A Pleasant TREATISE OF Witches.  
Their Imps, and Meetings, Persons bewitched, Magicians, Necromancers, Incubus, and Succubus', Familiar Spirits, Goblins, Pharies, Spectres, Phantasms, Places Haunted, and Devilish Impostures.  
WITH The difference between Good and Bad Angels, and a true Relation of a good GENIUS.  
By a Pen near the Covent of ELUTHERY.  
LONDON, Printed by H. B. for C. Wilkinson at the Black Boy in Fleetstreet, and Tho. Archer and Tho. Burrell under St. Dunstans-Church, 1673.   

TO THE READER.  
THere is an inward Inclination and desire of Knowledge (gentle Reader) which hath moved many grave & Learned Authors, amongst the rest of their inquiries, to search into the Nature of those things; which because they are beyond the reach of common capacity, seem to the vulgar, Fables only, and Poetical Fictions. Amongst the rest of those things, there is nothing hath been more cried down by some, and upheld by others; nothing has had more Defendants on either side, than the possibility of man's having familiarity with Demons. This general Curiosity drew me in among the rest, that were ignorant of such matters, and caused me, for my own Recreation as well as Satisfaction, to allot some spare hours, to a stricter inquiry into these things; but their scope being so large, and so far extended, so many Arguments stand on the one side, so many on the other, that I fell short of any just determination: Nevertheless, like that Merchant that misses sometimes his designs, yet always comes home well laden, I have found many things by the way, and filled this small Treatise with the Pith and Marrow of above a hundred Ancient and Modern Authors, whose pleasant Relations have not only been delightful to myself in their Collection, but have wrought so effectually on the Ears of some that have heard but two or three of them; that not through any desire of mine, but by their frequent and earnest entreaties, I have used these means to satisfy them, and to present thee with this compendious Treatise; and that thy Acceptance of it may be kind according to my desires; you shall find nothing here, of those Vulgar, Fabulous, and Idle Tales that are not worth the lending an ear to, nor of those hideous, Sawcer-eyed and Clovenfooted Devils, that Grandams affright their children withal; but only the pleasant and well-grounded discourses of the Learned, as an object adequate to thy wise understanding.  
Farewell.   

Index.  
CHAP. I. 
The manner of the Witches Profession.  CHAP. II. 
Their Imps and Meetings.  CHAP. III. 
Persons Bewitched.  CHAP. IU. 
Magicians and Negromancers.  CHAP. V. 
Incubus and Succubus.  CHAP. VI 
Familiar Spirits, Goblins, and Pharies.  CHAP. VII. 
Spectres and Phantasms.  CHAP. VIII, 
Places Haunted.  CHAP. IX. 
Devilish Impostures.  CHAP. X. 
An admirable and true Process of a Woman that wrought Miracles by the help of the Devil.  CHAP. XI. 
The horrid end of witches and Negromancers.  CHAP. XII. 
The difference between good and bad Spirits, and the true Relation of a good Genius.    

A Pleasant Treatise of WITCHES, etc.  

CHAP. I. The manner of the Witches Profession.  
INcoherent, various, and deceitful will all the Institutions of Satan appear, whether we consider him in his ambiguous Oracles deceiving the Heathen World, in his subtlety to create himself a worship, and followers so obedient, as to sacrifice their offsprings to him; but more especially, in his seducing some poor miscreants, so far as to contract a bargain with them for their bodies and souls for ever. Such are persons (St. Chrisost. lib. de provide. ad Stag. Monac.) perversely instituted in Religion, envious, malicious, and distrusting Gods mercies, who to satisfy their unreasonable desires, in those things they could not otherwise perform, have harkened to his flatteries, renounced their Faith, and made themselves his slaves, and subjects. Nevertheless to make his worship become more solemn, and his servants tie the greater, many horrible and detestable ceremonies are performed at their first reception; the sum of all is this. The Wizards and Witches being met in a place and time appointed, where the Devil appears to them in humane shape, admonisheth them to be faithful, & promises them success, and length of life; they that are present recommend the Novice to him: and the Devil, if the party will renounce the Christian Faith, the Sacraments, and tread upon the Cross, gives him his hand, adding moreover, that this is not alone sufficient, but that he will have an homage also, containing, that he give himself to him body and soul for ever, and bring as many as possibly he may into the same societ●…y: furthermore, that he prepare himself certain Ointments. This we inquisitors, say the Authors of a Book called Malleus Maleficarum, know being fully informed by a young Witch.  
Another married youth is said to have confessed to Peter Judge in Boltingen after this manner. That the rest of the society, on Sunday before the water was consecrated, brought the new Disciple into the Church, where he denied his faith & c. and promised homage to his little Master (for so they call him, Magisterulum, and no otherwise) than he drinks out of a Bottle presently, which being done he begins to conceive something of his Profession, and is confirmed in the principal Rites of it.  
Manlius writes concerning their abominable profession, that in the Year 1553. two Witches sto●…e a Child from their neighbour, killed it, cut it in pieces, and put it into a Kittle to boil, when the sorrowful Mother looking for her Infant, came by chance into the house, and found the limbs thereof horribly consumed. For which abominable Fact the Authors of it were burnt, having first in their torture confessed this part of their horrible profession.  
Two other Witches are reported by Spranger to have killed, the one, forty Children unchristned, the other an infinite number; and R. P. P. Valdarama the Spaniard relates, that in Germany were taken eight Witches, who confessed to have murdered One hundred forty & five Children in the making their Ointments.   

CHAP. II. Of their familiar Imps, and their meetings.  
THey are likewise reported by the same Author, to have each of them a Spirit or lmp attending on, and assigned to them, which never leave those to whom they are subject, but assist and render them all the service they command. These give the Witches notice to be ready on all Solemn appointments, and meetings, which are ordinarily on Tuesday or Wednesday night, and then they strive to separate themselves from the company of all other Creatures, not to be seen by any: and night being come, they strip themselves naked, and anoint themselves with their Ointments. Then are they carried out of the house, either by the Window, Door, or Chimney, mounted on their Imps in form of a Goat, Sheep, or Dragon, till they arrive at their meeting place, whither all the other Wizards and Witches, each one upon his Imps, are also brought. Thus brought to the designed place, which is sometimes many hundred miles from their dwellings, they find a great number of others arrived there by the same means: who, before Lucifer takes his place in his Throne as King, do make their accustomed homage, Adoring, and Proclaiming him their Lord, and rendering him all Honour. This Solemnity being finished, they fit to Table where no delicate meats are wanting to gratify their Appetites, all dainties being thither brought in the twinkling of an Eye, by those spirits that attend the Assembly. This done at the sound of many pleasant Instruments (for we must expect no Grace in the company of Devils,) the table is taken away, and the pleasant consort invites them to a Ball; but the dance is strange, and wonderful, as well as diabolical, for turning themselves back to back; they take one another by the arms and raise each other from the ground, then shake their heads to and fro like Antics, & turn themselves as if they were mad. Then at last, after this Banquet, Music and Ball, the lights are put out, and their sleeping Venus awaks. The Incubus's in the shaps of proper men satisfy the desires of the Witches, and the Succubus' serve for whores to the Wizards. At last before Aurora brings back the day, each one mounts on his spirit, and so returns to his respective dwelling place, with that lightness and quickness, that in little space they find themselves to be carried many hundred miles; but are charged by their spirit in the way, not to call in any wise on the name of God, or to bless themselves with the sign of the Cross, upon pain of falling, with peril of their lives, and being greivously punished by their Demon.  
Sometimes at their solemn assemblies, the Devil commands, that each tell what wickedness he hath committed, and according to the heinousness and detestableness of it, he is honoured and respected with a general applause. Those on the contrary, that have done no evil, are beaten and punished: at last when the assembly is ready to break up, and the Devil to dispatch them, he publisheth this law with a loud voice, Revenge yourselves or else you shall die, than each one kissing the Posteriors of the Devil (a sweet bit no doubt) returns upon their airy Vehicles to their habitations.  
These meetings are made commonly towards midnight, when the earth is covered with darkness; yet Cardan writes, that a friend of his, a Bookseller, returning from Alemagne, where he had newly been, saw several assemblies met near a mountain, both Wizards and Witches dancing, some on Horseback, some on Goats, others on Dragons, some on other Phantasms, but drawing n●…er within a stones throw, they all vanished and were no longer seen. The places of these Meetings are in some desert, either in a fair plain, or under some large tree, of which Pomp. Mela writes, that on the side of the Mountain Atlas in Mauritania, are seen by night certain lights, and noises are heard of Cymbals, and almost all sorts of Musical Instruments, which in the day time cease, and the Phantasms vanish, and disappear. Solin and Olaus affirm the same, that the Shepherds living near this place are often frighted by the Troops of Spirits that go dancing and brawling toward this Mountain, esteemed by the common people to be Egyptians. Valderama speaks farther concerning these meeting places, which ought in no wise to be omitted, that by t●…e new Castle belonging to the Earl of Francesquin, he saw under a high Chesnut-Tree, hard by a little wood, a circle of the breadth of twenty foot, being made so round, that it seemed to be made by a Geometrical compass, where he imagined these Witches and Spirits to have been; and what most astonished him, was that upon this round circle grew no flower nor grass, although in the middle and round about abundantly. Suspecting therefore that the earth was consumed by the quality of some ill humour, which hindered the Herbs to grow, he caused it to be dug up and diligently looked upon, but found the earth of the very same quality and goodness with the rest ad joining.  
Paul Grillaud, a most famous Doctor of the Law, reports that a certain Peasant had a wife accustomed to go to such meetings, with her other companions, which her Husband suspecting, often taxed her with it, which still she denied as obstinately; till at last resolving to know the truth, he feigned himself, one night, drunk and in a sound sleep, which happened to be the time she was advised by her Spirit to go to the Assembly. So that looking round about her that all things were sure, her doors fast and her husband to appearance dead drunk, she retired into a private corner of the room, stripped herself naked, and ano●…ted her body: then in an instant as if she had wings, she flew up the Chimney. This her husband perceiving, rose and hid the box of Ointment, till the next morning; when examining her where she had been that night, he could neither by fair nor foul means bring her to confess, that she had been out of the house, till ●…hewing her the box of Ointment, see here, said he, the witness that will so convince thee, that thou shalt be no longer able to deny thy wickedness; and unless thou resolve to tell me immediately, whither and by what means thou wen●…'st, expect not to go out of my hands alive. Then did he W●…, ●…mbling at her husband's threats, an●… convicted of what she had done, confess the truth, and all the things committed in their impure Society; above all, she se●… forth the pleasures of it with such cunning fla●…tery, that the lusty young Peasant had a mind presently to be partaker of those delights, and promised her pardon for what she ●…ad done, if she would conduct and bring ●…im also to the place. This she promised willingly, and the time being come, after she had asked leave of her spirit to bring her husband with her, she caused him to strip himself naked as she was, and both being anointed, they mounted, the spirit attending on them in the form of a Sheep, which flying softly through the Air, carried them to the designed meeting place. The poor man seeing so many men and women so richly clothed (as to him they appeared) such preparations for a Feast, such strange Music, and so many lighted Torches around him, stood long time amazed. But at last after they were all set at the table by the commandment of the Devil; the Country man not losing time, but finding the meat unsavoury and without ●…ast (for according to the Proverb, the Devils were the Cooks) he began to ask for Salt, and at last a spirit waiting there in form of a youth, brought him some, which receiving, he said, God be praised for this good Salt. At which words, in a moment, the Table, Meat, Servants, Guests, Men and Women, Music, Lights, Spirits, and all vanished away from ●…im, who found himself next morning naked in the Country of Bene●…ent under a great Walnut-Tree, almost a hundred miles from his own home; whither with must distress at last became, accused his wife and many o●… of the company, who after confession on the Rack, of their profession, were afterwards Burn●….  
It is reported by the same Author of another Witch named Lucrece, that being carried away from her house towards a meeting place, on the Sabbath, when the Bell was ringing to Matins, the sound of the Saints-Bell did so affright the Devil, that he let her fall in a place thick with Brambles and Thorns, where the next day she was found in pitiful plight, and accused, but what became of her afterwards the Devil knows.   

