and obtain his Prayer. Furthermore, to play the cold Prophet, as to recount it good or bad luck, when Salt or Wine falleth on the table, or is shed, &c. or to prognosticate that guests approach to your house, upon the chattering of Pies or Haggisters, whereof there can be yielded no probable reason, is altogether va∣nity and superstition; as hereafter shall be more largely shewed. But to make simple people believe, that a Man or Woman can foretel good or evil fortune, is meer Witchcraft or Cosenage; for God is the only searcher of the heart, and de∣livereth not his counsel to so lewd reprobates. I know divers writers affirm, that Witches foretel things, as prompted by a real Devil; and that he again learneth it out of the Prophesies written in the Scriptures, and by other nimble sleights, wherein he passeth any other earthly creature; and that the same Devil, or some of his fellows runs or flies as far as Rochester, to Mother Bungie; or to Canterbury to M.T. or to Delphos, to Apollo; or to Aesculapius, in Pergamo; or to some other Idol or Witch; and there, by way of Oracle, answers all Questions, through his understanding of the Prophesies contained in the Old Testament, especially in Daniel and Isaiah; whereby the Devil knew of the translation of the Monarchy from Babylon to Graecia, &c. But either they have learned this of some Oracle or Witch; or else I know not where the Devil they find it. Marry cer∣tain it is, that herein they shew themselves to be Witches and fond Diviners: for they find no such thing written in Gods Word.
Of the Idol called Apollo, I have somewhat already spoken in the former title of Ob or Pytho, and some occasion I shall have to speak thereof hereafter; and therefore at this time it shall suffice to tell you, that the credit gained there∣unto, was by the craft and cunning of the Priests, which tended thereupon; who with their counterfeit miracles so bewitched the people, as they thought such vertue to have been contained in the bodies of those Idols, as God hath not promised to any his Angels, or elect people: For it is said, that if Apollo were in a chafe, he would sweat; if he had remorse to the afflicted, and could not help them, he would shed tears, which I believe might have been wiped away with that handkerchief, that wiped and dryed the Rood of Graces face, being in the like perplexities. Even as another sort of Witching Priests called Aruspices pro∣phesied victory to Alexander, because an Eagle lighted on his head: which Eagle might (I believe) be cooped or caged with Mahomets Dove, that picked peason out of his ear.