Discourse of the Subtle Practices of Devils, Chapter 9
That the Deuill practising his mischiefe by sorcerers, doth lead the wicked world into many horrible sinnes which snare the soules of men vntounto eternall condemnation. The 9. Chapter.
IF this be mayntained that y• witch is but an instruēmt vnderunder a colour, then some wil demaund what great thing Satan gaineth by such. I answere that he gaineth that which he endeuoureth aboue all things to bring to passe: and that it is to lead men into the depth of sinne, that they may be drowned in the deeper cendemnation. He wayeth not so much the plaguing of mens bodies, or hurting their cattle, as hee doth that. Here therefore is the chiefe matter of all, which is to disclose, and lay open the subtilty, the errors, and sinnes, which by this meanes he draweth men vntounto. I will first begin with the coniurer and the witch, and all those which vse enthauntment. How miserable is their case, which are so fallen from the liuing God, to hauehave society aud felowship with deuils? The coniurer estemeth him selfe to be a great Lord and commaunder euen of deuils, and in deed hath no power to do any thing further then Satan is willing and receiueth power from God, and moueth his wicked heart to deale in. This great bynder and commaunder of Deuils, hath his own soule bound and commaunded by them, and is in miserable and vile captiuity.
The Witch is not allso great, but yet the pore old hagge thinketh her selfe strong, that shee hath two or three seruants as she may seme to plague such as she is offended withall. Alas what an horrible state hath the feind brought her into, who seemeth to be her seruant, and yet commaundeth her, and r…leth in her heart euen as her God. What greater victorie then that which he hath gotten ouersuch? The charmer often times knoeth no deuil: but with his charme of words he can catch rattes, and burst snakes, take away the paine of the tooth a…he, with a paire of sheares and a siue, find out a theife. Many other pretie knackes hee glorieth in, as if he had attayned great wisedome. The art is deuillish, when any thing is done the deuil worketh it, he is the instructer of the enchaunter, and so indeed his Lord. What should I speake of al the rest, one word may suffice, they bee horrible deluded by the subtil serpent, and made his bondslaues. This were much, though Satan could obtayne no more but euen to draw those miserable caitifs into so deepe a degree of wickednes. But this is not the chiefe thing he seeketh by meanes of these to plunge the blind world headlong in the gulfe of wicked apostasie. And how he hath preuailed were a great and long trauell to set forth, only a tast may suffice. In old tyme among the heathen, and prophane nations he preuailed so farre that hee was taken to be God. His illusions, were esteemed to bee by a deuine power, for so S. Luke reporteth. Act. 8. where hee sheweth that Simon Magus had long tyme by Magike astonished the Samaritans, and they sayd hee was the great power of God: vntill the power of God did appeare indeed by the woonders which Phillip wrought, for then his were disclosed to be but illusions, sleights and shewes of wonders. For though the deuill can do thinges which are strange and wonderful vntounto man (as he did by Simon make the Samaritans woonder) yet in very deede▪ they bee no true miracles, neither can he worke any, though God should giuegive him leaue to shew all his power. Further also among the heathen his answers were taken for the very oracles of God. From hence sprong the f…lthy maner of woorshipping deuils, abhominable idolatry, and superstitions. Therfore the Lord commaundeth his people when hee had brought them out of Egipt that they should not geue eare vntounto such as the heathen did. Hee promiseth for to rayse vp alwayes vntounto them a Prophet, as whose mouth they should learne to know his will, vntounto whom they should harken. Deuteron. 18. We see then it is very manifest that while Satan stood in reputation to bee God, He applyed himselfe by witches and enchaūters to set vp a religion where hee might bee most deuoutly worshipped. The most of all his practises tended to that purpose. At the comming of Christ, by the light of Christ, by the light of the Gospel, he was disclosed, and could couer himselfe no longer vnderunder so goodly a couering but was knowen indeed to be a Deuil. Now he must walke as a Deuil and seeke to deceiue after an other sort.
