A Golden Chain

The original of this mutual contract: I. Satan maketh choice of such men to be his servants, as are by nature either notorious bad persons, or very silly souls. II. He offereth unto them divers means, either by other Magicians, or by some books written by such: Satanical means, I call those, which are used in the producing of such an effect, to the which they neither by any express rule out of Gods word, nor of their own nature were ever ordained. Such are concealed speeches, words of the Scripture wrested, and abused, to the great contumely and disgrace of the Lord God; holy, or rather unholy water, sieves, seals, glasses, images, bowings of the knee, and such like divers gestures. III. When the wicked see these means offered unto them, they presently are not a little glad, and assuredly believe, that in those things there is virtue to work wonders by. IV. They declare this their satanical confidence, by their earnest desire, practising, and abusing the means. V. Then the devil is at their elbows, being thus affected; that he may both assist them, & in them show divers tricks of his legerdemain; because he alone doth by means void of all such virtue, effect that, which his wicked instrument intended.

The originall of this mutuall contract: I. Satan maketh choice of such men to be his seruants, as are by nature either notorious badde persons, or very sillie soules. II. He offereth vnto them diuers meanes, either by other Magitians, or by some bookes written by such: Satanicall meanes, I call those, which are vsed in the producing of such an effect, to the which they neither by any expresse rule out of Gods word, nor of their owne nature were euer ordained. Such are concealed speeches, wordes of the Scripture wrested, and abused, to the great contumelie and disgrace of the Lord God; holy, or rather vnholy water, sieues, seales, glasses, images, bowings of the knee, and such like diuers gestures. III. When the wicked see these meanes offered vnto them, they presently are not a little glad, and assuredly beleeue, that in those things there is vertue to worke wonders by. IV. They declare this their satanicall confidence, by their earnest desire, practising, and abusing the meanes. V. Then the diuell is at their elbowes, being thus affected; that he may both assist them, & in them shew diuers trickes of his legerdemaine; because he alone doth by meanes voide of all such vertue, effect that, which his wicked instrument intended.