sorcerers should be treated this way: they should not make matters public and not allow strangers (outsiders) in, but should be quietly taken in for torture; because when publicity begins, then one witch can bewitch another in absentia, so that the latter will not confess even under torture.
Until now it was thought that the last evidence of ordeals in our country was contained in the monuments of the 13th century. and then in a derogative form, precisely in the treaty of Smolensk with the Germans in 1229 and in the word of Serapion. Serapion speaks of being tested by water. The Precious Act of 1677 indicates the existence of this particular ordeal at the end of the 12th century. and precisely in the form in which it is known from the words of Serapion: if the bound accused drowns, then he is right, if he floats, he is guilty. This reverse application of the meaning of the ordeal (disobedience to the laws of nature is proof of guilt), incomprehensible to Serapion, becomes clear from the act of 1677. Serapion says: “If you can swim, there are sorcerers.” It should be thought that even then the test by water was applied mainly to the crimes of witchcraft and sorcery; then it becomes clear why the culprit (the sorcerer) may not drown.
Another valuable conclusion from this act is the indication that the trials of walking are in a genetic connection with torture, that is, torture naturally arose from ordeals, it seems precisely from the trial by fire.
Finally, we draw attention to the fact that the clergy continued to resist the ordeals, despite the fact that they themselves were devoted to superstitions on a par with their flock; The abbot is not only convinced of the existence of witchcraft, but believes in the possibility of an absentee conspiracy against the effects of torture. At this level of concepts, nothing can explain the opposition to the ordeals on the part of the clergy, as soon as a trace. consideration: with the form of trials indicated by us now, naturally the process was always decided in favor of the accused (the bound one always drowned); It was not in the interests of the clergy to allow such an outcome in cases of crimes against faith.