The Epistle.
euidence against them consisting in impossibilities, our proofes in vnwritten verities, and our whole proceedings in doubts and difficulties.
Now bicause I mislike the extreame crueltie vsed against some of these sillie foules (whome a simple aduocate hauing audience and iustice might deliver out of the hands of the inquisitors themselues) it will be said, that I denie anie punishment at all to be due to anie witch whatsoeuer. Naie, bicause I bewraie the follie and impietie of them, which attribute vnto witches the power of God: these witchmoongers will report, that I denie there are anie witches at all: and yet behold (saie they) how often is this word [Witch] mentioned in the scriptures? Euen as if an idolater should saie in the behalfe of images and idols, to them which denie their power and godhead, and inueigh against the reuerence doone ynto them; How dare you denie the power of images, seeing their names are so often repeated in the scriptures? But truelie I denie not that there are witches or images: but I detest the idolatrous opinions conceiued of them; referring that to Gods worke and ordinance, which they impute to the power and malice of witches; and attributing that honour to God, which they ascribe to idols. But as for those that in verie deed are either witches or coniurors, let them hardlie suffer such punish- ment as to their fault is agreea- ble, and as by the graue iudgement of lawe is prouided.
Places amended by the author and to be read as followeth. The first number standeth for the page, the second for the line.
46.16. except you.
51.9. one Saddocke.
75.21. that we of
110.21. as Elimas.
112.10. is reproued.
119.16. one Necus.
126.12. Magus as.
138.2. the hart.
144.25. in hir closet at Endor, or in.
168.31. the firmament.
187.16. reallie finished.
192. put out the first line of the page.
247.29. write it.
257.32. an image.
269.16. there be masses.
333.14. euenlie feuered.
363.26. for bellowes.
366.27. his leman.
438.29. exercise the.
450.1. that it is.
463.19. that businesse.
473.19. cōteineth nothing.
472.11. I did deferre.
491.6. so difficult.
491.27 begat another.
503.9. of all the.
519.7. the Heuttes.
542.30. their reproch.
