IN Marcelles, a Towne in France, one Lewis Gaufredy (borne in Beauuerer Les Colmars) liued many yeares in very good repute, being there beneficed in the Church of the Accoules, where such was his wordly excesse of pros­peritie, that notwithstanding his Ec­clesiasticall function through a setled pride now raised to the height, and a beastly and strong luxurious appetite formerly bred and now raigning and raging also in him, he became méerely sensuall? He had an aged Unkle also well knowne both in Marcelles, and o­ther places thereabouts, of as pernitious manners as himselfe, who was no small backe to his impieties, who happening to die very rich, aswel in Lands and reuenues, as in Gold and siluer, Bookes & other moueables, which this miscreant (being indéed the next heire) no sooner claimed, but was as soone possest thereof Now being thus ouermuch inriched, what else could be vnto him greater contentment then to take his ease, and as he could permit himselfe any leisure for such purposes, he would some­times for recreation sake betake himselfe to that Library, formerly his Unkles, where amongst other bookes (not much opponent to his obscene liking) he hapned to light [Page] vpon two most damnable & Diabolicall, the one of Cor: Agrippa, and the other of Tolle [...] wherein this mad braine tooke such singular delight, that he ceased not till he had read them cleane through: But such reading befits none but those, who deny the power of the supreme and vni­uersall Gouernour, and that renounce the Celestiall inhe­ritance promised to all those who are Registred in the sa­cred Record of the euerliuing. To bury therefore in vn­profitable silence the prodigious Acts committed by this execrable & inhumane wretch in his destowring & Rape, of one Mistres Magdalen of D [...]ādouls, so called of y^e Ma­rish, would be an endlesse torment to my soule, together with other his allurements, sorceries, Incantations, and abhominations, wherin this perfidious wretch spent the most flourishing part of his youthfull spring time: who forgetting the Obligation wherein he stood bound to his Creator and Sauiour (without any regard or pittie of his owne soule) plunged himselfe so déepely into the Infernall Gulph of the Coniurations and Inuocations comprehen­ded & contained in the said bookes of Toliet and Agrippa, that in pronouncing and often repetition to himselfe of what he there read, the vowed enemie to all mankind ap­peared & approached neare vnto him, demaunding vpon what occasion he did inuoake and call vpon him, or what his desire was? the fearefull sight of whom (albeit the ap­pearance was in a beautifull humane shape) did driue this horrible blasphemer vnto such an affrighted Extasie, that for a time he was and continued as one distracted: accursed wretch, more happie had it bin, that euen in that distraction thou hadst lost thy being, then so diabolical­lie to reuiue to die againe: and dying, to draw with thee (insnared by thy subtiltie) so may sillie soules, the num­ber whereof is best knowne to God alone, pittie it was that hell did not then swallow thée vp, or the Earth de­uoure, or fire from heauen consume thée. But who can reach▪ vnto the depth of Gods al-séeing prouidence? whose [Page] armes are stretched out, and whose arrowes are keene, when he pleaseth to be auenged on his Enemies? Thou wast not thus long suffered but to Gods greater glorie. This said distraction continuing but a while, this caitiue re-assuming his former sences, forgetting all dutie or re­spect vnto his Creator, and reiecting all soule sauing con­siderations, after no long debatement betweene the Diuell and himself, he couenanted (wofull couenant?) that for the space of fortie yeares he might enioy the full fruition of his detested ambition, in holding the place, prerogatiues, liberties, and honors, of chiefe and principall Confessor, that he might haue power and meanes to know carnally all women or maides whatsoeuer on whom his perniti­ous and lustfull eyes should but reflect, and that his char­ming tongue might flow with eloquence, and that not­withstanding these, he might be still reputed graue and religious: to these may be added those ensuing Articles of his owne confession, to which the Diuell condescending, This firebrand of perdition gaue himselfe body and soule, together with all things else to him appropriate to the said Diuell from thenceforth for euer, hidiously renoun­cing God his faith, Heauen, and the euer-blessed fellow­ship of all the holy Angels and Saints of God: who can reade this, or who can heare it, but their haire must stand on end! their hearts tremble? Ah treacherous caitiffe, whence couldst thou deriue that power & title, so lightly to passe ouer and to confirme the contract and sale of thy body & soule, to him, who for requitall, will pay thée with griefe vpon griefe, torment vpon torment, and that not for a moment onely, but perpetually. Beware therefore all ye whose soules are luxuriously affected, & whose hearts are swolne big with pride, whose ambition pierceth the very heauens, coueting as did those aspiring Angels, to be as Gods, for by these and such like baites and snares, that wilie deceiuer intangleth, insnareth, and catcheth many millions of soules, craftie fowler, sillie fowles, now [Page] more pretious then the richest Iemmes, but by and by as stubble for the fire, buying their too late repentance at so deare a rate as eternall desperate despaire, for so it fell out with him, who so soone as he was possest of that diue­lish Librarie, as one rauisht in contēplation thereof, he de­lighted in nothing more then the practise of his Charmes and Incantations, but after the contract betweene the Diuell and himselfe, he was able (as afterwards him­selfe testifies) by onely the breath of his mouth, to inflame with lust all those on whom he was pleased to breath, wherwith he so bewitched Mistris Victoire Corbier, y^t she was cōstrained to lust after him immeasurably, which he effected in the month of April last past. Before the discoue­rie of these his impudent villanies, he was exceedingly re­uerenced, and very much respected by the Marcellian Vul­gar, yea in all places wheresoeuer he came, aswell for the religious apparance he carried, as also for the great lear­ning was knowne to be in him: for such was his fluence of spéech, that he could so tickle and charme the eares of his Audience, that it contented them perpetually to heare him, so mellifluously did he hony them, who were abused poore soules in their attention, & falsely deluded with his Eloquence: which occasioned that he was then reputed for a most religious and deuout Priest, seruing for a pre­tious Antidote against the poysonsome infection of sinne, as their shallow vnderstandings belieued for firme truth, who notwithstanding shortly after had knowledge of his diabolicall commerce. He held (notwithstanding he was in the Diuels hereditarie possession) all his Presbiterall functions, so that amongst others, he being one day in a so­litarie place, there hapned to come vnto him on Mistresse Magdalen of the Marish, requesting him to heare her con­fession (who was then vtterly ignorant of his fatall re­linquishment of Religion) which at that time was graun­ted her by the abhominable Impostor.

