Page:Wonderful progidies (sic) of judgment and mercy.pdf/45

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divers Magicians and Witches.
45

not be improper here briefly to relate. The wizards and witches being met at a place and time appointed, the devil there appears to them in human ſhape, admoniſhing them to be faithful, and promiſing them ſucceſs and length of life; then thoſe that are preſent recommend the perſon who is to be entered; the devil then requires him to renounce the Chriſtian faith, and ſacraments, and giving him his hand, tells him that this alone is not ſufficent, but that he muſt worſhip him likewiſe, and give himſelf to him body and ſoul for ever, and bring as many as poſſibly he can into the ſame ſociety, and that he muſt prepare himſelf certain ointments, and then be confirmed therein.


IV. Manlius writes, that in the year 1553, two witches ſtole a neighbour's child, and murdering it, cut it in pieces, and put it into a kettle to boil, when the ſorrowful mother looking for her infant, came by chance into the houſe, and found the limbs thereof horribly conſumed, for which abominable fact the authors of it were burnt, having confeſſed this their villany.


V. Another author ſays, two other witches are reported to have killed abundance of children, and that in Germany eight witches were taken, who confeſſed they had murdered an hundred and forty five children in making their ointments; they are alſo reported to have each of them a ſpirit or imp attending on them, who are to aſſiſt and obey them in all things, and to give them notice of their ſolemn meetings or appointments at which time, it is ſaid, they ſeparate themſelves from all company, and night being come, they ſtrip-themſelves naked, and anoint themſelves with their ointments, then