A09402:114
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 secret and close league between the Witch and Satan is that, wherein they mutually give consent each to other, but yet without a sworn covenant conceived in express words and conference. Of this there be two degrees. First, when a man useth superstitions […] of prayer, wherein he expressly requireth the help of the devil, without any mention of sol•mine words or covenant going before. That this is a kind of compact it is plain, because herein there is a mutual under-hand consent between the party and the devil, though it be not manifest. For when a […] to use supersti•ous forms of invocation, for help in time of need; by the very using of them, His heart consenteth to Satan, and he would gladly have the thing effected. When therefore the devil hath notice of them, and endeavo••• to effect the thing prayed for, ⟨p. 52⟩therein also he gives consent; so as though there be no express words of compact outwardly framed on both parts, yet the concurrence of a mutual consent for the bringing to pass of the same things, makes the covenant authentical. For according to the received rules of equity and reason; mutual consent of party with party, is sufficient to make a bargain, though there be no solemn course or form of words to manifest the same to others.
The secret and close league between the Witch and Satan is that, w•erein they mutually giue consent each to other, but yet without a sworne couenant conceiued in expresse words and conference. Of this there be two degrees. First, whē a mā vseth superstitions 〈…〉 of prayer, wherein he expressely requireth the helpe of the deuill, without any mention of sol•mine words or couenant going before. That this is a kind of compact it is plaine, because herein there is a mutuall vnder-hand consent between the partie and the deuill, though it be not manifest. For when a 〈…〉 to vse supersti•ous formes of inuocation, for helpe in time of need; by the very vsing of them, His heart consenteth to Satan, and he would gladly haue the thing effected. When therefore the deuill hath notice of them, and endeauo to effect the thing prayed for,