CHAP. X.
A refutation of the former surmised Crimes patched together by Bodin, and the only way to escape the Inquisitors.
IF more ridiculous or abominable crimes could have beeen invented, these poor women (whose chief fault is that they are scolds) should have been charged with them.
In this libel you do see, is contained all that Witches are charged with; and all that also, which any Witchmonger surmiseth, or in malice imputeth unto Witches power and practise.
Some of these crimes may not only be in the power and will of a Witch, but may be accomplished by natural means: and therefore by them the matter in question is not decided, to wit;* 1.1 whether a Witch can work wonders su∣pernaturally; For many a knave and whore doth more commonly put in exe∣cution those lewd actions, than such as are called Witches, and are hanged for their labour.
Some of these crimes also laid unto Witches charge, are by me denyed, and by them cannot be proved to be true, or committed by any one Witch. Other∣some of these crimes likewise are so absurd, supernatural, and impossible, that they are derided almost of all men, and as false, fond, and fabulous reports condemned: insomuch as the very Witchmongers themselves are ashamed to hear of them.
If part be untrue, why may not the residue be thought false: For all these things are laid to their charge at one instant, even by the greatest Doctors and Patrons of the Sect of Witchmongers, producing as many proofs for Witches supernatural and impossible actions, as for the other: So as, if one part of their accusation be false, the other part deserveth no credit. If all be true that is al∣ledged of their doings, why should we believe in Christ, because of his miracles, when a Witch doth as great wonders as ever he did?
But it will be said by some; As for those absurd and Popish writers, they are not in all their allegations, touching these matters, to be credited.* 1.2 But I assure you, that even all sorts of writers herein (for the most part) the very Doctors of the Church to the School-men, Protestants, and Papists, learned and unlearn∣ed, Poets and Historiographers, Jews, Christians, or Gentiles agree in these impossible and ridiculous matters. Yea and these writers, out of whom I gather most absurdities, are of the best credit and authority of all writers in this mat∣ter. The reason is, because it was never throughly looked into; but every fable credited; and the word (Witch) named so often in Scripture.
They that have seen further of the Inquisitors orders and customs, say also;* 1.3 that there is no way in the world for these poor women to escape the Inquisi∣tors hands, and so consequently burning: but to gild their hands with money, whereby oftentimes they take pity upon them, and deliver them, as sufficiently purged: For they have authority to exchange the punishment of the body with the punishment of the purse, applying the same to the office of their Inquisition: whereby they reap such profit, as a number of these silly women pay them year∣ly pensions, to the end they may not be punished again.