August. de Ciuitate Dei, lib. 20 cap. 8._]




_The first Proposition._


It is a _Quære_, though needlesse, whether there be any Witches: for
they[a] haue some _Proctors_ who plead a nullitie in this case, perswade
themselues, and would induce others to be of the same minde, that there
be no Witches at all: but a sort of melancholique, aged, and ignorant
Women, deluded in their imagination; and acknowledge such things to be
effected by them, which are vnpossible, vnlikely, and they neuer did;
and therefore Magistrates who inflict any punishment vpon them, be
vnmercifull and cruell Butchers. Yet by the way, and their good leaue,
who take vpon them this Apology, all who are conuented vpon these
vnlawfull action, are not strucken in yeares; but some euen in the
flower of their youth be nuzled vp in the same, and convicted to
be practisers thereof; neither be they ouerflowed with a blacke
melancholique humor, dazeling the phantasie, but haue their
vnderstandings cleere, and wits as quicke as other: Neither yet be they
all women, though for the most part that sexe be inclinable thereunto:
(as shall afterward be shewed, and the causes thereof) but men also on
whose behalfe no exception can be laid, why any should demurre either of
their offence or punishment for the same. Wherefore for this point, and
confirmation of the affirmatiue, wee haue sundry pregnant and euident
proofes.

[Footnote a: _Wierus de magor[~u] infamium p[oe]nis lib 6. cap.