CHAP. IV.
Why God forbad the practice of Witchcraft; the absurdity of the Law of the twelve Tables, whereupon their estimation in miraculous actions is grounded, of their wondrous works.
THough it be apparent, that the Holy-Ghost forbiddeth this Art,* 1.1 because of the abuse of the Name of God, and the cosenage comprehended therein: yet I confess, the Customs and Laws almost of all Nations do declare, that all these miraculous works before by me cited, and many other things more wonderful, were attributed to the power of Witches. The which Laws, with the executions and judicials thereupon, and the Witches confessions, have beguiled almost the whole world. What absurdities concerning Witch∣craft are written in The Laew of the Twelve Tables, which was the highest and most ancient Law of the Romans? Whereupon the strongest argument of Witches omnipotent power is framed; as that the wisdom of such Law-givers could not be abused. Whereof (me thinks) might be made a more strong argument on our side; to wit, if the chief and principal Laws of the world be in this case ridicu∣lous, vain, false, incredible, yea and contrary to Gods Law; the residue of the laws and arguments to that effect, are to be suspected. If that argument should hold, it might prove all the Popish Laws against Protestants, and the Heathenish Princes Laws against Christians, to be good and in force: for it is like they would not have made them, except they had been good. Were it not (think you) a strange Proclamation, that no man (upon pain of death) should pull the Moon out of Heaven?* 1.2 And yet very many or the most learned Witchmongers make their arguments upon weaker grounds; as namely in this form and manner; We find in Poets, that Witches wrought such and such miracles; Ergo they can ac∣complish and do this or that wonder. The words of the law are these; Qui fru∣ges incantasset poenas dato. Neve aelienam segetem pellexeris excantando, ne{que} incaentando; Ne agrum defruganto: the sense whereof in English is this; Let him be executed that bewitcheth Corn; Transferr not other mens Corn into thy ground by In∣chantment; Take heed thou inchant not at all, neither make thy neighbours field barren: he that doth these things shall dye, &c.