Matters of evidence against witches.
F an old woman threaten or touch one being in health, who dieth shortlie after; or else is infected with the leprosie, apoplexie, or anie other strange disease: it is (saith Bodin) a permanent fact, and such an evidence, as condemnation or death must insue, without further proofe; if anie bodie have mistrusted hir, or said before that she was a witch./23.
Item, if anie come in, or depart out of the chamber or house, the doores being shut; it is an apparent and sufficient evidence to a witches condemnation, without further triall: which thing Bodin never sawe. If he can shew me that feat, I will subscribe to his follie. For Christ after his resurrection used the same: not as a ridiculous toie, that everie witch might accomplish; but as a speciall miracle, to strengthen the faith of the elect.
Item, if a woman bewitch anie bodies eies, she is to be executed without further proofe.
Item, if anie inchant or bewitch mens beasts, or corne, or flie in the aire, or make a dog speake, or cut off anie mans members, and unite them againe to men or childrens bodies; it is sufficient proofe to condemnation.
Item, presumptions and conjectures are sufficient proofes against witches./16.
Item,Bar. Spineus, &, I. Bod. de dæmon. lib. 2. cap. 2. if three witnesses doo but saie, Such a woman is a witch; then is it a cleere case that she is to be executed with death. Which matter Bodin saith is not onelie certeine by the canon and civill lawes, but by the opinion of pope Innocent, the wisest pope (as he saith) that ever was.
Item,Alexander. L. ubi numerus de testibus.
I. Bod. de dæmon. lib. 2. cap. 2. the complaint of anie one man of credit is sufficient to bring a poore woman to the racke or pullie.
Item, a condemned or infamous persons testimonie is good and allowable in matters of witchcraft.