A09402:252
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.
Thirdly, they reason thus; enchanters by whispering of words in charms can stay the stinging and poisoning of serpents: for so David in effect speaketh; that the voice of the Charmer charmeth the serpent, Psal. 58. 5. It may seem therefore that there is no small force in words for the effecting of strange works. Ans. It must be granted that the charmer may enchant the serpent: but how? not by virtue of the words in the Charm, but by the power of the devil, who then is stirred up, when the charm is repeated, to do the thing intended. The truth of this answer appears by the words of the text, as they are read in the original, that the Enchanter joineth societies very cunningly, namely, with the devil. Now ⟨p. 144⟩these societies between Satan and the Charmer, are the very ground of the work upon the serpent: which work, upon confederacy formerly made, is done by the devil; and the words of the Charm are no more but the Enchanters Item or watchword, to occasion him thereunto. And let any other man repeat the same words a thousand times, that either is not thus confederate with Satan, or hath not a superstitious opinion of Charms, and all his labour will be in vain.
Thirdly, they reason thus; •nchanters by whispering of words in charmes can stay the stinging and poisoning of serpents: for so Dauid in effect speaketh; that the voice of the Charmer charmeth the serpent, Psal. 58. 5. It may seeme therefore that there is no small force in words for the effecting of strange works. Ans. It must be granted that the charmer may inchant the serpent: but how? not by vertue of the words in the Charme, but by the power of the deuill, who then is stirred vp, when the charme is repeated, to doe the thing intended. The truth of this answer appeares by the words of the text, as they are read in the originall, that the Inchanter ioyneth societies very cunningly, namely, with the deuill. Now ⟨p. 144⟩these s•ci•ties betweene Satan and the Charmer, are the very ground of the worke vpon the serpent: which worke, vpon confederacie formerly made, is done by the deuill; and the words of the Charme are no more but the Inchanters Item or watchword, to occasion him thereunto. And let any other man reapeat the same words a thousand times, that either is not thus confederate with Satan, or hath not a superstitious opinion of Charmes, and al his labour will be in vaine.