| | |
|
| | | BOOKE I. The Discoverie Credulity |
| | |
|
| | | |
| | |
The art alwaies presupposeth the power; so as, if they saie they can doo this or |
| | |
that, they must shew how and by what meanes they doo it; as neither the
|
| | |
witches, nor the witchmoongers are able to doo. For to everie action is required
|
| | |
the facultie and abilitie of the agent or dooer; the aptnes of the patient or sub-
|
| | |
ject; and a convenient and possible application. Now the witches are mortall,
|
| | |
and their power dependeth upon the analogie and consonancie of their minds
|
| | |
and bodies; but with their minds they can but will and understand; and with
|
| | |
their bodies they can doo no more, but as the bounds and ends of terrene*
|
| | |
will suffer*: and therefore their power extendeth not to doo such miracles, as
|
| | |
surmounteth their owne sense, and the understanding of others which are wiser
|
| | |
than they; so as here wanteth* the vertue* and power of the efficient.* And in
|
| | |
reason, there can be no more vertue in the thing caused, than in the cause, or that
|
| | |
which proceedeth of or from the benefit of the cause. And we see, that ignorant
|
| | |
and impotent women, or witches, are the causes of incantations and charmes;
|
| | |
wherein we shall perceive there is none effect, if we will credit our owne experi-
|
| Aristot. de | |
ence and sense unabused, the rules of philosophie, or the word of God. For alas!
|
| anima. lib. 2. | |
What an unapt instrument is a toothles, old, impotent, and unweldie woman to
|
| Acts. 8. | |
flie in the aier? Truelie, the divell little needs such instruments to bring his
|
| | |
purposes to passe.
|
| Why shuld | |
It is strange, that we should suppose, that such persons can worke such feates:
|
| not the divell | |
and it is more strange, that we will imagine that to be possible to be doone by a
|
| be as readie | |
witch, which to nature and sense is impossible; speciallie when our neighbours
|
| to helpe a | |
life dependeth upon our credulitie therein; and when we may see the defect of
|
| theefe reallie | |
abilitie, which alwaies is an impediment both to the act, and also to the pre-
|
| as a witch? | |
sumption thereof. And bicause there is nothing possible in lawe, that in nature
|
| | |
is impossible; therefore the judge dooth not attend or regard what the accused
|
| | |
man saith; or yet would doo: but, what is prooved to have beene committed, and
|
| | |
naturallie falleth in mans power and will to doo. For the lawe saith, that To
|
| | |
will a thing unpossible, is a signe of a mad man, or of a foole, upon whom no
|
| | |
sentence or judgement taketh hold. Furthermore, what jurie will condemne, or
|
| | |
what judge will give sentence or judgement against one for killing a man at
|
| | |
Berwicke; when they themselves, and manie other sawe that man at London, that
|
| | |
verie daie, wherein the murther was committed; yea though the partie con-
|
| | |
fesse himself guiltie therein, and twentie witnesses depose the same? But in this
|
| | |
case also I saie the judge is not to weigh their testimonie, which is weakened by
|
| | |
lawe; and the judges authoritie is to supplie the imperfection of the case, and to
|
| | |
mainteine the right and equitie of the same.
|
| | |
Seeing therefore that some other things might naturallie be the occasion and
|
| | |
cause of such calamities as witches are supposed to bring; let not us that professe
|
| | |
the Gospell and knowledge of Christ, be bewitched to beleeve that they doo such
|
| An objection | |
things, as are in nature impossible, and in sense and reason incredible. If they
|
| answered. | |
saie it is doone through the divels helpe, who can work miracles; whie doo not
|
| | |
theeves bring their busines to passe miraculouslie, with whom the divell is as
|
| | |
conversant as with the other? Such mischeefes as are imputed to witches, hap-
|
| | |
en where no witches are; yea and continue when witches are hanged and
|
| | |
burnt: whie then should we attribute such effect to that cause, which being
|
| | |
taken awaie, happeneth neverthelesse? |
| | | |
| | |
|
| | | |
| | 8 | |