# An Examen of Witches/Chapter 8

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Chapter VIII.
The Means Whereby Satan Wins Us to Him.
Satan goes even further: for when he appears to us in the manner we have described, he invites us to give ourselves to him. This is how he acted in the case of Françoise Secretain, according to her own admission; and other witches say the same, and even that the Wicked One is so cunning that he knows how to choose the times and occasion most favourable to his designs. For he takes men when they are alone and in despair or misery because of hunger or some disaster which has befallen them. Genes. 3.Eve was alone when she was seduced. Thievenne Paget was watching her cows in a field and lost one; and as she was sorrowing for this, Satan approached her and won her. It was the same with George Gandillon, who was irritated because he could not drive certain oxen. His father, Pierre Gandillon, was angry because his scythe did not cut so well as those of his companions, and wished himself to the Devil; whereupon Satan immediately ​appeared to him and won his soul. Jacques Bocquet, Françoise Secretain, Clauda Jamprost, Antoine Gandillon and several others abandoned themselves to him because of their misery and poverty.
Furthermore, he makes fair promises. For to some he offers riches, assuring them that they will never lack for anything: to the vengeful he suggests the means to avenge themselves on their enemies: others he persuades that he will advance them in honour and rank: in short he so well suits himself to the character and humour of each one that he captures them at his will.
Yet it must be confessed that the fault lies wholly with the witch, for when he accosts them, Satan openly declares to them that he is the Devil, and makes them renounce God, Chrism and Baptism; and therefore such persons place themselves beyond forgiveness. For is there any man so foolish as not to know that the Devil is our mortal enemy, and that he desires nothing but the destruction of the human race? I have seen a deaf and dumb girl who, when she was angry, made an ugly grimace and pointed two fingers in the form of horns at those who had angered her, as if she wished to threaten them with the Devil; and this makes me think that she, and such as she, are well aware of his taking the form of a horned beast. Besides, who is ignorant that there is a God, and that He is above all the might of Satan? Even the Pagans are agreed that this truth is loudly proclaimed by Nature. Why, then do we not turn to Him when we are tempted by the Devil, instead of yielding ourselves to the promises of our sworn enemy? Finally, if there were nothing else to be ​considered, 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.