Book XII, chapters 18–19: A charm to find out a witch; one witchcraft against another

CHAP. XVIII. A Charm or Experiment to find out a Witch.

IN die dominico sotularia juvenum axungia seu pinguedine porei, ut moris est, pro restauratione fieri perangunt: and when she is once come into the Church, the Witch can never get out, until the searchers for her give her express leave to depart.

But now it is necessary to shew you how to prevent and cure all mischiefs wrought by these Charms and Witchcrafts, according to the opinion of M, Mal. and others. One principal way is to nail a Horse-shoe at the inside of the outmost threshold of your House, and so you shall be sure no Witch shall have power to enter thereinto. And if you mark it, you shall find that rule observed in many Countrey-houses. Otherwise: Item the triumphant title to be written. crosswise, in every corner of the house, thus: Jesus ✚ Nazarenus ✚ Rex ✚ Judaeorum ✚ Memorandum, you may joyn herewithal, the Name of the Virgin Mary, or of the four Evangelists, or Verbum caro factum est. Otherwise: Item in some Countries they nail a Wolfs head on the door. Otherwise: Item they hang Scilla, (which is either a Root, or rather in this place garlick) in the roof of the House, for to keep away Witches and Spirits: and so they do Alicium also. Otherwise: Item Perfume made of the gall of a black Dog, and his blood besmeared on the posts and walls of the House, driveth out of the doors both Devils and Witches. Otherwise: The House where Herba betonica is sown, is free from all mischiefs: Otherwise: It is not unknown that the Romish Church allowed and used the smoak of Sulphur, to drive Spirits out of their houses; as they did Frankincense and Water hallowed. Otherwise: Apuleius faith, that Mercury gave to Ulysses, when he came neer to the Inchantress Circe, an herb called Verbascum, which in English is called Mullein, or Tapsus barbatus, or Longwoort; and that preserved him from the Inchantments. Otherwise: Item Pliny and Homer both do say, that the Herb called Moly is an excellent herb against Inchantments, and say all, that thereby Ulysses escaped Circes her Sorceries and Inchantments. Otherwise also diverse wayes they went to work in this case, and some used this Defensive, some that Preservative against Incantations.

And herein you shall see, not only how the Religion of Papists and Infidels agree; but also how their Ceremonies and their Opinions are all one concerning Witches and Spirits.

For thus writeth Ovid touching that matter.

Térque senem flammâ ter aquâ, ter sulphuro lustrat:

Englished by Abraham Fleming:

She purifies with fire thrice
Old hoary-headed Aeson,
With water thrice, and sulphur thrice,
As she thought meet in reason.

Again the same Ovid cometh in as before:

Advenient, quae lustret anus, lectumque locumque,
Deferat & tremula sulphur & ova manu.

Englished by Abraham Fleming:

Let some old Women hither come,
And purge both bed and place,
And bring in trembling hand new eggs
And sulphur in like case.

And Virgil also harpeth upon the like string:

—baccare frontem
Cingite, ne vati noceat mala lingua futuro:

Englished by Abraham Fleming:

Of berry-bearing baccar bowze
Awreath or Garland knit,
And round about his head and browze
See decently it sit;
That of an ill talking tongue
Our future Poet be not stung.