And herein his subtilties hauehave also excelled, to the great increase of wickednes among the people. For when the light of Gods word was suppressed, as it was in the popery, then was a way made for him, to worke all his feates. Then did coninrers and witches, and enchanters abond. Then were al manner of charmes rife and common. Then were a thousand magicall inuentions and toyes. To set forth all particulers were infiuite, therfore some few shall serue for all the rest. Satan hath a throne and a kingdome in the hart of euerie man, vntil such time as hee bee regenerate by the holy word of God, and that the power thereof be in him. He holdeth the hart in blindnes aud infidelitie, and filleth it full of all filthie lusts of sinne. He knoweth well that if he be espied, men could not but with horror abhorre there miserable estate, and seeke after some remedy. Hee doth therefore seeke to deale …losly. Hee would make men beleeue that he is not nigh them. What redier way hath he to bring men into that opinion, then that they may suppose he is not abrode vnles he be fetched vp by coniurers, and breake away from them? If there be any terrible tempestes, and mighty thunders which set foorth the glory of God, then is he abroad. If hee can then get leaue of God, (as the wicked world is worthy that God should giuegive him power to deceiue them) hee will shew himselfe by some likelines in the middest of the storme, or else declare his presence by rending vp some trees or shewing some terror one way or other. Now there is great feare, for many beleeue that the deuil is abrode indeede, and hath raysed vp the windes, and brought the thunders.
Then tales flie, and rumors are spred abrode, that there hauehave bene coniurers. They be taken say some, and the matter confessed. Three deuils are broken loose, and others say fiue: thus is Satan magnifyed, when as the great woorkes of God are ascrybed vntounto him. Hee carieth away the glorie which the almighty should hauehave. How vile a thing is this? most miserable in this behalfe was the state of popery: for the great prelates & graue fathers did beleeue this and led the people vntounto it. And see what deuise they had. When any violent tempest came, they had the hollowed bell in eueryevery steeple to bee rung, which did repell and keepe him backe. For hee could not come within the sound of that. They had coniured water to sprincle in eueryevery corner of their houses, they had holy bread and crosses, that he could rest no where. These were his owne inuentions for to mocke the people, for he made them beleeue hee was …riuen away by these, when as in the meane time he ruled in their hartes. To come now to the witch, what hurt doth shee? If yee aske the common people, yee shall hauehave this answere: shee is the very pestilence of the earth, all calamity is brought vponupon men by her. Shee killeth men and beastes. Shee tormenteth men, & she destroyeth mens goods. No man can be in safety so long as shee liueth. Woe bee vntounto him which doth displease her, thrise happy are they which do not meddle with her. Is not this foule hauocke trow yee, which the witches do make? Yea but how is it possible that poore old women should do such thinges? O syr, they do it not by themselues. They hauehave their spirites which they keepe at home in a corner, some of them twoo, some three, some fiue: these they send when they be displeased, and wi… them for to plague a man in his body, or in his cattle. This matter hath bene tryed: for diuers well disposed men, euen for very pity to see what hurt witches do by sending their spirites, hauehave seriously taken the matter in hande, and hauehave hunted those puckrils out of their neaites. And what hauehave they found? they hauehave found that some one woman hath had three. They hauehave found where shee kept them in wooll.
What meate shee gaue them, What likenes they had, What were their names, Whether they were hees or shees, and how many men they had killed. Some hauehave bene hanged, and hauehave at the gallowes confessed the whole matter. Who is able to declare the brutish errors and foule sinnes which multitudes are led into, by this craftye dealing of the dealing of the Deuil. For my selfe I do not thinke that I can shew the tenth part. But yet I see so much as may make any Christian hart bleede to beholde. I will endeuor to open the collusion of Satan and his purpose in this thing, so far as I can: with the follies which the blinde multitude fall into, and do not espie the same.
First then for the maner. The poore old witch, pined with hunger, goeth abroad vntounto some of her neighbours, and there begge a little milke which is denied. Shee threatneth that she will be euen with them. Home shee returneth in great fury, cursing, and raging, Forth shee calleth her spirite, and willeth him to plague such a man. Away goeth hee. Within few howres after the man is in such torment, that he can not tell what hee may doe. Hee doth thinke himselfe vnhappy that he was so foolish to displease her.
