The Mystery of Witchcraft Discovering the Truth of Nature, Book 1 · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Of Diuers other meanes whereby Satan confirmes his Proselites in their couenant with him.
BEsides these former Ceremonies and familiaritie, mentioned before, Satan hath other meanes also, as occasion serues, and their dispositions sutable, to keepe his Nouices from reuolting and starting from him. For there is no question, but notwithstanding all this former making sure, yet some occasion will be offered to startle these Witches, Occasions of repenting of the bargaine.and so to procure some remorse for the bargaine.
1 Eyther some outward affliction, or their owne present case, beeing likely miserable, suffring much want, &c. may breed discontent, and so Repentance of the bargaine.
2 Or else, the Lord may awaken the conscience by the power of the word, and so confound this desperate match; or Sathan himselfe may of purpose faile his pretended mischiefe, leauing her for a season, or not doing according to her commaund, therby to prepare her by this qualme to eternall vengeance.
Wherein, lest shee should now grow altogether melancholie, and so submit her selfe indeed to the true meanes to vndoe her bargaine.
Obserue I pray you how Sathan bestirreth himselfe.
First, in this case, he will not stick How Sathan dealeth herein.to delude her with proffers of gold, and daintie fare, graunting her opportunitie, to satisfie her lusts, where … likes, as her age and disposition is, … ping 1 making glo…ious proffers.on kindenesse vponupon kindenesse … her; fitting her with musicke and … carnal delights; flattering and crowding most basely into them according to their more stirring and generous disposition.
If by these meanes hee cannot yet make them sure, but that the sting of conscience doth still stagger, and chalenge the bargaine; then he discouereth 2 Vsing strange terrours.him in another fashion.
1 Not onelyonly keeping them shorter, that they may fawne vponupon him, but threatning to discouer them, that so they may vndergo the punishmēt of the law.
2 Yea further also withdrawing himselfe from them, and so refusing to be at their checke; yea crossing them in their desires, and contradicting or exceeding their commands.
3 If this wil not preuaile, then he causeth them to renue their homage by yeelding their bloud, to bee sucked of him, which hee will not faile now more freely to drawe out, euen to fainting and extreame pining of his staggering proselite, and appearing further vntounto them in most fearefull and vgly shape, thereby to hold them in with Feareful Apparitions.feare, yea, not sticking sometimes to threaten with present death, by tearing them in peeces, scorching them with flaming flashes, &c. and all this to let them see what they are like to trust to: that so euen through despaire, they may rest content with their bargaine, Note.vponupon hope that their torments may be yet deferred, or at least vponupon necessitie to please their cruell maister, and so resolue to make the best of a badde market, and to take their pleasure while they may,: ot at least to prepare way heereby for their discouerie, as being weary of his seruice, and greedie of further employment: It vsually falling out in such cases, that when by these terrors of Satan, these filly soules shal be brought to despaire,
The horrour of their Conscience will not let them be at rest: but obscurely euen now wil not faile to vse often meanes of their discouery… ther by voluntarily coming to t… ties afflicted, to be scratched of … or confessing themselues in generall … tie, of such and such things, a… their diligence about the dist… parties, and often enquirie con… ning them, or else by their fa… sottish excuses of themselues. By such like meanes, I say, they will not obscurely detect themselues, through the guilt of their conscience, a… hasten hereby their deserued ve… ance.