are really performed, and are not all Impostures and Delusions. The Witch occasions, but is not the Principal Efficient, she seems to do it, but the Spirit performs the wonder, sometimes immediately, as in Transportations and Possessions, sometimes by applying other Natural Causes, as in raising Storms, and inflicting Diseases, sometimes using the Witch as an Instrument, and either by the Eyes or Touch conveying Malign Influences: And these things are done by vertue of a Covenant, or Compact betwixt the Witch and an Evil Spirit. A Spirit, viz. an Intelligent Creature of the Invisible World, whether one of the Evil Angels called Devils, or an Inferiour Dæmon or Spirit, or a wicked Soul departed; but one that is able and ready for mischief, and whether altogether Incorporeal or not, appertains not to this Question.
SECT. III.
That neither the Notation of the Name that signifies indifferently, nor the false Additions of others to the Notion of a Witch can any way dissettle the Authors definition.
This I take to be a plain Description of what we mean by a Witch and Witchcraft: What Mr. Webster and other Advocates for Witches, talk concerning the words whereby these are exprest, that they are improper and Metaphorical, signifying this, and signifying that, is altogether idle and impertinent. The word Witch signifies orginally a Wise Man, or rather a Wise Woman. The same doth Saga in the Latin, and plainly so doth Wizzard in English signifie a Wise Man, and they are vulgarly called cunning Men or Women. An Art, Knowledge, Cunning they have
