[Illustration: Country Scene]

To the Reader.

The Manifolde vntruthes which is spread abroade, concerning the detestable
actions and apprehension of those Witches wherof this Historye following
truely entreateth, hath caused me to publish the same in print: and the
rather for that sundrie written Copies are lately dispersed therof,
containing, that the said witches were first discouered, by meanes of a
poore Pedler trauailing to the towne of _Trenent_, and that by a
wonderfull manner he was in a moment conuayed at midnight, from _Scotland_
to _Burdeux_ in _Fraunce_ (beeing places of no small distance between)
into a Marchants Seller there, & after, being sent from _Burdeux_ into
_Scotland_ by certaine Scottish Marchants to the Kinges Maiestie, that he
discouered those Witches and was the cause of their apprehension: with a
number of matters miraculous and incredible: All which in truthe are moste
false. Neuertheles to satisfie a number of honest mindes, who are desirous
to be enformed of the veritie and trueth of their confessions, which for
certaintie is more stranger then the common reporte runneth, and yet with
more trueth I haue undertaken to publish this short Treatise, which
declareth the true discourse of all that hath hapned, & aswell what was
pretended by those wicked and detestable Witches against the Kinges
Maiestie, as also by what meanes they wrought the same.

All which examinations (gentle Reader) I haue heere truelye published, as
they were taken and uttered in the presence of the Kings Maiestie, praying
thee to accept it for veritie, the same beeing so true as cannot be
reproued.

Discourse.

A true discourse, of the apprehension of sundrye Witches lately taken in
Scotland, some are executed, and some are yet imprisoned.

With a particuler recitall of their examinations, taken in the presence of
the Kinges Maiestie.

God by his omnipotent power, hath at al times and daily doth take such
care, and is so vigillant, for the weale and preseruation of his owne,
that thereby he disapointeth the wicked practises and euil intents of all
such as by any meanes whatsoeuer, seeke indirectly to conspire any thing
contrary to his holy will: yea and by the same power, he hath lately
ouerthrown and hindered the intentions and wicked dealinges of a great
number of vngodly creatures, no better then Diuels: who suffering
themselues to be allured and inticed by the Diuell whom