The Discovery of Witchcraft

[an ungra]cious original: "cious" doting old fool; and that power withheld from the wise, the rich, the learned, and the godly? etc. Finally, is it possible for a man or woman to perform any of those miracles described in my book, which are so consistently reported by great scholars original: "Clerks"? If you say, "No," then I am satisfied. If you say that God—directly, or by means—can accomplish all those things, and many more, I agree with you. But witches may well claim they can do these things, even though they cannot show how they do them. If I, for my part, were to say I could do those things, my very opponents original: "adversaries" would say that I lied.

O Master Archdeacon, is it not a pity that actions said to be performed by the almighty power of the most high God, and by our Savior His only Son Jesus Christ our Lord, should be attributed to a worthless original: "baggage" old woman's nod or wish? etc. Good sir, is it not one clear kind of idolatry for those who labor and are heavy-laden A reference to Matthew 11:28 to come to witches to be refreshed? If witches could help those they are said to have made sick, I see no reason why a remedy might not as well be required from their hands, just as a purse is demanded from the one who has stolen it. But truly, it is multiple forms of idolatry to ask that of a creature which none can give but the Creator. The Roman Catholic original: "Papist" has some appearance original: "colour" of Scripture to support his "Idol of Bread" A common Protestant critique of the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation in the Eucharist; but no Jesuit-like logical hair-splitting original: "Jesuitical distinction" can hide the witch-believers' original: "Witchmongers" idolatry in this regard. Alas, I am sorry and ashamed to see how many die who, being said to be bewitched, only seek magical cures, when a healthy diet and good medicines would have healed them. I dare assure you both that there would be none of these swindling original: "cosening" types of witches if those who believe in them original: "Witchmongers" did not support them, follow them, and believe in them and their oracles; whereby indeed all good learning and honest arts are destroyed. For those who most promote their power and defend the skill of these witches understand no part of it; and yet, being many times wise in other matters, they are made fools by the most foolish people in the world.

It seems to me that these magical physicians act within the state original: "Common-wealth" much like certain cynical The author likely refers to religious dissidents or separatists people do in the Church, whose harsh sayings are regarded by some as oracles that may not be doubted. These people, instead of learning and authority (which they make seem contemptible), feed the people their own inventions and imaginations, which they prefer before all other theology original: "Divinity". By working to build a church according to their own fantasies—where all order is condemned and only their magical words and elaborate original: "curious" directions are promoted—they would utterly overthrow the true Church. And just as these enchanting Paracelsians Followers of the physician Paracelsus, often associated with alchemy and chemical medicine rather than traditional herbalism or anatomy deceive the people, leading them from the true practice of medicine original: "Physick" to their charms, so do these others (I say) discourage people from listening to learning and obedience, and whisper in men's ears to teach them their monk-like original: "Fryer-like" traditions. The chief author of this sect at this time is one Robert Browne Leader of the "Brownists," an early Separatist group from the Church of England, a fugitive, and a fitting cover for such a cup A proverb meaning a suitable match for a bad thing: just as in the past there were the Anabaptists, the Arians, and the Franciscan friars.

Truly, not only nature being the foundation of all perfection, but also Scripture—being the mistress and director of nature and of all Christianity—is beautified with knowledge and learning. For just as nature without discipline naturally leans toward vanities and, as it were, soaks up errors, so does the word—or rather the literal text original: "letter"—of the Scripture without understanding not only make us swallow errors, but hands us over to death and destruction; and therefore Paul says he was not a minister of the literal text, but of the spirit. Romans 2:27. 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Thus I have been bold enough to deliver to the world, and to you, those simple notes, reasons, and arguments which I have devised or collected from other authors. I hope they shall be harmful to no one, but to myself a great comfort if they may be received with favor and acceptance. If it turns out otherwise, I should think my labor ill-spent. For truly, in my opinion, whoever performs anything, or attains any knowledge, or whoever should travel throughout all the nations of the world, or (if it were possible) should peep into the heavens, the comfort or wonder of it would be nothing pleasant to him unless he had the liberty to share his knowledge with his friends. Because I have made a special choice of you, I hope you will read it, or at least place it in your study with your other books; among them, there is none dedicated to anyone with more goodwill. And as long as you have it, it shall be to you (at the risk of my life) a certain amulet, protective charm original: "Periapt", magic circle, or spell to defend you from all enchantments.