What shal wee say vntounto these things? Is here no packing? Is not here first of all a way taken by the wiely and wicked serpent to bring men in beliefe that hee is not nigh them, nor medleth not vnlesse his dame send him? Hee goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may deuour, as Saint Peter sayth, Shall wee bee so sottish to beleeue that hee lyeth at the witches house? hee is a mighty tyrant, if God do suffer him, that hee beyng a spirite do take vponupon him the shape of some little vermin, as cat or weasill, it is but to deceiue. He lyeth and sleepeth in warme wool, the witch doth giuegive him milke, or a chicken, and hee doth eate, these are vain illusions, what needeth hee such thinges? he resteth not, hee eateth not, he slepeth not. How much greater folly is it to enquire of his sexe? as though there were hee deuils and shee deuils? But to come nigher vntounto this tragedie. Doth not shee send him? yes shee doth send him which did send her first. Who put into her heart to begge of that man? had hee no stroke in the matter that hee would denie her request? are they not for the most part in as great blindnes and infidelity almost as the witch is, which are bewitched: hee knoweth well ynough where hee maketh his match: Shee doth furiously rage and curse: doth not the deuil worke it in her heart? wel, the man is tormented indeede, who doth that? here is great cunning. Sometime he doth it: some▪ tyme he maketh a shew that he doth it, when it is not so: when hee doth it who geueth him the power? did the witch? they bee voide of reason which thinke so. Had hee power and lay still while shee sent him, not minding to do any thing, vnlesse hee were requested? what foole can imagine that? How is this thing then? doubtles this wicked deuill either did know that God had geuen him power, and so did stirre vp and set on the witch: or else he did see great likelihood that God would giuegive him leaue to torment the man in his body or his goods because of his wicked life and infidelity, For hee is neuer wearie, but secketh all occasions. And we hauehave so flat testimonies of Gods word, that (where God gaue him leaue) hee tormented the bodies of men, that such as affirme hee can not plague that way, shew themselues ouer bold agaynst the truth. Wee see then it must needes bee one of these … ▪ hee tormenteth … man: For God did geue him power, but hee would for many causes be set on by the witch, where shee could not increase his power: or else he doth coniecture that the Lord will giuegive him leaue when he is sent, because the people are worthy to bee seduced and lead into vile errors: sometyme he seemeth to do that which hee doth not, and that is with much subtilty.
For hee seeth the humours in the bodies of men, and beasts. Hee seeth the rootes and causes of diseases, and when they wil come foorth. Hee stirreth his dame, or rather his poore vass…l and setteth her in quarell with that man. Shee sendeth him, the man falleth lame, or into some languishing sicknes, his hogges or his kyne do die. Ther was natural cause of lamenes of sicknes and death which the Lord sent, and Satan would hauehave it layd vponupon him. The witch seeth such effectes follow, and gathereth for certaynty that shee did it. The man calleth to mynd how hee displeased her, and how shee did threaten him, and now is sure shee did it. These are part of his wayes, let vsus looke further. He is a bloody murtherer and delighteth to draw men into periury and cruelty. Hee seeketh therefore to bring many such vntounto their death for witchcraft as are no witches. Some woman doth fal out bitterly with her neighbour: there followeth some great hurt, either that God hath permitted the deuil to vex him: or otherwise. There is a suspicion conceiued. Within fewe yeares after shee is in some iarre with an other. Hee is also plagued. This is noted of all. Great fame is spread of the matter. Mother W. is a witch. She hath bewitched goodman B. Two hogges which died strangely: or else hee is taken lame. Wel, mother W doth begin to bee very odious & terrible vntounto many. her neighbours, dare say nothing but yet in their heartes they wish shee were hanged. Shortly after an other falleth sicke and doth pine, hee can hauehave no stomacke vntounto his mea…e, nor hee can not sleepe. The neighbours come to visit him. Well neighbour, sayth one, do ye not suspect some naughty dealing? did yee neuer anger mother W? truly neighbour (sayth he) I hauehave not liked the woman a long tyme. I can not tell how I should displease her, vnlesse it were this other day, my wife prayed her, and so did I, that shee would keepe her hennes out of my garden. Wee spake her as fayre as wee could for our liues. I thinke verely shee hath bewitched me. EueryEvery body sayth now that mother W is a witch in deede, and hath bewitched the good man B. Hee can not eate his meate. It is out of all doubt: for there were which saw a weasil runne from her housward into his yard euen a little before hee fell sicke. The sicke man dieth, and taketh it vponupon his death that he is bewitched: then is mother W apprehended, and sent to prison, shee is arrayned and condemned, and being at the gallows, taketh it vppon her death, that shee is not gylty: and doubtles some are put to death not beyng gylty. Now let vsus see what the deuil hath gayned by this practise. For though at sometymes the coniectures fall out right, yet many times there is innocēt blood shed: which is a greuous sin. The iury commit periury and cruel murther, which vppon blinde surmises of ignorant persons, do giuegive their v…tduit: for they should see what knowledge of God, the accusers hauehave. Yea sundry tymes the euidence of children is taken accusing their owne mothers, that they did see them giuegive milke vntounto little thinges which they kept in wooll, The children comming to yeares of discretion confesse they were entised to accuse. What vile and monstruouse impieties are here committed: It falleth out sometyme that some visitation lighteth vppon some person man or woman, Either the deuill doth torment indeed, or els the party faineth to be tormented (which hath bene often seeue) and then accuseth such a woman to hauehave sent the deuil. It is strange to see the madnes of the people, that wil aske the deuill who sent him. And then he telleth who is his dame, and to how many she hath sent him, and how many hee hath kylled. If it were the Deuill indeede, would they beleeue him? Is it not his desire to bring innocent persons into daunger? Would not bee very gladly hauehave a number of men periure and forsweare themselues? doth the Lord will men to goe vponupon their oth in a matter, at the testimony of a deuill?
