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.

Cures commenced and finished by Witchcraft.

THere was a jolly fellow that took upon him to be a notable Chirurgion, in the Dutchy of Mentz, 1567. to whom there resorted a Gentleman that had been vexed with Sickness, named Elibert, having a Kerchief on his head, according to the guise of sick folk. But the Chirurgion made him pull off his Kerchief, and willed him to drink with him freely. The sick man said he durst not; for he was forbidden by Physicians so to do. Tush (said this Cunning man) they know not your Disease, be ruled by me, and take in your drink lustily. For he thought that when he was well tippled, he might the more easily beguile him in his Bargain, and make his reward the greater, which he was io receive in part aforehand. When they had well drunk, he called the sick man aside, and told him the greatness and danger of his Disease, and how that it grew by means of Witchcraft, and that it would be universally spread in his House, and among all his Cattel, if it were not prevented: and impudently perswaded the sick man to receive cure of him. And after Bargain made, he demanded of the sick man, whether he had not at any home, whom he might assuredly trust? The sick man answered, that he had a Daughter and a Servant. The Cousener asked how old his Daughter was? The Patient said twenty. Well (said the Cousener) that is fit for our turn. Then he made the Mother and Father to kneel on their knees to their Daughter, And to desire her in all things to obey the Physitian, and that she would do in every thing as he commandest her; Otherwise her Father could not be restored to his health. In which respect her Parents humbly besought her on their knees so to do. Then he assigned her to bring him into his Lodging her Fathers hair, and her Mothers, and of all those which he kept in his House, as well of men and women, as also of his cattel. When she came therewith unto him, according to the match made, and her Parents Commandment, he led her down into a low Parlour, where having made a long speech, he opened a Book that lay on the boord, and layeth thereon two Knives across, with much circumstance of words. Then conjureth he, and maketh strange Characters, and at length he maketh a circle on the ground, wherein he causeth her to stick one of those conjured Knives; and after many more strange words, he maketh her stick the other Knife beside it. Then fell down the maid in a a swoon for feat; so as he was fain to frote her, and put a sop into her mouth, after the receipt whereof she was fore troubled and ama∣zed. Then he made her breasts to be uncovered, so as when they were bare, he dallied with with them, diversly and long together. Then he made her lie right upward, all uncovered, and bare below her paps. Wherein the Maid being loth to obey him, resisted, and in shame forbad that villany. Then said the Knave; Your Fathers destruction is at hand; for except you will be ruled, he and all

his Family shall sustain greater grief and inconvenience, then is yet happened unto him: And no Remedy, except you will seek his utter overthrow, I must have carnal Copulation with you: and therewithal fell into her bosom, and over∣threw her and her Virginity. So did he the second day, and attempted the like on the third day: But he failed then of his purpose, as the Wench confes∣sed afterwards. In the mean time he ministred so cruel Medicines to the sick man, that through the Torments thereof he feared present death, and was fain to keep his bed, whereas he walked about before very well and lustily. The Pa∣tient in his Torments calleth unto him for Remedy, who being slack and negli∣gent in that behalf, made room for the Daughter to accompany her Father, who asked her what she thought of the Cure, and what hope she had of his Re∣covery? Who with tears remained silent, as being oppressed with grief; till at the last in abundance of sorrow she uttered the whole matter to her Father. This doth Johannes Wierus report, saying, that it came unto him by the lamen∣table relation of the Father himself. And this is here at this time for none other purpose rehearsed, but that men may hereby learn to take heed of such consening Merchants, and know what they be that take upon them to be cun∣ning in Witchcraft, lest they be bewitched; As Master Elibert and his Daughter were.

Notes

• See J. Wier. cap. 11. conf. The Chirurgi∣on here most impudently setteth his Knavery a∣broach.
• A pretended Conjuration.
• Ad vada tot vadit urna quot ipsa ca∣pit.