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. IV.

The predictions of Soothsayers, and lewd Priests; the prognostications of Astronomers and Physitians allowable: Divine Prophesie holy and good.

THe cosening tricks of Oracling Priests and Monks, are and have been specially most abominable. The superstitious observations of senceless Augurers, and Soothsayers (contrary to Philosophy, and without au∣thority of Scripture) are very ungodly and ridiculous.* 1.1 Howbeit I reject not the Prognostications of Astronomers, nor the conjectures or forewarnings of Physitians, nor yet the interpretations of Philosophers; although in respect of the Divine Prophesies contained in holy Scriptures, they are not to be weighed or regarded: For the end of these, and the other, is not only far differing; but whereas these contain only the words and will of God, with the other are ming∣led most horrible lyes and cosenages; for though there be many of them lear∣ned and godly, yet lurk there in corners, of the same profession, a great number of counterfeits and coseners.* 1.2 J. Bodin putteth this difference between Divine Prophets and Inchanters; to wit, the one saith alwayes true, the others words (proceeding from the Devil) are alwayes false; or for one truth, they tell a hun∣dred lyes. And then, why may not every. Witch be thought as cunning as Apollo? and, why not every counterfeit cosener, as good a Witch as Mother Bungie?

For it is odds, but they will hit the truth once in a hundred Divinations, as well as the best.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What Prophe∣sies allowable.
• * 1.2

  J. Bodin lib. de daemon. l. 1. c. 4.