A09402:157
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.
Ans. The reason is of no force. The stars indeed by this ordinance do serve for signs, but of what? not of all things, but (as the text plainly showeth) of days, weeks, months, and years; yea, of the seasons of the year; as of ⟨p. 82⟩Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter; yea further, of the alterations of the weather in general; but all this maketh nothing to ratify Divination of particular events in things contingent, which are to fall out in the state of kingdoms, families, and persons: for they are not causes, but Signs, and that of some general things only, not of particular.
Ans. The reason is of no force. The starres indeede by this ordinance doe serue for signes, but of what? not of all things, but (as the text plainly sheweth) of daies, weekes, months, and yeare•; yea, of the seasons of the yeare; as of ⟨p. 82⟩Spring, Summer, Autumne, and Winter; yea further, of the alterations of the weather in generall; but all this maketh nothing to ratifie Diuination of particular euents in things cōtingent, which are to fal out in the state of kingdomes, families, and persons: for they are not causes, but Signes, and that of some generall things onely, not of particular.
Again, it is said, that Moses & Daniel, two famous Prophets, are commended for their skill in this art: for of Moses it is said, Act. 7. 22. that he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians: and Daniel, in all the wisdom of the Chaldeans, Dan. 1. 17. 20. and we know, that the Egyptians and Chaldeans were the masters of Divination, and eminent above all others in matter of Astrology.
Againe, it is said, that Moses & Daniel, two famous Prophets, are commended for their skill in this art: for of Moses it is saide,