CHAP. XXVI.
Other grosse absurdities of witchmongers in this matter of conjura∣tions.
SUrely I cannot see what difference or distinction the witchmongers doe put betweene the knowledge and power of God and the divell; but that they think, if they pray or rather talk to God, till their heartsake, he never heareth them; but that the divell doth know every thought and imagination of their minds, and both can and also will do any thing for them. For if any that meaneth good faith with the divell read certaine conjurations, he commeth up (they say) at a trice. Marry if another that hath no intent to raise him, reade or pronounce the words, be will not stirre.* 1.1 And yet 1. Bodin confesseth, that he is afraid to read such conjura∣tions, as Iohn Wierus reciteth; lest (belike) the divell would come up, and scratch him with his fowle long nailes. In which sort I wonder that the divell dealeth with none other, then witches and conjurors. I for my part have read a number of their conjurations, but never could see any divels of theirs, except it were in a play. But the divell (belike) know∣eth my mind; to wit, that I would be loth to come within the com∣passe of his clawes.* 1.2 But lo what reason such people have. Bodin, Bartho∣lomeus, Spineus, Sprenger, and Institor, &c: do constantly affirme, that witches are to be punished with more extremity than conjurors; and sometimes with death, when the other are to be pardoned doing the same offense: because (say they) the witches make a league with the divell, and