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.

The former matter proved by many examples of the living and the dead.

ANd as we see in stones, hearbs, &c. strange operation and naturall love and dissention; so do we read, that in the body of a man, there be as strange properties and vertues naturall. I have heard by credible report, and I have read many grave authors, constantly affirme, that the wound of a man murthered reneweth bleeding, at the presence of a dear friend, or of a mortall enemy. Diverse also write, that if one passe by a murthered body (though unknowne) he shall be stricken with fear, and fell in him selfe some alteration by nature. Also that a woman, above the age of fifty years, being bound hand and foot, her clothes being upon her, and laid down softly into the water sinketh not in a long time; some say not at all. By which experiment they were wont to try witches, as well as by Ferrum candens; which was, to hold hot iron in their hands, and by not burning to be tried. Howbeit, Plutarch saith that Py••••bus his great toe had in it such naturall or rather divine vertue, that no fire could burne it.

And Albertus saith, and many other also repeat the same storie, saying,

that there were two such children borne in Germanie, as if that one of them had been carryed by any house, all the doores right against one of his sides would flie open: and that vertue which the one had in the left side, the other brother had in the right sides. He saith further, that ma∣ny saw it, and that it could be referred to nothing, but to the propriety of their bodies, Pompanatius writeth that the kings of France do cure the disease called now the Kings evill, or Queens evill; which hath been 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wayes thought, and to this day is supposed to be a miraculous and a pecu∣liar gift, and a speciall grace given to the kings and queenes of England. Which some referre to the propriety of their persons, some to the peculi∣ar gift of God, and some to the efficacy of words. But if the French king use it no worse then our Princesse doth, God will not be offended 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ for her Majesty only useth godly and divine prayer, with some al•••••• and referreth the cure to God and to the Physitian. Plutarch writeth that there be certain men called Psilli, which with their mouthes heal the bitings of serpents. And I. Bap. Neap. saith, that an olive being planted by the hand of a virgine, prospereth; which if a harlot do, it withereth away. Also if a serpent or viper lie in a hole it may easily be pulled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the left hand, whereas with the right hand it cannot be removed. Al∣though this experiment, and such like are like enough to be false, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are they not altogether so impious as the miracles said to be done by cha∣racters, charmes, &c. For many strange properties remain in sundry parts of a living creature, which is not universally dispersed, and indife∣rently spread through the whole body: as the eye smelleth not, the nose seeth not, the ear tasteth not, &c.

Notes

• This common experience can justifie.
• I. Wierus.
• Plutarch. in vi∣ta Pyrrhi. Albert. lib. de mor. animal. cap. 3.
• P••mpan. lib. de incant. cap. 4.
• Plutar. in vita Catonis.
• I. Bap. Neap. in lib. de natur. magia. 1.