CHAP. III. Of Persons Bewitched.  
Antonius' Sucquetas' Knight, o●… great Fame in Flande●…s, had besides three lawful Children, one Bastard who married a wife at Brage; this woman a little after her marriage continually vexed with an evil Spirit, that wheresoever she was, even from among the company of chaste Matrons, she was snatched away, and was drawn from the table or seat where she was, and thrown into this or that corner; notwithstanding, all that were present did what they could to hinder it. All this happened without any hurt to her, which many were persuaded was caused by some Witches means, that envied her, or loved her Husband who was very beautiful: to be short, while she was thus tossed too and fro by the evil Spirit, she was at last with Child; and when her pains began to come upon her, and she had sent the maid who was then alone with her, to fetch the Midwife; the Witch suspected before to be so, came in and performed that office privately, while the Gentlewoman by reason of her extraordinary pains was in a swoon. Afterwards when she came to herself, she found h●…r self delivered, but the Child could no where be found, which caused great astonishment. But the next morning, she found her child by her in the bed in Swadling-cloaths, which for some time she suckled, till at last it was taken one night from her side and never after heard of.  
In the year (saith Langius) 1539, in a certain Village called Fugestal, a Country man by name Ulricus Neussesser was cruelly tormented with strange pains in his body; insomuch that when he despaired of all other remedies he cut his own Throat. About three days after when he was to be buried, Eucharius Rosen of Uveissemberg and many skilful p●…rsons Anatomised the body, and found in his Ventricle, a rough and hard piece of Wood, four Knives and two pieces of Iron, all being about a span long; there were also seen round bundles of Hair, and things that could never en●…er into a living man, but by the deceit and subtlety of the Devil.  
To this purpose it is also related of a servant to a Noble man of the Castle of Bontenbrouch, that all the time he was bewitched, he vomi●…ed Nails, Pins, Needles, and Strings; and being asked concerning it, he said t●…at a certain woman met him one day & breathed upon him, from which time he became thus troubled. But afterwards when the evil Spiri●… left him, he confessed that there had no such thing happened to him but that the Devil made him say so, and that those he voided as Needles, Pins, and the like, came not from his stomach, but were put into his munch by the Devil.  
Wierus in like manner writes of a horrible vexation of certain N●…ns at ●…verketes bewitched as 'twas thought on this manner. A certain old woman had one day restored some Salt to these Nuns of whom she had borrowed, and besides what was due, gave as much more. After which restoration, there was often found about their Chambers a white substance in form of Salt, no body knowing by what means it came thither. Then was there often heard in the night, a voice groaning and desiring help, but when they came to the place whence it proceeded, thinking it had been one of their companions that implored their aid, they could see nothing. Sometimes they were pulled by the feet out of the bed, otherwhiles so tickled on the souls of their feet, that they w●…re ready to die with laughing; some had peieces of their flesh nipped out, and all were tormented in some part or other, vomiting a black and acid humour, so strong that it fetched the skin off their mouths. One time when their friends were come to see them, they were lifted up from the ground, notwithstanding, all resisted, some fell down as dead, some walked on their hams as if they had no legs, others would run up Tree●… like Cats: and the Abbess herself, while she was talking to the Lady Margaret Countess of Burens is concerning these things, had a piece of flesh pulled out of her Thigh; the wound was of colour, what we call black and blue in relation to bruised flesh, and was afterwards cured. These outrages of Satan, lasted for three years, but concerning the end I find no mention. One thing only more is remarkable of these Nuns, that if at any time they were hindered from beating and striking each other, they were hugely tormented inwardly: if by the desire of their friends, they went to Pray, their tongues were tied, nor could they seriously attend to any good thing. But when they talked concerning idle or lascivious sports, they were much refreshed and recreated.  
It happened in the year 1562. at the town of Levensteat under the Duke of Brunswick, that a certain maid, by name Margaret, the daughter of one Achils, about the age of twenty, was making clean a pair of shoes of her sisters with a knife, whose sheath lay by her with another in it, at which time an old woman came in ask the maid how she did, for she had been sick of a Fever, and hearing her answer went out of the house immediately; when the maid had done her work, she looked for the other knife and the sheath, but could find neither; so searching very diligently, she saw at last a great black dog under the Table, which she beat away, hoping to find the knife under him? but the dog seemed very angry, and grinning with his teeth, leapt over the hatch of the door and ran away. The maid presently began to be giddy, and a chillness seemed to come from her head, all over her body; In the end she ●…ell in a swoon, and continued, as if she had been dead three days; then she began to come again to herself, and being asked the reason of her distemper, answered that she was sure the knife that she had lost was in her left side; and although her Parents and friends judging her thoughts proceeded from melancholy, hunger, and the like, gave no credence to her words: nevertheless she still persisted in affirming of them, grieving the more to hear every one contradict and think that impossible, of which she was sure. At length after three months, there appeared, on the left side, a little above the Spleen, a swelling, about the bigness of an hen's egg, which according to the change of the Moon increased and decreased; then said she, hitherto you have contradicted me always, but I hope you will now believe what you see, and pressing hard upon the swelling, a great quantity of matter gushed out, and th●… knife's end appeared in the Rupture. The maid would ●…ave pulled it out, but her friends hindered her, and sent immediately for the Duke's Chirurgeon of the Castle of U volffenbuttle, who first sent a Minister to her to comfort her, and instruct her in God's word, for as much as she had been troubled by the Devil; and on the next day, which was Sunday, he opened the flesh and took out the knife, which was the very same that was lost, being only consumed a little about the edge.  
Hector Boethius gives us an admirable Relation concerning King Duffus, that he fell into a great malady, yet not so greiveous, as it was hard to be known by the best Physicians of that time; for without any sign of Bile, Phlegm, or the redundancy of any evil humour, the King was grievously tormented every night with perpetual watchings and continual sweatings, and found but very little ease in the daytime? his body wasted away by degrees, his skin grew hard and close, showing to the beholders both the Veins, Nerves, and situation of the very bones. Nevertheless by the regular motion of his pulse, it was manifest that nothing of his radical moisture was wasted, and the colour of his lip, cheeks and ears, still remained vigorous and temperate, and his appetite was no way abated. These good signs in a languishing body, and one that was afflicted with much pain, the Physicians much admired; and when by all their Art they could neither cause him to sleep, nor make his sweeting cease, but that the King grew worse and worse to both, they desired him to be of comfort, for it might be that some Physicians of other Nations knew the nature of his disease, and could cure it, whom they would send for, by which means he might recover his health. But by this time there grew a strange rumour amongst the common people that the King was bewitched, and that his disease proceeded not from any natural cause, but by the Magic Art of certain women living at Forres a City of Moravia, who used those means to the destruction of the King. This report soon came to the King's ear, and lest the Witches, hearing they were discovered, should make their escape, there were men sent secretly to Moravia to inquire concerning this matter: the messengers dissembled the cause of their coming, and under pretence of a League they were to make between King Duffus and those of Moravia, they came to the City Forres, and were by night let into the Castle (for that stood as yet for the King) here they told the Governor Donevaldus, what the King had commanded them to search, and desired his aid and assistance in this matter. Now a certain young whore (whose mother was a Witch) one of her Lovers a Soldier, had learned by what means her mother wrought her Enchantments, and had learned something concerning the King's Life and Fortune; this he told Donevaldus, and Donevaldus related it to the King's Ambassadors, and sent for the woman, who was then in the Castle, whom he constrained to tell the whole matter, and the manner of her mother's proceedings, and Soldiers were sent at night secretly to search the business more narrowly. The Messengers came to the witch's house, broke it open, and found one of them turning, on a spit by the fire, a waxen Image, made by their Art like to King Duffus: another was reciting certain Spells, and pouring leisurely a certain liquor upon the Image. They took them both, and brought them to the Castle, with the Image and the liquor, where being examined the cause of these deeds, they confessed, that while the Image was roasting, the King never ceased to sweat, and while they recited their Charms, he never slept, and that as the wax melted away, so the King consumed, and would die after all was spent, as the Devil had informed them; moreover, that they were hired, to do this, by those of Moravia. These things so incensed the hearers, that they caused them both immediately to be burnt, with the Image; at which very time, (as afterwards it was known) while this passed at Forres, the King was eased of his pain, and rested that night without swearing, and the next day his former strength returning, he grew better, and lived long after in as perfect health as ever he had been before this calamity happened unto him.  
Gulielmus Malmesburiensis Monachus, writes in his History, that there were in the time of Peter Damion, two old women living in the way that leads to Rome, that kept an Inn, and that as oft as they had any single passenger, they turned him into an Ass or Hog, and sold him to the Merchants; at last having for their Guest a young man, that by Fiddling and Juggling got his livelihood, they turned him into an Ass, who by the strangeness of his Actions (for his understanding was nothing altered) drew many passengers to the house, and by this means they gained great Custom, and no small advantage; at last a neighbour of theirs proffered great sums of money for him, and at length purchased him, but with this caution, that he was never to ride him into the Water, which for some time was punctually observed: but the Ass getting one day at liberty, ran into the next Pool of water, where after he had cooled himself a little, he came to his former shape.  
The like is reported by the Inquisiter Spranger, of a Soldier in the Isle of Cyprus, who was also turned into an Ass, yet his reason remained, and he followed his old companions to their Ship; but supposed to be a real Ass was beaten away, and forced to return to the Witch, house that had so transformed him. In this shape he served her three years, till passing one day before a Church, he was seen to kneel on his hinder legs, and to lift up them before, at the holding up of the Sacrament of the Altar; which action some Geneva Merchants perceiveing. apprehended the owner, and with torture made her confess how she had enchanted him, and converted him into that form, and to render him the likeness of man again. The Witch was burnt at Famagoste, and the youth returned to England, affirming that his mind was never so much troubled, but that he knew himself to be a man; nevertheless his imagination was so deceived by the Devil, that he sometimes thought himself to be a Beast, and yet had always this contentment, that he was known by the other Magicians and Witches to be a true man.   

