1 files changed, 519 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/14015-0.txt b/14015-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..388dffa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/14015-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,519 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14015 ***
+
+Transcriber's note: In Quer. 11, point 3, 'confession of a With'
+                    corrected to 'confession of a Witch'. Note that
+                    all are Queries with the exception of Quest. 13.
+
+
+
+
+THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
+
+IN Answer to severall QUERIES, LATELY Delivered to the Judges of
+Assize for the County of NORFOLK
+
+And now published by
+
+MATTHEW HOPKINS, Witch-finder
+
+FOR the Benefit of the whole KINGDOME
+
+M. DC. XLVII.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       EXOD. 22.18.
+
+       Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+    Certaine _Queries_ answered, which have been and are likely to
+    be objected against MATTHEW HOPKINS, in his way of finding out
+    _Witches_.
+
+
+
+Querie 1.
+
+    _That he must needs be the greatest Witch, Sorcerer, and Wizzard
+    himselfe, else hee could not doe it._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+If _Satan's_ kingdome be divided against it selfe, how shall it stand?
+
+
+
+Querie 2.
+
+    _If he never went so farre as is before mentioned, yet for
+    certaine he met with the Devill, and cheated him of his Booke,
+    wherein were written all the Witches names in_ England, _and if
+    he looks on any Witch, he can tell by her countenance what she
+    is; so by this, his helpe is from the Devill._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+If he had been too hard for the devill and got his book, it had been
+to his great commendation, and no disgrace at all: and for judgement
+in _Phisiognomie_, he hath no more then any man else whatsoever.
+
+
+
+Quer. 3.
+
+    _From whence then proceeded this his skill? was it from his
+    profound learning, or from much reading of learned Authors
+    concerning that subject?_
+
+
+Answ.
+
+From neither of both, but from experience, which though it be meanly
+esteemed of, yet the surest and safest way to judge by.
+
+
+
+Quer. 4.
+
+    _I pray where was this experience gained? and why gained by him
+    and not by others?_
+
+
+
+Answ.
+
+The Discoverer never travelled far for it, but in _March_ 1644 he had
+some seven or eight of that horrible sect of Witches living in the
+Towne where he lived, a Towne in Essex called _Maningtree_, with
+divers other adjacent Witches of other towns, who every six weeks in
+the night (being alwayes on the Friday night) had their meeting close
+by his house and had their severall solemne sacrifices there offered
+to the _Devill_, one of which this discoverer heard speaking to her
+_Imps_ one night, and bid them goe to another Witch, who was thereupon
+apprehended, and searched, by women who had for many yeares knowne the
+Devills marks, and found to have three teats about her, which honest
+women have not: so upon command from the _Justice_ they were to keep
+her from sleep two or three nights, expecting in that time to see her
+_familiars_, which the fourth night she called in by their severall
+names, and told them what shapes, a quarter of an houre before they
+came in, there being ten of us in the roome, the first she called was
+
+1. _Holt_, who came in like a white kitling.
+
+2. _Jarmara_, who came in like a fat Spaniel without any legs at all,
+she said she kept him fat, for she clapt her hand on her belly and
+said he suckt good blood from her body.
+
+3. _Vinegar Tom_, who was like a long-legg'd Greyhound, with an head
+like an Oxe, with a long taile and broad eyes, who when this
+discoverer spoke to, and bade him goe to the place provided for him
+and his Angels, immediately transformed himselfe into the shape of a
+child of foure yeeres old without a head, and gave halfe a dozen
+turnes about the house, and vanished at the doore.
+
+4. _Sack and Sugar_, like a black Rabbet.
+
+5. _Newes_, like a Polcat. All these vanished away in a little time.
