A09402:106
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.
Thirdly, the common confession of all Witches and Sorcerers, both before and since the coming of Christ, doth yet more fully confirm the same. For they have confessed with one consent, that the very ground-work of all their practises in this wicked art, is their league with the devil. And hence it appeareth, how and whereupon it is, that Sorcerers and Witches can bring to pass strange things by the help of Satan; which other men ordinarily can not do; namely, because they have entered a league with him, whereby he hath bound himself to them, for the effecting of rare and extraordinary works, which others, not joined with him in the like confederacy, are not able either by his help, or any power ⟨p. 45⟩or policy of their own to bring to pass. Hereupon it was, that the Witch of Endor showed unto Saul the appearance of Samuel, which neither Saul himself, nor any in all his court could do. There was no great virtue in the matter or frame of her words, for she was ignorant and had no learning. By power she could not effect it, being a weak woman; neither was it like that she had more cunning and policy then any of the learned Jews in those times had for such purposes. The main reason was, her league made with Satan, by virtue whereof she commanded him to appear in the likeness of Samuel, which neither Saul nor any of his company could do, by virtue of such covenant, which they had not made.
Thirdly, the common confession of all Witches and So•cerers, both before and since the comming of Christ, doth yet more fully confirme the same. For they haue confessed with one consent, that the very ground-worke of all their practises in this wicked art, is their league with the deuill. And hence it appeareth, how and whereupon it is, that Sorcerers and Witches can bring to passe strange things by the helpe of Satan; which other men ordinarily can not doe; namely, because they haue entred a league with him, whereby he hath bound himselfe to them, for the effecting of rare and extraordinarie workes, which others, not ioyned with him in the like confederacie, are not able either by his helpe, or any power ⟨p. 45⟩or policie of their owne to bring to passe. Hereupon it was, that the Witch of Endor shewed vnto Saul the appearance of Samuel, which neither Saul himselfe, nor any in all his court could doe. There was no great vertue in the matter or frame of her words, for shee was ignorant and had no learning. By power she could not effect it, beeing a weake woman; neither was it like that she had more cunning and pollicie then any of the learned Iewes in those times had for such purposes. The main reason was, her league made with Satan, by vertue whereof shee commanded him to appeare in the likenes of Samuel, which neither Saul nor any of his companie could doe, by vertue of such couenant, which they had not made.