to tell to any, then he
tolde to _Saule_: neither is it lawfull to vse so vnlawfull instrumentes,
were it neuer for so good a purpose: for that axiome in Theologie is most
certaine and infallible: (M14) _Nunquam faciendum est malum vt bonum inde
eueniat._

SECONDE BOOKE.

ARGVMENT.

_The description of Sorcerie and Witchcraft in speciall._

Chap. I.

ARGVMENT.

_Proued by the Scripture, that such a thing can be: And the reasones
refuted of all such as would call it but an imagination and Melancholicque
humor._

PHILOMATHES.

Now since yee haue satisfied me nowe so fullie, concerning _Magie_ or
_Necromancie_ I will pray you to do the like in _Sorcerie_ or
_Witchcraft_.

EPI. That fielde is likewise verie large: and althought in the mouthes and
pennes of manie, yet fewe knowes the trueth thereof, so wel as they
beleeue themselues, as I shall so shortely as I can, make you (God
willing) as easelie to perceiue.

PHI. But I pray you before ye goe further, let mee interrupt you here with
a shorte digression: which is, that manie can scarcely beleeue that there
is such a thing as Witch-craft. Whose reasons I wil shortely alleage vnto
you, that ye may satisfie me as well in that, as ye haue done in the rest.
For first, whereas the Scripture seemes to prooue Witchcraft to be, by
diuerse examples, and speciallie by sundrie of the same, which ye haue
alleaged, it is thought by some, that these places speakes of _Magicians_
and _Necromancers_ onlie, & not of Witches. As in special, these wise men
of _Pharaohs_, that counterfeited _Moyses_ miracles, were _Magicians_ say
they, & not Witches: As likewise that _Pythonisse_ that _Saul_ consulted
with: And so was _Simon Magus_ in the new Testament, as that very stile
importes. Secondlie, where ye would oppone the dailie practicque, &
confession of so manie, that is thought likewise to be but verie
melancholicque imaginations of simple rauing creatures. Thirdly, if
Witches had such power of Witching of folkes to death, (as they say they
haue) there had bene none left aliue long sence in the world, but they: at
the least, no good or godlie person of whatsoeuer estate, coulde haue
escaped their deuilrie.

EPI. Your three reasons as I take, ar grounded the first of them
_negative_ vpon the Scripture: The second _affirmative_ vpon Physicke: And
the thirde vpon the certaine proofe of experience. As to your first, it is
most true indeede, that all these wise me