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. XXXV.

Other gross absurdities of Witchmongers in this matter of Conjurations.

SUrely I cannot see what difference or distinction the Witchmongers do put between the knowledge and power of God and the Devil; but that they think, if they pray, or rather talk to God till their hearts ake, he ne∣ver heareth them; but that the Devil doth know every thought and imagination of their minds, and both can and also will do any thing for them. For if any that meaneth good faith with the Devil, read certain conjurations, he cometh up (they say) at a trice. Marry if another that hath no intent to raise him, read or pronounce the words, he will not stirr. And yet, J. Bodin confesseth, That he is afraid to read such Conjurations as John Wierus reciteth, lest (belike) the Devil would come up and scratch him with his foul long nails. In which sort, I wonder that the Devil dealeth with none other then Witches and Conjurors. I for my part have read a number of their Conjurations, but never could see any Devils of theirs, except it were in a Play. But the Devil (belike) knoweth my mind; to wit, that I would be loth to come within the compass of his claws. But lo, what reason such people have, Bodin, Bartholomeus, Spineus, Sprenger, and Institor, &c. do constantly affirm, that Witches are to be punished with more extremity than Conjurors, and sometimes with death, when the other are to be pardoned doing the same offence; because (say they) the Witches make a league with the Devil, and so do not Conjurors. Now if Conjurors make no league by their own confession, and Devils indeed know not our cogitations (as I have sufficiently proved) then would I weet of our

Witchmongers the reason (if I read the Conjuration and performe the Ceremo∣ny) why the Devil will not come at my call? But oh absurd credulity! Even in this point many wise and learned men have been and are abused: whereas, if they would make experience, or duly expend the cause, they might be soon resolved; specially when the whole Art and Circumstance is so contrary to Gods Word, as it must be false, if the other be true. So as you may understand, that the Pa∣pists do not only by their doctrin, in Books and Sermons, teach and publish Con∣jurations, and the order thereof, whereby they may induce men to bestow, or ra∣ther cast away their money upon Masses and Suffrages for their souls; but they make it also a parcel of their Sacrament of orders (of the which number a Con∣juror is one) and insert many forms of Conjurations into their Divine Service; and not only into their Pontificals, but into their Masse-books; yea, into the very Canon of the Masse.

Notes

• A Conjuror then belike must not be timerous or fearful.
• Where a Witch cureth by Incantati∣on, and the Conjuror by Conjuration.