+Immediately after this Witch confessed severall other Witches, from
+whom she had her _Imps_, and named to divers women where their marks
+were, the number of their _Marks_, and _Imps_, and _Imps_ names, as
+_Elemanzer_, _Pyewacket_, _Peckin the Crown_, _Grizzel_, _Greedigut_,
+_&c._ which no mortall could invent; and upon their searches the same
+Markes were found, the same number, and in the same place, and the
+like confessions from them of the same Imps, (though they knew not
+that we were told before) and so peached one another thereabouts that
+joyned together in the like damnable practise that in our Hundred in
+_Essex_, 29. were condemned at once, 4. brought 25. Miles to be
+hanged, where this Discoverer lives, for sending the Devill like a
+Beare to kill him in his garden, so by seeing diverse of the mens
+Papps, and trying wayes with hundreds of them, he gained this
+experience, and for ought he knowes any man else may find them as
+well as he and his company, if they had the same skill and experience.
+
+
+
+Quer. 5.
+
+    _Many poore People are condemned for having a Pap, or Teat about
+    them, whereas many People (especially antient People) are, and
+    have been a long time troubled with naturall wretts on severall
+    parts of their bodies and other naturall excressencies, as
+    Hemerodes, Piles, Childbearing, &c. and these shall be judged
+    only by one man alone and a woman, and so accused or acquitted._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+The parties so judging can justifie their skill to any, and shew good
+reasons why such markes are not meerly naturall, neither that they can
+happen by any such naturall cause as is before expressed, and for
+further answer for their private judgements alone, it is most false
+and untrue, for never was any man tryed by search of his body, but
+commonly a dozen of the ablest men in the parish or else where, were
+present, and most commonly as many ancient skilfull matrons and
+midwives present when the women are tryed, which marks not only he,
+and his company attest to be very suspitious, but all beholders, the
+skilfulest of them, doe not approve of them, but likewise assent that
+such tokens cannot in their judgements proceed from any the above
+mentioned Causes.
+
+
+
+Quer. 6.
+
+    _It is a thing impossible for any or woman to judge rightly on
+    such marks, they are so neare to naturall excressencies and they
+    that finde them, durst not presently give Oath they were drawne
+    by evil spirits, till they have used unlawfull courses of
+    torture to make them say any thing for ease and quiet, as who
+    would not do? but I would know the reasons he speakes of, how,
+    and whereby to discover the one from the other, and so be
+    satisfied in that._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+The reasons in breefe are three, which for the present he judgeth to
+differ from naturall marks which are:
+
+1. He judgeth by the unusualnes of the place where he findeth the
+teats in or on their bodies being farre distant from any usuall
+place, from whence such naturall markes proceed, as if a witch plead
+the markes found are Emerods, if I finde them on the bottome of the
+back-bone, shall I assent with him, knowing they are not neere that
+veine, and so others by child-bearing, when it may be they are in the
+contrary part?
+
+2. They are most commonly insensible, and feele neither pin, needle,
+aule, &c. thrust through them.
+
+3. The often variations and mutations of these marks into severall
+formes, confirmes the matter; as if a Witch hear a month or two before
+that the _Witch-finder_ (as they call him) is comming they will, and
+have put out their Imps to others to suckle them, even to their owne
+young and tender children; these upon search are found to have dry
+skinnes and filmes only, and be close to the flesh, keepe her 24.
+houres with a diligent eye, that none of her Spirits come in any
+visible shape to suck her; the women have seen the next day after her
+Teats extended out to their former filling length, full of corruption
+ready to burst, and leaving her alone then one quarter of an houre,
+and let the women go up againe and shee will have them drawn by her
+Imps close againe: _Probatum est._ Now for answer to their tortures
+in its due place.
+
+
+
+Quer. 7.
+
+    _How can it possibly be that the Devill bring a spirit, and
+    wants no nutriment or sustentation, should desire to suck any
+    blood? and indeed as he is a spirit he cannot draw any such
+    excressences, having neither flesh nor bone, nor can be felt,
+    &c._
+
+
+Ans.
