ifice of the devil). Langius,
_Epist. med. lib. 1. Epist. 38._ hath many relations to this effect, and so
hath Christophorus a Vega: Wierus, Skenkius, Scribanius, all agree that
they are done by the subtlety and illusion of the devil. If you shall ask a
reason of this, 'tis to exercise our patience; for as [1250]Tertullian
holds, _Virtus non est virtus, nisi comparem habet aliquem, in quo
superando vim suam ostendat_ 'tis to try us and our faith, 'tis for our
offences, and for the punishment of our sins, by God's permission they do
it, _Carnifices vindictae justae Dei_, as [1251]Tolosanus styles them,
Executioners of his will; or rather as David, Ps. 78. ver. 49. "He cast
upon them the fierceness of his anger, indignation, wrath, and vexation, by
sending out of evil angels:" so did he afflict Job, Saul, the Lunatics and
demoniacal persons whom Christ cured, Mat. iv. 8. Luke iv. 11. Luke xiii.
Mark ix. Tobit. viii. 3. &c. This, I say, happeneth for a punishment of
sin, for their want of faith, incredulity, weakness, distrust, &c.

SUBSECT. III.--_Of Witches and Magicians, how they cause Melancholy_.

You have heard what the devil can do of himself, now you shall hear what he
can perform by his instruments, who are many times worse (if it be
possible) than he himself, and to satisfy their revenge and lust cause more
mischief, _Multa enim mala non egisset daemon, nisi provocatus a sagis_, as
[1252]Erastus thinks; much harm had never been done, had he not been
provoked by witches to it. He had not appeared in Samuel's shape, if the
Witch of Endor had let him alone; or represented those serpents in
Pharaoh's presence, had not the magicians urged him unto it; _Nec morbos
vel hominibus, vel brutis infligeret_ (Erastus maintains) _si sagae
quiescerent_; men and cattle might go free, if the witches would let him
alone. Many deny witches at all, or if there be any they can do no harm; of
this opinion is Wierus, _lib. 3. cap. 53. de praestig. daem_. Austin
Lerchemer a Dutch writer, Biarmanus, Ewichius, Euwaldus, our countryman
Scot; with him in Horace,

"Somnia, terrores Magicos, miracula, sagas,
Nocturnos Lemures, portentaque Thessala risu
Excipiunt."------

"Say, can you laugh indignant at the schemes
Of magic terrors, visionary dreams,
Portentous wonders, witching imps of Hell,
The nightly goblin, and enchanting spell?"

They laugh at all such stories; but on the cont