On Witches and Female Soothsayers

and had performed wonders. Nevertheless, the sorcerers original: "malefici," referring to practitioners of harmful magic performed similar feats; for by their incantations they turned waters into blood and brought frogs forth upon the earth. Behold, therefore, it is clear from the Holy Scripture of the Old Testament that sorcerers, with the help of demons, disturbed the waters because they turned them into blood and overran the fields and estates with frogs. Likewise, in the first book of Job, in the first chapter, it is read that by the devil's procurement, a violent wind rushed in from the region of the desert and struck the four corners of the house, which, collapsing, crushed the children of Job and they died. Behold how the devil, by his power, provoked the air and crushed the boys. It is also said in the same book that the devil provoked bolts of fire; for the text says: "The fire of God fell from heaven, and having struck the sheep and the servants, consumed them." Job 1:16 Likewise, John says in the Revelation, chapter seven: "After these things I saw angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that they should not blow upon the earth, nor the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying: Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we sign the servants of God on their foreheads." Revelation 7:1-3

Doctor Sigmund Who are those four angels of whom John says it was granted that they might harm the earth?

Ulricus They are devils.

Sigmund Does he call a devil an "angel"?

Ulricus Yes; for the devil is called an angel there and also frequently elsewhere, because he is also sent by God, as the Standard Gloss original: "glosa ordinaria," the standard medieval collection of biblical commentaries says in that place.

Sigmund Perhaps John saw these things in the spirit, giving us examples of his vision.

Conrad Most worthy Prince, there is no need for examples while the matter stands as a fact before our eyes, as you have heard regarding the sorcerers before Pharaoh and from the deeds of Job. If, therefore, these things are read to have been done, who then doubts that they can also be done now?

Ulricus Let us speak more clearly about that passage at the end and afterward.