CHAP. IU. Of Magicians and Negromancers.  
COrnelius Agrippa the great Magician, going one day out of Town from Louvain where he dwelled, left the Keys of his Study with his wife, charging her strictly to let no body go in; but it happened so that day, that a young companion of Agrippa, a Scholar, and having ever had a curiosity to see some of this Negromancers books, came to the house, and with much importunity gained the keys; then entering the room and viewing the books, he perceived a Manuscript of Agrippa's amongst the rest, as it were a compendium of them: this he reads, and in short space raises an ill. favoured Devil; who entering the study, asked what he would have that he called him so; the young man unexperienced, frighted, and ignorant what to say, was choked by the Spirit and left dead on the ground. Agrippa not long after returns home, and finds the Devil dancing, and showing tricks upon the house top; at which, astonished, he goes into his Study, and finds the dead body, which he commands his spirit to enter, and carry to the place where the Students used to meet; this being done and the spirit quitting the body, it fell down and was buried for dead, having some marks only of strangulation about the Throat. But not long after the matter was discovered, and Agrippa for safety fled to Lorraine.  
There was in the Emperor Maximilians' Court, a famous Necromancer (as Authors affirm) who at his command, and promise of pardon and reward, took upon him to show the shapes of the three great Warriors, Hector, Achilles, and King David, upon condition of silence when they appeared: and the Emperor he places in the midst of his Magic Circle, seats him in his Throne, and afterwards reading and murmuring certain Charms out of his Pocket-Book, he desires silence. Hector then knocks at the door so vehemently, that the whole house shook, and the door being opened, he came in, with a bright Speer in his hand, his Eye fiery, and his Stature exceeding other men's. Not long after in the same Majestical postture, came in Achilles, looking fiercely towards Hector, and often shaking his Speer, as though he would have invaded him. Thus having thrice passed by the Emperor, and made Obeisance, they vanished. Afterwards came in King David in his Crown and Princely Robes, with his Harp in his hand. His countenance was more gracious than that of the other two; and he passed likewise thrice by the Emperor, but wi●…hout Reverence to him, and went away.  
The Magician being asked by the Emperor, why King David denied him the respect the other two gave, answered, that all things were subject to his Kingdom, for as much as Christ sprang from him.  
Saint Augustine writes of Pythagoras, that (whether by natural Magic or some secret agreement with the Devil, it is doubted by Authors) he kept a Bear of prodigious greatness with him many years, and at last making him swear never to hurt any Beast, gave him liberty, and sent him into the Woods. The same Magician being near Tarent, and seeing an Ox eating in a field of Beans, called to the herdsman to drive the beast from eating the Beans. But the surly clown made answer, he might chastise him himself if he would, as he used to whip his Boys. Whereupon Pythagor as making certain magic Characters on the ground, and muttering some Charms to himself, caused the beast to come out of the Beans, as if it had been endued with reason; and ever after it refused the Yoke, and retired to Tarent, living among the inhabitants, and taking her food from the hands of Men, Women, and Children.  
A certain Magician at Madeburg, was used to show a little Horse to the people in the Market place for money, commanding it to do many rare things which always it performed. But complaining one day to the people in the end of his show, that he had got very little, that the times were very hard, and the like, he wished that he were in heaven: then throwing up the bridle into the air, the horse followed it; and he, as if he would have stayed it by the tail, was carried up also: his wife catched hold of him, his maid of her, and all fly up into the air like so many links of a chain. Now while the people were looking and wondering at it, a certain Citizen came to the multitude, and understanding the matter, affirmed that he met but a little before, the Magician going to his Inn. To this purpose Niderius also reports, that in the year 1045, a certain Magician, in England, was seen to mount on a black horse on a Sabbath day, and to be carried away through the air.  
Henry the third King of France, had a brother called the Duke of Allenzon, who came to England formerly to be a suitor to Queen Elizabeth, in whose retinue was the Valiant Busidamboyes who took the Duke's part, between whom and the King was a perpetual sued The King, therefore by nature timorous and suspicious, was always afraid of this valiant person, and after his return into France, devised several means to take him out of the way. Amongst the rest coming by night out of the Lowre, he was set upon by seventeen armed and appointed men, ye●… behaved himself so stoutly, that he killed five of them, and made his escape. The King seeing he had missed of him, and that ever after he stood upon his Guard, put in trial another way. For there being a constant report at Court that Bussidamboyes was in favour with the Earl of Monsurrous wife, he sent for an Italian Necromancer, famous at that time, and called ●…riscalino. Of him he inquires if he could show or declare to him, what Bussidamboyes was then doing, which the Magician after certain conjurations showed him in a Glass, where was Bussidamboyes in bed with a Lady. Hereupon the King sent for his Courtiers, amongst whom was the Earl of Monsorrou at that time, and a●…ked if they knew that Lady. The Earl much abased, replied, it was his wife. Then said the King, I will have no Culckolds to be my Courtiers. To which the Earl made answer, that to hinder what was done was not in his power, but that it was in the Kings, to give him leave to avenge himself, which he earnestly requested. The King glad to be any ways rid of Bussidamboyes, gave his assent, and the Earl posted away immediately to his own house; and coming betimes in the morning to his wife, as she lay in bed, offered her the choice of three things, either a draught of Poison, a Dagger to kill herself, or to write such a Letter as he would dictate to her. The miserable woman terrified with the thoughts of death, consented to the Latter; and, according to her husbands dictating, sent for Bussidamboyes, who suspected nothing, to come unto her. In the mean time the Earl concealed himself in the house, armed with six more, and behind the Curtains in her chamber. Bussidamboyes came not long after, and offering to go up stairs in his accustomed manner, was desired by a Page, set for that purpose, to leave his Spurs and his Sword below, because his Lady was ill, and the least noise disturbed her. This he did, not mistrusting what would follow; but as soon he entered the Chamber, the Lady gave a sign, and all rushed in upon him. Nevertheless, being of an undaunted courage, he took the first chair he found, and so behaved himself with that weapon, by reason of his great strength, that he killed two of them; and then being wounded in divers places, he leapt out of the window into the Garden. But fell by misfortune upon a pole that propped up a Vine, and there stuck fast by the Breeches, which the Conspirators perceiving, ran down and made an end of him there. The Necromancer according to the King's promise, had his pardon, and being asked, by the King, how many Witches he thought were in his Dominions, answered above a hundred thousand which he knew, and of whom he was Master.  
Mr. Baudovain de Ronssey, in his Epistles, gives us this Relation; that in Ostbrook near Utrect a place in Holland, dwelled a certain Necromancer, whose servant observing that his Master went constantly on certain nights into the Stable, and laid hold on the Rack, resolved to do the same unknown to his Master, and see what would be the event. Thus following his Master who was gone half an hour before into the stable, and returned no more; he laid hold on that part of the Rack, and was posted immediately, he knew not how, through the air, till at last he found himself, in a large Cave, amongst an Assembly of Witches. His Master astonished and angry at his coming, fearing also lest by this means, their nocturnal meetings might be discovered, asked the counsel of the rest concerning him; 'twas agreed upon at last to receive him, and make him swear secrecy. This the poor fellow out of fear did, and promised whatsoever else they desired: at last, when the time of departure came, they resolved he-should be carried back, because he had sworn to be of the Society, and to that end his Master took him upon his back; but in their way through the air, as they came over a Lake, his Master fearing to be discovered by him, and finding this opportunity, let him fall, hoping therein to have drowned him and stifled him in the mud; yet Providence permitted not the youth to be drowned, or his fall to be deadly, for the abundance of Rushes and Sedge, saved its violence, and there he lay with no great harm done to his body. The next day, as he cried for help, he was heard by some Travellers, and by his voice found, and holpen out; the occasion of his coming thither being examined, he was conducted to the Burgomaster of Utrect, named john of Cullenburg, who making farther inquiry into this extraordinary accident, with intention to prosecute the Necromancer, sent for him to the place of his habitation; but whether advised by his Spirit, or warned by the Report, he was fled and could no where be heard of.  
john Theuteme, Canon D' Albestan, being oftimes reproached to be a Bastard, and that he merited not to be a Canon, which belonged only to those of better Extract, invited his revilers one day to Dinner, and after the Table was taken away, asked them if they would see their Fathers; to which they answered they all were willing: then caused he his Familiar Spirits to appear in their likenesses, one like a Cook, another like a Groom, a third like a Peasant, but his own Father came in the form of a Canon, clothed in a long gown, at which sight the company was much amazed, and never after reproached him of his Extract, since their own was no more honourable.   

CHAP. V. Of Incubus and Succubus'  
FLegon Trallian made free from slavery, by the Emperor Adrian, writeth, in his Book of admirable things, that Philinion Daughter to a Vintner, fell in Love with Machates a young Forester, but crossed by her friends, took it so to heart that she died suddenly after, and was buried publicly. Not long after this sad Funeral, Machates passing by, came and lay at the house, to whom Philinion appeared, being alone in his chamber, asserting she was not dead, but had raised that report to deceive her friends; insomuch that they both lay that night together, and he gave her towards morning at her departure his Ring in token of his love, and in recompense she gave him another: while these things thus passed, a servant that lay in the next Chamber, hearing Philinions voice, supposed really that her Master's daughter was alive, which she constantly affirmed for truth: her Master desirous to know the certainty of it, found means to get the young man to stay longer at his House, and caused persons to watch every night in the next chamber; at last, hearing her voice, they went into the chamber, and ran towards the bed, where she lay, to embrace their daughter: but the Spirit said, O cruel Father and Mother, since you hindered me to enjoy this youth in life, you can expect no kindess from me, and lo now I leave you. At which words the spirit went out of her, and her carcase fell down in the bed. Her tomb was immediately after opened, but nothing found there, save the ring the Forester gave her, which the spirit had left. Her body was seen, as likewise the tomb, by thousands of people that came to see the truth of this admirable accident. And at last by the council of the Divine Hillo, the dead body was carried out of Town and buried. But Machates by this accident was so frighted, that he fell shortly after into despair, and killed himself.  
Another no less admirable History, we find of an Incubus, who, in the shape of Polycrates, was created Prince of the Aetolians, and was married to a young Lady of Locres, with whom after he had lain three nights, he vanished, and was no more seen by the people. The Lady brought forth for her Child, a monstrous Hermaphrodite; at which her Parents being astonished, assembled the people, the Priests, and Diviners, to consult what should be done with the Child, or rather Devilish offspring, and at last it was concluded it should be burnt. But then Polycrates the Father appeared again, in a mourning garment, and, with threats, demanded his Son, which being denied, he rushed upon him, and toar him to pieces, and then devoured all his members, excepting the head, and vanished. The people resolved to send to the Oracle at Delphos, to inquire concerning this matter, but the head that was left on the ground, began to speak, and with a loud voice and eloquent Oration, informed the multitude of all the evil that's threatened them, which came to pass the Year after in the War they had with the people of Acarnania.  
Boethius the Historian writes lib. hist. Scot That a young maid, very beautiful, and one that had refused the marriage of many Noble Persons, fell into strange familiarity with a Devil. Till at last her big swelling belly declared what she had done, and forced her to disclose the matter to her Parents; how a handsome young man, came constantly by night and lay with her, but from whence, or whither he went, she knew not. Her friends though they gave little credence to these words, yet resolved to search into the matter more narrowly; and about three days after, being informed by her maid that the man was with her, they unlocked the door, and entered the Chamber with a great company of lights, and saw by their Daughter a most horrid Monster, more terrible in shape, then what can be described believed▪ The beholders of this strange Spectacle, all run away, save an holy Priest that stayed, & began to read St. John's Gospel; and when he came to this passage, The Word was made Flesh, the evil Spirit with a horrid noise, flew away with the window of the chamber. And the woman at the fright, was delivered of a horrid Monster, which the Midwives, lest it might be a reproach to the Family, burnt upon a pile of wood immediately.  
In the year 1480. as the same Author affirms, a Merchant's Ship was going to Flanders to Traffic, when on a sudden, there arose so vehement a Storm that the Mast was broke, and great damage done to the rest of the Tackling; insomuch that nothing could be expected but present destruction. The Master wondering at this unclemency of the Air, (for it was then about the Summer Solstice) when he could attribute it to no natural cause, concluded it was rather by some evil spirit. Which as he related to the Passengers, comforting them, forasmuch as he trusted God would not suffer them to perish by those means of the Devil, a pitiful voice was heard from the bottom of the Ship, of one of the passengers, a woman, accusing herself, that for many years she had had familiarity with a Devil in man's shape, and that he was then with her, and that she deserved to be thrown into the Sea to save the rest from the imminent danger. The Minister therefore, was sent down to this distressed creature, who prayed by her, and after her confession, earnestly entreated her to repent, and ask of God forgiveness for what she had done. This the poor distressed woman no so●…ner began to do, but a black and thick mist, seemed to rise up out of the pump of the Ship, and with a great noise, flame, smoke and stink, threw itself into the Sea; after which the Tempest ceased, and the Ship got safe to harbour.  
Vincentius writes that a certain strong young man well skilled in Swimming, was bathing himself by Moonshine in the Sea, and that a woman swimming after him, took him by the hair, as if it were one of his companions that would have ducked him: to whom he spoke, but no answer was made; nevertheless, she followed him to shore, and the youth taken by the great excellence of her beauty, covered her with some of his garments, and brought her to his home, and not long after, married her. But being jeered often by his companions, that he had married a Phantasm, forasmuch as she would never speak, he drew his Sword one day, and threatened he would kill the Child she bore, if she would not speak, and tell her Original. Alas poor man, said she, that losest a good wife by forcing me to speak. I had remained long with thee, and done thee much good, had I not broken the silence enjoined me, and therefore henceforth thou shalt see me no more, and then she vanished. But the child grew, and began to use himself much to swim, till at last as he swimmed one day in the Sea, many people admiring him, he was taken way out of their sight by his Mother.  
Hieronymus reports the like of a Monk, invited to uncleaness by a Succubus in the shape of a very fair and beautiful woman; but when went to embrace her, she sent forth a great cry, & as she was nothing in reality, but a mere shade and Phantasm, vanished out of his arms, deceiving and deriding the foolish Monk that had, by his Lust, rendered himself like the horse and bruit beasts, without understanding.   

