A09402:206
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 objection: That body which appeared, prophesied of things that came to pass the day after, as the death of Saul, and of his sons; which indeed so fell out, and at the same time, therefore was like to be Samuel. Answ. There is nothing there said or done, which the devil might not do. For when the Lord useth the devil as his instrument to bring some things to pass, he doth before hand reveal the same unto him: and look what particulars the devil learneth from God, those he can foretell. Now the truth is, Satan was appointed by God to work Sauls overthrow, and it was made known ⟨p. 115⟩unto him when the thing should be done; by which means, and by none other, the devil was enabled to Foretell the death of Saul. Where (by the way) observe, that in this case the devil can reveal things to come certainly, to wit, if he be appointed Gods immediate instrument for the execution of them, or knows them by light of former prophecies in Scripture.
The third obiection: That bodie which appeared, prophecied of things that came to passe the day after, as the death of Saul, and of his sonnes; which indeede so fel out, and at the same time, therefore was like to be Samuel. Answ. There is nothing there said or done, which the deuill might not doe. For when the Lord vseth the deuill as his instrument to bring some things to passe, he doth before hand reueile the same vnto him: and looke what particulars the deuill learneth from God, those he can foretell. Now the truth is, Satan was appointed by God to worke Sauls ouerthrowe, and it was made knowne ⟨p. 115⟩vnto him when the thing should be done; by which meanes, and by none other, the deuill was enabled to Foretell the death of Saul. Where (by the way) obserue, that in this case the deuill can reueale things to come certenly, to wit, if he be appointed Gods immediate instrument for the execution of them, or knowes them by light of former prophecies in Scripture.
Fourthly, dead men do often appear and walk after they are buried. Ans. It is indeed the opinion of the Church of Rome, and of many ignorant persons among us, but the truth is otherwise. Dead men do neither walk, nor appear in body or soul after death: for all that die, are either Righteous, or wicked: The souls of the Righteous go straight to heaven, and the souls of the wicked to hell, and their remain till the last judgement: and therefore of the just it is said, that they are blessed when they die, because they rest from their labours,