A09402:109
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.
More particularly, the league between the Devil and a Witch, is twofold: either expressed and open, or secret and close.
More particularly, the league betweene the Deuill and a Witch, is twofold: either expressed and open, or secret and close.
The express and manifest compact ⟨p. 48⟩is so termed, because it is made by solemn words on both parties. And it is not so expressly set down in Scriptures, as in the writings of learned men, which have recorded the confessions of Witches, and they express it in this manner. First, the Witch for his part, as a slave of the devil, binds himself unto him by solemn vow and promise to renounce the true God, his holy word, the covenant he made in Baptism, and his redemption by Christ; & withal to believe in the devil, to expect & receive aide and help from him, and at the end of his life, to give him either body, or soul, or both: & for the ratifying hereof, he gives to the devil for the present, either his own hand-writing, or some part of his blood, as a pledge & earnest penny to bind the bargain. The devil on the other side, for his part promiseth to be ready at his vassals command, to appear at any time in the likeness of any creature, to consult with him, to aide and help him in any thing he shall take in hand, for the procuring of pleasures, honour, wealth, or preferment, ⟨p. 49⟩to go for him, to carry him whether he will, in a word, to do for him, whatsoever he shall command. Many sufficient testimonies might he alleged for the proof hereof, but it is so manifest in daily experience, that it cannot well be called into question.
The expresse and manifest compact ⟨p. 48⟩is so tearmed, because it is made by solemne words on both parties. And it is not so expressely set downe in Scriptures, as in the writings of learned men, which haue recorded the confessions of Witches, and they expresse it in this manner. First, the Witch for his part, as a slaue of the deuill, binds himselfe vnto him by solemne vowe and promise to renounce the true God, his holy word, the couenant he made in Baptisme, and his redemption by Christ; & withall to beleeue in the deuil, to expect & receiue aide and helpe from him, and at the end of his life, to giue him either bodie, or soule, or both: & for the ratifying hereof, he giues to the deuil for the present, either his owne hand-writing, or some part of his blood, as a pledge & earnest pennie to bind the bargaine. The deuill on the other side, for his part promiseth to be readie at his vassalls command, to appeare at any time in the likenesse of any creature, to consult with him, to aide and helpe him in any thing he shall take in hand, for the procuring of pleasures, honour, wealth, or preferment,