A09402:154
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 third reason. The man that repaireth to the Astrologian upon the particular case for his help and counsel, must believe that he can and will do for him; otherwise, if he come doubting of his ability, or in way of tempting him, he can not help him. Now in common understanding, if the Diviner brings the thing to pass, here must needs be more then Art. For he that is master of a lawful art, can work by his rules, whether a man believe that he can or no; yea though all the men in the world should doubt, his rules would be effectual. The art therefore it self is the old superstitious art of the Chaldeans, which they being Idolaters, ⟨p. 81⟩first fetched from the devil, and his Oracles: yea, the practise thereof is nothing but superstitious sorcery, and the undertakers no better then Sorcerers. If any man doubt hereof, their writings are sufficient testimonies, and they them selves avouch it. For it is a rule and maxim among them in all kind o• Sorcery, that the learner must come credulous, and not doubting, or to tempt; otherwise no answer can be given.
The third reason. The man that repaireth to the Astrologian vpō the particular case for his helpe and counsell, must beleeue that he can and will doe for him; otherwise, if he come doubting of his ability, or in way of tempting him, he can not helpe him. Now in common vnderstanding, if the Diuiner brings the thing to passe, here must needes be more then Arte. For he that is master of a lawfull arte, can worke by his rules, whether a man beleeue that he can or no; yea though all the men in the world should doubt, his rules would be effectuall. The arte therefore it selfe is the old superstitious arte of the Chaldeans, which they beeing Idolaters, ⟨p. 81⟩first ferched from the deuill, and his Oracles: yea, the practise thereof is nothing but superstitious sorcerie, and the vndertakers no better then Sorcerers. If any man doubt hereof, their writings are sufficient testimonies, and they thē selues auouch it. For it is a rule and maxime among them in all kind o• Sorcerie, that the learner must come credulous, and not doubting, or to tempt; otherwise no answer can be giuen.