CHAP. VI Of Familiar Spirits, Goblins, and Pharies.  
GIlbert writes in the eight Book of his Narrations, that a young Gentleman of Lo●…rain, of a good Family, but corrupted by ill company, frequenting often Ordinaries, and such like houses of Debauchery, was one day walking in the fields melancholy by himself, for want of money. To whom a Spirit appearing in man's shape, asked the reason of his solitariness, proffering to do him service in whatever troubled him, providing he would steadfastly believe all that was in a little Book he would give him, and swear never to open or show it to any body. This when the young man had promised, the other produced a little Book in his left hand, and shaked 60. Crowns out of it into his right, bidding the young man do the like, who produced the same effect. But at last when he wanted for nothing, being overcome with curiosity, he resolved to see what was contained in it; and opening it, he saw in the midst a round Circle, divided with certain lines in form of a Cross, on which was painted a horrible face of a Devil. At this sight the young man was so frighted, that his Eyes became black, and his Brains turned, that he thought to have some heavy load on his shoulders. He was forced therefore to confess the matter to his friends, who persuaded him to through the Book into the fire, which although there was nothing in it but Paper, yet remained an hour in the fire before it consumed.  
A certain Soldier travelling through Marchia a country of Almaigne, and finding himself weary in his journey, abode in an Inn till he might recover his strength, and committed to his Hostess' custody, certain money which he had about him. Not long after, when he was to depart, he required his money, but the woman having consulted with her Husband, denied the Receipt, and return thereof, accusing him also of wrong in demanding that which she never received: the Soldier on the other side fretting amain, accused her of cozenage; which stir when the man of the house heard (though privy to all before) yet dissemblingly took his Wife's part, and thrust the soldier out of doors: who being throughly chafed with that indignity, drew his Sword, and ran at the door with the point of it: whereat the Host cried, Thiefs, Thiefs, saying that he would have entered his House by force, so that the poor Soldier was taken and put in Prison, and by process of Law, to be condemned to death: but the very day wherein this hard Sentence was to be pronounc●…d and executed, the Devil entered into the prison, and told the Soldier he was condemned to die; nevertheless if he would give himself body and soul to him, he would promise to deliver him out of their hands: the prisoner answering, said that he had rather die being innocent, then be delivered on such conditions: Again, the Devil propounded to him the great danger his life was in, and also used all cunning means possible to persuade him. But the other resolutely withstood his temptation, that at last he promised to revenge him of his enemies for nothing; advising him moreover to plead not guilty, to declare his innocency and their wrong, and to entreat the Judge to grant him one that stood by in a blue Cap, to be his Advocate: the Soldier accepted this offer, and being called to the Bar, and indicted there of Felony, presently desired to have his Attorney, who was there present, to plead for him: then began the fine and crafty Doctor to plead, and defend his Client very cunningly; affirming him to be falsely accused, and unjustly condemned, and that his Host did withhold his money, and offered him violence: and to prove the Assertion, he reckoned up every circumstance in the Action, yea, the very place where they had hid the money. The Host on the other side stood in denial very impudently, wishing the Devil might take him if he had it: at these words (for the subtle Lawyer waited for this advantage) the Devil laid hold on the Host, and carrying him out of the Session's house, hoist him into the air so high, that he was never after seen or heard of.  
A Gentleman near the City of Torga, who got his living by ro●…bing and ranging the fields, met one day with a Spirit in form of a horseman, who saluted him, and proffered him his service: the other accepting of it, made him his Groom, and ever when he went out, gave him special charge of a certain horse which he esteemed very much of; the Devil finding he could never please his Master, concerning this matter, and that, notwithstanding, all his double diligence, his Master never thought him well enough looked after, took the horse one day when ●…is master was abroad, and carried him to the top of a high Tower, & put his head out of the window. The horse seeing his Master, come home, began to neigh and stomp, as though joyful of his return, but the servant never came again to fetch him down, and left all the neighbourhood in great admiration.  
Froissard reports that a certain Priest going to Law with a Parishioner, was cast by him; and, that resolving not to stop there (for he had skill in Magic) he raised a Spirit, whom he sent to torment him, upon promise of such a reward. The spirit posts immediately to the Gentleman's house, and there by his noise and the pranks he played, soon manifested what he was. The gentleman upon this strange vexation, got his neighbours, good Religious men, to watch with him, and when at midnight the spirit came, it was resolved he should speak to it. The Devil according to his agreement with the Priest, never missed his hour, but came as he used to do that night, throwing the chairs and stools up and down the house, making a noise and great disturbance. Whereupon the gentleman boldly asked in God's Name, what he was. Ah quoth the Devil, and laughed, do you not yet know that I am a spirit? yes said the Gentleman again, but who sent thee hither? the Priest, said the Spirit, because thou overthrewst him at Law, and hath promised me also ten Crowns for my pains. Away said the Gentleman for shame, art thou so bare as to serve such a pitiful Rascal for so little money? I will give thee forty Crowns to serve me, and all thy business shall be, only to bring me News from all parts of the World. I'll do't, said the Devil, but if ever you desire to see me, you shall certainly lose me. Thus did this Gentleman know, before any Post could come, of all the Transactions in the World, and had news from the remotest parts of it: insomuch, that he began to be sought after by every one for News, since nothing in the whole world was done, of which he had not intelligence. But at last perceiving this familiarity would bring him into the trouble and strict inquiry of the Law; and fearing least the Spirit might show him some slippery trick for his forty Crowns, he resolved to put him away. And thereupon, the next time he came, Artan, said he, (for so the spirit called himself) since thou hast been so punctual hitherto in thy service, I would now ●…ain see thee in some shape or other. You shall, replied he, and the first thing you see upon the floor of your Chamber to morrow morning, shall be me. The morning being come, the Gentleman looked on his floor, but could see no body. Wherefore when he heard the spirit next, did you not promise, said he, to appea●… to me in some shape this morning in my chamber? well, and did you not see, replied the Devil, two Straws tumbling over each other, that was I. But I minded them not, said the Gentleman, and have not as yet seen thee as I desire. Mind better than answered he, and the first creature you see to morrow out of your window, shall be me. So the next morning, when the Gentleman rose to the window, he could see nothing in his yard, but a great, leaner and uglier Sow, then can be described, insomuch that calling to his servants, he commanded them to hunt that ugly creature out of the yard, which as they were doing, it vanished in a tempest, and the house was troubled no more.  
Olaus relates, that a Gentleman passing by a Forest with his servants, was belated in the way, and forced to stay in the Woods all night, having nothing to eat; at which he said merrily to his Retinue, would Sir Hubert of whom so many stories pass, would provide us some food in this solitary Wood Which words, he had no sooner spoken, but a great Wolf rushed by them, and returned immediately with Sheep on his back, which he let fall in their sight, and vanished; leaving them to dress the meat the Devil had sent them.  
Alexander ab Alexandro, writes, that a Monk of the Monastery of Arden's, going early in the morning through the Forest to a Town thereby, overtook a man of a stern countenance, loose kind of vesture, and very tale stature, with whom he traveled, till at last they came ●…o a great wash; where the man proffered the Monk, being a Religious person, and of lesser stature, to carry him over on his back. The Monk gl●…d of this proffer, got up; but casting his Eyes down toward the water that was very clear, and seeing his Porter's feet, of a strange and deformed shape, he blessed himself with the sign of the Cross; at which the Devil hasted so fast away in a whirlwind, that it toar up a great Oak by the roots; which gave the poor Monk cause to think that if he had not in time perceived the Devil to be his Porter, he should have been stifled in the waters by him.  
Fincelius' reports, that in the year 1532. a certain Gentleman to torment a poor Tenant that owed him rend, commanded him with threats, to bring to his house that night for fuel (it being the Christmas tide) a certain great Oak out of such a wood, which if he failed to do, he would turn him out of his House. The poor man, although the thing was impossible, nevertheless, to show his willingness, went with his Axe towards the Wood, much afflicted at the hard commands of his Lord. Thus as he is going, he is overtaken by a tall man, that having asked his grief, proffers him his help in the matter; the poor man overjoyed with his courtesy, questioned not the means, but went with him to the Oak, and was now preparing himself for the work, by pulling off his Doublet and Breeches. But the other contrary to his expectation, takes the vast Oak in his arms, and pulls it up by the root, and laying it on his shoulder (for 'twas as easy to be carried, as pulled up) he brought and threw it down into the Gentleman's yard; where afterwards it became so hard, that it could never be hewn in pieces with Axes, nor burnt with fire, but remained a lasting monument in that place.  
I judge there is none so ignorant of the Manners and Fashions of his Neighbouring countries, but knows they are far different, and in some manner how they differ. I shall leave it therefore to the judicious Reader to suppose in his fancy, a Country man of France, in his wooden shoes, leather doublet, and high crowned hat, his Sith on his shoulder, bag and bottle at his waste: which things, though in England, have nothing admirable, yet in Persia, Mosco●…y, and the like Foreign Nations, the whole habit will seem most strange and wonderful. Such a poor Country fellow going to a piece of ground two or three miles distant from his own habitation, to mow, is overtaken by a man on horseback, whom taking for no other than some country man, he fell into discourse with him concerning his journey, so that at last being both to go the same way, the other proffered him the use of his horse, to ride behind him, which the honest Mower willingly accepted of; but being well seated, and thinking now to have proceeded in his journey, he is carried through the air with such swiftness, that the astonishment gave him no time to speak, and fear made him hold fast to the other. Thus passed they over many towns and countries, till at last coming over the marketplace in Turkey, good God, said he, what people are these, and whither am I going? the spirit confounded at the holy name, let him fall in the midst of the multitude, but by reason of the great store of Tents, and clothes that kept the commodities from the scorching heat of the Sun, the vehemency of his fall was abated, and in short space he came again to his senses. By this time an infinite number of Turks were assembled in a ring around him, but a great distance, for some supposed him he was a god dropped from Heaven; others that Saturn the Heathen Deity of Time with his Sith on his shoulder, was come to hide himself again on earth; others interpreted it that time was ceasing to be, and that the world was now at an end: in brief, all were amazed, as you may imagine, as well at each particular part of his habit, which was wonderful, as the strangeness of his coming being no less admirable. Yet still their astonishment increased, to hear him speak in a strange dialect, but he thinking they could not hear him, approaches towards them; on the other side fear still makes them to recede. By this time news of this rare accident came to the Grand Signior, and Interpreters were sent, to know the matter perfectly; which being done, he was sent back to France by the Ambassadors means, then residing in Turkey, that the King and all the world might be certified of what had happened.  
Siarra a Spaniard, left in his Manuscript what is wonderful to relate, concerning Spirits in America, that when the Spaniards began their Conquests in that place, certain of them chased a great Liou, with their guns and swords; and when they thought they had shot him, and that he fell down dead, and were going to cut off his Head, he vanished in a strong wind that beat them all back▪ some yards, but without great damage.  
Another Spaniard being alone, thought he met with a foul Black Moor, and discharged at him, but the Moor came running upon him with fingers open like to the laws of a Cat, which caused him to trust no longer to his weapon, but to call on God for help, at whose name the foul fiend vanished. Six other Spaniards seizing upon a young Moor, near to a Mountain, that seemed to cry, and be almost starved, threatened him, to see if he would confess of any thing that was left by the enemy and hid; whereupon he brought them to a concavity in the Mountain, and bid them follow him and he would show them great Treasures, two of the company were so bold, but before they were gone far in, the rest heard a pitiful noise, and none were so foolhardy as to venture after them; from which time the place is called to this day the Devils Den.  
The next delusion the Devil put upon them, was about a fortnight after, but despairing of his former practices, he now assumed the shape of a Spaniard, exhorting some fifty more to follow him, and he would go to the top of an Hill and spy the enemy; where as soon as they were come he vanished in a strong wind and smoke, dispersing and throwing them all down the Hill, to the loss of seven, and much hurt to the rest: This, saith the Author, was evident in the sight of part of our Army, and forced belief from those that before gave no credit to what particular persons often related. Yet what is more admirable, is this, that as Siarra and his comrade were one day travelling together, a little Blackamoor of exquisite shape, addressed himself to his companion, desiring he would take him to wait upon him; this he spoke with such a grace, beyond what could be expected from any Moor, that by Siarras persuasions, the other took him for his servant. Now whatever his Master set him about, he did it with most admirable speed and diligence, insomuch that having left a knife one day four or five miles off, where the Army last encamped, he would send the boy for it, to whom Siarra said, this is indeed a task for the Devil himself (at which words he remembered afterwards the boy to be very attentive, and his eyes to sparkle) and it were as good to seek a needle in a field of Hey; therefore trouble not your boy about it; nevertheless the boy's forwardness incited his Master to send him for it, and as though he had wings he went presently out of their sight, returning again in short space with the knife: at which so speedy arrival, his Master expected he should have been breathless, but he skipped and jumped as it were for joy that he had pleasured his Master. Another time about five hundred Moors rising out of an ambush, set upon a party of fifty Spaniards whereof Siarra and his companion were two, yet for all their number, contrary to the Spaniards expectations, the Moors ran away, terrified at something, whereof the Spaniards were wholly ignorant, who dared not to follow lest they should bring themselves into some unknown treachery. Many such like services did the young Blackmoor to Siarra and his companion, the last was as followeth. As these two with four more were travelling up a certain Mountain, to view the subjacent places, they perceived a man of prodigious stature, walking up and down very melancholy, who often cast such terrible looks upon them, that as well by a certain fear caused by the extenuation of the air, when Spirits are near, as by a conception they had that he was so, they were much astonished and afraid; whereupon the young Blackmoor that served Siarras companion, ran towards him, and kneeled down, and as it were entreated him, whereupon he immediately flew up into the air out of their sight. This caused greater astonishment, than what ever had happened before, and therefore his Master never left examining his boy what he was, till at last, he confessed after this manner.  
I am, though otherwise I have appeared to you in form of a boy, a Spirit of this Region, subject to the great Master Agnan, whom you just now saw ascend into the air, after he seemed to bewail the loss of his people, and his Worship which the Spaniards have destroyed; he was certainly come to do you mischief, as formerly he had done to some of your company, but my entreaties dissuaded him, having told upon what account I served you; nor shall any of his ministers torment you as long as you stay in this place, as you may believe by what is already past: For when the Five hundred set upon you, I caused above a Thousand Spaniards to appear before their sight, which was the cause of their sudden flight. Now the reason why I serve you (for according to the charge laid upon me; I was to declare it, before I left you) is, because you spared formerly a Moor whom you took with your own hand in flight, a tall person, with a Hawks nose; the same was a Priest to our great Master, and had a Spirit granted him, to attend on him; by his charge I was sent to protect you, as long as you stay in this Country, for the favour you showed him in sparing his life. Having thus said, he ran a little from them, and beating the ground thrice with his foot, he was carried into the Air out of their sight. Not long after, as they returned to Spain, a great storm arose, during which, it was so dark that none of the Heavenly light appeared, and all hopes of safety were taken away, till at last Siarra perceived as he thought, the young Moor in the Shrouds, after which that dismal Storm ceased, and their Voyage became Calm and pleasant.  

