A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so far forth as it is…A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so farre forth as it is…

A Charm is a Spell or verse, consisting of strange words, used as a sign or watchword to the devil, to cause him to work wonders.

A Charme is a Spell or verse, consisting of strange words, vsed as a signe or watchword to the deuil, to cause him to worke wonders.

First, I say it is a Spell consisting of strange words, because in these enchantments, certain words or verses are secretly uttered, which in regard of the ⟨p. 131⟩common forms of words are strange, and wherein there is thought to be a miraculous efficacy to bring some extraordinary and unexpected thing to pass. A point of it self evident and needing no further proof, considering it is not unknown to the more ignorant sort, who are better acquainted with these, then with the word of God. And these words are not all of one and the same kind; but some are rude and barbarous, neither known nor conceived or understood; of which the ancienter sort of charms were wont to be made especially, and some later. Some again are plain and known terms, which may be understood; as the names of the Trinity, some words and sentences of Scripture, as In principto er at verbum, &c. Againe, charms that consist of words, are not all of one sort, but some be imprecations, wishing some evil: others in show have the form of praises and blessings, whereby the Witch either flatteringly commendeth, or favourably wisheth some good: others again are made in form of ⟨p. 132⟩prayer and petition: and they all are sometimes plainly conceived, sometimes in ruder and more unknown words, as those well know, who have heard them, or read them where they are to be sound.

First, I say it is a Spell consisting of strange words, because in these inchantments, certaine words or verses are secretly vttered, which in regard of the ⟨p. 131⟩