Furthermore, was it not in times of Tempests, the Papists use, or superstition to ring their Bells against Devils; trusting rather to the conging of their Bells, than to their own cry unto God with Fasting and Prayer, assigned by him in all adversities and dangers: according to the order of the Thracian Priests, which would roar and cry, with all the noise they could make, in those tempests. Olaus Gothus saith, that his Countrymen would shoot in the Air, to assist their Gods, whom they thought to be then together by the ears with others, and had consecrated Arrows, called Sagittae Joviales, even as our Papists had. Also in stead of Bells, they had great Hammers, called Mallei Joviales, to make a noise in time of thunder. In some Countries they run out of the doors in time of Tempest, blessing themselves with a Cheese, whereupon there was a Cross made with a Ropes end upon Ascension day. Also three Hailstones to be thrown into the fire in a Tempest, and thereupon to be said three Pater Nosters, and three Aves, S. Johns Gospel, and In fine fugiat Tempestas, is a present Remedy. Item, to hang an egg laid on Ascension day in the roof of the House, preserveth the same from all hurts. Item, I conjure you hail and wind by the five wounds of Christ, by the three nails which pierced his hands and his feet, and by the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, that thou come down dissolved into water. Item, it hath been an usual matter, to carry out in tempests the Sacraments and Reliques, &c. Item, against storms, and many dumb Creatures, the Popish Church useth Excommunication as a principal Charm. And now to be delivered from Witches themselves, they hang in their Entries an herb called Pentaphyllon, Cinquefoil, also an Olivebranch, also Frankincense, Myrrh, Valerian, Verven, Palm, Antirchmon, &c. also Haythorn, otherwise White-thorn gathered on Mayday: also the smoak of a Lappoints feathers driveth Spirits away. There be innumerable Popish Exorcisms and Conjurations for Herbs and other things, to be thereby made wholesom both for the bodies and souls of Men and Beasts, and also contagion of Weather. Memorandum, that at the gathering of these Magical herbs, the Credo is necessary to be said, as Vairus affirmeth; and also the Pater noster, for that is not superstitious. Also Sprenger saith, that to throw up a black Chicken in the Air, will make all tempests to cease: so it be done with the hand of a Witch. If a soul wander in the likeness of a man or woman by night, molesting men, with bewailing their torments in Purgatory, by reason of Tithes forgotten, &c. and neither Masses nor Conjurations can help; the Exorcist in his Ceremonial Apparel must go to the Tomb of that body, and spurn thereat with his foot, saying, Vade ad Gehennam, Get thee packing to Hell: and by and by the soul goeth thither, and there remaineth for ever. Otherwise, if there be no Masses of purpose for this matter, to unbewitch the bewitched. Otherwise, You must spet in the Piss-pot, where you have made water. Otherwise, Spet into the shoe of your right foot, before you put it on: and that Vairus saith is good and wholsom to do, before you go into any dangerous place. Otherwise, that neither Hunters nor their Dogs may be bewitched, they cleave an oaken branch, and both they and their Dogs pass over it. Otherwise, S. Augustine saith, that to pacifie the God Liber, whereby Women might have fruit of the seeds they sow, and that their Gardens and Fields should not be bewitched, some chief grave Matron used to put a Crown upon his genital Member, and that must be publiquely done.

To spoil a Thief, a Witch, or any other Enemy, and to be delivered from the evil.

UPon the Sabbath day before Sun-rising, cut a Hazel-wand, saying, I cut thee O bough of this Summers growth, in the name of him whom I mean to beat or maim. Then cover the Table, and say ✚ In nomine Patris ✚ & Filii ✚ & Spiritus sancti ✚ ter. And striking thereon, say as followeth (english he that can) Drech, myroch, esenaroth ✚ betu ✚ baroch ✚ ass ✚ maaroth ✚: and then say, Holy Trinity punish him that hath wrought this mischeif, and take it away by thy great justice; Eson ✚ elion ✚ emaris, ales, age; and strike the carpet with your wand.

A notable Charm or Medicine to pull out an Arrow-head, or any such thing that sticketh in the flesh or bones, and cannot otherwise be had out.

SAy three several times kneeling, Oremus, praeceptis salutaribus moniti, Pater noster, Ave Maria. Then make a Cross, saying, The Hebrew Knight strake our Lord Jesu Christ, and I beseech thee, O Lord Jesu Christ ✚ by the same iron, spear, blood, and water, to pull out this iron: In nomine Patris ✚ &. Filii ✚ & Spiritus sancti ✚.

Charms against a quotidian Ague.

CUt an Apple in three pieces, and write upon the one, The Father is uncreated: upon the other, The Father is incomprehensible: upon the third, The Father is eternal: Otherwise, Write upon a Mass-cake cut in three pieces, O Ague to be worshipped: on the second, O sickness to be ascribed to health and joyes; on the third, Pax ✚ max ✚ fax ✚ and let it be eaten fasting. Otherwise, Paint upon three like pieces of a Mass-cake, Pater pax ✚ Adonai ✚ Filius vita ✚ Sabbaoth ✚ Spiritus sanctus ✚ Tetragrammaton ✚ and eat it, as is aforesaid.

For all manner of Agues intermittent.

JOyn two little sticks together in the midst, being of one length, and hang it about your neck in the form of a Cross. Otherwise, For this Disease, the Turks put within their Doublet a ball of wood, with another piece of wood, and strike the same, speaking many frivolous words. Otherwise, Certain Monks hanged scrolls about the necks of such as were sick, willing them to say certain Prayers at each fit, and at the third fit to hope well; and made them believe that thereby they should receive cure.