Pharies.  
OF Pharies also those little Mimic Elves, that appear always very small of stature, and busy themselves chiefly in imitating the operations of men; we read in Georgius Agricola that great searcher of Subterraneal mines, that they appear frequently in those places whence precious Metals are dug, and from their manners are called Cobali, or Imitators of men; these seem to laugh, to be clothed like the workmen, to dig the earth, and to do many things, that really they do not; mocking sometimes the workmen, but seldom or never hurting them. The Latins have called them Lar and Larvae, frequenting, as they say, Houses, delighting in neatness, pinching the Slut, and rewarding the good housewife with money in her shoe.  
Siarra hath left us this notable Relation, that there lived in his time in Spain, a table and beautiful Virgin, but far more famous for her excellence at her Needle; insomuch that happy did that Courtier think himself, that could wear the smallest piece of her work, though at a price almost invaluable. It happened one day, as this admirable Sempstress sat working in her Garden, that casting aside her Eye on some fair Flower or Tree, she saw, as she thought, a little Gentleman, yet one that showed great Nobility by his clothing, come riding towards her from behind a bed of Flowers; thus surprised how any body should come into her Garden, but much more, at the stature of the person, who as he was on Horseback exceeded not a feet length in height; she had reason to suspect that her eyes deceived her. But the Gallant spurring his Horse up the Garden, made it not long, though his Horse was little, before he came to her: then greeting the Lady in most decent manner, after some Compliments past, he acquaints her with the cause of his bold Arrival; that forasmuch as he was a Prince amongst the Pharies, and did intend to celebrate his Marriage on such a day, he desired she would work him Points for him and his Princess against the time he appointed. The Lady consented to his demands, and he took his leave, but whether the multitude of business caused the Lady to forget her promise, or the strangeness of the thing made her neglect the work, thinking her sight to have been deceived, I know not; yet so it fell out, that when the appointed time came, the work was not ready. The hour wherein she had promised the Phary Prince some fruits of her Needle, happened to be one day as she was at dinner with many Noble persons, having quite forgot her promise, when on a sudden casting her eye to the door, she saw an infinite train of Pharies come in: so that fixing her eyes on them, and remembering how she neglected her promise, she sat as one amazed, and astonished the whole company. But at last the train had mounted upon the Table, and as they were prancing on their Horses round the brims of a large dish of white-broth, an Officer that seemed too busy in making way before them, fell into the dish, which caused the Lady to burst into a sudden fit of laughter, and thereby to recover her senses. When the whole Phary company was come upon the Table, that the brims of every dish seemed filled with little Horsemen, she saw the Prince coming towards her, hearing she had not done what she promised, seemed to go away displeased. The Lady presently fell into a fit of Melancholy, and being asked by her friends the cause of these alterations and astonishments, related the whole matter; but notwithstanding all their consolations, pined away, and died not long after.  
'Tis reported likewise of a country girl, being sent out daily by her Mother, to look to a Sow that was then big with pigs, that the Sow always strayed out of the girls sight, and yet always came safe home at night; this the maid often observing, resolved to watch her more narrowly, and followed her one day so close, till they both came to a fair green Valley, where was laid a large basin full of milk and white bread; the Sow having eaten her Mess, returned home, and that night pigged eleven pigs, the good wife rising early the next morning to look to her beast, found on the threshold of the sty ten half Crowns, and, entering in, saw but one pig, judging by these things that the Pharies had fed her fow and bought her pigs.  
A certain woman having put out her child to Nurse in the Country, found when she came to take it home, that its form was so much altered, that she scarce knew it; nevertheless not knowing what time might do, took it home for her own. But when after some years it could neither speak nor go, the poor woman was feign to carry it with much trouble in her arms; and one day a poor man coming to the door, God bless you Mistress said he and your poor child, be pleased to bestow something on a poor man: ah! this child, replied she, is the cause of all my sorrow, and related what had happened; adding moreover that she thought it was changed, and none of her child. The old man, whom years had rendered more prudent in such matters, told her that to find out the truth, she should make a clear Fire, sweep the hearth very clean, and place the child fast in his chair that he might not fall before it; then break a dozen eggs, and place the four and twenty half shells before it, then go out and listen at the door, for if the child spoke it was certainly a Changeling, and then she should carry it out and leave it on the Dunghill to cry, and not to pity it, till she heard its voice no more. The woman having done all things according to these words, heard the child, say, seven years old was I, before I came to the Nurse, and four years have I lived since, and never saw so many Milk-pans before. So the woman took it up and left it upon the Dunghill to cry and not to be pitied, till at last she thought the voice went up into the air; and coming out, found, there in the stead, her own natural and well-favoured child.    

CHAP. VII. Of Spectres and Phanthasms.  
THE History of Milan gives credit to an Adventure very notable, which happened to two Merchants passing through the wood of Turin to go to France, who met with a Spirit in form of a man of tall stature, who called after them, saying, return, return back again, and go to Lovys Sforce, to whom you shall give this Letter from me. Then they asked him who he was, to which he answered; that he was Galaas Sforce his brother: now Galaas Sforce, had been dead long before. The Merchants therefore much astonished, promised to do his commands, and went back to Milan to the Duke, to whom they presented the Letter. The Duke thinking it a cheat and illusion, put them in Prison: nevertheless, because they persisted still in affirming the truth of it, the Senate was assembled, where much dispute passed, touching the opening of this Letter; at last there was none but Galeas Viscount, that dared to lift up the Seal and read what was written therein. O Lovys, take heed to thyself, for the Venetians and French, join together against thee to thy hurt, and will utterly destroy thy Race; nevertheless, if thou wilt give me three thousand Crowns, thou shalt see the matter reconciled, for I will avert thy sad Destiny. Farewell.  
But the Duke could by no means be induced to believe this, which afterwards did truly come to pass. By Lovys, the eleventh King of France, who sent him prisoner to his Kingdom.  
Marsilius Ficinus, as Baronius relates, made a solemn vow with his fellow Platonist, Michael Marcatus (after they had been pretty warmly disputing of the immortality of the Soul, out of the principles of their Master Plato) that whether of them two died first, should appear to his friend, and give him certain information of that truth; (it being Ficinus his fate to die first, and indeed not long after this mutual resolution) he was mindful of his promise when he had left the body. For Michael Marcatus, being very intent at his Studies betimes in a morning, heard an horse riding by with all speed, and observed that he stopped at his window; and therewith heard the voice of his friend Ficinus crying out a loud, O Michael, Michael, Vera, vera sunt illa. Whereupon he suddenly opened his window, and espied Marsilius on a white Steed, whom he called after, but he vanished in his sight. He sent therefore presently to Florence, to know how Marsilius did; and understood that he died about that hour he called at his window; to assure him of his own, and other men's Immortality.  
Dionysius, the Syracusan Tyrant, a little before his death, saw as he sat in his house, molested with some troublesome thoughts, a filthy and ugly Spectre, brushing and cleansing his Palace, from which fear he was not free, till he died.  
Marcus Brutus likewise, when he was meditating something against Octavius, and Antonius, in his Chamber by a Candle in the night, heard somebody come into his chamber, and looking about to see if it were any of his Domestic servants, saw a great and deformed Spectre in shape of a man. Nevertheless, not much frighted at the sight, ●…e asked him whether he were a Spirit or a God, or what he would have. I am said he, thy Evil Genius, and I'll meet thee at Philippi. To whom Brutus again, as a true and Valiant Roman, I'll meet thee there. Then having inquired of his servants if they had let any such person in, and finding they had not, he began to doubt of the success of that War, as afterwards it happened, where again this Genius met him.  
Alexander ab Alexandro; writes an admirable History of a Gentleman that had newly buried his friend, and returning to Rome, lay at an Inn by the way. Where being alone and awake, there appeared to him the Phantasm of his deceased friend, pale and wan as when he died; whom when he saw and could scarce speak for fear, he asked at last what he would have. But the Spectre returning no answer, seemed to pull off his clothes, and came to lie by him in the same bed. The other being extremely frighted, gave way to him, who perceiving he accepted not of his company, looked upon him with a stern countenance, and having dressed himself departed. The other out of exceeding fear, fell extremely sick, affirming for truth, that the feet of this Phantasm were as cold as Ice.  
A Gentleman of Naples travelling in the Road, is reported to have heard the voice of a man imploring and desiring help; and that going to the place, he saw a terrible Spectre beating a young man, but by his Prayers, caused him immediately to vanish. Afterwards he brought the young man to his house, and although it were long before he came to himself (for the Phantasm ever appeared before him) yet at last he confessed many great Crimes that he had most wickedly committed.  
The like, we read of a youth of mean parentage amongst the Gabis at Rome, that going thither, and meditating some Treachery against his Parents, met the Devil in his way, in shape of a man; so that falling into discourse together, they came to the same Inn and lay together that night. But when the other was a sleep, his cursed companion laid hold on him to strangle him, but that the other awaking, began to pray to God for help, at whose Name Satan made such haste to be gone, that he broke through the top of the house; by which fear the youth afterwards changed his evil intentions, to an honest and Religious life.  
A rich Gentleman, that lived thirteen Miles from Goi●…is, had made a great Feast, and invited his friends, but they came not. Whereat being extremely incensed, come, said he, all the Devils that will, since my friends are so unworthy. And immediately after, came in many Goblins, as it were, in the several habits of Merchants, and Gentlemen, Foreigners, who were kindly welcomed, and sat down to Table. But stretching forth their fingers like Cat's Claws, they were perceived indeed to be Demons; and the Gentleman making some Invocation to God (as people in fear naturally use to do) they all vanished, but so perfumed the room, that few guests ever came into it afterwards.  
Sabellicus writes for a true and admirable relation, that a Secretary of Lewis Alodiser Lord of I●…ole, travelling to Ferrara, met in a Valley between two great Hills a Phantasm in shape of Lewis' Father, who died and had been magnificently buried not long before, appearing on Horseback, and with a Hawk on his fist, as it was his custom when he went a Hunting in his life time. This Spectre charged him to return presently to his Son and tell him, that he should come the next day and meet him in that place, for he had matters of great importance to discover to him: The Secretary through fear and obeisance went back to Imole, where he related what had happened: but Lewis, whether he feared some ambush in that place, or credited not the relation, would not go in person, but sent another in his name to see what the Spirit would declare: the Ambassador being arrived with the Secretary at the place, the same shadow appeared to them, complaining greatly of the Prince that he would not come himself, and hear what he dared not to reveal to any other. Nevertheless, he commanded them to return, and tell their Master, that before two and twenty years, specifying the Month and the Day, he should lose the Government of that place. The time being come, Lewis stood upon his guard, remembering the threats pronounced by his Father's Ghost. Yet notwithstanding, all his preparations, that Year, that Month, and Day, the Soldiers of Philip Duke of Milan, passed the Trenches, scaled the Walls, and obtained the Town, and took him prisoner.  
Cardan relates, that a friend of his, going in a dark night from Milan to Galerat, saw a strange apparition of fiery Spirits, who inform of Peasants, ran behind him in the way upon a fiery Cart, crying with a loud voice, Take heed, take heed; and although he spurred his horse, and made all the hast possible, yet they were still at his back: till at last, when he came to St. Lorences' Church, which is without the Castle-Gate, he recommended himself to God, and presently he thought he saw those Peasants, with their burning Cart and Oxen, swallowed up in the Earth. After this, it was observed, that the Inhabitants of Galerat, were tormented that year with a cruel Plague, and other great afflictions.  
P. Matthieu Historiographer to Henry the fourth King of France, writeth, that in the year 1598. as that King was hunting in the Forest of Fountainebleau, a great cry of Hounds and Huntsmen, was heard at half a miles distance; which sometimes again, as they drew near a wood, seemed to be within twenty paces of them. Whereupon the King commanded the Earl of Soissons to set Spurs to his horse and see what it was, believing that there was none so bold as to meddle with his Game, or hinder his pastime. The Earl of Soissons went, and still heard the noise, not perceiving whence it came, till a tall man in black presented himself in a thick mist, crying, Do you hear me? do you hear me? and suddenly vanished. At which words, the stoutest of them, resolved to leave off hunting for that day, wherein nothing but danger and fear was expected. Now although fear commonly ties the tongue, and freezeth the words, nevertheless, they related this Matter, and have caused it to be inserted in the History of that King; which many would think to be a fable of Merlin or Urgand the unknown, if the truth affirmed by so many persons of Credit, and seen by so many judicious eyes, had not put away all doubt.  
There is a History no less admirable, of a Merchant of Sicily, that travelling in the year 1536. upon the one and twentieth day of March, not far from the Castle of Tauriming, met in the way with ten Demons in form of Blacksmiths, a little farther with ten more, and again with another that seemed a true Vulcan, and having questioned him whither he went, he answered he was going to forge at Mount Aetna; to which the Merchant replied, that he wondered they should go to forge on a Mountain that was always covered with Snow. Alas, said the other, thou know'st not my strength, but ere long shalt perceive it, and then he vanished. The next day toward night, a great Earthquake opened the Mount in several places, and much mischief was caused by the fire to the Inhabitants.   