This poore innocent maide therefore, humbled at the [Page] féete of this Uulture, and requesting his counsell and ad­uise for reformation of her former errors and transgres­tions, heard no other perswasions to come from this Di­uelish seducer, but cleane to shake off the zeale and desire that thee had to be reconciled to God; and further inti­mated vnto her, (with painted and colourable speeches, not fitte to bee once mentioned amongst Christians,) that it shee would liue the rest of her life happily, he would be the meanes that shee should obtaine and enioy whatso­euer pleasure shee could desire or wish for. In this his perswasion, the prophane dogge breathed vpon the coun­tenance of this poore afflicted maide, who in that moment was inchaunted and intangled in the snares of this sacri­legious villaine. Surely Hell it selfe had placed in the bo­die of this tyrant, some ghastlie and vncleane spirit, to bee as an Instrument and guide to this accursed In­chaunter.

Oh Heauens! Is it possible that such a hell-hound should bee permitted to liue amongst men? who inraged with an Infernall Furie, drawes and allures such sillie soules vnto him, as are not well grounded and confirmed in Faith; as we may plainely perceiue in this silly soule: who being catcht by the deceitfull ginnes of this disloyall Apostate, forsaking her God, and giuing credence to the wordes and proferd promises of this accursed Impostor; shée also (as hee formerly had done, and thereto now per­swaded her) giues herselfe soule and bodie to the Diuell, whom at that instant she saw in the forme of a man.

In which course of his, that they of Marcelles could not in so long space, discouer the Tragicall trecheries of this their so wel-beloued flatterer, whose Charmes & inchant­ments procured, that they estéemed him their spirituall minion, was wonderfull: for so excessiue was their boūd­les affection, that to haue exempted him from legal punish­ments, they would haue (most of them) parted with all their wealth. Blinde Marcellians, that could thinke it [Page] possible for one man by his priuate studies, to attaine to such perfection in all humane sciences, and in so short a moment, the like whereof, the best Learned, by their ma­nie yeares industrie, could neuer attaine vnto: neither could bee without his ayde, who continually ceased not to reueale those things vnto him, wherewith hee fedde the greedie expectation of those, whose conuersation hée most desired. Nor but that in the publike viewe of a whole Court of Parliament in Prouince, hée was in particular accused and conuinced of these insuing Articles, and there­of being condemned, was put to death in Aix, a Towne neare therevnto They would not yet retaine any beliefe, concerning his offences: But now too late these Iudiciall proceedings haue inforced you to assure your selues, con­cerning his abuses & delusions, wherewith yée were blin­ded, in cherishing and pampering him so tenderly, whose quarters rather would haue adorned the Gates of your Citie, which may be accounted happie, in being at the last cleansed of so dangerous and fearefull a plague.