Periapts, Characters, &c. for Agues, and to cure all Diseases, and to deliver from all evil.

THe first Chapter of St. Johns Gospel in small letters consecrated at a Mass, and hanged about ones neck, is an incomparable Amulet or Tablet, which delivereth from all Witchcrafts and devilish Practices. But me thinks, if one should hang a whole Testament, or rather a Bible, he might beguile the Devil terribly. For indeed so would have S. Bernard have done, whom the Devil told, that he could shew him seven verses in the Psalter, which being daily repeated, would of themselves bring any man to Heaven, and preserve him from hell. But when St. Bernard desired the Devil to tell him which they were, he refused, saying, he might then think him a fool so to prejudice himself. Well (quoth St. Bernard) I will do well enough for that, for I will daily say over the whole Psalter. The Devil hearing him say so, told him which were the verses, lest in reading over the whole Psalter daily, he should merit too much for others. But if the hanging of St. Johns Gospel about the neck be so beneficial, how if one should eat up the same?

More Charms for Agues.

TAke the Party by the hand, and say, Aeque facilis sit tibi haec febris, atque Mariae Virgini Christi partus. Otherwise, Wash with the Party, and privily say this Psalm, Exaltabo te Deus meus, rex, &c. Otherwise, Wear about your neck a piece of a nail taken from a Cross, and wrapped in wool. Otherwise drink wine, wherein a Sword hath been drowned that hath cut off ones head. Otherwise, take three consecrated Mass-cakes, and write upon the first, Qualis est Pater, talis est vita: on the second, Qualis est Filius, talis est sanctus; on the third, Qualis est Spiritus, tale est remedium. Then give them to the sick man, enjoyning him to eat none other thing that day wherein he eateth any of them, nor yet drink; and let him say fifteen Pater nosters, and as many Aves, in the honour and praise of the Trinity. Otherwise, Lead the sick man on a Friday before Sun-rising towards the East, and let him hold up his hands towards the Sun, and say, This is the day wherein the Lord God came to the Cross. But as the Cross shall never more come to him; so let never the hot or cold fit of this Ague come any more unto this man, In nomine Patris ✚ & Fi ✚lii, & Spiritus ✚ sancti ✚. Then say seven and twenty Pater nosters, and as many Aves, and use this three days together. Otherwise,

Fécana, cagéti, daphnes, gebáre, gedáco
Gébali stant, sed non stant phebas, hecus, & hedas.

Every one of these words must be written upon a piece of bread, and be given in order one day after another to the sick body, and so must he be cured. This saith Nicholas Hemingius he chanced to read in the Schools in jest; so as one noting the words, practised the medicine in earnest; and was not only cured himself, but also cured many others thereby. And therefore he concludeth, that this is a kind of miraculous cure, wrought by the illusion of the Devil: whereas in truth, it will fall out most commonly, that a Tertian Ague will not hold any man longer than so, though no medicine be given, or any words spoken. Otherwise, This word, Abra cadabra written on a paper, with a certain Figure joyned therewith, and hanged about ones neck, helpeth the Ague. Otherwise, let the urine of the sick body made early in the morning be softly. heated nine dayes together continually, until all be consumed into vapour. Otherwise, A Cross made of two little twigs joyned together, wherewith when the Party is touched, he will be whole, specially if he hear it about his neck. Otherwise, Take a like quantity of water out of three Ponds of equal bigness, and taste thereof in a new earthen Vessel, and drink of it when the fit cometh.

In the year of our Lord, 1568. the Spaniards and Italians received from the Pope, this Incantation following; whereby they were promised both Remission of Sins, and good success in their Wars in the Low-Countries. Which whether it be not as prophane and impious, as any Witches Charm, I report me to the indifferent Reader. ✚ Crucem pro nobis subiit ✚ & stans in illo sitiit ✚ Jesus sacratis manibus, clavis ferreis, pedibus perfossis, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus: Domine libera nos ab hoc malo, & ab hac peste: then three Pater nosters, and three Ave Maries, Also the same year their Ensigns were by the Authority aforesaid conjured with certain Ceremonies, and consecrated against their Enemies. And if you read the Histories of these Wars, you may see what victory they gained hereby. Item, they baptised their chief Standard, and gave it to name St. Margaret, who overthrew the Devil. And because you shall understand the mysterie hereof, I have the rather set it down elsewhere, being indeed worth the reading.

