ABSTRACT
We have shown that their craft cannot enrich them nor give them pleasure, honour, or knowledge but only the means to commit base filth and wickednesses, in which Satan employs them. And for reward in this world he forces them to renounce God and to worship him and to kiss his rear in the form of a he-goat or some other foul animal. And instead of resting, he transports his slaves at night to commit the filthy acts which we have described. Thus the death penalty prescribed for witches is not to make them suffer more than they are suffering by punishing them, but to bring an end to the wrath of God on the whole people; also in part to bring them to repentance and to cure them, or at least until they will not change their ways, to reduce their number, surprising the wicked and preserving the elect. It is therefore, a very salutary thing for the whole body of a state diligently to search out and severely punish witches. Otherwise there is a danger that the people will stone both magistrates and witches. This happened a year ago at Haguenone when two witches who rightly deserved death were sentenced one to the lash, and the other to be in attendance. But the people seized them, stoned them and drove off the officers. Another very notorious witch living at Verigni, who died last April, took children, and after being accused of many sorceries, was acquitted. But she avenged herself so effectively that she killed both people and countless livestock, as I learned from the inhabitants. And I have marvelled at why many princes have set up inquiries and named special commissioners to conduct the trials of thieves, financiers, usurers, and highway robbers – and have left unpunished the most detestable and horrible wickedness of witches. . . .
