A Treatise Of Witchcraft

¶ To the right Worshipful Maister
_Iohn Atkin Maior, the Recorder_
and Aldermen, and to the Common
Counsaile, Burgesses and Inhabitants of
_Kings Linne in Norffolke_,
Grace and Peace.


_Right Worshipfull_:

In these last dayes, and perillous times, among the rest of those
dreadfull euills, which are fore-told should abound[a] in them, a close
& disguised contempt of religion may be iustly accounted as chiefe,
which causeth and bringeth vpon men all disastrous effects, when
although it be shadowed with a beautifull Maske of holines, faire
tongued: yet false-harted,[b] _professing they know God, but in works
deny him_. And among these there be two especiall sorts; the one, who
entertaining a stubborne, and curious rash boldnes, striue by the
iudgem[~e]t of reason, to search ouer-deeply into the knowledge of those
things which are farre aboue the reach of any humane capacitie. And so
making shipwracke in this deep and vnfoundable Sea, ouerwhelme
themselues in the gulfe thereof. The other kind is more sottish, dull,
and of a slow wit, and therefore ouer-credulous, beleeuing euerie thing,
especially when they be carried by the violent tempest of their desires,
and other vngouerned affections; and among these the diuell vsually
spreadeth his netts, as assured of a prey, wayting closely if hee can
espie any, who either grow discontented and desperate, through want and
pouerty, or be exasperated with a wrathfull and vnruly passion of
reuenge, or transported by vnsatiable loue to obtaine some thing they
desire; and these hee taking aduantage, assaulteth with golden and
glorious promises, to performe vnto them the wishes of their owne
hearts; the drift whereof is (hee being as at the first incased in a
subtile Serpents skinne) onely to enthrall and invassall them slaues to
himselfe. The first of these mentioned, are slie and masked Atheists,
who ouer-shadow their secret impiety, loose and dissolute behauiour with
some outward conformitie and shew of religion, snatching (as they
thinke) a sufficient warrantize thereof from those disorders they
obserue among men, and therfore passe vncensured, hauing a ciuill, but
dissembled carriage. The second be Sorcerers, Wisards, Witches, and the
rest of that ranke and kindred: no small multitude swarming now in the
world, yet supposed of many, rather worthy pitty then punishment, as
deluded by fantasies, and mis-led, not effecting those harmes wherewith
they bee charged, or themselues acknowledge. But considering they be
ioyned and linked together with Satan in a league (the common and
professed enemy of mankinde) and by his helpe performe many subtile
mischieuous actions, and hurtfull designes, it is strange that from so
great a smoake arising, they neither descrie nor feare some fire. And
therefore, in respect of these, I haue at your appointment and request
(for whom I am most willing to bestow my best labours and euer shall be)
penned this small Treatise, occasioned by the detection of a late witch
among you, whose irreligious care, and vnwearied industry, is not to be
defrauded of deserued commendation, and by mature deliberation, and
descreete search, found out her irreligious and impious demeanour, and
also discouered sundry her vnnaturall and inhumane mischiefes done to
others, whereof being conuicted, she was accordingly sentenced, and did
vndergoe the penalty iustly appointed, and due by Law vnto malefactors
of that kinde. After all which, you kindled with a holy zeale of the
aduauncement of Gods glorie, and giuing satisfaction to euery one
howsoeuer affected, intermitted no meanes, vsing therein the labour of
your carefull Ministers (willingly offering themselues in this holy
seruice) whereby she might be broght (as one conuerted in the last
houre) to the sight & acknowledgement of her heinous sins in generall,
& particularly of that of witchcraft, confessing the same, & by true
repentance, and embracing of the tender mercies of God in Christ Iesus
saue her soule (who refuseth no true and vnfained conuert at any time.)
And hee gratiously blessing these religious endeuors of yours,
vouchsafed to second the same with a happy and wished for euent, which
(as I hope) shall appeare manifestly in the following Treatise vnto all
those who are not fondly, & without cause, too much wedded to their owne
conceits: And thus, desiring GOD most humbly to confirme and strengthen
you in his truth, which euer you haue loued, and is your due praise, and
shall be at the last an honour vnto you: I rest