CHAP. VIII. Of Places Haunted.  
THere was in Athens, a great and spacious House, but very infamous for a report that it had for long time been haunted by an evil Spirit. That in the dead time of the night, a strange noise was heard, at first as it were from the yard, which came nearer and nearer, till there stood before them an old man, lean, pale, and with a long beard, having his hands and feet chained, which he often shaked. By these terrors, the Inhabitants fell sick, and many died; for the remembrance of the image impressed on their fancy, caused a deadly fear. Insomuch that at last, it was left desolate. Nevertheless, Bills were set up in several places of the City, if peradventure any one would venture to hire and inhabit it. At that time the Philosopher Athenodorus came to Athens, and reading one of these bills, and the small rent it was to be let at, by reason of its infamy, bought it, notwithstanding what the people reported of it. And gave order the first night, that his bed should be made in the first room of it, some books and his pen and paper to be brought, that his mind being employed and busied, might cause no vain fears. In a studying posture therefore he watched, and when at midnight he heard the noise of Chains and Irons, as had been reported to him, he neither lifted up his eyes nor left writing, till it seemed to be in the Room. Then looking towards the door, there appeared the image of an ancient man loaded with chains, beckoning, as it were, for him to follow: the Philosopher on the other side, made signs with his hand that he should stay a little till he had made an end of what he was writing. But the spirit began again to shake his chains, at which the other left off writing, and taking the Candle in his hand, followed the Ghost, who proceeded slowly, as if he were very aged, and much loaded with his chains, till he came into the yard where he vanished. The Philosopher being left alone, left a mark upon the place, and the next morning caused it to be dug up; where were found the bones of a man chained, for the flesh was putrified and eaten away; these being gathered and buried publicly; the house was never haunted afterwards. Sabellic. lib. 10 Exempl. cap. 3.  
Erasmus in his Epistles writes, that on the tenth of April 1533. in an Inn of Sciltac a town in Switzerland, there was a certain hissing heard about night time, which seemed to come out of one of the chambers of the house; wherefore the Host fearing their might have been Thiefs, ran thither immediately but could find no body, yet still heard the same noise in the Garret, and not long after upon the top of the Chimney: then supposing that it was an evil spirit, he sent for the Priest to exorcise him, who no sooner began his conjuration, but the spirit answered he cared not for them, since one was a twhoremaster and both were thiefs, and herefore he would in spite of them burn the town as he had undertaken (all this was thought afterwards to proceed by the means of a Familiar Spirit, which the maid of that house confessed on her deathbed, to have had familiarity with, for the space of fourteen years) the Spirit therefore took this maid to the top of the chimney, and commanded her to spread such fire as he gave her, which she did, and in less than an hours time all the town was consumed, notwithstanding the great abundance of water the inhabitants brought to quench it. Here we may observe the reality of it, as also that the fire was real that the Devil brought, but of another nature than the common or any Artificial fire is, and that it did not fall from above as lightning, which burneth only very little, unless it happens on matters easily combustible, as it happened in the year 1500. at Paris, when the lightning fell upon the Tower of Billy where the powder was, and since that at Venice.  
Furthermore, Philippus Camerarius saith of it, that the fire fell here and there upon the Houses in form of burning Bullets, and if any one went to help his Neighbour, he was presently called back to help his own. Moreover, I have heard (saith Camerarius) the relation of this woeful visitation from the Vicar of that place, and many others worthy to be believed, forasmuch as they were Spectators of all things according to the former relation. The Vicar also had as it were a Crown about his hair (which he wore long, after the Grecian manner) of all sorts of colours, which he said happened by the same Spirit, who threw a Hoop at his head. Moreover the same Daemon asked him once if ever he heard a Raven cr●…ak, and thereupon croaked so horribly, that they were almost dead for fear. The Curate also did affirm (though not without blushing) that he often told him, and many others, of their private sins so exactly, that they were forced with shame to quit the place.   

