A09402:255
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.
3. Furthermore, the same word is not of power, when it is barely read, heard, or spoken, unless it be also conceived in the understanding, received with reverence, treasured up in the memory, and mingled with faith in the heart: whereas the bare reading and muttering over the words of a Charm by an Enchanter, though in an unknown tongue, in •ude and barbarous words, is sufficient ⟨p. 146⟩to procure the working of wonders.
3. Furthermore, the same word is not of power, when it is barely read, heard, or spoken, vnlesse it be also conceiued in the vnderstanding, receiued with reuerence, treasured vp in the memorie, and mingled with faith in the heart: whereas the bare reading and muttering ouer the words of a Charme by an Inchanter, though in an vnknowne to•gue, in •ude and barbarous words, is sufficient ⟨p. 146⟩to procure the working of wonders.
Now, though the word of God be in it self pure, and serve to excellent purpose, as hath been said, yet by the way we may remember; That as it is with all things that are most precious, nothing is so excellent in it kind, which may not be abused; so it is with this heavenly word: for it is and may be made a Charm two ways. First, when some part of it, is indeed used for a charm. Thus many Texts of Scripture, both in Latin and other languages, have been abused by Enchanters, as might easily be showed. Secondly, when it is heard, read, recited, or made a matter of prayer without understanding. And thus the ignorant man, as much as in him lieth, makes it a Charm. For in his ordinary use thereof, he neither conceiveth, nor taketh care to understand it, as lamentable experience teacheth. Yet in neither of these is the very bare repeating of the word effectual. For as when a man hears or reads it, unless the Spirit of God enlighteneth his heart, it is to no purpose; so when it is made the matter