A09402:246
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.
If it be asked then, what they are, and whereto they serve? I answer, they are no better then the devils sacraments and watchwords, to cause him to do some strange work. For the Enchanter hath relation in his mind to the devil, whose help he hath at hand by covenant either open or secret; or at least some superstitious opinion of the force of the words, which is a preparation to a covenant.
If it be asked then, what they are, and whereto they serue? I ansvver, they are no better then the deuills sacraments and vvatchvvords, to cause him to doe some strange vvorke. For the Inchanter hath relation in his minde to the deuil, vvhose helpe he hath at hand by couenant either open or secret; or at least some superstitious opinion of the force of the vvords, vvhich is a preparation to a couenant.
The truth of this doctrine, howsoever it be thus made manifest, yet it finds not general entertainment at all mens hands. For there are and have been some learned men, in all ages, ⟨p. 139⟩who maintained the contrary, both by word and writing; and namely, that there is great virtue & power in words pronounced in time and place, to effect strange things. For proof whereof they allege these reasons.
The truth of this doctrine, hovvsoeuer it be thus made manifest, yet it findes not generall intertainement at all mens hands. For there are and haue beene some learned men, in all ages, ⟨p. 139⟩who maintained the contrarie, both by word and writing; and namely, that there is great vertue & power in words pronounced in time and place, to effect strange things. For proofe wherof they alledge these reasons.