A09402:147
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.
Here if it be thought strange, that predictions by so excellent creatures as the stars be, should carry both the name and nature of diabolical practises, which can be done by none but such as are in league with Satan:
Here if it be thought strange, that predictions by so excellent creatures as the starres be, should carrie both the name and nature of diabolicall practises, which can be done by none but such as are in league with Satan:
I answer, The reasons hereof are these:
First, it must be considered, that the drift and scope of this art, is to foretell the particular events of things contingent, as the alteration of the states of kingdoms, the deaths of Princes, good or bad success of mens particular affairs, from the hour of their birth, to the day of their death. And from this all men may judge, what the art it self is. For the foretelling of things to come, which in their own nature are contingent, and in regard of us casual (I say not in regard of God, to whom all things are certainly known) is a property peculiar to God alone, and not within the power of any creature, man, or Angel. A point that is plainly taught by the Prophet Isaiah, from the 4. chap. of ⟨p. 76⟩his prophecy, to the 48. The scope whereof is to prove, that it is a prerogative appointed to the Deity, and not communicable to the creature, to foreshow the event of things to come, which in our understanding and reach, may either be, or▪ not be; and which when they are, may be thus or otherwaies. It remains therefore, that Divinations of this kind, taking from God his right, and robbing him of his honour, are justly censured of impiety, & are in themselves wicked and abominable.