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. X.

That most part of Prophesies in the Old Testament were revealed in Dreams: that we are not to look for such Revelations: of some who have dreamt of that which hath come to pass: that Dreams prove contrary. Nebuchadnezzars rule to know a true Expositor of Dreams.

IT is held and maintained by divers, and gathered out of the 12 of Numbers, that all which was written or spoken by the Prophets, among the chil∣dren of Israel (Moses excepted) was propounded to them by Dreams. And indeed it is manifest, that many things, which are thought by the unlearned to have been really finished, have been only performed by Dreams and Visions. As where Solomon required of God the guift of Wisdom,* 1.1 that was (I say) in a Dream: and also, where he received promise of the continuance of the Kingdom of Israel in his line. So was Isaiah's vision, in the 6. of his Prophesie: as also that of Ezekiel the 12. Finally, where Jeremiah was commanded To hide his girdle in the clift of a rock at the river Euphrates in Babylon; and that after certain dayes, it did there putrifie, it must needs be in a Dream; for Jeremiah was never (or at leastwise not then) at Babylon. We that are Christians must not now slumber and dream, but watch and pray, and meditate upon our salvation in Christ both day and night. And if we expect revelations in our Dreams, now, when Christ is come, we shall deceive our selves; for in him are fulfilled all Dreams and Prophesies.* 1.2 Howbeit, Bodin holdeth, That Dreams and Visions continue till this day, in as miraculous manner as ever they did.

If you read Artemidorus, you shall read many stories of such as dreamt of things that afterwards came to pass. But he might have cited a thousand for one that fell out contrary; for, as for such Dreams among the Jews themselves as had not extraordinary Visions miraculously exhibited unto them by God, they were counted coseners, as may appear by these words of the Prophet Zechary, Surely the Idols have spoken vanity, and the Soothsayers have seen a lye,* 1.3 and the Dreamers have told a vain thing. According to Solomons saying, In the multitude of dreams and vanities are many words. It appeareth in Jeremiah 23. that the false Prophets, whilest they illuded the people with lyes, counterfeiting the true Pro∣phets, used to cry out, Dreams, dreams; We have dreamed a dream, &c. Finally, Nebuchadnezzar teacheth all men to know a true Expositor of Dreams; to wit, such a one as hath his Revelation from God;* 1.4 for he can (as Daniel did) repeat your Dream before you discover it; which thing, it any Expounder of Dreams can do at this day, I will believe him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Kin. 3.5, 15. 1 King. 9.5. Isa. 6. Ezek. 12. Jerem. 13.
• * 1.2

  J. Bodin lib. de daem. 1. cap. 5.
• * 1.3

  Zech. 10.2. Eccles. 5.3. Jerem. 23.
• * 1.4

  Dan. 2.