Philoſophers crep in, and theſe under the name of Magicians, heaping together through various ſorts of errors and factions of falſe Religions, many curſed ſuperſtitions and dangerous Rites, and many wicked Sacriledges, out of Orthodox Religion, even to the perfection of nature, and deſtruction of men, and injury of God, ſet forth very many wicked, and unlawfull books, ſuch as we ſee carryed about in theſe dayes, to which they have by ſtealth prefixed the most honeſt name, and title of Magick. They therefore by this ſacred title of Magick, hoped to gain credit to their curſed and deteſtable fooleries. Hence it is that this name of Magick, formerly honorable, is now in theſe dayes become moſt odious to good and honeſt men, and accounted a Capital crime, if any one dare profeſs himſelf to be a Magician, either in Doctrine or works, unleſs haply ſome certain old doting woman, dwelling in the Country, would be believed to be skilful, and have a Divine power, that (as ſaith Apuleius ſhe can throw down the Heaven, lift up the earth, harden fountains, waſh away mountains, raiſe up Ghoſts, caſt down the Gods, extinguiſh the Stars, illumnate hel, or as Virgil ſings,
She'l promise by her charms to caſt great cares,
Or ease the minds of men, and make the Stars
For to go back, and rivers to ſtand ſtill,
And raiſe the nightly ghoſts even at her will,
To make the earth to groan, and trees to fall
From the mountains —
