Witches Executed

However, as there are many who still remain in doubt whether there are any witches at all, or any such spirits who offer their service to them—or rather, who tyrannize over them through a feigned service—to answer their doubts would require a greater labor, and perhaps more skill and better experience, than I intend or am perhaps original: "happily" able to show.

I will say only this: if the scholarly arguments already published are not enough, nor the ancient records of the witches called Druids original: "Druides" who were confined to the Isle of Man in olden times, nor the common reports of the strange mischief done by the witches of Norway, it still seems to me that the common experience of our learned and reverend judges of the land should be sufficient proof. These judges find proof daily in their yearly circuits Circuits: periodic journeys made by judges through specific districts to hold court sessions through the convictions of such offenders and the plain and manifest evidence brought against them.

These people, being dangerously infected by this sin, have from time to time stood for their arraignment. Just as their lives have been considered the most detestable, their deaths have been observed to be the most desperate. This should put it beyond question that there are indeed such people in the world who, through the damnable practice of witchcraft, have sold themselves into the Devil’s service.

In light of this, I may conclude that it must either be granted that there are witches in both name and nature, or else the opponents original: "Oppositors"—who are, I suppose, more pedantic original: "precise" than wise, standing on the uniqueness of their own opinions rather than the certainty of reason or judgment—must inevitably do palpable wrong and open injury to the discretion and consciences...