The Examination of John Walsh

¶ The Printer to the Christian Reader,

Here you have (gentle reader) the examination of John Walsh of Netherbury in Dorsetshire, concerning sorcery and witchcraft, which he learned (as is shown hereafter) from a certain priest named Sir original: "(S)"; an abbreviation for "Sir," a common title for clergy members at the time. Robert of Drayton. In this, you may see the fruits of Papists original: "Papistes"; a derogatory term for Roman Catholics. and popery, and the evil practices of their idle lives, which have been no small harm to all commonweals original: "common weales"; the public welfare or the state.. For by this, not only have the simple people been falsely seduced and led into superstition, but all social classes have been severely distressed and troubled by these practices of sorcery and witchcraft.

It would be too tedious to show even a few stories of their devilish practices and too many horrible acts original: "factes"; from the Latin 'factum,' meaning deeds or actions, often used in a criminal sense at this time. of murders and other mischiefs. These were practiced and used not only by fat-bellied monks, flattering friars, and idle, lustful priests; but even the "Holy Fathers" themselves—the Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops—were mostly and entirely devoted to the study and exercise of these most wicked and devilish sciences. By these means, they worked to reach the Papal throne, high positions, and great wealth—which was (as the histories declare) achieved through the secret murdering and poisoning of one another.

For example, Pope Alexander VI, having so—