Precautions for Prosecutors (Cautio Criminalis)

Question I. Whether witches or sorcerers truly exist?

I believe it must be held as certain that some sorcerers do indeed exist in the world, and that this cannot be denied without rashness and a mark of distorted judgment. Let the authors who professionally treat this subject be consulted: Spee cites the "heavyweights" of 16th-century witch-hunting theory: Nicolas Rémy (Remigius), Martin Delrio (Delrius), and Jean Bodin (Bodinus). By citing them, he establishes his scholarly credentials before he begins to dismantle their legal methods. Remigius, Delrius, Bodin, and others. It is not our purpose to linger here. However, as for whether there are so many witches, and whether all those women who have been burnt to ashes original: "in favillas evolârunt," literally "flown off into sparks/ashes," a poetic and grim reference to the execution by fire. so far were truly such; neither I, nor many other pious men with me, believe it. Nor will anyone easily persuade me to believe it, unless they wish to examine the matter with me using judgment and reason, rather than through impulse, clamor, or mere authority.

This is what I most earnestly pray my reader desires, through that charity which our Lawgiver (original: legifer) Christ so strongly wished to be kindled among his followers. If anyone has a zeal against this crime and gnashes their teeth at the sin of magic (original: magia), let them restrain themselves for a moment and add knowledge and consideration to their zeal—qualities they perhaps lack. Not every impulse comes from virtue (original: virtus); some come only from one's natural temperament. Virtue is moderate and modest; it loves to be instructed, and it does not fear being diminished by becoming better informed. But if we rush headlong with impulse, and because we imagine we know everything, we refuse to learn—is it any wonder if truth escapes us in many things? Come now, reader: set aside prejudice (original: præjudicio) and follow modestly where I lead you step-by-step by the hand. It will not be a source of regret to have considered many things slowly and carefully.