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. V.

Presumptions, whereby Witches are condemned.

* 1.1IF any womans Child chance to dye at her hand, so as no body knoweth how; it may not be thought or presumed that the Mother killed it, except she be supposed a Witch, and in that case it is otherwise; for she must upon that presumption be executed; except she can prove the negative or contrary.

Item, If the child of a woman that is suspected to be a Witch, be lacking or gone from her; it is to be presumed, that she hath sacrificed it to the Devil: except she can prove the negative or contrary.

Item, Though in other persons, certain points of their Confessions may be thought erroneous, and imputed to error: yet in Witches causes) all over∣sights, imperfections, and escapes must be adjudged impious and malicious; and tend to her confusion and condemnation.

* 1.2Item, Though a Theif be not said in law to be infamous in any other matter than in theft; yet a Witch defamed of witchcraft is said to be defiled with all manner of faults and infamies universally, though she were not condemned; but (as I said) defamed with the name of Witch: For rumors and reaports are suf∣ficient (saith Bodin) to condemn a Witch.

Item, If any man, woman, or child do say, that such a one is a Witch; it is a most vehement suspicion (saith Bodin) and sufficient to bring her to rack; though in all other cases it be directly against law.

Item, In presumptions and suspicions against a Witch, the common brute or voyce of the people cannot err.

Item, If a woman, when she is apprehended, cry out, or say; I am undone; Save my life; I will tell you how the matter standeth, &c. she is thereupon most vehemently to be suspected and condemned to dy.

Item, Though a Conjurer be not to be condemned for curing the diseased by vertue of his Art; yet must a Witch die for the like case.

Item, The behaviour, looks, becks, and countenance of a woman, are suffici∣ent signes, whereby to presume she is a Witch: for always they look down to the ground, and dare not look a man full in the face.

Item, If their Parents were thought to be Witches, then it is certainly to be presumed that they are so: but it is not so to be thought of Whores.

Item, It is a vehement presumption if she cannot weep, at the time of her ex∣amination: and yet Bodin saith, that a Witch may shed three drops out of her right eye.

Item, It is not only a vehement suspition, and presumption, but an evident proof of a Witch; if any man or beast dye suddenly where she hath been seen lately; although her witching-stuffe be not found or espyed.

Item, If any, body use familiarity or company with a Witch convicted, it is a sufficient presumption against that person to be adjudged a Witch.

Item,* 1.3 That evidence that may serve to bring in any other person to examina∣tion, may serve to bring a Witch to her condemnation.

Item, Herein judgment must be pronounced and executed (as Bodin saith, with∣out order, and not like to the orderly proceeding and form of judgment in other crimes.

Item, A Witch may not be brought to the torture suddenly; or before long examination, least she go away scot-free: for they feel no torments, and there∣fore care not for the same, as Bodin affirmeth.

Item, Little children may be had to the torture at the first dash;* 1.4 but so may it not be done with old women; as is aforesaid.

Item, If she have any privy mark under her arm-pits, under her hair, under her lip, or in her buttock, or in her privities: it is a presumption sufficient for the Judge to proceed and give sentence of death upon her.

The only pity they shew to a poor woman in this case, is: that though she be accused to have slain any body with her Inchantments; yet if she can bring forth the party alive, she shall not be put to death: Whereat I marvel, in as much as they can bring the Devil in any bodies likeness and representation.

Item, Their Law saith, that an uncertain presumption is sufficient,* 1.5 when a cer∣tain presumption faileth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  J. Bod. de dae∣mon. lib. 4. c. 4.
• * 1.2

  J. Bod. de dae∣mon. lib. 4. c. 4. L. decurionem de panis.

  Panorm. & Felin in C. ve∣niens. 1. de te∣stibus parsi cau∣sa 15.4. Lib. 4. numero 12. us{que} 18.
• * 1.3

  L. 5. de adult. S. gl. & Bart. c. venerabilis de electio, &c. I. Bod. de dae∣mon. lib. 4. cap. 4.
• * 1.4

  Idem. ibid.
• * 1.5

  Cap. preterea cum glos. extra. de test. Panor∣mit. in C. vener. col. 2. eodem, &c.