The discovery of witchcraft proving that the compacts and contracts of witches with devils and all infernal spirits or familiars are but erroneous novelties and imaginary conceptions : also discovering, how far their power extendeth in killing, tormenting, consuming, or curing the bodies of men, women, children, or animals by charms, philtres, periapts, pentacles, curses, and conjurations : wherein likewise the unchristian practices and inhumane dealings of searchers and witch-tryers upon aged, melancholly, and superstitious people, in extorting confessions by terrors and tortures, and in devising false marks and symptoms, are notably detected ... : in sixteen books / by Reginald Scot ... ; whereunto is added an excellent Discourse of the nature and substance of devils and spirits, in two books : the first by the aforesaid author, the second now added in this third edition ... conducing to the compleating of the whole work, with nine chapters at the beginning of the fifteenth [sic] book of The discovery.

CHAP. IX.

What several sorts of Witches are mentioned in the Scriptures, and how the word Witch is there applyed.

BUt what sorts of Witches soever M. Mal. or Bodin say there are; Moses spake only of four kinds of impious Coseners or Witches (whereof our Witchmongers, old women, which dance with the Fairies, &e. are none.) The first were Praestigiatores Pharaonis, which (as all Divines,* 1.1 both He∣brews and others conclude) were but Coseners and Juglers, deceiving the Kings eyes with illusions and sleights, and making false things to appear as true; which nevertheless our Witches cannot do. The second is Mecasapha,* 1.2 which is she that destroyeth with poyson. The third are such as use sundry kinds of Divinations, and hereunto pertain these words, Kasam, Onen, Ob, Idoni.* 1.3 The fourth is Habar, to wit, when Magicians,* 1.4 or rather such as would be reputed cunning therein, mumble certain secret words, wherein is thought to be great efficacy.

These are all Coseners and Abusers of the people in their several kinds. But because they are all termed of our translators by the name of Witches in the Bible; therefore the lyes of M. Mal. and Bodin, and all our old Wives tales are applyed unto these names, and easily believed of the common people, who have never hitherto been instructed in the understanding of these words. In which respect, I will (by Gods grace) shew you (concerning the signification of them) the opinion of the most learned in our age; specially of Johannes Wierus; who though he himself were singularly learned in the tongues, yet for his satisfaction and full resolution in the same, he sent for the judgement of Andraeas Massius, the most famous Hebrician in the World, and had in it such sense and order, as I mean to set down unto you. And yet I give you this note by the way,* 1.5 that Witch∣craft or Inchantment is diversly taken in the Scriptures; sometimes nothing ten∣ding to such end as it is commonly thought to do: For,* 1.6 1 Sam. 15.23. it is all one with Rebellion. Jesabel for her idolatrous life, is called a Witch. Also in the new Testament, even S. Paul saith, the Galathians are bewitched, because they were seduced and led from the true understanding of the Scriptures.

Item, sometimes it is taken in good part, as the Magicians that came to wor∣ship and offer to Christ; and also where Daniel is said to be an Inchanter,* 1.7 yea a principal Inchanter; which title being given him in divers places of that story, he never seemed to refuse or dislike; but rather intreateth for the pardon and qualification of the rigor towards other Inchanters, which were meer coseners indeed; as appeareth in the second Chapter of Daniel,* 1.8 where you may see that the King espyed their fetches.

Sometimes, such are called Conjurers, as being but Rogues, and lewd people,* 1.9 would use the name of Jesus to work miracles, whereby, though they being faithless could work nothing; yet is their practice condemned by the name

of Conjuration. Sometimes Juglers are called Witches. Sometimes also they are called Sorcerers,* 1.10 that impugne the Gospel of Christ, and seduce others with violent perswasions. Sometimes a Murtherer with poyson, is called a Witch. Sometimes they are so termed by the very signification of their names; as Elymas, which signifies a Sorcerer. Sometimes because they study curious and vain arts. Sometimes it is taken for wounding or grieving of the heart. Yea the very word Magus, which is Latin for a Magician, is translated a Witch; and yet it was heretofore alwayes taken in the good part. And at this day it is indifferent to say in the English tongue; She is a Witch; or, She is a wise Woman.

Sometimes observers of Dreams, sometimes Soothsayers; sometimes the observers of the flying of fowls, of the meeting of toads, the falling of salt, &c. are called Witches. Sometimes he or she is called a Witch, that take upon them either for gain or glory, to do miracles; and yet can do nothing. Sometimes they are called Witches in common speech, that are old, lame, curst, or me∣lancholike, as a nick name. But as for our old Women, that are said to hurt children with their eyes, or Lambs with their looks, or that pull down the Moon out of heaven, or make so foolish a bargain, or do such homage to the Devil; you shall not read in the Bible of any such Witches, or of any such actions im∣puted to them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Praestigiato∣res Pharaonis.
• * 1.2

  2. Mecasapha.
• * 1.3

  3. Kasam, Onen, Ob, Idoni.
• * 1.4

  4. Habar.
• * 1.5

  Note.
• * 1.6

  1 Sam. 15.23. 2 Reg. 9.22. Gal. 3.1. Mat. 2.1.
• * 1.7

  Daniel 4.
• * 1.8

  Dan. 2.8.
• * 1.9

  Acts 19.
• * 1.10

  Gen. 4.18. Exo. 7.13, &c. Acts 13. Exod. 22. &c. Act. 13. & 19. Cant. 4.9. Deut. 18.2. Jerem. 27. Acts 8.