But let vs returne againe vnto the said Mistris Magda­len of the Marish, whō though she had fréely giuē her selfe, (by the cursed allurements of this accursed Curre) to the Diuell, & by his further perswasions, diuers times more fully confirmed the said contract; receiuing diuers marks of the Diuell, in seuerall parts of her bodie. A thing testi­fied by the Fathers and Doctors of S. Maxime, and exprest in the sentence or death, denounced against the saide Gau­fredy, shee was notwithstanding so incessantly afflicted, both in bodie and soule, when shee considered the daunger of her ruine, that posting in the perturbation of her wa­uering selfe conflict, shee retires her selfe to a Religious man, desirous to reueale her sinne: acknowledging vnto him, that it was such a sinne as could not almost be forgi­uen▪ the Tenor whereof, much astonished this Religious man. For which cause, he laboured her to confesse what that sinne might bee: but shee fearing the rigorous hand [Page] of secular Iustice) made answere vnto him, that she would willingly tell him, vpon condition that she might first ob­taine pardon from the chiefe president of the said Towne of Aix, which he (fearing that she had entered into some practise or complotted some Treason against his Ma­iestie or his estate) denied her, perswading her, how she might well obtaine this pardon after a little time, but that first it was necessarie for her to make knowne wherein she had offended: his perswasions could not preuaile with her, till such time as he did condiscend to her desired pardon.

Now the matter knowne, and he vndertaking to pro­cure her pardon, forthwith hastened to Marcelles to the Court of Parliament, where giuing aduertisement of what had passed, to the Lord President, & declaring vnto him what words the said Magdalen had vsed, inferring how for the seruice he ought to the Kings Maiestie and publike Iustice, considering the wonderful detriment that France had sustained in former times, by such trayterous Paracides and blood suckers, as she had brought forth, he was come in that manner. The Lo: President delayed not to send with this Religious man many officers to Marcelles, At whose comming, he fained to be possest of her pardō, which she beléeuing, was rauished with incom­parable ioy, which was no sooner conceiued, but as sudden­ly it vanished away, for she no sooner appeared or pre­sented herself to his Uiew, but the Officers attēding him, conueyed her presently to the said Parliament of Pro­uince whence she was by the commaundement of the said Lo: President, clapt vp close in a Dungeon, whither after­ward was also committed Mistresse Victoire Courbier, but so as neither could haue conference with any. Not long after which imprisonment, report was made to the said Lo: President, that the said Magdalen of the Marish (being shut vp in a place so disconsolate and miserable, would haue murthered her selfe, which to preuent, she was forthwith caused to be brought before him in presence of [Page] all the chiefe counsellors, and Assistants of that Court, whether being come, wofully blubbered with her conti­nued teares, and almost dead with sorrowe: astonished to behold those, who by their iust doontes, punish crimes com­mitted: she was examined by a Counsellor Commissio­ner, reputed thereunto by the said Parliament and here­vpon sworne to deliuer nothing but truth: when, calling to minde what she had perpetrated, feare and trembling surprising her without y^e vsuall inforcements of racke and forments, she openly confessed, how she repairing to the afore said MaisterGaufredy, requesting him to examine and cleare her conscience, he in manner aforesaid, was the cause and originall of her vtter ouerthrow and perdition. Upon which her confession a warrant (by the instance of the Kings Atturnie Generall) was sent out for the bodily apprehension of the foresaid Lewis Gaufredy Priest, who being accordingly apprehended, was committed to the said common gale of Aix in prouince, till such time as it was conuenient for him, to make his open appearance in the said court, whether he was very speedily called, and as exactly examined of the crimes imputed vnto him, both by the foresaid Magdalen and Mistres Victoire Corbier But herein behold the deceitfull potencie of that old and subtill deceiuer the Diuell, who had fortified this his champion with such seeming Innocencie, and inabled him so much beyond all vulgar exspectation, that the whole Bench were not able to conuince or cast him: which thing being wel considered by one of the most ancient Commissioners, who perceiuing much subtiltie in his answeres moued by a feruent zeale to boult out the truth, he earnestly reque­sted the residun of those Noble Commissioners to ioyne with him in prayer vnto y^e all-searching eye of the omni­potent, that he for his owne glorie sake would vouchsafe them power and meanes to discouer the falcities and illu­sions of this pernitious miscreant. Which ended, the said Graue Counsellor, now better armed then before, to in­counter [Page] with this grand Champion of Sathan, let fly at him, so sacred an admonition, seconded with so terrible a commination, that all his former shifts, and glosings (now broken staues of defence) so failed him, that the re­ [...]ue of his answeres & allegations were so variable, (be­ing nothing now but fearefull stamerings) that his owne words serued for testimonie sufficient to conuince him, which vpon a little farther arguing, caused him to con­fesse, as followeth.

