that naturall couer wherewith some children are borne, and is called by
our women, the sillie how, Midwiues were wont to sell to credulous
Aduocates and Lawyers, as an especiall meanes to furnish them with
eloquence[r] and perswasiue speech, and to stoppe the mouthes of all,
who should make any opposition against them: for which cause one
[s]_Protus_ was accused by the Clergie of Constantinople to haue
offended in this matter. And _Chrysostome_ often accuseth Midwiues for
reseruing the same to Magicall vses. And _Clemens[t] Alexandrinus_
giueth vs to vnderstand of one _Erecestus_, who had two inchaunted
rings, so framed, that by the sound thereof he had direction for the fit
time and oportunity in mannaging all the businesses hee intended, and
yet notwithstanding was priuily murthered, though hee had warning giuen
by that sound which was his vsuall instructer. Thus, none can escape the
reuenging hand of God, which pursueth those who haue infeoffed
themselues to such vanities, and are besotted with these vnlawfull
curiosities. But among all other, charmes and inchaunting spells, haue
gotten the start of the rest, which some think absolutely lawfull, and
may vpon warrantise bee vsed, and pleade prescription for their
iustification; for wee reade in _Homer_[u] that _Vlysses_ being wounded
by words, stayed the flux of blood; and [x]_Cardanus_ tells vs, that
himselfe cutting his lip, could by no meanes restraine the flowing
blood, vntill he charmed it, and then presently stanched: but dare not
affirm whether his owne confidence, or the words did make this
restraint. I might adde to these, that infallible meanes (as is
supposed) by finding out a thiefe with a Siue and a payre of Sheares,
with that coniunction [y]_Dies, mies, Iescet, &c._ and the rest of such
sencelesse and monstrous tearmes, a Riddle that _Oedipus_ himselfe could
not vnfolde. But because this conceit of charming hath ouer-spread it
selfe in this Sunneset of the world, and challengeth a lawfull
approbation from the authority and practise of ancient [z]Physitians,