CHAP. VIII.
Causes that move as well Witches themselves as others to think that they can work impossibilities, with answers to certain objections: where also their punishment by Law is touched.
CArdanus writeth,* 1.1 that the cause of such credulity consisteth in three points; to wit, in the imagination of the melancholick, in the constancy of them that are corrupt therewith, and in the deceit of the Judges; who being inquisitors themselves against hereticks and witches, did both accuse and condemn them, having for their labour the spoil of their goods: So as these inquisitors added many fables hereunto, lest they should seem to have done injury to the poor wretches, in condemning and executing them for none offence. But sithence (saith he) the springing up of Luthers sect, these Priests have tended more diligently upon the execution of them; because more wealth is to be caught from them: insomuch as now they deal so loosly with witches (through distrust of gains) that all is seen to be malice, folly or avarice that hath been practised against them: And whosoever shall search into this cause, or read the chief writers hereupon, shall find his words true.
It will be objected,* 1.2 that we here in England are not now directed by the Popes Laws; and so by consequence our witches not troubled or convented by the Inquisitors Haereticae pravitatis. I answer, that in times past here in England, as in other nations, this order of discipline hath been in force and use; al∣though now some part of the old rigour be qualified by two several Statutes made in the first of Elizabeth, and 33 of Henry the eight. Nevertheless the esti∣mation of the omnipotency of their words or charmes seemeth in those statutes to be somewhat maintained, as a matter hitherto generally received; and not yet so looked into, as that it is refuted and decided. But how wisely soever the Parliament-house hath dealt therein, or how mercifully soever the Prince be∣holdeth the cause: if a poor old woman, supposed to be a Witch, be by the Ci∣vil or Canon Law convented; I doubt, some Canon will be found in force, not only to give scope to the tormentor, but also to the hangman, to exercise their offices upon her. And most certain it is, that in what point soever any of these extremities, which I shall rehearse unto you, be mitigated, it is through the goodness of the Queens Majesty, and her excellent Magistrates placed amongst us: For as touching the opinion of our Writers therein in our age; yea in our Countrey, you shall see it doth not only agree with foreign cruelty, but sur∣mounteth it far. If you read a foolish Pamphlet dedicated to the Lord Darcy by W.W. 1582. you shall see that he affirmeth, that all those tortures are far too light,* 1.3 and their rigour too mild; and that in that respect he impudently exclameth against our Magistrates, who suffer them to be but hanged, when murtherers, and such malefactors be so used, which deserve not the hundreth part of their