xtremity of grief, malice, passion, and desire of revenge, pinching
povertie, solicitation of other Witches and Charmers; for in such eases
the devill assails them, offers aide, and much prevails.

II. Of the reasons and causes of Satans prevailing; which are grosse
ignorance, infidelitie, want of the love of the truth (which GOD hath made
so long and clearly to shine in our Land) and profanesse of life.

III. Of the means and wayes to bring them to a confession and censure,
which we conceive to be, that a standing Commission for a certain time be
had from the Lords of Secret Councel, or Justice Generall, to some
understanding Gentlemen and Magistrates within the bounds of Presbyteries
that shall crave it, giving them power to apprehend, try, and execute
justice against such personares are guilty of Witch-craft within these
Presbyteries; For many Paroches want the concurrence of civill
Magistrates.

IV. Of the grounds of apprehending them, Which may be a reigning brute of
Witch craft, backed with dilations of confessing Witches, being confronted
with them; for it is found that the dilations of two or three confessing
Witches, hath ordinarily proved true: Also depositions of honest persons,
anent malefices committed, or cures used by them, may be a ground of
apprehending them.

V. Being apprehended, there would be honest and discreet persons appointed
to watch them; for being left alone they are in danger to be suborned and
heardened by others, or of destroying themselves.

VI. Ministers would be careful at all times, especially Morning and
Evening, to deal with them, by Prayer and Conference, whiles they are in
prison or restraint.

VII. The means to prevent the grouth of this wickednesse, are:

That Ministers be every way careful and painful in warning people of the
danger thereof, and of Satans temptations, both privately and publickly,
and to instruct them in the knowledge of the Gospell, and grounds of
Religion, by plain cathechesing, to urge lively faith in Christ, which
faith Witches bestow otherwise; Also to presse holinesse of life, and
fervent prayes in private, and in Families, and in publick, that they be
not led into temptation; And to use the censures of the Kirk against
profane persons, such as Cursers, Whoores, Drunkards, and such like, for
over such like, he gets great advantage. Finally, it is requisite for
preventing of this hainous sin, that people seek knowledge studie to
beleeve, walk in holi