CHAP. IX. Of Devilish Impostures.  
ABout the year 1545 happened at Corduba a famous City in Spain, a most wonderful Imposture of Satan. A young girl of a poor Family named Magdalene de la Croix being but five years old, was put, by her Parents, into a Monastery of Nuns, whether through Devotion or Poverty, 'tis unknown, since her years were so few. Nevertheless (as the Judgements of God are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out) the Devil appeared to her in shape of a Blakamore, and although she was at first sight much afraid, yet the Fiend did promise her so many Toys wherein children delight, that he brought her to discourse with him, ever enjoining herstreightly, that she should never disclose aught of their private Conversation. About that time, the Girl began to show a very quick and apprehensive wit, and a nature different from others, which gained her no small esteem from the rest of the Nuns, both old and young. Being come to the age of Twelve, she was solicited by the Devil to marry him, and for her Dowry, he promised her that for the space of thirty years, she should live in such a reputation of Holiness through all Spain, that the like was never before. Thus while Magdalene under this contract, passed the time in her Chamber with this wicked Spirit, that entertained her with his Illusions, another Daemon took her shape and resemblance, and constantly resorted to the Church, to the Pulpit, and to the Cloisters, and all the Assemblies made by the Nuns, with a great deal of feigned Devotion; he told Magdalene also after he had gone to Church in her place, all that was done in the world; of which she giving notice to those who had her already in great Reputation, began not only to be accounted an Holy Virgin, but to bear the name of a Prophetess: wherefore although she was not yet come to full age, yet she was elected Mother Abbess by the consent both of the Monks and Nuns. Now when the Nuns went to Communion on Easter day, and other great Festivals among them, the Priest always complained that some body had stolen one of the Hosts from him, which was carried by this Angel of darkness unto Magdalene, who being in the midst of her Sisters, showed it unto them, and put it in her mouth as a great Miracle. Moreover, it is said, that when she was not present at Mass, though there were a wall between her and the Priest, yet at the Elevation of the Corpus Christi, the wall did cleave that she might see it. It is also very well known that if at any Festival day the Nuns carried her in Procession with them, to make the action more venerable, by some extraordinary action, she carried a little Image of Christ newly born, which she covered with her hair that grew down to her feet. Many more such illusions she used chiefly on solemn days, that they might be the more recommendable. By this time the Pope, the Emperor, and the Grandees of Spain did write to her, and by their Letters entreated her, to remember them in her Prayers, and asked her advice and counsels in all matters of great concernment, as by several Letters found in her Closet was manifested. Many Ladies also and Gentlewomen would not wrap their newborn children in Swaddling clothes, till they had been blessed by the Abbess Magdalene. But God permitted not this Diabolical cheat to lie longer concealed; for Magdalene after she had spent about thirty years in this acquaintance with the Devil, and had been Abbess twelve years, repent of her former life, and detesting these abominable Acts and the horrid society of Satan, she freely discovered, when every one thought least on it, all this notorious wickedness to the visitors of the Order; yet some report, that perceiving the Nuns began to find the deceit, prevented their discovery, by her own confession; for such is the custom in Spain, that he obtains his pardon that doth voluntarily confess his crime. At the hearing of this Confession, Magdalene was imprisoned in the Monastery of which she was Abbess. Nevertheless, in the mean time, Satan still continued his illusions, taking the chief place in the Church according to its wont manner, and was seen on its knees praying and staying for the rest of the Nuns: insomuch that every one thought it had been their Abbess, and that the visitors had given her leave to assist at Matins, for the great signs she gave of repentance. But the next day finding she was still in Prison, the matter was related to the Visitors; and her process was at last sent to Rome, but because she had willingly confessed, she received Absolution. This History is affirmed by Zuinger, au Theatre de la vie human; by Bodin also, and Cassiodore Reny.  
josephus relates in his 18 Book and 4th. Chap. that there was at Rome a Noble woman named Paulina, no less famous for her Paarentage than her virtue and beauty, in the flower of her age, and married to Saturninus, a person not unworthy of her. Now, Decius Mundus fell so extremely in Love with this Lady, that after he had offered for one night's lodging, two hundred thousand drachms, and was repulsed by her, he resolved to end his life in misery. But his Father's man, a person of evil and subtle nature, conscious to his passion, promised for fifty thousand drachms to bring her into his Arms: and the money being paid, he proceeded in this manner. Paulina being much given to the worship of the goddess Isis, he calls together her Priests, and silence being sworn, he procures them with large rewards to go to Paulina as sent from the god Anubis to fetch her unto him. This message she received gladly, and h●…r friends rejoiced that she should be thought worthy of the god Anubis: no●… did her Husband knowing her chastity to be so great, any ways let her preparations. The night being come, she was after supper shut by the Priests in the Temple, where Mundus met her, whom she obeyed and pleasured that night, supposing he had been the god she worshipped. But it was not long after before Mundus meeting her in the City, thou hast well done Paulina, said he, that thou savedst me two hundred thousand Drachms: nor is it any matter that thou denyedst me as Mundus, since thou hast entertained me for Anubis. At these words she tore her hair and rend her clothes, and related the matter to her Husband, and her husband to the Emperor Tiberius; who upon strict inquisition, hanged the Priests, razed the Temple, and commanded that the Statues of Isis and Anubis, should be thrown into the river Tiber; but Decius Mundus, escaped with banishment only, his crime being referred to the strength of a passion that had deprived him of reason.  
Eusebius reports the same of one of Satur's Priests, by name Tyrannus, who procured that such and such a Lady, as by the will of the god, should every night be shut in the Temple; nor did any Husband think himself unhappy in this, but sent his wife richly adorned that night to the Temple, and also great presents, that she might be the more acceptable to the god. Now Tyrannus constantly shut the Temple, delivered up the keys, and went away. But 'twas not long before he returned through his secret doors into the image of Saturn that was hollow at the back and joined to the wall. Then did he speak to the woman as she prayed to him, & at last commanding her to put out the watch Taper, descended to her betwixt fear and joy, that she was thought worthy to accompany a god. This practice had long time passed undiscovered, till a chaste Matron abhorring the fact by perceiving that it was the voice of Tyrannus, that spoke to her, complained to her Husband of the disgrace; who incited also by his own, brought him to the Tormentors; where by confessing the abominable fact, he filled the▪ Pagan Nobility with shame and confusion, their Mother's being Adulteresses, their Father's Cuckolds, and their Children Bastards.  
Henricus Stephanus, in his Book Entitled apology pour Herodote gives us an admirable relation to our purpose, after this manner. There hath been formerly (saith he) and remaineth still even to this day, a great quarrel and dispute between the Dominican and Fvanciscan Friars, concerning the Conception of the blessed Virgin. The former hold she was conceived in Sin, the Franciscan that she was not. Insomuch that a Dominican Friar of Francford, named Vigand, made a Book to maintain that the Virgin Mary was conceived and born in Sin, and found fault with all the preceding Doctors that had been of a contrary Opinion. On the otherside, john Spengler the Franciscan, thinking himself wronged by the said Vigand, procured that a public meeting should be had at Heidlberg, where the matter should be discussed. But the Prince Philip Palatine, hindering this, the Dominicans 〈◊〉 the Franciscans to Rome, where the case lay undecided a long time. At last the Dominicans held their general meeting at Vimtffen, where among other things, they consulted how they might uphold their Opinion, although it was rejected by almost the while world, and several Doctors had written so much against it, and persuaded the world to the contrary. They resolved therefore by some false Miracle, to strengthen their Opinion, and four Dominican Friars were to put the same in execution. These by the means of Francis Ulchi, who was under Prior and a Necromancer, brought their design to pass in this wise. It happened a while after, that a Journeyman Taylor named john Jetzer born in Zurzea, was admitted into their Order, and after he had received the Habit, one of the Conspirators went to him by night to his Cell, and began to feign himself to be a Spirit, being wrapped in a sheet, and making a strange noise with small sticks and stones that he threw. The other much terrified, began to complain the next day, even to those persons that were the Authors of it. But all comforted him and exhorted him to be patient. And one night among the rest, the counterfeit Ghost spoke to the poor Novice, and charged him to do Penance for him, which the Novice imparting the next day to the Friars, 'twas resolved he should do public penance for the relief of that Spirit. At which time one of them began to Preach, and expound to the people why that penance was done, not without magnifying his Order, to which that spirit had addressed itself, blaming on the contrary that of the Franciscans. One time amongst the rest, the Spirit commended to the Novice, the order of the Dominicans, as well for the number of Learned men that had been of it, as for the holy manner of life they followed: adding, that he was not ignorant how their Order was hated by many, because of their Dr. St. Thomas, whom they followed in that Opinion, that the Virgin Mary was conceived in Original Sin. Nevertheless, many of their Enemies were grievously tormented by the vengeance of God, and the Town of Berne would perish, if it did not expel the Franciscan Friars, who were of opinion that the Virgin was conceived without And that particularly Dr. Alexander, Dr. Alice, and john Scotus the subtle Doctor, both Franciscan Friars, were grievously tormented in Purgatory, for inducing the people to hold that opinion. At last the said spirit did counterfeit the Virgin Mary herself, assuring him she was conceived with sin, and certified him also in many other things he desired to know from her. She made also in his right hand, a mark of her Son Jesus Christ, by piercing his hand with a very sharp Nail: then to appease the pain, she put Lint into it, made of the clouts she wrapped her Child with in Egypt. But not contented alone with this, the said Friars gave him to drink, a certain Magic Liquor by which he lost his sense and understanding, and then with Aquafoŕtis made four more wounds upon him. Afterwards when by means of a second Liquor, he came to himself, he was much astonished at his wounds; but they persuaded him, they came from God; and put him afterwards into a little Cell all hung with the Pictures of the passions of Christ: they gave him also a drink that made him froth at the mouth; and persuaded him that he was then fight against death as Christ had done. To conclude, they played so many pranks with this poor Monk, that at last he began to perceive the delusion, and escaping out of their hands, discovered all their devilish practices. Whereupon the actors of this wickedness, john Vetter Prior, Steven Boltzhorst Preacher, Francis Ulchi under-Prior, and Henry Steniecker receiver of the Rents, were condemned to be burnt alive in a field, before the company of the Franciscans.  
There is a pleasant relation amongst the Narrations, Mundi Fortuitas, which I shall not omit in this place; how in a Village of France inhabited by rude country Boors, a Man fitter for the Cart than a Pulpit; yet as being the best Scholar in the Town, was made Vicar: and according to custom, nothing was done, nothing thought upon, but the Vicar was ever present among the good women. Insomuch, that by such frequent familiarily, he grew to be well acquainted with one Lisetta a Parishioners wife. Her Husband was not so blind, but he could perceive his horn a growing, and from that time, permitted not the Vicar to come any more to his house. Thus was all the fat in the fire, and their hopes canceled, had not love found out another way: for according to the Vicar's instruction, Lisetta counterfeited herself possessed with the Devil, turning her eyes, arms and legs in strange postures, froathing at the mouth, and rattling in her throat. The simple neighbourhood astonished at these actions, cried she was possessed; and her poor Husband not a little troubled at it, forgot what was past, and goes for the Vicar, to exorcise the Spirit. Alas my friend saith the other, thy Jealousy and suspicion, I fear, of our holy Order, hath been the cause of this misfortune, for as much as the Chastest Matrons have ran mad, and have been possessed upon this account. Then taking his Robes, Book, and what was fitting on this account, he goes along with him to his wife, and the usual ceremony in such cases, being performed, he asks the spirit, who it was? Lisetta, as she was before instructed, answered in a small voice, I am the father of this young woman, who am to do Penance for ten years' space, in one body or other. Her Husband thinking it to be her Father's spirit, my Father, said he, I desire thee for God's Sake, to come out of her. Then the spirit replied, I will indeed come out of her, but I shall enter into thee, to complete the rest of my time allotted for my Penance. The poor man was so terrified at this, that falling at the Parson's feet, my friend said he, do you not know some way to avert this heavy Judgement, either by Prayers, Fast, Alms, or other Charitable deeds? then Lisetta perceiving all things to succeed according to her desire, thou art too poor, said she, to hinder thy fate by Alms or charitable Deeds, and instead of these, thou must go visit forty Religious places, and pray in every one, and entreat God to forgive thee thy sins, otherwise never look to escape what Heaven hath ordained. Moreover the spirit went on concerning his false Jealousy and suspicion of Holy Men, insomuch, that he fell at the Vicar's feet, ask forgiveness, and shortly after began his Pilgrimage. In the mean time, the Vicar was always with his wife, under pretence▪ to lay the spirit, but 'tis questionable whether he raised not a worse.  
In the year 1534. The Praetor's wife Aurelia, had taken care before she died, that she might be buried privately, without Pomp and Ceremonies (for then it was a custom in Erance) that when any Noble person died, the Heralds should call the people together by Cymbals and such like instruments, and then rehearse the Nobility and worth of the person deceased, desiring the people to pray for them: many mendicant Friars also attended the Corpse with an infinite company of lights. So that by a kind of emulation, the more the Pomp was, and the greater the concourse of people, the nobler the Family was esteemed. But her Husband obeying her last desire, gave no more to the Franciscans that buried her, than six Crowns, whereas much more was expected; and afterward, when he cut down wood and denied them some, they were so incensed, that they resolved in revenge, to make the people believe, his wife was damned in Hell. To which purpose, they placed a youth upon the roof of the Church, who at night in Prayer-time, made a great noise there; and notwithstanding their exorcisms and conjurations would answer nothing; then being commanded to give some sign that he were a dumb spirit, for a sign he made a great noise: the next day, the Franciscans related to the people what happened, but desired them not in any wise to absent themselves for that, So the next night, when Prayers began, the spirit also made a noise in the former manner; but being asked what he was, made a sign that he was not to speak; he was commanded therefore to answer by signs (for there was a hole made where the youth could hear what the exorcists said; and he had a Tablet in his hand, by striking upon which, he gave signs that could be heard beneath) first therefore being asked if he were any of those that had been buried there, he made a sign he was, than many names being recited of all the persons buried there, when they came to the Praetor's wife, he knoced for a sign that he was her spirit, than they asked if she were damned, and for what fault? whether for Covetousness, Lust, Pride, or for the new Heresy and Lutheranism? and what she desired by her unquietude? whether that her body should be removed into another place? to which questions, the spirit by its signs, did give either its affirmation or negation; and when it had signified that it was tormented for Lutheranism, and desired to be removed from that place: then they desired the people to bear witness of it, but the people fearing the Praetor's displeasure would not do it. Nevertheless the Franciscans removed thence their bread and water, and all the sacred vessels, till at last, the Bishops Vicegerent to be better certified concerning this matter, came in person with many Honourable and Religious men, and commanded them to exorcise the spirit in their presence, and to send some body to the roof of the place to see if they could perceive any thing. This the Authors of this villainy withstood, saying, the spirit was not to be troubled; and although he was very urgent, yet could he not prevail with the Franciscans to permit any one to go up. The Praetor in this time went to the King, and because the Franciscans standing upon their privileges, hindered a strict inquiery into the matter; the King sent some of his Council with full power to examine all things. Those of the Franciscans therefore that were suspected, were laid hold on, yet for fear of a shameful death, confessed nothing: But at last, the King promising them Pardon, they disclosed the whole business. nevertheless, they were condemned to be sent again to Aurelia, and put in Prison, till they had publicly before all the people confessed their crime, in the place that Malefactors used to be Executed.   

CHAP. X. A true and admirable process of a Witch that wrought Miracles, by the help. of the Devil.  
Mr. josse Donhoadere, a learned Lawyer of Flanders, in his Book, Entitled Practic Criminal, writes to this purpose. There was in the time that I was Counsellor in the Town of Bruges, an old woman, that in carriage, clothes, and manner of life, was in appearance irreprehensible; insomuch, that she gained an esteem from all, and every one had a reverence for her; forasmuch as she healed, as it were miraculously, the children of many Honourable Families; straightening the crooked, and setting broken joints instantly in their places; not by Art or Physic, but certain words and ceremonies of Devotion: as to fast three days, with bread and water, to say so many times the Lords Prayer, to go on Pilgrimage to Nostre Dame d' Ardenbourg, or to St. Arnoul d' Audenbourg, or to St. josse, or to St. Hubert of Ardennes, or to say a Mass or two in a day, or to say other certain Prayers and Anthems: These Devotions being exactly performed: the sick people were healed, through the faith they and their relations had in this woman. The carriage and miracles of this woman being published through the Country, the Counsellors and Magistrates, that had more wit than the vulgar sort, caused her to be apprehended one night; to be put in Prison and examined, by what authority and means, and by what confidence she performed such Cures. To which she answered, always confidently, that she did them upon good intentions, and that there was no reason they should torment and persecute her for doing good. Nevertheless the Council being moved by manifest signs, condemned her to be Racked, gently exhorting her to declare the truth; but still she persisted in her first answer, affirming there was nothing unlawful, and that all was done without any compact or agreement with the Devil. There was then present at the Examination the Bourgomaster of Bruges, a man very much tormented with the Gout, that of times he cried out as if he had been racked himself; which the old woman perceiving, and turning herself to him, said, Mr. Bourgomaster, have you a mind to be rid of the trouble of your Gout, if you have, I shall cure you, and that very soon; if it were possible, replied the Bourgomaster, I would willingly give two thousand crowns to be whole, and you shall have them if thou performest what thou sayest. Then the other Judges and Registers that were present told him. Sir, pray have a care what you say, and what you do, believe us and let us send back this Witch into her chamber, and hear patiently what we shall declare unto you: the woman being carried back, see said they, what danger you put yourself into, by a vain persuasion that this woman should be equal to the Apostles, and can cure you of your Gout by lawful means. All indeed that she doth, seemeth apparently Holy and Divine; but if you look more narrowly into the matter, there is much to be said against it. Let us call for her therefore again, and inquire how she pretends to cure you; if she promise to cure you miraculously, as the Apostles have done the Diseases of their time, and that she follows the means they have made use of, we shall not be against her, knowing that the hand of God is not straigntned: but if she make use of unlawful means, and puts her trust in them, there is reason that all her proceedings should be suspected both by you and us also.  
Therefore when she was sent for back again, one of them said, if thou presumest to cure the Bourg Master of the Gout, what remedies and means will you apply? none other, said she, but that the Bourg-Master believe and be persuaded for certain that I have power to cure him, so shall he be sound, and set upon his feet. Hereupon she was sent out back to her Chamber, than the Judges with one accord, told the Bourg-Master and standers by. You see Gentlemen by the answer of this woman, that she doth nothing, but by the power of Satan, and that she undertakes to cure the Bourg-master by unlawful means; for in her way she doth not follow the Holy Apostles, who cured the sick by Divine Faith and Power, saying to the Lame man, In the Name of our Lord jesus Christ, rise and Walk: and to the Blind, In the Name of our Lord jesus Christ, recover thy sight; so that one was set upon his feet, and the other recovered his sight; not by humane help, but by the Divine Power, in the Name and Faith of Jesus Christ. Now this Witch boasteth only to cure, if the Patient put his trust in her and believe that she can do it: such faith, or rather perfidicusness, is directly against the practice of the Apostles. This answer being well apprehended and digested, the Bourg-Master was sorry for what he had done, gave no more credit to woman, and ever after repented him of his levity. But to return to the Witch, because she did persevere in denying those things she was accused of, it was concluded she should be put to the Rack, where being stretch roughly, she acknowledged some light faults, but as for Witchcraft, she utterly denied it. Whereupon she was released for that time, and locked in her Chamber. A while after being again accused by new Evidences brought against her, she was the second time put to the rack, where again she confessed some small faults, as before. But finding herself tortured, she began to cry and say, takeme away hence, or I shall stink you all out of the Room, for I can hold my ex●…rement no longer. There was a house of office near, whither the standers by would have her carried; others more judicious, were of opinion she should not, fearing some greater difficulty might arise; but by plurality of voices, she was untved, and carried thither: and having stayed there half an Hour and more, although she were called twice or thrice, she was at last compelled to come forth, and was put to the Rack again, and was tortured more vehemently than before. But she without crying or lamenting as she had done before, fell a laughing, and derided and mocked the Judges, bidding them do what they would, their cruelty could prevail nothing against her. Hereupon the standers by, thought the Devil had made her impassable, for she would confess nothing that was charged against her: but being stretched on the Rack, she either laughed or slept. Therefore by the council of some more judicious in such matters than the rest, she was taken, and shaved in all parts of the body where hair used to grow, and was searched by divers woman, who found tied about her arms, certain small Parchment notes, containing the names of evil Spirits, with some crosses intermixed. These Bills being presented to the Magistrate, she was again stretched on the Rack, where, at the first pull she began to roar and confess all, whereof she had been accused: and being examined concerning her former obstinacy in her denials, she said that if she had not been wholly shaved, and deprived of those Bills, the truth had never came out of her mouth, This being brought to this pass, the Judges proceeded to condemnation, some were of Opinion she should be burnt alive, others for the most part, that she should only be put to a rigorous fine, to be banished from the Country and never to return upon pain of being burnt: according to this last opinion, she was set upon a Scaffold, with a false Periwig made on purpose, which was taken off her head by the Hangman and thrown in the fire kindled to that end. Afterwards she was conducted by two Judges and the Attorney of Bruges out of their Territory. Thus out of Flanders she went into Zealand, and dwelled some time at Middlebroug, where she presently fell to her former trade. The Lord Florent Dam Judge of the town, was advised by us, of what was past concerning this woman, and in favour of justice, the Copies of her Accusations and Confessions, and Sentence was sent him; which made him strictly observe her, and finding by undeniable truths, that she persevered in her diabolical Witchcraft, caused her to be apprehended and put in Prison, and having narrowly examined her, by her wilful confessions, and according to her former Sentence, he condemned her to be burnt alive. After which he sent a Letter, with the whole Relation to Bruges, whereof Danhoudere hath given us this relation.   

