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. VI.

A disproof of their Assemblies, and of their Bargain.

THat the joyning of hands, with the Devil, the kissing of his bare but∣tocks, and his scratching and biting of them, are absurd lies; every one hauing the gift of reason may plainly perceive; insomuch as it is manifest unto us by the word of God, that a spirit hath no flesh, bones, nor sinews,* 1.1 whereof hands, buttocks, claws, teeth, and lips do consist. For admit that the constitution of a Devils body (as Tatian and other affirm) consisteth in spiritual congelations, as of fire and air; yet it cannot be perceived of mortal creatures. What credible witness is there brought at any time, of this their corporal, visible, and incredible bargain; saving the confession of some per∣son diseased both in body and mind, wilfully made, or injuriously constrained? It is marvel that no penitent Witch that forsaketh her trade, confesseth not these things without compulsion. Me thinketh their covenant made at Bap∣tism with God before good witnesses, sanctified with the Word, confirmed with his Promises, and established with his Sacraments, should be of more force then that which they make with the Devil, which no body seeth or knoweth: For God deceiveth none, with whom he bargaineth: neither doth he mock or dis∣appoint them, although he dance not among them.

The oath, to procure into their league and fellowship as many as they can (whereby every one Witch, as Bodin affirmeth, augmenteth the number of fifty) bewrayeth greatly their indirect dealing.* 1.2 Hereof I have made trial; as also of the residue of their cousening devises, and have been with the best, or rather the worst of them, to see what might be gathered out of their counsels; and have cunningly treated with them thereabouts: and further, have sent certain old persons to indent with them, to be admited into their society: But as well by their excuses and delaies, as by other circumstances, I have tried and found all their trade to be meer cosening.

I pray you what bargain have they made with the Devil, that with their an∣gry looks bewitch lambs, children, &c. Is it not confessed, that it is natural, though it be a lye? What bargain maketh the Sooth-sayer, which hath his se∣veral kinds of Witchcraft and Divination expressed in the Scripture? Or is it not granted that they make none? How chanceth it that we hear not of this bar∣gain in the Scriptures?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tatianus con∣tra Gracos.
• * 1.2

  The author speaketh upon due proof and trial.