[oo]_Hippocrates_ doth almost like a Christian discourse of this poynt, and condemne the whole practise of this Art, as iniurious vnto God, who onely purgeth sinnes, and is our preseruer; and for these fellowes who make profession of such wonder-working, brandeth them for Impostors and deceiuers.  I conclude with that remarkeable saying of an ancient Diuine;[pp] These vanities doe separate and with-draw vs from God, though they may seeme to haue something in them to allure and delight vs; yet let no Christian entertaine them, whose hope ought to be setled in God alone.  And if thou be in distresse, or afflicted with sicknesse of body, and feele no present release or comfort, what then? here is the tryall of thy patience, haue not recourse to superstitious and vnlawfull helpers, although they promise thee present remedy; and when they fore-tell thee of things which doe truely according to the prediction to fall out, beleeue them not, follow the example of Christ, who rebuked the Diuell, though he called him (as he was indeed) the Son of God.  For vnder the vaile of truth he shadoweth falshood; euen as if one should sweeten with honey or sugar the brimme of the Cup wherein he bringeth poyson:  But some will say, they call vpon the name of the Lord of Sabbaoth.  Well, but this title they giue not to God, but to the Diuell:  therefore betake thou thy selfe to God alone, craue health at his hand, and follow the Apostles direction; If any bee sicke among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let him pray, Iames 5. 14.

    [Footnote mm:  Cato de re rustica, cap. 5.]

    [Footnote nn:  Columella lib. 1. cap. 8.]

[Footnote oo:  Libro de morbo sacro (siue illius sit, siue alterius, nam de authore apud eruditos dubitatio est) statim ab initio. & quaeda huc pertinentiae habet Theophrastus de plantis lib. 9. cap. 21.]

    [Footnote pp:  Procopius Gazeus in Leuiticum.]

    The ninth Proposition, and second Corrolary.

There hath alwayes beene some wanton, or peruerse wits, who only to make triall of their skill, would take in hand to defend absurd positions, and commend both such things and persons, which were infamous, and contemptible as [a]_Phauorinus_ writ the praise of the Quartane Ague, one of the gout, blindnesse, and deafness, [b]_Lucian_ of a flye, [c]_Erasmus_ of folly, [d]_Synesius_ of baldnesse, [e]_Glaucus_ in Plato of iniustice.  And among the exercises of the [f]ancient Orators, wee finde those who strained all their vnderstanding to blaze the honour of that witlesse and deformed Coward Thersites.  And this they haue performed with great Art and eloquence, onely to shew their faculty, but neuer in good earnest took such a matter in hand.  And therefore more deeply is hee to be censured, who hath made himselfe an aduocate to plead the cause of [g]Witches, and defend th[e] as innocent.  And because this