Upon which his confession, his Inditement was framed, and perfected at the sute of the Atturney generall▪ & the said Magdal [...]n & Mistris Victoire Corbier, brought face to face before him; who iustifying their accusations, a Iudgemēt was pronounced against him, as hereafter; in the insuing Extract, of the Records, & of the procéedings herein, may ap peare; but Mistris Magdalen, and Mistris Victoire Corbier, were returned to the foresaid cōmon Iayle, where they yet remaine, to be disposed of.

You haue heard briefly the progresse of the damnable life and deserued death of so famous a Coniurer, the like whereof hath not liued these many ages: whose acts are here mentioned but in part but worthie (for example sake more amplie by a better penne) to be exprest, yet rather then his memorie should be quite extinct, accept these Ru­der lines which an vnpractised author as best he could presents the world withall, desiring not as most would doe his owne applause, but that they would be moued hereby to site the occations of those Euils herein portrai­ed, which God for his great mercies sake in Christ our Sauiour, Graunt vnto all good Christians.

Amen.

THese are the times, when crueltie is put in practise, by the force and power of sorcerie, for we daily sée euident ef­fects hereof, as may be discerned in his latter and accursed deuise practi­sed vpon a young maide, about some ten yeares of age, the which I will not faile, to diuulge and make knowne vn­to all men knowing well, that the little labour I shall herein take, will yeeld them no lesse contentment, then such an argument and subiect can deserue. And therefore I request euery one, that he will be as patient to bestow the reading thereof, as I am in the writing and publi­cation of the same, seeing this Tyrannie deserues as well to be listned vnto, as to be written and composed: for I know it will strike griefe and sorrowe into their hearts, that will but patiently vouchsafe the reading hereof, where ending my introduction, to begin my report: I [Page] humbly pray God that it will please him, to giue euer one a discreete vnderstanding with amendment of life, in­treating likewise the reader to hold me excused, though I set it not downe in such exquisite, and fluent phrase: as perchance some other would.

Now shall I be able to expresse this strange crueltie, without distilling teares from mine eyes (apt to put me in remembrance, of such a wickednesse, whensoeuer I doe but take my penne in hand▪ or how can it be, that any one in reading this tragicall subiect, should not consider and weigh my hardines and courage, though but in the very hearing, of these murderous and miserable attempts of the world? alas! I suppose not any one of you, would be exempted from hearkning to them, and that you will be readie with me▪ to pray vnto the celestiall Monarch, that it would please him of his mercie, to giue an end, to all sorcerous acts, and Incests, which daily vere and afflict Gods Saints vpon the earth, as well in preuenting poore humaine Creatures of their continuall prouisions, and nourishments, as further in bereaning, and vntimely taking from them their liues.

