A09402:102
A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so far forth as it is…A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so farre forth as it is…
A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so far forth as it is revealed in the Scriptures, and manifest by true experience. Framed and delivered by M. William Perkins, in his ordinary course of preaching, and now published by Tho. Pickering Bachelor of Divinity, and minister of Finchingfield in Essex. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table; one of the order and heads of the treatise; another of the texts of Scripture explained, or vindicated from the corrupt interpretation of the adversary.A discourse of the damned art of witchcraft so farre forth as it is reuealed in the Scriptures, and manifest by true experience. Framed and deliuered by M. William Perkins, in his ordinarie course of preaching, and now published by Tho. Pickering Batchelour of Diuinitie, and minister of Finchingfield in Essex. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table; one of the order and heades of the treatise; another of the texts of Scripture explaned, or vindicated from the corrupt interpretation of the aduersarie.
Cambridge: printed by Cantrell Legge, 1610Cambridge: printed by Cantrel Legge, 1610
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Ground of Witchcraft, and of all the practises thereof.
The Ground of all the practises of Witchcraft, is a league or covenant made between the Witch and the Devil: wherein they do mutually ⟨p. 42⟩bind themselves each to other. If any shall think it strange, that man or woman should enter league with Satan, their utter enemy; they are to know it for a most evident and certain truth, that may not be called into question. And yet to clear the judgement of any one in this point, I will set down some reasons in way of proof.
THe Ground of all the practises of Witchcraft, is a league or couenant made betweene the Witch and the Deuill: wherein they doe mutually ⟨p. 42⟩bind themselues each to other. If any shall thinke it strange, that man or woman should enter league with Satan, their vtter enemie; they are to know it for a most euident and certen truth, that may not be called into question. And yet to cleare the iudgement of any one in this point, I will set downe some reasons in way of proofe.
First, the holy Scripture doth intimate so much unto us in the 58. Psal. v. 5. where, howsoever the common translation runneth in other terms, yet the words are properly to be read thus; which heareth not the voice of the mutterer joining societies cunningly. And in them the Psalmist layeth down two points. First, the effect or work of a charm, muttered by the Enchanter; namely, that it is able to stay the Adder from s•inging those which shall lay hold on him, or touch him. Secondly, the main foundation of the charm; societies or confederacies cunningly made, not between man and man, but (as the words import) between the Enchanter and the devil. The like we read,