of Witches
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sidered, are not witches condemned by the very nature of the rewards which they expect from Satan?
I have touched upon this point here to refute the opinion of those who try to excuse the greater number of witches on the ground that they are simple and ignorant. For it is clear that they are guilty of an offence against natural principles, of a crime which is severely and inexorably vindicated by the law. Can. qui ca 28. distinct. l. 2. de in jus. vocand. C.I may add that the infinite goodness of God towards them does but render them the more guilty; for He does not allow them to be taken by surprise. They know who it is with whom they are treating, they have time for deliberation as to whether or not they shall yield; it even appears that God takes no very strict count of their first renunciation of Him, of Chrism and of Baptism, as having been made in too great haste and without thought. Therefore the Devil in his subtlety and cunning makes them repeat their abnegation two or three times, and causes them to say that they do so with a willing heart. It is therefore apparent that they willingly cast themselves into Satan’s net. But let us examine in more detail the witches’ renunciation of God, Baptism and Chrism.