Euen as we may more clearely vnderstand, by these fower Sorceresies or rather in déed Tygresses, or hagges, who committed this outrage, vpon a poore young maide, who little thought her last howre had bene so reare, or that these witches, had determined to vse vpon her, so brutish a Tyrannie: but indéed what man, or woman, would euer formerly haue dreamt of such an accident, more then this fillie maide did, who was then walking along an hedge, gathering of blacke berries, being in companie with some other little children, and specially with a little brother of her owne, when these sorceresses thus plotted her perdition: alas! most accursed Sorceresse, thy miscreant heart, was euen then possessed with a diuel, when by thy bewitching tongue, y^t didst induce this poore Gyrle to followe thée to a place, where thou meantest to [Page] commit this butchery, and yet was her fortune more hard, when y^u gauest her little brother a péece of money, a great Blancke, to the ende hee should returne to the place from whence thou hadst stolne her, for then came all thy poyson and venome to a full head, when she poore soute entring in­to thy house, thou gauest her virginity to an ouglie Ruffi­an, who no wayes considering the euill that would thereof ensue, violated and robbed her of the robe of her pudicitie:

And yet thou then shewedst a farre more hellish cruelty, when with thy treacherous hand thou diddest begore thy knife in her Blood▪ thinking by this murder, to haue saued thine owne life But alas! yet didst thou worse then all the rest, whē thou drewest her little heart out of her breast, together with her Lyuer, to mingle them with her blood: with which y^u thoughtest to bring to an end thy Sorcerie.

Ah inuiolable heart! Ah trecherous hagge; thou though­test▪ GOD was not of power to discouer thy malice, but most iustly y^u wert reuealed by Innocents, who by Gods permission, went along, & conducted this young Gyrle, to the place, where thou and thy complices, put her to death: True it is, that thou wert not conuicted vpon their accusa­tion, for being imprisoned, thou couldst not be made to con­fesse the truth, and therefore at that instant, thou wert de­liuered.

But God the Author of all Truth and Iustice, would not suffer thée lōger to liue, after y^e perpetration of so fear­ful a murder & tyrannie, but stroke into them such a feare, as both y^u and thy cōplices would needs flie away, & to that end selling daily thy moueables, that afterwards y^u migh­test make an escape, & saue thy life, & so by this means thou wert discouered, euen by thine owne neighbors, & iustly ac­cused; whē yet once more to couer thy dissimulation, thou causedst the flesh of this poore innocent Gyrle to be burnt & consumde in an hot Ouen, to the ende, thou mightest cast the ashes afterwards into the water, or performe some o­ther Diuellish tricks therewith.

[Page]For thou canst not denie the selling of her blood to a Sor­cerer: by which [...] ▪ would doe hurt to the Fruites of the earth, and more to mans bodie; and that thou wert taken in the manner, euen like a Théefe, that meant to robbe his neighbor, that did but watch for his comming. Of all the which, the Iustice being the sec [...]d time aduertised; y^u wert then conuinced: And yet this Infernall Ympe, would not for all this reueale the truth, neither permit that anie bodie should goe into the house, to seeke for the Gyrle; but they rather barricadoed thēselues to stand out. When pub­like Iustice (not w^tstanding their resistāce) cōdemned them to be worthie of death, & guiltie of the offence: For en­tring violently into the said house, they opened the Ouen, where they then found the Ashes and Boanes of this poore Maide, within a poake prouided for that purpose, that so they might bee cast into some corner, and the murther by them committed, by this meanes couered: But all these matters comming to light, shee was put into close Prison, and shée that committed the murther, and caused the yong Maide to be defloured, was condemnd to be drawen vpon an hurdle through the Towne, holding a Torche, and the knife in her hand: and then the same being cutte off, her Armes, Thighes, and Pappes, were pluckt asunder by mammockes, with hote pyncers. And lastly, her bodie was throwne aliue into the fire.

The names of the chiefe of them, was Michell the tooth­les: wife to Iohn Brunet, some thréescore yeares of Age, of the parish of Blouuille; The other thrée, were Margue­rite Gallon, Iane Guerin, and Susan Mercer; who were likewise drawne vpon an Hurdle, through the Towne, in their smockes, and hauing suffered the Tortures extra­ordinarie, they were first hanged, and then their bodies burnt, for consenting to the wicked practise of this Sorce­resse▪ notwithstanding their Appeale to Roan. And thus you haue heard an end of their Diuelish liues.

