A09402:124
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.
First, by the Scriptures of the Old & New Testament, wherein are set down sundry prophecies concerning things to come. In the Old Testament are recorded many prophecies concerning the state of Gods Church, from the first age of the world, till the coming of Christ. In the New Testament likewise are recorded others, touching the self same thing, from the coming of Christ in the latter days, to the end of the world. Now the devil being acquainted with the history of the Bible, and having attained unto a greater light of knowledge in the prophecies therein contained, then any man hath; by stealing divinations out of them, he is able to tell of many strange things, that may in time fall out in the world, and answerably may show them ere they come to pass.
First, by the Scriptures of the Old & New Testament, wherein are set downe sundrie prophecies concerning things to come. In the Old Testament are recorded many prophecies concerning the state of Gods Church, from the first age of the world, till the comming of Christ. In the New Testament likewise are recorded others, touching the selfe same thing, from the cōming of Christ in the latter daies, to the ende of the world. Now the deuill beeing acquainted with the historie of the Bible, and hauing attained vnto a greater light of knowledge in the prophecies therein cōtained, then any man hath; by stealing diuinations out of them, he is able to tell of many strange things, that may in time fall out in the world, and answerably may shew them ere they come to passe.
For example: Alexander the great before he made war with Darius king of Persia, consulted with the Oracle, that is, ⟨p. 58⟩with the devil, touching the event and issue of his enterprise. The Oracle answered him thus; Alexander shall be a Conqueror; upon the prediction of the Oracle,1 Alexander wages war with Darius, and invades Asia, and having conquered him, translated the Empire from Persia to Greece, according as the Oracle had said. Now if question be made, how the devil knew the event of this war, and consequently made it known to Alexander? The answer is, by the help of a prophecy in the Old testament; for this thing was particularly set down before hand by the Prophet Daniel,