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. VI.

Laws provided for the punishment of such Witches as work Miracles, whereof some are mentioned, and of certain Popish Laws published against them.

* 1.1THere are other Laws of other Nations made to this incredible effect: as Lex Salicarum provideth punishment for them that flie in the Air from place to place, and meet at their nightly Assemblies, and brave banquets, carrying with them Plate, and such stuffe, &c. even as we should make a law to hang him that should take a Church in his hand at Dover, and throw it to Caellice. And because in this case also Popish laws shall be seen be to as foolish and lewd as any other whatsoever, and specially as tyrannous as that which is most cruel: you shall hear what trim new laws the Church of Rome hath lately devised.* 1.2 These are therefore the words of Pope Innocent the eight to the Inquisitors of Almaine, and of Pope Julius the second sent to the Inquisitors of Bergomen. It is come to our ears, that many lewd persons of both kinds, as well male as female, using the company of the Devils Incubus and Succubus, with Incantations, Charms, Conju∣rations, &c. do destroy, &c. the births of women with child, the young of all Cattel, the Corn of the Field, the Grapes of the Vines, the fruit of the Trees: Ieem, Men, women, and all kind of Cattel and Beasts of the field: and with their said Inchantments, &c. do utterly extinguish, suffocate, and spoil all Vineyards, Orchards, Meadows, Pastures, Grass, green Corn, and ripe Corn, and all other Podware: yea men and women themselves are by their imprecations so af∣flicted with external and inward pains and diseases, that men cannot be∣get, nor women bring forth any children, nor yet accomplish the duty of wedlock, denying the Faith which they in Baptism professed, to the de∣struction of their own own souls, &c. Our pleasure therefore is, that all impediments that may hinder the Inquisitors Office, be utterly removed from a∣mong the people, lest this blot of heresie proceed to poyson, and defile them that be yet innocent. And therefore we do ordain, by vertue of the Apostolical Authority, that our Inquisitors of high Almaine, may execute the Office of In∣quisition

by all tortures and afflictions, in all places, and upon all persons, what and wheresoever, as well in every place and Diocess, as upon any person; and that as freely, as though they were named, expressed, or cited in this our Com∣mission.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Punishment of impossibilities.
• * 1.2

  A wise Law of Pope Innocent & Julius, were it not that they wanted wit when they made it.