A09402:130
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.
Lastly, God doth often use Satan as ⟨p. 62⟩his instrument, for the effecting of his intended works, and the executing of his judgements upon men; and in those cases manifesteth unto him, the place where, the time when, and the manner how such a thing should be done. Now all such things as God will have effected by the devil, he may foretell before they come to pass, because he knows them before hand by revelation and assignment from God. Thus by the Witch of Endor he foretold to Saul the time of his death and of his sons, and the ruin of his kingdom,1 saying, To morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me, and the Lord shall give the host of Israel into the hands of the Philisti•s; which particular event, and circumstances appertaining, he did truly define; not of himself, but because God hath drawn away his good spirit from Saul, and had delivered him to be guided by the devil, whom he also appointed as a means; and used as an instrument to work his overthrow. The Scripture indeed maketh not particular mention of the time of Sauls death, it only recordeth ⟨p. 63⟩the manner thereof, and that which followed upon his death; the translating of the kingdom to his neighbour David after him; and yet because God used Satan as an instrument to bring this to pass, hereupon he was able to foretell the particular time, when the will of God should be wrought upon him. And these be the ordinary means and helps whereby the devil may know and declare strange things, whether past, present, or to come.
Lastly, God doth often vse Satan as ⟨p. 62⟩his instrument, for the effecting of his intended workes, and the executing of his iudgements vpon men; and in those cases manifesteth vnto him, the place where, the time when, and the manner how such a thing should be done. Now all such things as God wil haue effected by the deuill, he may fortell before they come to passe, because he knowes them before hand by reuelation and assignment from God. Thus by the Witch of Endor he foretolde to Saul the time of his death and of his sonnes, and the ruine of his kingdome,