+
+He seekes not their bloud, as if he could not subsist without that
+nourishment, but he often repairs to them, and gets it, the more to
+aggravate the Witches damnation, and to put her in mind of her
+_Covenant_; and as he is a Spirit and Prince of the ayre, he appeares
+to them in any shape whatsoever, which shape is occasioned by him
+through joyning of condensed thickned aire together, and many times
+doth assume shapes of many creatures; but to create any thing he
+cannot do it, it is only proper to God: But in this case of drawing
+out of these Teats, he doth really enter into the body, reall,
+corporeall, substantiall creature, and forceth that Creature (he
+working in it) to his desired ends, and useth the organs of that body
+to speake withall to make his compact up with the Witches, be the
+creature Cat, Rat, Mouse, &c.
+
+
+
+Quer. 8.
+
+    _When these Paps are fully discovered, yet that will not serve
+    sufficiently to convict them, but they must be tortured and kept
+    from sleep two or three nights, to distract them, and make them
+    say any thing; which is a way to tame a wilde Colt, or Hawke,
+    &c._
+
+
+Ans.
+
+In the infancy of this discovery it was not only thought fitting, but
+enjoyned in _Essex_ and _Suffolke_ by the Magistrates, with this
+intention only, because they being kept awake would be more the active
+to cal their imps in open view the sooner to their helpe, which
+oftentimes have so happened; and never or seldome did any Witch ever
+complaine in the time of their keeping for want of rest, but after
+they had beat their heads together in the Goale; and after this use
+was not allowed of by the judges and other Magistrates, it was never
+since used, which is a yeare and a halfe since, neither were any kept
+from sleep by any order or direction since; but peradventure their own
+stubborne wills did not let them sleep, though tendered and offered to
+them.
+
+
+
+
+Quer. 9.
+
+    _Beside that unreasonable watching, they were extraordinarily
+    walked, till their feet were blistered, and so forced through
+    that cruelty to confesse, &c._
+
+
+Ans.
+
+It was in the same beginning of this discovery, and the meaning of
+walking of them at the highest extent of cruelty, was only they to
+walke about themselves the night they were watched, only to keepe them
+waking: and the reason was this, when they did lye or sit in a chaire,
+if they did offer to couch downe, then the watchers were only to
+desire them to sit up and walke about, for indeed when they be
+suffered so to couch, immediately comes their Familiars into the room
+and scareth the watchers, and heartneth on the Witch, though contrary
+to the true meaning of the same instructions, diverse have been by
+rusticall People, (they hearing them confess to be Witches) mis-used,
+spoiled, and abused, diverse whereof have suffered for the same, but
+could never be proved against this Discoverer to have a hand in it, or
+consent to it; and hath likewise been un-used by him and others, ever
+since the time they were kept from sleepe.
+
+
+
+Quer. 10.
+
+    _But there hath been an abominable, inhumane, and unmercifull
+    tryall of these poore creatures, by tying them, and heaving them
+    into the water; a tryall not allowable by Law or conscience, and
+    I would faine know the reasons for that._
+
+
+Ans.
+
+It is not denyed but many were so served as had Papps, and floated,
+others that had none were tryed with them and sunk, but marke the
+reasons.
+
+For first the Divels policie is great, in perswading many to come of
+their own accord to be tryed, perswading them their marks are so close
+they shall not be found out, so as diverse have come 10. or 12. Miles
+to be searched of their own accord, and hanged for their labour, (as
+one _Meggs_ a Baker did, who lived within 7. Miles of _Norwich_, and
+was hanged at _Norwich_ Assizes for witchcraft) then when they find
+that the Devil tells them false they reflect on him, and he (as 40.
+have confessed) adviseth them to be sworne, and tels them they shall
+sinke and be cleared that way, then when they be tryed that way and
+floate, they see the Devill deceives them againe, and have so laid
+open his treacheries.
+
+2. It was never brought in against any of them at their tryals as any
+evidence.
+
+3. King _James_ in his _Demonology_ saith, it is a certaine rule, for
+(saith he) Witches deny their baptisme when they Covenant with the
+Devill, water being the sole element thereof, and therefore saith he,
+when they be heaved into the water, the water refuseth to receive them
+into her bosome, (they being such Miscreants to deny their baptisme)
+and suffers them to float, as the Froath on the Sea, which the water
+will not recieve, but casts it up and downe till it comes to the
+earthy element the shore, and there leaves it to consume.
