A09402:159
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. 1. It cannot be proved out of those places, that Moses or Daniel were trained up in this art: and though it should be granted they were, yet it follows not, that they were practisers of it. at least continually. For albeit, being children and of tender years in the courts of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, ⟨p. 83⟩they had been trained up by their governors in this knowledge, it may not thence be concluded, that they finally submitted themselves to the practise thereof; considering that a man may learn that when he is young, which afterward upon better judgement and consideration, he may utterly disclaim. And so we are to think of them, that after God had called them, they did for ever lay aside all such wicked and devilish practises, forbidden by God, and yet in use among the Egyptians and Chaldeans.
Ans. 1. It cannot be prooued out of those places, that Moses or Daniel were trained vp in this art: and though it should be granted they were, yet it follows not, that they were practisers of it. at least continually. For albeit, beeing children and of tender yeares in the courts of Pharaoh and Nebuchadnetsar, ⟨p. 83⟩they had beene trained vp by their gouernours in this knowledge, it may not thence be concluded, that they finally submitted themselues to the practise thereof; considering that a man may learne that when he is yong, which afterward vpon better iudgement and consideration, he may vtterly disclame. And so we are to thinke of them, that after God had called them, they did for euer lay aside all such wicked and deuillish practises, forbidden by God, and yet in vse among the Egyptians and Chaldeans.
Thirdly, it is objected; the stars are admirable creatures of God, and the causes of many strange effects in the air, in the waters, and upon the earth also, in bodies of men and beasts: it may seem therefore not unlawful to divine by them.
Thirdly, it is obiected; the starres are admirable creatures of God, and the causes of many straunge effects in the aire, in the waters, and vpon the earth also, in bodies of men and beasts: it may seeme therefore not vnlawfull to diuine by them.