A09402:234
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.
Yet for the further declaration thereof, we will allege what the Scripture saith in this point. Solomon saith, If the Serpent bite when he is not charmed, no better is a babbler, Eccles. 10. 11. thus the words are in our English translation: but they may better be thus read according ⟨p. 129⟩to the original: If the serpent bite before he be charmed, what profit hath the master of the tongue thereby; that is, the Charmer. And so they beard this sense: If the Enchanter be bitten, before the serpent be charmed, then he hath no benefit by his charm. For Solomon in that place giveth us to understand, what power Enchanters have, and what they may do by their charms, if they come in time, namely, stay the poison of the serpent, so as he cannot hint, either by biting or stinging. When Balae intended evil against Israel, he hired Balaam to curse them, Num. […]. 6. Now this Balaam was an enchanting Witch; for though he be called a Prophet, yet this was only in the reputation of the world; for his practise was to enchant by charms of words: and to that purpose he was hired to curse Gods people, that is, to-bring mischief upon them by charming; which thing […] he had often and inany […] to do, […] but that it pleased God contrary to his endeavours […] ⟨p. 130⟩out into these words: There is no sorcery against Jacob, nor soothsaying against Israel, Num. 23. 23. As if he should have said, I know well that sorcery is powerful in many things, and of force to bring much mischief upon men, yet it can take no place against the people of God, because he hath blessed them; and whom he blesseth, them no man can hurt by cursing. Enchanters therefore may upon Gods permission work strange things, as appears by these places, to name no more.
Yet for the further declaration thereof, we will alledge what the Scripture saith in this point. Salomon saith, If the Serpent bite when he is not charmed, no better is a babler, Eccles. 10. 11. thus the words are in our English translation: but they may better be thus read according ⟨p. 129⟩