+
+4. Observe these generation of Witches, if they be at any time abused
+by being called Whore, Theefe, &c, by any where they live, they are
+the readiest to cry and wring their hands, and shed tears in abundance
+& run with full and right sorrowfull acclamations to some Justice of
+the Peace, and with many teares make their complaints: but now behold
+their stupidity; nature or the elements reflection from them, when
+they are accused for this horrible and damnable sin of Witchcraft,
+they never alter or change their countenances nor let one Teare fall.
+This by the way, swimming (by able Divines whom I reverence) is
+condemned for no way, and therefore of late hath, and for ever shall
+be left.
+
+
+
+Quer. 11.
+
+    _Oh! but if this torturing Witch-catcher can by all or any of
+    these meanes wring out a word or two of confession from any of
+    these stupified, ignorant, unitelligible, poore silly creatures,
+    (though none heare it but himselfe) he will adde and put her in
+    feare to confesse telling her, else she shall be hanged; but if
+    she doe, he will set her at liberty, and so put a word into her
+    mouth, and make such a silly creature confesse she knowes not
+    what._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+He is of a better conscience, and for your better understanding of
+him, he doth thus uncase himselfe to all, add declares what
+confessions (though made by a Witch against her selfe) he allowes not
+of, and doth altogether account of no validity, or worthy of credence
+to be given to it, and ever did so account it, and ever likewise
+shall.
+
+1. He utterly denyes that confession of a Witch to be of any validity,
+when it is drawn from her by any torture or violence whatsoever;
+although after watching, walking, or swimming, diverse have suffered,
+yet peradventure Magistrates with much care and diligence did solely
+and fully examine them after sleepe, and consideration sufficient.
+
+2. He utterly denyes that confession of a Witch, which is drawn from
+her by flattery, viz. _if you will confess you shall go home, you
+shall not go to the Goale, nor be hanged, &c._
+
+3. He utterly denyes that confession of a Witch, when she confesseth
+any improbability, impossibility, as _flying in the ayre, riding on a
+broom, &c._
+
+4. He utterly denyes a confession of a Witch, when it is interrogated
+to her, and words put into her mouth, to be of any force or effect: as
+to say to a silly (yet Witch wicked enough) _you have foure Imps have
+you not_? She answers affirmatively, Yes: _did they not suck you_?
+Yes, saith she: _Are not their names so, and so_? Yes, saith shee;
+_Did not you send such an Impe to kill my child_? Yes saith she, this
+being all her confession after this manner, it is by him accompted
+nothing, and he earnestly doth desire that all Magistrates and Jurors
+would a little more then ever they did examine witnesses about the
+interrogated confessions.
+
+
+
+Quer. 12.
+
+    _If all those confessions be denyed, I wonder what he will make
+    confession, for sure it is, all these wayes have been used and
+    took for good confessions, and many have suffered for them, and
+    I know not what, he will then make confession._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+Yes, in brief he will declare what confession of a Witch is of
+validity and force in his judgement, to hang a Witch: when a Witch is
+first found with teats, then sequestred from her house, which is onely
+to keep her old associates from her, and so by good counsell brought
+into a sad condition, by understanding of the horribleness of her sin,
+and the judgements threatned against her; and knowing the Devils
+malice and subtile circumventions, is brought to remorse and sorrow
+for complying with Satan so long, and disobeying Gods sacred Commands,
+doth then desire to unfold her mind with much bitterness, and then
+without any of the before-mentioned hard usages or questions put to
+her, doth of her owne accord declare what was the occasion of the
+Devils appearing to her, whether ignorance, pride, anger, malice, &c.
+was predominant over her, she doth then declare what speech they had,
+what likeness he was in, what voice be had, what familiars he sent
+her, what number of spirits, what names they had, what shape they were
+in, what imployment she set them about to severall persons in severall
+places, (unknowne to the hearers) all which mischiefes being proved to
+be done, at the same time she confessed to the same parties for the
+same cause, and all effected, is testimony enough again her for all
+her denyall.
