PREFACE.

...on the other hand, it is now clearly evident from this that the end times are here—which I noted that the 'chosen vessel' original: "uas illud electionis." A biblical reference to St. Paul (Acts 9:15). predicted so many years ago. This is manifest because, beyond the Furies of monstrous crimes born from these civil unrests and internal wars, and beyond the license granted to commit almost anything with impunity, the slaughter and sacrifice of demented old women original: "anicularum." Weyer uses this diminutive to emphasize that these women are weak and pathetic rather than powerful or dangerous.—which had been buried for some time—are being cruelly brought back to light, while a wonderful fragrance of scent strikes the nostrils of Satan. These acts are carried out not only by the highest magistrates of both the Church and the State, who prefer to be blind to the rising sun of heavenly truth rather than understand these diabolical stratagems, but even by those who take wonderful pleasure in their own knowledge of divine mysteries and their understanding of the heavenly voice. But truly, such butcheries of the innocent do not originate from that eternal fountain of goodness and mercy; rather, such executions carnificinæ: literally "the work of the hangman," implying brutal and heartless killing are suggested by the most monstrous adversary of all mortality, and especially of the Church of Christ. Although I opposed these things with strong defenses in the edition of my six books On the Deceptions of Demons original: "de Præstigijs dæmonum," Weyer’s most influential work, first published in 1563., nevertheless, when I saw the 'Phalarides' A reference to Phalaris, a Greek tyrant famous for his cruelty; here Weyer uses it to describe cruel judges or instruments of torture. being prepared again against our witches Lamias: a Latin term for hags or witches, which Weyer argues are merely deluded—who are harmful to no one—without any precise investigation of the case, I wished to condense my opinion on them as briefly as I could. I intended to present it clearly for all eyes to see, so that many might be served by a succinct explanation of this labyrinth, and so that so much innocent blood might not be shed in such a confused manner. To this lest I have added an appendix on Feigned Fasting, chiefly because of the fabricated abstinence of Barbara of Unna Barbara of Unna was a young girl who claimed to live without eating; Weyer investigated her and exposed the case as a fraud., a twelve-year-old girl, which was nevertheless publicized and celebrated as true in public writings not only throughout Germany, but also among foreigners. I offer these two mites original: "obulos duos," referring to the "widow's mite" from the Gospels, suggesting Weyer's humble contribution. to the treasury gazophylacium: the temple treasury for the building of the temple, like the poor widow. If anyone feels himself wealthier in knowledge, let him strive to supply or at least alleviate my poverty according to the abundance of his own ability, without the influence of controversy; for I freely acknowledge that not everything is given to one person alone. Whatever this work may be, it can benefit many and harm no one. Furthermore, I wished to name and consecrate this labor to your Clemency for many just reasons. For since you have come to the administration of your domains, and since the perpetual enemy of mortals—a murderer from the beginning and the savage subverter of all peace—has stirred up his own agents in those domains as well as in the surrounding provinces, who, demented by his mockeries, judge too imprudently concerning those impostures and actions that have hitherto been haphazardly attributed to those they call witches, I wished to offer your Clemency this writing of ours as a thread by whose guidance you might be able to extricate yourself safely from this labyrinth. I am persuaded that this will be all the more pleasing to you because, having been excellently instructed in the purer doctrine of Christ and true religion, you do not so easily surrender yourself to diabolical machinations and deceits, or even to human frauds. A most memorable example of this, not unknown to me, was produced not long ago by your Clemency at Bentheim, where you were happily gifted with a heroic son by the help of heavenly grace in a place otherwise unfavorable, from your illustrious and notably pious partner in life, Lady Magdalena, daughter of the most ancient house of the Counts of Neuenahr. Furthermore, since you were raised in the best disciplines, you, as a learned man, will be able to judge more certainly concerning this work of ours, or rather these paradoxes; I seek exactly such a judge and patron for my night-studies. Here, your remarkable modesty, innate goodness of nature, and your illustrious humanity joined with exceptional greatness, along with the rest of your excellent qualities of both mind and bo[dy...]