CHAP. XI. The horrid end of Witches and Negromancers.  
ZAcoes and Arfaxad the great Persian Magicians, at the very hour St. Simon and jude suffered Martyrdom, were struck dead with Lightning.  
Cynops the Prince of Negromancers, was at St. John's Prayers swallowed up with waters; and Methotin who by his Diabolical illusions, got to be Highpriest, was stoned. Several have been taken away alive by the Devil, but one more wonderfully, as we may read in Spec. Hist. lib. 26. c. 26. after this manner.  
There happened one day that a certain Daw that an old Witch kept, spoke; at which, the woman let fall the knife out of her hand as she was at dinner, and grew extreme pale; till at length after many sighs and groans, she broke out into these words. This day my Plough is come to its last Period, and I shall certainly suffer some great evil. Whilst she thus spoke, a messenger brought word that her Son was dead; upon which news, she fell immediately sick, and sending for the rest of her children which were two▪ a Monk and a Nun: I have by my wretched Fate, said she with grief, these many years, followed Witchcraft, and given myself, body and soul, to the Devil, that persuaded me to this wickedness, and will be the punishe●… as well as the Author of it. I desire you therefore that you would not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me to assuage my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 struction of my soul is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall also ●…ew up my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 skin, and put it into a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ing fast the top wa●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall bind it with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 if I lie securely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ye shall bury me; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sung for me, fifty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prayers said. All these things her two children obeyed, after the death of their mother, but prevailed not, for the first two nights, when the Monks began to sing Hymns about the body, the Devils opened the Church doors, that were shut with a great bar, and broke two chains, but the middlemost being stronger, remained whole: the third night, the noise was so great of those Demons that came to fetch the body, that the very foundation of the Church was shaken. But one Devil in shape more terrible than the rest, broke down the door, and went toward the Coffin, commanding the body to arise, which answered, it could not for the chain; thou shalt be delivered, replied he, from that hindrance; and going to the Coffin, he broke the Chain, and with his foot thrust off the covering, then taking the woman by the hand lead her out of the Church in presence of them all, to the door, where stood a black horse ready, and proudly Neighing, upon which the woman was placed, and all the company of Devils went away with her through the Air, their noise being so great, that the Inhabitants thereabouts were no less astonished than the beholders.   

CHAP. XII. The difference between good and evil Angels, with an admirable relation of a good Genius.  
HAving hitherto in some manner, declared the acts of evil and cursed Spirits, 'twill be reasonable, that before I conclude this Treatise, I give you some account, of those blessed Angels, which God oft times, for reasons best known to himself, hath caused to appear unto men, and to distinguish the one from the other, there are three ways of discovery. The first is according to Jamblic●…s d' Mysterijs, that the good never appear in any fantastical shape, nor strive to deceive us, or offer to council us in wicked matters. Evil angels on the contrary, appear always in strange shapes; and although sometimes they strive to imitate the Children of Light, to be thought Angels of God, yet because of their evil nature, if desired to do evil, they willingly consent to it, and are unconstant, and unstable in all their actions. The second rule to distinguish them, is, that the works of unclean Spirits, profit no body, as to make a starve walk, an image speak, and the like, as Simon the Sorcerer, it said to have done: but those of Divine Powers, alway contribute to man's good, thus our Saviour made the Blind see, the Lame walk, cast out Devils; and the like did the Apostles, which Simon Magus could not do. Thirdly, they are discovered according to Athanasius by St. Antony, from their manner of appearing. For the aspect of evil spirit is terrible, their noise horrid, their speech ●…ordid; when it hap●…eth that our mind is terrified at their sight, and our senses stupefied. At their departure likewise, they terrify us most, and always leave a noisome scent behind them. But the Holy and blessed Spirits appear with a meek and gentle countenance, for they never scold nor brawl, but bring joy and hope to a penitent sinner; forasmuch as they came from God, the Author and Fountain of joy; nor is our mind troubled much at the sight, but is rather illuminated, and desires forthwith to leave this earthly Tabernacle, and to hasten with what it sees to an eternal mansion; and as the Angel that saluted the Virgin, that spoke to Zacharias, that told the Shepherds concerning our Saviour's birth, that they should not fear; so they remove all fear from us, and leave us in a joy unspeakable.   

An admirable History of a good Genius or Guardian Angel.  
BOdin makes mention of a friend of his that had always a Spirit accompanying him, which he began first to perceive, at the age of seven and thirty, not but that he thought the same Spirit had always been with him in his life-time, by reason of many dreams and visions by which he had been forewarned to shun many imminent dangers and vices; but that he never perceived it so plainly as he did at that age and upwards, which happened after this manner. 'Twas his custom to Pray so continually, that for above a year he had not ceased to desire of God, morning and evening, that he would be pleased to send him a good Angel to guide and direct his actions. He spent also certain hours after his Prayers in contemplating on the works of God, meditating, and reading the Bible, to find out, among the multitude of Opinions which was the true Religion, and to this purpose he often repeated the 143 Psalm.  

Me Deus informa quae sit tuasancta voluntas  
Morrigerasque manus praesta, gressasque sequaces:  
Namque eris ecce Deus semper mihi tramite recto  
Spirituus ille tuus divinaque virgula ducat.   
And reading many Holy Authors, he found in Philo the Jew, de sacrificiis, that a good and perfect man, could offer no better sacrifice to God than himself; whereupon he offered his soul to God: from which time forward, he had dreams and visions full of admonition; sometimes to correct this or that vice, sometimes to give notice of ensuing dangers, other while to solve some great difficulty, as well in divine as humane affairs. Amongst the rest of his dreams, he heard a voice saying to him, I will save thy soul, I am the same that hitherto hath appeared unto thee. Afterwards daily about three or four a clock in the morning, the Spirit knocked at his door, but when he rose and opened it he saw no body. Thus the Spirit continued every day, and never ceased knocking till he arose; this put him in fear it might be some evil spirit, wherefore he never ceased in his Prayers to desire God to send his good Angel, singing Psalms and Praises to God continually. Upon this the spirit manifested itself to him as he watched one night, by striking gently upon a glass vessel that was in the room, which very much astonished him; two days after he happened to entertain his friend the King's Secretary at dinner, who was much affrighted to hear the Spirit knock on a bench that was near him; insomuch that he was forced to declare the whole matter to him: and from that time ever after, the spirit waited on him, admonishing him always by some sensible sign, sometime by pulling his right ear, if he had done any evil; as also it any one came to deceive or cheat him, his right ear was pulled, and the left, if good men on honest designs: likewise if he went to eat and drink any evil, he was admonished to desist; if good, to proceed. And as often as he went to praise God in Psams and Hymns, or to meditate on his wonderful works, he was strengthened, and confirmed by an extraordinary and spiritual power. And to the end he might discern the better, his inspired dreams, from those that proceeded either from the temperament of his body, or perturbation of his mind; he was wakened by the same spirit, about two of the clock, after which time he slept again, and dreamt those that were true, which admonished him of what he was to do, and believe, concerning those things of which he doubted. So that from that time forwards, nothing happened to him of which he was not forewarned; nor did he at any time doubt of any thing to be believed or rejected, but he was certified concerning it. Wherefore he chose one day in the week particularly to praise God, and seldom went out; if p●…radventure he did, he was always seen to be of a joyful countenance, according to the Scriptures, Vidi facies sanctorum laetas; but if in discourse and conversation, with others, there passed any evil; or if at any time he omitted his Prayers, he was admonished of it in his sleep: if he read in any evil book he was pulled softly by the ear till he laid it down, and was hindered from doing any thing prejudicial to his health; but chiefly he was admonished to rise early, and if at any time he slept late, he heard a voice say, who will rise first to prayer? he was warned also to give Alms, which the more he did, the better did things prosper under his hand; once when his enemies came by water to take away his life, he dreamed his father bought him two horses, a red and a white one, therefore he gave order that two horses should be bought, and although he had said nothing to his servant, concerning their colour, nevertheless he bought two of those colours. Now the reason why he never spoke to this spirit, was, because he had once desired it, and on the sudden it struck so vehemently against the door, as if it had been with a Mallet, whereby he showed it was unpleasing to him, the spirit also never permitted him to read or write long, and often he could hear a small shrill voice, but not distinguish what it said: nor did he ever see this spirit in any shape, but of a certain clear light, in a round square or circle: once only when he was in great danger of his life, and he had incessantly prayed to God to save him; about morning, as he lay in his bed, he saw a boy in white garments of excellent countenance and form. Another time being in great danger, and going to lie down, he was often hindered by this good Genius, till such time as he arose and passed the night in prayers; after which he escaped death miraculously, and heard in his sleep a voice saying, Qui sedet in latibulo Altissimi, etc. Thus in all difficulties he received council, and in all dangers he was assisted and saved by his Guardian Angel.  
Now the truth of this relation we may gather from several circumstances, as well that the person said his ear was struck by the good Angel to admonish him what was to be done, according to that of Esaiah, Dominus, saith he, vellicavit mihi aurem diluculo: as also that he said, the good Angel manifested himself by knocking, as it were, with a hammer, for we read in the book of Judges, concerning Manoah, that the Angel began to knock before him, the Original of the word whereby it is expressed, being, tintinabulum or tympanum. But whether every one hath his Genius, Good or Bad, attending on him, 'tis hard to determine, although it hath been an old and received Opinion, according to these words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
FINIS.