10-13 Hanover Historical Texts Project Scanned by Mike Anderson, May 1998. Proofread and pages added by Jonathan Perry, March 2001. Even when armed with the papal bull, the German Inquisitors found their preparation incomplete. Malleus Maleficarum, pars iii, quaestio 14.
Editions are many.
The attendants obey forthwith, yet with feigned agitation. Then, at the prayer of some of those present, the prisoner is loosed again and is taken aside and once more persuaded to confess, being led to believe that he will in that case not be put to death. It must be answered that opinions vary. And doubtless such notorious witches, especially those who prepare witch-potions or who by magical methods cure those bewitched, would be peculiarly suited to be thus preserved, in order to aid the bewitched or to accuse other witches, were it not that their accusations cannot be trusted, since the Devil is a liar, unless confirmed by proofs and witnesses. Others hold, as to this point, that for a time the promise made to the witch sentenced to imprisonment is to be kept, but that after a time she should be burned.