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ORiginall sin indeed (being one & alike in all) admits of no variety of degrees in any. But witchcraft is an actuall, & therefore none are borne, all are made Witches. Talk they what they can of an Incubus, the Divell and the Witch pro∣duce not to witch-craft by Generation but seducement. Moreover, when by witch∣craft one growes so high as the sin against the holy Ghost, ther's now no further measure
(save in numericall Acts) for one Witch to exceed another. Otherwise there's no sinne (ta∣ken indefinitely) but may ad∣mit of severall Measures, and so (to every mans considerati∣on) highten or lessen the guilt or poenalty to that subject in which it inheres.
It is worthy to be conscio∣nably waighed; that in witch∣craft there is an Inchoation, as well as a Consūmation. 1. The Inchoation or disposition to witch-craft is in superstition. The Fathers, and Schoolmen therefore are not much amisse in defining witch-craft by su∣perstition: Making this to be the Genus, and gathering the
other in all the species under it, so that no kind of Witch∣craft may be named, which is not found upon superstition, and works not by it. Because in this main Act, superstition and Witch-craft both agree; to apply the Creature as means unto those ends and uses; un∣to which it is neither apt by its own nature, nor thereunto or∣dained by divine Institution. Only these two differ in de∣grees; for superstition is witch∣craft begun, and witch-craft is superstition finished. Where∣fore now, since Superstitions are the seedes of witch-crafts; and we all have in us the seeds of superstitions; how ought we
then to take heede of nourish∣ing superstitions; and those e∣specially that bend & dispose to witch-craft? which are in∣deed too much to be observed in the Observations, Traditi∣ons, Opinions, Affections, Professions, Proverbs, Practi∣ses, Occupations, and Conver∣sations of the Vulgar. Lord! how many are the sorcerous superstitions of the Many? As they are too too notorious; in observing of seasons for lucky or unlucky; in foretel∣ling of Fortunes and destinies; in marking of Contingences and Casualties; in casting of Lots; in regarding of dreams; in making of meales, in using
of sports, in securing of feares, in promoting of hopes, in cu∣ring of diseases, in making of Marriages, in taking of Jour∣neys; and the like: All which (in truth) are grand supersti∣tions, or petty kinds of witch∣crafts. Yet are not to bee neg∣lected neither: for without Gods good Grace, and great mercie, they easily grow to a higher measure or degree of that kind of malignity. 2. The Consummation and Comple∣tion of witch-craft, is in the Witches absolute Pact, and re∣all Fact, whereby it is cove∣nanted & consented to work, not by God, not by nature; not by Art, not by reason; but
by diabolicall delusions alone.
Likewise of reall and abso∣lute Witches, there are several degrees to bee considered ac∣cording to severall kindes of them. As the good Witch is to bee judged and esteemed worse then the bad; the Idola∣trously pacted, worse then the Cunningly Arted, the perni∣tiously operative, worse then the fondly speculative: the mischievously Active, worse then the abused Passive. For if among very Divels one may be found worse then another, Lu. 11. 26. how much more a∣mong Witches? nay even a∣mong Witches of the same kind, there are also conside∣rable
degrees or aggravations to guide a Conscience, either as touching private Estimati∣on, or publike Censure, viz. 1. From the Time, as the inve∣terate Witch is to bee thought worse then the Novice. 2. Place, As a Witch at Court, is worse then a Witch in the Countrey, and a Witch in the Church worse then a Witch in her own Cell. 3. Sexe, As the Male witch is worse then the Female. For though she may be more envious and malici∣ous; yet he has abused the A∣bler and Nobler Sexe. 4. De∣gree or Quality, as Jezabel was worse then the Witch of En∣dor. 5. Profession, As the Chri∣stian
Witch is worse then the Pagan. 6. Office, As the Cleri∣call is worse then the Layicke Witch. 7. Object, As to practise witch-craft on Men is worse then if on Beasts only. 8. Mali∣cious intent, As to have made one Witch, is worse then to have bewitched many.