A Guide to Grand-jury Men, Book 2 · Chapter 1 – Chapter 4
CHAP. I. That there are Witches.
THough some hauehave gone about to proue that there are no Witches: yet the contrarie tenent is vndeniably true, that there are Witches.
1. From the lawes that God himselfe hath made against them: 1. Forbidding the practice of Witchcraft, and that none amongst his should bee Witches, Wizards, Necromancers, and such like, Deut. 18.10, 11, 12. 2. Forbidding any to goe to them, Leuit. 19. & 20. Isa. 8.19. 3. His commandement to put Witches to death, Exod. 22.18. If there were no Witches, what neede these lawes?
II. From the Historie of the Bible, which nameth to vsus certaine Witches, as the Sorcerers of Egypt, Exo. 7. Iannes and Iambres, 2. Tim. 3 8. Those in Babylon, and Persia, Dan. 2. & 5.7. Isa. 47.12. Those amongst the Philistims, Isa. 26. and among the Nations driuen out before the Israelites, Deut. 18. 12, 13. So wee reade of other Witches which were of Balaam, Numb. 22. Ios. 13.22. of Iezabel, 2. King. 9.22. of Manasses, 2. Chron. 33.6. of Simon Magus, Act. 8.9. and Elymas, Act. 13.1, 2. It maketh mention of the practices of Witches. Exod. 7.2. Chr. 33. 6. Isa. 47.9. Ezek. 21.21 Hest. 3.7. Thirdly, it speaketh of some going to them, 1. Sam. 28.7. and sending to them, Num. 22.5. Ios. 24.9. Fourthly, It relateth how some Kings put them to death. 1. Sam. 28.3, 9. and cut them off, 2. King. 23.24. All this should be false, if there were no Witches.
III. From comparisons and similies fetched from Witchcraft by Samuel, 1. Sam. 15. & by Isa. 29.4. which were absurd, if there were no such thing.
IV. From Saint Pauls mentioning Witchcraft amongst the workes of the flesh, Gal. 5.20.
V. From Gods threatning damnation vponupon Sorcerers, Reu. 21.8.
VI. Experience of the truth, both amongst our selues and in other Countries.
VII. The confession of infinite number of Witches condemned and executed.
VIII. The truth of Histories and many relations of their arraignements, and conuiction.
IX. The lawes of nations both Heathen and Christian against them. It is idle to spend time farther in so manifest a truth, therefore hereof, thus much briefely.
CHAP. 2. What kind & sorts of persons they bee, which are most apt to become Witches.
WItchcraft being, as S. Paul saith, amongst the fruits of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20. one may fall into this sinne, as well as into any other, if God preuent it not.
And albeit there bee men Witches, as Balaam, and Elymas; and women Witches, as the Witch of Endor; and of both these sexes, of all sorts, young, middle and old age; of all which, instances may bee giuen: yet of Witches there be commonly more women then men: this is euident,
I. From Gods publishing his Law against Witches, Exo. 22.18. in the feminine gender. Praestigiatricem ne sinito viuere.
II. From Sauls speech, when he said, Seeke me out a woman that hath a Familiar spirit, 1. Sam. 28.7. 1. Chr. 10.13, 14. In naming a woman, and not a man, it seemeth that women were more addicted thereunto then men.
III. From experience it is found true here, and in all countries, especially of hurting Witches.
IV. From Stories, and relations, euen from these in our owne Kingdome: as of the Witches in Lancashire; in one of their meetings, there were of nineteene or twenty assembled, but two or three men. The Witches bewitching, the Earle of Rutlands children, were women. Those of VVarby were women, and but one man. Women exceed the men, and it may be for these reasons.
1. Satan his setting vponupon these rather then on men, since his vnhappie onset and preuailing with Eue.
2. Their more credulous nature, and apt to be misled and deceiued.
3. For that they are commonly impatient, and more superstitious, and being displeased, more malicious, and so more apt to bitter cursing, and farre more reuengefull, according to their power, then men, and so herein more fit instruments of the Diuell.
