Scot's Discovery of vvitchcraft proving the common opinions of witches contracting with divels, spirits, or familiars ... to be but imaginary, erronious conceptions and novelties : wherein also, the lewde unchristian all written and published in anno 1584, by Reginald Scot, Esquire.

CHAP. IX.

A confutation of the former follies, as well concerning ointments, dreames, &c. as also of the assembly of witches, and of their consul∣tations and bankets at sundry places, and all in dreames.

BUt if it be true that S. Augustine saith, and many other writers that witches nightwalkings are but phantasies and dreames: then all the reports of their bargaine, transporting, and meetings with Diana, Minerva, &c. are but fables; and then do they ly that maintaine those actions to be done in deed and verity, which in truth are done no way. It were marvel on the one side (if those things happened in dreames, which ne∣verthelesse the witches affirme to be otherwise) that when those witches awake, they neither consider nor remember that they were in a dreame. It were marvel that their ointments, by the physicians opini∣ons having no force at all to that effect, as they confesse which are inqui∣sitors, should have such operation. It were marvel that their ointments cannot be found any where,* 1.1 saving onely in the inquisitors bookes. It were marvel, that when a stranger is anointed therewith, they have sometimes, and yet not alwayes, the like operation as with witches; which all the inquisitors confesse.

But to this last, frier Bartholomaeus saith, that the witches themselves, before they anoint themselves, do heare in the night time a great noise of minstrels, which fly over them, with the lady of the fairies, and then they addresse themselves to their journy.* 1.2 But then I marvel againe, that no body else hearth nor seeth this troope of minstrels, especially ri∣ding in a moon-light night. It is marvel, that they that think this to be but in a dreame, can be perswaded that all the rest is any other th•••• dreames.* 1.3 It is marvel that in dreames, witches of old acquaintance meet so just together, and conclude upon murthers, and receive oint∣ments, rootes, powders, &c. (as witchmongers report they do, and as they make the witches confesse) and yet ly at home fast asleepe. It is marvel that such preparation is made for them (as Sprenger, Bartholo∣mew, and Bodin report) as well in noble mens houses, as in alehouses; and that they come in dreames, and eate up their meate: and the al••∣wi••e specially is not wearied with them for non-payment of their score,

or false payment; to wit, with imaginary money, which they say is not substantial, and that they talke not afterwards about the reckoning, and so discover the matter. And it is most marvel of all, that the hostesse, &c. doth not sit among them, and take part of their good cheer. For so it is that if any part of these their meetings and league be true, it is as true and as certainly proved and confessed, that at some ale-house, or some time at some Gentlemans house,* 1.4 there is continuall preparation made monethly for this assembly: as appeareth in S. Germans story.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Barthol. Spi∣naeus, q. de strigib. c. 31.
• * 1.2

  Bar. Spin. qu. de strigib. c. 30
• * 1.3

  New matter & worthy to be marvelled at.
• * 1.4

  Legend. aur. in vita S. Ger∣mani.