall blindnesse and hardnesse of heart therein, except his speciall and ex∣traordinary diuine grace in time reduce his dangerous steps. For certainly he vnto whose blinded eyes God doth offer so great mercy and fauour, as is plainly euident in all his ordained ordinary meanes, vnto euery good that be∣falleth man in this life, and with thankfulnesse cannot or will not behold it, when it is laid at his vnthankfull feete, is in a desperate way of a lethargicall disposition, or sense∣lesse memory and obliuion, both of his reason, and of him∣selfe, and of Gods mercifull goodnesse towards him. And thus the vglinesse of imposture both by the description thereof, and also by example doth appeare, wherein may be first seene, how they that trust thereto, doe forsake God, themselues and their owne common sense and reason, and giue themselues to be swallowed vp of lying and illusion. Secondly, in the whole course of imposture it selfe, is seene the continuall practise of mercilesse impietie, the vsuall wrong of the afflicted, the belying of truth, the deceiuing the miserable, the depriuation of the sicke, of the vse of due remedies and meanes which God hath made and bles∣sed vnto men, that with praise vnto his name, patience and due dependance vpon his prouidence therein, can be con∣tented to seeke and expect the likely and hopefull issue thereof, in vsuall course of nature. Lastly, may be collected, and obserued, the vse and necessitie of distinction betweene Imposture and Witch-craft; namely, that the odious and abominable sinne of Witch-craft be not suffered to conti∣nue, vnregarded or neglected, vnder the colour of vaine Imposture, and that the Diuell be not suffered to liue a∣mongst vs, too commonly, and too openly, in the coate

and habite of a foolish Impostor, or Iuggler. For cer∣tainely nothing doth more hood-winke the through disco∣uery of Sorcerers, then remissenesse and omission of in∣quisition, and castigation of Impostors, out of whose leauen (no doubt) but diligent animaduersion, might oft∣times boult out many a subtill and concealed Witch.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Qui oculos fallent, alia pro aliis sub∣ditia osten∣tantes, ii prae∣stigiatores ab antiquis dicti sunt. Scaliger. Impostura ab eo dicta, quod adulteri∣nas merces, pro veris sup∣ponit, Vlpian, Impostores dicuntur ver∣suti & fallaces homines, qui merces ad∣ulterinas pro veris suppo∣nunt, Accursi∣us.
• a 1.2

  Ephes. 4.14.
• b 1.3

  Col. 2.23.
• * 1.4

  See Reginald Scot in his discouerie of Witch-craft, where in regard of the seeming likenesse of Impostures and Witch-craft, erroneously he confoundeth them as one and the selfe same sinne.
• * 1.5

  Examples of Imposture in generall.
• * 1.6

  Polidorus Virgil lib. 7. cap. vult.
• * 1.7

  Speede.
• * 1.8

  Speede.
• * 1.9

  Speede.
• * 1.10

  Speede.
• * 1.11

  Philippe de Commines, booke 4. cha. 10. taxeth our English Nation for the multitude and vanity of lying Pro∣phecies in this kinde.
• * 1.12

  Examples of imposture vnder colou•• of Magicke skill or Witc•• craft.
• * 1.13

  Plurimae autem passi∣ones puerulis indicantur in septem men∣fibus nonnul∣lae in 7. anno Hipp. Aphor. 28 lib. 3. Mor∣bi Diutini ad septenarii ra∣tionem ha∣bent Crisim, non septena∣••ii quoad menses mo∣do, sed quoad annos. Galen, in dictum Aphorism.