experience I have found) as _Plurisie_, _Imposthume_, &c. he resorts
to divers Witches; if they know the man, and seek to make a difference
between the Witches and the party, it may be by telling them he hath
threatned to have them very shortly searched, and so hanged for
Witches, then they all consult with _Satan_ to save themselves, and
_Satan_ stands ready prepared, with a _What will you have me doe for
you, my deare and nearest children, covenanted and compacted with me
in my hellish league, and sealed with your blood, my delicate
firebrand-darlings_.

[Sidenote: _The Divells speech to the Witches._]

Oh thou (say they) that at the first didst promise to save us thy
servants from any of out deadly enemies discovery, and didst promise
to avenge and flay all those, we pleased, that did offend us; Murther
that wretch suddenly who threatens the down-fall of your loyall
subjects. He then promiseth to effect it. Next newes is heard the
partie is dead, he comes to the witch, and gets a world of reverence,
credence and respect for his power and activeness, when and indeed the
disease kills the party, not the Witch, nor the Devill, (onely the
Devill knew that such a disease was predominant) and the witch
aggravates her damnation by her familiarity and consent to the Devill,
and so comes likewise in compass of the Lawes. This is Satans usuall
impostring and deluding, but not his constant course of proceeding,
for he and the witch doe mischiefe too much. But I would that
Magistrates and Jurats would a little examine witnesses when they
heare witches confess such and such a murder, whether the party had
not long time before, or at the time when the witch grew suspected,
some disease or other predominant, which might cause that issue or
effect of death.