Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits

...enemies of mankind, and determined to do mischief, is not to be doubted. That the Devil can (by divine permission) and often does torment people in their bodies and property, without the involvement original: "Instrumentality" of witches, is undeniable. That he often has, and delights in having, the cooperation of witches and their consent in harming people is consistent with his natural malice toward humanity and is all too tragically demonstrated original: "Lamentably exemplified".

That witches, when detected and convicted original: "convinced," used here in the legal sense of being proven guilty, ought to be exterminated and cut off, we have God’s authority for; see Exodus 22:18. Yet the same God who has said, you shall not allow a witch to live, has also said that on the testimony original: "at the Mouth" of two or three witnesses, the person worthy of death shall be put to death; but on the testimony of only one witness, he shall not be put to death. See Deuteronomy 17:6.

There is much debate about what constitutes sufficient proof original: "Conviction". Some, in their zeal, have suggested that less clear evidence should be accepted in these cases than in others. They assume that otherwise it will be difficult (if not impossible) to bring such people to well-deserved punishment original: "Condign Punishment" because of the secret dealings original: "close Conveyances" between the Devil and witches. However, this is a very dangerous and unjustifiable belief.

People serve God by doing their duty. He never intended that every person guilty of capital crimes should be discovered and punished by humans in this life, no matter how carefully they search for such wickedness. Therefore, it is extremely necessary in times like these that people are informed about what qualifies as evidence and what does not. This is a matter of charity toward others; for even though the most prominent believer original: "Professor," meaning one who publicly professes their faith may secretly be a most abominable...