THE

Discovery of Witchcraft:

PROVING,

That the Compacts and Contracts of WITCHES

with Devils and all Infernal Spirits or Familiars, are but

Erroneous Novelties and Imaginary Conceptions.

Also revealing, how far their power extends in killing, tormenting,

consuming original: "consuming"; here meaning wasting away or causing to decline, or curing the bodies of men, women, children, or animals,

by charms, potions original: "philtres"; magic potions, especially love potions, amulets original: "periapts"; charms worn on the body for protection or healing, talismans original: "pentacles"; magical diagrams or stars, curses, and conjurations.

WHEREIN ALSO

The unchristian practices and inhumane dealings of

searchers and witch-finders original: "witch-tryers" upon aged, melancholy, and superstitious

people—in extorting confessions by terror and torture,

and in inventing false marks and symptoms—are notably exposed original: "detected".

And the trickery original: "knavery" of magicians original: "jugglers"; in this era, it referred to sleight-of-hand artists and deceptive performers, conjurers, charmers, fortune-tellers original: "soothsayers", astrologers original: "figure-casters"; those who cast astrological horoscopes,

dream-interpreters, alchemists, and potion-makers; with many other things

that have long lain hidden, fully opened and explained original: "deciphered".

ALL OF WHICH

Are very necessary to be known for the undeceiving of judges, justices,

and jurors, before they pass sentence upon poor, miserable, and ignorant people,

who are frequently arraigned, condemned, and executed for witches and wizards.

IN SIXTEEN BOOKS.

By REGINALD SCOT, Esquire.

To which is added

An excellent Discourse on the Nature and Substance

O F

DEVILS and SPIRITS,

IN TWO BOOKS:

The first by the aforementioned author; the second now

added in this third edition, as a supplement original: "succedaneous" to the former,

and contributing to the completion of the whole work:

With nine chapters at the beginning of the fifteenth book

of the DISCOVERY.

A circular red library stamp in the bottom left corner, reading "Royal Library of London" original Latin: "BIBLIOTHEC. REG. LOND." surrounding a crown and floral motif.

R. 1177

LONDON:

Printed for A. Clark, and are to be sold by Dixy Page at the Turk's Head

in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange, 1665.