+
+
+
+Quest. 13.
+
+    _How can any possibly beleeve that the Devill and the Witch
+    joyning together, should have such power, as the Witches
+    confesse to kill such such a man, child, horse, cow, the like;
+    if we beleeve they can doe what they will, then we derogate from
+    Gods power, who for certaine limits the Devill and the Witch;
+    and I cannot beleeve they have any power at all._
+
+
+Answ.
+
+God suffers the Devill many times to doe much hurt, and the devill
+doth play many times the deluder and impostor with these Witches, in
+perswading them that they are the cause of such and such a murder
+wrought by him with their consents, when and indeed neither he nor
+they had any hand in it, as thus: We must needs argue, he is of a
+long standing, above 6000. yeers, then he must needs be the best
+Scholar in all knowledges of arts and tongues, & so have the best
+skill in _Physicke_, judgment in _Physiognomie_, and knowledge of what
+disease is reigning or predominant in this or that mans body, (and so
+for cattell too) by reason of his long experience. This subtile
+tempter knowing such a man lyable to some sudden disease, (as by
+experience I have found) as _Plurisie_, _Imposthume_, &c. he resorts
+to divers Witches; if they know the man, and seek to make a difference
+between the Witches and the party, it may be by telling them he hath
+threatned to have them very shortly searched, and so hanged for
+Witches, then they all consult with _Satan_ to save themselves, and
+_Satan_ stands ready prepared, with a _What will you have me doe for
+you, my deare and nearest children, covenanted and compacted with me
+in my hellish league, and sealed with your blood, my delicate
+firebrand-darlings_.
+
+[Sidenote: _The Divells speech to the Witches._]
+
+Oh thou (say they) that at the first didst promise to save us thy
+servants from any of out deadly enemies discovery, and didst promise
+to avenge and flay all those, we pleased, that did offend us; Murther
+that wretch suddenly who threatens the down-fall of your loyall
+subjects. He then promiseth to effect it. Next newes is heard the
+partie is dead, he comes to the witch, and gets a world of reverence,
+credence and respect for his power and activeness, when and indeed the
+disease kills the party, not the Witch, nor the Devill, (onely the
+Devill knew that such a disease was predominant) and the witch
+aggravates her damnation by her familiarity and consent to the Devill,
+and so comes likewise in compass of the Lawes. This is Satans usuall
+impostring and deluding, but not his constant course of proceeding,
+for he and the witch doe mischiefe too much. But I would that
+Magistrates and Jurats would a little examine witnesses when they
+heare witches confess such and such a murder, whether the party had
+not long time before, or at the time when the witch grew suspected,
+some disease or other predominant, which might cause that issue or
+effect of death.
+
+
+
+Quer. 14.
+
+    _All that the witch-finder doth is to fleece the country of
+    their money, and therefore rides and goes to townes to have
+    imployment, and promiseth them faire promises, and it may be
+    doth nothing for it, and possesseth many men that they have so
+    many wizzards and so many witches in their towne, and so hartens
+    them on to entertaine him._
+
+
+Ans.
+
+You doe him a great deale of wrong in every of these particulars. For,
+first,
+
+1. He never went to any towne or place, but they rode, writ, or sent
+often for him, and were (for ought he knew) glad of him.
+
+2. He is a man that doth disclaime that ever he detected a witch, or
+said, Thou art a witch; only after her tryall by search, and their
+owne confessions, he as others may judge.
+
+3. Lastly, judge how he fleeceth the Country, and inriches himselfe,
+by considering the vast summe he takes of every towne, he demands but
+20.s. a town, & doth sometimes ride 20. miles for that, & hath no more
+for all his charges thither and back again (& it may be stayes a weeke
+there) and finde there 3. or 4. witches, or if it be but one, cheap
+enough, and this is the great summe he takes to maintaine his Companie
+with 3. horses.
+
+
+_Judicet ullus._
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14015 ***