Page:A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More.djvu/143

 3. That also seems to me beyond all exception and evasion which Suetonius relates of a Spectrum appearing on the banks of the River Rubicon; which was thus. Julius Cæsar having marched with his Army to this River, which divides Gallia citerior from Italy, and being very doubtful with himself whether he should pass over into Italy or not, there was seen on the River side a Man of a prodigious stature and form, playing on a Reed. The strangeness of his person as well as the pleasantness of his Musick had drawn several of the Shepherds unto him, as also many of the Souldiers, amongst whom were some Trumpeters; which this Triton (as Melanchthon ventures to call him) or Sea-god well observing, nimbly snatches away one of the Trumpets out of their hands, leaps forthwith into the River, and sounding a March with that strength and violence that he seem'd to rend the Heavens, and made the aire ring again with the mighty forcibleness of the Blast, in this manner he passed over to the other side of the River: whereupon Cæsar taking the Omen, leaves off all further dispute with himself, carries over his Army, enters Italy, secure of success from so manifest tokens of the favour of the Gods.

4. To confirm this truth of Apparitions, if we would but admit the free confessions of Witches concerning their Imps, whom they so frequently see and converse withall, know them by their names, and doe obeisance to them, the point would be put quite out of all doubt, and their proofs would be so many that no volume would be large enough to contain them. But forsooth these must be all Melancholy old women that dote and bring themselves into danger by their own Phansies and Conceits. But that they do not dote I am better assured of, then of their not doting that say they do. For, to satisfie my own curiosity, I have examined several of them, and they have discours'd as cunningly as any of their quality and education. But by what I have read and observ'd, I discern they serve a very perfidious Master, who plays wreaks many times on purpose to betray them. But that is onely by the bye.

5. I demand concerning these Witches who confess their contract and frequent converse with the Devil, some with him in one shape, others in another, whether mere Melancholy and Imagination can put Powders, Rods, Oyntments, and such like things into their hands, and tell them the use of them; can impress Marks upon their bodies, so deep as to take away all sense in that place; can put Silver and Gold into their hands, which afterwards commonly proves but either Counters, Leaves, or Shells, or some such like useless matter. These real Effects cannot be by mere Melancholy. For if a man receive any thing into his hand, be it what it will be, there was some body that gave it him. And therefore the Witch receiving some reall thing from this or that other shape that appeared unto her, it is an evident sign that it was an external thing that she saw, not a mere figuration of her Melancholy Phansie. There are innumerable Examples of this kind; but the thing is so trivial and ordinary, that it wants no Instances. I will onely set down one, wherein there is the apparition of three Spirits.

6. John Winnick of Molseworth in Huntington-shire being examined April 11$th$, 1646. confessed as follows. "Having lost his purse with