ABSTRACT
Witchcraft, enchantment, sorcery, invocations of evil spirits, and other phases of the black arts have been recognized and practised in England, as elsewhere, from time immemorial. At all times magic in all forms appears to have been considered to be a public danger, and was punished by both ecclesiastical and civil courts. The Church, blindly following biblical behests, believed that the slaughter of wizards and witches was in accordance with the wishes of the Almighty.
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch [sorceress R.V.] to live.” (Exodus xxii, 18.)
“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones” (Leviticus xxi, 9.)
“There shall not be found among you anyone … that useth divination or an enchanter or a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits or a necromancer” (Deuteronomy xviii, 10, 11.)