Who would thinke that euer such brutish ignorance should be found in men, in the tyme of the Gospell? This is also a practise which would make a man tremble to thinke vponupon it, that there should euer such abhominable beastlinesse bee found in a land where Christianitie is professed: If they doe suppose that one is bewitched, they enquire after a wise man or a wise woman, to learne who hath done the déede. If it be not meere deceipt but that the partie hath a deuill, & telleth them indéed the man is bewitched, and describeth such or such an olde woman, Yet let me aske a fewe questions. First, I demaund whether it be allowed for any man to deale with the deuill? Is not that man by the commaundement of God to be put to death which hath a familiar spirite? Are not they then almost as euill as he, which seeke vntounto him? No doubt it is a cléere case and cannot be coloured. But I shall after hauehave occasion to prooue it by the testimonies of the holy Scripture, and therefore I doe omit the same now. Then further I do demaund whether they will beléeue the deuil? Do they thinke he will accuse a giltie person or an innocent soonest? Doe they or can they imagine that the deuill will bewray any thing that shal do good? Will one deuil doe that which shalbe to the hinderance of another? No doubt it is a iust vengaunce vppon men that hauehave despised the light, that they bee thus giuen ouer to forsake God, and to followe after deuils. I will procéede yet further to lay open the filthie vices which the people are drawne into by witchcraft, whiles indéede they bewitch themselues through infidelitie. A man is sicke, his sicknesse doth linger vponupon him, Some doe put into his head that he is bewitched, He is counselled to send vntounto a cunning woman, She saith he is forspoken indéede, she prescribeth them what to vse, there must be some charme and sorcerie vsed. The partie findeth ease, & is a glad man, he taketh it that he hath made a good market, it was a luckie hower whē he sent to that woman. For doubtlesse he did thinke that if he had not found so speedie a remedie, the Witch would vtterly hauehave spoyled him. Now the deuill is driuen out of him and is gone. The wise woman with her Familer was too strong for him. O that the hearts of men were not turned into the hearts of beasts, but that they would consider. Is Satan become a weldoer? Is hee so charitable and so pitifull that hee will releeue mens miseries? Or doth one deuill cast foorth another? Doth the weaker giuegive place vntounto the stronger? Is Satan deuided against Satan? Some man will replye that this is a commō thing and well tried by experience, that many in great distresse hauehave bin reléeued and recouered by sending vntounto such wise men or wise women, when they could not tel what should els become of them, and of all that they had. Shall not men take helpe where they can find it? Why do men go vntounto Phisicions? Let it be graunted that men finde helpe by Witches, Yet this must néedes be graūted, that as it is for the most part a plague and token of Gods displeasure, where he hath power graunted him to vexe: so is it a more heauie iudgement, which the wicked world hath deserued, that he is suffered to heale. For now they cannot say that the Lord is their health and saluation, but their Phisicion is the deuill. As all the workes of God are good, and vntounto right good end: so of necessitie all Satans workes be euill and to most deuilish purpose. If he hauehave power giuen him to possesse and to plague the bodie: he is not driuen out, (for Satan doth not driue out Satan) but healeth the bodie, to the end he may the more fully possesse and destroy the soule. His charitie and his pitie are no better. O miserable health so recouered. O wretched men so relieued: they do imagine that the deuill is driuen out of them, and he hath entred in déeper. For can that which is deuilish, as a charme, driue out the deuil? They say it is such as doth cōsist of good words. It is so much the more blasphemous and abhominable. For the name of God and the sentences of his holy word, are most shamefully abused vntounto sorceries, which is one speciall thing which the deuill doth couet. He which seeketh helpe in sicknes at the hands of a Phisicion, doth that which is lawfull being ordeyned of God, For he hath giuen the nature & properties vntounto things, which shall serue for medicine. Shall a man therfore hold it lawfull to seeke helpe at the deuill. Well, to procéede further. A man hath a siluer cup missing, all corners are sought but yet it cannot be found: straungers there came none vntounto his house: needes must it be one of his own seruants that hath plaied the théefe. EueryEvery man deuyeth the matter, & sayth he sawe it not. Here is dubble griefe, not so much for the losse of the cup, as that a man should hauehave a théefe in his house and not know him. And which is more, it may be that he whom he most suspecteth is least giltie: were it not good to hauehave meanes for to trye out such a matter? He could bee content to ride xl. miles to hauehave it tryed. He enquireth secretly where there is any cunning man of great fame, Thether he hasteth. Home he returneth & in very déede findeth the cup, & knoweth ye théefe, though he may not bewray him. What shal we thinke of this? Euen that one deuill hath plaied the whole play, & eueryevery part thereof: & therfore it is all alike for good. First the deuill tempted the seruant to steale the cup: The selfe same deuill put into the mind of the maister to seeke vntounto a cunning man. The self same deuil knoweth best where the cup lieth hid and who stale it. He therfore is ye most fit & doth giuegive the directiō. But what hath y• deuil gained by this? he hath gained euen his desire: for God letting him loose for to tempt, here followe great sinnes. First there is theft: then seeking vntounto deuils, But because men are blind and suppose that such a seeking is no great offence, I will shew what the Lord speaketh thereof in the holy scriptures. I will first referre men vntounto that which the holy Ghost saith of King Saule. 