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…

First, it is said, that the hurt that is done, comes not from the Witch, but from the devil: he deserves the blame, because it is his work, and she is not to die for his sin. Ans. Let it be granted, that the Witch is not the author of the evil that is done, yet she is a confederate and partner with the Devil in the fact, and so the law takes hold on her. See it in a familiar comparison. A company of men conspire together in a robbery, by common consent some stand in open place to espy out the booty, and to give the watchword, others are set about the passage, privily to rush upon the man, and to spoil him of his goods. In this case what saith the Law? ⟨p. 252⟩The parties that gave the watchword, though they did nothing to the man, yet being accessories and abettors to the robbery by consent, they are thieves, and liable to condemnation and execution, as well as the principals. Even so stands the case with the Witch. In the working of wonders, and in all mischievous practises, he or she is partaker with the devil by consent of covenant: the Witch only useth the watchword, in some charm or otherwise, and doth no more; the devil upon notice given by the charm, takes his opportunity, and works the mischief. He is the principal agent, but the other yieldeth help, and is rightly liable to punishment. The reason is, because if the devil were not stirred up, and provoked by the Witch, he would never do so much hurt as he doth. He had never appeared in Samuel's likeness, had he not been solicited by the Witch of Endor. He would not have caused counterfeit serpents and frogs to appear in Egypt, but for Janis and Jambres, and other Enchanters. And in this age there ⟨p. 253⟩would not in likelihood be so much hurt & hinderance procured unto men, and other creatures by his means, but for the instigation of ill disposed persons, that have fellowship and society with him.

First, it is saide, that the hurt that is done, comes not from the Witch, but from the deuill: he deserues the blame, because it is his worke, and she is not to die for his sinne. Ans. Let it be granted, that the Witch is not the author of the euill that is done, yet shee is a confederate and partner with the Deuill in the fact, and so the law takes hold on her. See it in a familiar comparison. A companie of men conspire together in a robberie, by common consent some stand in open place to espie out the bootie, and to giue the watchword, others are set about the passage, priuily to rush vpon the man, and to spoile him of his goods. In this case what saith the Law?