CHAP. V.
Of the private league, a notable tale of Bodins concerning a French-lady, with a confutation.
THe manner of their private league is said to be,* 1.1 when the devill invi∣sible, and sometimes visible, in the middest of the people talketh with them privately; promising, that if they will follow his counsell, he will supply all their necessities, and make all their endeavours prosperous; and so beginneth with small matters: whereunto they consent privily, and come not into the fairies assembly.
And in this case (me thinks) the devill sometimes, in such externall or corporall shape, should meet with some that would not consent to his motions (except you will say he knoweth their cogitations) and so should be bewrayed. They also (except they were idiots) would spie him; and forsake him for breach of covenants. But these bargaines, and these as∣semblies do all the writers hereupon maintaine; and Bodin confirmeth them with a hundred and odd lies; among the number whereof I will (for diverse causes) recite one.
There was (saith he) a noble Gentlewoman at Lions,* 1.2 that being in bed with a lover of hers, suddenly in the night arose up, and lighted a candle: which when she had done, she took a box of ointment, wherewith she annointed her body; and after a few words spoken, she was carried away. Her bed-fellow seeing the order hereof, lept out of his bed, took the candle in his hand, and sought for the Lady round about the chamber, and in every corner thereof; But though he could not find her, yet did he find her box of ointment:* 1.3 and being desirous to know the vertue thereof, besmeered himselfe therewith, even as he perceived her to have done before. And although he were not so superstitious, as to use any words to helpe him forward in his businesse, yet by the vertue of that oinment (saith Bodin) he was immediately conveyed to Lorreine, into the assembly of witches. Which when he saw, he was abashed, and said; In the name of God, what make I here? And upon those words the whole assembly vanished away, and left him there alone starke naked; and so was he said to returne to Lions. But he had so good a conscience, for you may perceive by the first part of the history, he was a very honest man, that he accused his true lover for a witch. And caused her to be burned. But as for his adulte∣ry, neither, M. Mal. nor Bodin do once so much as speake in the dispraise thereof.
It appeareth throughout all Bodins booke, that he is sore offended with Cornelius Agrippa, and the rather as I suppose, because the said C. Agrippa recanted that which Bodin maintaineth, who thinketh he could worke wonders by magicke, and specially by his black dog. It shoud seem he