A09402:251
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.
Yea, but the Basilisk or Cockatrice doth kill man and beast with his breath and sight, yea, the wolf takes away the voice of such as he suddenly meets withal and beholds, and why may not wicked men or women do the like? An. Indeed it is a thing received by common error, and held of some for a truth; but no experience of any man hath yet been brought for the proof thereof, and therefore it is to be reputed as fabulous. Thus much in probability may be thought (if the allegation should be true) that the Basilisk being possessed of a thick poison, may by his breath send forth some gross venomous vapours, and thereby infect the air, and poison the thing that is near unto him. And that the sudden and unexpected beholding of the venomous Cockatrice, or the ravenous wolf, (being creatures in their kind fearful, especi•ll• to those that are not acquainted ⟨p. 143⟩with them) may cause present astonishment, and consequently peril of death. But that this should be done by the eyes of these creatures only, in manner aforesaid, it is not credible; and therefore A• thors have upon good ground denied i• as being confirmed neither by reason, nor experience.
Yea, but the Basiliske or Cockatrice doth kill man and beast with his breath and sight, yea, the wolfe takes away the voyce of such as he suddenly meetes withall and beholds, and why may not wicked men or women doe the like? An. Indeede it is a thing receiued by common errour, and held of some for a truth; but no experience of any man hath yet beene brought for the proofe thereof, and therefore it is to be reputed as fabulous. Thus much in probabilitie may be thought (if the allegatiō should be true) that the Basilis•e beeing possessed of a thicke poyson, may by his breath send forth some grosse venemo•s vapours, and thereby infect the ayre, and poison the thing that is neere vnto him. And that the soddaine and vnexpected beholding of the venemous Cock•trice, or the ravenous wolfe, (beeing creatures in their kind fearefull, especi•ll• to those that are not acquainted