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. XXXIII.

Against fond witchmongers, and their opinions concerning corpo∣rall divels.

NOw, how Brian Darcies he spirits and she spirits, Titty and Tif••••, Suckin and Pidgin, Liard and Robin, &c. his white spirits and blacke spirits, gray spirits and red spirits, divell tode and divell lambe, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cat and divels dam, agree herewithall, or can stand consonant with the word of God, or true philosophy, let heaven and earth judge. It 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mean time, let any man with good consideration peruse that book 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by W. W. and it shall suffice to satisfie him in all that may required touching the vanities of the witches examinations, con∣fessions, and executions; where, though the tale be told only of the ac∣cusers part, without any other answer of theirs than their adversary ••••∣teth down; mine assertion will be sufficiently proved true. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it seemeth to be performed with some kind of authority, I will say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more for the confutation thereof, but referre you to the book it selfe whereto if nothing be added that may make to their reproach, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 warrant nothing is left out that may serve to their condemnation. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whether the witnesses be not single, of what credit, sex and age they •••• namely lewd, miserable, and envious poor people; most of them 〈◊〉〈◊〉

speak to any purpose being old women, and children of the age of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. years.

And note how and what the witches confesse, and see of what weight and importance the causes are; whether their confessions be not wonne through hope of favour, and extorted by flattery or threats, without proof. But in so much as there were not past seventeen or eighteen condemned at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at S. Osees in the county of Essex, being a whole parish (though of no great quantity) I will say the lesse: trusting that by this time there remain not many in that parish. If any be yet behind, I doubt not but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Darcie will find them out; who, if he lack aid, Richard Gallis of Windsor were meet to be associated with him; which Gallis hath set forth another book to that effect, of certain witches of Windsor executed at Ab∣i••••ton. But with what impudency and dishonesty he hath finished it, with what lies and forgeries he hath furnished it, what folly and frenzy he hath mered in it; I am ashamed to report; and therefore being but a two pen∣ny book, I had rather desire you to buy it, and so to peruse it, than to fill my book with such beastly stuffe.

Notes

• The book of W. W. publish∣ed.
• At S. Osees 17. or 18. witches condemned at once.