But now consider the grieuous laments that the sor­rowfull [Page] mother of this vnhappie Gyrle made, for the losse of her childe, which (of such a suddaine) was taken & & from her presence) which had neuer come to passe, but that Procession then going about in her parish, she was stollen away, and no knowledge could be had of her in the world; which was an occasion, that she grew almost into dispaire, neither could shée continue still in a place, but franticklie went running vp and downe, heere and there, leauing no place vnsearcht, to learne some tydings of her: But all her hope being lost, and finding no bodie that could giue her a­ny notice of her, she in the ende killed herselfe: For being in this manner trouble some to all her neighbours, they could not but be moued and became as sorrowfull as shee herselfe. Wherefore they laboured to make her forget her sorrow and griefe: But could not possiblie effect it; but she rather mournd still the more, and sobd for her Childe, saying:

Alas! my deare Neighbours, if you haue hid her in any place let me know it, to the end I may be quiet, & haue her bodie; & then I alone will lamēt her death. And thou my swéete Boy (speaking to her yong sonne) Tell me where y^u leftest thy Sister? Leade mee good loue to the place, that so I may méete w^t some honest men, that may direct mee. O woe & alasse! well may I curse the houre, when I suffered thée to straggle from mee, I would to God I had beene then in my graue!

The little Childe who was yet but young, and there­fore could not tell, nor shew the place whether he had ledde his Sister, nor decipher the Sorceresse that had stollen her away; yet by signes he shewed his sorrowfull mother, the place where they were gathering Hedge-berries together, when (the accursed & vnknowne Hagge) gaue him a little péece of siluer, to the ende hee should leaue her, and that her self might thus haue the better meanes to compasse her in­tent, and dispoyle this poore Gyrle of her virginitie, by de­liuering her into the hands of a fowle Ruffian: when this [Page] wretched Mother, (knowing the innocencie of her owne Child) debated thus to her selfe; Alas▪ What bootes it me to aske of him, Where is thy Sister, my good chicke? Ah▪ but what doe I meane to wander thus vp & downe? What make I so long time in this place? Oh mercifull God, surely some villanous Rogue may peraduēture haue taken thy virginity, and afterwards, further tainted him­selfe with thy blood. But what's this I say? who could haue so barbarous an heart? I cannot belieue it fell out with her in such sort; when returning againe to her selfe, she said. What may I then suppose is become of my child? why heeres no place where she could doe her selfe any hurt? And thus her parents searched all ouer, but could heare no word of her, nor méete with other satisfaction, then to la­ment the losse of their sillie young Daughter, who perad­uenture had alreadie, vndergone the rage and crueltie of this hellish Megara. And for the space of one or two dayes, they could not remaine pacified, but continued in this In­quisition, while they met with a childe, who had conducted her along to that part & place, where the miscreāt creature cut her throate. But they durst not bee so bolde at that instāt to goe thither, without taking some aduise therevp­on; fearing least some greater inconuenience might arise thereupon. The blood of this poore Maide beganne now to calll for vengeance at Gods hands: and then God per­mitted, that the murder committed vpon her should be ma­nifested as it was.

For hauing obtained a Warrant from the Iustice, they apprehended at the same instant, the shamelesse Sorceresse, but shée being resolu'd on all mischiefe, would not confesse her fault, but was stout and obstinate in her denialls: So that her deliuery was wrought, to the charge and cost of the innocent maides Parents, procured by the rest of that diabolical crew; which wrought their greater sorrow and discomfort then before, being now voyde of all meanes to discouer the trueth, or to come to the knowledge of their [Page] Childes ruine, though bitter griefe neuer left their harts, whensoeuer she came into their remembrance: this mat­ter séeming wholly to be blowne ouer, and no further spéech nor talke hereof vsed.

This murderesse, at that very time had not yet commit­ted the butcherie, as afterwards her selfe confessed: but the Gyrle was close shut vp in a chamber, whether this Sorce­resse, with the rest of her adherents presently went, and so amongst them presently cut her throate. Alas poore heart, shée being no wayes able to resist their violence, said: Alas, my good mistresses, Alas, Kill me not for Gods sake, saue my life, and suffer me to goe & see my Mother once againe, and I vow vnto you, no bodie shall know, what hath bene done vnto me in your house. But then they all layd hold vpon her, and held her, while this old witch cut her throate with a great Knife, and not content therewith they pluckt the heart and lyuer out of her bellie, and stéeped them in her blood, that afterwards they might giue them to a Sorcerer, who had bought them of them, consuming the rest of her bodie within an Ouen, putting the Ashes thereof into a poake, as before I declared vnto you.