4. They are more tongueripe, and lesse able to hide what they know from others, and therefore in this respect, are more ready to bee teachers of Witchcraft to others, and to leaue it to children, seruants, or to some others, then men.
5. And lastly, because where they thinke they can command, they are more proud in their rule, and more busie in setting such on worke whom they may command, then men. And therefore the Diuell laboureth most to make them Witches: because they, vponupon eueryevery light displeasure, will set him on worke, which is that which he desireth. See instances in Bodin, in his Daemonomania. l. 2. cap. 3. p. 144. 150. and the Confession of Mother Demdike a Lancashire Witch: for hee will aske and presse to be commanded: and if hee be called vponupon, and not set on worke, it may cost the party his or her life: so displeased is hee, if he bee not set on worke, which women will bee ready enough to doe.
But whether they be men, or women, these sorts following are the aptest to be the Deuils Scholers herein.
I passe by the Infidels, Heathen people in former ages (from whom these abominations mentioned in Deut. 18.9, 10, 11. came into Israel) as also Pagans, and saluage Nations now, (amongst whome, by Trauellers relations, Witchcraft is rise) and I will speake onelyonly of such sorts as be called Christians, and these be
The sottish ignorant, whose eyes are blinded by Satan, 2. Cor. 4.4. and are led captiue by him, 2. Cor. 2.26. This appeareth in those Witches, which commonly are detected amongst vsus, ignorant, fillie sottish persons, most of them.
The malicious spirits, impatient people, and full of reuenge, hauing hearts swolne with rancor, vponupon the least displeasure, being bitter banners, and cursers, and threatning requitall. This is manifest, by the nature, quality, words and deedes of Witches conuicted, who hauehave shewed themselues to be such, and euer found to bee so. To these may be added,
Astrologians,Of Astrol. See Delrio. l. 4. c. 3.4.1. monthly Prognosticatours, Diuiners, Figurecasters, Fortune-tellers, Charmers, Obseruers of times, of luckie and vnluckie daies: for all these are reckoned vp, where Witches, Wizards, Inchanters, and Sorcerers are forbidden, Deut. 18. 10, 11. Isa. 47.12, 13.
Of Iuglers and their tricks, See Scot. B. 13. cap. 23.24. 34.Iuglers also and such legerdemaine companions, who striue to deceiue the eyes, and withall vse speeches, as if they dealt with a familiar, saying, Hey Iacke, vp aloft, Iacke, Passe, and repasse, Iacke, for thy Masters aduantage. Though they thus speake, to beguile people, and sometimes with a Moales skinne stuffed, or a Rats, by candle-light in a corner, feare simple fooles, doing that they doe by actiuitie and nimblenesse of the hand. Yet for that they sport with such resemblances, and vtter words, as the inuocating of a spirit: the reality whereof is called abomination before God, it may be iust with God, to giuegive ouer such, (by Law, Rogues) into Satans snares and deceits, to make them his owne in earnest, whose they would seeme to be in sport, being lewde and vaine fellowes, children of disobedience, as Saint Paul speaketh. To these adde Tumblers, Gipsy, Rogues, and such like, apt to be made Satans slaues in Witche…e, as they be otherwise his in impietie.
Such as professe to cure diseases, but by such meanes, as hauehave no reason in the worke of nature to doe the cure, not hath by any ordinance of God from his Word any such operation to heale the infirmitie, and therefore such remedies must be diabolical, and the practisers either Witches already, by their implicite faith, or the next doore to Witches: such be they, as vse Spels, Charmes, and which cure a wound by anointing the instrument which made it, and such like.
To these may be added, such as D. Cotta a Physician reckons vp in a discourse of his, Empericks, Quacksaluers, Ephemerides masters, wandring Chirurgions, and such like.
