[ 162 ]
tions of Charm, Spell, Filtres, Magick Knots, &c. are Jugglers Tricks, and have nothing in them; they reach the Fancy indeed, and affect the Imaginations of weak, vapourish People; but that really these Things are out of the Devil's way, and that he knows nothing of the Matter, and can do nothing to help or hinder; that the Devil has no skill in Midwifry, and can neither tell a Woman when she is with Child, or when she is not; he can no more make her Miscarry, unless it is by frighting her, than he can make her Conceive; that 'tis all a Cheat, contrived by a Gang of artful Knaves to get Money, pick Pockets, and deceive the ignorant Women.
How far this may be true or not, I leave to those that are well enough acquainted with the Devil, to know how, and to what Degree, he can or does act in these Cases. But the Crime of those People that go to him for his help, is the same, whether he can assist them or not; with the addition of Fool, if he cannot.
I might ask here, whether this Practice is consistent with Honesty? As for Religion, Modesty and Reputation, that I think I have mentioned to satisfaction; but as to the Honesty of it, there is something more to be said: First, as I said above; to a Husband it cannot be honest by any means: We'll suppose the Man to be an honest, sober and religious Husband; he married, no doubt, as Men of honest Principles, and of the utmost Modesty, do, that is, in view of raising up a Family as well to inherit his Estate, supposing that Part to be sufficient, as to preserve a Name and a Posterity, as other Gentlemen do.
Find-
