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. XVI.

How some are abused with naturall magick, and sundry exam∣ples thereof when illusion is added thereunto, of Jacobs pied sheep, and of a black Moore.

BUt as these notable and wonderfull experiments and conclusions that are found out in nature it self (through wisdome, learning and indu∣stry) do greatly oppose and astonish the capacity of man: so (I say) when deceit and illusion is annexed thereunto, then is the wit, the faith, and constancy of man searched and tryed. For if we shall yeeld that to be de∣vine, supernaturall, and miraculous, which we cannot comprehend; a witch, a papist, a conjuror, a cousener, and a juggler may make us beleeve they are gods: or else with more impiety we shall ascribe such power and omnipotency unto them, or unto the devill, as only and properly apper∣taineth to God. As for example. By consederacy or cousenage (as be∣fore I have said) I may seem to manifest the secret thoughts of the heart, which (as we learn in Gods book) none knoweth or searcheth, but God himself alone. And therefore, whosoever beleeveth that I can do as I may seem to do maketh a god of me, and is an idolater. In which respect, whensoever we hear papist, witch, conjuror, or cousener, take upon him more than lieth in humane power to performe, we may know and boldly say it is a knack of knavery; and no miracle at all. And further we may know, that when we understand it, it will not be worth the knowing. And at the discovery of these miraculous toies, we shall leave to wonder at them, and begin to wonder at our selves, that could be so abused with bables. Howbeit, such things as God hath laid up secretly in nature are to be weighed with great admiration, and to be searched out with such in∣dustry, as may become a Christian man: I mean, so as neither God, nor

our neighbour be offended thereby, which respect doubtlesse Iannes and Iambres never had. We finde in the Scriptures divers naturall and secret experiments practised; as namely that of Iacob, for pied sheep; which are confirmed by prophane authours, and not only verified in lambs and sheep, but in horses, peacocks, conies, &c. We read also of a woman that brought forth a young black Moore, by means of an old black Moor who was in her house at the time of her conception, whom she beheld in phan∣tasie, as is supposed: howbeit a jealous husband will not bee satisfied with such phantasticall imaginations. For in truth a black Moor never faileth to beget back children, of what colour soever the other be; Et se•• contra.

Notes

• The inconve∣nience of hol∣ding opinion, that whatsoe∣ver passeth our capacity, is di∣vine, superna∣turall, &c.
• I. Bap. Neapol in natural. mag.