Those that are giuen to curiositie, to seeke after vaine knowledge, in pride of heart to goe beyond others, to vnderstand secrets, & hidden things, to know things to come. Such as these, not bounding themselues within the limits of reason, nor of Gods reuealed will, fall foule at vnawares vponupon the Diuell, and are in great danger to be intrapped by him, and by his inticements made his slaues. Thus was Faustus taken,Bodiu. de Daemo. l. 3. cap. 3. Detrio lib. 6, monit. 7, 8. pag. 1048, 1049. so some Alchymisters catched, seeking for the Philosophers stone.
For curiositie of knowledge, if Reason and Art faile, will moue men to seeke helpe of a spirit, who is ready at hand attending their call, and to draw them into this pit of Magicke, Sorcery and Witchcraft. A iust plague for proud & prophane wits. Of this danger speaketh one Master Cooper:Mystery of Witchcraft, pag. 1…. from which he and another by Gods preuenting grace, was deliuered.
Those that with vnsatiable greedinesse gape after worldly wealth, and immeasurably thirst after Honors, as did Syluester the 2. Benedict 8. Alexander 6. Ioh. 20. & 21. who gaue themselues to Magicke and Witchcraft,See the Pageant of Popes and Be…. and so to the Diuell, to come to be Popes.
Those that bee superstitious and idolatrous, as all Papists be. That of these very many the Diuell works vponupon to make Witches, is not to be doubted: for Sorcery is the practice of that Whore, the Romish Synagogue, Reuel. 18.23. Secondly, it is found true, that healing Witches doe vse many of their superstitious Ceremonies, Lip-prayers, Aue-Maries, Creeds, and Pater-nosters by set numbers. Thirdly, when Poperie beare sway heere, then Diuels and Spirits often appeared, and at that time were many more Witches then now. Fourthly, they allow of Coniurers and diabolicall Exorcismes. Witcherie trickes, inuentions of Satan.See the Boy of Bilson. Fiftly, where that Iewish, heathenish, and hereticall religion is, there still are innumerable Witches.De Dae…. lib. 4. cap. 5. Bodin relateth, that one Trescalanus a notorious Witch, in Charles the 9. dayes, hauing his life giuen to discouer others, told the King that there were in his Kingdome aboue 300000. Also the same Bodinu; telleth vsus, that there had beene executed in Loraine, while one man Remingius was Gouernour there, nine hundred Witches. Sixtly, and lastly, wee may reade in the Admirable History of a Magician, set out by Papists, and dedicated to the Q. Regent of France, that the Diuell called Verrine, iustified most of the superstitious and idolatrous practices in that Church, … Innocation of Saints and Angels, with the rest: Is it not likely then, that there the Diuel can hauehave power ouer the Professors of that Religion, which he so well liketh, and approueth of? This is euident in this something, that so many Priests, Religious men, and religious women of their orders, hauehave beene found to be Witches, as Bodinns hath lese recorded to posterities in his Daemonomania. Thus wee see the sorts, which principally may be insnared by Satan, to turne Witches.
CHAP. III. Before the Diuell come to sollicite to Witchcraft, hee sindeth some preparednesse in such parties, to giuegive him hope to preuaile.
THe miserable man or woman which becommeth a Witch, maketh way for the Diuel to set vponupon them, to make them such. Hee goeth thither, where he is either sure, or well hopeth of entertainment, Mat. 12.44, 48. He therefore watcheth the time when he may best offer his seruice vntounto them.
The preparednesse (besides that which is common, as impenitencie, prophanesse, vnconscionablenesse, and irrespect to the power of Religion) are distempered passions, and violence of affections, vaine curiosities, I company, through which occasions he taketh aduantage, and worketh to hauehave his will. As for example:
When any fall into a passionate sorrow,In a discourse of Spirits, by Sebastian Michaelis D. of Diuin. a Frier. accompanied with solitarinesse, for some losse, as did a woman for the death of her child: in which sorrowfull melancholy moode, the Diuell offered himselfe to comfort her. So at that time to others also in the time of a great death, extremely pinched, and in desperate cases, hee appeared, and at length wonne the former woman, and these to become Witches: for which they were afterwards (being found out, confessing how they so became such) condemned, and executed.
