A09402:112
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 nature of man is exceeding impatient in crosses, and outward afflictions are so tedious unto mortal minds, and press them with such a measure of grief, that some could be contented with all their hearts to be out of the world, if thereby they may be released of such extremity, and hereupon they care not what means they use, what conditions they undertake to ease and help themselves. The devil finding men in these perplexities, is ready to take his advantage, and therefore perceiving ⟨p. 50⟩them now fitted for his purpose to work upon; he insinuates and offers himself, to procure them ease and deliverance, if they will use such means, as he shall prescribe for that purpose: and to a natural man there is no greater mean then this to make him join society with the devil. He therefore, without any further doubting or deliberation, condescends to Satan, so as he may be based and relieved in these miseries.
The nature of man is exceeding impatient in crosses, and outward afflictions are so tedious vnto mortall minds, and presse them with such a measure of griefe, that some could be contented with all their hearts to be out of the world, if thereby they may be released of such extremitie, and hereupon they care not what meanes they vse, what conditions they vndertake to ease and helpe themselues. The deuill finding men in these perplexities, is ready to take his advantage, and therefore perceiuing ⟨p. 50⟩them now fitted for his purpose to worke vpon; he insinuates and offers himselfe, to procure them ease and deliuerance, if they will vse such meanes, as he shall prescribe for that purpose: and to a naturall man there is no greater meane then this to make him ioyne societie with the deuill. He therefore, without any further doubting or deliberation, condescendes to Satan, so as he may be based and releeued in these miseries.
Again, we are to consider, that in these cases, the devil getteth the greater hold of man, and moves him to yield unto his suggestions the rather, because that which he promiseth to do for him is present and at his command, and therefore certain; whereas the thing to be performed on the behalf of the party himself, as the giving of body and soul, &c. is to come sundry years after, and therefore in regard of the particular time, uncertain. Now the natural man not regarding his future and final estate, prefers the present commodity before the loss and punishment that