CHAP. II.
By what means the common people have been made beleeve in the mi∣raculous workes of witches, a definition of witchcraft, and a descrip∣tion thereof.
THe common people have been so assotted and bewitched, with whatsoe∣ever poets have faigned of witchcraft, either in earnest, in jest, or else in derision; and with whatsoever lowd liers and couseners for their plea∣sures herein have invented, and with whatsoever tales they have heard from old doting women, or from their mothers maids, and with what∣soever the grandfoole their ghostly father, or any other morrow masse priest had informed them; and finally with whatsoever they have swal∣lowed up through tract of time, or through their owne timerous nature or ignorant conceipt, concerning these matters of hags and witches: as they have so setled their opinion and credit thereupon, that they think it herefie to doubt in any part of the matter; specially because they find this word witchcraft expressed in the scriptures; which is as to defend praying to saints, because Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus is written in •••• Deum.
And now to come to the definition of witchcraft, which hitherto I did defer and put off purposely: that you might perceive the true nature there∣of, by the circumstances, and therefore the rather to allow of the same, seeing the variety of other writers. Witchcraft is in truth a cousening art, wherein the name of God is abused, prophaned, and blasphemed, and his power attributed to a vile creature. In estimation of the vulgár people, it is a supernaturall work, contrived between a corporall old wo∣man, and a spirituall divell. The manner thereof is so secret, mysticall,