A09402:203
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.
IV. If it had been true Samuel, he would certainly have reproved Saul for seeking help at Witches, contrary to Gods commandment, & that doctrine which he had taught him from God in his life time. But this counterfeit reproved him not, and therefore it is not like to be the true Prophet of God, but Satan himself, framing by his art and skill the person and shape of Samuel.
IV. If it had beene true Samuel, he would certainly haue reproued Saul for seeking helpe at Witches, contrarie to Gods commandement, & that doctrine which he had taught him from God in his life time. But this counterfeit reproued him not, and therefore it is not like to be the true Prophet of God, but Satan himselfe, framing by his art and skill the person and shape of Samuel.
But it is alleged to the contrary, that Samuel a•ter his sleep, prophesied of the death of Saul, Ecclesiastic. 46. v. 20. A•ter his sleep also he told of the Kings death, &c. Answ. That book penned by Jesus the son of Sirach is a very worthy description of Christian Ethics, containing more excellent precepts for manners, then all the writings of heathen Philosophers, or other men. But yet it is not Scripture, neither did the Church ever hold and receive it as C••onicall: yea, the author himself insinuateth so much in the beginning thereof: for in the preface he ⟨p. 113⟩disableth himself to interpret hard things, and after a sort craves pardon for his weakness, which is not the manner of the men of God, that were penmen of Scripture. For they were so guided by gods spirit in their proceedings, that nothing could be hard unto them. This privilege no ordinary man hath assurance of: and therefore this author writing upon his own private motion, was subject to error, and no doubt this speech of his, being contrary to that which is recorded in the Canonical Scriptures, is a flat untruth.
But it is alleadged to the contrarie, that Samuel ater his sleepe, prophesied of the death of Saul, Ecclesiastic. 46. v. 20. Ater his sleepe also he told of the Kings death, &c. Answ. That booke penned by Iesus the sonne of Sirach is a very worthie description of Christian Ethicks, contaming more excellent precepts for manners, then all the writings of heathen Philosophers, or other men. But yet it is not Scripture, neither did the Church euer hold and receiue it as Conicall: yea, the author himselfe sinuateth so much in the beginning thereof: for in the preface he