A09402:244
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. That which is in nature nothing but a ba•e signification, cannot serve to work a wonder, and this is the nature of all words• for as they be framed of mans breath, they are natural, but yet in regard of form and articulation they are artificial and significant, and the use of them in every language is, to signify that which the author thereof intended; for the first significations of words, depe•••d upon the will and pleasure of ⟨p. 137⟩man that framed and invented them. Being therefore invented only to show or signify some thing, it remains that neither in nature nor proper use, they can be applied to the producing of wonderful and strange effects. Thus the former part of the assumption is cleared.
IV. That which is in nature nothing but a ba•e signification, cannot serue to worke a wonder, and this is the nature of all words• for as they be framed of mans breath, they are naturall, but yet in regard of forme and articulation they are artificiall and significant, and the vse of them in euery language is, to signifie that which the author thereof intended; for the first significations of words, depe•••d vpon the will and pleasure of ⟨p. 137⟩man that framed and inuented them. Beeing therefore inuented onely to shew or signifie some thing, it remaines that neither in nature nor proper vse, they can be applied to the producing of wounderfull and strange effects. Thus the former part of the assumption is cleared.
In the second place I affirm, that the words of charmers have not this power in them, by any special gift, blessing, or appointment of God, since the creation; which is the other part of the assumption. And I show it thus: whatsoever is powerful and effectual to any end or purpose, by Gods gift, blessing, or appointment, the same is commanded in his word to be used, and hath also a promise of blessing annexed to the right use thereof. To use the instance before made for explanation sake. The bread in the Lords supper, hath this power and property given it by Christ, to seal & signify unto every believing receiver the body of Christ; and by this property given it, it is aeileable to this purpose; though it be a thing above the common