On Popular Eluftons. 6i 



writers in favour of diabolical illufions find 

 themfelves .obliged to make, comes near whac 

 I believe to be true ; that the illufion fubfifts in 

 the patient's imagination : there needs no devil 

 to produce it there. 



5. When any natural adion was fuddenly im- 

 peded, the patient was fufficiently apt to fuppofe 

 himfelf bewitched, efpecially if his incapacity 

 was of a difgraceful nature. This power, im- 

 puted to forcerers, was termed the ligature, and, 

 according to Wierirs and Delrio, who treat of it 

 fully, was not confined to the human body, but 

 extended to inanimate objefts; thus, according 

 to Wierus*, a fleet might be bound faft in port, 

 notwithftanding favourable winds, and all the 

 efforts of the mariners; he adds that an army 

 may be rendered inadive and ufelefs, by the 

 ligature i events equally furprizing have hap- 

 pened in our times, without provoking any fuf- 

 picion of witchcraft. 



6. The appearance of the dura and varia 

 materies, already fpoken off, was always 

 reckoned decifive, where other appearances had 

 given fufpicion of a preternatural difeafe. When 

 we read of rats, black, fcaly frogs $, black flan- 



a good man, and efpecially of a good catholic ? (See Lava- 

 ter de Speftris.) This was generally decided in the 

 affirmative. 



• P. 329. t In P- H- 



t Thoner. Obferv. p. 224. 



nei. 