For a bloody Flux, or rather an Issue of blood.

TAke a cup of cold water, and let fall thereinto three drops of the same blood, and between each drop say a Pater noster, and an Ave, then drink to the Patient, and say, who shall help you? The Patient must answer St. Mary. Then say you, St. Mary stop the Issue of blood. Otherwise, Write upon the Patients forehead with the same blood, Consummatum est. Otherwise, say to the Patient, Sanguis mane in te, sicut fecit Christus in se; Sanguis mane in tua vena, sicut Christus in suapoena; Sanguis mane fixus, sicut Christus quando fuit crucifixus. Otherwise, as followeth.

In the blood of Adam death was taken ✚
In the blood of Christ it was all to shaken ✚
And by the same blood I do thee charge,
That thou do run no longer at large.

Otherwise, Christ was born at Bethelem, and suffered at Jerusalem where his blood was troubled. I command thee by the Vertue of God, and through the help of all Saints, to stay even as Jordan did, when John baptised Christ Jesus; In nomine Patris ✚ & Flii ✚ & Spiritus sancti ✚. Otherwise, Put thy nameless singer in the Wound, and make therewith three Crosses upon the Wound, and say five Pater nosters, five Aves, and one Credo, in the honour of five Wounds. Otherwise, Touch that part and say, De latere ejus exivit sanguis & aqua! Otherwise, In Nomine Patris ✚ & Filii ✚ Spiritus sancti ✚ &c. Chimratchara, sarite, confirma, consona, Imohalite, Otherwise, Sepa ✚ sepagoga ✚ sta sanguis in Nomine Patris ✚ podendi ✚ & Filii ✚ podera ✚ & Spiritus sancti ✚ pandorica ✚ pax tecum, Amen.

Cures commenced and finished by Witchcraft.

THere was a jolly fellow that took upon him to be a notable Chirurgion, in the Dutchy of Mentz, 1567. to whom there resorted a Gentleman that had been vexed with Sickness, named Elibert, having a Kerchief on his head, according to the guise of sick folk. But the Chirurgion made him pull off his Kerchief, and willed him to drink with him freely. The sick man said he durst not; for he was forbidden by Physicians so to do. Tush (said this Cunning man) they know not your Disease, be ruled by me, and take in your drink lustily. For he thought that when he was well tippled, he might the more easily beguile him in his Bargain, and make his reward the greater, which he was io receive in part aforehand. When they had well drunk, he called the sick man aside, and told him the greatness and danger of his Disease, and how that it grew by means of Witchcraft, and that it would be universally spread in his House, and among all his Cattel, if it were not prevented: and impudently perswaded the sick man to receive cure of him. And after Bargain made, he demanded of the sick man, whether he had not at any home, whom he might assuredly trust? The sick man answered, that he had a Daughter and a Servant. The Cousener asked how old his Daughter was? The Patient said twenty. Well (said the Cousener) that is fit for our turn. Then he made the Mother and Father to kneel on their knees to their Daughter, And to desire her in all things to obey the Physitian, and that she would do in every thing as he commandest her; Otherwise her Father could not be restored to his health. In which respect her Parents humbly besought her on their knees so to do. Then he assigned her to bring him into his Lodging her Fathers hair, and her Mothers, and of all those which he kept in his House, as well of men and women, as also of his cattel. When she came therewith unto him, according to the match made, and her Parents Commandment, he led her down into a low Parlour, where having made a long speech, he opened a Book that lay on the boord, and layeth thereon two Knives across, with much circumstance of words. Then conjureth he, and maketh strange Characters, and at length he maketh a circle on the ground, wherein he causeth her to stick one of those conjured Knives; and after many more strange words, he maketh her stick the other Knife beside it. Then fell down the maid in a a swoon for feat; so as he was fain to frote her, and put a sop into her mouth, after the receipt whereof she was fore troubled and amazed. Then he made her breasts to be uncovered, so as when they were bare, he dallied with with them, diversly and long together. Then he made her lie right upward, all uncovered, and bare below her paps. Wherein the Maid being loth to obey him, resisted, and in shame forbad that villany. Then said the Knave; Your Fathers destruction is at hand; for except you will be ruled, he and all his Family shall sustain greater grief and inconvenience, then is yet happened unto him: And no Remedy, except you will seek his utter overthrow, I must have carnal Copulation with you: and therewithal fell into her bosom, and overthrew her and her Virginity. So did he the second day, and attempted the like on the third day: But he failed then of his purpose, as the Wench confessed afterwards. In the mean time he ministred so cruel Medicines to the sick man, that through the Torments thereof he feared present death, and was fain to keep his bed, whereas he walked about before very well and lustily. The Patient in his Torments calleth unto him for Remedy, who being slack and negligent in that behalf, made room for the Daughter to accompany her Father, who asked her what she thought of the Cure, and what hope she had of his Recovery? Who with tears remained silent, as being oppressed with grief; till at the last in abundance of sorrow she uttered the whole matter to her Father. This doth Johannes Wierus report, saying, that it came unto him by the lamentable relation of the Father himself. And this is here at this time for none other purpose rehearsed, but that men may hereby learn to take heed of such consening Merchants, and know what they be that take upon them to be cunning in Witchcraft, lest they be bewitched; As Master Elibert and his Daughter were.

