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. XXII.

Lawfull charmes, or rather medicinable cures for diseased cattel. The charme of charmes, and the power thereof.

BUt if you desire to learne true and lawfull charmes, to cure diseased cattel,* 1.1 even such as seeme to have extraordinary sicknesse, or to be bewitched, or (as they say) strangely taken; looke in B Googe his third book, treating of cattel, and happily you shall find some good medicine or cure for them: or if you list to see more antient stuffe, reade Vegetius his four bookes thereupon: or, if you be unlearned, seek some cunning bul∣locke-leech. If all this will not serve, then set Jobs patience before your eyes. And never think that a poore old woman can alter supernaturally the notable course, which God hath appointed among his creatures. If it had been Gods pleasure to have permitted such a course, he would no doubt have both given notice in his word, that he had given such power unto them, and also would have taught remedies to have prevented them.

Furthermore, if you will know assured meanes, and infallible charmes, yielding indeed undoubted remedies, and preventing all manner of witch∣crafts, and also the assaults of wicked spirits; then despise first all co∣sening

knavery of priests, witches, and coseners; and with true faith reade the sixt chapter of S. Paul to the Epesians, and follow his counsell, which is ministred unto you in the words following, deserving worthily to be called, by the name insuing:

The charme of charmes:

Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.* 1.2 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may stand against the assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against principalities and powers, and against wordly governo•••••• the princes of the darknesse of this world, against spiritual wickednesse, which are in the high places. For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evill day; and having finished all things, stand fast. Stand therefore, and your loines gi••ded a∣bout with verity, and having on the brestplate of righteousnesse, &c. •• followeth in that chapter, verses 15, 16, 17, 18. 1 These 5. 1 Pet. 5. verse 8. Ephes. 1. and elsew-here in the holy scripture.

Otherwise.

JF you be unlearned, and want the comfort of friends, repaire to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 learned, godly, and discreet preacher. If otherwise need require •••• to a learned physician, who by learning and experience knoweth and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 discerne the difference, signes, and causes of such diseases, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lesse men and unskilful physicians impute to witchcraft.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Direct and lawfull means of curing cat∣tel, &c.
• * 1.2

  A charme of charmes ta∣ken out of the sixt chap∣ter of S. Paul to the Ephe∣sians.