Page:An Examen of Witches.pdf/121

Matth. 4.
Can. nec mirum, 26. q. 5.Before ending this chapter I should like to point out how Satan in every way apes the living God. For to what purpose does he cause himself to be worshipped, if not to imitate Him? And are not his dances modelled upon those of the ancient Hebrews, who used to leap as a sign of eagerness whenever they offered anything to God or sang His praises? II Sam. 6.For thus did David when he played upon the harp before the Ark of the Old Testament. And further, may we not suppose that this cursed Serpent consumes and burns himself to ashes at the Sabbat in imitation of Matth. 26.
Luke 22.
Mark 14.what Jesus Christ did at the Last Supper which He prepared for His disciples, when He gave them His body to eat and His blood to drink? I pass over the abominable sacrifice which they make; for the hair stands up on my head when I think of it. And indeed I should not have mentioned this matter at all were it not that I hold that we can draw from it a strong argument to uphold the reality of the body and blood of Jesus Christ at the Holy Sacrament of the Altar; for if we were in error concerning this, the Devil would never have troubled to bring pollution upon the Mass, but would have allowed us to slip further and further into a perpetual idolatry. He acts in the same way with regard to the Holy Relics which we venerate and adore; for in mockery of them he causes his disciples to kiss his most shameful parts.

But, that we may not wander from our subject, let us now consider whether witches can produce hail.