Another Witchcraft or Knavery practised by the same Chirurgion.

THis Chirurgion ministred to a Nobleman, that lay sick of an Ague, offering unto him three pieces of a Root to be eaten at three morsels, saying to the first, I would Christ had not been born; unto the second, I would he had not suffered; unto the third, I would he had not risen ag[…] And then putting them about the sick mans neck, said, Be of good chear; And if he lost them, whosoever took them up, should therewithall take away his Ague. Otherwise, Jesus Christ which was born, driver thee from this infirmity ✚ Jesus Christ which died ✚ deliver thee from this infirmity ✚ Jesus Christ which rose again ✚ deliver thee from this infirmity. Then daily must be said five Pater nosters and five Aves.

Another Experiment for one bewitched.

ANother such cousening Physician perswaded one which had a Timpany that it was one old Viper, and two young maintained in his belly by Witchcraft. But being watched, so as he could not convey Vipers into his ordure or excrements, after his purgations, at length he told the party, that he should suffer the pains of Childbirth, if it were not prevented; and therefore he must put his hand into his Breech, and take out those worms there. But the Mother of the sick party, having warning hereof, said she could do that her self. So the Cousener was prevented, and the Party died only of a Timpany, and the Knave ran out of the Countrey.

Otherwise.

MOnsieur Bodin telleth of a Witch, who undertaking to cure a Woman bewitched, caused a Mass to be sung at Midnight in our Ladies Chappel. And when she had overlain the sick party, and breathed certain words upon her, she was healed. Wherein Bodin saith, she followed the example of Elisha the Prophet, who raised the Shunamits Son. And this Story must needs be true; for Goodman Hardivin Blesensis his Host at the Sign of the Lion told him the Story.

A Knack to know whether you be Bewitched or no, &c.

IT is also expedient to learn how to know whether a sick man be bewitched or no; this is the practice thereof. You must hold molten Lead over the sick body, and pour it into a Poringer full of water; and then if there appear upon the Lead any Image, you may know the party is bewitched.

CHAP. XIX. That one Witchcraft may lawfully meet with another.

SCotus, Hostiensis, Gofridus, and all the old Canonists agree, that it is lawful to take away Witchcraft by Witchcraft, Et vana vanis contundere. And Scotus saith, It were folly to forbear to encounter Witchcraft by Witchcraft, for (saith he) there can be none inconvenience therein, because the overthrower of Witchcraft assenteth not to the works of the Devil. And therefore he saith further, that it is meritorious so to extinguish and overthrow the Devils works. As though he should say, It maketh no matter, though S. Paul say, Non facies malum ut inde veniat bonum, Thou shalt not do evil, that good may come thereof. Lombertus saith, that Witchcraft may be taken away by that means whereby it was brought. But Gofridus inveyeth sore against the oppugners thereof. Pope Nicholas the fifth gave indulgence and leave to Bishop Miraties (who was so bewitched in his privities, that he could not use the gift of Venery) to seek remedy at Witches hands. And this was the clause of his dispensation, Ut ex duolus malis fugiatur majus, that of two evils, the greater should be avoided. And so a Witch, by taking his doublet cured him, and killed the other Witch; as the story saith, which is to be seen in M. Mal. and divers other Writers.