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…

Now howsoever both these be evil, yet of the two, the more horrible & detestable Monster is the good Witch: for look in what place soever there be any bad Witches that hurt only, there also ⟨p. 175⟩the Devil hath his good ones, who are better known then the bad, being commonly called Wise-men, or Wise-women. This will appear by experience in most places in these countries. For let a mans child, friend, or cattle be taken with some sore sickness, or strangely tormented with some rare and unknown disease, the first thing he doth, is to bethink himself and inquire after some Wise man or wise-woman, & thither he sends and goes for help. When he comes, he first tells him the state of the sick man: the Witch then being certified of the disease, prescribeth either Charms of words to be used over him, or other such counterfeit means, wherein there is no virtue; being nothing else but the devils Sacraments, to cause him to do the cure, if it come by Witchcraft. Well, the means are received, applied, and used, the sick party accordingly recovereth, and the conclusion of all is, the usual acclamation; Oh happy is the day, that ever I met with such a man or woman to help me!

Now howsoeuer both these be euill, yet of the two, the more horrible & de••stable Monster is the good Witch: for looke in what place soeuer there be any bad Witches that hurt onely, there also ⟨p. 175⟩the Deuill hath his good ones, who are better knowne then the bad, beeing cō monly called Wise-men, or Wise-women. This wil appeare by experience in most places in these countries. For let a mans childe, friend, or cattell be taken with some sore sicknes, or strangely tormented with some rare and vnknowne disease, the first thing he doth, is to bethink himselfe and inquire after some Wiseman or wise-woman, & thither he sends and goes for helpe. When he comes, he first tells him the state of the sicke man: the Witch then beeing certified of the disease, prescribeth either Charmes of words to be vsed ouer him, or other such counterfeit meanes, wherein there is no vertue; beeing nothing els but the deuills Sacraments, to cause him to doe the cure, if it come by Witchraft. Well, the meanes are receiued, applied, and vsed, the sicke partie accordingly recouereth, and the conclusion of all is, the vsuall acclamation; Oh happie is the day, that euer I met with such a man or woman to helpe me!