1. Cronic. 10. For there we may see that there are two sinnes mētioned for which the Lord did destroy Saule. The one that he spared Agag. The other, that he enquired … …ho. The Lord hath giuen an expresse commandement D…. 18. that his people shall not seeke vntounto such. The Prophet Esay chap. 8. ver. 20. affirmeth that there is no spark of light in those which doe enquire at those which hauehave familiar spirites. It is as much as if he should say, they hauehave no sound knowledge of God at all in them. This is a thing to be woondred at, that in places where the Gospell hath bene many yéeres taught, there should bee men found that are ignorant of God. But indéede they hauehave not reuerenced, but despised the light in their hearts. The Lord doth threaten sharply Liuiti. 20. vers. 6. that person which shall seeke vntounto those that worke with the deuill. The words bee these: The soule which shall turne it selfe vntounto Oboth (that is, to the Spirites of …ytho) or to the Soothsayers, to goe a whoring after them: I will set my face against that soule, and will cut him off from among his people. God saith here that such persons as seeke vntounto Coniurers and Witches, doe goe a whoring after deuilles. The soule of man should be kept pure and chast vntounto God as a wife vntounto her only husband. They should not commit spirituall whoredome with deuilles, as the Lord doth here charge those which seeke vntounto deuilles. What a foule thing is this, that such as hauehave made a solemne vowe in baptisme, to forsake the deuill and all his workes, should now séeke vntounto deuilles for helpe? Hee that committeth adulterie in the flesh, is not to bee suffered. Then how much more are these worthie to bee rooted out, which hauehave so vnfaithfully broken their vowe made vntounto GOD, and hauehave committed whoredome with deuills. If there were no other hurt but this by witchcraft, you sée the deuill hath gained much: when many giuegive counsell, and many doo seeke vntounto such as hauehave familiare spirits, and so in effect, fall from the liuing God. I might stay here and procéede no further to shew what doth mooue the deuill to doo such things by Witches, as he could doo as well without them: and what doth mooue him to heale such as are hurt, to reueale things which are lost or stolen, and as it were to doo good: But I goe a litle further, and shew great and generall mischiefes. What greater aduauntage vntounto the deuill, then to hold men from turning vntounto God by repentaunce▪ And this hee doth bring to passe by Witches. All chastisements come from God, whether they be such as hee doth with his owne hand inflict: or such as hee giueth the deuill point to lay vppon men. So that whether the Lord God doo it with his owne hand, or by the diuell, (as hee did vntounto Iob) or whether the deuill doo it without a Witch or by a Witch, all is one in this respect, that it commeth from God, & shold humble men, and bring them vntounto true repentance. But men looke no further thē vntounto ye witch: they fret & rage against her: they neuer looke so high as vntounto God: they looke not to the cause why y• deuil hath power ouer them: they seeke not to appease Gods wrath, But they fly vponupon y• witch: they think if shee were not, they should doo well enough: shee is made the cause of all plagues & mischiefes: whereas in very deede she is but an Instrument which the deuill vseth for a colour: their owne wickednesse hath prouoked God to anger, & to giuegive the deuill power ouer them. It is their own infidelity which hath bewitched them: they should now turne vntounto God, and they runne after the deuill: For some fall vponupon the Witch and beate her, or clawe her, to fetch blood: that so her spirite may hauehave no power. These are well after, for the deuill is glad to make them Witches. For when as they ascribe power vntounto such things to driue out deuils, what are they but Witches? Some runne vntounto the Witch when any friend of theirs is bewitched, and threaten her, that if she doe not take home her spirite, and if that he come any more they will cause her to bée hanged. They should runne only vntounto God by a liuely faith, true repentance and hartie prayer, to hauehave the deuill remooued; and they runne vntounto the Witch, & ascribe vntounto her that which doth belong only vntounto God: for they thinke that she hath power to send the deuill, and to take him off. Alas, is there any true faith in these men? The deuill hath bewitched them, to kéepe them out of the way of repentaunce, and to make them his bondslaues.
