Skip to main content

‹‹‹ prev (292) Page 286Page 286

(294) next ››› Page 288Page 288

(293) Page 287 -
Witchcraft. 287
an interview with the Devil, who appeared in the " lik-
nes of ane woman," and gave him " ane hair belt, in
ane of the endis of the quhilk appeirit the similitude of
foure fingeris and ane thombe, nocht far different from
the clawis of the Devill." The Lord Advocate, having
warned the jury to beware of "wilful errour," the usual
verdict was returned.
In December, 1607, Bartie Paterson, in Newbattle,
was, at the instance of the Presbytery of Dalkeith,
arraigned before the Lords of Justiciary for healing
diseases by charms and incantations. The water of the
Dow Loch, Dumfriesshire, was his favourite remedy.
Those who used it he taught to say, " I lift this water,
in the name of the Father, Sone, and Haly Gaist, to do
guid for thair helth for quhom it is liftit." In curing
cattle, he uttered these words : —
" I charge thee for arrow-schot,
For dor-schot, for windo-schot,
For ey-schot, for tung-schot,
For liver-scliot, for lung-schot,
For hert-schot ;
All trie maist
In the name of the Father, the Sone,
And Haly Gaist."
Paterson was condemned.
In August, 1623, Thomas Greave, from Kinross,
was indicted for curing by enchantment. Three ministers
in the Presbytery of Dunfermline produced " depositions "
in support of the indictment. Greave was charged with
passing his patients through " an hesp of yairne," " using
inchantit watter," and making crosses and figures on
the under garments of those seeking his help. One of
his charms was essentially barbarous. He caused ' ane

Images and transcriptions on this page, including medium image downloads, may be used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence unless otherwise stated. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence