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. XII.

Of Illusions, Confederacies, and Leqierdemain, and how they may be well or ill used.

MAny Writers have been abused, as well by untrue reports, as by illusion, and practices of confederacy and Legierdemain, &c. sometimes impu∣ting unto words that which resteth in the nature of the thing; and som∣times to the nature of the thing, that which proceedeth of fraud and deception of sight. But when these experiments grow to superstition or impiety, they are ei∣ther to be forsaken as vain, or denied as false. Howbeit, if these things be done

for mirth, and recreation, and not to the hurt of our Neighbour, nor to the abu∣sing or prophaning of Gods Name, in mine opinion they are neither impious nor altogether unlawful: though herein or hereby a natural thing be made to seem su∣pernatural.* 1.1 Such are the miracles wrought by Juglers, consisting in fine & nimble conveyance, called Legierdemain; as when they seem to cast away, or to de∣liver to another that which they retain still in their own hands; or convey otherwise, or seem to eat a Knife, or some such other thing, when indeed they bestow the same secretly into their bosoms or laps. Another point of Jugling is, when they thrust a Knife through the brains and head of a Chicken or Pullet, and seem to cure the same with words; which would live and do well, though never a word were spoken. Some of these Toyes consist in Arithmetical devi∣ces, partly in Experiments of Natural Magick, and partly in private, as also in publick Confederacy.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Look hereafter in this Book for divers con∣ceits of jugling set forth at large.