_
Answ.
Yes, in brief he will declare what confession of a Witch is of
validity and force in his judgement, to hang a Witch: when a Witch is
first found with teats, then sequestred from her house, which is onely
to keep her old associates from her, and so by good counsell brought
into a sad condition, by understanding of the horribleness of her sin,
and the judgements threatned against her; and knowing the Devils
malice and subtile circumventions, is brought to remorse and sorrow
for complying with Satan so long, and disobeying Gods sacred Commands,
doth then desire to unfold her mind with much bitterness, and then
without any of the before-mentioned hard usages or questions put to
her, doth of her owne accord declare what was the occasion of the
Devils appearing to her, whether ignorance, pride, anger, malice, &c.
was predominant over her, she doth then declare what speech they had,
what likeness he was in, what voice be had, what familiars he sent
her, what number of spirits, what names they had, what shape they were
in, what imployment she set them about to severall persons in severall
places, (unknowne to the hearers) all which mischiefes being proved to
be done, at the same time she confessed to the same parties for the
same cause, and all effected, is testimony enough again her for all
her denyall.
Quest. 13.
_How can any possibly beleeve that the Devill and the Witch
joyning together, should have such power, as the Witches
confesse to kill such such a man, child, horse, cow, the like;
if we beleeve they can doe what they will, then we derogate from
Gods power, who for certaine limits the Devill and the Witch;
and I cannot beleeve they have any power at all.
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