Others there bee which hauehave their Hogges distragely or some other cattell. It may be, they be so blind and so wicked, that God hath giuen power vntounto the deuill to make hauocke indéede. He mooueth the Witch, and she sendeth him. Their sinnes they looke not vponupon, but how to ouercome the power of the Witch, as they imagine. And what doe they? They take a Hogge or some other beast and burne it aliue. Doth this driue away the deuill? Sure if it doe, it is not because it doth ouercome him, but because he is delighted with their burnt offring which they offer vntounto him. What should I stand to reckon vp all the deuises which they hauehave to driue away the deuill, if he hauehave begunne to hurt them, to vnwitch as they call it, or to keepe him off with their charmes, or with their nightspell which they hauehave learned? What neede is there to rehearse the knackes which they hauehave to driue away the ague, the Tooth-ach, to make the Whay Curd: to make Butter come, to make Cheese runne? They bee all very witcheries, wrought by the deuill. For it is by … naturall meanes, and to tye the extraordinary power of GOD vntounto such things, is verye blasphemous. These bee the fruites of Poperie, which hath remooued away the light, and left the people in the dark to be deluded by the deuill: which remooued away the spirituall armour wherewith the soule should bee defended and taught the people verie witcheries. Wee see then (or at the least all may easely see) that while men are thus blinded with wicked errours about witches, they are so farre from the way of repentance, that they are carried headlong into y• pits of filthy sins which doo drowne men in destruction. Wee sée that it is a most clere case, that God ordreth all by his good prouidence. The witch can doo nothing, for the deuill which is farre greater then she can doo nothing. But the wicked world full of all contempt of God▪ doth deserue that the deuill should hauehave power to worke many feates, to the end they may hauehave strang delusion, and the efficacie of error come vponupon them. This doth S. Paul set foorth 2. Thess. 2. For there wee may sée that Satan hath libertie giuen him to shewe his efficacie with the power of lying Signes and woonders. If Satan coulde make no shew or appearance of woonders, by doing things which are beyond the reach of man to counterfait, why should it bee called a power and efficacie, and why should they be called signes and lying woonders? Our Sauiour him selfe, Math. 24. vers. 24. doth shew that there should arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and should giuegive great signes and woonders. I conclude therefore, that as the righteous God doth permit & suffer the deuill, for the wickednes of the world, to shew foorth an efficacie and power, By giuing signes and woonders (y• is such things as men are not able to doo, & therefore doo account them woonders, though they be no true woonders in déed, nor wrought vntounto a good end, but to establish false religion) so doth he let loose the same deuill, or suffer him to doo many things by Witches and Coniurers, that the despisers of the holy religion may bee seduced. There hath bene meere cosinage in most of the popish miracies: (For if they had bene done as they report, they should hauehave bene miracles in deede, and the deuill is able to doo no miracle, but to make a shew by illusion) yet were they belieued by occasion of those shewes which hee made at some times. In like maner there are straunge woonders reported of Witches and Coniurers, they▪ hauehave bene belieued, as also many counterfaite things, because he hath power at many times giuen vntounto him to torment men, & because he doth make his vaine apparitions