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. V.

An instance of one arraigned upon the Law of the Twelve Tables, where the said Law is proved ridiculous; of two Witches that could do wonders.

ALthough among us, we think them bewitched that wax suddenly poor, and not them that grow hastily rich; yet at Rome you shall understand, that (as Pliny reporteth) upon these Articles one C. Furius Crassus was convented before Spurius Albinus, for that he being but a little while free, and delivered from bondage, occupying only tillage, grew rich on the sudden, as having good crops: so as it was suspected that he transferred his neigh∣bours Corn into his Fields. No intercession, no delay, no excuse,* 1.1 no denial would serve, neither in jest nor derision, nor yet through sober or honest means: but he was assigned a peremptory day, to answer for life: And therefore

fearing the sentence of condemnation, which was to be given there, by the voyce and verdict of three men (as we here are tryed by twelve) made his ap∣pearance at the day assigned, and brought with him his Ploughs and Harrows, Spades and Shovels, and other Instruments of husbandry, his Oxen, Horses, and working Bullocks, his Servants, and also his Daughter, which was a sturdy Wench and a good Houswife, and also (as Piso reporteth) well trimmed up in Apparel, and said to the whole Bench in this wise; Lo here my Lords, here I make my appearance, according to promise and your pleasures, presenting unto you my Charms and Witchcrafts, which have so inriched me. As for the labour, sweat, watching, care, and diligence, which I have used in this behalf, I cannot shew them at this time. And by this means he was dis∣missed by the consent of the Court, who otherwise (as it was thought) should hardly have escaped the sentence of condemnation, and punishment of death.

* 1.2It is constantly affirmed in M. Mal. that Stafus used alwayes to hide himself in a Monshoal, and had a Disciple called Hoppo, who made Stadlin a Master Witch, and could all when they list, invisibly transfer the third part of their neighbours Dung, Hay, Corn, &c. into their own ground, make Hail, Tempests and Floods, with Thunder and Lightning; and kill Children, Cattel, &c. reveal things hidden, and many other Tricks, when and where they list. But these two shifted not so well with the Inquisitors, as the other with the Roman and Heathen Judges. Howbeit, Stafus was too hard for them all: for none of all the Law∣yers nor Inquisitors could bring him to appear before them, if it be true that Witchmongers write in these matters.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A notable pur∣gation of C. F. C. convented for a Witch.
• * 1.2

  Mal. Malef. par. 2. quaest. 1. c. 5.