The Discovery of Witchcraft (1665) - Page 24

the worse they are. And until you have read my book, consider this in your mind: that Wise-women, Thessalians, Screech-owls, and Hags original: Sagæ, Thessalæ, Striges, Lamiæ; these are Latin terms used in classical literature and law to describe various types of witches, sorceresses, and night-spirits.—which are the only words used that properly signify our "witches"—are not found once in the Old or New Testament. Furthermore, Christ himself, in his Gospel, never mentioned the name of a witch.

Neither he nor Moses ever spoke a single word about the "witches' bargain" with the Devil, their haggingThe act of being "hag-ridden" or tormented by a witch in the night., their riding through the air, their transferring of grain or grass from one field to another, their hurting of children or cattle with words or charms, their bewitching of butter, cheese, or ale, nor even their transubstantiationThe author uses this theological term (usually referring to the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ) to mock the idea of witches physically transforming themselves or others..

The Hammer of Witches original: Mal. Malef.; referring to the Malleus Maleficarum, a famous 15th-century witch-hunting manual. Part 2, Question 2.

1 Peter 4:1.

Because of this, the writers on this subject are not ashamed to say that it is reasonable to claim there were no witches in Job's time. Their reason is that if there had been such witches then in existence, Job would have said he had been bewitched. But indeed, people took no notice in those days of this "doctrine of devils"—that is, these fables of witchcraft—which Peter says shall be much regarded and listened to in the latter days.

Lambert Daneau in his prologue.

However, no matter how ancient this barbaric notion of witches' all-powerfulness is, Truth must not be measured by time; for not every old opinion is sound. Truth is not diminished no matter how long it has been suppressed, but it is to be searched for in whatever dark corner it lies hidden. For it is not like a cup of ale that can be tapped too early. original: broached too rathe; "rathe" means early or premature. Finally, time reveals old errors and discovers new matters of truth. DaneauLambert Daneau (c. 1530–1595), a French Calvinist theologian who wrote about witchcraft. himself says that this question has never been handled until now, nor have the Scriptures concerning this matter ever been fully explained.

To prove the ancientness of the cause, to confirm the opinions of the ignorant, to strengthen my opponents' arguments, to increase the punishment, and to complete the ruin of these old women, several things are added:

The vanity and wickedness of those called witches;
The arrogance of those who claim to work wonders;
The desire people have to listen to such miraculous matters (since for most people, an impossibility is more believable than a truth);
The ignorance of natural causes;
The ancient and universal hatred felt toward the name of a "witch";
Their ugly faces, their spiteful words, their curses, and their charms made in rhyme;
Their poverty and the fear of many foolish folk;
The opinion of some who are wise;
The absence of Robin Good-fellow and the Fairies, who used to be blamed for such things;
The talk of the common people;
The authority of the Inquisitors;
The learning, skill, agreement, and reputation of the writers on this subject;
And the false translations and foolish interpretations used, especially by Catholicsoriginal: Papists..

All these triflesoriginal: toyes. take such a hold on men's imaginations that they are led away from considering the facts and instead condemn what they do not understand.

Lamentations 3 & 4, verse 10. 1 Corinthians 11:9, verse 7. Genesis 2:22, 18. Aristotle, Problems book 2, 9. Virgil, Georgics.

However, by God's grace, I will so clearly expose and disprove these excuses and all their other objections in this book that every witch-mongerA person who promotes or believes in the reality of witchcraft. shall be embarrassed and all good men satisfied.

In the meantime, I would wish them to know that if respect for God’s all-powerfulness, the meaning of His Word, the doubtfulness (or rather impossibility) of the case, the weak proofs brought against these women, the harshness used against them, the pity that should be in a Christian heart, or even their innocence, weakness, or age are not enough to stop the rage or harshness with which they are oppressed—then the consideration of their gender should at least encourage some lessening of their punishment.

For if nature (as Pliny reports) has taught a lion not to deal as roughly with a woman as with a man, because she is physically the weaker vessel and in heart more inclined to pity (which Jeremiah in his Lamentations seems to confirm), what should a man do in this case, for whom a woman was created as a help and comfort? Even in the law of nature, it is a greater offense to kill a woman than a man—not because the man is not the superior creature, but because a woman is the weaker vessel. Therefore, among all modest and honest persons, it is thought a shame to offer violence or injury to a woman. In this respect, Virgil says:

There is no memorable name

In punishing a woman.

original: Nullum memorabile nomen / Fœminea in pœna eſt. From Virgil's Aeneid.

God, who knows my heart, is my witness, and you who read my book shall see, that my goal and purpose in this project tend only toward these respects: First, that the glory and power of God be not so limited and degraded as to be placed into the hand or lip of a