When a man is impatient of pouerty, and wil needs be rich, euen against Gods prouidence, heere is preparation for a Diuell.Fox in Acts and Monuments. …ol. 789. Iast edition. As wee may reade of a young man thus affected, to whom the Diuell offered himselfe to supply his wants, and to fulfill his desire, if hee would become his; to which he yeelded, and wrote a band with his owne bloud for the ratification.
Master Roberts treatise of VVitchcraft, p2, 46.When one is inraged with anger, plotting reuenge, heere is worke for the Diuell: Thus hee tooke hold of one Mary Smith of Lynne, and brought her to be a Witch, and to make a league with him.
Tryall of Witchcraft in Lancaster.When one is familiar with such a… are Witches: Thus one Alice Nutter, a rich woman in Lancashire was seduced, and one Alison D…uire, and Anne C…tto…, which they confessed, and were executed for their murthers and Witchcrafts.
When any are addicted to the reading and study of dangerous bookes, inticing to the practice of hidden Mysteries of Magicke, and Inchantments. Thus was … G…fred…, See the book of the life & death of Lewis Gaufredy.a Priest, catched, and became a Witch, a very Diuell incarness, in the height of villanies for his pride and teacheries.
Thus by these, and other like meanes, which may bee gathered from the confessions of Witches, they prepare themselues for Satans temptations to draw them to Witchcraft.
CHAP. IV. Of Satans appearing in some uisible shape, to those that he inticeth to Witchcraft.
WHen the Diuell hath once perceiued a man or womans preparednesse,Delrio, lib. 2. q. 27 Sect 1. of Satans appearing visibly. hee taketh his sit time to discouer himselfe, in some visible forme to be seene of them.
That hee can take a shape, it's not to be doubted; For,
1. Hee appeared in a forme like Samuel to Saul, 1. Sam. 28. And Diuines doe thinke, that the seruants that came so immediately one vponupon another, to bring Iob heauy tidings, were Diuels, Iob I. and it is held, that he appeared to Christ visibly, Matth. 4.
Zanch. de …per. ib. 6. die. l. 4. cap. 16.2. Histories make mention of his visible appearing, and such as doe write de spectris, de bonis & malis Angelis, affirme as much.
3. Witches generally confesse it, as we may reade in the relations of those many in Lancashire, those in Northhampton and Bedfordshire, and in all other places.
Now these appeare not in one, but in varietie of shapes and formes, as in the shape of a Man, or Woman, or a Boy, of a browne and white Dogge, of a Foale, of a spotted Bitch, of a Hare, Moale, Cat, Kitling, Rat, dunne Chicken or Owle, of a Toade, or Crab; of these hauehave I read in the narrations of Witches, to which more may be added; for no doubt he can, if God permit, take any forme vponupon him, for his aduantage to deceiue; though some write, that he cannot take the forme of a Doue, or Lambe.Delrio, lib. 2. q. 28 Sect.3.
Wee may in reading finde, that hee varyeth in his appearances, according to the nature, quality and condition of the persons to whom hee presents himselfe. To base fordid▪ filthy, nasty and blockish, more beastlike then Christian people, hee commeth in the baser formes and more abhorred shapes: to some of them in the shape of Toads, as you hauehave heard, to be loathed, euen of nature it selfe, if they had not lost it. But to a Faustus, in a religious persons habit, to Gaufredy a Priest, one of some learning and wealth, he appeareth in some humane shape, like a gallant fellow, and so vntounto others: for hee fashioneth himselfe so, as hee knoweth to bee best liked, to whom hee commeth to shew himselfe, to make them his.