Now this damnable consort, thought themselues out of all perill, and daunger, but it fell out quite contrarie; for they were all taken, vpon the instant, that they meant to haue fled the Countrey. And notwithstanding all former discharges, they were bewraied and accused by their neigh­bours: They being the second time attainted & conuicted; For finding the Ashes and Bones of this innocent maide within the Ouen; they were carried to the Towne, & pre­sented to the Iustices, when clearely perceiuing the trueth of so pittifull an Accident, all men lift vy their eyes to hea­uen, their hearts being replenished with vnmeasurable griefe, All the standers by weeping most bitterly, and ex­clayming, how vnworthy a thing it were, that this mur­der should escape vnpunished Nay rather, that they should not be put vnto some extraordinarie cruell and tormēting [Page] death; so as to death they were all condemned, & endured those paines & tortures, which we formerly declared vnto you: But alas! what good got y^• sorrowful mother by this? could this mittigate or appease her woe? can this giue againe vnto her the life of her child? alas, alas! notwith­standing this Infernall hagge suffered Condigne punish­ment, for the reuenge of her Childes death, yet did not this wipe out of her heart, the remembrance thereof, nor the griefe which daily afflicted her, when she saw but the place where her child was violated, and most vnhappily murdered. And you the rest of her Friends, & Kinsfolkes, can you euer forget such an opprobrie: can this damsell euer slippe out of your remēbrance, whom you so dearely loued? no certainely, for then your hearts should be too much destitute of common humanitie: In like manner all you men, & woemen, that were present at their deaths, will you not alwaies carrie in minde such a butcherie and Tyrannie, will you not euer remember the day of their punishment? you mothers also which haue children, sub­iect in the like case▪ to the like perill and daunger as hap­ned to this woman, would you not lament? ah would you not gréeue for the violent death of your owne blood? I verily thinke your hearts would be surprised, with as great bitternes and affliction, as hers was after the rap­ture of her childe, next which is more, the remembrance of the very day when you came to the knowledge of her death would torment you. For my part I know not one in the world, that would faile in so kind and naturall an office, and therefore I neither blame father or mother in this point, (except the mother in regard of her too vehe­ment sorrow which caused her desperately to kill her selfe) for who can preserue themselues from miserable afflicti­ons, except by the speciall grace and goodnes of the celesti­all mouer, who preserues and kéepes this our life, and con­ducts it to the place of its saluation. He, he it is, that [...] [Page] vouchsafe vs his saueguard, & no other. If therefore, we euer loued his sanctitie and holinesse, and neuer heard of a more lamentable, and pittiful spectacle then this was, we ought alwayes to beare and carrie it in minde: For who would haue thought that a maide only of fourtéene yeeres of Age, the daughter of Marguerite Gallon, could haue had the stomacke & boldnesse, to deliuer this Maid of ten yeares olde, and to sell and betray her into the handes of others; for so small a summe of money, shee receiuing in all, but (three & twentie souz:) a base piece of Coyne.

Surely I cannot thinke shee could performe this villa­nie without her mothers consent, & yet her selfe alone was in the greatest part the cause of this hard Accident, which likewise did not remaine vnpunished: For she endured and suffered the like death and punishment as her mother did: shée, as her mother before her, deseruing the fire before her death. But thus this Innocent maid, whome shee sold to this accursed Enchanteresse, cruelly lost her life, to all the peoples great griefe in generall, & euery ones high discon­tentment. You sée therefore, how this Prodigie came to bee discouered, and how a sillie Damzell was destroyed, through the bloodie crueltie of most miscreant creatures, who thought their vniust malice, would neuer haue come to light. But GOD not permitting them long to sur­uiue, suffered likewise that they should come into the hāds of deuine Iustice, the which (by his Prouidence, did con­demne them, and the punishment of a most cruell death, they haue suffered and endured, although nothing so terri­ble as their enormious impietie deserued.

Where finishing this our present discourse; Let vs pray vnto GOD, that it would please him, to bring to an end this worldes vnhappinesse, and to diuert all the impious desseignes and practises of the wicked: drawing them ra­ther, by his Diuine prouidence, to repentance and conuer­sion from their sinnes; to the end that those benefites may [Page] be preserued and blessed vpon the Earth, which are most requisite and necessarie for vs, for the vse and peregrinati­on of this our Temporall and Transitorie life, whereof [...] by these Fiendes of Hell (through their méere [...] [...]priued) which without Gods speciall [...]rmission, in liewe of our leaude liues, they could neuer effect.