I. Surelie they are wonderfull: And I think so cleare and plaine
confessions in that purpose, haue neuer fallen out in anie age or cuntrey.

PHI. No question if they be true, but thereof the Doctours doubtes.

EPI. What part of it doubt ye of?

PHI. Even of all, for ought I can yet perceaue: and namelie, that there is
such a thing as Witch-craft or Witches, and I would pray you to resolue me
thereof if ye may: for I haue reasoned with sundrie in that matter, and
yet could never be satisfied therein.

EPI. I shall with good will doe the best I can: But I thinke it the
difficiller, since ye denie the thing it selfe in generall: for as it is
said in the logick schools, _Contra negantem principia non est
disputandum_. Alwaies for that part, that witchcraft, and Witches haue
bene, and are, the former part is clearelie proved by the Scriptures, and
the last by dailie experience and confessions.

PHI. I know yee will alleadge me _Saules Pythonisse_: but that as appeares
will not make much for you.

EPI. Not onlie that place, but divers others: But I marvel why that should
not make much for me?

PHI. The reasones are these, first yee may consider, that _Saul_ being
troubled in spirit, (M1) and having fasted long before, as the text
testifieth, and being come to a woman that was bruted to have such
knowledge, and that to inquire so important news, he having so guiltie a
conscience for his hainous offences, and specially, for that same vnlawful
curiositie, and horrible defection: and then the woman crying out vpon the
suddaine in great admiration, for the vncouth sicht that she alledged to
haue sene, discovering him to be the King, thogh disguysed, & denied by
him before: it was no wounder I say, that his senses being thus
distracted, he could not perceaue hir faining of hir voice, hee being
himselfe in an other chalmer, and seeing nothing. Next what could be, or
was raised? The spirit of _Samuel_? Prophane and against all Theologie:
the Diuell in his likenes? as vnappeirant, that either God would permit
him to come in the shape of his Saintes (for then could neuer the Prophets
in those daies haue bene sure, what Spirit spake to them in their
visiones) or then that he could fore-tell what was to come there after;
for Prophecie proceedeth onelie of GOD: and the Devill hath no knowledge
of things to come.

EPI. Yet if yee will marke the wordes of the text, ye will finde clearely,
that _Saul_ saw that apparition: for giving